JPH0353630B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a sheet sorting function. Conventionally, a sorter is connected to a copying machine to sort sheets on which images have been formed. However, if the bins of the sorter were not in the reference position at the start of image formation, proper sorting could not be performed. Therefore, it is possible to check whether or not the sorter bin is at the reference position before starting image formation, and make sure to return it to the reference position before forming the image, but if image formation is interrupted due to a jam, etc. In some cases, the sorting process may not be performed properly. Furthermore, when image formation is interrupted, it may not be possible to smoothly switch storage units. The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to enable appropriate sorting of sheets and to improve operability in selecting a sheet storage section. That is, a sheet number input means for inputting sheet number data for image formation, a key input means capable of clearing the sheet number data inputted by the sheet number input means, and a sheet number input means based on the sheet number data inputted by the sheet number input means. a sorting storage having means for forming an image on sheets fed by the image forming means, a non-sorting storage section for storing the image-formed sheets without sorting them, and a plurality of sheet storage stages for sorting the image-formed sheets. a stage switching means for switching the sheet storage stages in accordance with an image forming operation in order to sequentially store sheets in each of the plurality of sheet storage stages of the sorting storage section; detecting whether or not a seat can be stored in a reference seat storage stage among the plurality of seat storage stages, and detecting that the seat cannot be stored in the reference seat storage stage; In order to make it possible to store seats in the seat storage tiers of the above standards,
A check means for controlling the stage switching means, a selection means for selecting and inputting one of the non-sorting storage section and the sorting storage section, and an abnormality for detecting an abnormality such as a sheet jam and interrupting the image forming operation. When the sorting storage stage is selected by the detection means and the selection means, at the start of a series of image forming operations,
In order to store the seat in the seat storage shelf according to the above standards,
control means for operating the checking means, and when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means during an image forming operation in which the sorting storage section is selected;
If there is no input from the key input means before the image forming operation is restarted after the image forming operation is interrupted due to an abnormality, the control means does not perform the check operation by the check means and continues to store sheets in the sorting storage section. control, and when an input is received from the key input means after the image forming operation is interrupted and before the image forming operation is resumed, the selection by the selection means is permitted, and the selection operation of the non-sorting storage section is performed by the selection means. When there is no, the selected state of the sorting storage section is maintained,
To provide an image forming apparatus in which the check means performs a check operation at the start of an image forming operation, and does not perform the check operation when the selection means selects the non-sorting storage section. This will be explained below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an example of a copying machine to which the present invention is applicable. In this example, 1
The example is a copying machine that continuously creates a large number of secondary electrostatic latent images from one primary electrostatic latent image. This is a copying machine that is equipped with a separate sorter outlet so that it can use a reduction mechanism and a sorter, and for high-speed, large-volume copying, the amount of paper that can be stored in the paper feed section is 50% smaller than that of a normal copying machine. It had a deck about twice as large as a conventional one, and also had a regular cassette, making it possible to feed paper mainly from the former. In addition, when copying a specified number of copies for each original,
In order to eliminate the trouble of distributing copies into predetermined numbers after copying, a so-called sorter is used in a copying machine, which automatically performs the distributing work. A variable magnification mechanism is also used to reduce the original image in three stages to obtain a duplicate image. In the figure, 1 is a photosensitive screen (for example, detailed in Japanese Patent No. 19455 published in 1975), 2 is a primary corona discharger that uniformly charges screen 1 to +, and 3 is an original image of the charged charge on screen 1. 4 is a lamp for exposing the original; 5 is a document table on which the original is placed; 6 is a modulating corona for forming a secondary electrostatic latent image. 7 is an insulated drum; 8 is a developer that applies toner to the secondary latent image; 9 is a roller that feeds the transfer paper 10; 11 is a DC corona discharger that transfers the toner to the paper; 12 is a transfer A conveyor belt 13 is for discharging the paper, a fixing roller 13 is for fixing the toner, 14 is a tray, 18 is a sorter for distributing the transfer paper, and 20 is a bin shelf in the sorter. The document on the document table 5 is subjected to slit exposure while moving the lamp 4 and mirror 15.
A primary electrostatic latent image is formed on a rotating, so-called three-layer screen 1 which is electrically charged and exposed simultaneously with a secondary discharger. The primary latent image modulates the ions in the modulation discharger 6 to form a secondary electrostatic latent image on the surface of the insulating drum 7, and the developing device 8 develops the secondary image with toner. The toner image is transferred by the charger 11 to the transfer paper 10 fed from the cassette 52 or the lift deck 53, the paper 10 is conveyed, the toner image is fixed by the heat roller fixing device 13, and the toner image is transferred to the sorter 18 or the tray 14. Discharge. Even after forming the secondary latent image, the primary latent image does not disappear, so screen 1
is further rotated to continuously form a secondary latent image by the charger 6, and the transfer paper is sent one after another to the transfer section, and transfer, fixing, and ejection are repeated a preset number of times. When repeating secondary latent images from one primary latent image to make a number of copies that exceeds the maximum number of copies that can be formed, the repeat operation of secondary latent image formation is interrupted and the primary latent image is automatically formed again. fix. In addition, 16 is a lamp for discharging the screen for forming a high-contrast primary electrostatic latent image and for removing the primary afterimage after copying is completed, and 17-
1 is a cleaning blade section for removing residual toner from the insulating drum 7; 17-2 is an AC corona discharger for removing residual charge from the insulating drum 7; Note that the paper fed by the paper feed roller 9 stops at the position of the register roller 35. Thereafter, by operating the register roller 35 at a predetermined timing based on a registration signal from the switch 83, the paper is conveyed toward the transfer section so as to match the toner image on the drum. With this device, the secondary latent image can be repeatedly formed independently of the primary latent image formation, so the rotational speed of the screen and insulating drums is twice as fast when forming and transferring the secondary latent image as compared to when forming the primary latent image. . In FIG. 1-1, 84 to 85 indicate the optical system 4,
A Hall element 15 is provided on a reciprocating path for exposure scanning and is turned on when a magnet provided on the first mirror 15 (mirror from the lamp) passes or arrives at that location. 84 is a home position signal indicating the start of exposure or the optical system stop position when turned on; 85 is a reversal signal for turning off the lamp 4 and moving the optical system backwards when the exposure is completed; and 86 is for operating the registration roller 35. Generates a registration signal for This signal is stored in memory as a position signal from the exposure start position 84 and output during the secondary process. Reference numeral 81 is a micro switch that generates a position signal DEP for stopping the screen drum 1, and is operated by a cam provided on the drum 1. Reference numeral 82 is a micro switch that generates a position signal DEP for stopping the screen drum 1. It is a rotary encoder with a photo interrupter that detects disks and disk holes in order to generate . Outputs check pulse. Hall elements HIC 86 to 88 detect the position of the lens 59 for reduction to the same magnification, 0.7 times, and 0.6 times with respect to the original, and are turned on by passage of a magnet linked to lens movement. FIG. 2 shows the operating section and display panel of the apparatus shown in FIG. SW in the figure is the process load of the copying machine, the main switch for turning on the power to the control circuit, 21
is the copy start key, 22 is the copy number setting key,
23-1 is a set number display, and 23-2 is a copy completion number display, each digit being displayed by a 7-segment LED. However, 23-1 displays the diagnostic mode,
23-2 displays an error mode. 24 is a tray, 25 is a sorter selection key, and the key itself lights up when the key is turned on to indicate whether the storage section is a sorter or a tray. 26 and 27 are cassette selection keys and deck selection keys. When the key is turned on, it lights up to display the selection, and the size of paper in the cassette and deck is displayed together with 32. Keys 28-1 to 28-3 are used to select shades of light and dark, medium, and light. When the key is turned on, it lights up to indicate that. 29 is a stop key for interrupting the copy operation; 3
0-1 to 30-3 are keys for specifying magnification,
Each magnification is set to 1x, 0.76x, and 0.65x, and the corresponding location on the display 31 is lit. Note that the cassette stage designation and the variable size specification are independent of each other, and variable size copying is possible regardless of the paper size of the cassette. Stop key 2
9 brings about a sequence mode similar to that in which copying of the set number is completed. When a tray is selected, the belt 19 in FIG. 1 moves so that the paper is ejected from the first ejection roller 50, as shown by the solid line. When the sorter 18 is selected, the belt 19 is set so that the paper is discharged from the second discharge roller 51 as shown by the dotted line. The deck 53 can store 2,000 to 3,000 sheets of paper, and the cassette 52 can store 500 to 1,000 sheets of paper. The paper sent to the sorter 18 is carried by a constantly rotating roller 55 or by a belt 55 and sent to a bin. Guide pawls a to k are provided for each bin 20, and each time the detector 68 detects a paper, the guide pawls are activated in order to direct the paper toward the bin and store it in the bin. That is, by operating the solenoid _SL2 using the key 25, the discharge port is set on the sorter 18 side as shown by the dotted line. After this setting, copy key 2 is pressed for a specified period of time (30 seconds).
When SL 1 is not turned on or other keys are not turned on, SL ₂ is automatically deactivated and the discharge port is returned to the tray 14 side. Also, when the power switch SW is turned on, or when the ejection port is set to the sorter side and left for 30 seconds after copying is completed, the ejection port is automatically set on the tray 14 in the same way. Therefore, normal copying operations can be performed quickly without worrying about the ejection port. When one of the keys 28-1 to 28-3 is turned on, the amount of current supplied to the exposure lamp 4 is set to an amount corresponding to the specified density. However, if the copy key 21 is not turned on or any other key is not turned on within 30 seconds thereafter, the light intensity will automatically return to the same level as that set with the key 28-2. When the key 26 is turned on, only the paper feed roller 9 on the cassette 52 side is set to be operable.
27 is turned on, the roller 9 on the deck 53 side is set to be operable. However, if this roller is left alone for 30 seconds, it will return to the paper feed roller set of the deck 53 that stores the frequently used A4 size paper. When the variable magnification keys 30-1 to 30-3 are turned on, the position of the lens system installed in the optical axis of the image reflected by the lamp 4 and the mirror 15 are moved left and right using a motor and a solenoid in order to obtain a predetermined magnification image. and set it in place. But this also then 30
If it is left unattended for a second, it returns to the same magnification position as specified by pressing the key 30-1. Also, after repeatedly pressing the key 22 and setting the number of copies, the process returns to one copy in the same manner. After setting various condition modes in this way, the standard mode is returned to when 30 seconds have elapsed since the last setting operation. Further, 40 is a jam position indicator which displays the location where a paper jam occurs when a paper jam occurs in the apparatus, and blinks to indicate the path corresponding to the jam detection sensor according to the operation of the jam detection sensor to be described later. 42,4
1 are indicators indicating the occurrence of a paper jam, respectively, indicating a paper jam within the sorter as shown in FIG. 1-2 and within the main body as shown in FIG. 1-1. At the same time, the display 23-1,
The display contents of 23-2 are automatically changed. 48 is an indicator indicating toner shortage or developer replenishment;
Reference numeral 44 indicates a display unit that indicates that there is no paper in the selected paper feed section, 43 indicates a display unit that indicates when it is necessary to contact a service person in the event of an abnormality in the apparatus, and 46 a key counter for calculating copy charges. The indicator 47 indicates that the copy is missing, and the wait indicator 47 indicates that the apparatus is incapable of copying, that is, is in preparation. FIG. 3 shows a control circuit constituting an embodiment using a 4-bit parallel processing microcomputer.
The ROM shown in the figure has a program for displaying key input data, a program for setting standard mode, a program for reset operation, an error diagnosis program, and a program for sequence control of copying process operations in a prearranged order, and is installed at each address and the address is set. This is a read-only memory whose contents can be retrieved each time the data is read, and uses μPD454 manufactured by Nichiden. The above program is shown in the flow chart below.
RAM is a read/write memory that stores copy number data, error data, data for process sequence control, etc. It is a memory that stores a set of binary codes, and details are shown in Figures 7-1 and 7-2. The company's technology consists of multiple sets of flip-flops, an arbitrary set is selected by an address designation signal, and data can be written to or read from multiple flip-flops among them. Use μPD462. In FIG. 7-1, addresses of memories and their areas are shown, for example, in the X'043' format. The last 1 digit number indicates the column, the 2 digit number indicates the row, and the 3 digit number indicates the memory chip. Here, X'043' is an area for storing data on variable magnification, and this data contributes to designation of lens magnification and display operation of the display 31. or
X'033' is an area for storing data specified by the magnification key, and the binary data of X'033' and X'043' is 0000 when the image is the same size, and 1000 when it is 0.7 times the image.
X′062′ is when there is no paper in the specified paper source.
This is an area that stores 1000. Below, each data area follows Figure 6-1. Numerical data to be displayed on the segment displays 23-1 and 23-2 is stored in the SET and COPY areas, and key-input data is temporarily stored in X'018' and X'01C'. WA(O) is a 3-digit working register,
This is to run the timer to return the copy mode to standard mode, and WA(1) to WA(7)
are registers that contribute to storing other data. Table 2 shows the relationship between key input and stored data.

[Table] When there is no KEY input, F or 0000 is stored. In FIG. 3, I/O 100 to I/ON are input/output devices that input data input signals from paperless keys, keys, etc., and generate signals for driving solenoids and the like. I/O and its peripheral circuits are shown in FIGS. 4-1 to 4-11.
I/O100 to I/OB00 are well-known circuits including latch circuits and gate circuits, and μPD752 is used here.
Furthermore, I/O100~B00 are respectively address X'100'~
For example, if address X'100' is specified, I/O100 (Figure 4-1) will be selected. In I/OB00 in Fig. 4-11, the output port _O1 is connected to the drive circuit of the motor M1 that rotates the screen drum 1 and the insulating drum 7 via a DC driver, and the output port O2 is connected to the drive circuit of the motor M1 that rotates the screen drum ₁ and the insulating drum ₇ , and connected to a high voltage transformer. In addition, _O3 is connected to the clutch that drives the paper feed roller and the register, and the input port Io inputs the clock pulse CLK from the rotary encoder 83, which is the basis of the timing operation of the transformer and clutch, via the line receiver (input interface). Connecting. In addition, a switch _SW1 that is linked to the main switch SW is connected to the input port _I2 to contribute to determining whether the SW is on or off. Also, port _I3 is connected to the circuit of thermistor _Th1 that detects the temperature of the fixing heater.
Contributes to determining wait time up. In the I/O 200 of FIG. 4-2, O ₀ and O ₂ are connected to the variable magnification motor M ₃ and the outlet switching motor M ₂ , respectively.
Connected through an input circuit similar to M ₁ , O ₁ , O ₃
is connected to each magnification solenoid SL ₁ and outlet solenoid SL ₂ through the same input circuit as CL ₁ , and I ₁
~ I ₃ is the Hall element HIC installed in the lens system path.
It is connected to RD ₁ , RD ₆ , RD ₇ (eg, 0.6, 0.7 times) like the input B port and contributes to setting the magnification. In the I/O 300 in Figure 4-3, I ₀ and I ₁ are connected as described above to the TP and SP (tray, sorter) of the Hall element HIC provided at the exit to determine whether the output is a tray or a sorter, and Contributes to the set. O ₀
~ _O3 is the lamp _L1 ~ _L3 (medium, dark,
Light) Lamps for variable magnification display L _0.6 , L _0.7 , L _1.0 (0.6
(x, 0.7x, 1x). In the I/O 400 in Figure 4-4, O ₀ to _{O 3} are lamps L _S , L _T , L _D , for indicating the paper feed port and exit display.
Connected to L _P and L _C (each sorter, tray, deck, paperless, cassette). I ₀ is a switch that detects the insertion of a key counter that counts the total number of copies.
Connected to KCNT. I ₁ and I ₂ are connected to a well-known optical sensor 60 and a micro switch 61 for detecting no paper in the cassette or deck. FIG. 4-1 shows a KEY & DISPIAY I/O port 100 for receiving input signals from each of the keys into the computer and driving a segment display. In the figure, MAT is a well-known matrix circuit whose intersections are energized when the key is turned on, T ₀ to _{T 5} are digit selections of the displays 23-1 and 23-2, time-division scan signals for scanning the matrix circuit, and KR _0
-KR3 is a port for inputting a matrix signal due to key-on, and 100 to 107 are driver circuits as shown in the figure, which are made of transistors. In MAT, "0", "1"..., "9" are numerical keys, CL is clear key, COPY is copy start key, 1.0, 0.6,
0.7 is the magnification key, dark, medium, and light are the shading keys, DEC,
CAS, SP, and TP are deck, cassette, sorter, and tray specification keys. This device is a well-known device having a buffer register for key entry, a shift register for storing display data, a digit signal generator for displaying display data in a time-division manner, etc., and a μPD757 is used here. Signals from each motor circuit and disconnection detection circuit are input to the I port of the I/O 500 in FIG. 4-5.
The signal to turn off relay K ₁ from O ₀ port is
Signals for lighting the jam indicators 41 and 42 are output from the O ₁ and O ₂ ports. A circuit D for detecting the advance of paper is connected to the I port of the I/O 600 in FIG. 4-6, the I/O 700 in FIG. 4-7, and the I/O 800 in FIG. 4-8. The O port of I/O600 has a signal for lighting up the indicators 43, 46 to 48, and the O port of I/O700 has an actuation signal for clutches CL ₂ and CL ₃ for moving the optical system forward and backward. Output. I ₁ to _{I 3} of I/O 800 include sorter door switch 74, web sensor 73, O ₃ of I/O 800,
The O port of I/O 900 is connected to a high voltage circuit drive section. In addition, HVTA~E are each corona discharger 2,
4th for operating 3, 6, 17-2 and 11
-11 The circuit is as shown in Figure A. The _I3 port of I/O800 and the I port of I/O900 are respectively connected to the above-mentioned high voltage circuit and input an operating state signal. I/
OA00 is a signal necessary for sequence control, DHP (signal that detected the stop position 81 of the screen drum),
OHP (signal that detected optical system stop position 84), 8
Registration signal RG by 3, inverted signal by 85
Connected to each Hall element so that CEP is input. The CPU includes the above memory, one or more 4-bit registers AC, PC for specifying addresses of input/output devices, and one or more 4-bit registers A, B, C, D for storing other primary data and addresses. , overflow bitch OVF, read wise instruction block
CFT, a control unit with addition/subtraction logic control that decodes and processes data input from the data signal line.
CT, calculation time ALU, such calculation time ALU is data
Has decimal correction, addition, and exclusive OR functions. Note that the contents of register A (accumulator ACC) can be rotated to the right (shifted to the right) or rotated to the left (shifted to the left), thereby allowing bit checking by the OVF. The CPU has the following circuits,
It is connected to the above external circuit through multiple lines. Briefly, the CPU specifies a program ROM address, and the data signal line with the contents of the specified address is
The data is read into the CPU through DB1, the CPU decodes it, and according to the decoded contents, the data is processed in chronological order starting from power-on, sometimes within the CPU itself, and sometimes when the data within the CPU is processed. of
Store it at a specified address in RAM,
Data at a specified address in RAM is transferred to the CPU.
It performs various controls by inputting data into the CPU, sometimes outputting data in the CPU to the signal line DB3 of the output unit I/OA00, and inputting the contents on the signal line DB3 into the CPU. It is. Figure 5-1 shows programs related to initial set, key entry, process sequence, and diagnostic flow that are coded in this order and are stored in the memory ROM of Figure 3.
is stored in When a sub power switch (not shown) provided inside the main body is turned on, power is applied to the control unit including the CPU, the program is read from the ROM, and processing is started (STAT). In step 1, RAM4bit, 256 words, address X'000'~
Clear all data in X′0FF′. Then, it is determined whether the main switch SW is on or not, and when it is on, step 2 is executed. This determination is based on the I/O
This is to check whether port B00 (input port _I2 in Figure 4-11) is 1 or not.The CPU specifies chip B00, takes the 4 bits of input data into the accumulator ACC, repeats the left shift, and sets 1 to the 1st bit. Step 2 is to first write necessary data to a predetermined location in the RAM in order to set the image forming conditions to the standard mode.The data contents are shown in Table 1.

【table】

【table】

[Table] Standard mode is 1x for reduction, tray for exit, and medium for copy density.
RAM data is (X′043′) is 0, (X′033′) is 0,
(X′053′) is 0, (X′042′) is 2, (X′032′) is 2
becomes. Note that (X'043') is the data at address X'043'. Regarding step 3, the number of sheets of paper collected in the deck is four times that of the cassette (approximately 2000 sheets). Therefore, frequently used paper (for example, A4 size) is collected on a deck and normally fed from the deck. Here, first,
To select the deck as the standard mode, check whether there is paper on the deck. Sense I/O 400 and check paper detector 61. If you have paper, set the data on the deck into RAM. In other words, (X'052') is set to 8 (3-1). When there is no paper in the deck, select the cassette, check the paper detector 60 to see if there is paper in the cassette, and if there is no paper, the paper out lamp 33
lights up. For that purpose, set (X′062′) to 8,
If there is paper in the cassette, set it to 0 (3-3). If there is paper in the cassette, set X'052' to 0 to specify the cassette (3-2). In step 4, in order to display the copy setting counter 23-1 as 1 and the copy number counter 23-2 as 0, the hundredth place (X'03A') of the counter SET in RAM is set to 0, and the tenth place (X'03B') is set to 0. 0, first place (X'03C') is 1, hundredth place (X'04A') of counter COPY is 0, tenth place (X'04B') is 0, first place (X'04C') is 0. Set to . In step 5, the RAM is
The data set in 4 bits are simultaneously output to the I/O port. The display data (X′022′) is
(X'032') + (X'052') + (X'062') is added and output to I/O400. This lights up the paper out lamp, deck, and cassette selection indicator lamp. let In standard mode it is 6 or O ₀
~ _O3 outputs 0110 and the deck indicator lamp and tray indicator lamp light up. (X′023′) is (X′033′)
+(X′053′) and the content is (X′023′)
By outputting to I/O300, the same size lamp,
Turn on the medium density lamp. Furthermore, X′02A′～
Key & key the RAM contents of X′02C′ and X′03A′ ~
Outputs to Display I/O address 100 and outputs 001 and 000 to setting counter 23-1 and copy counter 23-2, respectively.
Display. Step 6 is Wey&Display I/O100.
Read the keys entered in KR ₀ to KR _3. If no key is input, data X′F′ (′
1111′) is inserted. If there is any input, the data is temporarily stored in RAM X'01C' and X'018'. In step 7, the input data stored in step 6 is set at the necessary address in the RAM according to the contents. For example, if you turn on the key for magnification 0.7, (X'01C') is 1, so (X'033') is 8, or 0.7
Set bit 1 at . When the number key is 9, (X′018′) is 9, so (X′02B′) is
Shift to X'02A', shift (X'02C') to X'02B', and set 9 to X'02C'. At the same time as these settings are made, various modes are displayed in the same manner as in step 5. In step 8, the paper feed section set in steps 6 and 7 is determined (X'052'), that is, 0 indicates the cassette, 4 indicates the deck, and the status of the paper detectors 60 and 61 of each section is determined. Check. 60
CdS b and 61b detect changes in the light reflected by the paper from the lamps 60a and 61a, and when there is no reflection, it is assumed that there is no paper. Then, as in step 3, the paperless lamp is turned on or off. In the following, a means a lamp and b means a light receiving element. In step 9, it is determined whether or not the positions of the lens system and mirror system correspond to the designated positions according to the reduction mode, and if they are not at the designated positions, the positions are changed (FIG. 5-2). Regarding step 16, the RAM data obtained in step 7 and the data obtained from the I port of the I/O 200 are compared. In other words, it is determined whether (X'033') and (X'043') in RAM are equal. Now specify 0.7x, and the position of the lens system is 0.7
If (X′033′) is 1000 and (X′043′) is
1000 and equal to each other. When the lens system is at the same magnification, the _I2 port of I/O200 is 0, so (X'043') is
0000, they are equal to each other, and the lens position is changed. First, as shown in Figure 7-1, the variable magnification motor _M3
Turn on solenoid _SL3 for rotation lock and move the optical system. When the magnet attached to the lens reaches the position of sensor RD7, _I2 of I/O200 becomes 1.
Therefore, motor M ₃ and solenoid SL ₃ are turned off. Also, set the data to X'043'. In step 10, when the lens system is at the specified zoom position, the state of the power switch SW is determined and it is determined whether the control should be restarted. This is done by sensing port _I2 of I/OB00. When SW is off, return to start and clear RAM. In step 11, it is determined whether the paper exit position is at the specified position. When the exit is not in the designated position, the exit is changed (Figure 5-2). In step 18, the RAM data (X'032') and I/
Compare with the data (X'042') from the I port of O300. When (X′032′) and (X′042′) are equal, that is, it is a tray specification, and if there is something in the tray now, (X′032′) is 0010 and (X′042′) is 1101, which are equal.
When X′042′ is a sorter of 0001, they are not equal, so the exit is changed. First, the outlet motor M ₂ and rotary lock solenoid SL ₂ are turned on to move the outlet from the sorter toward the tray. When the magnet provided on the fixed shaft approaches the rotation of the roller of the belt 19 and the tray sensor 70 turns on, the port of the I/O 300 is activated.
Input 1 to _I0 to determine that the tray position has been reached. Then, motor M ₂ and solenoid SL ₂ are turned off, and data is set in RAM X'042'. Step 12 determines whether the key counter is inserted or not, and whether the device has reached a wait temperature (reaching the fixing temperature) based on the I/OB00 specification and port sense, and determines whether copying is possible. Check. When copying is possible and after changing the exit and magnification position, proceed to Step 20, which sets a 30-second standby timer, and through this routine checks for key input again, as well as the paper-out check and exit magnification position check routines. Do this. Step 13 is to determine whether or not the copy key 21 has been entered, and the corresponding RAM data in step 7 is determined. If there is no copy key input, proceed to step 14 and check whether another key is inserted (X′018′), (X′01C′)
)
Control is performed by checking whether or not is F. If there is still no evidence of any key input, proceed to step 15. If the routine up to this point is repeated about 3000 times, that is, the steps up to this point are about 1000 and each step is about 10 μsec, so 30 seconds will pass. Therefore, RAM
Store 3000 in WA(0) (step 20),
Each time step 15 is executed, this is decremented by 1 (15-
1) When it becomes 0, proceed to the initial step STAT, clear the RAM, and set the standard mode (step 2). In step 14, this
If key entry is made within 30 seconds, step 20 will be executed again.
Execute and store 30 seconds in RAM WA (0),
Perform the above subtraction routine. If the copy key is turned on during this time, the process proceeds to step 21, where the drum motor M ₁ and each high voltage transformer are turned on to start the copying operation. If a jam occurs during copying or if the paper in the deck or cassette runs out, the motor M ₁ and the high voltage transformer are turned off, but the process does not exit from step 21. Therefore, RAM
Data is held and displays such as the number of sheets remain even when the power switch is turned off. Also, even if the door is opened, the RAM data will not disappear, but various displays will disappear. At the end of each copying cycle (each time paper is fed), the counter COPY in the RAM is increased by 1, the value is displayed on the display 23-2, and the value is compared with the counter SET. If it matches, the main motor M ₁ and high voltage transformer are turned off. do. Then proceed to step 20 and set a timer of 30 seconds. The timing at which _M1 is turned off and step 21 is exited is after the last paper has passed through the paper detectors 64 and 65. Also, if the clear key is turned on when there is no jam or paper, this step 21 is skipped and step 20 is set for 30 seconds. If you do not enter the copy key or other keys after setting this for 30 seconds,
Or, when a key entry is made and the next key entry is not made, the process returns to the STAT step and returns to the standard mode.
If you turn on the copy key within this 30 seconds, copying will begin with the previous set number. It should be noted that the stop key 29 is determined before step 21-4, and when it is stopped, a routine similar to that of copy count up is reached. Also step 21-
Step 4 is performed immediately after feeding the paper. In this case, what is important is explained in Figure 9,
A switch 10 that suspends copying when there is no jam or paper and holds the jam state again even if the jam paper is removed.
Even if you turn on 0 to clear the jam, the 30 second auto-reset operation will not occur. Only after clearing the set number and copy number do you proceed to the 30 second reset routine. When you run out of paper, replenish paper and close the door to save 30
Proceed to second reset routine. FIG. 7-1 shows a variable magnification mechanism, in which the lens system 59 and the mirror 15 are reciprocated by the rotation of the motor _M3 . Also, the positions of the lens 59 and mirror 15 are set according to the zoom specification, depending on the sensor RD1, RD7, RD6.
They move in conjunction so that a predetermined optical path length is achieved when the position is .
SL ₁ turns off when the optical system is in a predetermined position and locks it from moving. Figure 8-1 is a time chart when moving from 1x to 0.6x. When the key is turned on, the RAM
Since (X′033′) is 4 and (X′043′) is 0, I/
Set 3 (I ₀ , I ₁ = 1) to O of O200 and set SL ₁ ,
Turn on _M3 . I of I/O200 is Hall element RD
When it is determined that 8 (I ₃ =1) has been determined by 1, RD7, and RD6, SL ₁ and M ₃ are turned off. and
Set 4 to X'043'. FIG. 7-2 shows the exit changing mechanism, in which the belt 19 is moved up and down by the rotation of the motor _M2 .
The position of the belt 19 is determined by the sensor 7 according to the exit designation.
When either 0 or 71 is on, it moves to a predetermined exit. SL ₂ turns off when the outlet is in place and locks the outlet from movement. Figure 8-2 is a time chart when moving from the tray to the sorter. When the key is turned on, the RAM
(X'032') is different from that, so set O of I/O 200, turn on SL ₂ and M ₂ , and as described above, the signals from sensors 70 and 71 are used. SL ₂ and M ₂ are turned off and set at a predetermined exit. As described above, the embodiment displays conditions according to various key inputs, and if the process does not start within a predetermined time from the last key input, the display is cleared or the standard mode is displayed, thereby reducing image formation errors. , rapid restart of image formation can be expected. (Diagnosis flow 1) Figure 9 shows the jam determination step 21- in Figure 5-1.
This is a flowchart showing the details of step 3. In step 31, a jam caused by a paper jam or the like in the paper path is detected. The jam is paper sensors 62 to 6 in the copying machine shown in Figure 1.
7. Whether or not the paper reaches the paper sensors 68 and 69 of the sorter at the appropriate time is determined by sensing the sensors at a predetermined timing. Each sensor outputs a signal 1 when a well-known optical detector detects paper. Reference numerals 62 and 63 are sensors for the paper feeding section, 64 and 65 are sensors for the conveyance section, and 66 and 67 are sensors for the discharge section. 62
Two sets of lamps and light-receiving elements are provided at a predetermined distance apart from each other at right angles to the direction in which the paper travels, and are used to check for skewed paper and stop feeding. still,
The paper detection signals of the sensors 62 to 65 are _J1 to _J5 , the signals of the exit sensors 66 and 67 are Jt, and the signal of the other sensor 62' for Js skew detection is _J1 '. When 62', 62 to 69 do not sense paper at a predetermined time, it is determined that there is a jam, and the process proceeds to step 32, where it is checked whether the reset button 100 in the main body is turned on to release the jam. Since the machine remains jammed even after removing the cause of the jam, the reset button 100 releases the jam. When the reset button is on, the process advances to step 33, and the sensors 62 to 69 are scanned again to confirm whether there is still paper left. If paper remains on any of the sensors (step 34), an error flag is set in the RAM as an error mode, and F-P indicating jam diagnostic mode is displayed on the segment display 23-1 for setting the number of copies. (Step 35). In steps 33 to 35, the paper is checked and displayed in order of location from the sensor 62. When the sensors 62 and 63 detect paper, the copy count segment display 23-2 alternately displays E-1 and E-2. This routine is shown in Figures 10-1 and 10-2.
This corresponds to steps 11-5 to 11-7 in FIG. 11. This routine sets data in the area of RAM corresponding to the sensor where paper remains, and scans and displays that area while the error flag is set. When the paper is removed, the same key input as in step 6 of FIG. 5-1 becomes possible (step 36), and when the copy key is turned on, the number of copies and the number of sets are compared in step 21-4, and the process moves on to a re-copying operation. Then finish copying the rest. When the copy key is not turned on,
When the clear key is turned on, the process proceeds to step 20, standby set, and data entered by the key can be stored in the RAM. In other words, the previously stored scaling data, numerical data, etc. are canceled and new data can be set. However, while the SW is on and the clear key is not turned on, data changes and process mode data auto-reset are not possible. However, when the SW is turned off, the process returns to step STAT in Figure 5-1, clears the RAM, and waits. In this way, even if the jam is reset after a jam occurs, there is no need to clear a large number of image forming condition modes, and all are held, so there is no need to take the trouble of resetting the conditions. (Diagnosis Flow 2) Figures 10-1 and 10-2 are the diagnosis flow between steps 11 and 12 in Figure 5-1. That is, after turning on the power switch, it detects and displays whether paper remains in the paper sensor in the paper path, detects and displays a break in the temperature control thermistor of the fuser, and displays whether the side plate of the sorter is closed. Detect and display
It is possible to start copying after checking in advance areas that are not normally checked, thereby avoiding an increase in trouble. Furthermore, among these, if an error occurs in something that is not used for normal copying, it is possible to make the copy possible without removing the cause of the error. At step 11-1 in the figure, the paper sensors 62 to 6 are
7 is scanned and sensed, and the data of each sensor is stored in a register. First, it is determined whether or not there is paper in the sensor 62, and if there is paper, data is set in X081 of the RAM, and an error flag is set in X080 (11-3). Next, the presence or absence of paper is determined by the sensor 62' and the same operation is performed (11-4). The same process is also performed for the sensors 63 to 65. Also, the presence of paper is detected by the tray-side discharge detection sensor 66 and the sorter-side discharge detection sensor 67, and error data and error flags are set. After that, the operational amplifier OP ₁ outputs 1 due to the disconnection of the thermistor.
Check (Figure 4-11) (11-5). When it is 1, set the data to X091 of RAM and set it to X080.
Set the error flag to . Similarly, the sensor 73b for detecting the disappearance of the cleaner web in the cleaning section is checked, and if no web is detected.
Store data in RAM and set error flag (11-6). When a sorter is selected as the exit, it is checked whether the side plate of the sorter is open by turning off the door switch 74 (11-7). Thereafter, the jam detection sensor 68 provided at the sorter entrance and the sensor 69 provided on the sorter tray sense whether or not there is paper (11-9), and store the paper in the RAM. Then, the set state of the error flag in the RAM is sensed, and when the error flag is set, the error mode is displayed on the segment displays 23-1 and 23-2 as described above.
(11-10). This step is the 9th step.
This step is similar to step 35 in the figure and will be described in detail later. Then repeat these routines. If the error flag is not set, or if the flag is cleared by removing the paper on the sensor, the segment display 23-
At 1 and 23-2, the number of copy sets stored in the RAM SET, COPY area, and the number of completed copies are displayed, and the process exits to step 12. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 72 is a web that is previously cleaned on the insulating drum 7 and is wound in the direction of the arrow. 73 is a well-known optical sensor that detects the end of the web and informs that there is no web, and its output is I/
Input to _I2 of O800. Also, 74 is a micro switch that turns on when the side plate of the sorter (opens and closes to take out paper) is completely closed, and its output is I/O800.
is input into _I3 . Further, 68 is a well-known optical sensor for detecting whether paper is jammed near the sorter entrance, and ₆₉ is a well-known optical sensor for detecting whether paper is jammed at each sorter. ,
Input to _I0 of I/O800. Jam detection paper detection sensors 62 to 67 in the copying machine path are I/
The thermistor disconnection detection signal is input to I ₀ to _{I 3} of O700 and I/O 600, and I ₃ of I/O 500. The signals from each of the above sensors serve as conditions for error display control as described above. Also, if the sorter door or sorter jam sensor detects an abnormality and displays an error message, if you switch the exit to the tray, the sorter-related error display will disappear, the remaining number of copies will be displayed, and copying will be possible. . Furthermore, even if the sorter door is open and an error message is displayed, when the door is closed, the error message and copy value display are switched. (Error Display) Next, the error display operation (step 35) will be explained with reference to FIG. Keys and de-keys used in I/O100
The display chip μPD757 has a relationship between 4-bit hexadecimal code input and segment display as shown in Table 3.

[Table] Also, the relationship between error contents and segment display is as follows: 23-1,
23-2 is displayed as FP, E-1. Here, F on the display 23-1 means that the diagnostic program is being executed, and P on the right digit means that the diagnostic mode is jammed. When the diagnostic mode is standby, 〓 is displayed. E on the display 23-2 means an error symbol displayed when an abnormality is detected, and the digit 1 to the right of the blank indicates the location of the abnormality. 23-1 and 23-2 are displayed simultaneously. Therefore, E corresponds to the paper sensors 62 to 69.
-1 to E-8, web check sensor 73, sorter switch 74, and thermistor disconnection check sensor, E-9, E10, and E11 are displayed. If an abnormality occurs in multiple locations during jam or standby, for example, during standby, the sensor 63
When the sensor 73 detects paper or the sensor 73 detects the absence of cleaner web, the display 23-1 displays E-0, and the display 23-2 alternately displays E-2 and E-9. This operation will be explained using the RAM with reference to FIGS. 6-1, 6-2, and 11. When proceeding to the error display, the CPU performs the following step processing. In step 35-1, write to RAM address X ₀ D3.
Set hexadecimal code XA (BCD1010). When this is decoded by the I/O 100, it becomes E as a 7-segment display, and when this is output (displayed), it means that there is an abnormality in the diagnostic result. In step 35-2, set hex code XF to X _0D4.
(BCD1111). This is KEY&
It is decoded by Display I/O100 and becomes blank. Next, X081 is specified as the RAM address and the process proceeds to step 35-3. In step 35-3, if the content of the RAM address specified in the previous step is 0, D ₀
Jump to specified RAM address +1
In other words, in the case of X081, it becomes X082 and the lower part of the address
Until the 4bit value becomes hexadecimal XA (BCD1010)
Repeat Step 35-3. Here, if a value other than 0 is set at the specified address in RAM, the mode in which an abnormality was discovered as a result of the diagnosis in the previous step will be displayed.
The lower value of that address, i.e. 2 for X082
is set to X0 _D 5, and data from X0 _D 5 to X0 _D 0 is sequentially output and displayed on I/O 100. and about 1
Hold that display for a second, go to D0, and then read RAM in the same way.
Repeat until the lower part of the specified address becomes hexadecimal XA (BCD1010). In other words, the display at steps 35-2 and 35-3 is to sequentially display the error modes set at RAM addresses X081 to X089 at one-second intervals. For example, when there is paper in the sensor 62 in standby diagnostic mode, the I/
O100 digit switching timing signal T ₀ , T ₁ , T ₂ ,
The display data is F, -, O, corresponding to T ₃ , T ₄ , T ₅ .
E, blank, set to 1. Steps 35-4 to 35-6 are the same as 35-2.
RAM address X090 to X099, X0 _A 0 to X0 _A
9. Display error mode data set in X0 _B 0 to X0 _B 9 and X0 _C 0 to X0 _C 9 in sequence at 1 second intervals. Note that diagnostic data in a key diagnostic mode, which will be described later, is stored in X0 _A 1 to X0 _C 9. This scanning and display is performed during the next key diagnosis mode. In this way, displays that perform specific displays such as segment displays are used to display diagnostic operations after standby and jam, and to display abnormality detection due to diagnosis, so it is possible to determine when diagnostic operations are being performed using fewer indicators. It is possible to warn what the consequences will be, and the device operating section can be simplified. (Diagnostic flow 3) In the normal standby state, the numeric key 22 and clear key C are used to set and clear the number of copies, respectively, and the display 23
-1 and 23-2 respectively display the number of copies to be set and the number of copies to be completed. However, in this embodiment, a diagnostic step 100 is provided between step 1 and step 2 in FIG. 5-1. Therefore, while the diagnostic program is running, the keys and numeric display become command switches and indicators with other functions. power switch
When the SW is turned on, step 1 is executed according to the standby program shown in FIG. 5-1, and then the diagnostic program 100 is executed. This diagnostic program can also be selectively executed using a diagnostic key (not shown). As shown in FIG. 12, the diagnostic program first clears the error memory in step 101. This is the RAM in Figure 6-1 B.
Addresses in X'080'~X'089', X'090'~
X′099′, X′0 _A 0′～X′0 _A 9′, X′0 _B 0′～X′0 _B 9′,
X′0 _C
Set 0000 (hereinafter referred to as 0) in 0' to X'0 _C9 '.
Additionally memory addresses for storing and displaying diagnostic modes.
Clear X'0 _D 0' to X'0 _D 5', that is, set them to 0. At step 102, it is displayed that the diagnostic program has started. First, X′0 _D 0′, X′0 _D 1′, X′0 _D
2′ respectively, hexadecimal number X′B′ (binary coded decimal code
1011 in BCD), X′E′ (also 1110), X′F′ (also
1111), then set X′0 _D 3′, X′0 _D 4′, X′0 _D
Set 8 (1000) to 5'. and
Output X'0 _D 5' to X'0 _D 0' sequentially from the CPU to the Key & Display I/O 100. Port I/O-
X'100' decodes the 4 bits of the input data and displays the following on each of the displays 23-1 and 23-2 in accordance with the above code. In other words, timing T ₀ , T ₁ , T ₂ , T ₃ , T ₄ ,
When T ₅ , the display 23-1 is F, -, blank, 2
3-2 displays 〓, 〓, 〓. Here, F at timing _T0 means the start of execution of the diagnostic program. Since the diagnosis mode has not yet been selected in step 102, the display is left blank, that is, there is no display, at timing _T2 . Also T ₃ ~ _{T 5}
Normally, the diagnosis result is displayed, but in step 102, 〓, 〓, 〓, no errors are displayed. In step 103, it is determined whether an error has occurred or not, depending on whether an error flag is set. When an error occurs, a value other than 0, for example 1, is set to RAM address X'080' (if it is 0, there is no error)
(described later), the error mode is displayed. However, when this routine is executed for the first time, X'080' is 0, so it is not displayed, and X'0 _D 5' to X'0 _D 0' are displayed in the same way as step 102, and then step 104 is executed. Hejump. At step 104, the CPU switches to Key & Display I/
If there is no input that accepts the input data to O100, that is, the input of the key 22, the process returns to step 103 and repeats 104. When a key input occurs, the contents are decoded, and when the key is the clear key C, the diagnostic program is terminated, jumps to END, and returns to the power ON of the standby program (Figure 5-1). When the key is one of the numbers 0 to 9 on the numeric key 22, proceed to the next step to select the desired diagnostic mode.
Proceed to 105. If the key is a designated key for the cassette stage, etc., the process returns to step 103, executes step 104 again, and continues the display. It also has numeric keys or clear key input. When several keys are input, the process goes to step 105.
Similar to 101, clear the data at each memory address in RAM. In step 106, the input numeric key switch value is decoded and the value is set to X'0 _D 2' in the RAM. For example, when key 1 is on, it is set to X'0 _D 2', and X' Set 0 to 0D3 _' to _X'0D5 '. Key & Display I/O100 at step 107
The display 23-1 outputs X′0 _D 5′ to X′0 _D 0′ sequentially.
23-2 displays the following. At timings T ₀ , T ₁ , T ₂ , T ₃ , T ₄ , T ₅ , the display 123 shows F, -, 1, and 124 shows 〓, 〓, 〓.
Display. Here, at T ₂ , a display indicating the diagnosis mode (here motor diagnosis) selected by the operator is made, and at T ₃ , T ₄ , and T ₅ , 〓 indicates that the diagnosis is being executed. . Next, various diagnostic modes will be briefly explained. (Mode display F-L) This is a mode for determining failure or deterioration of each indicator of the display section (Figs. 1-2). (Mode display F-1) This is a mode for automatically diagnosing whether there are any abnormalities in various motors. (Mode display F-2) This is a mode for diagnosing various high voltage transformers. (Mode display F-3) This is the sensor 62 to 69 for seed jam detection.
This is a mode for determining abnormalities. (Mode display F-4) This is a mode for diagnosing seven detection sensors 44 to 50 at various positions (optical system, exit, etc.). (Mode display F-5) This is a mode for diagnosing the clock pulse generator 82 synchronized with the rotation of the drum. (Mode display F-6) This is a mode for diagnosing an abnormality in the stop position detection sensor 51 of the screen drum. Although the determination up to mode 6 by turning on keys 0 to 6 has been described above, it is also possible to execute various other diagnostic modes by using keys 7 to 9 and the cassette key. For example, problems with paper feeding, registration clutch CL ₁ , forward and reverse clutches CL ₂ , CL ₃ ,
Disconnection of heater in fixing roller 13, exposure lamp 4
It is possible to check for disconnections and set each error flag and data in memory. After setting the flag and data as described above, the steps for determining the error flag and displaying the error mode are performed.
Proceed to 103. In step 103 from the second time onward, if the error plug (X'080') is set as a result of the diagnosis in step 107, the error plug (X'080') is set. This is displayed, and the display contents are switched sequentially when there are multiple errors. Furthermore, if there is no error as a result of diagnosis, the error mode is not displayed. Data 8 is displayed in X'0 _D 3' to X'0 _D 5'.
(BCD1000) and change X′0 _D 5′ to X′0 _D 0′.
Display through Key & Display I/O100. That is, for example, when diagnosing a motor, timings T ₀ , T ₁ ,
Corresponding to T ₂ , T ₃ , T ₄ , T ₅ , the display 23-1 displays F, -, 1, and the display 23-2 displays 〓, 〓, 〓. (Copyability Control by Error Rank) After the error display routine shown in FIG. 10-2, the following steps shown in FIG. 13 can be carried out. Check the exit mode memory (X'032') in RAM, and if sorter mode is selected, proceed to steps 11-13.
If in tray mode, jump to DO (repeat the above routine (11-12)) Step 11-
13 reads the key data input to KEY&Display I/O100. Next, check the RAM address X'01c' where the key input data is stored, and if it is 6, that is, a clear key input, the step
Jump to 11-16 (11-14). If it is not cleared, proceed to step 11-15, and check address X'01c'. If X'B', that is, a tray key input, proceed to step 11-16; if not, jump to DO, and repeat the above routine. (11−15). In steps 11-16, the contents of the exit mode memory (X'032') in the RAM are changed from 1 to 2, that is, from sorter mode to tray mode. After that, it jumps to DO and executes the above routine again, but if the error is related to the sorter, the next routine execution will not check for sorter errors, so errors will be displayed at 23-1 and 23-2. to switch to normal number display. As can be seen from the above, in this diagnostic program, if an error occurs when the copying machine cannot definitively perform a copying operation, the program cannot be exited and the copying machine cannot be operated until the error is removed. to lock. However, if an error occurs in an attached device such as a sorter, the copying machine can be operated by reselecting the tray.
In this case, escape by inputting the clear key and escape by pressing the mode change key are used together to make the operation easier. (Sorter Bin Reset Control) Next, sorter bin reset control, which is a feature of the present invention, will be explained. In FIG. 1-2, 75 is a sensor (hereinafter referred to as a sorter home position sensor) for detecting that the first sorter bin is ready to store paper therein;
76 is a paper conveyance path 77 for conveying the copy paper that has passed through the conveyance path 76 in the direction of arrow X in the figure, so that the traveling direction of the copy sheet is directed downward to the sorter and is conveyed in the vertical direction (direction of arrow Y in the figure). It is an auxiliary member. Copy paper discharged from the sorter-side discharge port of the copying device in the figure passes through a conveyance path 76 in the direction of arrow X, and is sent downward (in the direction of arrow Y in the figure) by conveyance auxiliary material 77 to the inlet roller of each bin of the sorter. , and is stored in the pin 20. In this case, the bin in which the copy paper is to be stored is selected by moving the claws indicated by a, b, c, . . . up and down by a cam (not shown). In other words, the pawl at the position where the cam is stopped changes the traveling direction of the copy paper from the direction of arrow Y in the figure to the left direction, passes through the respective bin entrance rollers, and is stored in the bin. In a sorter that operates as described above, the number of bins from which to start storing the copy paper sent from the copying device depends on the state of the copying device.
Each is desired differently. In a normal copying operation, the first sheet of copy paper from which the original has been copied is stored in the top shelf a, which is positioned by the sorter home position, and then the second, third, etc. ), the cams are sequentially stored in the bins corresponding to b, c, d, etc. Therefore, it is usually necessary to return the sorter cam to the home position 75 before copying begins.
In other words, before the diagnosis flow 2 in Figure 5-1, the 14th
Insert the control flowchart in the figure. During the flowchart, if the sorter mode is selected and the sorter home position signal is not generating a yes signal, a sorter bin skip-on signal is sent to the sorter to set the cam to the sorter home position 75. In this case the sorter control circuit (not shown)
When the sorter bin skip ON signal is input, the cam is moved continuously until the cam reaches the sorter home position 75.
When the position reaches 5, the cam is stopped and a signal indicating that the sorter home position is present is sent to the copying machine. The copying machine then turns off the sorter bin skip signal. Therefore, when the copying operation is performed normally, the first sheet of copy paper is always stored in the bin starting from the top. However, if the copying machine and the sorter cause a paper jam and the selected predetermined number of sheets is not completed and the remaining number of sheets are to be copied, the printer does not check for the presence of the sorter home position signal.
Start copying. That is, even if the first copy sheet after being jammed is stored in a bin other than the topmost bin corresponding to the sorter home position, it starts being stored in the bin where it should be stored after jamming is interrupted. However, if the operator of the copying machine cancels the continuation of copying and cancels the mode by pressing the clear key c after jamming, the operator returns to TO after determining the input of the clear key in Fig. 9 and removes the sorter. Reset to home position. In other words, if the operator wants to continue copying the remaining number of sheets after jamming, he or she must start from the next bin stored in the previous bin, or vice versa, to avoid page alignment errors. In this case, the next copy sheet is stored from the bin corresponding to the topmost home position by inputting the clear key. Stop key 2
The same applies when turning on 9 to stop copying and restart it. Also, when copying is interrupted and resumed without paper, it is the same as when copying is interrupted due to jam. In the manner described above, sorter bin control that is effective for page alignment is performed. By the way, when all the bins of the first sorter are filled, the capacity is changed to the next second sorter. In this case, in this example, when the counter that counts the paper feed signal PF of the main body and displays the number of copies reaches the total number of copies in the first sorter bin, paper feeding is interrupted and the machine waits for the already fed paper to be stored in the bin. During this time, the insulating drum and screen drum idle rotate, eliminating static electricity and cleaning the insulating drum without forming a secondary image. The screen image will not be erased. In response to a signal (described later) detecting completion of storage of the first sorter, the claw 77 is moved and secondary image formation is resumed. The total number of sorter bins is determined by a manual digital switch (not shown) on the main body or a digital switch that is automatically set by connecting the sorter.
Set in memory RAM. The main CPU performs the above-mentioned interruption and idle rotation control according to the number. (Sorter multi-stage sequence control) Figure 15 shows that when the first and second sorters are used one after the other, the intermittent paper feed from the cassette or deck is stopped when the first stage sorter finishes feeding paper to the last bin. The process is temporarily interrupted and re-feeding starts when the bin storage is completed. During this interruption, the drums 1 and 7 are allowed to rotate idly. The figure shows a time chart of the signals of the device while paper feeding is interrupted and idle rotation operation is being performed. The drum home position signal (hereinafter referred to as DHP) is sent to the micro switch 81 every rotation of the screen drum 1.
Occurs once due to The paper feed roller CL3 is turned on when 140 pulses from the DHP and drum clock pulses from the pulse generator 82 are counted, that is, when it has rotated 140 degrees, it is turned on and feeds out the paper from the paper feed section. The sorter bin entrance sensor signal PD ₂ is generated by the detector 69 each time a copy sheet fed from the copying machine passes through the bin entrance of the sorter, and sends a signal to the copying machine. The control of the copying apparatus shown in FIG. 3 reads the falling edge of PD2, that is, when paper is stored in the sorter bin, the counter CNT2 of the RAM shown in FIG. 3 is incremented to count the number of completed copies.
Note that the distance from the exit of the copying machine to each bin is different for each bin, so the later the bin is inserted, the longer the distance is. Therefore, as shown in Figure 15, the count number of the corresponding drum clock signal from the DHP is are different from each other. For example, the 16th photo is 250 pulses, the 17th photo is 300 pulses, etc. Further, the sorter has a drive source separate from the copying device, and the number of pulses mentioned above differs depending on the sorter used. The sorter unit switching signal SND is output from the I/OA00 port of the control section of the copying device to the sorter when the 20th copy sheet is inserted into the last bin of the first stage sorter, and the sorter stage is switched. This signal is
The number of screen drum clocks is 5 pulses. It is also possible to have a hard counter CNT2 in the sorter itself and output the switching signal SND. Let's explain the operation. If the copying machine feeds the 20th sheet of paper corresponding to the end of storage in the first stage sorter when the screen drum is rotating in section A, then the timing of paper feeding in the next section B, that is,
At the timing of 140 pulses from DHP, the paper storage signal _PD2 from the sorter is still the 17th sheet, so the paper feed clutch CL3 is not turned on. This is controlled by determining whether the copy counter COPY matches the selector SMAX. Thereafter, the drums 1 and 7 of the copying device continue to idle while maintaining this state until the sensor signal PD ₂ reaches the 20th sheet. Then, when the rotation of the screen drum is in section C, the sensor signal PD ₂ for the 20th sheet is input, so the copying machine uses the counter.
It determines that CNT2 and selector SMAX match, outputs a sorter unit switching signal SND,
The sorter switches the claws 77 as shown by the dotted lines. This allows storage of the second stage via the outlet 81, bypassing the first stage. Then, when the next DHP signal is input, the idle rotation sequence mode described above is terminated and restarted at the timing of 140 pulses in the D section.
Turn on paper feed clutch CL3 and feed the 21st sheet. Here, idle rotation means that the chargers 6, 11,
With the developing unit 8 inactive and the front charger 172 and cleaner 12 in operation, the screen drum 1 and insulating drum 7 continue to rotate to keep the potential of the drums uniform, so that the first sheet is in good condition when restarted. This makes it possible to form a good image. The selector SMAX is used to set the storage limit number of the first stage of the sorter in the memory RAM.
It is indicated by area SMAX in Figure-1. These several settings are made by turning on the MAX switch inside the machine, which the operator cannot normally touch, and then turning on the numeric keypad 22 under that condition. This is done in steps 6 and 7 of Figure 5-1. The switch MAX signal is input via I/O 400. Therefore, it is possible to switch to the second stage sorter without waiting for the first stage sorter to become full. This allows the final lower bin of the sorter to be used exclusively for storing sheets after they have been sorted. Furthermore, if the second stage sorter is absent or unavailable, it is possible to detect this state and control to prohibit copying in the first stage or higher. It is possible to connect the switch indicating sorter connection, or the second stage sorter jam signal source to the input port, or to judge in advance the state of the signal source 74 as described above, which indicates a trouble in the second stage sorter, and to select the number equal to or more than SMAX using the numeric keypad. This is possible by preventing the start of copying when the input is set, or by allowing it to start but discharging more than the limit number of sheets to the tray side. As described above, according to the present invention, when selecting from the sorted storage section, sheets can always be stored sequentially from the standard sheet storage stage. Also, when the image forming operation is interrupted due to a jam, etc.
By inputting a key that can clear the sheet count data, it becomes possible to select between the sorted storage section and the non-sorted storage section, improving operability. Furthermore, if there is no selection operation of the sorting storage section at this time, a check operation is performed after the start of the image forming operation, so that sheets can be appropriately sorted.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1-1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 1-2 is a cross-sectional view of a sorter, and FIG.
Figure 3 is a control circuit diagram in Figure 1, Figures 4-1 to 4-11 are input/output circuit diagrams in Figure 3, Figures 5-1 and 5-2 are is a control flowchart, Figures 6-1 and 6-2 are memory diagrams of Figure 3, Figures 7-1 and 7-2 are partial sectional views of Figure 1, and Figures 8-1 and 8. -2 is each figure 7-1, 7
- Operation time chart in Figure 2, Figures 9 and 10
Figure-1, Figure 10-2 and Figure 11 are other control flowcharts, Figures 12, 13 and 14 are footcharts for improved control, and Figure 15.
The figure is a time chart of the sorter, and in the figure, 1
8 is a sorter, 20 is a bin, 9 is a paper feed roller, 7 is a drum, and 92b to 69b are sheet sensors.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A sheet number input means for inputting sheet number data for image formation; a key input means capable of clearing sheet number data inputted by the sheet number input means; means for forming an image on fed sheets based on sheet count data; a non-sorting storage section for storing the sheets on which the images have been formed without sorting; and a plurality of sheet storages for sorting the sheets on which the images have been formed. a sorting storage section having tiers; a tier switching means for switching the sheet storage tiers in accordance with an image forming operation in order to sequentially store sheets in each of the plurality of sheet accommodating tiers of the sorting storage section; and the tier switching means. detects whether or not a sheet can be stored in the standard sheet storage stage among the plurality of sheet storage stages of the sorting storage section, and it is not possible to store the sheet in the standard sheet storage stage. When this is detected, a checking means controls the stage switching means so that the sheet can be stored in the standard sheet storage stage, and a selection means selects and inputs one of the non-sorted storage section and the sorted storage section. , an abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality such as a sheet jam and interrupting the image forming operation, and when the sorting storage stage is selected by the selection means, the above criteria are met at the start of a series of image forming operations. and a control means for operating the checking means in order to store sheets in the sheet storage stage, and when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means during an image forming operation in which the sorting storage section is selected, the control means If there is no input from the above key input means before restarting the image forming operation after it is interrupted due to an abnormality,
Control is performed so that the sheets are continuously stored in the sorting storage section without performing the check operation by the checking means, and before the image forming operation is restarted after the image forming operation is interrupted,
When an input is received from the key input means, the selection by the selection means is allowed, and when there is no selection operation of the non-sorted storage section by the selection means, the selected state of the sorted storage section is maintained, and the image forming operation is performed. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the above-mentioned checking means performs a check operation at the time of start, and when the selection means selects the non-sorting storage section, the above-mentioned checking means does not perform the check operation.