IMPROVED ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING CONTINUOUS-TONE COPY

Abstract: Method and apparatus for electrophotographically producing high quality reproductions which contain different content types using an original O1 having reflective continuous-tone portions C and non-reflective background portions B. A photoconductor image sector is subjected to a reflective exposure of portion C selected for good tone-scale reproduction of continuous-tone image portions and to a high-contrast transmission of portion B. Photoconductor background areas B, which border continuous-tone image portions C, are exposed to a discharge level below the system's development level.

Description: IMPROVED ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING CONTINUOUS-TONE COPY The Technical Field The present Invention relates to electrophoto- - graphic reproduction methods and apparatus and more specifically to the Improved production of copy (Including black-and-white and color reproductions) of the kind having both continuous-tone (e.g. pictorial) and other (e.g. uniform background and/or line-type) content. 10 Ttle Background Art U.S. Patent 4,053,216 discloses apparatus for electrophotographlcally producing continuous-tone reproductions. In this apparatus a transparency is transmission-illuminated onto a primary-charged photocon- » - ductor to form an electrostatic image that is to be developed with toner. The continuous-tone light image is modulated with a half-tone screen located on a document exposure platen. In one disclosed embodiment a composi¬ tion frame is placed on the exposure platen and is 2 reflection-exposed onto the photoconductor around the borders of the continuous-tone electrostatic image. This approach presents a problem in accommodating continuous- tone originals of varying size and shape, e.g. it requires the preparation and registering of special composition „_ frames. Also, this approach employs a half-tone screen that is located at the exposure platen of the copy apparatus and there are significant image quality advan¬ tages in locating such screen proximate the exposed photoconductor. 0 The Invention The purpose of the present invention is to pro¬ vide improved apparatus and techniques for coping with the problems, such as outlined above, that arise in electro¬ photographlcally producing high quality reproductions 5 containing different types of information content. The general concept of the present invention achieves the above-stated purpose and can be expressed in closely related apparatus and method constitutions. In one constitution the present invention pro¬ vides a method for electrophotographically charging, exposing and developing a photoconductor image sector to produce copy having a continuous-tone image area and a bordering background area characterized as including the steps of (i) reflection exposing the photoconductor sector in a predeterminedly registered relation to an original that comprises a light-reflective continuous-tone image area and bordering background area which is light- transmissive, such reflection exposure being at imaging levels adapted to optimize the tone-scale of the resulting latent electrostatic image; and (ii) transmission exposing the photoconductor sector through the background area of said original, in said registered relation and at an expo¬ sure level higher than said reflection exposing imaging levels. In another closely related constitution the present invention provides electrophotographic apparatus in which a photoconductor sector is moved along an opera¬ tive path past: (a) primary charging means, (b) first means for exposing a screened image of a continuous-tone original onto said sector, (c) second means for exposing background region onto said sector in registered relation with said continuous-tone image and (d) means for develop¬ ing the composite electrostatic image so formed on said sector, characterized (i) in that a half-tone screen is located in the optical path of said first and second exposing means at a position proximate said photoconductor sector, (ii) in that said first exposing means is adapted to reflection expose such continuous-tone original, selectively, at different exposure levels and (ill) in that said second exposing means is adapted to transmission expose said background region onto said photoconductor at ΪRΪXD OMPI an intensity level which discharges the pattern of said screen below the development level of said apparatus. The Drawing Description The subsequent description of preferred embodi- ents of the present invention refers to the attached drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic side view of one embodi¬ ment of electrophotographic apparatus for practice of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of electrophotographic apparatus for practice of the present invention; and Figure 3 is a schematic side view of yet another embodiment of electrophotographic apparatus for practice of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown an apparatus 10 which is adapted, in accord with one aspect of the present invention, to produce electrophotographic reproductions of documents including continuous-tone image areas and surrounding white (or low-density) background border zones. One advantageous feature of the Figure 1 structure and technique is its capability to produce good tone-scale (particularly in difficult highlight portions) together with backgrounds which are "substantially clean" (i.e. do not have an objectionable density level). The apparatus 10 includes a photoconductor 11 (e.g. a belt comprising a photoconductlve insulator layer overlying a conductive layer on a support) having one or more image sectors adapted for movement along an operative path past primary charging station 12, exposure station 13, develop¬ ment station 14 and transfer station 15. The corona charger at station 12, magnetic brushes at station 14 and transfer roller at station 15 can be of the various types known in the art and equivalent devices can be utilized. The inventive structural and procedural aspects of the Figure 1 embodiment of the invention pertain to exposure station 13. The exposure procedure and structure of the present invention involve provision and use of an original of predetermined format. Specifically, the original 0^ comprises a light reflective continuous-tone area(s) C formed within a light-transmisstve background area B. One preferred embodiment comprises photographic prints mounted on a light-transmissive plastic support. In accord with the present invention the exposure station 13 includes means for supporting original 0 (e.g. transparent platen 16) at the illumination zone of apparatus 10, a first illumination source 17 located between the illumina¬ tion zone and the photoconductor 11 and second illumina- tion source 18 located on the opposite side of the illumination zone from photoconductor 11. Lens means L is provided to image the original at the illumination zone onto the photoconductor 11 at exposure zone E and a Fresnel-type field lens element 16a images the trans- mission source 18 on the lens L. (If the background area B is diffuse, lens 16a can be omitted; however, the source 18 should be of a higher intensity.) A particularly preferred embodiment includes a half-tone screen 19 located in the optical path of lens L and proximate the exposure zone. In operation, a photoconductor image sector is moved past the charging station 12, where it receives a uniform primary electrostatic charge, and into exposure zone E. At this stage illumination sources 17 and 18 are actuated to illuminate the original 0, (which is in place on platen 16 with its light-reflective, continuous- tone portions facing the exposure zone E). More particu¬ larly, sources 17, e.g. xenon flash lamps are energized by power source P, at an intensity level selected for optimizing tone-scale of the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor by light reflected from the continuous-tone portions C. The light source 18, e.g. a xenon flash lamp, is energized by its power source P to provide an exposure level at the photoconductor which substantially discharges portions of the photoconductor (corresponding to background B) by transmission exposure. That is, the intensity of this transmission exposure is selected to reduce the electrostatic charge level of portions corresponding to document background below the development level of the apparatus (e.g. to a level proxi- mate or below the bias on magnetic brushes at development station 14). The discharge of transmission-exposed photo¬ conductor portions therefore is preferably more than the maximum discharge (minimum development density level) of the reflection-exposed portions. When screen 19 is present, the exposure from source 18 is selected to dis¬ charge the screen pattern in the background areas below the development level of the apparatus. The electrostatic image is then developed at 14, and the resulting toner image is transferred to copy sheet S and fixed at fusing station F. Thus, in accord with the present invention, continuous-tone photoconductor regions can be exposed at one of a plurality of preselectable levels (chosen to optimize tone-scale of the electrostatic image) and such continuous-tone exposure need not be concerned with the need for complete discharge in document background areas. This allows substantial improvement in the quality of electrophotographic reproductions of images which contain different content types like 0,. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, the level of photoconductor exposure of the continuous-tone images can be varied in ways other than adjustment of the illumination intensity of source P, , e.g. such as by aperture adjustment and/or illumination time control. Similarly one skilled in the art may readily substitute other exposure techniques, e.g. scan OMPI exposure techniques, for the flash exposure system des¬ cribed with respect to Figure 1. In certain applications the portions B of original 0, may desirably be selec¬ tively light-transmissive, light diffusive and/or contain opaque line-type information. Also, if desired a graphic transparency image can be overlaid in a desired register with the original 0, , e.g. in register with a portion of background B. Referring now to Figure 2, apparatus 30 provides features and advantages such as previously described in an embodiment capable of producing color or black-and-white reproductions containing different information content types. The apparatus 30 provides reproductions wherein continuous-tone areas have good tone-scale, line-type information areas are of high contrast and background areas are "substantially clean" with respect to unwanted toner deposition. Much of the structure of apparatus 30 can be the same as described with respect to Figure 1, and such common structure is indicated with corresponding designators in Figure 2. The additional structure of the apparatus 20 comprises a second exposure station 23 con¬ structed to expose a second component original O2 at a second exposure zone E«. Positioning structures 36 and 37 are provided respectively at exposure stations 13 and 23 to accurately locate originals 0-, and O2 on the exposure platens. A photoconductor location detector D and logic and control unit 35 are provided to coordinate exposure of the component original n in register on a common photoconductor image sector with the electrostatic image of the first component original 0, (previously exposed on that photoconductor sector at station E | . Station 23 includes a light-transmissive document platen 26, illumination sources 27 (e.g. xenon flash lamps) coupled to a power source P3, and appropriate mirror and lens means L« for imaging a component origi¬ nal 0« at exposure zone E«. The component original 0» is. predeterminedly constructed to cooperate with original component 0,, and for this purpose On has mask portions M which prevent source 27 illumination from passing to predetermined portions of exposure zone E 2 (viz. those portions which correspond to portions C of the original 0,). In embodiments where sources 27 are located to reflectively illuminate component original 0 2 , the portions M can be light-absorptive (e.g. black) or light-transmissive. In such an embodiment, the back- ground portions B« of component original 0 2 are desir¬ ably highly light-reflective (e.g. white) and line-type portions LT are light-absorptive (e.g. black). If desired the illumination sources 27 can be on the opposite side of platen 26 from exposure zone E 2 and in such an embodi- ment the component original O2 can have light-reflective or opaque mask portions M, light-transmissive background portions B 2 and light-blocking line-type portions LT (e.g. black, light-reflective or light-scattering alphanumerics) . There are also significant differences between apparatus 30 and Fig. 1 embodiment which provide addition¬ al capabilities e.g., in regard to reproducing color originals or black-and-white reproductions. In this regard an array 31 of color filters e.g. including red, green and blue filters, is mounted along the optical path of exposure station 13. The array 31 is indexable by shaft 32 to selectively position each particular color filter in the optical path during the successive color-separation exposures of continuous-tone portions C of a color original 0.. Also in the apparatus 30 embodiment, the development means 14 includes discrete magnetic brush devices 14-1, 14-2, 14-3, 14-4, which are operable, in response to signals from logic and control unit 35, to selectively apply different colors of toner (e.g. cyan, magenta, yellow and black toner) to different photocon¬ ductor image sectors. The functioning of these additional devices in cooperation with the other structure of electrophotographic apparatus 30 will be easily understood by considering the following operational descriptions of its different modes. To commence operation of a color copy run, compo¬ nent originals 0, and 0 are prepared and positioned at predetermined positions respectively on platens 16 and 26. In the one preferred embodiment, component original 0^ comprises a plurality of color continuous-tone tnfor- mation areas C (e.g. color prints) mounted on a light- transmissive support which forms background areas B, . The component original 0 2 for the Figure 2 embodiment comprises a light-reflective (e.g. white) background B 2 with black mask areas M located in register with areas C of component original O and with high-contrast, line- type information LT (e.g. black alphanumeric information) located in adjacent areas on the white support. Index or positioning means,, e.g. guide rails 36, 37, are provided to assure proper relative location of the component originals and thus proper register of their light images at exposure stations E, and E 2 . With the originals 0, and 0 thus prepared and positioned, the operator inputs .control data to logic and control unit 35, e.g. by a keyboard (not shown). Such data can include: (1) the desired operational mode (color or black-and-white), (2) desired number of reproductions and (3) special exposure level information regarding the respective color- separation exposures of composite original 0.. With regard to the last-mentioned input data, the operator often will perform pre-runs of the color-separation exposures at varying levels to determine optimum exposure levels for the particular pictorial information involved. Logic and control unit 35 preferably contains memory to βtore selected exposure levels for each respective color- separation exposure. Vhen the above data is input, a "run" command is actuated by the operator, and the photoconductor belt 11 moves successive photoconductor image sectors thereof past primary charger 12 and onto exposure zone E, . Position of the photoconductor image sectors is detected by a sensor, e.g. a detector D of perforations in the photo¬ conductor, and a position signal is input to unit 35. Logic and control unit 35 effects control of successive red, green and blue color exposures onto successive photo- conductor sectors. For example, such control from unit 35 can include synchronization of: (1) the indexing of filter array 31, (2) energization of power source P^ at the desired level(s) and (3) energization of source P 2 to actuate background clean-up. The three photoconductor image sectors, thus exposed, respectively comprise screened, continuous-tone red, green and blue color- separation electrostatic images corresponding to portions C of the original 0, and background portions discharged by source 18 to a level below the development level of apparatus 30 (e.g. below the bias level applied to the brushes of stations 14 by means not shown). As the sector bearing the red color-separation electrostatic image moves over magnetic brush 14-1, the brush is activated by unit 35 to apply cyan toner in accordance with the electro- static image. Similarly brushes 14-2 and 14-3 are activated to apply magenta and yellow toner respectively to the subsequent green and blue electrostatic color- separation images on successive sectors of the photoconductor. As a fourth primary-charged sector of the photo¬ conductor belt 11 passes zone E, , a panchromatic light exposure of selected tone-scale is effected by sources 17, without the activation of source 18. It may be preferred to filter this exposure, e.g. with another element of array 31, to achieve a more panchromatic system response for this exposure. At this stage, the electrostatic pattern on the fourth photoconductor image sector includes a screened, continuous-tone latent image pattern of the pictorial areas C and uniform primary charge on other areas corresponding to background B*». The fourth sector moves next to exposure zone E 2 , and, in proper timed relation with movement of belt 11, unit 35 activates sources 27 to effect a high-contrast exposure of component original 0 2 , in register with the image of component original 0,, onto the fourth sector. The electrostatic image on the fourth sector leaving zone E 2 thus com¬ prises (1) the continuous-tone electrostatic image component exposed at zone E-, (and undisturbed by the zone E 2 exposure because of mask portions M on original 0 2 » (2) the high-contrast, unscreened, alphanumeric electrostatic patterns corresponding to areas LT of composite original 0 2 and (3) the clean background portions discharged below the development level. The fourth sector subsequently is developed with black toner by magnetic brush 14-4. It will be appreciated that logic and control unit 35 can be constructed to effect the above-described exposures of the four photoconductor image sectors in any desired sequence. Also, it will be appreciated that logic and control can effect exposures so that the line information is in a color(s) other than black. For example, cyan line information can be provided by omitting the source 18 illumination and providing source 23 illumination to the red filter exposed image sector rather than the neutral density exposed sector. Of course the apparatus 30 can employ less than four colors, if desired. After exposure and development and in proper timed relation with movement of the photoconductor image sectorβ to transfer station 15, unit 35 signals actuation for feeding a copy sheet S to the transfer roller. Successive cyan, magenta, yellow and black toner images are then transferred to the copy sheet, in register, by OMPI -li¬ the, first, second, third and fourth image sectors of the photoconductor 11. Unit 35 then signals pick-off of the copy sheet by detack device 39, and copy sheet S is fed through fixing device F to a receiver bin. It will be appreciated that the successive reproductions of the com¬ posite original can be made in a continuous node by repeating the above-described operation as the belt recirculates. Appropriate photoconductor cleaning and rejuvination (known in the art) can be provided along the return path from station 15 to station 12. Apparatus 30 also can be operated in a black- and-white copy mode. In such operation, appropriate control information is input to unit 35, e.g to select the black-and-white mode, the number of copies desired and any exposure level information for sources 17. Start of the copy run is commanded and control unit 35 effects repeated cycles of charge exposure and development as described above with respect to the fourth (black toner) sector on successive photoconductor image sectors. Copy sheet feed in this mode is activated for each photoconductor image sector, in contrast to the color mode where four toner images are transferred between each copy sheet detack and replacement cycle. Figure 3 discloses another embodiment of electro- photographic apparatus 40 in accord with the present invention. Apparatus 40 is similar in functional capabilities to the Figure 2 apparatus, and again, corre¬ sponding structural features are indicated with corre¬ sponding designators. The apparatus 40 differs from the Figure 2 embodiment primarily with respect to the con¬ struction of the photoconductor image sectors and the operative path of the apparatus. Specifically, the photo¬ conductor image sectors of apparatus 40 are in discrete sheet form and have separate paths within the development portion of the apparatus. In operation in a color copy mode, originals 0^ and 0 2 are prepared as described with respect to Figure 3 and placed in register on platens 16 and 26. Appropri¬ ate control signals are input to a control and logic unit (not shown) and a start command is actuated. A first sheet sector 11-1 then is fed from a supply, primary- charged and exposed by device 13 via a red filter to original 0- ^ at zone E, (in the same manner described with respect to the first photoconductor image sector of the belt 11 of apparatus 30). The sheet 11-1 next is moved past exposure station 23 (without an exposure actua¬ tion) , is developed by brush 14-1 with cyan toner and is moved to hold position P-^. Subsequently green and blue color-separation images are exposed on sheets 11-2 and 11-3 and the resulting electrostatic images are developed by magnetic brushes 14-2 and 14-3 and forwarded to hold positions P 2 and P3. A sheet 11-4 is then primary- charged, exposed at station 13 (by source 17 only) and at station 23 by source 27, all in a manner like that des- cribed above regarding the fourth sector of apparatus 30. The composite image on sheet 11-4 is developed with black toner and sheet 11-4 is moved to position " P. - From this stage of the operation, the sheets can be forwarded to station 15 in any desired order for transfer of toner to a copy sheet S. As was the case with the Figure 2 embodi¬ ment, apparatus 40 can be operated in a black only mode by successively repeating the sheet 11-4 sequence coordinated with successive copy sheet feed for each exposure sequence. Industrial Effect As explained above and illustrated by the exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides a method for producing electrophotographic reproductions having continuous-tone image areas of excellent tone-scale and bordering background areas that are clean from un- wanted development. The method includes reflection and transmission exposing a photoconductor sector to an original having a light-reflective continuous-tone image area and bordering llght-transmissive background area. The reflection exposure is at an imaging level adapted to optimize the tone-scale of the continuous-tone portion of the resulting latent electrostatic image, and the trans¬ mission exposure is at an exposure level higher than the reflection imaging levels. This method facilitates en¬ hanced half-tone screening and is particularly useful in producing reproductions having high contrast background portions as well as continuous-tone portions with a tone scale that retains highlight information. In a closely related apparatus constitution the present invention provides an electrophotographic copier wherein two exposure means operate on βuch an original to provide reproductions with screened continuous-tone por¬ tions and clean background portions. A half-tone screen is located in the optical path of both the first and second exposing means proximate said operative path of the photoconductor. The first exposing means is adapted to reflection expose such continuous-tone original portion, selectively, at different exposure levels and the second exposing means is adapted to expose the background region at an intensity level which discharges the pattern of said screen below the development level of said apparatus. This feature provides simplified operation and is particu¬ larly useful in cooperation with a second exposure station of a color copier to provide flexibility for a variety of productive copy modes. OMPI $ W1PO .

Claims: The Claims: 1. Electrophotographic apparatus in which a photoconductor sector is moved along an operative path past: (a) primary charging means, (b) first means for exposing a screened image of a continuous-tone origi¬ nal onto said sector and second means for exposing a registered background region onto said sector and (c) means for developing the composite electrostatic image so formed on said sector, characterized in that (i) a Q half-tone screen is located in the optical path of said first and second exposing means at a position proximate said photoconductor sector, (ii) in that said first exposing means is adapted to reflection expose such continuous-tone original, selectively, at 5 different exposure levels and (iii) in that said second exposing means is adapted to transmission expose said background region onto said photoconductor at an intensity level which discharges the pattern of said screen below the development level of said apparatus. 2. In electrophotographic apparatus having platen means which supports and registers an original in an illumination zone and means for imaging an original in the illumination zone onto the exposure zone for the primary-charged photoconductor image sectors of said apparatus, an exposure system adapted for improved image reproduction by cooperation with originals that have light-reflective continuous-tone image areas and bordering, light-transmissive background areas, said exposure system comprising: (a) a half-tone screen located between said platen means and said exposure zone; (b) first exposure means, including a first illumination source located on the opposite side of said platen means from said exposure zone, for effecting, through transmissive portions of such original, a high level photoconductor exposure such that portions of said sector, which are aligned with the transmissive original portions, are below the apparatus development level; and (c) second exposure means, including a second illumination source located between said platen means and said exposure zone, for effecting a relatively lower level photoconductor exposures with light reflected from such original's continuous-tone area(s), said second exposure means being selectively adjustable for varying the image tone-scale of photoconductor portions discharged thereby. 3. Electrophotographic Imaging apparatus comprising: (a) first, second, third and fourth photo¬ conductor image sectors movable along an operative path of said apparatus; (b) means, located along said path, for forming an electrostatic primary charge on photoconductor image sectors moving therepast; (c) first support means for accurately positioning a first component-original in a first location which is registered relative to said operative path; (d) first exposing means, operative at a first exposure zone along said path: (i) for exposing half-tone-screened, red, green, and blue color-separation images of a first-component- original that is positioned by said first support means, respectively onto three of said primary- charged photoconductor image sectors and (ii) for exposing a half-tone-screened, generally- panchromatic image of such firβt-component- original onto the other of said primary-charged photoconductor image sectors; (e) second support means for accurately positioning a second-component-original in a second location which is registered relative to said first location and βaid operative path; (f) second exposing means, operative at a second exposure zone along said path, for exposing said other photoconductor sector to the unscreened light image of a second-component-original that is positioned by said second support means; (g) means for synchronizing said first and said second exposing means and the movement of said sectors at said first and second exposure zones so that said exposing by said second exposing means is in predetermined register with said exposure by said first exposing means; and (h) means for developing the red, green and blue exposed image sectors respectively with cyan, magenta and yellow toner and for developing said other image sector with black toner; said first exposing means including (1) means for reflection exposing the photoconductor sectors, at exposure levels that are optimized for tone-scale reproduction, to reflective continuous-tone portions of a first component-original at said first support means, (2) means for transmission exposing the photo¬ conductor sectors, via transparent portions of an original at said first support means, at an exposure level that discharges corresponding photoconductor portions below a predetermined development level and (3 control means for (i) activating both said reflection and transmission exposing means with respect to such red, blue and green image exposured sectors and (ii) activating only said reflection exposing means with respect to such panchromatic image exposured sector. 4. The invention defined in claim 3 wherein said second exposing means includes means for exposing the other photoconductor image sector to the second component-original at an exposure level adapted for high-contrast reproduction of line-type information. 5. The invention defined in claim 4 wherein said reflection exposing means of said first exposing means is selectively adjustable to vary the levels of its exposure. 0 6. A method for electrophotographically charging, exposing and developing a photoconductor image sector to produce copy having a continuous-tone image area and a bordering background area, character¬ ized as including the steps of: 5 (a) reflection exposing the photoconductor sector in a predeterminedly registered relation to an original that comprises a light-reflective continuous-tone image area and bordering back¬ ground area which is light-transmissive, such o reflection exposure being at imaging levels adapted to optimize the tone-scale of the resulting latent electrostatic image; and (b) transmission exposing the photoconductor sector to the background area of said original, in said registered relation, at an exposure level higher than said imaging levels. 7. The invention defined in claim 6 wherein both the reflection and transmission exposures of said photoconductor sector are via a proximately-spaced half-tone screen and the level of such transmission exposure is sufficient to discharge, below development level, the screen image on transmission-exposed photoconductor portions. 8. A method for producing electrophoto- graphic copy having a continuous-tone information area and an adjacent background area, said method comprising: (a) registering for exposure an original having a light-reflective, continuous-tone infor¬ mation area and adjacent, light-transmissive background area; (b) uniformly electrostatically charging a photoconductor image sector to a primary charge level; (c) reflection exposing the continuous-tone area of the registered original onto its counter- part area of the photoconductor sector at imaging exposure levels which form an electrostatic image with good tone-scale and highlight detail; (d) transmission exposing the light- transmissive original area onto its counterpart area of the photoconductor sector at an exposure level which discharges such counterpart photo¬ conductor area to a background charge level below the minimum density charge levels of the continuous-tone electrostatic image; and (a) electrographically developing the exposed photoconductor sector in the presence of a predetermined electrical bias selected, relative to such image and background charge levels, to provide good tone-scale and highlight reproduction of continuous-tone image and background area which is clean from unwanted developer.

Inventors: STOUDT MICHAEL DAVID, STOUDT, MICHAEL, DAVID
Applicants: EASTMAN KODAK CO, EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
Application year: 1984
Main classification: G03G15
IPC codes: G03G13, G03G15, G03G21