JPH01206371A - Electrophotographic copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically generate a measure formed to a necessary shape on a plain copying form by setting a copy mode of a copying machine to a measure mode. CONSTITUTION:To a first CPU (microcomputer) 100, a switch matrix S formed by provided various keys, switches, sensors, etc., disposed on a console panel 60 and a measure mode key 76 are connected. When the key 76 is operated, a charge erasing means 98 is operated selectively by a prescribed timing under the control of the first CPU 100, a measure-like latent image is formed on the surface of a drum, and subsequently, the latent image is converted to a developed image by a developing means. In such a way, the measure can be generated on a plain copying form which is usually used.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Field of Industrial Application> The present invention relates to an electrophotographic copying machine having a function of creating cross marks on 7M paper.

<Prior art> If a cross-grain pattern is created on copy paper, it is possible to fairly accurately and easily judge the size and relative relationships of figures as images copied on the paper, which is very convenient. It is. For this reason, a copying method has conventionally been adopted in which a sheet of paper with rough stitching, such as off-paper, is used and an image is copied onto this sheet of paper.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, in order to perform copying work using this method, it is necessary to prepare graph paper or the like in advance and store it in a paper feed cassette attached to the main body of the copying machine. Furthermore, when it is necessary to use plain copy paper, it is necessary to replace it, which is inconvenient and time-consuming.

In view of such conventional inconveniences, the present invention eliminates the need to prepare graph paper or the like, makes it possible to create grids on plain copy paper that is commonly used, and has the same color as the paper used. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrophotographic copying machine that can form images that are easy to see by creating color grids.

<Means for Solving the Problems> In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a plurality of charge erasers arranged in a row along the longitudinal direction of the photoreceptor drum at fixed positions around the drum. In the electrophotographic copying machine, the electrophotographic copying machine has a control means for forming a hook-like latent image on the drum surface each time the charge erasing means is selectively activated at a predetermined timing, and a control means for making the latent image visible. It is characterized by a structure that includes a developing means for. The control means includes means for identifying the color of copy paper, means for identifying the colors of toner contained in a plurality of developing devices, and selecting a developing device containing toner of a similar color to the color of the copy paper. Preferably, it comprises a means for doing so.

<Example> Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on an example shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of an operation panel thereof.

As shown in FIG. 1, a photoreceptor drum 2 is provided at approximately the center of the copying machine body l, and this photoreceptor drum 2 is driven to rotate counterclockwise by a main motor (not shown). It is now possible to do so. Around the photosensitive drum 2, a charger 3, an inter-image eraser 4, and first to third developing units 5 are arranged along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 2.
7, a transfer charger 8, a separation charger 9, a cleaner device 10, and a main motor 11 are provided. Also,
A paper feed system F is provided to the left of the photosensitive drum 2, and a paper discharge system P including a fixing device 13 is provided to the right. Furthermore, an optical system Q is provided above the photoreceptor drum 2.
is provided, and a double-sided/composite system R is provided below it.

The paper feeding system F includes a first paper feeding section 20 and a second paper feeding section 21, and these paper feeding sections 20.21 have a first paper feeding cassette 22 containing copy paper and a second paper feeding section 20. A cassette 23 is attached to each. Then, the first paper cassette 2
The copy paper fed from the second paper feed roller 24 by the first paper feed roller 24 is conveyed to the timing roller 26 via the intermediate roller 25, while the copy paper is fed from the second paper feed cassette 23 to the second paper feed roller 2.
The paper fed by the timing roller 7 is directly conveyed to the timing roller 26. Note that a paper edge detection sensor SEP is provided immediately in front of the timing roller 26 to detect the leading and trailing edges of the supplied copy paper. These rollers 24 to 27 are detachably connected to a drive system connected to a main motor via clutches (not shown), respectively.

Furthermore, near each of these paper feed units 20.21, paper color identification sensors 28 and 29 are provided for detecting the color of the copy paper stored in each paper feed cassette 22.23, and A size identification sensor that detects the paper size, an empty sensor that detects when all the paper in each paper feed cassette is used up, and the like (none of which are shown) are provided. Note that these paper color identification sensors 28 and 29 are composed of a plurality of reed switches that respectively detect a plurality of magnets arranged in the paper feed cassette 22 and 23 according to the paper color, and each reed switch The paper feed power is 22 cents depending on the on/off combination of
The color of the paper stored in the storage area 23 is identified and detected as "white". However, the configuration of these sensors 28 and 29 is not limited to the above configuration, and any sensor may be used as long as it has the function of identifying and detecting the color of paper stored in the paper feed cassettes 22 and 23. , may have other configurations.

On the other hand, the optical system Q includes a scanning unit 32 in which an exposure lamp 30 and a first mirror 31 are integrated, and second and third mirrors 34 and 35 held in a common holder 33.
A projection lens 36 that moves as the copy magnification changes, fourth and fifth mirrors 37 and 38 that similarly move and swing as the copy magnification changes, and a sixth mirror 39 that is rotatably supported. It is made up of. This sixth mirror 3
9 is rotated by a driver M between an initial position shown by a solid line in the figure and a predetermined position shown by an imaginary line. Therefore,
The original image obtained by the light from the exposure lamp 30 is projected onto the photoreceptor drum 2 when the sixth mirror 39 is at the initial position, but when this mirror 39 is at a predetermined position, the original image is projected onto the photoreceptor drum 2. It will not be projected upward.

Note that the position of the sixth mirror 39 is determined by the sensor SE1. Each is detected by SE2.

With the above configuration, after the surface of the photoreceptor drum 2 is negatively charged by the charger 3, the exposure lamp 30
When the scanning unit 32 is scanned while moving from its standby position toward the left in the figure after turning on the lamp, the electrostatic latent image corresponding to the original image of the original illuminated by the exposure lamp 30 is exposed to light. This will be formed on the surface of the body drum 2. At this time, charges in areas between images on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, that is, areas corresponding to before the front edge and after the rear edge of the document in the scanning direction, are removed by the image-to-image eraser 4.

Further, the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 2 is visualized (developed) by the adhesion of a type of toner supplied from one of the developing units 5 to 7, and the toner is applied to the surface of the photoreceptor drum 2. An image is formed. And this photoreceptor drum 2
Copy paper is supplied from the timing roller 26 of the paper feed section F which operates in synchronization with the scanning unit 32, and the toner image is transferred onto this paper by the transfer charger 8.

The toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 2 even after the transfer is removed and collected by the cleaner device IO, and the residual charge on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 2 is removed by the main motor 11.

Also, the paper on which the toner image has been transferred is transferred to the separation charger 9.
The toner image is separated from the photoreceptor drum 2 by , and is conveyed to the fixing device 13 via the conveyance heald 14 , and heated by the fixing device 13 to fix the toner image on the surface of the paper to form an image. Then, if the copy mode of the copying machine is set to one-sided copy mode, the paper on which the image has been formed is ejected onto the paper ejection tray 15 as is.

Next, the duplex/combining system R is a duplex copying mode in which the copy mode in the copying machine is to form images on both sides of copy paper;
Alternatively, it is used when a composite copy mode is set in which a plurality of images are composited and formed on one side.

This double-sided/combining system R includes a paper refeed cassette 45 for temporarily storing paper on which an image is formed on one side when set to the double-sided copy mode.

The paper refeed cassette 45 is provided with a big unroller roller 46 that is used when storing and refeeding paper. Therefore, the paper discharged from the fixing roller 13 of the paper discharge system P during the duplex copying mode is conveyed by the conveyance roller 48 to the pickup roller 46 via the paper supply path 47 consisting of a guide plate, and is stored in the cassette 45. . Further, the paper stored in this cassette 45 is taken out by a pickup roller 46, and a paper re-supply path 49 consisting of a guide plate disposed between this roller 46 and the timing roller 26 of the paper feed system F. The paper is conveyed by the first to fourth conveyance rollers 50 to 53 through the paper, and is re-fed to the timing roller 26.

Note that these rollers 46, 48, 50-53 are each separably connected to a drive system connected to a main motor via a clutch (not shown).

On the other hand, if the copy mode in the copying machine is set to composite copy mode, the paper discharged from the fixing roller 13 is directly re-fed to the timing roller 26 via the passages 47, 49.

By the way, switching of the path through which the paper is conveyed in each of the copy modes described above is performed using the tjj switching pawls 5 provided immediately after the fixing roller 13 and immediately after the conveyance roller 48, respectively.
4 and 55. These switching pawls 54 and 55 are respectively connected to solenoids SLI and 5L2 (not shown in FIG. 1). That is, when the solenoid SLI is turned off, the switching claw 54 is switched to a position where the paper is transported to the tray 15, and when the solenoid SLI is turned on, the switching claw 54 is switched to a position where the paper is transported to the paper supply path 47. Further, the switching claw 55 is switched to a position where the paper is directly transported from the transport roller 48 to the four paper re-supply paths 1ffi when the solenoid SL2 is turned off, and to a position where the paper is transported to the cassette 45 when the solenoid SL2 is turned on.

By the way, in the vicinity of each of the above-mentioned developing devices 5 to 7,
Toner color identification sensors 16 to 18 are provided for each of the developing units 5 to 7, and each of the toner color identification sensors 16 to 18 is composed of a plurality of adhesives and detects a plurality of magnets arranged according to the color of the toner contained in each of the developing units 5 to 7. The color of the toner contained in the developing units 5 to 7 can be identified, for example, as "white", "black", or any other color by the on/off combination of each reed switch. It is now detected as Note that these toner color identification sensors 16 to 18
The configuration is not limited to the above configuration as long as it has a function of identifying and detecting the color of the toner contained in the developing devices 5 to 7.

On the other hand, this copying machine is provided with an operation panel 60 as shown in FIG. The operation panel 60 includes a print key 61 for commanding the start of copying, an LED 62 for displaying that this key has been pressed, and copy paper supply from the first paper feed section 20 or from the second paper feed section 21. Any of the paper supply from i5! Paper source setting key 63 to select
, an LED 64 that displays the selection of the first paper feed section 20, and a second
An LED 65 for displaying that the paper feed section 21 has been selected, a developer setting key 66 for selecting one of the first to third developers 5 to 7 as the developer to be used, and the selected developer 5.
LE each displaying the color of the toner stored in ~7
D67-69 are provided. The operation panel 60 also has a double-sided copy mode as the copy mode of the copying machine. Duplex mode key 70 to select and set, L E D 71 to display this effect, composite copy mode to OFF.
The combination mode key 72 to press tR, the LED 73 to display this effect, the single-sided copy mode and the single-sided mode to select
key 74 and LED 75 to display this effect, select crosscut mode as a copy mode to create folds on copy paper, square mode key 76.1 to select square size (fold size to select square size) A setting key 78 and LEDs 79 to 81 for displaying the selected multiplication size are provided respectively.Furthermore, this operation panel 60 includes, in addition to the above-mentioned keys and LEDs, an interrupt key 90.7 segment elements, etc. Copy number display section 9 consisting of a group of LEDs
1. Clear stop key 9 to stop copying after copying has started or in the middle of multi-copying (successive copying of multiple sheets based on the same original), and to clear the set number of copies
2. Display the numeric key group 93 for setting the number of copies, the exposure amount setting key 94 for manually adjusting the exposure amount of the exposure lamp 30, and the adjusted exposure ■! ,,E
A D group 95, an auto exposure setting key 96 for selecting an auto exposure mode for automatically adjusting an appropriate exposure amount for the document, and the like are provided. It should be noted that the various keys on the operation panel 60 except for the hook mode key 76 are in the ON state only while being pressed by the operator, and are in the OFF state when not being pressed. However, only the +cell mode key 76 remains on after being pressed - times until it is pressed again.

Furthermore, this copying machine has a built-in microcomputer having an input/output circuit configuration as shown in FIG.
It is equipped with UIOo, 200. And the first CPU
Connected to 100 are a switch matrix S in which various keys, switches, sensors, etc. of the aforementioned operation panel 60-H are arranged, and a hook mode key 76. 1st cput
The main motor, various rollers, clutches, etc. are operated under the control of oo. Further, each L E D constituting the copy number display section 91 and the like is connected to the first CPtjlOO via the decoder 101
and each LED for displaying various copy modes are connected to each other. Note that the first CPIJ 100 receives paper color detection signals from paper color identification sensors 28 and 29;
The toner color detection signals from the toner color identification sensors 16 to 18, the detection signal from the mirror position π sensor SE], the detection signal from the 5IE2, and the leading or trailing edge detection signal of the copy paper from the paper edge detection sensor SIEP are input, respectively. Ru.

On the other hand, switches related to the operation of the scanning unit 32 and the like are connected to the second CP 0200, and this second CP tJ200 mainly controls the optical system Q. The first CPU 100 and the second CPU U2O5 are connected to each other via a lotus line and operate synchronously.

By the way, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the general structure and function of the inter-image eraser 4. As shown in FIG. This inter-image eraser 4
As shown in FIG. 1, these are arranged at fixed positions around the photoreceptor drum 2, and remove unnecessary charges between the electrostatic latent images on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 2 during normal copying operations. 32 light emitting diodes 98. It consists of... And these light emitting diodes 98. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the
Based on four types of signals outputted from 100, namely, a strobe signal, a child signal, a data signal (No. 3, and a clock signal), iZ is controlled to be selectively turned on (ON) or extinguished (OFF). Further, the Et IC 300 converts serial data output from the first cPU 100 into parallel data, and performs the function of controlling the inter-image eraser 4 by repeating the following three operations. There is.

■The data signal from the CPU is transferred to the shift register (not shown) in the IC300 at the rising edge of the clock pulse.
bit). At this time, the 32 light emitting diodes 98. Four shift registers are used to control...

(2) The data in the shift register is taken into the latch circuit by the strobe signal from CP tJ.

(2) After latching the data in the latch circuit with a latch signal from the CPLI, each light emitting diode 98 is turned on according to the latched data.

Next, based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 to 11, the first CPU 1 constituting the microcomputer
The control operation of 00 will be explained.

Note that, prior to explaining Flowchart 1., the terms on-edge and off-edge will be defined.

On-edge refers to a state change when the state of a switch, sensor, signal, etc. changes from an off state to an on state.

Further, off-edge refers to a state change when the state of a switch, sensor, signal, etc. changes from an on state to an off state.

Main Routine FIG. 5(A) is a flowchart showing the main routine of the program for controlling the copying machine.

When the power is turned on and the program starts, the first and second CP UIOo, 200 are each initialized in step S1, and the copy mode of the copier is set to the standard copy mode, and each a
Initial settings for the device and each flag are performed.

Next, in step S2, an internal timer is set and started. This internal timer is used to keep the entire processing time of one routine constant, regardless of the processing content of each subroutine below. Various timers within the system are operated.

Step S3.4 is a key manual process and a copy operation process, respectively, and these subroutines will be explained in detail later.

Then, in step S5, a subroutine for performing other processes, such as temperature adjustment of the fixing device 13, is called and executed, and then the process proceeds to step S6.

In step S6, it is determined whether or not the internal timer has expired, and after waiting for the internal timer to expire, the process returns to step S1.

Figure 5 (I3) is a flowchart showing a key manual processing subroutine called and executed in step S3 of the main routine.

In step S30, the state of the tenth square mode key 76 fg
to judge. If this key 76 is on, S
The process proceeds to step 31, sets the copy mode to the grid mode similar to the composite copy mode, turns on the LED 73, and then proceeds to step 332. Also, if the key 76 is off,
Jump to S31 and proceed to S32. In S32, it is determined whether the copy flag is "l" and this is "1".
That is, if a copy operation is in progress, no key input is accepted and the process returns to the main routine. Also,
If the copy flag is not 1'', it is detected in S33 whether the print key 61 has been turned on.

If the print key 61 is turned on in S33, the copy flag is set to "1" in S34, and the process returns to the main routine.

If the print key 61 is not turned on in S33, the process advances to S35 and it is determined whether the first copy end flag Fl is "1". If this flag F1 is "1", that is, from the end of the first copy in composite/duplex mode until the end of the second copy, key manual input is disabled. The program then returns to the main routine. If this flag Fl is not "1", the on-edge of duplex, composite, and single-sided mode keys 70, 72, and 74 are detected in steps 536 to 38, respectively, and based on the detection results, in steps 339 to 41, Set the copy mode and turn on/off the corresponding LED71.73.75.

Copy Operation Subroutine FIGS. 5(C) and 5(D) are flowcharts 1 showing the copy operation processing subroutine called and executed in step S4 of the main routine.

In S50, it is determined whether the copy flag is "1" or not, and if it is not "1", the process directly returns to the main routine. Also, if this copy flag is “1”, S
The process advances to 51 to determine the state of the grid mode key 76, and if it is on, the process advances to 352 to perform a grid mode copy operation. This square mode copy operation subroutine will be described later. If the key 76 is off, the process proceeds to S53, where the sixth mirror 39 is positioned and fixed at the initial position (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 1), and the document image is projected onto the photosensitive drum 2. Set to .

Next, in 354, the copy mode is determined, and if it is the single-sided mode, the process goes to 355, if it is the composite mode, the process goes to 356, and if it is the double-sided mode, the process goes to 359. Then, at 355, a copy operation for image formation in the one-sided copy mode is performed.

On the other hand, in S56 and 359, the first copy end flag F1 is determined. Then, in S56, flag F1 is set to “
If it is not 1, the first copy operation in the composition mode is determined in S57, and if it is "1", the second copy operation is performed in 35B.
Each copy operation is performed a second time. Similarly, 359
If the flag Fl is not '1'', the process advances to 560 and the first copy operation in the duplex mode is performed, and if the flag F1 is '1', the process advances to S61 and the second copy operation is performed respectively. It will be done.

After performing the above processing, the routine advances to 362,
It is determined whether the first copy operation in the composite, double-sided, or grid mode has been completed. Here, the first copy operation in the grid mode refers to the process of forming grids on paper. If it is determined in S62 that the first copy operation has been completed, the first copy completion flag F1 is set to "1" in 363, and
Proceed to step 4.

In S64, it is determined whether or not the copy operation has been completed. If the copy operation has been completed, the copy flag is reset to "0" in S65, and the first copy completion flag F is set.
1 to “0”. Note that this determination of the completion of the copy operation is made based on the completion of a series of operations that are executed without pressing the print key 61, and in composite/duplex mode, the judgment is made at the end of the first copy operation. In addition, in the grid mode, the copy flag is reset at the end of the copying operation of the original image after forming the grid on the paper.

6A and 6B are flowcharts showing the square mode copy operation subroutine that is called and executed in step S52 of the copy operation processing subroutine.

This subroutine is divided into four states,
Each state is executed sequentially.

In 5101, it is determined whether the stay SP is between 0'' and ``3'', and if it is '0', in 5103, a flag FSP indicating whether the initial setting of the grid mode has been completed is determined. Ru. If the flag FSP is "1" and the setting of the grid mode is completed, the state SP is set to "1' in S105, and then the process proceeds to 5133. Furthermore, in 5103, the setting of the grid mode is completed. If the process has not been completed, a mirror setting subroutine to be described later is called in step 5107 to position and fix the sixth mirror 39 at a predetermined position, and then the process proceeds to step 5133.

If the state SP is determined to be "1" in step S101, a developing device selection subroutine to be described later is called and executed in step 5109, and then the process advances to step 5111. 5ill
Then, it is determined whether or not the developer selection flag FDEV indicating that the developer has been selected is "1". If it is "1", the flag FDEV is reset to 10" in Si13, and the state SP ``2゛ cents to 513
Proceed to step 3. On the other hand, if the flag FDEV is not "1" in 5111, the state SP is reset to "0" in 5115 and the process proceeds to 3133.

Next, if the state SP is determined to be "2" in S101, it is determined in 5117 whether the copy flag is "l", and if it is "1", the state SP is
Change P to "3" by seven strokes and proceed to S133. Moreover, if the copy flag is not "l", after calling and executing the grid size selection subroutine to be described later in S121,
At 5123, reset the state sP to 0″ and at 5133
Proceed to.

Furthermore, if it is determined that SP is "3" in 5101, the first copy end flag Fl is set to "1" in Si20.
It is determined whether or not the exhaust port forming process has been completed. If the formation of the grid is completed, the state SP is reset to "0" in 5127 and 51
Proceed to 33. Also, if the grid has not yet been formed,
The cross stitch forming subroutine to be described later in 5I29 is executed in 5131.
After calling and executing other processing subroutines, the process advances to 5133.

In S133, the first copy end flag F1 is set to “l”.
It is determined whether the flag FSP is "1" or not, and if it is "1", it means that the formation of the grid has been completed. If not, 5
After calling and executing the mirror initialization subroutine to be described later in step 135, the process proceeds to step 3137.
After resetting the flag FSP to “0” at 136, 5
Proceed to 137.

Then, in step 5137, the same process as the second copy operation in the composite mode is performed, and after the original image is copied onto the copy sheet on which grids have already been formed, the process returns to the main routine. Also, if the flag F1 is not 11" in 5133, S 135. S 13
Jump to 7 and return to the main routine.

Mirror door erecting subroutine FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a mirror predetermined position setting subroutine called and executed in step 5107 of the square mode copy operation subroutine.

In step 5201, it is determined whether the mirror position detection sensor SE2 is on, that is, whether the sixth mirror 39 is at a predetermined position (the position indicated by the imaginary line in FIG. 1), and whether the mirror 39 is at a predetermined position. If it is not in the position, the drive motor M for rotating the mirror 39 is turned on in step 5207, and the process returns. If it is detected that the mirror 39 is positioned and fixed at a predetermined position by turning on the mirror position detection sensor SE2, the flag FSP is set to "
1”, turn off the drive motor M, and return.

Image 6' Subroutine FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the developer selection subroutine called and executed in step 5109 of the square mode copy operation subroutine. This subroutine is
This is for selecting a developing device that contains toner of a color similar to the color of the copy paper contained in the selected paper feed cassette.

First, before calling and executing this developer selection subroutine, the first paper cassette 22 installed in the first paper feed section 20 or the second paper feed section 21 is selected by operating the paper feed section setting key 63. Either one of the installed second paper feed cassettes 23 is selected as the paper feed cassette containing the copy paper to be used, and the LE corresponding to the selected paper feed section is selected.
One of D64 and D65 turns on. At this time, if the first paper feed cassette 22 of the first paper feed section 20 is selected,
Selected 1st paper feed power! - The paper color identification sensor 28 detects the color of the copy paper stored in the copy paper 22, for example, "
The color “white” is detected, and this detection signal is the first C
It is input to PU100. Also, a second paper feed cassette 2 attached to the second paper feed section 21 serves as a paper feed power center to be used.
3 is selected, similarly to the above, a detection signal corresponding to the paper color in the second paper feed cassette 23 detected by the paper color identification sensor 29 is manually input to the first CPU 100.

In 5301, it is determined whether the selected paper color is "white", and if this is "01 color", in 5303, a color similar to the paper color is selected from among the developers 235 to 7 installed in the copying machine. A developing device containing toner of the color "white" is selected. Then, at 5305, the development 2ii selection flag F
After setting "1" to DEV and turning on LED 67 to indicate that "white" toner has been selected,
Return to main routine. In addition, in this way, grids made of "white" toner will be formed on paper with a "white" background color, but it has been confirmed that they are sufficiently visible in practical use. Moreover, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the image and the square grid overlap and become unsightly.

In addition, in this toner selection, as a toner of a similar color to the white paper, for example, add a small amount of red to the white toner.
If you use a toner with a color that is slightly different from the background color of the paper, such as a "pink" toner that is created by adding and mixing colored toners, the contrast between the paper and the squares, and between the squares and the image, can be improved. Needless to say, this has the effect of making it clearer and easier to see.

If it is determined in step 5301 that the paper color is not "white," it is determined in step 5307 whether or not there is a developing device that contains toner of a similar color to the paper color, and whether or not there is a developing device that contains toner of the desired color. If there is a developing device, in 5310, the developing device containing toner of the desired color is selected.

Then, in 5311, the corresponding developer selection flag FDEV
After setting "l" to turn on the LED 69, the program returns to the main routine. Furthermore, if it is determined in step 5307 that there is no developing device containing toner of the same color as the paper color, the developing device selection flag FDEV is reset to "0" in step 5313, and the LEDs 67 to 69 are blinked in step 5315. After displaying that none of the developing devices 5 to 7 contain toner of the same color as the paper and that it is impossible to select a developing device, the process returns to the main routine.

FIG. 9 shows step 35 of the copy operation processing subroutine.
3 and 3135 of the square mode copy operation subroutine
3 is a flowchart showing a mirror initialization subroutine that is called and executed.

In S401, it is determined whether the mirror position detection sensor SEI is on or not, that is, the sixth mirror 39 is at the initial position (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 1) where the sixth mirror 39 can project the original image onto the photosensitive drum 2. It is determined whether or not there is. If the mirror 39 is not at the initial position, the drive motor M is turned on in 5405 to rotate the mirror 39 toward the initial position, and then the process returns. If it is detected that the mirror 39 is positioned and fixed at the initial position by turning on the mirror position detection sensor SEI, the flag FSP is set to "1" in 5402, and the drive motor M is turned off in 5403. , return.

+1st Size ``Suff'' Routine FIG. 1O is a flowchart showing the square size selection subroutine that is called and executed in step S121 of the square mode copy operation subroutine. This subroutine sets the size of the squares formed on the copy paper.

Here, the grid size will be explained based on FIG. 4 mentioned above. The square size is the ratio of the line width 11 of the so-called vertical line L1, which is the line along the paper conveyance direction of the fold created on the copy paper, and the line interval I12. A vertical line L drawn in a direction along the drum rotation direction (left-right direction in the figure) in a fold-shaped electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 2 by the space eraser 4
It represents the ratio between the line width ρ1 of 1 and the line spacing 12 between the vertical lines L1. This vertical line L1 indicates the light emitting diode 98. which constitutes the inter-image eraser 4. . . ., the light emitting diodes 98a, .
formed by Then, the ratio of the line width 11 of such vertical lines L1 to the line spacing 12 is 1=11, that is, the light emitting diodes 98. placed between the vertical lines L1.・・・
・The number of light emitting diodes 9B is set to 1, and...
The fold size is 1=1 when . is alternately on and off, and the square size is 1:2 when the number of pieces arranged between the vertical lines LI is 2 each. Therefore, in the feeding direction of the copy paper, that is, in the longitudinal direction of the paper during normal operation, vertical lines L1 are drawn at a predetermined pitch based on the electrostatic latent image formed as described above.

On the other hand, when forming a line along the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the copy sheet, that is, a so-called horizontal line L2, the light emitting diode 98. ... are all turned off at required timings corresponding to the rotational movement of the photosensitive drum 2. In this embodiment, two timers Tl and T2 are used to obtain the timing to turn on and off such a light emitting diode 1"98°. As shown in FIG. While the timer T1 is counting, the light emitting diodes 98, . . ., other than the light emitting diodes 98a, . No image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, and while the timer T2 is counting, all of the light emitting diodes 981 . It is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 2. At this time, the width of the light that one light emitting diode 98 irradiates onto the surface of the photoreceptor drum 2 is W mm, and the rotational speed of the photoreceptor drum 2 is m. /s, horizontal line L
The set time in timer T2 that counts the time for creating 2 is expressed as W/Vms. Also, horizontal line ■,
The count time of the timer TI, which counts the time during which the horizontal line L2 is not created and sets the interval between the horizontal lines L2, changes in accordance with the set fold size, and when the fold size is set to M. M times the timer T2 (Tl=Mx
T2), that is, when the fold size is 1=4, the time four times T2 is set.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 10, first, 55
At 01, it is determined whether or not the outlet size setting key 78 has been pressed (on), and if this key 78 is on, the
At step 03, it is determined whether or not the fold size setting before the key manual input was 1=1. Then, if the judgment result is 1:1, change the fold size to 1:2 in 5505, and
After turning off the LED 79 and turning on the LED 80 in S507, the process returns to the main routine. In addition, 550
If the outlet size setting key 78 is not pressed in step 1, the process directly returns to the main routine.

If it is determined in 5503 that the fold size is not 1:1,
Proceeding to 5509, it is determined whether the fold size setting is l:2. If it is determined that the ratio is 1:2, the fold size is changed to 1:4 in 5511, the LIED 80 is turned off and the LED 81 is turned on in 3513, and the process returns to the main routine.

Furthermore, if it is determined in step 5509 that the fold size is not 1:2, it means that the fold size before the key was set to 1:4, not tit or 1:2.

After closing, the fold size is changed to 1:1 at 5515, and after turning off the LED 81 and turning on the LED 79 at 5517, the process returns to the main routine.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are flowcharts showing the anti-Japanese formation subroutine called and executed in step 3129 of the multiplication mode copy operation subroutine. This subroutine is divided into three states, and each state is executed sequentially.

In 5601, it is determined whether the state SPF is "0" to "21", and if the determination result is "0", the state SPF is 5601.
In 603, it is determined whether the paper edge detection sensor SEP has detected the leading edge of the copy paper. When the leading edge of the paper is detected, the above-mentioned timer T1 is set and started in 5605, and the state SPF is set to 1" in 5607, and the process proceeds to 5609. In 5609, the paper edge detection sensor SEP detects the copy paper. It is determined whether or not the trailing edge of the paper has been detected. If the trailing edge of the paper is detected, the state SPF is reset to "0" in 5611, and then the process returns to the main routine. Note that if the leading edge of the paper is detected in 5603, If not, jump 5605.607 to 56
If the trailing edge of the paper is not detected at 5609, the process jumps to 5611 and returns to the main routine.

If the SPF is determined to be "1" in 5601, it is determined in 5613 whether or not the timer TI has ended, and if it has ended, the above-mentioned timer T2 is set and started in 5615. In addition, the state SPF is set to 2'' in step 5617, and the process proceeds to step 5609.

Note that if timer Tl has not ended in 5613, S
In addition to proceeding to 619, the inter-image eraser 4 is
), 98. ... is turned on based on the set pattern of the hook size, and then 560
Proceed to 9.

Further, if the state SPF is determined to be "2" in 3601, it is determined in 5621 whether or not timer T2 has ended, and if it has ended, in 5623, the timer T2 described above is
After setting the SPF to 1", the process proceeds to 5609. Also, if the timer T2 has not ended at 5613, it starts at 5625.
A light emitting diode 98.27 constitutes the inter-image eraser 4.
After turning off all ..., proceed to 5609.

In the embodiment described above, when forming a fold, the sixth mirror 39 of the optical system Q is rotated to prevent the original image from being projected onto the photoreceptor drum 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that similar results can be obtained by other means, such as turning off the exposure lamp 30, for example.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the on/off timing of the inter-image eraser 4 is determined by detecting the leading and trailing edges of the copy paper, but instead of this, a copy start signal is generated by pressing the print key 61. The above-mentioned timing may be taken from another member that starts its operation with the start of copying. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the normal copying operation is performed after the folds are transferred to the copy paper.
This is to prevent image loss due to creases during normal image formation. However, depending on the application, after forming an image by changing the above order, the folds may be strengthened by transferring the folds onto the image.
! It is also possible to arbitrarily select the order in which they are formed.

<Effects of the Invention> As explained above, according to the present invention, by setting the copy mode of the copying machine to the folding mode, folds in the desired shape can be automatically created on plain copy paper. Not only can the creases be created using toner of a similar color to the paper color,

Therefore, when copying, there is no need to take the trouble of preparing or replacing graph paper, which is required in the past.Furthermore, the folds are made using toner of a different color from the image color, making them easier to see. This has the effect of being able to form an image.

[Brief Description of the Drawings] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of a copying machine, and Figure 2 is a
31'5 is a front view schematically showing the configuration of the operation panel; 31'5 is a configuration diagram of the input/output circuit of the microcomputer built into the copying machine; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the schematic structure and function of the inter-image eraser. 5(A) is a flowchart showing the main routine of the program that controls the copying machine; FIG. 5([3) is a flowchart showing the key manual processing subroutine; FIG. 5(C) + (D ) is a flowchart showing the copy operation processing subroutine; FIGS. 6(A) and (B) are flowcharts showing the square mode copying operation subroutine; FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the mirror predetermined position setting subroutine; FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the mirror initialization subroutine. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the hook size selection subroutine. 3 is a flowchart showing a formation subroutine. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a main body of the copying machine, 2 is a photosensitive drum, 4 is an inter-image eraser, 5 to 7 are developing devices, and 98 is a light emitting diode (charge erasing means). Applicant Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. Agent Patent Attorney Oka 1) Kazuhide Figure 4 Figure 5 (A) Figure 5 (D) Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 10 Figure 1I (A)

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In an electrophotographic copying machine having a plurality of charge erasing means arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction of a photoreceptor drum and arranged at fixed positions around the drum, the charge erasing means can be selectively activated at a predetermined timing. An electrophotographic copying machine comprising: a control means for forming a grid-like latent image on the surface of the drum by operating the drum; and a developing means for making the latent image visible. (2) The control means includes means for identifying the color of copy paper, means for identifying the color of toner contained in a plurality of developing devices, and a means for identifying the color of toner contained in a plurality of developing devices, and a developing device containing toner of a similar color to the color of the copy paper. 2. An electrophotographic copying machine according to claim 1, further comprising selecting means.