Image synthesizing apparatus

There is disclosed a copying machine with a function of superimposing characters on the copy. The characters to be superimposed are selected with a pointer from the characters arranged on a plate member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to an image synthesizing apparatus capable of 
synthesizing an image and characters. 
2. Related Background Art 
There has been proposed a so-called digital copying machine for reading an 
original image and printing an image corresponding thereto. For 
synthesizing other data with the copied image in such apparatus, it has 
been necessary to inscribe such data on the original image in advance, or 
to feed a copy sheet after recording of the original image to the printer 
unit again for superimposed recording of other data. 
Also for synthesizing a predetermined format with the original image, it 
has been proposed, as disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,791, to read 
format data from a memory in synchronization with the reading of the 
original image thereby achieving such image synthesis. 
However the output of arbitrary characters with arbitrary density, position 
and size is difficult and requires a large apparatus such as a work 
station. 
The apparatus capable of superimposing characters on the copied image is 
also disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,714,940 and 4,682,190 and 
the U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 893,358, but a personal computer or a 
word processor is required for the input of characters. 
The use of such character input equipment not only increases the dimensions 
of the apparatus but also elevates the cost thereof. Also the character 
input may be difficult for a beginner. 
Also in such copying apparatus there may be conducted an image shifting or 
zooming process, so that the position of image on the copy may be 
different from that of the original. Therefore, if the position of 
synthesis of characters is determined on the original image, the result of 
synthesis obtained on the copy sheet may be different from what is 
expected. 
Also in a case of copying plural originals in succession on such copying 
apparatus, it has been difficult to shift upwards the page number starting 
from a desired number. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved image 
synthesizing apparatus not associated with the drawbacks mentioned above. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive image 
synthesizing apparatus allowing easy input of the patterns to be 
synthesized, equipped with a flat member on which arranged are plural 
character patterns for synthesis, wherein the patterns designated on said 
flat member are synthesized with an original image. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an image 
synthesizing apparatus capable of altering the characters to be 
synthesized with the original image, without difficulty. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an image 
synthesizing apparatus capable of satisfactorily synthesizing original 
information and pattern information regardless of the nature of image 
processing to be applied to the original information. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an image 
synthesizing apparatus capable of synthesizing original images and 
characters utilizing an automatic original feeder. 
The foregoing and still other objects of the present invention will become 
fully apparent from the following description, to be taken in conjunction 
with the attached drawings, and from the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Now the present invention will be clarified in detail by description of the 
preferred embodiments thereof. 
FIG. 1 is an external view of a copying apparatus embodying the present 
invention, wherein are provided an editer 31 used for point setting or 
mode setting; an electronic pointer 32 for point input on said editer 31; 
an operation unit 33 for setting various modes; a reader unit 34 for 
reading the original image; and a printer unit 35 for printing the image 
read by the reader unit 34. 
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the reader unit A and the printer unit 
B. An original is placed, with its face down, on a support glass plate 3, 
and is pressed there against with an original cover 4. The original is 
illuminated by a fluorescent lamp 2, and the reflected light is guided 
through mirrors 5, 7 and a lens 6, and is focused on a CCD 1. 
The mirrors 5 and 7 are moved with a relative speed ratio 2:1. These 
optical system components move forward, from left to right, with a speed 
corresponding to the image reading magnification, under a phase locked 
loop control by a DC servo motor 26. 
A reverse movement, from right to left, is made with a constant speed 
regardless of the image magnification. The reader unit A can accommodate 
an original of A3 size at maximum. Since the resolving power is 400 
dots/inch, there is employed a CCD of about 5,000 pixels. 
An image signal, representing the image density, is obtained by the 
successive line scannings of the original image with the CCD 1 while the 
image reading position is moved by the mirrors 5, 7. 
The bit-serial image signal obtained in the reader unit A is supplied to a 
laser scanning unit 25 of the printer B. Said unit 25 is composed of a 
semiconductor laser, a collimating lens, a rotary polygon mirror, an 
F-.theta. lens, and an image inclination correcting optical system. 
The image signal from the reader A is supplied to the semiconductor laser 
and converted into a light beam, which is introduced through the 
collimating lens into the polygon mirror rotated at a high speed, and the 
light reflected therefrom scans a photosensitive member 8. Said 
photosensitive member 8 is associated with image forming process 
components including a charge pre-eliminator 9; a charge pre-eliminating 
lamp 10, a primary charger 11; a secondary charger 12; a flush exposure 
lamp 13; a developing unit 14; a sheet cassette 15; a sheet feeding roller 
16; sheet guide members 17; registration rollers 18; a transfer charger 
19; a separating roller 20; a conveyor guide 21; a fixing unit 22; and a 
tray 23. The photosensitive member 8 and the conveyor are driven at a 
speed of 180 mm/sec. Thus the printer B constitutes a so-called laser beam 
printer. 
Outside the photosensitive member 8, there is provided an unrepresented 
photosensor for detecting the laser beam put into the scanning motion by 
the unit 25, and a horizontal synchronization signal BD, indicating the 
start of each horizontal scanning motion of the laser beam, is obtained 
from the output of said photosensor. 
The copying apparatus of the present embodiment has so-called intelligent 
image editing functions, including synthesis of arbitrary characters or 
symbols with the read image, image zooming with an image magnification 
variable with a pitch of 1% within a range from 0.35 to 4.0 times, a 
trimming function for extracting a designated image area, and an image 
shifting function for shifting the trimmed image to an arbitrary position 
on the sheet. 
FIG. 3A is a plan view of the original reader unit, composed of an 
operation unit 143 and an original cover 142 having the editer thereon. 
The operation unit 143 is connected to the original reader, and also 
displays the information of the unrepresented printer unit, which forms an 
image according to the image information. 
A start key 101 starts the original reading. 
An asterisk key 102 is used for setting service modes. 
A recall key 103 is used for recalling a copy mode previously used. A reset 
key 104 is used for restoring various settings to a standard mode. Numeral 
keys 105 are used for example for entering the number of desired copies. 
A clear/stop key 106 is used for clearing the number of copies designated 
by said numeral keys, and for stopping the copying operation. Exposure 
control keys 107, 108, 109 select manual exposure control or automatic 
exposure control (AE) of the copy, and the selected mode is displayed on 
an indicator 110. 
A photo mode key 111 is used for making a copy from a photograph original. 
A high contrast key 112 is used for making a copy with an enhanced image 
contrast. A negative/positive inversion key 113 is used for making a copy 
with inverted black and white levels. 
A copy number display 114 displays the set number of copies, and, in the 
course of a copying operation, the remaining number of copies to be made. 
An indicator 115 indicates the placing direction of the original, 
determined from the image magnification and the sheet size. An indicator 
116 indicates the size of the sheets set in the printer. A cassette 
selection key 117 selects the sheet feeding units of the printer. A direct 
copy key 118, a fixed ratio key 119 and an automatic reduce/enlarge key 
120 select the image magnification of a reduced or enlarged copy; and 
indicators 122 displays the size changes in the reduced or enlarged 
copying with fixed ratio. 
An automatic sheet selection key 120 is used for automatic sheet size 
selection according to the original size. A liquid crystal display unit 
123 has a capacity of 240.times.64 dots, and displays various information 
under the control of a microcomputer to be explained later. 
Said liquid crystal display unit 123 is covered by a transparent touch 
panel, incorporating transparent switches arranged in a 4.times.10 matrix, 
whereby a position designated by a finger or the like can be transmitted 
and identified by the microcomputer. A two-sided/ overlay key 124 is used 
for selecting a two-sided/ overlay operation in the printer. A 
sort/collate key 125 is used for selecting the operating mode of a sorter 
to be connected to the printer. A center shifting key 126 is used for 
obtaining a copy with the image shifted to be center of the sheet. An 
automatic original recognition key 127 is used for selecting whether or 
not automatic recognition of the original size is to be carried out. 
Memory keys 128 are used for storing and recalling various operation modes 
in collective manner. 
The original cover plate 142 is used for pressing the original placed on an 
unrepresented copy board, and is provided with an operation unit for 
setting various copying modes and entering the characters, numerals, 
symbols, etc. 
A digitizer 139 transmits the coordinate data, selected by an electronic 
pointer 138, to the microcomputer, and said coordinate data are 
recognized, in combination with the operation mode, as positional 
information on the original or reproduction ratio information entered from 
a zoom scale input board 141, or character information entered from a 
character list board 143. As the reproduction ratio is obtained from the 
coordinate values by conversion with the microcomputer, the scale of 
reproduction ratio can be enlarged in a desired range as illustrated (in 
the present embodiment a range from 35 to 100% is expanded). 
A zoom key 129 is used for determining the reproduction ratio, which is 
designated by the electronic pointer 138 on the zoom scale input board 141 
after said zoom key is actuated. 
An area designation key 130 is used for designating an area of image 
editing. An arbitrary area can be selected by designation, with the 
electronic pointer 138 on the zoom scale input board 141, of the position 
of desired image editing on the original, after said key is actuated. 
A shift key 131 is used for shifting the image. After said key is actuated, 
a desired position to which the image is to be shifted is designated 
either by the electronic pointer 138 on the zoom scale input board 141, or 
with the touch panel 123. 
A two-page serial copy key 132 is used in case of printing an original 
image into a plural sheets. 
A multi-page enlargement key 133 is used in a case of printing an enlarged 
image of the original onto plural sheets. 
A mirror image key 136 is used in a case of inverting the original image in 
the main scanning direction. 
An image create key 137 is used for various image editing, for example in a 
case of forming italic characters. 
A character input key 134 is used in a case of inserting characters, 
numeral, symbols, etc. into the image of the original. Said characters, 
numerals, symbols, etc. are designated with the electronic pointer 138 on 
the character list board 143, after said key is depressed. 
An image repeat key 135 is used for recording the image of the entire 
original or a trimmed image, plural times on the same recording sheet. 
FIG. 3B shows the character list board 143, which contains, as illustrated, 
upper-case alphabet keys (A, B, C, ... Z), lower-case alphabet keys (a, b, 
c,... z), numeral keys (1, 2, 3, . . . , 0), large katakana keys (, , , 
. . . , ) small katakana keys (, , , . . . , ), kanji keys (, , , 
etc), symbol keys ((,), %, ?, /, . . . ), auxiliary character keys 
corresponding to three other characters to be arbitrarily registered, and 
a space key, and any desired character can be selected by depressing a 
desired key with the electronic pointer 138. 
The characters corresponding to the above-mentioned keys are given 
sequential codes from 0 to 147 in such a manner that the characters "A, B, 
C, . . . , J" in the first row are respectively given codes "0, 1, 2, . . 
. , 9" while the characters "K, L, M, . . . T" in the second row are 
respectively given codes "10, 11, 12, . . . , 19". In FIG. 3B, the 
numerals (0), (1), (2), . . . , (9) indicate the lowest digit of said 
codes while those (00), (01), (02), . . . , (14) indicate the upper two 
digits of said codes. 
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control unit of the copying apparatus shown 
in FIG. 1. 
A CCD 201, corresponding to the CCD 1 shown in FIG. 2, converts the image 
of the original on the original support plate 3 into an image signal. An 
image processing circuit 202 applies, to the image signal from the CCD 
201, a shading correction for correcting the unevenness of the output, a 
gamma correction for correcting the density characteristic, etc. There are 
further provided an add-on display RAM 207 for storing the code data of 
the characters and symbols to be superimposed or added on the copy; an 
add-on front ROM 208 for providing dot data representing characters 
corresponding to said code data; and add-on RAM 205 for storing the dot 
data supplied from the add-on font ROM 208; an add-on image generating 
circuit 206 for generating, in response to an add-on start signal ADST, 
add-on image data to be inserted into the image of the original by 
controlling the output of the dot data stored in said add-on RAM; a 
synthesizing circuit 203 for synthesizing the original image data from the 
image processing circuit 202 and the add-on image data from the add-on 
image generating circuit 206; and a printer 204 for effecting a printing 
operation according to the image data supplied from the synthesizing 
circuit 203. 
A control unit or CPU 210 controls the function of the blocks of the 
reader, through a RAM 215 and an I/O port 216, according to a program 
stored in a ROM 214. 
There are further shown an editor provided on the original cover plate 142; 
an operation unit 212 corresponding to that shown in FIG. 3A; a buzzer for 
giving a sound alarm to the operator; and a sub-scanning counter 209 for 
counting the recording lines of the printer. 
The above-explained structure allows one to obtain, as shown in FIG. 8, an 
image (FIG. 8B) by inserting characters, symbols, etc. of an arbitrary 
size in a desired position of the original image (FIG. 8A) read by the 
reader. 
FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the control sequence for character input to 
be executed by the CPU 210. 
In the following there will be explained the method of setting various 
modes by means of the editor and the operation unit, while making 
reference to FIG. 7. 
When the character input key 134 of the editor is depressed (S11), the 
liquid crystal display unit 123 shows a display shown in FIG. 5A (S13). A 
cursor 501 flashes at a display position corresponding to the character 
input, and said cursor can be moved vertically or horizontally by pushing 
one of four displayed cursor moving keys 502. 
The operator can correct a mistaken character input by moving the cursor 
501 to such mistaken character and entering the correct character. Also 
all the displayed characters are erased by pushing a displayed clear key 
503. 
The input of characters with the editor 213 is executed in the following 
manner. 
The position pointed by the electronic pointer 138 on the editor 213 is 
transmitted to the CPU 210 through serial communication between the CPU 
210 and the editor 213. When the operator points to a position on the 
editor 213 with the pointer 138, the CPU 210 discriminates whether the 
coordinate information of the point from the editor 213 is within the 
character input board 143 (S14). If the indicated position is within the 
character input board 143, the buzzer 39 generates a beeping sound to 
inform the operator of a character input (S15). Then a code corresponding 
to the character is determined (for example 0 for "A", 1 for "B", . . . as 
shown in FIG. 3B) and stored in the add-on display RAM 207 (S16). A 
character corresponding to the code stored in the add-on display RAM 207 
is displayed, and the cursor is normally shifted to right by a digit. If 
the cursor is at the right-end position, it is moved to the left-end 
position of the next row. The characters to be added on the original image 
are entered in this manner, and the liquid crystal display unit 123 gives 
a display as shown in FIG. 5B. 
FIG. 6 shows contents of the add-on display RAM 207 corresponding to the 
display shown in FIG. 5B. 
In this state, the characters entered as explained above are merely stored 
in the form of codes in the add-on display RAM 207, and do not have the 
characteristics of image information. 
When the start of an image forming operation is instructed by the start key 
7, the CPU 210 reads the font information corresponding to the codes 
stored in the add-on display RAM 207, and develops said font information 
in the add-on RAM 205. In this state the add-on RAM 205 merely stores the 
font information of the entered characters in successive order, so that 
image information cannot be obtained by direct reading of the add-on RAM 
205. Consequently the CPU 210 sets various parameters such as the number 
of characters in the horizontal direction, number of characters in the 
vertical direction, number of dots constituting each character in the 
font, character size, etc. in the add-on image generating circuit 206, 
whereby proper image information can be obtained by reading the font 
information stored in the add-on RAM 205 through said add-on image 
generating circuit 206. 
After the development of the font information in the add-on RAm 205 and the 
parameter setting in the add-on image generating circuit 206, the CPU 210 
moves the optical system of the reader in the sub-scanning direction to 
read the original. The CCD 201 executes photoelectric conversion while the 
image processing circuit 202 executes image processing such as shading 
correction and gamma correction, and the synthesizing circuit 203 
synthesizes the image data of the characters from the add-on image 
generating circuit 206 and the image data of the original for supply to 
the printer 204. 
In this manner is obtained a print 802 as shown in FIG. 8B, in which the 
character information displayed as shown in FIG. 5B is synthesized with 
the original image 801. 
In the following there will be explained a zoom mode. In response to the 
depression of the zoom mode key 129, there is given a display shown in 
FIG. 9A. In a case of entering the reproduction ratio from the liquid 
crystal display unit 123, the touch panel input key 900 is depressed to 
alter the display to a state shown in FIG. 9B. Thus the reproduction ratio 
is set by an X-down key 902, an X-auto key 903, an X-up key 904, a Y-down 
key 905, a Y-auto key 906, a Y-up key 907, an XY-down key 908, an XY-auto 
key 909, and an XY-up key 910, in the X- and Y-directions. 
Also in the display state shown in FIG. 9A, by pointing a zoom scale of the 
zoom scale input board 141 on the editor 213 with the pointer 138, the CPU 
210 converts the coordinate data into a reproduction ratio corresponding 
to the zoom scale, and alters the display to a state shown in FIG. 9B, 
thereby displaying the entered reproduction ratio. 
In the following there will be explained an area designating mode. In the 
present embodiment there can be entered three rectangular areas at maximum 
on a single original, and, in response to the depression of the area 
designating key 130, there is obtained a display shown in FIG. 9C if an 
area has been set corresponding to the area number (1, 2 or 3) displayed 
at said depression, or a display shown in FIG. 9D if such area has not 
been set. In FIG. 9C, there are shown an area clear key 912 for clearing 
the presently displayed area; an area up key 913 for shifting up the area 
number; an area down key 914 for shifting down the area number; and an 
area number 915. 
In response to the depression of the area up key 913 in the illustrated 
state, if another area has been registered, the display shown in FIG. 9C 
changes the area number 915 to "2" and also shows a trimming or a masking 
mode and an area corresponding to the set values at the left-hand side of 
the liquid crystal display unit 123. If such other area has not been 
registered, the display changes to a state shown in FIG. 9D, with an area 
number "2". If a touch panel input key 916 is depressed in a state shown 
in FIG. 9C or 9D, the display changes to a state shown in FIG. 9F to 
enable correction of points of the entered area in units of millimeters, 
or registration of a new area with the liquid crystal display unit 123. If 
one of the diagonal points of an area is entered in a display state shown 
in FIG. 9D, the display changes to a state shown in FIG. 9E. When an OK 
key 917 is depressed after the entry of the other point, a new area is 
registered and the display changes to a state shown in FIG. 9C. 
In the following there will be explained a shifting mode. In response to 
the depression of the shift key 131, the liquid crystal display unit 123 
gives a display shown in FIG. 9G. 
The operator depresses one of a center key 918, a corner key 919, a 
designated shift key 920, or a margin key 921, and a display shown in FIG. 
9H, 9I or 9K is obtained corresponding respectively to the last three 
cases. 
In a display state shown in FIG. 9H, the operator can designate the kind of 
corner shifting. In a display state shown in FIG. 9I, the display changes 
to a state shown in FIG. 9J by designating the destination of shift on the 
editor 213 or by depressing the touch panel input key 916, thereby 
enabling a correction of the point designated on the editor 213 or a new 
entry. Also in a display state shown in FIG. 9K, there can be set the 
amount of margin or of image shift in the margin mode. 
In the following there will be explained a page serial mode. Upon 
depression of the page serial key 132, there is obtained a display shown 
in FIG. 9L. In this state there can be selected a left-right page serial 
mode or an upper-lower page serial mode, in which the left half and right 
half, or upper half and lower half, of the read original are respectively 
recorded on separate sheets, or a left page serial mode, a right page 
serial mode, an upper half serial mode or a lower half serial mode in 
which the left half, right half, upper half or lower half alone of the 
original is recorded on a sheet can be selected respectively by page 
serial mode keys 922-927. 
In the following there will be explained a multi-page enlargement mode, in 
which a copy with a predetermined reproduction ratio, if not recordable on 
a sheet, is divided into plural sheets, and an output copy can be obtained 
by uniting said plural sheets. Said mode can be selected by depressing the 
multi-page enlargement key 133, whereby a display shown in FIG. 9M is 
obtained. 
As explained in the foregoing, six independent modes can be selected with 
the editor 213 and the liquid crystal display unit 123. Stated inversely, 
the operator has to decompose the desired result of copy into respective 
modes and set such modes independently. 
Therefore, in order to improve the operation efficiency, it is rendered 
possible to set complex modes frequently used. However, if new keys are 
added for selecting such complex modes, such keys may be confused with the 
six mode keys for the above-explained independent modes and may thus 
impede the operation efficiency. Also for setting plural complex modes 
there will be required the addition of hardware keys and/or the 
modification in circuitry. Consequently, in the present embodiment, the 
mode is set with the character input board 143 of the editor 213, used in 
the character input mode. 
As an example of such complex mode, there will be explained an AZS mode, in 
which the area designating mode, zooming mode and shift mode explained 
above are combined, for moving an area 301 of the original, shown in FIG. 
10A, to an area 302 shown in FIG. 10B with a size change. In the absence 
of such complex mode, it is necessary to designate the area 301 in the 
area designating mode, then to determine the reproduction ratios in the X 
and Y directions from YC/YO and XC/XO in the zoom mode, and to designate 
the recording sheet, and the values Xs, Ys in the designated shift mode, 
so that the mode keys have to be actuated three times in total. 
However, in said complex mode, the designated area, destination of shift 
and reproduction ratio can be determined from the data X1, Y1, X2, Y2, X3, 
Y3, X4 and Y4 shown in FIG. 10. 
The function of said complex mode will be explained in detail, while making 
reference to FIG. 11 showing the display state of the liquid crystal 
display unit 123 in the setting of complex mode, and FIG. 12 showing the 
control sequence of the CPU 210 in the setting of the complex mode. 
For setting a complex mode, the operator at first depresses the asterisk 
key 102 shown in FIG. 3A (S100), whereby the characters entered from the 
character input board 143 represent a mode input. Then, in response to the 
input "AZS" with the pointer 138 on the character input board 143 (S101), 
there is obtained a display state shown in FIG. 11B (S102). Then, in 
response to the input of a point with the pointer 138 (S103), there is 
obtained a display state shown in FIG. 11B (S104). Subsequently the other 
diagonal point is entered (S105), and the OK key 401 is depressed (S107) 
to complete the input of data X1, X2, Y1 and Y2 in the original area. 
Then there is given a display shown in FIG. 11C (S108) for designating the 
output area. In this state, in response to the entry of a point (S109), 
there is obtained a display state shown in FIG. 11D. Subsequent to the 
entry of the other diagonal point (S111), the OK key 401 is depressed 
(S113) to determine the output area X3, X4, Y3 and Y4. Then there are 
conducted the calculation of reproduction ratios in the X and Y 
directions, setting of the input area and setting of the shaft data 
(S114). 
The parameters for the complex mode are set in this manner, and an image 
forming operation is started by the subsequent actuation of the start key 
by the operator. In the foregoing explanation, the complex mode is set by 
the character input board of the editor in the character input mode, but 
it is also possible to utilize other methods, such as a method of 
utilizing a keyboard and a cathode ray tube. 
On the other hand, the character input utilizing the character input board 
143 may be utilized, in addition to the setting of complex modes, also to 
a version display of the apparatus, data displays in a service mode, or 
displays for self diagnosis. 
In the following there will be explained the process of setting various 
parameters for the character input, while making reference to FIG. 13 
showing various display states of the liquid crystal display unit 123 in 
the parameter setting for the character input, and to FIG. 14 showing the 
control sequence of the CPU 210 in said parameter setting. 
In response to the depression of the character input key 134 on the editor, 
the liquid crystal display unit 123 provides a display shown in FIG. 13A 
(S1). 
As explained in the foregoing, the liquid crystal display unit 123 is 
formed as a touch panel display, so that, when the operator touches one of 
the displays "character input", "character density", "character size", 
"layout" and "AC" surrounded by elongated circles, the CPU 210 recognizes 
the input from said liquid crystal display unit 123 as a part of the 
operation unit 143, thereby setting necessary data, varying the display or 
awaiting the entry of new parameters. 
If the characters to be added on have already been entered by a method to 
be explained later, the "character input" key is displayed in a reversed 
state as shown in FIG. 13B (S3), thus informing the operator of the 
already entered characters. Such step will be hereinafter called a key 
reverse check. The operator selects the mode of character input editing in 
the display state shown in FIG. 13A or 13B, and sets the parameters for 
the character input on a display frame (S4, S5, S6, S7 and S8). 
In the following there will be explained the operation sequences when the 
character input key 1001, character density key 1002, character size key 
1003 or layout key 1004 is depressed on the liquid crystal display unit 
123. 
When the character input key 1001 is depressed, there is executed a 
discrimination as to whether the characters to be added on have been 
entered (S9). If already entered, said add-on characters are displayed as 
shown in FIG. 13E (S17). 
On the other hand, if the add-on characters have not been entered, a 
10-second timer is set (S10), and a display as shown in FIG. 13C is given 
to request the operator to designate the characters with the pointer 138 
on the character input board 143 of the editor (S11). Said display 
automatically changes to a state shown in FIG. 5D, after the expiration of 
10 seconds. 
If the editor is pressed by the pointer 138 before the lapse of said 10 
seconds (S12), there is discriminated whether the pressed position is 
within the character input board 143 of the editor (S14), and, if so, the 
CPU 210 activates the buzzer 211 for informing the operator of the 
pressing of the character input board 143 (S15). The CPU 210 identifies 
the pressed character from the point information of the editor, and 
registers a corresponding character code in the add-on display RAM 207 
(S16). 
As the character input board 134 contains 148 characters, the entered 
character is registered, by one of the codes 0-147, in the add-on display 
RAM 207, and said code is utilized in displaying the entered character on 
the liquid crystal display unit 123. 
If the pressed position is not within the character input board 134, the 
buzzer 211 is not activated, whereby the operator can know that he has to 
repeat the character input with the pointer 138. In this manner it is 
rendered possible to prevent an error in the input operation. 
The character input with the character input board 143 of the editor and 
the electronic pointer 138 is more direct for the operator and induces 
less mistakes in the entry of characters, in comparison for example with 
the entry of character codes with the numeral keys 105. The editor can 
also be utilized for the settings in other editing modes, such as the 
setting of zoom ratio or the designation of an area. 
For displaying the add-on characters thus entered, the CPU 210 at first 
causes the liquid crystal display unit 123 to display a state shown in 
FIG. 13D (S17), wherein are shown are a deletion key 1006, an insertion 
key 1007 and a cursor moving keys 1008. 
The content stored in the add-on display RAM 207 is displayed on the 
display unit 123 (S18). If an add-on character is designated in the 
display state shown in FIG. 13D, there is displayed only one character. 
However, after the input of character or characters, if another copy code 
such as the shift mode is selected and then the character input key is 
depressed again, the restored display of the character input mode shows 
all the characters previously entered as shown in FIG. 13E. The liquid 
crystal display unit 123 displays, as shown in FIG. 13E, the content of 
the add-on display RAM 207 in 8.times.8 dot matrixes in an area of 3 lines 
.times.17 characters. The CPU 210 moves the cursor to a position "A" shown 
in FIG. 13E (S19). Then, in case of the insertion mode, the insertion key 
1007 is displayed in reverse state (S20). 
If an add-on character is designated with the pointer 138 (S22, S23), the 
buzzer 211 is activated (S24) to inform the operator of the character 
input. If the insertion mode has not been selected (S25), the designated 
character is displayed at the cursor position regardless whether a 
character has been displayed at the cursor position (S26), and a character 
code is stored in a position of the add-on display RAM 207 corresponding 
to the cursor position and a corresponding character is displayed (S27), 
and the cursor is moved to the next digit (S28). 
On the other hand, if the insertion mode has been selected when the add-on 
character is designated by the pointer 138, the insertion key 1007 is 
displayed in reverse manner in FIG. 13E, and the designated character is 
inserted immediately before the cursor position. Now reference is made to 
FIG. 15 for explaining the changes in the display in this operation. There 
will be explained an example of inserting, in a display of "A, B, C, . . . 
, P, Q" shown in FIG. 15-1, characters "X" and "Y" between "C" and "D". 
The rearrangement of characters resulting from insertion is conducted only 
in a line 
where the cursor is positioned. The last (17th) character of a line in 
which a character is inserted is erased from the add-on display RAM 207, 
and the rearrangement is conducted in succession as shown in FIG. 15-2 and 
FIG. 15-3 (S29). Then the cursor is advanced by a digit (S30), and the 
line containing an inserted character is entirely displayed again since 
the characters have been rearranged (S31). 
In the following there will be explained the operation when the deletion 
key 1006 is depressed, while making reference to FIG. 16. As shown in FIG. 
16-1, it is assumed that characters "A, B, C, . . . , P, Q" are displayed. 
When the deletion key 1006 is depressed while the cursor is at the 
character "D" (S32), the character indicated by the cursor is deleted from 
the add-on display RAM 207, and the ensuing characters in the same line 
are rearranged as shown in FIG. 16-2 (S36). Due to the deletion of a 
character, a space code ".sub.--" is inserted at the end of line. 
After such rearrangement of characters following the depression of the 
deletion key 1006, the rearranged line is displayed again (S36), and the 
sequence again enters a state of awaiting a key input. In a case where the 
insertion key 1007 is depressed (S33), the insertion mode is set if it has 
not been set, or said mode is cancelled if it has been set (S37). 
If one of four cursor moving keys 1008 is actuated (S34), the cursor is 
moved in a direction indicated by the actuated key (S38), and the sequence 
enters a state awaiting a key input. Also the depression of a preceding 
frame key 1009 returns the display to a state (A) or (B) for setting the 
character input modes. (S35). 
If any other key, for example one of the numeral keys 105, editor mode keys 
129-137 and density keys 107-109, a corresponding process is executed 
(S39) and the sequence again enters a state awaiting a key input. 
In the following explained is the function when a character density key 
1002 is depressed in a display state shown in FIG. 13A or 13B. 
The density of the add-on characters is determined either in a compulsory 
output mode or an overlay output mode, which can be selected by 
depressing, in a display state of the liquid crystal display unit 123 
shown in FIG. 13F, a compulsory output key 1010 or an overlay output key 
1011, respectively. 
The compulsory output mode and the overlay output mode will be explained in 
the following, with reference to FIG. 17A to 17D. 
In the compulsory output mode, in superposing the characters entered in the 
character input mode with the original image read by the reader, if the 
add-on character area, defined as explained later, overlaps with the black 
image of the original image, only the information of said add-on character 
area is supplied to the printer. On the other hand, in the overlay output 
mode, the black area of the font information of the add-on characters is 
supplied to the printer with a designated density, while the white area of 
said font information and the original image information are supplied, 
through an OR gate, to the printer. FIG. 17A shows the original image read 
by the reader; FIG. 17B shows the font information; FIG. 17C shows the 
result of output in the compulsory output mode (black); and FIG. 17D shows 
the result of output in the overlay output mode (black). 
In a display state shown in FIG. 13B, when the character density key 1002 
is depressed (S5), the display changes to a state shown in FIG. 13F (S40), 
in which, however, the key 1011 is not in the reverse display state. The 
compulsory output key or the overlay output key is reverse displayed 
respectively in the compulsory output mode or in the overlay output mode 
(S41). FIG. 13F shows a state in which the overlay output mode has been 
designated so that the overlay output key is in reverse display. The 
sequence awaits a key input (S42). If the compulsory output key 1010 is 
depressed (S43), a signal "1" is set in a mode latch 436 (S47), and the 
sequence again awaits a key input (S42). If the overlay output key 1011 is 
depressed, a signal "0" is set in the mode latch 436 (S47), and the 
sequence again awaits the key input (S42). If a black key 1012, a white 
key 1013 or a gray key 1014 
is depressed (S44), a corresponding density value 0FFH 00H or 07FH is set 
in a density register (S48), and the sequence again awaits the key input 
(S42). 
If the previous frame key 1015 is depressed (S45), the display changes to a 
state shown in FIG. 13B, thus enabling to select the character input 
modes. If any other key is depressed, a corresponding process is executed 
(S46), and the sequence again awaits the key input (S42). 
In the following there will be explained a case when the character size key 
1003 is depressed in a display state shown in FIG. 13A. In the present 
embodiment there can be obtained add-on characters of three different 
sizes (1, 2 or 4 mm) from the same content of the add-on RAM 205 by 
controlling a reading clock signal therefor. When the character size key 
1003 is depressed, there is obtained a display shown in FIG. 13G (S49), 
and a key reverse check is executed for a 1-mm key 1016, a 2-mm key 1017 
and a 4-mm key 1018 (S50). If any of said keys is depressed (S51), a 
corresponding resolution is set (S52). If a key 1019 is depressed (S54), 
the display changes to a state shown in FIG. 13B. 
In the following there will be explained a case in which the layout key 
1004 is depressed in a display state shown in FIG. 13A. The layout key 
1004 allows the output of the characters, entered in the above-explained 
manner, in an arbitrary position of the recording sheet, either in the 
horizontal or vertical direction. 
These two parameters are set by the layout key 1004. When it is depressed, 
there is obtained a display shown in FIG. 13H for selecting the output 
direction of the characters (S56), and the selected output direction key 
is reverse displayed (S57). If a horizontal layout key 1021 or a vertical 
layout key 1022 is depressed (S59), data indicating the output direction 
is set (S60). Said data is utilized in the access to the content of the 
add-on font ROM 208. More specifically there are provided a vertical font 
and a horizontal font, either of which is selected by said data. If the 
key 1020 is depressed the display changes to a state shown in FIG. 13B 
(S61), and, if the OK key 1023 is depressed there is obtained a display 
shown in FIG. 13I for selecting the layout. 
Then an output reference position is designated, for determining the output 
position of characters on the recording sheet. In the following said 
output reference position is explained with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19. 
FIG. 18 shows the liquid crystal display unit 123 indicating the 
characters entered in the above-explained manner. The character output is 
so controlled that, in case of horizontal output, the upper left corner of 
the first character "M" in the first row, or, in case of vertical output, 
the lower left corner of the first character (space) in the third row, 
coincides with said output reference position. The horizontal output or 
vertical output is made as respectively shown in FIGS. 19B or 19C, 
starting from the output reference position KP on the recording sheet. 
FIG. 19A shows the original image. 
For determining said output reference position KP, after the selection of 
the horizontal or vertical output in a display state shown in FIG. 13H, 
the OK key 1023 is depressed, whereby is obtained a display state shown in 
FIG. 13I (S64). The already entered output reference position KP is 
displayed by a dot (S65). 
If a new input is made with the pointer 138 (S66), the information of 
entered point is converted into a new output reference position KP and 
stored (S67), and displayed (S65). 
If the previous frame key 1024 is depressed, the display returns to a state 
shown in FIG. 13H, and, if the OK key 1025 is depressed, the display 
changes to a state shown in FIG. 13B. 
The input of the characters, symbols, etc. to be inserted into the original 
image, and the setting of the size of said characters, position of 
insertion, direction of characters, density thereof, etc. are completed in 
this manner. Then, in response to the subsequent depression of the start 
key 101, there is printed an image synthesized from the original image and 
the character information. 
In the following there will be explained the functions in the printing 
operation. 
FIG. 24 shows the control sequence of the CPU 210 for the printing 
operation. 
Also FIGS. 21 and 22 show the structure of the add-on image generating 
circuit 206. 
In the following there will be explained an example of recording the 
characters, shown in FIG. 20B, in the character mode in a position shown 
in FIG. 23. 
After the actuation of the start key (S101), the CPU 210 discriminates 
whether the vertical output is selected, and sets the vertical font or the 
horizontal font respectively if the vertical output is selected or not 
(S103, S104). Then access is made to the add-on font ROM 208 for the font 
information corresponding to the character code information stored in the 
add-on display RAM 207, and said font information is developed in the 
add-on RAM 205 constituting a bit map memory (S105). In the present 
embodiment each character in the font is composed of 8.times.8 dots as 
shown in FIG. 20A, and the add-on RAM 205 has a capacity in number of 
bytes equal to 8 times the maximum number of characters in the main 
scanning direction, enough for accommodating characters of maximum 
displayable number. FIG. 20C shows the mode of development of the 
characters, shown in FIG. 20B, in the add-on RAM 205. In FIG. 20C, the 
vertical direction shows different addresses, and the horizontal direction 
shows the memory of a byte corresponding to each address. In the present 
example the information is developed in a form of 4 characters in the 
horizontal direction and 2 characters in the vertical direction, since 13 
blank characters following "1234" in the first row need not be recorded. 
The add-on image generating circuit 206 makes access to said add-on RAM 205 
by reading the bits a, a+8, a+16, a+24, . . . in FIG. 20C to obtain a main 
scanning line, then the bits a+1, a+9, a+17, a+25, . . . to obtain a 
succeeding main scanning line. By repeating these procedures, there can be 
obtained binary image data corresponding to FIG. 23. Also the character 
size can be varied by the control of a clock signal for access to the 
add-on RAM 205. In the present embodiment each character can be obtained 
with a resolving power of 50, 100 or 200 dpi (dot/inch), so that each 
character is obtained with a size of about 4 mm, 2 mm or 1 mm, by 
releasing each 8.times.8 matrix, shown in FIG. 20A, respectively with a 
resolving power of 50, 100 or 200 dpi. The signals "1" and "0" of the 
binary data from the add-on RAM 205 can be recorded respectively with the 
densities set in the add-on density latch 422 and the designated density 
latch 423. 
The CPU 210 sets the number of characters in the main scanning direction 
("4" in the example of FIG. 20B) in a main-scanning character number latch 
428 (S106) whereby the order of data reading from the add-on RAM is 
determined. Then the above-explained resolving power corresponding to the 
character size is set in a resolution latch 429 (S107), and the density of 
the image information "1" read from the add-on RAM 205 is set in an add-on 
density latch 422 (S108). A signal "1" or "0" is set in a mode latch 436 
respectively in the compulsory output mode or in the overlay output mode 
(S109). In a case of the compulsory output mode, the density of the image 
information "0" read from the add-on RAM 205 can be set in the designated 
density latch 423, and said density can be selected by a selector 432. In 
a case of the overlay output mode, the original image information supplied 
through a signal line 431 is selectively released by the selector 432. 
Then data Yout in FIG. 23, corresponding to the main scanning start 
position of the information to be added on, or to the aforementioned 
reference output position KP, are set in a main scanning start latch 437 
(S110). More specifically the CPU 210 calculates the output timing of 
ripple carry of the main scanning counter 435, and sets the load value of 
the counter 435 in the main scanning start latch 437. In response to the 
BD signal (main scanning reference signal), the main scanning counter 435 
loads the initial value from the latch 437 and starts a counting 
operation. A signal RC released from the counter 435 is used as the add-on 
main scanning start signal corresponding to the position Yout shown in 
FIG. 23. 
Also a value Xend is calculated from the subscanning start position Xout, 
the number of characters in the sub-scanning direction ("2" in the example 
shown in FIG. 20B) and the designated resolving power and is set in a 
sub-scanning counter 209, for generating an add-on sub-scanning section 
signal ADST (S111). 
Then a value Yend is calculated from the resolving power and the number of 
characters in the main scanning direction, and said values Xend, Yend are 
compared with the sizes in the main and sub-scanning directions of the 
sheets in a cassette selected by the cassette selection key 117, in order 
to discriminate whether the entered characters can be accommodated in the 
recording sheet (S112). If either or both of Xend and Yend exceeds the 
sizes of the sheet, the image formation is interrupted, and an alarm 
message for the operator as shown in FIG. 25 is displayed on the liquid 
crystal display unit 123 (S113). In response to said alarm, the operator 
either changes the sheet size, or the layout of the input characters or 
the number or resolving power thereof. 
If the input characters can be accommodated in the sheet, there is 
discriminated whether another editing mode, for example a size change, an 
image shifting, a trimming or a masking is designated (S114), and, if 
designated, parameters required for such mode are set in the image 
processing circuit 202 (S115). Then the original reading operation is 
started and repeated until the prints of a desired number are obtained 
(S116, S117). 
In the following there will be explained the function of the add-on image 
generating circuit 206 and the synthesizing circuit 203 shown in FIGS. 21 
and 22. 
The binary image information from the add-on RAM 205 is supplied, byte by 
byte, from a signal line 420 to a shift register 419. A pulse signal PSNC, 
generated from the BD signal from the printer and indicating the start of 
a main scanning line, is supplied from an input terminal 401 to a 
flip-flop 402, thereby setting said flip-flop 402 and initializing a main 
scanning character number counter 403 composed of a synchronous 
up-counter. The output signal of the flip-flop 402 resets a flip-flop 408 
and shifts an enable signal for the main scanning character number counter 
403 and the resolution counter 414 to the L-level. The main scanning 
counter 435 counts the clock signal in synchronization with the main 
scanning of the reader unit, and, at the start position of output of the 
add-on image where the counting of the value set in the main scanning 
start latch 437 is completed, an H-level pulse signal LST is supplied to 
an input terminal. In response, a set output signal of a flip-flop 405 
increases the count of the main scanning character number counter 403 by 
one, and initializes the resolution counter 414, whereby the add-on 
information of a byte, for example the information a in FIG. 20, is loaded 
in the shift register 419. The resolution counter 414 counts downwards 
from the initial value. A 0-decoder 416 identifies a state in which the 
lower three bits of the resolution counter 416 are all zero, and sends an 
output signal to the shift register 419 every time such state is reached, 
whereby the binary add-on image data are released, bit by bit, from a 
terminal Q.sub.H of the shift register 419. 
For example when a signal "1" is released from said terminal Q.sub.H of the 
shift register 419, a selector 426 selects an input terminal A, whereby 
the add-on density set in the add-on density latch 422 is supplied, 
through the latch 424 and the selector 426, to the printer 204. 
On the other hand, when a signal "0" is released from said terminal Q.sub.H 
of the shift register 419, the selector 426 selects an input terminal B, 
whereby the original density of a signal line 431, in case of the overlay 
output mode or the white density set in the designated density latch 423 
in a case of the compulsory output mode, is selected by a selector 432 and 
released through a latch 425. After the release of the add-on information 
of a byte in this manner from the shift register 419, the resolution 
counter 414 releases a ripple carry signal RC to increase the count of the 
main scanning character number counter 403 by one and again initializes 
the counter 414 Thus the add-on information of next byte (information at 
the address a+8 in FIG. 20C) is loaded in the shift register 419. 
The number of characters in a main scanning line, counted by the counter 
403, reaches the number of characters ("4" in case of FIG. 20) set in 
advance in the main scanning character number latch 428, a comparator 409 
releases an H-level signal to terminate the function of the counter 414. 
Even in the compulsory output mode in which the selector 432 selects the 
information from the designated density latch 423, a gate 433 is closed to 
select the original image density from a signal line 431. Then the same 
procedure is repeated for the next main scanning line. 
The resolution is switched by controlling the output signal from the 
resolution counter 414 to the 0-decoder 416. For example a decrease in the 
resolving power can be achieved by passing the output signal of the 
resolution counter 414 through a gate and shifting the output thereof 
upward by a bit. In such case a similar control has to be applied also to 
the ripple carry signal from the resolution counter 414. 
Now reference is made to FIG. 22 for explaining a hardware structure for 
supplying the add-on information, developed on the RAM 205, to the shift 
register 419 shown in FIG. 21. At first an add-on start address (a in FIG. 
20C) is set to latch 520 from a signal line 509, and a address jump value 
(32 in case of FIG. 12C; this value is variable according to the number of 
characters in a row and is defined by m.times.n wherein m is said number 
and the font matrix size is n.times.n) is set in a latch 521 from a signal 
line 510. An input terminal 502 receives a main scanning start signal same 
as that received by the input terminal 401 shown in FIG. 21, and a signal 
line 512 supplies the number of characters in the main scanning direction, 
from the counter 403 shown in FIG. 21. The add-on address 515 is composed 
of lower three bits 514, and higher bits 512. Also an input terminal 501 
receives the sub-scanning address section signal set by the CPU 210. 
Now reference is made to FIG. 20 for explaining the changes in the 
addresses. At first an L-level signal is supplied to the input terminal 
501, and the start address a is supplied from a latch 520 to a counter 
511. At each count of the number of characters in the main scanning 
direction, the fourth bit from the lowest bit in the signal line 512 is 
counted up whereby the add-on address 515 releases a+8, a+16, a+24, . . . 
. After the access of the data of a main scanning line, a clock pulse is 
entered from the input terminal 502 to increase the count of the address 
counter 505 by one. Thus the add-on addresses 515 are increased by one, 
and become a+1, a+9, a+17, . . . . This procedure is repeated, and, after 
the access of the addresses a+7, a+15, . . . , the counter 505 releases a 
ripple carry signal, whereby a latch 521 add a value 32, corresponding to 
the jump value, to the counter 511 for making access to the addresses 
a+32, a+40, a+48, . . . . 
In this manner the add-on character data developed in the add-on RAM 205 
are released in succession to the shift register 419. 
As explained in the foregoing, the present embodiment allows to insert or 
overlay the information composed of character, numerals, symbols etc. with 
a desired size and a desired density in a desired position of an original 
image read by the reader unit. 
The characters to be entered are not limited to alphabetic characters and 
numerals, but various symbols or kanji characters may be stored as font 
patters for enabling insertion of various information. 
Also the font information need not necessarily be limited to the ones shown 
in FIG. 26A but may also include inverted ones shown in FIG. 26B, and 
various image editings are made easily possible in this manner, such as 
the printing of white characters on black background. 
In the following the character input mode will be explained in further 
detail. The character input mode is classified into two, as shown in FIG. 
28 wherein (1) indicates an original image while (2) and (3) are prints 
obtained in said modes. In the first character mode, input characters "X, 
Y, Z" are printed in an arbitrary position on the recording sheet, in 
overlay with the original image (1), to obtain a print (2). In the second 
shading mode, a designated pattern, indicated by a hatched area, is 
repeatedly printed in an arbitrary area of the original (1), in overlay 
with the original image (1), to obtain a print (3). 
In response to the depression of the character input key 134 on the editor, 
there is obtained a display shown in FIG. 27A, for selecting either of the 
above-mentioned two modes. Said character mode and shading mode cannot be 
designated at the same time, since they are realized with a same circuit. 
In FIG. 27A there are shown a character key 728 for selecting the 
character mode; a shade key 729 for selecting the shading mode; and all 
clear key 730 for cancelling the character or shade mode. 
In the following the character mode will be explained in detail. 
In the display state of FIG. 27A obtained on the liquid crystal display 
unit 123 in response to the depression of the character input key 134, a 
depression of the character key 728 changes the display to a state shown 
in FIG. 27B, wherein shown are a character edit key 800 for changing the 
display to a frame for entering characters to be overlaid; an output 
position key 801 for changing the display to a frame for determining the 
output position of the entered characters on the recording sheet; an 
auxiliary character key 802 for changing the display to a frame for 
registration of arbitrary character patterns; and a character size key 803 
for changing the display to a frame for selecting the character size. 
In response to the depression of the character edit key 800, the display 
changes to a state shown in FIG. 27C, which can display 16 character in 
the horizontal direction and 6 characters in the vertical direction, in a 
character area 804 indicated by broken lines. 
The operator can move a cursor 805 to a desired character input position 
with cursor moving keys 806, and enter a character at the position of said 
cursor by designating a desired character (including a numeral or a 
symbol) on the character input board 143 of the editor with the pointer 
138. 
The operator also can correct an erroneously entered character by moving 
the cursor 805 on such character and entering a correct character. The 
depression of the clear key 807 erases all the characters and returns the 
cursor 805 to the start position. 
In the following there will be given a detailed explanation on the control 
sequence of the CPU 210 in the character input with the character input 
board 143 of the editor, making reference to a flow chart shown in FIG. 
29. 
The position of the editor 213 pointed by the pointer 138 is transmitted to 
the CPU 210, through serial communication between the editor 213 and the 
CPU 210. 
When the character input mode is set through the above-explained procedure 
(S11), there is obtained a display shown in FIG. 27C (S13). When a point 
on the editor 213 is pointed by the pointer 138, the CPU 210 discriminates 
whether the coordinate information of said point, supplied from the editor 
213, is within the character input board 143 (S14). If it is within said 
board, the buzzer 39 is activated to inform the operator of a character 
input (S15), and a code corresponding to each pointed character (0 for 
"A", 1 for "B", . . . , 144 for "auxiliary character 1", 145 for 
"auxiliary character 2", 146 for "auxiliary character 3" and 147 for 
blank) is determined and stored in the add-on display RAM 207 (S16). The 
entered character is displayed, and the cursor is normally advanced to 
right by a digit. If the cursor is at the right-hand end, it is moved to 
the left-hand end of a next row. 
The characters displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 123 in FIG. 27C 
use a font matrix size of 8.times.8 dots same as that of the actually 
overlaid characters, but the auxiliary characters to be explained later 
are displayed in the actually registered font matrix. 
In the following there will be explained a case of depressing the output 
position key 801 in a display state shown in FIG. 27B. In response to said 
depression there is obtained a display shown in FIG. 27D on the display 
unit 123. Then a point on the coordinate input board 141, corresponding to 
the output position of the upper left corner of the first character "1" on 
the recording sheet, is pointed with the pointer 138, whereby the display 
is changed to a state shown in FIG. 27E and an approximate output position 
is displayed by a bar 809. Then the OK key 810 is depressed (pointed 
position being KP in FIG. 30), the output reference positions Xout, Yout 
are stored in a RAM 215, and the display is changed to a state shown in 
FIG. 27B. 
In the following there will be explained a case of depressing the auxiliary 
character key 802 in a display state shown in FIG. 27B. In response to 
said depression the display changes to a state shown in FIG. 27F, in which 
the operator can arbitrarily set a font corresponding to the auxiliary 
character 1, 2 or 3 in a matrix of 8.times.8 dots. One of said auxiliary 
characters is selected by an auxiliary character-1 key 811, an auxiliary 
character-2 key 812 or an auxiliary character-3 key 813. For example if 
the auxiliary character-2 key 812 is depressed, the font information 
registered as the auxiliary character 2 is displayed in a matrix of 
8.times.8 dots, in an auxiliary character registration area 819 indicated 
by broken lines. 
In the display state shown in FIG. 27F, the operator depresses an auxiliary 
character key, then moves a cursor 816 with cursor moving keys 814, and 
forms a desired pattern or character in the area 819 by using a black dot 
key 815 and a white dot key 820. All the dots in the area 819 are cleared 
to white state by depressing a clear key 144. Also the current cursor 
position is indicated in a cursor position indicator 821, so that the 
cursor position can be recognized even when the cursor is positioned on a 
black dot. 
The pattern displayed in the auxiliary character registration area 819 is 
thus represented by 8 bytes and is stored in a back-up auxiliary font area 
(24 bytes for 3 characters) of the RAM 215, and can be used for the 
development data in the add-on RAM 205, in the same manner as the data of 
the add-on RAM 208. Then in response to the depression of the character 
size key 803 in a display state shown in FIG. 27B, there is obtained a 
display shown in FIG. 27G, in which a 2-mm key 822 or a 4-mm key 823 is 
selected. Either character size is set by the subsequent depression of the 
OK key 824, and the display returns to a state shown in FIG. 27B. 
In the following the shade mode will be explained in detail. 
If the shade key 729 is depressed in a display state shown in FIG. 27A, the 
liquid crystal display unit 123 shows a frame shown in FIG. 27J or FIG. 
27H respectively when the shade mode has been selected. In the following 
there will be explained the method of setting the shade mode for the first 
time. 
In the display state shown in FIG. 27H, the operator maintains the original 
at the original reference position at the lower left corner of the 
coordinate input area 141 of the editor 213, and points, with the pointer 
138, one of two diagonal points of a desired rectangular shading area on 
the original, or presses a key 825 on the touch panel. When said key 825 
is depressed, there is obtained a display shown in FIG. 27J, on which the 
shading area can be set in the units of millimeters in the X and Y 
directions from the reference point of the original. On the other hand, if 
a diagonal point of the area is entered by the pointer 138 in the display 
state shown in FIG. 27H, the display changes to a state shown in FIG. 27I. 
The shading area can be determined by entering the other diagonal point 
with the pointer 138 and depressing the OK key 826. In this state the 
approximate positions of the entered points are displayed on a left 
portion of the liquid crystal display unit 123. A clear key 827 cancels 
the already entered points, thereby enabling the resetting of the area. 
In this shade mode, auxiliary shading patterns can be registered as in the 
character input mode. After the setting of the shading area in the state 
of FIG. 27I or 27J, the depression of an OK key 826 or 828 changes the 
display to a state shown in FIG. 27K, in which the operator can select 
either shading with a registered pattern or shading with a pattern 
determined by the operator. 
In a display state shown in FIG. 28K, the depression of an auxiliary 
pattern key 829 changes the display to a state shown in FIG. 27L in which 
the operator can arbitrarily determine a shading pattern of 8.times.8 
dots. The procedure will not be explained in detail as it is similar to 
that for the registration of auxiliary characters in the character mode. 
If the OK key 831 is depressed in this state or if a registered pattern key 
830 is depressed in a display state shown in FIG. 27K, the display changes 
to a state shown in FIG. 27M in which the designated area is displayed in 
an area display 832 at left and the designated pattern is displayed in a 
pattern display 832 at the center. 
A pattern select key 834 cyclically select several shading patterns 
registered in advance and the auxiliary pattern, in a sequence of 
registered pattern 1.fwdarw.registered pattern 2.fwdarw.. . . . 
.fwdarw.registered pattern N.fwdarw.auxiliary pattern.fwdarw.registered 
pattern 1 or in the inverse order, and each pattern is displayed with 
32.times.32 dots at the pattern display 832. Also the depression of a 
touch panel input key 835 changes the display to a state shown in FIG. 
27J, thereby enabling the resetting of the shading area. If the OK key 836 
is depressed in a display state shown in FIG. 27M, the display changes to 
a state shown in FIG. 27N, in which the size of the shading pattern can be 
designated with size keys 838, 839. Then the actuation of the OK key 837 
changes the display to a state shown in FIG. 270 in which the density of 
the shading pattern can be selected with a density increasing key 840 and 
a density reducing key 841. 
In the following there will be explained the image processing in the 
character mode or the shading mode designated in the above-explained 
procedure. The control sequence of the CPU 210 is shown in FIG. 31. The 
add-on image generating circuit is same as that shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. 
At first there will be explained a case of printing the characters shown in 
FIG. 27C in the character mode. 
After the actuation of the start key (S101), the CPU develops the font 
data, corresponding to the character codes stored in the add-on display 
RAM 207, in the add-on RAM 205 constituting a bit map memory. Since the 
example shown in FIG. 27C does not contain an auxiliary character, the 
font data are all obtained from the add-on font ROM 208 (S106). If an 
auxiliary character is used, corresponding font data are read from a part 
of the back-up RAM 215 (S105), and are developed in the add-on RAM 205 
(S107). In the present embodiment, for reading the font data of 8.times.8 
dots, the add-on RAM 205 has a capacity, in number of bytes, equal to 
8.times. the maximum number of characters in the main scanning direction, 
enough for accommodating the maximum number of characters that can be 
displayed in the character area 804 in FIG. 27C. FIG. 32-1 shows the 
development of the characters of FIG. 27C, in the add-on RAM 205. In this 
example the development is made in the form of 4 characters in the 
horizontal direction and 2 characters in the vertical direction, since 13 
blank characters following the characters "1234" need not be recorded. 
The add-on image generating 206 makes access to said add-on RAM 205 to read 
the font data at addresses a, a+8, a+16, a+24, . . . shown in FIG. 32-1 to 
obtain a main scanning line, and then to read the font data at addresses 
a+1, a+9, a+17, a+25, . . . to obtain a next main scanning line. Binary 
image data corresponding to FIG. 30 can be obtained by repeating the 
above-explained procedure. 
Also the character size can be varied by controlling the clock signal used 
for reading data from the add-on RAM 205. As the copying apparatus of the 
present embodiment can provide a resolving power of 50, 100, 200 or 400 
dpi (dot/inch), a character size of about 4 or 2 mm can be obtained by 
releasing a matrix of 8.times.8 dots with a resolving power respectively 
of 50 or 100 dpi. Said character size can be selected in a display state 
shown in FIG. 27G. It is also possible to regulate the density of the 
characters by adding means for giving a designated density for the image 
information corresponding to the binary signal "1" read from the add-on 
RAM 205, but, in the character input mode, a black level is automatically 
given without the selection of density by the operator. 
The CPU 210 calculates the number "4" of characters in the main scanning 
line from the input data in FIG. 27C, and sets said number in the main 
scanning character number latch 428 (S114), whereby the sequential order 
of data reading from the add-on RAM 205. Then a resolving power 
corresponding to the above-explained character size is set in the 
resolution latch 429 (S115), and the density of image information 
corresponding to the signal "1" read from the add-on RAM 205 (said density 
being "256" corresponding to black) is set in the add-on latch 422. Also a 
signal "0" is set in the mode latch 436 for releasing the original image 
information in response to a signal "0" read from the add-on RAM 206 
(S116). It is also possible to set, in the designated density latch 423, a 
density of the image information corresponding to "0" read from the add-on 
RAM 205 and to select said designated density or the above-mentioned 
original image information by the selector 432, but, in the present 
embodiment, the selector 432 always selects the original image information 
at the input A. 
Then the main scanning start position of the information to be added on, 
namely a signal corresponding to Yout in FIG. 30, is set in the main 
scanning start latch 437 (S117). More specifically the CPU 210 calculates 
the output timing of the ripple carry signal of the main scanning counter 
435, and sets the calculated value as the load value of said counter 435, 
into the main scanning start latch 437. Said main scanning counter 435 
loads an initial value from the latch 437 and starts a counting operation 
in response to the main scanning reference signal BD. The ripple carry 
signal from the counter 435 is used as the add-on main scanning start 
signal, corresponding to the position Yout shown in FIG. 30. Also a value 
Xend is calculated from the sub-scanning start position Xout, the number 
of characters in the sub-scanning direction ("2" in the example shown in 
FIG. 27C and the resolving power and is set in the sub-scanning counter 
209, there enabling generation of the add-on sub-scanning section signal 
ADST (S118). Then, if any other editing mode, such as size change, 
shifting or trimming, is designated (S119), parameters corresponding to 
such editing mode are set in the image processing circuit 202 (S120), and 
the original scanning operation is conducted for a number of times 
corresponding to the number of necessary copies (S121, S123). 
In this manner it is rendered possible to obtain prints in which characters 
of a desired size and a desired density are synthesized in a desired 
position on the recording sheet. 
In the following there will be given an explanation on the copying 
operation in the shading mode, giving emphasis to the difference from the 
preceding character mode. 
In the character mode, the output position is defined with respect to the 
recording sheet. On the other hand, in the shading mode, the area set in 
the displays of FIGS. 27H, I and J is defined with respect to the 
original. Consequently the position of said area changes on the recording 
sheet by an image editing process such as size change or image shifting. 
As explained in the foregoing, the add-on information is synthesized in 
the synthesizing circuit 203 with the original image information after 
being subjected, in the image processing circuit 202, to such size change 
or image shift, so that the output position of said add-on information can 
be designated on the recording sheet. 
On the other hand, in the shading mode, such image editing process gives 
rise to an effect different from that in the character mode, since said 
designated area is different from the output area. The add-on image data 
for the entire shading area in the add-on RAM 205 is equivalent to the bit 
map of the add-on image data, so that the pattern information of 8.times.8 
dots is repeatedly stored in the add-on RAM 205 of a capacity, in number 
of bytes, equal to 8.times. maximum number of characters in the main 
scanning direction, and thus stored information is read in the same manner 
as in the character mode explained before. However, the data reading in 
the shading mode is different from that in the character mode in that the 
data reading from the add-on RAM 205 is repeated plural times and the 
obtained output is gated by the sub-scanning section signal ADST, in order 
to provide the pattern information over the entire output area designated 
before. 
Now reference is made to FIG. 33 for explaining a reproduction ratio zoomX 
in the X-direction, a reproduction ratio ZoomY in the Y-direction, amounts 
Xs, Ys of designated shift, and a shading area (X0, Y0), (X1, Y1) set in 
the display of FIG. 27J. In FIG. 33, (1) indicates an original, and (2) 
indicates a recording sheet after printing. 
As explained in the foregoing, the image processing circuit 202 executes a 
size change according to values ZoomX, ZoomY, and an image shift according 
to values Xs, Ys, thereby generating an image 1900 coarsely hatched in 
FIG. 23-2. Consequently the add-on image generating circuit 206 has to 
generate the shading pattern in an area 1901 defined by (X2, Y2) and (X3, 
Y3), and the coordinates of said is calculated by X2=Xs+X0.times.ZoomX, 
Y2=Ys+Y0.times.ZoomY, X3=Xs+X1.times.ZoomX and Y3=Ys+Y1.times.ZoomY (S108 
in FIG. 31). (X0, Y0) and (X1, Y1) are coordinates of the shading area set 
in FIGS. 27H, 27I and 27J. 
Then the number of patterns in the main scanning direction (number of 
characters in the main scanning direction) is calculated from (X3-X2) and 
the shading pattern size (or resolution) (S109). The main scanning start 
position is set as Y2, and the sub-scanning section signal is set as X2, 
X3 (S117, S118), and the pattern of 8.times.8 dots selected in the display 
of FIG. 27M is repeatedly recorded in the add-on RAM 205 as shown in FIG. 
32-2, and, in the circuit shown in FIG. 22, the data reading from the 
add-on RAM 205 is so controlled that the address returns from the final 
value to the initial value. Since the pattern of 8.times.8 dots is 
recorded over the entire add-on RAM 205, same pattern is repeatedly 
released in the sub-scanning direction. However, as the released signal is 
finally gated by the sub-scanning section signal ADST, said pattern is 
overlaid in a desired area on the recording sheet. 
The output area corresponding the shading area designated on the original 
is automatically corrected according to the image editing such as size 
change or image shift as explained above, so that the shading can be made 
on a desired area of the original image even when an image editing is 
applied to said original image. 
Also the size of the shading pattern can be designated independently from 
the enlargement or reduction of the original image, so that a desired 
shading can be obtained. 
In the present embodiment the pattern size is determined by controlling the 
clock signal for reading the data from the font memory means, so that the 
pattern size becomes larger when the resolution is made higher (pattern 
area increases to 4 times when the resolution is made to 1/2). In the 
present embodiment, instead of controlling the clock signal, it is also 
possible to calculate the addresses by the CPU 210 in consideration of the 
printer output, and to develop thus calculated addresses in the add-on RAM 
205. Such method will however increase the load of the CPU 210, and also 
requires the work for preparing a software for driving the CPU 210. 
In the present embodiment, the pattern is formed by repeating the font of 
8.times.8 dots in the main and subscanning directions, but it is also 
possible to generate the pattern by develop the font of at least a main 
scanning line in the add-on RAM 205 and repeating said font in the 
sub-scanning direction. However, there is in fact required only one font 
of 8.times.8 dots, the memory capacity of the add-on RAM 205 can be 
economized by repeating such font. 
FIG. 34 shows another embodiment of the add-on image generating circuit, 
which can generate a pattern of a large size without sacrificing the 
resolving power, by repeating the data reading from the add-on RAM by a 
designated number of times in the main scanning direction. 
Since the circuit shown in FIG. 34 is a modification of the circuit shown 
in FIG. 21, there will be given an explanation only on the modified parts, 
and other parts will not be explained. 
In said modified parts, the operator selects to use the ordinary 
information add-on or the repeated pattern, and a flip-flop 602 is 
accordingly set in such a manner that the output Q thereof assumes a level 
"1" or "0" respectively in case of ordinary add-on or repeated pattern. 
In a case of the ordinary add-on, newly added gates 601, 603, 604 are 
turned on to achieve a function same as that in FIG. 21. On the other 
hand, in a case of the repeated pattern, the gate 603 is closed whereby 
the output of an AND gate 410 is supplied directly to an OR gate 601. 
Consequently, at each coincidence signal from a comparator 409, the main 
scanning character number counter 403 is initialized to repeat same values 
in the output signal RCP. 
Thus, by setting the number of repetition (for example 4 characters or 4 
patterns) in the main scanning character number latch 428, 4 characters 
are repeated in the main scanning direction. Though a pattern is normally 
has a size of 8.times.8 dots, it is also possible to form a pattern of a 
size of 16.times.16 dots, by repeating two different patterns of 8.times.8 
dots each in the main scanning direction and repeating two other different 
patterns in the next main scanning line. 
In the following there will be explained the method of renewing the add-on 
characters in a copying operation with an automatic original feeder. 
FIG. 35 shows a copying apparatus embodying the present invention, composed 
of a reader 34 for reading the original image; a printer 35 for recording 
an image on a recording sheet; an automatic document feeder (ADF) 1001 for 
automatically feeding the originals to the reader 34; a two-side unit 1401 
for feeding the recording sheets after image recording again to the 
printer; and a sorter 1300 for collating the recording sheets after image 
recording. 
The image information of an original 1302, placed by the operator on a 
platen 1301, composed for example of a glass plate, of the reader 34, or 
automatically fed onto said platen 1301 by the ADF 1001, is read by an 
image sensor 1303 containing a linear array of plural photosensor 
elements, such as a CCD line sensor. The illuminating light from a light 
source 1304 is reflected by the original 1302, guided through mirrors 
1305, 1306, 1307 and focused by a lens 1308 on the CCD 1303. A unit of the 
light source 1304 and the mirror 1305 and another unit of the mirrors 
1306, 1307 are reciprocated on a rail 1310 with a relative speed ratio 2:1 
in order to scan the entire area of the original. The optical system 
composed of the mirrors 1305, 1306, 1307 and the light source 1304 is 
driven by a DC servo motor 1309 at a constant speed under phase locked 
loop control. Said speed is variable from 90 to 360 mm/sec according to 
the reproduction ratio in the forward movement from left to right, but is 
constant at 630 mm/sec in the reverse movement from right to left. 
The moving direction of said optical system is called the sub-scanning 
direction, and a direction substantially perpendicular thereto is called 
the main scanning direction. The photosensor elements of the CCD 1303 are 
aligned along said main scanning direction, and the original is read on 
each main scanning line by said CCD 1303 with a resolving power of 400 
dot/inch, while said optical system is moved from left to right and 
finally returned to the left-hand end. In this manner a scanning operation 
is completed. The image read by the CCD 1303 is released as a serial 
digital image signal representing the image density. 
In the following there will be explained the function of the ADF 1001 for 
automatically feeding the originals onto the platen 1301 of the reader 34. 
On said ADF 1001 there is provided the aforementioned editor 31 for 
setting various image processing modes. 
One or plural originals 1302 are placed, with their images upwards, on an 
original stacker tray 1311 of the ADF 1001. In response to the actuation 
of the start key in the operation unit of the reader 34, an original 
feeding instruction is supplied from the reader 34 to the ADF 1001, which 
separates the lowermost one of the originals placed on the stacker tray 
1311 by means of separating belts 1312 and transports said separated 
original onto the platen 1301 by means of a transport roller 1313 and a 
conveyor belt 1314. The original image is read in this state. 
After the original reading of a number of times determined by the operator, 
the conveyor belt 1314 is reversed, and the original is moved by a 
deflecting cam 1315 toward transport rollers 1320, 1319 and discharged 
onto a discharge tray 1316. As already known, the original is so 
controlled as to exactly stop on the platen 1301 by means of sheet sensors 
(1321 and other unrepresented ones) provided on the sheet path and an 
unrepresented timing pulse generator so provided as to generate pulses in 
synchronization with the roller driving system. 
If plural originals are placed on the stacker tray 1311, after the 
completion of reading of the original fed to the platen 1301, a next 
original on the stacker tray 1311 is fed in synchronization with the 
discharge of the preceding original from the platen 1301, and the reading 
operation is executed automatically in succession for the plural originals 
until all the originals on the stacker tray 1311 are read. A sensor 1318 
is provided for detecting the originals on the stacker tray 1311. 
In the following there will be explained the function of the printer 35 for 
recording an image on a recording sheet, in response to the image signal 
supplied by the original reading operation of the reader 34. 
When a start instruction is given through the communication with the reader 
34, the printer 35 starts the rotation of various units and activates a 
high-voltage unit. After the completion of a predetermined preparatory 
operation, and in response to a sheet feed start signal from the reader 
34, sheet feeding is started from a designated sheet feeding deck (upper 
cassette 1402, lower cassette 1403 or a paper deck 1404). Upon reaching 
registration rollers 1405, the recording sheet is once stopped, and is fed 
again in synchronization with the latent image formation on a 
photosensitive drum 1400 with a laser beam from a laser unit 1401, 
modulated by the image signal from the reader 34. 
The latent image formed on the drum 1400 is developed into a visible image 
by a known electrophotographic process, and thus developed image is 
transferred onto the recording sheet fed as explained above. Said 
recording sheet is then supplied, through a transport unit 1406, to a 
fixing unit 1407, and the image recording on a first face of the recording 
sheet is completed in this manner. 
If two-sided recording or overlay recording is selected, the recording 
sheet is guided toward the two-side unit 1401 by a deflecting cam 1408. 
Said two-side unit 1401 guides said recording sheet again to the 
photosensitive drum 1400, after sheet inversion through a path 1412 in 
case of two-sided recording, or without inversion through a deflecting cam 
1411 and a path 1415 in case of overlay recording. The recording sheets 
introduced into the two-side unit 1401 are stacked, by a transport roller 
1413 or 1416, on an intermediate tray 1414. When a required number of 
sheets, after image recording on the first faces thereof, are stacked on 
the intermediate tray 141, said sheets are transported, in response to a 
second face copy start instruction from the reader 34, through transport 
rollers 1413 and 1417, one by one to the registration rollers 1405. In the 
same manner as the image formation on the first face, the image formed on 
the photosensitive drum 1400 is transferred, and the recording sheet is 
transported through the fixing unit 1407, deflecting cam 1408 and 
transport rollers 1409, 1410 to the sorter 1300 to be explained later. In 
this manner the two-sided recording or the overlay recording on one side 
is achieved. 
On the other hand, if the two-sided recording or the overlay recording is 
not selected, the recording sheet after image recording on the first face 
is not guided to the two-side unit 1401 but is discharged to the sorter 
1300 through the deflecting cam 1408 and transport rollers 1409, 1410. 
The operating mode of the sorter 1300 (sort mode, collate mode or non-sort 
mode) is transmitted thereto through communication with the reader 34 at 
the start of the recording operation. Consequently, upon detection of a 
sheet with an unrepresented sensor mounted on transport rollers 1410, the 
sorter 1300 functions according to the designated operating mode. For 
example, in the sorting mode, after receiving a recording sheet, bins 1317 
are shifted upwards by a step to receive the next sheet in a next bin. In 
the illustrated sorter, the collating operation is achieved by vertical 
movement of the bins 1317. In the collating mode, the bins are shifted 
upwards every time the original is changed, and, in the non-sorting mode, 
the sheets are always discharged into the uppermost bin. 
The operation unit 143 and the editor 31 provided on the upper face of the 
reader 34 will not be explained as they are same as those explained in 
FIG. 3A. Also the control unit of the copying apparatus is same as that 
explained in FIG. 4. 
Exchange of control signals with the ADF 1001, two-side unit 1401 and 
sorter 1300 is achieved through the I/O port shown in FIG. 4. 
The above-explained structure enables, for example, the image editing shown 
in FIG. 36 in which (1)-(3) indicate three originals, while (4)-(6) 
indicate five one-sided copies each, respectively obtained from said 
originals. The copies (4), (5) and (6) respectively obtained from the 
originals (1), (2) and (3) respectively have add-on characters "MURAM 
178", "MURAM 179" and "MURAM 180" on the lower right corner thereof. 
In the following there will be explained the procedure for obtaining such 
copies as shown in FIG. 36. 
At first there will be explained the procedure of character input by means 
of the character input board 143 of the editor. FIG. 37 shows various 
display states of the liquid crystal display unit 123 at the character 
input. 
In response to the depression of the character input key 134 of the editor, 
the liquid crystal display unit 123 provides a state shown in FIG. 37-1. 
Said display unit is in communication with the CPU 210, and each area 
divided by the broken lines can function as an input key for the CPU 210. 
A cursor 1601 flashes at the position of character input, and can be moved 
in the horizontal or vertical direction with cursor moving keys 1602. The 
operator can correct an erroneous character input by moving the cursor 
1601 to the erroneously entered character and entering a character again. 
Also all the characters are erased by a clear key 1603. 
In the following there will be explained the procedure of entering 
characters with the editor. 
A position on the digitizer 139 of the editor pointed to by the pointer 138 
is transmitted to the CPU 210 through serial communication between the 
editor and the CPU 210. FIG. 38 shows the control sequence of the CPU 210 
for the character input. 
When a position on the editor is pointed to by the pointer 138 (S1), there 
is discriminated whether the coordinates of said position transmitted from 
the editor are within the character input board 143 (S2). If said position 
is within the board 143, the buzzer 39 is activated to inform the operator 
of a character input (S3), and a code corresponding to each character (0 
for "A", 1 for "B", . . . , 147 for "blank") is determined and stored in 
the add-on display RAM 207 (S4). Said character is displayed on the 
display unit 123 (S5), and the cursor is normally advanced to right by a 
digit. If the cursor is at the right-end position, it is moved to the 
left-end position in a next row. FIG. 37-2 shows an example of display, 
and FIG. 39 shows the corresponding content of the add-on display RAM 207, 
in which "L" indicates a space. 
The operator can enter a desired character in this manner. 
In the following there will be explained a count up/down mode utilizing the 
character input mode. 
The count up/down mode can overlay numerals with the original image 
information, with stepwise increment or decrement of said numerals as 
shown in FIG. 36, and can be utilized for numbering the copies or 
attaching page numbers thereto. 
In FIG. 37, there are shown a count up key 1604 for designating a count up 
mode, and a count down key 1605 for designating a count down mode. 
At first the operator enters an initial value of the number to be counted 
up or down, in the same manner as in ordinary character input. FIG. 37-2 
shows a state after such number input, in which, after the entry of a 
number "178", the cursor 1601 is positioned next to the numeral "8". 
A same control sequence is executed in response to the depression of the 
count up key 1604 or the count down key 1605. Consequently there will be 
explained the control sequence when the count up key 1604 is depressed, 
while making reference to FIG. 40. 
If the count up key 1604 is depressed in a display state shown in FIG. 37-2 
(S16), the sequence proceeds to a step S21 since neither the count up mode 
nor the count down mode is designated in the initial state (S17, S19), but 
no operation is executed as the cursor 1601 is not positioned on a 
numeral. 
For designating the count up mode or the count down mode, the operator 
moves the cursor 1601, with the cursor moving keys 1603, to the position 
of the initial value of the number to be counted up or down, as shown in 
FIG. 37-3. 
When the count up key 1604 is depressed in a display state shown in FIG. 
37-3, since neither the count up mode nor the count down mode has been 
designated (S17, S19) and since the cursor 1601 is positioned on the 
numeral "8" (S11), there is designated the count up mode (S22), by 
rewriting the numeral codes, corresponding the position of the cursor 1601 
and stored in the add-on display RAM 207, into count-up data. In the 
present embodiment, as the codes 0-147 are used for ordinary character, 
codes 150-159 are used for count-up data "0", "1", . . . , "9" and codes 
160-169 are used for count-down data "0", "1", . . . , "9". 
FIG. 39-2 shows the content of the add-on display RAM 207 after the 
conversion for the count-up mode. The codes for the numeral "7" at the 
cursor position and for the numeral "8" at right are changed to the 
count-up codes "156" and "157". These changes are made only for the 
internal process, so that it is necessary to inform the operator of the 
numerals in the count-up mode and those in the count-down mode. Therefore 
the content of the add-on display RAM 207 after conversion is utilized to 
display, in reverse state, the numbers in the count up mode or in the 
count down mode and the count up key 1604 or the count down key 1605 
(S23). 
Such state is shown in FIG. 37-4, in which the cursor 1601 flashes at a 
numeral "7" which is in reverse display. The count-up mode can be 
cancelled by depressing again the count-up key 1604 in the reverse display 
state (S20), whereby the numerals and the count-up key in reverse display 
returns to the ordinary display state. 
After the setting of the count-up/down mode in this manner, the operator 
initiates the copying operation by depressing the start key 101. FIG. 41 
shows the control sequence of the CPU 210 in said copying operation. 
The characters entered as explained above are merely stored in the form of 
codes in the add-on display RAM 207 and do not have the properties as the 
image information. 
Thus, in response to the actuation of the start key 101 by the operator 
(S31), the CPU 210 at first discriminates whether the count up mode or the 
count down mode is selected (S32), and, if selected, reads the font 
information from the add-on font ROM 208, corresponding to the codes 
stored in the add-on display RAM 207, and develops said font information 
in the add-on RAM 205 (S33). In this state the font information of the 
entered characters are merely arranged in sequential order in the add-on 
RAM 205, and image information cannot be obtained by direct reading of 
said add-on RAM 205. Therefore the CPU 210 sets, in the add-on image 
generating circuit 206, various parameters such as the character size, 
positional information in the main and sub-scanning directions, thereby 
enabling to obtain image information by reading the add-on RAM 205 through 
said generating circuit 206. 
Said parameters may be preset in fixed manner or may be set with the 
operation unit 143 of the editor. After the development of font 
information in the add-on RAM 205 and the parameter setting in the add-on 
image generating circuit 206, the CPU 210 discriminates whether a copying 
operation with the ADF 1001 is instructed (S34). 
If such copying operation with the ADF 1001 is instructed, an original is 
fed from the stacker tray 1311 to the platen 1301 (S35), then the reader 
34 repeats the image forming operation by a predetermined number of times, 
in which the original image is photoelectrically converted by the CCD 201, 
then subjected to an image processing such as shading correction or gamma 
correction in the image processing circuit 202, synthesized with the data 
of the characters from the add-on image generating circuit 206 in the 
synthesizing circuit 203 and supplied to the printer 204 to obtain the 
prints of a desired number (S36). 
On the other hand, if the ADF 1001 is not used, the image forming operation 
is repeated for the desired number of copies without the function of the 
ADF 1001 (S36). 
When the image forming operation is repeated for a number of times 
designated by the numeral keys 105 (S37), the CPU 210 discriminates 
whether the ADF 1001 is used or not (S38). 
If the ADF is used, at first there is discriminated whether another 
original is present on the stacker tray 1311 (S39), then, if present, 
there is discriminated whether an add-on count up mode or an add-on count 
down mode is selected (S40), and, if selected, the count up code or the 
count down code of the add-on display RAM 207 is increased or decreased by 
one respectively in the count up mode or the count down mode, thereby 
renewing the code (S41). Then the sequence proceeds to a step S32 to 
execute an image forming operation for the next original on the stacker 
tray of the ADF 1001. 
Thus, when the ADF is used, for example initial 
character "MURAM 178" are set as shown in FIG. 37, and, if the add-on count 
up mode is selected, the image forming operation is continued until all 
the original on the stacker tray 1311 are exhausted while increasing or 
decreasing the count up or down code in the add-on display RAM 207 for 
every three originals automatically fed as shown in FIG. 36-1 - 3, thereby 
obtaining the prints as shown in FIG. 36-4 - 6. 
On the other hand, in a copying operation without the ADF 1001, after the 
completion of copying operation of a desired number (S37), there is 
discriminated whether the add-on count up or down mode is selected (S42), 
and, if selected, the count up or down code in the add-on display RAM 207 
is increased or decreased by one respectively in the count up or down 
mode, thereby renewing the code (S43). Then the image forming operation is 
terminated, and the sequence awaits the next actuation of the start key 
101 by the operator. 
Thus, if the ADF 1001 is not used, an original set on the platen 1301 by 
the operator is copied for a desired number of times, then the count up or 
down code of the add-on display RAM 207 is renewed, and the sequence stops 
in a state capable of printing the image of an original set by the 
operator, with the add-on of a number increased or decreased by one. Then, 
in response to the next actuation of the start key 101, the renewed number 
of the add-on display RAM 207 is synthesized with the original image. 
Consequently, in case the ADF 1001 is not used, the prints shown in FIG. 
36-4 - 6 can be obtained by the manual setting of the originals of FIG. 
36-1 - 3 on the platen 1301 and the actuation of the start key 101 for 
each original. 
As explained in the foregoing, the number information to be synthesized 
with the original image can be automatically increased or decreased 
without the setting of the number information by the operator for each 
original. 
Though the foregoing embodiments have been limited to a copying apparatus 
in which the original is photoelectrically read, the present invention is 
also applicable to a copying apparatus in which the copying operation is 
achieved by projecting the original image directly onto a photosensitive 
member. Also instead of increasing or decreasing the number information to 
be synthesized by one, it is also possible to effect an increase or a 
decrease by a desired number, and it is furthermore possible to 
automatically renew character information such as alphabetic characters 
instead of the numbers. 
The present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments but is 
subject to various modifications within the scope and spirit of the 
appended claims.