COPYING APPARATUS PROVIDED WITH AN AUTOMATIC LIGHT EXPOSURE CONTROL SYSTEM

Abstract: In a copying apparatus provided with an automatic light exposure control system for setting the amount of light from a light source (6) on the basis of light reflected by an original document to which light from the light source is applied, the amount of light in a plurality of levels is applied to a reference document so that data of light reflected from the reference document may be stored in the apparatus. When a certain document is copied, the amount of light from the light source is automatically controlled on the basis of the data of reflected light of the document to be copied and the data of reflected light of the reference document stored in the apparatus.

Description: The present invention is related to a copying apparatus provided with an automatic light exposure control system. JP-A-58-23066 describes a copying apparatus having: a light source; a mode selection means for selecting a test mode in which a reference document is exposed to light from the light source, or a copy mode in which a document to be copied is exposed to light from the light source; and a control means for selecting from a preset plurality of different exposures each of the exposures in a stepwise manner one after the other during the test mode. In this copying apparatus, a number is allocated to each of the different predetermined exposures which are performed when providing a single copy by exposing the reference document by using different amounts of irradiated light. After having terminated the test mode, the user judges the copy as for determining the preferred exposure. Now, the user inputs the selected exposure step number which is then stored in the copying apparatus. When afterwards operating the apparatus in the copy mode, the same exposure conditions are automatically selected which were used in the step of exposures having the number as stored. JP-A-60-10267 describes a copying apparatus having a photo detector for measuring the density of a document to be copied. Relations between the density of a document and exposure conditions for optimal exposure are stored in a ROM-table. When copying a document, the density of the document is measured and then it is exposed by using the conditions as they are read from said table based on the measured density. When using the first discussed apparatus, the operator can individually select the optimal conditions for a standard copying mode; an automatic light exposure control is not provided. When using the second discussed apparatus, the operator can enjoy automatic light exposure control, however, there arises the problem that there are fluctuations in the characteristics of different copying apparatuses due to fluctuations in the manufacturing processes. The ROM-table is only fully valid for a standard copying apparatus whereas optimal-exposure is not achieved when using a copying apparatus in which the amount of exposure light is higher or lower than in the standard apparatus when setting the same exposure conditions as read from the ROM-table according to the density as measured. It is the object of the present invention to provide a copying apparatus in which sensitivity with respect to exposure is independent from differences between properties of the actual apparatus and properties of a standard apparatus. The copying apparatus of the present invention comprises the above listed features of the first discussed apparatus, and it is characterized by: a first storage means for storing predetermined amounts of light reflected from the reference document for the different exposures a photo detector for measuring the amount of light reflected from the reference document in each of the different exposures during the test mode; a calculating means for calculating for each of the different exposures the ratio (G1 to G4) between the predetermined amount of light reflected from the reference document, and the amount of light reflected from the reference document for the exposure in the test mode; a second storage means for storing said ratios for each of the different exposures; and a modifying means for automatically selecting, in the copy mode, from the different exposures emitted from the source, the exposure according to the ratios as stored in the second storage means. The above mentioned objects and features, as well as other objects and features of the present invention, will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which like parts are designated by like reference numerals, and in which: Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram of an exposure control circuit employed in a copying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a flow-chart showing the procedure of a program to be executed by a microprocessor provided in the copying apparatus of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a view illustrating states in which the light exposure changes step by step; Fig. 4 is a flow-chart showing a part of the program procedure to be executed by the microprocessor in the case where a series of steps for changing the light exposure is executed before the copying operation; Fig. 5 is a graph showing the dependance between output voltages which are applied in a plurality of levels applied to a copy lamp, and the allocated respective output voltages from a silicon blue cell; Fig. 6 is a table, stored in a RAM, indicating amounts of light reflected from a reference original document; Fig. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between data A of reference reflected light stored in a ROM and data B of the reflected light newly inputted into a RAM; and Fig. 8 is a graph indicative of the procedure towards the stabilization of the automatic exposure control. Referring first to the circuit diagram of Fig. 1, an operating portion 2 of a copying apparatus is connected to a microprocessor 1 which processes data in the unit of 8 bits. The operating portion 2 includes various kinds of key switches such as a print key, an exposure test key and the like, states of which are read by the microprocessor 1 in accordance with a control program previously written in a ROM 19. A RAM 18 is utilized as a working area for various flags, a counter, or the like during the execution of the control program. When a copy lamp 6 is turned on, the microprocessor 1 operates an ON phase of the copy lamp 6 on the basis of operation data of the operating portion 2, output data of a silicon blue cell 14, an alternating input voltage, a zero cross timing, an alternating frequency etc. and outputs a timing pulse every AC half-wave. The microprocessor 1 initially operates exposure data D and outputs a timing pulse on a phase determining to the exposure data D. A driver 4 is connected with the microprocessor 1 to amplify the pulse outputted therefrom. When the output of an output port 3 is rendered to be "H", a triac 5 is turned on so that a phase control voltage may be applied to the copy lamp 6. The microprocessor 1 is also connected to a voltage detecting circuit 8 for detecting the voltage proportional to an AC input voltage 11 and to a zero cross pulse (ZCP) generating circuit 9 for detecting the timing when the AC input voltage has become 0V. Furthermore, the microprocessor 1 has a function for compensating voltage fluctuation of the AC power source 11. Accordingly, a firing angle of the triac 5 is controlled so that no voltage fluctuation takes place between both terminals of the copy lamp 6, even if the AC power source 11 fluctuates. Thus, a predetermined light exposure i.e., a predetermined amount of light for exposure can be kept substantially constant at all times. A document density detecting circuit 13 includes a silicon blue cell 14 as a photo sensor for detecting an amount of light reflected by the document to output a voltage proportional to the amount of light received thereby. The output of the silicon blue cell 14 is amplified through an operational amplifier 15 to be inputted as document density data Vr into an A/D converter (not shown) accommodated in the microprocessor 1. The microprocessor 1 adjusts the exposure data D in accordance with the document density data Vr to newly output a phase control pulse corresponding thereto so that the copy lamp 6 is automatically adjusted in illuminance. When the document density is bright, the value Vr becomes larger and the light exposure is reduced. In contrast, when the document density is dark, the light exposure is increased. In this way, the exposure is automatically controlled. Fig. 2 illustrates a flow-chart showing the program to be executed by the microprocessor 1. The states of various keys provided in the operating portion 2 are initially read at a step n1 followed by a step n2 at which it is judged whether or not the operated key is the print key. If the operated key is not the print key, it is judged at a step n3 whether or not the operated key is the test key. If the operated key is the test key, a flag FT is set to 1 at a step n4 and the procedure returns to step n1. Thereafter, when the print key has been operated, it is judged at a step n5 whether the flag FT has been set, i.e. is equal to 1. The document scanning is then initiated at a step n6 followed by a step n7 at which it is judged whether or not the time instant suitable for starting the exposure has come. If the judgment at step n7 is YES, the counter C is set to an initial value 1 at a step n8. This counter C is used as a level memory used for changing the light exposure in a plurality of levels. At a step n9, the exposure data D is obtained on the basis of a fixed operation and the value stored in the counter C. The amount of light from the copy lamp 6 is fixed at a step n10 by outputting the phase control pulse, corresponding to the exposure data D, to the driver 4. At a step n11, it is judged whether or not the timing for changing the light exposure has come. If the judgment at step n11 is YES, it is judged at a step n12 whether or not the count value of the counter C has reached a predetermined value N. If the count value is not equal to N, 1 is added to the count value at a step n13 so that the light exposure may be changed; the procedure repeats steps n9 to n13, until the count value becomes equal to N at step n12. Thus, a photoreceptor or photosensitive member is exposed to light by the light exposure in a plurality of different levels. Upon completion of all exposures, the flag FT is reset at step n14 and the copying operation is executed at step n15. At this step for executing the copying operation, an image formed on a certain document may be actually transferred onto a transfer sheet or the like; however, a paper sheet must not be necessarily used. The scanning may be omitted. In the case where the print key is activated in a normal copying mode, the copying operation is executed on the basis of the exposure value once set. More specifically, the exposure data D is obtained from the set value of the exposure at a step n18. A step n19 follows, at which the phase control pulse corresponding to this data is outputted to the driver 4 so that the amount of light of the copy lamp 6 is controlled. Under these conditions, the normal copying operation is executed at a step 20. The above described process from step n6 to step n15 shows one example of a preparatory process including a test mode in which the exposure is executed by successively changing the light exposure in a plurality of levels within a certain period of time. However, the test mode may not be necessarily provided. Further, this kind of multistage process for changing the light exposure can be conducted in an area different from that for obtaining a copied image before or after one copying cycle. Fig. 3 illustrates the states in which the light exposure is successively changed step by step. Fig. 4 is a flow-chart showing a portion of the program carried out by the microprocessor 1 in the case where a series of processes for changing the light exposure is executed before the copying operation. This flow-chart indicates the process after the states of the keys have been read and corresponds to steps n6 to n15 in the flow-chart of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 shows the voltage Vc changing with time which is applied to the copy lamp 6 in the circuit of Fig. 1, and the voltage Vr of the reflected light also changing with time which is obtained when a predetermined reference document is exposed to the copy lamp 6. The voltage Vc of 50V is initially applied to the copy lamp 6 and 10V is then added to the voltage Vc so that 60V are applied thereto. In this way, the voltage Vc applied to the copy lamp 6 is increased step by step by 10V per step, up to 80V. The increment of the voltage Vc may be set to a smaller value than 10V as occasion demands so that more levels of the voltage Vc may be applied to the copy lamp 6. Alternatively, the voltage Vc may be decreased step by step from its maximum value. The voltage on each level is applied to the copy lamp 6 by turning on a gate of the triac 5 at a predetermined phase within a fixed period of time (approximately 800 to 400 msec), selected to ensure that the amount of light of the copy lamp 6 is stabilized. In this embodiment, the first period of time is set to 800 msec and other periods subsequent to the first one are each shortened to 400 msec. This difference period of time is properly set in accordance with an amount-of-change of the setting voltage or may be set to a fixed value if it is satisfactorily long. The light reflected by the reference document is read into the microprocessor 1 at interruption timings, each corresponding to the zero cross pulse in the last four alternating half-waves upon stabilization of both the amount of light of the copy lamp 6 and the output from the silicon blue cell 14. The average value of the aforementioned four data is stored in the RAM 18. Fig. 6 indicates the data of the reflected light of the reference document stored in the RAM 18 in such a manner. Fig. 7 depicts the relationship between the voltage Vr of the reflected light from the document and a terminal voltage Vc of the copy lamp 6. A character A indicates reference data of the reflected light stored in the ROM 19 obtained on the basis of an average value of data of the reflected light with respect to the reference document. Another character B indicates data of the actual reflected light newly read into the RAM 18. Since the data B of the reflected light read into each copying apparatus differs from the reference data A, ratios G1 to G4 between the reference data A and the data B in respective measuring sections are calculated and stored with respect to respective voltages applied to the copy lamp 6. The ratio G1 can be obtained by the following expression: G1 = Vrb50/Vra50, where G1: the ratio of the reflected light when Vc is 50V Vrb50: an actual value of the reflected light with respect to the reference document when Vc is 50V Vra50: the reference reflected light when Vc is 50V (data stored in the ROM). Subsequently, the ratios G2, G3 and G4 are determined correspondingly by adding 10V step by step to the voltage applied to the copy lamp 6 up to 80V. Fig. 8 indicates the relationship among the data B of the reflected light when the reference document has been read into the apparatus of the above described type, the data C of the reflected light of the document to be actually copied and a control characteristic straight line D. When a particular reference illuminance is set or the illuminance has been automatically set at a center of an exposure region, each of the curve B and the line D is individually determined in a particular apparatus. Accordingly, a stable point moves from (d) towards (d') in compliance with the change of the data of document density from C towards C'. When a predetermined reference exposure voltage, for example, Vc=65V is applied to the copy lamp 6, Vr65 is detected as the voltage a of the reflected light from a document C. Since this value a is less than the voltage Vrb65 of the reference reflected light, the control characteristic straight line having a negative slope is drawn at a point (b) corresponding to Vc65 on the characteristic curve B of the reflected light. In the microprocessor 1 is then operated the voltage applied to the copy lamp 6 (actually, a firing time from ZCP) corresponding to the point (c) crossing a horizontal line of Vr65. When the phase control voltage is applied to the copy lamp 6 on the basis of the aforementioned operation, the amount of light of the copy lamp 6 and the reflected light gradually increase. Because of this, an operating point in the control circuit moves towards the stable point (d) along the control characteristic straight line D. In Fig. 7, in the case where the data read with respect to the reference document in the particular apparatus is greater than the reference data A (Fig. 7), the ratio G becomes greater than 1, rendering the slope of the control characteristic straight line D of Fig. 8 to become greater than the reference value in proportion to the ratio G. It is to be noted here that, in the above described embodiment, although the explanation has been made by selecting a single amplification factor (slope), the difference among the apparatus can be minimized by executing the control with the use of a plurality of amplification factors on the basis of data obtained in each measurement section. Although the present invention has been fully described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted here that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, unless such changes and modifications otherwise depart from the scope of the present invention, they should be construed as being included therein.

Claims: A copying apparatus comprising: a light source (6) and a mode selection means (1) for selecting a test mode in which a reference document is exposed to light from said light source (6), or a copy mode in which a document to be copied is exposed to light from said light source (6); and a control means (1) for selecting from a preset plurality of different exposures each of said exposures in a stepwise manner one after the other during said test mode; characterised by a first storage means (19) for storing predetermined amounts of light reflected from said reference document for said different exposures; a photodetector (14) for measuring the amount of light reflected from said reference document in each of said different exposures during said test mode; a calculating means (1) for calculating for each of said different exposures the ratio (G1 to G4) between the predetermined amount of light reflected from said reference document, and the amount of light reflected from said reference document for said exposure in said test mode; a second storage means (18) for storing said ratios for each of said different exposures; and a means (1) for automatically selecting, in the copy mode, from said different exposures emitted from said source (6), said exposure according to said ratios as stored in said second storage means (18).

Inventors: NODA, YOSHIYUKI
Applicants: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1988
Main classification: G03G15
IPC codes: G03G15, G03B27