JP2007286108A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that a stain such as a fingerprint mark is conspicuous on output printed paper when using present structure for manual paper feeding and printing in an image processor, where manual feeding is performed generally and which is apt to make a range where an operator touches wider and the time taken until printing shorter generally on paper fed by manual paper feeding than on paper fed by another paper feeding means, consequently a stain such as a fingerprint shown by figure 5 is left on the fed paper. <P>SOLUTION: In the image processor, by performing pre-fixing on the fed paper by manual paper feeding, the stain such as the fingerprint mark is removed. Besides, the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of a fingerprint mark removing function can be set according to user's instruction or the attribute of the fed paper, whereby image quality of a printed result and user's convenience are improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for removing stains such as fingerprint marks on a paper feed sheet when manually feeding in an image processing apparatus.

Conventionally, there is an apparatus that can print on both sides of a fed sheet. In this case, first, a process is performed in which a sheet fed for printing on one side is fixed, printing is performed, and then printing is performed again on the back side via a feeding path for double-sided printing. . (For example, Patent Document 1)
JP-A-8-262814

  In the image processing apparatus, printing paper is set in a paper feeding means (for example, a paper feeding cassette) by a human hand. At this time, dirt such as fingerprints may be attached by directly holding the printing paper by hand. In particular, the paper fed by manual feeding is often touched by a person in comparison with the paper fed by other paper feeding means. Dirt such as fingerprints adhering to the printing paper was noticeable when it was ejected after printing.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
A photosensitive drum for forming an electrostatic latent image of image data;
A developing device for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum;
A transfer device for transferring the image visualized on the photosensitive drum to a recording paper;
A fixing device for fixing the image transferred to the recording paper;
A recording paper reversing device for reversing the recording paper,
In an image processing apparatus having a refeed conveyance apparatus for conveying a reversed recording paper,
A manual paper feeder for feeding recording paper;
Forced duplex pass mode setting means for performing a forced duplex pass through the fixing device before transferring the image to the recording paper in order to erase fingerprint marks attached to the recording paper;
Display means for displaying means for setting the forced double-pass mode when it is determined that paper is fed from the manual paper feeder;
In the setting means, the setting selection can be specified by the user,
If you decide to feed paper from the manual paper feeder, set the duplex path mode automatically.
Enable / disable the setting selection method for forced duplex path mode,
The setting selection of the forced duplex path mode includes that the user can specify.

  According to the present invention, dirt such as fingerprint traces can be removed by prefixing the paper for manual feed, and the fingerprint trace removal function can be validated or invalidated by a user instruction or paper feed. This can be set according to the attributes of the paper, and the image quality of the printing result and user convenience are improved.

Example 1
<Basic Description of Image Forming Apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of the copying machine 1001.

  The copying machine 1001 includes a controller unit 2000, to which a scanner 2070 as an image input device and a printer 2095 as an image output device are connected, and an operation unit 2012 is connected. The controller unit 2000 performs control for realizing a copy function for printing out image data read by the scanner 2070 by the printer 2095, and is connected to a LAN 1006 or a public line 1008 (WAN) to thereby obtain image information and devices. Controls to input / output information.

  Specifically, the controller unit 2000 includes a CPU 2001. The CPU 2001 starts up an operation system (OS) by a boot program stored in the ROM 2003, and is stored in an HDD (hard disk drive) 2004 on the OS. The application program is executed, and various processes are thereby executed. A RAM 2002 is used as a work area of the CPU 2001. The RAM 2002 provides a work area and an image memory area for temporarily storing image data. The HDD 2004 stores the application program and image data.

  Along with the ROM 2003 and the RAM 2002, the CPU 2001 includes an operation unit I / F (operation unit interface) 2006, a network I / F (network interface) 2010, a modem 2050, and an image bus I / F (image bus interface). ) 2005 is connected.

  An operation unit I / F 2006 is an interface with an operation unit 2012 having a touch panel, and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 2012 to the operation unit 2012. Further, the operation unit I / F 2006 sends information input by the user through the operation unit 2012 to the CPU 2001.

  Next, the network I / F 2010 is connected to the LAN 1006 and inputs / outputs information to / from each device on the LAN 1006 via the LAN 1006. The modem 2050 is connected to the public line 1008 and inputs / outputs information via the public line 1008.

  An image bus I / F 2005 is a bus bridge for connecting a system bus 2007 and an image bus 2008 that transfers image data at high speed and converting the data format. The image bus 2008 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. On the image bus 2008, a raster image processor (hereinafter referred to as “RIP”) 2060, a device I / F 2020, a scanner image processing unit 2080, a printer image processing unit 2090, an image rotation unit 2030, and an image compression unit 2040 are provided. .

  The RIP 2060 is a processor that develops a PDL code into a bitmap image. A scanner 2070 and a printer 2095 are connected to the device I / F 2020, and the device I / F 2020 performs image data synchronous / asynchronous conversion. A scanner image processing unit 2080 corrects, processes, and edits input image data. The printer image processing unit 2090 performs correction, resolution conversion, and the like corresponding to the printer 2095 for the print output image data. The image rotation unit 2030 rotates image data. The image compression unit 2040 compresses multi-value image data into JPEG data and binary image data into data such as JBIG, MMR, and MH, and performs decompression processing thereof.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the scanner 2070 and the printer 2095 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a hardware configuration of the scanner 2070 and the printer 2095 shown in FIG.

  The scanner 2070 and the printer 2095 are integrally configured as shown in FIG. The scanner 2070 includes a document feeding unit 250. The document feeding unit 250 feeds documents one by one from the top to the platen glass 211 one by one, and each time the scanning operation of each document is completed, the document is fed. Is discharged from the platen glass 211 to a discharge tray (not shown). When the document is fed onto the platen glass 211, the scanner 2070 turns on the lamp 212 and starts moving the moving unit 213. The scanning of the original on the platen glass 211 is performed by the movement of the moving unit 213. During this scanning, the reflected light from the document is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as “CCD”) 218 via each mirror 214, 215, 216 and lens 217, and an image on the document is on the imaging surface of the CCD 218. Is imaged. The CCD 218 converts an image formed on the imaging surface into an electrical signal, and the electrical signal is input to a control device (not shown) after being subjected to predetermined processing.

  The printer 2095 has a laser driver 321, and the laser driver 321 drives the laser emission unit 322 based on image data input from the control device. As a result, laser light corresponding to the image data is emitted from the laser light emitting unit 322, and this laser light is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 323 while being scanned. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 323 by the irradiated laser light, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized as a toner image by the toner supplied from the developing device 324. In synchronization with the irradiation timing of the laser beam, the recording paper is fed from the cassettes 311 and 312 between the photosensitive drum 323 and the transfer unit 325 via the conveyance path, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 323 is transferred to the transfer unit 325. Is transferred onto the recording paper fed.

  The recording paper onto which the toner image has been transferred is sent to a fixing roller pair (heating roller and pressure roller) 326 via a conveyance belt, and the fixing roller pair 326 records the toner image on the recording paper by heat-pressing the recording paper. Fix on paper. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing roller pair 326 is discharged to the paper discharge unit 330 by the paper discharge roller pair 327. The paper discharge unit 330 includes a sheet processing apparatus that can perform post-processing such as sorting and stapling.

  When the duplex recording mode is set, after the recording sheet is conveyed to the discharge roller pair 327, the rotation direction of the discharge roller pair 327 is reversed and guided to the refeed conveyance path 339 by the flapper 328. . The recording paper guided to the refeed conveyance path 339 is fed again between the photosensitive drum 323 and the transfer unit 325 at the timing described above, and the toner image is transferred to the back surface of the recording paper.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of the operation unit 2012 shown in FIG.

  The LCD display unit 2013 has a structure in which a touch panel sheet is pasted on the LCD. The LCD display unit 2013 displays an operation screen of the copying machine 1001, and when a key displayed on the screen is pressed, the position information is displayed on the controller unit 2000. To the CPU 2001. A start key 2014 is used when starting a document image reading operation. A green and red two-color LED 2018 is provided at the center of the start key 2014, and indicates whether or not the start key 2014 can be used depending on the color. A stop key 2015 is operated to stop an operation in operation. The ID key 2016 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. A reset key 2017 is used when initializing settings from the operation unit 2012.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on the operation unit 2012.

  A copy tab 901, a transmission / FAX tab 902, a box tab 903, a browser tab 904, and a right arrow tab 905 for selecting various functions are displayed at the top of the operation screen of the operation unit 2012.

  FIG. 4 shows an initial screen of the copy function when the touch key of the copy tab 901 is pressed. The display relating to the copy function is performed in the area 906. From the top of the area 906, the area to be displayed for the copy function is displayed in the area where “Can copy” is displayed, and the magnification below is displayed in the area below it. , The selected paper feed tray, and the set number. In addition, as a touch key for setting the operation mode of the copy function, the left arrow key corresponding to the same size, magnification, paper selection, sorter, double-sided, interrupt, character, thinning for density adjustment, corresponding to the darkening The right arrow key for automatically adjusting and the automatic key for automatically adjusting the density are displayed, and the operation mode designation screen that cannot be displayed on the initial screen is hierarchically displayed in the area 906 by pressing the application mode key. It has become so.

  A display area 907 is an area for displaying the status of the copying machine 1001, for example, an alarm message such as a jam, or a status message indicating that PDL printing is being performed when PDL printing is being performed. It is an area. A system status / cancel touch key 908 is displayed in the display area 907. When the system status / cancel touch key 908 is pressed, a screen for displaying device information of the copier 1001 or a screen for displaying the print job status (not shown). ) Is displayed, and the job can be canceled on this screen.

  When a box tab 903 is pressed, an image read on the copier 1001 is stored in the box area in the HDD 2004, printed by designating image data stored in the box area, or transmitted to a device on the LAN 1006. Display a setting screen (not shown).

If the controller unit 2000 is equipped with five or more functions, the right arrow key 905 is displayed on the right side of the four function tabs 901 to 904 of copy, send / fax, box, and browser, and the right arrow When the key 905 is pressed, a screen for another function is displayed.
(The above is a basic explanation of copiers.)
In the following, a method for displaying a setting button of a fingerprint mark removal function (hereinafter referred to as forced double-pass mode) of the copier operation unit, a method of setting the forced double-pass mode of the copier operation unit, and manual feed printing are performed. The internal operation of the copying machine at the time of performing will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a user mode setting screen for setting whether or not to display a button for setting the forced duplex pass mode on the manual paper feed setting screen of FIG. The user mode is a mode in which the user can perform basic settings, display settings, and the like of the copying machine, but is described as an example in this embodiment. In FIG. 6, when the forced double-pass button display ON 601 is selected and the OK button 603 is pressed, the forced double-pass mode setting button 801 in FIG. 8 is displayed. When the forced duplex path setting button is set to display, the manual feed setting screen shown in FIG.

  Further, in FIG. 6, when the forced double-side pass button display OFF of 602 is selected and the OK button of 603 is pressed, the forced double-pass mode setting button is hidden as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart when setting button display and non-display for setting the forced duplex path mode on the manual paper feed setting screen of FIG. In S101, the user mode setting screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. In S102, whether to display or hide the forced double-pass mode setting button is set. Press the OK button in S103. In S104, display / non-display setting of the forced duplex path mode setting button is determined. If the forced duplex path mode setting button is set to display, the display setting information is stored in the HDD 2004 in S105. If the forced duplex path mode setting button is set to non-display, non-display setting information is stored in the HDD 2004 in S106.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart when the forced duplex path mode setting is performed.

  In S111, the paper is placed in the manual paper feeder. The copying machine detects the paper feed in the manual paper feed unit, and displays a manual paper feed setting screen in S112. In S113, the copier acquires from the HDD 2004 display / non-display setting information of the forced duplex path mode setting button set in the flowchart of FIG.

  If the forced duplex path mode setting button is set to display, the forced duplex path mode button is displayed in S114. In S115, the default state of the button is changed to the inverted state of the ON state (801 in FIG. 8).

  If the forced duplex path mode setting button is set to non-display, the forced duplex path mode button is not displayed in S116. By pressing the OK button 802 in FIG. 8, forced double-pass mode setting information is recorded in the HDD 2004.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart when the setting button of the forced duplex path mode is pressed on the manual paper feed setting screen of FIG. When the forced duplex pass mode is set, as will be described later, fixing once before actually executing printing, transporting the paper again through the duplex pass, and then performing printing makes the smudges such as fingerprints conspicuous. Can be eliminated.

In S121, the forced duplex path mode button is pressed. In S122, the copying machine determines whether the forced duplex path mode button is pressed. If the forced double-pass mode button is in the inverted state, the display of the forced double-pass mode button is changed from the reverse display state of 801 in FIG. 8 to the normal display state of 901 in FIG. 9 in S123. If the forced double-pass mode button is not reversed, the display of the forced double-pass mode button is changed from the normal display state of 901 in FIG. 9 to the reverse display state of 801 in FIG. 8 in S124.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart of manual paper feed printing.

  In S131, the print start button is pressed. In S132, the copying machine determines whether or not the forced double-pass mode is set. If the forced duplex path mode is set, the sheet is fed from the manual sheet feeding unit 340 between the photosensitive drum 323 and the transfer unit 325 in S133. Thereafter, the paper sheet is passed through the fixing roller pair 326, and the temperature of the paper sheet is increased and pre-fixing is performed by pressurization, thereby removing dirt such as fingerprint marks on the paper of FIG.

  In S134, the pre-fixed paper sheet is transported to the paper discharge roller pair 327, and then the rotation direction of the paper discharge roller pair 327 is reversed, and the flapper 328 feeds the paper to the refeed paper transport path 339 of the duplex unit. Transport the paper. In S135, the paper fed in the paper refeed conveyance path is fed again between the photosensitive drum 323 and the transfer unit 325, and a normal printing operation is performed.

  If the forced duplex pass mode is not set, normal printing is performed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a copying machine. It is a sectional side view which shows the hardware constitutions of the scanner and printer shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the structure of the operation part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen displayed on an operation part. It is a figure which shows an example of the fingerprint trace adhering to the paper. It is a figure which shows an example of the user mode which performs the setting button display setting of forced double pass mode. FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a manual paper feed setting screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a manual paper feed setting screen when a forced double-sided path mode is enabled. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a manual paper feed setting screen when forced double-pass mode is disabled. It is a flowchart which shows the forced double-sided pass mode button display setting screen in user mode. It is a flowchart which sets forced double-pass mode. It is a flowchart at the time of pressing down a forced duplex path mode button. 10 is a flowchart of manual paper feed printing.

Claims (4)

A photosensitive drum for forming an electrostatic latent image of image data;
A developing device for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum;
A transfer device for transferring the image visualized on the photosensitive drum to a recording paper;
A fixing device for fixing the image transferred to the recording paper;
A recording paper reversing device for reversing the recording paper,
In an image processing apparatus having a refeed conveyance apparatus for conveying a reversed recording paper,
A manual paper feeder for feeding recording paper;
Forced duplex pass mode setting means for performing a forced duplex pass through the fixing device before transferring the image to the recording paper in order to erase fingerprint marks attached to the recording paper;
Display means for displaying means for setting the forced double-pass mode when it is determined that paper is fed from the manual paper feeder;
An image processing apparatus characterized in that a forced duplex path mode can be selected when it is determined that paper is fed from a manual paper feeder. In claim 1,
An image processing apparatus that automatically sets a double-sided path mode when it is determined that paper is fed from a manual paper feeder. In claim 1,
An image processing apparatus characterized by being able to select whether to enable or disable setting selection means for forced double-pass mode. In claim 3,
An image processing apparatus characterized in that a user can designate setting of forced double-pass mode.

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