JPH0216577A - Copying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten the time up to actual copying operation and to reduce unnecessary copying preparatory operation by providing an original detecting means, a transfer material detecting means, and a preparation control means. CONSTITUTION:A setting detection signal or a feed detecting means from an original detecting means 1 which detects the setting state of an original and/or a paper feed detection signal from a transfer material detecting means 2 which detects the paper feed state of a transfer material are received to send a preparation signal for starting the copying preparatory operation to a device main body. Then when the detection signal is received from one means and then no detection signal is not received from the other even a prescribed time later, or when a setting release detection signal or paper feeding release detection signal is received, a preparation control means 18 sends a signal for interrupting the copying preparatory operation. Consequently, the time up to actual copying operation can be shortened and when the prescribed time is elapsed while either of the setting of the original and the feeding of the transfer material is completed, the copying preparatory operation is interrupted and unnecessary copying preparatory operation is prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a copying sequence for a sheet-through type copying apparatus.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, sheet-through type copying apparatuses for large document sizes (for example, A3 to AI) are known.

This copying device uses roll-shaped long paper as a transfer material, and after detecting that an original has been set, starts copying operation, cuts the roll paper according to the original size, and forms an image on the transfer paper. It is something that does. In addition, manual feeding may be used as the transfer material. In this case, a guide table for manual feeding is set, and by manually feeding the transfer material there, the transfer material is fed to a predetermined position. is maintained. Thereafter, by detecting the setting of the original, the copying operation is started and an image is formed on the transfer material.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, when copying is performed by manual paper feeding, the copy preparation operation is not started even if the original is set first, and the copying operation is not started until the transfer material is fed. Since the preparatory operation is started, it takes a long time until the actual copying operation is started, which has the drawback that the operability of the copying apparatus becomes poor.

It is also possible to start the copy preparation operation when the original is set and the transfer material is fed, but in this case, while waiting for the transfer material to be fed and the original to be set,
The disadvantage is that the light source for exposure is turned on and the motor, which is the drive source, continues to be in operation, and the electric power is wasted during that time.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a copying apparatus that can shorten the time until the actual copying operation and reduce unnecessary copying preparation operations.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention is a sheet slewing system that moves an original on a fixed platen glass to perform slit exposure and transfers an electrostatic image formed on a photoreceptor to a fed transfer material. In a single-type copying device, there is a document detection means for detecting the set state of the document, a transfer material detection means for detecting the feeding state of the transfer material, and a set detection signal or feed from only one of the two detection means. When receiving a transmission detection signal, a preparation signal is issued to the main body of the apparatus to start a copy preparation operation, and a detection signal is not received from the other side even after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after receiving a detection signal from only one side, or The apparatus is characterized by comprising a preparation control means for issuing a signal to interrupt the copy preparation operation when receiving a set release detection signal or a paper feed release detection signal.

(Function) According to the present invention, upon detection of document setting or transfer material feeding, a copy preparation operation is started. Then, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, if the original was set first, the transfer material is not fed; on the other hand, if the transfer material was fed first, the original is set. If the copy preparation operation is not completed, the copy preparation operation is interrupted. This makes it possible to shorten the time until the actual copying operation compared to conventional technology, which starts the copy preparation operation only after the transfer material has been fed. If a predetermined period of time has elapsed while the copy preparation operation is being performed, the copy preparation operation is interrupted, thereby preventing the copy preparation operation from continuing in vain. In addition, when the original is set or the feeding of the transfer material is canceled, it is assumed that the operator of the copying machine has no intention of copying, so the copying preparation operation is immediately interrupted and unnecessary copying preparation operations are performed. prevent it from continuing.

(Embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, and FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the present image forming apparatus.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a document sensor which is a document detecting means for detecting that a document has been inserted, and in this embodiment, a photo interrupter is used, and when the document is inserted, a sensor lever is moved and the photo interrupter is set to 0N10FF.

The original is inserted in the direction of the arrow a, and is moved at a constant speed over the platen glass 3 by the original transport rollers 11 and 11'. A short-focus, small-diameter imaging element array 8 is disposed below the platen glass 3. An original moving on the platen glass is illuminated by an illumination lamp 9, and the reflected image is slit-exposed onto the photosensitive drum 41 by the array 8. be done. Reference numeral 6 denotes a charger, and an electrostatic image is formed on the photosensitive drum 4, which is a photosensitive member, uniformly charged by this charger, and subjected to image exposure by the element array 8. This electrostatic image is visualized by a developing device 5 using toner made of a resin or the like that softens and melts when heated.

On the other hand, 2 is a paper feed sensor which is a transfer material detection means for detecting the feeding state of the transfer material.0 In this embodiment, a photo interrupter is used, and the sensor lever is moved by the transfer paper as the transfer material, and the photo interrupter is activated. ON10 F F
It is supposed to be done.

The transfer paper is fed in the direction of the arrow, and is fed onto the photosensitive drum 4 at a timing that synchronizes the image on the photosensitive drum 4 by a paper feeding roller 13. Then, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred onto the transfer paper by the transfer charger 7. Thereafter, the transfer paper separated from the photosensitive drum is guided to the fixing device 12 by the conveyance guide 17 and subjected to heat fixing processing. After that, the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 16 by the paper discharge roller 14. Note that after the visualized toner image is transferred, residual toner on the photosensitive drum 4 is removed by a cleaner 10.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the electrical control system of this embodiment,
1 is a photointerrupter which is the original document sensor described above, and 2 is a photointerrupter which is the paper feed sensor described above. Reference numeral 18 denotes a microcomputer that plays a central role in controlling the image forming apparatus, and the output of the original document sensor 1 is connected to the input IN1, and the output of the paper feed sensor 2 is connected to the input of IN2. 0
UTI is a fluorescent lamp filament preheating 0N10FF signal output, and is connected to the fluorescent lamp driver 19. 0
UT2 is an 0N10FF signal output for a fluorescent lamp, and is also connected to the fluorescent lamp driver 19. The fluorescent lamp driver 19 drives the fluorescent lamp 9, which is a light source for image exposure, according to each control signal from the microcomputer 18. 0-U
T3 is the motor ON10 FF signal, which is connected to the motor driver 20 and is the main motor 21 of this machine.
This system performs start/stop control and constant speed control. Although not shown, the microcomputer 18 is connected to other sensor inputs, control signal outputs such as high voltage output necessary for image formation, and outputs of clutches, solenoids, etc., and is also built in the microcomputer. Each control program is stored in the ROM.

3 to 5 show flowcharts of the copy sequence program programmed into the built-in ROM in the microcomputer 18.

After the power is turned on, the microcomputer 18 sets each output to an initial state and sets the contents of the built-in RAM to an initial value. Also, initialize the internal timer counter so that timer interrupts occur at regular time intervals.

In the timer interrupt processing, the timer counter for measuring time used in this copy sequence program is counted up or counted down (do+in) (not shown). Execute the copy sequence program from the start. The copy sequence program will be explained below according to the flowchart in the figure.

First, in step 1, 0N10FF of the document sensor is checked, and if a document is set on the document sensor, the process moves to step 4, and if it is not set, the process moves to step 2. In step 2, ON10FF of the paper feed sensor is checked, and if the transfer paper is being fed, the process moves to step 3, and if the paper is not being fed, the process returns to step 1. If the original is not set and the transfer paper is not fed (during standby), steps 1 and 2 are repeated.

Next, the copying sequence when the transfer paper is fed first will be described. Since the paper feed sensor is ON in step 2, the process moves to step 3. In step 3, the memory contents of a predetermined location in the RAM in the microcomputer 18 are changed to a predetermined value as a paper feed flag.Next, step 4
Move to. The copying sequence begins at step 4. First, a 2-second timer is started, and the filament preheating (hereinafter referred to as preheating) of the fluorescent lamp is turned on to start a copy preparation operation. Turn on the main motor at the same time
I. Go to step 5. In step 5, it is determined whether 2 seconds have elapsed or not. If 2 seconds have not elapsed, the process returns to step 5 and repeats until 2 seconds have elapsed. If 2 seconds have elapsed, the process moves to step 6. In step 6, the fluorescent lamp is preheated to 0FFI, the fluorescent lamp is turned on, and at the same time a 5 second timer is started, and the process moves to step 7 in FIG.

In step 7, it is determined whether the paper feed flag is set. In this case, since the flag is set, the process moves to step 17 in FIG. In step 17, the paper feed sensor is checked for 0N10FF and the paper feed sensor is OFF.
In this case, the process moves to step 23. In step 23, the fluorescent lamp is set to 0FFL, the motor is set to 0FFL, and the paper feed flag is reset, copy preparation is stopped, and the process returns to step 1 in FIG. 3 to enter a standby state. on the other hand.

If the paper feed sensor is ONI in step 17, the process moves to step 18. In step 18, the original sensor
N10FF is checked and if the document sensor is OFF, the process moves to step 19. In step 19, it is determined whether 5 seconds (predetermined time) have elapsed using the 5 second timer started in step 6, and if 5 seconds have elapsed, the process returns to step 17. Further, after 5 seconds have elapsed, the process moves to step 20. In step 20, the fluorescent lamp and motor are interrupted for 0FFL copying and quasi-copying preparation, and the process moves to step 21. In step 21, 0N10FF of the paper feed sensor is checked, and if the paper feed sensor is OFF, the process moves to step 24. In step 24, the paper feed flag is reset, the copy preparation operation is stopped, and the process returns to the standby state. Also step 2
If the paper feed sensor is ONt in step 1, the process moves to step 22. In step 22, the original sensor is set to 0N1.
If the document sensor is OFF, go to step 2.
Return to 1. If the original sensor is ON, the process returns to step 4 in Figure 1S3 and the copy preparation operation is restarted. On the other hand, if the document sensor is ON in step 18, the process moves to the step shown in FIG. Step 1O is a program that performs the actual copying operation and forms an image. It drives the original transport rollers 11 and 11', and also drives the paper feed roller 13 with synchronized timing, and outputs the charger output necessary for image formation. , development output, fixing heater control, etc. are performed at predetermined timings to form an image on the transfer paper.Next, the process moves to step 11, the paper feed flag is reset, and the process moves to step 12. In step 12, post-processing such as removing residual toner and charging on the photosensitive drum after image formation is performed, and the process returns to step 1 in FIG. 3 to enter a standby state.

Next, the copying sequence when the original is set first will be described. Since the original is set, the original sensor is ON in step 1, so the process moves to step 4 and preparation for copying is started. Step 4, Step 5. Step 6 is as described above, and the process then proceeds to step 7 in FIG.

Here, the paper feed flag is set, so step 8
Move to. In step 8, the document sensor is turned ON10F.
F is checked, and if the document sensor is OFF, the process moves to step 25. At step 25, the fluorescent lamp and motor are turned off to cancel the preparation for 0FFL copying and quasi-copying, and the process returns to step 1 in FIG. 3 to enter the standby state. Further, if the document sensor is turned on in step 8, the process moves to step 9. In step 9, ON10FF of the paper feed sensor is checked, and if the paper feed sensor is OFF, the process moves to step 13. In step 13, it is determined whether 5 seconds have elapsed in the same manner as described above, and if 5 seconds have not elapsed, the process returns to step 8, and if 5 seconds have elapsed, the process proceeds to step 14. In step 14, the fluorescent lamp and motor are set to OFF, the copying operation is interrupted, and the process moves to step 15. In step 15, the original sensor is checked for 0N10FFt, and if it is OFF, the copying operation is stopped and the process returns to step 1 in FIG. 3 to enter the standby state. Further, if the document sensor is ON in step 15, the process moves to step 16. In step 16, the paper feed sensor is turned on.
10 FF is checked, and if it is OFF, the process returns to step 15; if it is ON, the process returns to step 4 and restarts the copy preparation operation. On the other hand, if the paper feed sensor is ON in step 9, the process moves to step 1O and the actual copying operation is performed.After step 1O, the image is formed on the transfer paper through the image forming process as explained above, and then the image is formed on the transfer paper, as shown in FIG. The process returns to step 1 and enters the standby state.

The copying sequence of the sheet-through type copying device as described above makes it possible to minimize the time until the start of the actual copying operation, and at the same time improves the operability when the user sets the original and feeds the transfer paper. It has the effect of improving Furthermore, sheet-through type copying devices can be made smaller and lower in price, so by improving the operability in this way, low-priced and small-sized copying devices are on the market. can be provided. In the above embodiment, the microcomputer 18 also serves as the preparation control means. In addition, the preparation signals are 0UTI and 0UT shown in Figure 2.
2.0 Included in the signal from UT3.

(Effect of the invention) As explained above, the copy preparation operation is started after detecting the setting of the original or the feeding of the transfer material, and even after a predetermined time has elapsed, if the original is set first, the copying preparation operation is started. The sending is
Also, if the transfer material is fed first, the original is set
If neither is done, the copy preparation operation is interrupted. As a result, compared to the conventional technology in which the copy preparation operation does not start until the transfer material is fed even if the original is set first, in this invention, the copy preparation operation is not started until the original is set or the transfer material is fed. If the copying operation is completed, the copying preparation operation will be started, so that the time until the actual copying operation can be shortened. Furthermore, copy preparation operations, such as lighting of the exposure light source and operation of the drive motor, are temporarily suspended, thereby reducing wasteful power consumption. Furthermore, when the setting of the original is canceled or the feeding of the transfer material is canceled, it is assumed that the operator who operates the copying machine no longer has the desire to make a copy, so the copy preparation operation is also interrupted. Therefore, unnecessary power consumption can be reduced.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copying machine embodying the present invention, and FIG.
The figure shows a schematic configuration diagram of the electrical control system, and FIGS. 3 to 5 show flowcharts of the copy sequence program. Explanation of symbols l...Original sensor 2...Paper feed sensor 3...
-Platen glass 4...Photosensitive drum 5...Developer 6...Charger 7...Transfer charger 8...Short focus small diameter imaging element array 9...Illumination lamp 10...Cleaner 11
．． 11'... Original transport roller 12... Fixing device 13... Paper feed roller 14
...Paper output roller 15...Paper feed tray 16...
・Paper output tray 17...Transport guide 8...Microcomputer 9...Fluorescent lamp driver〇...Motor driver part...Main motor Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Fig. 5

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A sheet-through type copying device that performs slit exposure by moving an original on a fixed platen glass and transfers an electrostatic image formed on a photoreceptor to a fed transfer material, an original detection means for detecting the setting state of the original; a transfer material detection means for detecting the feeding state of the transfer material; When a preparation signal is issued to the main unit to start copy preparation operation, and a detection signal is not received from the other side even after a predetermined period of time has passed after receiving a detection signal from only one side, or when a set release detection signal or paper feed is detected. A copying apparatus comprising: preparation control means for issuing a signal to interrupt the copy preparation operation when receiving a release detection signal.