JPH0321462B2 - - Google Patents

Description

The second control means 43 A copying machine characterized by comprising:

[Detailed description of the invention]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a copying machine capable of storing copying conditions set by key operations.

Conventional technology Conventionally, in electrophotographic copying machines, when the power switch is turned on, the copy paper size, copy magnification,
The copy density and the number of copies are controlled to be automatically set to the initial mode. This initial mode, for example, A4 size, same size, medium density, single sheet copying, is the most general and frequently used condition. Therefore, this initial mode may not be convenient for all users; for example, for users who frequently make single-sheet copies at B5 size, same size, and medium density, the default mode may not be convenient for all users. Changing the copy paper size is extremely troublesome, increases copying time, and causes copy errors.

Purpose The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a copying machine that can perform copying on frequently used copy paper with extremely simple operations, shorten copying time, and prevent copy mistakes. The purpose is to provide

SUMMARY In order to achieve the above object, the copying machine according to the present invention stores the size of the sheet stored in the paper feed unit selected by the paper feed unit selection unit in the storage unit, and makes any copies. The gist of the present invention is to call up the stored contents of the storage means and automatically select a paper feed section that accommodates sheets of the stored size.

Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a variable magnification copying machine 1. Reference numeral 2 denotes a document table on which a document is placed. to scan. The clutch 3
are the same-magnification scan clutch 3a, the enlargement scan clutch 3b, the first reduction scan clutch 3c, and the second
It consists of a reduction scan clutch 3d and a return clutch 3e. A magnet 4, which is a member to be detected for detecting the position of the document table 1, is provided at one end of the document table 1, and a magnet 4 for detecting a fixed position is provided in the copying machine main body 1, which corresponds to the path through which the magnet 4 passes. 1 switch SW1, enlargement, same size,
2nd to 5th switches SW2 to SW for detecting registration timing during first reduction and second reduction copying
5 are provided respectively.

An illumination lamp 5, a first mirror 6, a projection lens 7, and a second mirror 8 are provided below the document table 2 as an optical system for scanning the document. This projection lens 7 is configured to be moved to a position according to the copying magnification by a moving mechanism (not shown).

A charging charger 1 is provided around the photosensitive drum 9 on which the original image projected by the optical system is formed.
0, a developing device 11, a transfer charger 12, a separation charger 13, a cleaning device 14, and an eraser lamp 15 are provided.

On the other hand, the conveyance path for the copy sheets stored in the upper cassette 16 and the lower cassette 17 includes an upper paper feed roller 19 connected to an upper paper feed clutch 18 and a lower paper feed roller 21 connected to a lower paper feed clutch 20. , a timing roller 23 connected to a timing clutch 22, a conveyor belt 24, a heat roller 25, and a discharge tray 26.

As means for detecting copy paper, a sixth switch SW6 is installed in the upper cassette, a seventh switch SW7 is installed in the lower cassette, an upper paper feed roller 9, and a timing roller 2.
3, an eighth switch SW8 for detecting paper feed, a ninth switch SW9 between the lower paper feed roller 20 and the timing roller 23, and a switch SW9 for detecting paper ejection between the paper feed roller 25 and the output tray 26. 10th switch
SW10 is provided. Further, although not shown, the upper cassette 16 and the lower cassette 17 are each provided with a maknet as a member to be detected for detecting the size of the copy paper stored therein, and correspondingly, a maknet is provided in the copying machine main body. , 11th to 14th switches SW11 for detecting the upper cassette 16
~No. 15 for detecting SW14 and lower cassette 17~
Eighteenth switches SW15 to SW18 are provided, respectively.

FIG. 2 shows the operation panel, including a print key 27, a power indicator light 28, a copy number display section 29, a warning light 30 that indicates paper empty, toner empty, jam, and trouble, a copy density display section 31, Copy density setting key 32, interrupt copy key 33, clear stop key 34, copy number setting numeric keypad 35, cassette selection key 36, cassette indicator light 37, copy paper size indicator light 38, same size key FL, enlargement key EL, A first reduction key R1, a second reduction key R2, a magnification indicator light 39, a mode key 40 for displaying program contents, a program key 41 for setting a copy mode, and a program print key 42 for executing program copying are provided.

FIG. 3 shows the control circuit of the copying machine, and in the figure, 4
3 is an 8-bit microcomputer that controls all copying operations; 44 is a switch matrix consisting of each key on the operation panel and each detection switch in the copying machine; 45 is a decoder; and 46 is a step for moving the projection lens 7. This is a drive circuit for motor M1.

The microcomputer 43 has a built-in ROM in which an initial copy mode is written when the power is turned on, and a RAM in which a copy mode for copying a program to be described later is written and called. In addition, the microcomputer 43
has a standby function that retains the contents of the RAM even after the power is turned off, and when a falling pulse of the power supply voltage due to the power is turned off is input to the interrupt terminal input INT, the internal contents of the microcomputer 43 are All clocks are stopped and battery backup using a lithium battery (not shown) is started, and before the power is turned off,
This makes it possible to retain information written to RAM with low power consumption. In addition, the above RAM is
It may be something that is externally attached to the microcomputer 43.

Copy control performed by the microcomputer 43 will be described below.

When power supply voltage is started to be supplied to the microcomputer 43, the ROM in which the initial mode has been written sets the upper cassette 16 to the initial mode of equal size, medium density, and number of copies of "1", and a message is displayed on the operation panel. Is displayed. After setting this initial mode or a desired copying mode by operating appropriate keys, a normal copying operation is performed by pressing the print key 27. This normal copying will be explained with reference to FIG. 4, for example, when enlarging, using an upper cassette, medium density, and making a single copy.

When the power is turned on, the initial mode is set to 1x, upper cassette, medium density, and 1 copy, and the enlargement key is
Press EL to set the desired copy mode. When the enlargement key EL is turned ON, lens movement is started, and at the same time, the print key 27 becomes ready for reception.
When the print key 27 is turned on, the main motor M starts rotating, and at the same time, the timer T1 in the microcomputer 43 is set. Timer T
1, the eraser lamp 15, transfer charger 12, and upper paper feed clutch 18 are turned on, and feeding of the copy paper in the upper cassette 16 is started. When the leading edge of the copy paper is detected by the eighth switch SW8 for paper feed detection, the timing clutch 22 and illumination lamp 5 are turned on and the timer T2 is set. During this operating time of timer T2, a loop of copy paper is formed between upper paper feed roller 19 and timing roller 23. When the timer T2 times up, the upper paper feed clutch 23 is turned off and the state of lens movement is determined. If the lens is in the middle of moving, wait as it is, and if the lens has finished moving, the charger 12 and magnification scan clutch 3b are turned on.
Then, the movement of the document table 2 is started. As the document table 2 moves, the magnet 4 switches to the second switch SW.
2, the timing clutch 22 is activated.
It is turned OFF and the copy paper is conveyed to the transfer section. When the trailing edge of the copy paper passes the eighth switch SW3, a timer T3 is set, and at the same time as the timer T3 times up, the illumination lamp 5 and the charging charger 1 are turned on.
2. The enlargement scan clutch 3b is turned OFF, and post-copying processing begins. This post-copying process will not be mentioned.

Next, a description will be given of program copying, that is, a series of copying operations in which a desired copying mode is written in the RAM in the microcomputer 43, and this copying mode is called when necessary to perform copying.

The programmed contents include all copy conditions,
That is, the paper size, copy magnification, copy density, and number of copies are set by operating each key on the operation panel. After setting the desired copy mode, by pressing the program key 41, the copy mode is set in the microcomputer 43. written to RAM. The copy mode once written is stored until it is written again, and even if the power is cut off, battery backup is performed as described above, and the memory in the RAM will not be erased.

When confirming or correcting the copy mode written in the RAM, by pressing the mode key 40, the copy mode stored in the RAM is displayed on each indicator light and display section of the operation panel. If there is a place you want to change, press the key corresponding to the place you want to change,
When the program key 41 is pressed after the change is completed, the copy mode displayed on the operation panel is newly written to the RAM. It should be noted that each time the program key 41 is pressed, the RAM is rewritten to the copy mode displayed on the operation panel at that time, so an appropriate means may be provided to prevent the RAM from being erroneously rewritten. good.

A copy control device for copying according to the copy mode written in the RAM in the manner described above will be explained using the flowchart of FIG. 5 and the time chart of FIG. 6.

First, in step S1, the state of the program print key 42 is determined, and if it is ON, the copy mode written in the RAM, for example, B5 size,
First reduction, medium density, and one-sheet copying are set, and lens movement is started to a predetermined position corresponding to the copying magnification [step S2]. Next, it is determined whether the B5 size paper written in the RAM is present in the upper cassette 16 or lower cassette 17, and if it is determined that there is not, the part of the warning light 30 corresponding to the paper empty is illuminated for 2 seconds. S4], return to step S1. Note that during this time, no copying operation is performed, but lens movement is performed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the paper size is present, the cassette containing the paper, for example, the lower cassette 1
Select 7 [Step S5] and turn on the main motor M.
Turn on [Step S6] and set timer T1 [Step S7]. Copy control after step S7 is the same as the normal copy described above, including determination of whether the timer T1 has ended [step S8], and after the timer T1 has ended.
Turn on the eraser lamp 15, transfer charger 12, and lower paper feed clutch 20 to start paper feeding [Step S9], determine the ninth switch SW9 for paper feeding detection [Step S10], and turn on the timing clutch 2.
2. Turn on the illumination lamp 5 [step S11], set timer T2 [step S12], timer T2
(step S13), turning off the lower paper feed clutch 20 (step S14), determining the end of lens movement (step S15), charging charger 10,
The first reduction scan clutch 3c is turned on to start scanning (step S16), the fourth switch SW4 for detecting the registration timing is determined (switch S17), and the timing clutch is turned off.
and transport the paper to the transfer section [Step S18]
The ninth switch SW9 determines whether the trailing edge of the paper has passed [step S19], sets the timer T3 [step S20], determines whether the timer T3 has ended [step S21], illuminates the lamp 5, and charges the charger 1.
0 and the first reduction scan clutch 3c, respectively.
OFF, return clutch 3e ON [Step S
22], and the program copying is completed by post-copying processing [step S28].

In this manner, in this embodiment, by turning on the program print key 42, copies are made in accordance with the programmed copy mode.

Modified Example The operation panel shown in FIG. 7 does not have the mode key 40 and the program print key 42, has the first to fourth mode keys M1 to M4, and does not have the mode key 40 and the program print key 42. It differs from the one in FIG. 2, but is otherwise the same.

In this modification, four different copy modes can be programmed, and the copy magnification and paper size can be stored in the RAM areas corresponding to the first to fourth mode keys M1 to M4. . Furthermore, in this modification,
It is provided with a copy number display clearing function that sets the display on the copy number display section 29 to "1" when the copy mode corresponding to the first to fourth mode keys M1 to M4 is read from the RAM.

The procedure for programming the copy mode to the first to fourth mode keys M1 to M4 will be explained.

First select the magnification and paper size to be programmed. The magnification is selected using the same magnification key FL or the second reduction key R2, and the paper size is set by placing the cassette containing the copy paper of the size you want to program in the upper row.
Or insert it in the lower row and press the cassette selection key 3 to select that row.
Select by 6. After the mode setting is done,
By pressing one of the first to fourth mode keys M1 to M4 while pressing the program key 41, the currently selected copy magnification and paper size are stored in the RAM area corresponding to that mode key. For example, one that corresponds to the first mode key M1
Store the copy mode of 1 size and A4 size in the RAM area, and similarly enlarge to the second mode key M2, B4
Copying modes such as first reduction and A4 size can be stored in the third mode key M3, and second reduction and A4 size can be stored in the fourth mode key M4.
In this modification, battery backup is also performed, and the memory in the RAM is not erased even after power is cut off.

Copying control executed by the above-mentioned copying machine will be explained using the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the main switch is turned on, step S10
Initial settings are made in step 1, and, for example, the same size, medium density, upper cassette, and number of copies as "1" are set. In steps S102 and S103, it is determined whether a key for changing the copying conditions has been turned on, and if the changing key has been turned on, the copying conditions are changed to those corresponding to that key. If it is determined in step S104 that the print key 27 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S105, where it is determined whether or not there is a paper size, and if it is determined that there is, control similar to the copying control after step S6 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is performed. is made and normal copying is conditional. In addition, if it is determined that the paper size is not available, step S1 described below is performed.
Proceed to step 12. Print key 2 in step S104
If it is determined that the program key 7 has not been turned on, the process advances to step S106, where the program key 41 is determined.

If it is determined that the program key 41 has been turned on, the process advances to steps S107 and S108, and when the program key 41 is turned on, the M
When the mode keys 1 to M4 are turned on, the currently displayed copying conditions are written into the RAM area corresponding to the mode key that was turned on.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the program key 41 has not been turned on, the process advances to steps S109 and S110 for reading, and the copy mode corresponding to the mode keys M1 to M4 that have been turned on is set.
For example, when the fourth mode key M4 is turned on, the second reduction A4 size copy mode is read out and the copy mode is set. At the same time, the display on the copy number display section 29 is set to "1". Next, check whether the read paper size is installed in the copying machine or not.
If it is determined that there is no paper, the process advances to step S112 and a paper empty display is displayed for 2 seconds. If it is determined that the paper size is available, the process advances to step S113, where the upper or lower cassette containing the paper size is selected, and the process returns to step S102.

If it is desired to change the copy density and the number of copies, they are changed in steps S102 and S103, and if they are not changed, the print key 27 is turned on, and the copying operations from step S6 onwards are performed.

According to this embodiment, the copy magnification and paper size can be set by turning on the mode keys M1 to M4 corresponding to the desired copy mode.
Further, the number of copies is also displayed as "1". When copying using this copy mode, leave it as is.
Further, program copying can be performed by turning on the after-change print key 27 for changing the number of copies and the density.

Although the copying magnification and paper size are programmed in the copying machine described above, it is possible to program other copying conditions by increasing the capacity of the RAM.

Effects As described above, the copying machine according to the present invention stores a desired sheet size, calls up the sheet size at the time of arbitrary copying, and automatically selects the paper feed section that accommodates the sheet of that size. Therefore, by storing frequently used sheet sizes, the troublesome key operations for setting the sheet size each time you copy are simplified, which has excellent effects such as shortening copying time and reducing copy mistakes. .
Furthermore, when storing the sheet size, the copying machine of the present invention stores the sheet size accommodated in the paper feed section selected by the paper feed section selection means, so a dedicated size input key is required. There is no need to provide any other equipment, and the configuration is extremely simple.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of the variable-magnification copying machine, Figure 2 is a diagram showing the operation panel, Figure 3 is a circuit diagram showing the control circuit, Figure 4 is a time chart during normal copying, and Figure 5 is a diagram showing the control circuit.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing program copying, FIG. 6 is a time chart showing program copying, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a modified operation panel, and FIG.
The figure is a flowchart showing the main part of copy control in a modified example. 16, 17...Upper cassette, lower cassette (paper feed section),
27...Print key, 36...Cassette selection key (selection means), 40...Mode key, 41...
Program key (command key), 42...Program print key (command key), 43...Microcomputer (first storage means, second control means),
M1 to M4...1st to 4th mode keys, SW11
~18...Size detection switch (size detection means).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of paper feed units 16, 17, detection means SW11 to SW18 for detecting the size of the sheet stored in the paper feed unit, and one of the plurality of paper feed units. a storage means 43 for storing copying conditions; and a storage means 43 for storing copying conditions; and a storage means for determining the size of the sheet stored in the paper feed section selected by the selection means based on the detection result of the detection means. a first control means 43 for storing contents stored in the storage means; command keys 42, M1 to M4 for inputting commands to call up contents stored in the storage means; a confirmation means 43 for confirming a paper feed unit containing a sheet of the size specified by the detection unit based on the detection result of the detection unit; and selecting a paper supply unit confirmed by the confirmation unit.