Modular copying system using light wave, electric wave, or sonic wave interconnections

Abstract

A modular copying system including combinations of printer, scanner, and system controller modules formed as independent frames. The scanner module includes devices for image reading, first data I/O and first synchronizing signal generation; the printer module includes devices for image forming, second data I/O and second synchronizing signal generation; and the system control module includes devices for third data I/O and system control. The modules are added or removed according to user requirements and the system is capable of accommodating up to seven modules. The modules are stacked in a vertical direction and arranging devices ensure proper module alignment. Once the modules are aligned and assembled in the system, communications between each module is accomplished via light wave, electric wave, or sonic wave transmission and reception. As a result, system interconnection is reduced, system noise is reduced and various connecting cables are eliminated. In addition, the system can be connected to a public ISDN line for transmitting detected system faults to the factory and for receiving fault diagnosis information which is displayed to a user via a display. Further, the system is capable of performing various image processing functions, such as processing with a space filter, image size conversion, image trimming, image movement, color image trimming, color correction, and tone conversion.

1. A copying system comprising:
 a scanner module formed as an independent frame, comprising: 
 an image reading means for reading a manuscript picture by resolving a picture image into pixels and generating image data,  
 a first data I/O means which is a first I/O interface for said image data and control data, and  
 a first synchronizing signal generating means, for generating a first synchronization signal, comprising a first crystal oscillator,  
   wherein said first I/O interface receives said image data and said first synchronization signal and transfers said control data to said image reading means and said first synchronization signal generating means, and said image reading means receives said first synchronization signal;    a printer module formed as an independent frame, comprising, 
 an image forming means for forming and outputting said image data as a permanent visual image on a recording medium,  
 a second data I/O means which is a second I/O interface for said image data and said control data, and  
 a second synchronizing signal generating means, for generating a second synchronization signal, comprising a second crystal oscillator,  
   wherein said second I/O interface receives said image data and said second synchronization signal and transfers said control data to said image forming means and said second synchronization signal generating means, and said image forming means receives said second synchronization signal; and    a system control module formed as an independent frame, comprising, 
 a third data I/O means which is a third I/O interface for said image data and said control data, and  
 a system control means for controlling said scanner module and said printer module synchronously and generating said control data;  
   said third I/O interface transferring said control data to said first and second I/O interfaces; and    said first and second crystal oscillator having substantially a same frequency, so that said first and second synchronization signals and said image reading and image forming means are synchronized with each other for maintaining coincidence between cycles and header phases of said image data that is read and formed.    
     
     
       2. A copying system according to  claim 1 , wherein said frame for said system control module is integrated with said frame of said scanner module or said frame of said printer module. 
     
     
       3. A copying system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a coupling means for fixing said frame of said system control module and said frame of said printer module or said scanner module so as to align said third data I/O section with said first and second data I/O sections. 
     
     
       4. A copying system according to  claim 1 , comprising a first electric power supply means in said frame of said scanner module and a second electric power supply means in said frame of said printer module and wherein said system control module receives power from said first or second power supply means. 
     
     
       5. A copying system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said scanner module, printer module and system control module further comprise a transmitting and receiving means for transmitting and receiving said image and control data,    each module is provided at a specified position by said fixing means so that said first, second, and third data I/O sections provided in each module are aligned through a space for data reception and transmission by means of any one of light waves, electric waves, and sonic waves through said space.    
     
     
       6. A copying system comprising:
 a scanner module, formed as an independent frame, comprising: 
 an image reader configured to read a manuscript picture by resolving a picture image into pixels, and configured to generate image data,  
 a first data I/O device configured as a first I/O interface for said image data and control data, and  
 a first synchronizing signal generator, configured to generate a first synchronization signal which controls operational timing of said image reader, comprising a first crystal oscillator,  
   wherein said first I/O interface receives said image data and said first synchronization signal and transfers said control data to said image reader and said first synchronization signal generator, and said image reader receives said first synchronization signal;    a printer module, formed as an independent frame, comprising, 
 an image former configured to form and output said image data as a permanent visual image on a recording medium,  
 a second data I/O device configured as a second I/O interface for said image data and said control data, and  
 a second synchronizing signal generator, configured to generate a second synchronization signal which controls operational timing of said image former, comprising a second crystal oscillator,  
   wherein said second I/O interface receives said image data and said second synchronization signal and transfers said control data to said image former and said second synchronization signal generator, and said image former receives said second synchronization signal; and    a system control module, formed as an independent frame, comprising, 
 a third data I/O device configured as a third I/O interface for said image data and said control data, and  
 a system controller configured to control said scanner module and said printer module synchronously, and to generate said control data;  
   said third I/O interface transferring said control data to said first and second I/O interfaces; and    said first and second crystal oscillator having substantially a same frequency, so that said first and second synchronization signals and said image reader and image former are synchronized with each other, and configured to maintain coincidence between cycles and header phases of said image data that is read and formed.    
     
     
       7. A copying system according to  claim 6 , comprising:
 a scanner module in which the first I/O interface includes an SCSI interface; and    a host computer including an SCSI interface;    wherein 
 the copying system is configured as a scanner and the first I/O interface directly communicates with the host computer via the SCSI interface to deliver read image data.  
   
     
     
       8. A copying system according to  claim 6 , comprising:
 a printer module in which the second I/O interface includes an SCSI interface; and    a host computer including an SCSI interface;    wherein 
 the copying system is configured as a bit-map laser printer and the second I/O interface directly communicates with the host computer via the SCSI interface to obtain image data from the host computer to form a hard copy.  
   
     
     
       9. A copying system according to  claim 6 , comprising:
 a scanner module in which the first I/O interface includes an SCSI interface;    a printer module in which the second I/O interface includes first and second SCSI interfaces; and    a system control module in which the third I/O interface includes an SCSI interface, including a copy processor;    wherein 
 the copying system is configured as a general copying machine, the scanner module is connected to the printer module via the firs SCSI interface, the system control module is connected to the control module via the second SCSI interface, and the copy processor of the system control module controls the scanner module and the printer module to realize the general copying function.  
   
     
     
       10. A copying system according to  claim 6 , comprising:
 a first scanner module in which the first I/O interface includes an SCSI interface, configured to handle a first paper size; and    a second scanner module in which the first I/O interface includes first and second SCSI interfaces, configured to handle a second paper size;    a third scanner modules in which the first I/O interface includes first and second SCSI interfaces, configured as a color scanner;    a printer module in which the second I/O interface includes first and second SCSI interfaces; and    a system control module in which the third I/O interface includes an SCSI interface, including a copy processor;    wherein 
 the copying system is configured as a triple read copying machine, the SCSI interface of the first scanner module is connected to the first SCSI interface of the second scanner module, the second SCSI interface of the second scanner module is connected to the first SCSI interface of the third scanner module, the second SCSI interface of the third scanner module is connected to the first SCSI interface of the printer module, the second SCSI interface of the printer module is connected to the SCSI interface of the system control module, and the copy processor of the system control module controls the first, second and third scanner modules and the printer module to realize the triple read copying function.  
   
     
     
       11. A copying system according to  claim 6 , comprising:
 a scanner module in which the first I/O interface includes an SCSI interface, configured as a color scanner;    a printer module in which the second I/O interface includes first and second SCSI interfaces;    a system control module in which the third I/O interface includes an SCSI interface module, including a computer interface port, a printer processor, an ISDN interface, and a color facsimile processor; and    a host computer including an computer interface port;    wherein 
 the copying system is configured as a high performance copier, color printer, and facsimile hybrid system, the scanner module is connected to the first SCSI interface of the printer module, the second SCSI interface of the printer module is connected to the SCSI interface of the system control module, the system control module is connected to the host computer via the computer interface port, the system control module is connected to a public ISDN line via the ISDN interface, and the printer processor converts print data in a page description language format received from the computer interface port to laster data, the color facsimile processor extracts data in a specified compression format received from the ISDN interface and compresses image data read by the scanner module in a specified format to realize the high performance copier, color printer, and facsimile hybrid system.  
   
     
     
       12. A color image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a sheet of paper, comprising:
   an image carrier for sequentially forming toner images of respective colors thereon;        a charger which is proximate to said image carrier;        an exposure device for exposing said image carrier which has been charged and forming electrostatic latent images of respective colors on said image carrier;        a revolving type developing device which is rotatably supported in said color image forming apparatus including a plurality of color developing devices, each of which includes a developing unit for developing a toner image on said image carrier when said developing unit faces said image carrier;        an intermediate transfer belt which is disposed proximate to said image carrier such that said toner images are sequentially transferred on top of a previously transferred toner image on said intermediate transfer belt;        at least one paper feed tray for storing sheets of paper; and        a fixing device for fixing said toner images on said sheets of paper,        wherein a length of said intermediate transfer belt is greater than a circumference of said image carrier, and said at least one paper feed tray is located under said under image carrier, said revolving type developing device, said intermediate transfer belt, and said fixing device.