JPH0452943B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a copying machine equipped with an automatic document feeder and a sorter.

[Prior art] When copying a large-sized original using a copying machine and folding it in half, use it as a document for a meeting, for example.
If there is an A3 size document and the content can be divided into two A4 size sheets, conventionally, the original is copied onto A3 size copy paper and the copy paper is folded in half, or the first half of the document Copy it onto A4 size copy paper, then shift the original and copy the second half onto another A4 size copy paper.
It was copied onto standard copy paper.

Therefore, there are disadvantages in that it takes time and effort to fold the copy sheet in two, and it takes time and effort to shift the document and align it on the contact glass.

Further, when it is necessary to copy a large number of such large-sized originals, it takes a lot of effort to align the originals, and the originals may be damaged due to improper handling.

In addition, in recent years, copying machines have been put into practical use that split the image of an A3-sized document in half and copy it onto the screen of A4-sized copy paper, but such copying machines originally split the image of a two-page spread into one sheet of paper. There is an inconvenience that it is difficult to see because it is copied on the front and back sides of the image.

[Purpose] The present invention was made in order to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and is a copying machine equipped with an automatic document feeder and a sorter, which divides an image of a document into two in the longitudinal direction. , this divided image is
It is an object of the present invention to provide a copying apparatus for realizing a copying mode in which each copy is made on a copy sheet smaller in size than the original.

[Configuration] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment has a configuration in which a copying machine 100 is provided with an automatic document feeder 200 and a paper collating device (hereinafter referred to as a sorter) 300.

In the copying machine 100, 101 is a contact glass on which a copy original is placed, and 102 is an optical system that scans the copy original on the contact glass 101.
It has the ability to change the magnification to any magnification within a range of 141%.

103 is a drum-shaped photoreceptor, 104 is photoreceptor 1
A charger that uniformly charges the surface of 03, 1
05 is a photoreceptor 103 in a portion that does not correspond to the original image
The surface of the photoreceptor 103 is exposed to original light guided by the optical system 102, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the original image is formed. This electrostatic latent image is developed with toner by a developing device 106.

Reference numerals 107 and 108 are paper feed cassettes for storing different copy paper, 109 and 110 are paper feed rollers that feed the copy paper from the paper feed cassettes 107 and 108, respectively, and 111 is a resist that feeds the copy paper to the photoreceptor 103 at a predetermined timing. roller,
112 is a transfer charger for transferring the toner image on the photoreceptor 103 onto copy paper; 113 and 1;
14 is a separation charger and separation claw for separating the copy paper from the photoreceptor 103; 115 is a conveyor belt for conveying the separated copy paper; 116 is a fixing device for fixing the toner image by heat-pressing the copy paper; 117 118 is a conveyance roller that sends out the copy paper after fixing to the sorter 300; 118 is a discharge sensor that detects that the copy paper is being discharged; and 119 is a guide plate that guides the copy paper to the sorter 300.

Further, 120 is a static elimination lamp for removing residual toner on the surface of the photoreceptor 103, and 122, 123,
Reference numerals 124, 125, 126 and 127 are guide plates for guiding the copy paper along the conveyance path.

In the automatic document feeder 200, 201 is a document table for placing a copy document, 202 is a paper feed roller for feeding the copy document on the document table 201, and 203 is a document table for placing a copy document.
2 is a separation roller that separates the copy document into individual sheets;
04 is a carry-in roller for carrying the separated copy originals; 205 is a carry-in roller for carrying the separated copy originals;
A conveyor belt 206 conveying the upper part is an ejection roller that ejects the copy original from the copying machine onto the original tray 207.

208 is a sensor that detects the separated copy original, and 209 is a sensor that detects the size of the copy original. After the copy paper separated by the separation roller 203 is detected by the sensor 208,
4, the separating roller 203 is stopped and the copy paper is placed in a standby state, and the copying machine 10
When the carry-in roller 204 is operated by the feed-in signal applied from 0, the conveyor belt 205 is also operated, and the document size and carry-in direction are determined based on the detection signal of the sensor 209, and one end of the document is moved to the home position HP. The conveyor belt 205 is stopped at the timing when the copy document is positioned.

In sorter 300 , copy sheets guided by guide plate 119 are brought to conveyance rollers 302 by sponge rollers 301 . An entrance sensor 303 is disposed on this conveyance path, and detects the input conveyance state of copy paper.

Reference numeral 304 denotes a switching guide, which is normally shown as a solid line in the figure. Copy paper is conveyed by a conveying roller 302, passes through this switching guide 304, turns upward, and is sent to each paper receiving shelf (hereinafter referred to as a bin) 305. , is ejected.

Note that when the copying machine 100 is operating in the interrupt mode, the lower guide plate of the switching guide 304 is displaced to the upper position shown by the broken line, so that the copy paper is transferred to the interrupt tray 306 provided at the lowest stage. be discharged.

In order to discharge the copy paper into a predetermined bin 305,
A discharge roller 307 and a deflection claw 308 are arranged on the paper conveyance path on the entrance side of each bin 305, respectively. This deflection claw 308 is engaged with a solenoid (not shown) via a spring, and when the solenoid is turned on, the deflection claw 308 deflects the position as shown by the deflection claw 308 disposed at the entrance of the second bin 305-2 in the figure. Due to the deflection of this deflection claw 308, the copy paper is moved to the second pin 30.
It is discharged at 5-2. At this time, each bin 305 is
One entry sensor 30 consisting of a light emitting element 309A and a light receiving element 309B common to each bin is installed at the entrance of the bin.
9 is placed. In addition, in order to detect whether or not copy paper is in the bin 305, each bin 305
A light emitting element 310 common to each bottle is located at a position penetrating through the
A, one bin sensor 310 consisting of a light receiving element 310B is arranged.

311 is each roller 301 that conveys the copy paper;
302 and 307, which drives an intermediate shaft 314 from one drive motor 312 via a timing belt 313, and further transmits the driving force to a clutch shaft 315 through a gear, and from there to a timing belt 316. The rollers 301, 302, and 307 are driven through the rollers 301, 302, and 307.

FIG. 2 illustrates the control system of this embodiment.

Main body control section 100a of copying machine 100, control section 200a of automatic document feeder 200, and sorter 3
Each of the control systems 300a of 00 includes a microprocessor, a ROM (read-only memory) that stores control programs corresponding to each device, a RAM (random access memory) that forms a work area, etc. It consists of input/output circuits, etc. that correspond to the device.

The operation display section 10b also includes various input keys for inputting the operation mode of the copying machine 100, variable magnification, paper feed cassette selection, designation of the number of copies, start of printing, etc., and various input keys for displaying their selection/setting status. The display unit is provided at an appropriate location on the upper surface of the housing of the copying machine 100.

Note that the automatic document feeder 200 also has an operation display section 200 consisting of various operation keys for setting the operation mode and a document counter for displaying the number of sent documents.
b is attached. Further, the display section of the sorter 300 is included in the operation display section 100b.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the operation display section 100b.

In the figure, 130 is a preheating mode key for putting the copying machine 100 on standby in a preheated state, and 131 is a blue erase key for removing blue lines on a copy document.
31 to select the blue erase mode, the voltage of the light source lamp in the optical system 102 is slightly increased, increasing the amount of light emitted, and thereby the blue crease line disappears from the copied image.

132 is a print key for inputting a copy start instruction to the main body control unit 100a; 133 is a numeric keypad for inputting the number of copies, etc.; 133a is a clear/stop key for canceling input from the numeric keypad 133; 134 is an interrupt mode 135 is a density decrease key that makes the copy density lighter, and 136 is a density increase key that makes the copy density darker. When the density decrease key 135 and the density increase key 136 are turned on once, the copy density becomes 1.
The concentration changes by a step, and if the on state is maintained, the concentration changes by one step per unit time.

Reference numeral 137 denotes a paper feed selection key for switching the selection state of the paper feed cassettes 107 and 108. Each time this paper feed selection key 137 is turned on, the selection state of the paper feed cassettes 107 and 108 is switched. The sizes of the copy sheets stored in each of the paper feed cassettes 107 and 108 are displayed on a display to be described later, and the paper feed cassette selected by the paper feed selection key 137 is also displayed on the same display.

Reference numeral 138 is an original selection key for setting the copy original size, and each time this original selection key 138 is turned on, the set original size changes from A3 → B4 → A4.
It changes cyclically like →B5→A5→B6→A3→...

Reference numeral 139 is a same-size key for setting the copy magnification to the same size, 140 is a reduction key for setting a reduction copy mode and its magnification, and 141 is an enlargement key for setting an enlarged copy mode and its magnification. be. Every time you turn on the reduction key 140, the reduction ratio changes from 93% → 87% → 82% → 71% → 61% → 50% → 93
It changes cyclically like %→... Ma,
Every time you turn on the magnification key 141, the magnification is 115%.
→ 122% → 141% → 115% → ... It changes cyclically.

This is a page continuous shooting key for selecting the 142-page continuous shooting mode. This page continuous copying mode is a mode in which the image of a copy original placed vertically on the contact glass 101 is divided into two in the vertical direction, and each image is copied onto copy paper of a size smaller than the original size. be. Therefore, two copies (2 copies) of different images are made from one copy original.
A set of copy sheets is obtained.

143 is a stack key for selecting the stack mode of the sorter 300; 144 is a stack key for selecting the stack mode of the sorter 300;
The operation signals of the stack key 143 and the sort key 144 are transmitted from the main body control section 100a to the control section 300a of the sorter 300 to select the operation mode of the sorter 300.

145 is a binding margin right selection key for setting the binding margin to the right, and 146 is a binding margin left selection key for setting the binding margin to the left. This binding margin is provided by shifting the image by changing the paper feeding timing of the registration rollers 111 back and forth from a predetermined state. Note that when providing a binding margin, a reduction rate of 93% is often set to prevent images from being missing. Further, the amount of binding margin is set using the numeric keypad 133.

147 is a zoom down key that reduces the magnification ratio by 1%, and 148 is a zoom up key that increases the magnification ratio by 1%.
7 and the zoom up key 148 have a function of changing the magnification by 1% every unit time when the on state is maintained.

Furthermore, when the preheat mode key 130, blue erase key 131, page continuous copying key 142, stack key 143, sort key 144, binding margin right selection key 145, and binding margin left selection key 146 are in the ON state, the light emitting diodes 150, 151, 152, 1
53, 154, 155 and 156, respectively. The print key 132 has green and red light emitting diodes built into its key top, and lights up in green when printing is enabled and lights up in red when printing is disabled.

By the way, this copying machine 100 does not have a double-sided copying function, but since this operation display section 100b is used in common with a copying machine (not shown) also equipped with a double-sided copying function, it is possible to set three types of duplex modes. A double-sided 1 key 161, a double-sided 2 key 162, and a double-sided 3 key 163 can also be provided.

When the duplex 1 key 161 is turned on, the light emitting diode 164 lights up, and the images of two originals (generally of the same size) with images formed on only one side are copied onto the front and back sides of one copy paper. The duplex 1 mode is selected. Double-sided 2 keys 162
When the light emitting diode 165 is turned on, the light emitting diode 165 lights up, and the duplex 2 copies the image of the original, which has images formed on both sides, onto both sides of a single sheet of copy paper.
mode is selected. When the duplex 3 key 163 is turned on, the light emitting diode 166 lights up, and the image of a document placed vertically or an open book is divided into two, and each image is displayed on the front and back sides of a sheet of copy paper. 3 duplex modes for copying are selected.

In this embodiment, these unused double-sided mode keys 161 to 163 and the light emitting diode 1
The portions corresponding to 64 to 166 have been treated with blinding plates, etc.

FIG. 4 shows the display panel 170 in the operation display section 100b in more detail.

In the figure, 171a is a set number display for displaying the number of copies set using the numeric keypad 133, and 171b is a copy number display for displaying the number of copies. In addition, binding margin right selection key 1
45 and the binding margin left selection key 146 are turned on, when the ten keypad 133 is operated, the binding margin adjustment amount is displayed on the set sheet number display 171a.

Reference numeral 172 is a service man call indicator, which lights up when self-diagnosis determines that there is an abnormality, such as when the temperature fuse or thermistor of the fuser 116 is blown, or when the drum clock output with the rotation of the photoreceptor 103 does not occur. do.

Reference numeral 173 is an interrupt mode indicator that indicates that the interrupt mode has been selected, and 174 is a max indicator that is displayed when the amount set by the numeric keypad 133 exceeds the maximum value specific to the apparatus. This max display 174 is displayed when the binding margin adjustment amount and the number of settings in the sword mode and stack mode are set to exceed the maximum value. Further, if the maximum value is exceeded, the maximum value is displayed on the set sheet number display 171a. Incidentally, when the copying machine is equipped with a duplex copying function, a similar display is made regarding the number of sheets set in the duplex mode.

Reference numeral 175 indicates a message display indicating that copying is possible. Reference numeral 176 indicates a message display indicating that copying is not possible because the apparatus is warming up or the variable magnification of the optical system 102 is being set. It is a vessel.

177 is a running indicator that lights up sequentially at a certain timing while the optical system 102 is in operation, and turns off completely when the optical system 102 returns to the home position; 178 is a concentration indicator that displays the density in 7 steps; The display on the density display 178 corresponds to the density level set by the density decrease key 135 and density increase key 136.

Reference numeral 179a denotes an oil end indicator 179 that indicates that the amount of oil for preventing toner adhesion applied to the fixing roller of the fixing device 116 has fallen below a predetermined amount.
b is a toner end indicator that indicates that the amount (density) of toner in the developing device 106 has become smaller than a predetermined amount (value); 179c is a toner end indicator that indicates that a jam has occurred in the main body or the sorter; or that a jam has occurred in the main body or the sorter; This is a jam door open indicator that also indicates that the sorter door is in an open state (non-sealed state). Note that the toner end indicator 179b flashes when the toner amount (density) approaches the predetermined amount (value).

180a is an upper cassette remaining amount indicator that displays the remaining amount of paper in the upper cassette (in this case, paper feed cassette 107), and 180b is a lower cassette remaining amount indicator that displays the remaining amount of paper in the lower cassette (in this case, paper feeding cassette 108). Amount display, 180c is paper feed selection key 13
The remaining amount of paper in the paper cassette selected in step 7 is "0".
This is a paper end indicator that indicates that the

181a is an upper cassette display that displays the paper size of the upper cassette; 181b is a lower cassette display that displays the paper size of the lower cassette;
The selection state of the paper feed cassette by the paper feed selection key 137 is indicated by a blank display on each display. Note that the display "R" indicates vertical feeding.

182 displays the message ``Check paper'' when the size standard mode, automatic paper feed selection mode, and document selection mode (described later) are set and the selected paper cassette is not a standard cassette but a so-called uniserval type. This is a message display that flashes and, if the selected paper feed cassette is not the correct one, flashes a message that says ``Confirm paper size direction.'' Note that if the duplex mode is set on a copying machine equipped with duplex mode, and
If the selected paper cassette is not a standard cassette, the message ``Check Paper'' will blink.

183 displays "enlargement" when the magnification ratio is set to 101-141%, displays "equal magnification" when it is set to 100% (equal magnification), and displays "equal magnification" when set to 50%-99%. This is a variable magnification mode indicator that displays "reduced" when the image is displayed.

184a in the automatic document feeder 200,
An automatic paper feeding selection mode indicator 184b indicates that the automatic paper feeding selection mode has been set, and a size uniformity mode indicator 184b indicates that the size uniformity mode has been set.

185 is the reduction key 140 or the enlargement key 1
41 is operated to set a variable magnification other than equal magnification, this is an original/paper combination display that displays the combination of document size and paper size corresponding to the variable magnification.

For example, at a magnification of 87%, "A3→B4, A4→B5"
, 82% said "B4→A4, B5→A4", 71% said "A3→A4, B4→B5", and 61% said "A3→
B5, A4→B6", and at 50% "A3→A5, B4→
B6" respectively. Also, at 115% magnification ratio, "B4 → A3, B5 → A4", and at 122%, "A4 →
B4, A5 → B5”, 141% says “A4 → A3, B5 →
B4" respectively.

Furthermore, if the document is placed directly on the contact glass 101 and the document selection key 138 is turned on without using the automatic document feeder 200,
The selected document size is displayed in the area surrounded by a, and the display in other areas of the document-paper combination display 185 is turned off.

186a is the reduction key 140 and the enlargement key 14
1. The magnification ratio display 186b that displays the magnification ratio set with the zoom down key 147 and the zoom up key 148 is not in the same magnification mode, and
This is a zoom mode indicator that indicates that a magnification ratio other than the standard magnification ratio selected by the reduction key 140 and the enlargement key 141 is set.

In addition, 191 is a copy machine equipped with a duplex mode, and lights continuously when duplex mode is selected and the back side of the copy paper is copied, and blinks when the copy paper is ejected from the duplex tray with the back side blank. Back side copy mode indicator. Also, 19
2 is a manual feed mode indicator that indicates that the manual feed mode is set in a copying machine equipped with a manual feed tray for copy paper, and 193 is a manual feed mode indicator that indicates that a key counter is not installed in a copying machine that requires a key counter to be installed. This is a key counter display device.

Each display device of the display panel 170 is formed of, for example, a fluorescent display tube.

FIG. 5 shows the operation display section 200b of the automatic document feeder 200.

In the figure, 211 selects an automatic document feed mode (ADF mode) in which when the print key 132 is turned on once, a plurality of originals are successively set on the contact glass 101 every time a predetermined number of copies are completed. The ADF mode key 212 is used to copy one copy of a document only once when the print key 132 is turned on.
Semi-automatic document feed mode (SADF) set to 01
This is the SADF mode key for selecting the mode).

Reference numeral 213 indicates a uniform mode key for setting a uniform size mode in which the original image is copied onto copy paper of the same size selected regardless of the size of the copy original, and 214 corresponds to the combination of magnification ratio and original size. This is an automatic paper feed selection mode key for setting an automatic paper feed selection mode for feeding copy paper.

The on states of these ADF mode key 211, SADF mode key 212, size uniformity key 213, and automatic paper feed selection mode key 214 are displayed on light emitting diodes 215, 216, 217, and 218.

Further, 220 is a clear key for clearing the display of the document counter 210 that displays the number of fed document sheets.

A case in which the above configuration performs a copy operation in the page copy mode continuously with the automatic document feeder 200 will be described below.

First, the operation of the copying machine 100 in the page continuous copying mode will be described.

In this mode, the original is
The PD is vertically fed and set on the contact glass 101, and the image A from the home position HP corresponding to the scanning start position of the optical system 102 to the center position CP of the original PD is copied onto the copy paper PA1.
The image B from the center position CP to the trailing edge position EP of the document PD is copied onto the copy paper PA2.

When copying image A onto copy paper PA1, copying machine 100 operates in the same manner as when original PD is placed horizontally at half the size.

Furthermore, when copying image B onto copy paper PA2, the optical system 102, photosensitive system 103, and charger 104 are operated at the same timing as when copying the original PD in this state, and the eraser 105 also operates the image A The surface charge is removed from the photoconductor 103 at the portion corresponding to the image A to prevent the formation of an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image A, and the center position is
At the timing when CP becomes the leading edge of the image, the registration roller 111, transfer charger 112, separation charger 113, etc. are controlled to copy only the image B onto the copy paper PA2.

Note that, as a matter of course, the operation timing of the eraser 105, registration roller 111, etc. is controlled by the set image magnification ratio.
In addition, when copying only image B, the eraser 10
5, the charging charger 104 or the light source of the optical system 102 may be controlled.

Now, for example, an operator places multiple A3-sized originals on the document table 201 and presses the ADF mode key 211.
Turn on to set ADF mode, and press the same size key 13
9 to set the same size mode, select A4 size copy paper with the paper feed selection key 137, turn on the page copy key 142 to set the page continuous copy mode, and turn on the sort key 144 to sort. When the print key 132 is turned on after setting the mode and setting the number of copies by operating the numeric keypad 133, the main body control section 100a first sends the feed-in signal FI (7th
At the same time, the copy cycle signal CC (see FIG. 7a) is raised to enter a copy cycle. It also sends a command to the sorter control unit 300a to enter the sort mode.

As a result, the automatic document feeder 200 sets the first document on the contact glass 101, and when the setting is completed, sends a setting completion signal to the copying machine 100. As a result, the copying machine 100 copies the image of the first half of the document onto A4 size copy paper for the number of copies, and the sorter 300 discharges the copy paper one by one to each pin 305.

The time t ₁ when copying of this first half of the image is completed
The main body control section 100a is a sorter control section 300.
A job end signal JE (see FIG. 7b) is sent to a terminal a, thereby completing one operation of the sorter 300 and switching the bin to the first bin 305-1.

After that, the copying machine 100 copies the image of the latter half of the document onto A4 size copy paper for the number of copies, and the sorter 300 copies the copy paper again into each bin.
Eject one sheet at a time in 05.

Time t ₂ when copying of this latter half of the image is completed
Then, the main body control section 100a receives a copy cycle signal.
At the same time as CC is turned down, the job end signal JE is again sent to the control unit 300a of the sorter, and at the same time, the feedout signal FO (see FIG. 7d) is sent to the control unit 200a of the automatic document feeder.

As a result, one operation of the sorter 300 is completed, and the automatic document feeder 200 transfers the document on the contact glass 101 to the document tray 20.
Discharge at 7.

In this way, the copying operation in the page copy mode for one document is completed, and the above operations are sequentially performed for the documents placed on the document table 201, thereby completing the processing of all the documents.

[Effects] As explained above, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize page continuous copying mode in a copying machine equipped with an automatic document feeder, so that it is possible to realize a continuous page copying mode in a copying machine equipped with an automatic document feeder. This has the advantage of significantly reducing the effort involved.

Further, according to the present invention, when a sorter is attached, the transfer paper on which the image corresponding to the first section of the document is formed is the same as the transfer paper on which the image corresponding to the second section is formed. Since the transfer paper can be sorted and ejected onto the bins, the operator does not have to re-sort the ejected transfer paper, which also provides the advantage of improved operability.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control system,
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the operation display section of the copying machine, FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating the display section, FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating the operation display section of the automatic document feeder, and FIG. A plan view showing an example of copying in page continuous copying mode, and FIGS. 7a to 7d are waveform diagrams illustrating main control signals. 100...copying machine, 200...automatic document feeder.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Copy number input means for inputting the number of copies; exposure means for performing exposure scanning on the original image the same number of times as the number of copies input by the copy number input means; and placing the original at the exposure position. an automatic document feeder that stops the document conveyance and discharges the document after exposure scanning has been performed the same number of times as the number of copies input by the copy number input means; and a sorter that sorts and discharges transfer paper on which an image corresponding to the original image is formed into the same number of pins inputted by the number of copies input means, means for selecting an operation mode in which the exposure scan is divided into two sections, a first section and a second section in the exposure scanning direction, and each image is formed on a separate transfer sheet; and the selection section selects the operation mode. is selected, exposure scanning is continuously performed for the first section of the document whose conveyance is stopped at the exposure position by the automatic document feeder for the same number of times as the number of copies input by the copy number input means. control means for causing the exposure scan to be performed on the second section of the original document the same number of times as the number of copies input by the copy number input means; a first signal sending means for sending a job end signal to the sorter after the sorting operation of the transfer paper on which an image corresponding to the original image in the first section is formed; and a first signal sending means for sending a job end signal to the sorter; After the exposure scan is completed, an image corresponding to the original image in the first section is formed by a second signal sending means for sending a document ejection signal to the automatic document feeder, and a jet end signal from the first signal sending means. At the same time, the sorting operation of the transferred transfer paper is finished, and the transfer paper on which an image corresponding to the original image in the second section is formed is replaced with the transfer paper on which an image corresponding to the original image in the first section is formed. sorter control means for sorting and ejecting the documents to the same pins as the sorted pins; and automatic document feeder control means for causing the automatic document feeder to execute a document ejection operation in response to a document ejection signal from the second signal sending means. A copying apparatus characterized by having: