JPH0573018B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying machine to which a sorter can be connected, and more particularly to a control mechanism in a copying machine that links and controls the connection of a sorter and the ejection of jam paper. be.

2. Description of the Related Art Apart from large electrophotographic copying machines, small and medium-sized copying machines are configured to have automatic document feeders and sorters installed as options. This type of copying machine is pre-installed with a control mechanism that is associated with an optional device. However, this only concerns basic control, and generally does not take into account the case where an optional device performs a special operation or a copying machine main body performs a unique operation.

When a sorter is attached to a copying machine, if a jam occurs in the copying machine, the problem is how to handle this in relation to the sorting operation of the sorter. One unique case is when the jamming process is incomplete and the copy paper remains in the copying machine. When copying is restarted, the remaining copy paper is ejected first, resulting in random sorting.
Furthermore, a jam may occur on the sorter side due to a difference in paper size.

On the other hand, regarding the above matters, as the prior art,
Although JP-A-56-50348 and JP-A-54-61536 have been proposed, the former relates to controlling the operation of a sorter when a jam occurs in a copying machine, and the latter relates to control of the operation of a sorter when a jam occurs in a copying machine. However, none of them is intended to solve problems such as ejection of paper left behind in a jam.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention The present invention solves the above-mentioned problem, that is, how to rationally process the remaining paper in connection with the connection of the sorter when there is paper remaining after the jam processing. This is what we are trying to solve.

Means for Solving the Problems As a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a copying machine to which a sorter can be connected. When the ejection of the paper is detected, when the sorter is not connected, the ejected copy paper is ejected as it is, and when the sorter is connected and the sorter is in the sorting mode, switching control is performed to stop the copying operation. The basic feature is that it is equipped with means and prioritizes the function of the sorter.

Effect If the remaining copy paper is ejected before the first copy paper when the copier is in preliminary operation when the power is turned on again after jam processing, the sorter may not be connected or However, if the copy paper is in the non-sort mode, the remaining copy paper is ejected as is, and if a sorter is connected and the copy paper is in the sort mode, a jam occurs on the copying machine main body side.

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically explained by referring to examples shown in the accompanying drawings.

First, with reference to FIG. 1, the configuration and operation of a copying machine that can operate in an operation mode linked to a sorting mode will be schematically explained.

A photosensitive drum 1 is supported at approximately the center of the main body of the copying machine 100 so as to be rotatable in the counterclockwise direction in the figure, and around it are an eraser lamp 2, an electrification charger 3, a developing device 4, and a transfer charger. 5. A separation charger 6 and a cleaning device 7 are arranged in sequence. The photoreceptor drum 1 has a photoreceptor layer provided on its surface, and this photoreceptor is sensitized and charged by passing through the eraser lamp 2 and charging charger 3, and is exposed to image forming light from the scanning optical system 10. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface.

A scanning optical system 10 includes an original glass 1 on which an original is placed.
It is constructed so that the original image can be scanned below the photosensitive drum 1, and consists of a light source, a group of movable mirrors, a lens, and a fixed mirror for image formation. It is driven to move to the left in the figure at a related speed.

Copy paper is placed in two upper and lower cassettes of different sizes.
1, 22 or a general-purpose cassette 23 through an automatic paper feeding mechanism 20 into the machine. The copy paper fed by any one of the paper feed rollers 24, 25, 26 is transported to a carry-in roller 27 for carrying it into the copying section.
, and is temporarily stopped by a timing roller 30 . A first paper sensor CE1 is provided between the carry-in roller 27 and the timing roller 30 to check the feeding of copy paper.

The copy paper, once stopped by the timing roller 30, is sent to the transfer section in synchronization with the image formed on the photosensitive drum 1. Transfer charger 5
The toner image is transferred by the separation charger 6.
It is separated from the surface of the photoreceptor 1 by. The sheet is then sent to the fixing device 32 via the conveyance belt 31, where the image is fixed, and then conveyed to the sorter 400 via the discharge roller 33. A second paper sensor CE2 is installed near the discharge roller 33 to check the discharge of copy paper.

Sorter 400 is installed in the paper discharge section of copying machine 100. When the sorter 400 is electrically connected to the main body of the copying machine 100, the sorter 400 and the copying machine 100
The controls are related to each other. Specifically, when multi-copy is executed when the mode of the sorter 400 is the sort mode, the motor 430 that drives the sorter is activated, and the deflection unit 431 that distributes the ejected sheets to each bin is directed to the topmost bin 401. Copy sheets are sequentially lowered from the facing position and fed into the bins 401 to 410 one by one, and when the multi-copying of the document is completed, the deflection unit 431 is moved again to the position corresponding to the topmost bin 401, and the next Wait until copying of the original starts. When copying is started again, a sorting operation similar to that described above is performed. Incidentally, the sensors 420 provided in a pair above and below between the deflection section 431 and the bin section that move up and down are connected to each bin 401 from the deflection section 431.
This is for monitoring paper discharge to 410.

FIG. 2 shows the operation panel of the copying machine 100.
1 is a print key operated when starting copying, 72 is a print key that displays the number of copies and the status of the copying machine.
Segment type display, 80 to 89 are numeric keys for setting the number of copies, 93 and 94 are up-down keys for setting image density, 92 is a paper size selection key, and 92a to 92d are keys for selecting the selected paper size. This is the display section.

FIG. 3 shows the operation panel of the sorter 400.
Reference numeral 440 is a selection key for selectively switching between sort mode and non-sort mode, and 441 and 442 are display units for the selected mode, respectively. Sorter 400 performs the operation in the lit mode.

The copying machine 100 having the above configuration has a fourth
As shown in the figure, the first CPU 201, the second CPU 20
2 is associated with a control device 200 including a microcomputer so as to be operationally controlled by. Furthermore, this control device 200 controls the sorter 40
It is also associated with a control device including a microcomputer that controls the operation of the copying machine 100 and the copying machine 100 by exchanging signals with a third CPU (not shown) that plays a central role in controlling the sorter 400. Control is performed in integral association with the sorter 400.

The first CPU 201 operates on a switch matrix including numeric keys 80 to 89, a print key 71, other keys 90 to 94, a first sensor CE1, a second sensor CE2, etc. arranged on the operation panel of the copying machine 100, and the numeric keypad 80. It is connected via a decoder 203 to a display section 72 that displays the number of copies to be made and the status of the copying machine according to the operations in steps 89 to 89, and light emitting diodes for various displays.

In order to control the operation of the copying machine, the first CPU 201 has an output port connected to drive circuits (not shown) for a main motor, a developing motor, various clutches, chargers, etc., and also inputs an interrupt signal. It is connected to the second CPU 202 and the third CPU of the sorter 400 via an output terminal (INT) and data input/output terminals (Sin) and (Sout).

The second CPU 202 executes operation control of the scanning optical system 10 of the copying machine 100, and is connected to a scan motor control circuit 204, a variable power lens control circuit 205, various optical system detection switches, and the like.

The third CPU related to the sorter includes a paper ejection sensor 420,
In addition to accepting input signals from the sort mode selection key 440 and the like, the motor 430 and the deflection unit 43
It sends signals to the first sort mode display section 441, non-sort mode display section 442, etc., and performs data communication with the first CPU 201 via the interrupt terminal.

A procedure in which the copying machine 100 and the sorter 400 are controlled in association with each other by the control circuit 200 will be explained using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 to 11.

FIG. 5 shows the copying machine 1 executed by the first CPU 201.
This is a flowchart that comprehensively shows the operation control of 00.The power is turned on, the CPU is reset,
When the program starts, initial settings are first performed in step (#1). What is the initial setting?
Processing to set variable operations for the copying machine 100 to standard states, such as setting the display unit 72 for the number of copies to "1", processing to clear RAM, registers, etc. in the CPU, and various processes built into the CPU. Processing such as setting the initial value of a timer.

Step (#2) is a copying operation routine for operating each operational element in the copying machine 100 to execute copying, the details of which will be explained with reference to FIG.

In step (#3), it is checked whether there is any copy paper that is not ejected in the copying machine 100, and the sorter 400
This is a discharge sensor processing routine for controlling discharge in connection with the connection of the discharge sensor, and its details will be explained with reference to FIG.

Step (#4) is a jam processing routine that detects a jam occurring in the copying machine 100 and processes the jam at that time.The details will be explained with reference to FIG.

Step (#5) is a step for data communication with the second CPU 202 and the third CPU built in the sorter 400, and in addition to the routines (#2) to (#4),
Executed after calling all the various routines not listed here.

In step (#6), an internal timer, which is set so that the processing time of the program in the first CPU 201 remains constant regardless of the processing content, is used to determine the end of the program, and each time the program ends, the process returns to step (#2).
Execute the above processing routine repeatedly. In addition,
Based on the length of time of this one routine, various timers used in each routine are counted, and the end of the timer is determined based on the number of times this one routine has been counted.

In FIG. 6a showing the copy operation routine,
At step (#201), turn on print switch 71.
When the ON edge is determined, the copy start flag indicating that the copy operation can be started is set to "1" in step (#202).

In the subsequent step (#203) in FIG. 6b, it is determined whether the copy start flag is "1", and if it is "1", the process proceeds to the next step (#204). In step (#204), it is determined whether the copying operation to be performed is for the first copy. 1
If it is the first scan, the process advances to step (#205) and sets the first scan flag to "1", which indicates that this is the first scan after the power is turned on. When copying other than the first copy, step (#205) is skipped.

In step (#206), the main motor, developing motor, electrostatic charger, and transfer charger are energized to the operable state, the copy start flag is reset to "0", and the timer (T-A) and the timer are activated. (T-B) respectively.

In the next steps (#207) to (#210), one of the two upper and lower paper feed cassettes 21 and 22 is selected, and if the upper paper feed cassette 21 is selected, the first paper feed roller 24 is selected. Turn clutch (CL) ON
However, if it is the lower paper feed cassette 22, the clutch (CL) of the second paper feed roller 25 is turned on. In addition, the actual operation signal for each element is a step (#227).
It is output in .

Timer (TA) at step (#211)
If it is determined that the paper is being fed normally, the upper or lower paper feed roller clutch is turned OFF in step (#212). Next step (#213)
The end of the timer (T-B) is determined. That is, it is checked whether or not the paper has been fed before the timing roller 30. If it has been completed, the scan signal for starting scanning is set to "1" in step (#214).

In the subsequent step (#215) of FIG. 6c, it is determined whether the timing signal output as the scanning optical system 10 moves has become "1", and if it is "1", the step (#216) is performed. Turn on the timing roller clutch and set the timer (TC). A time corresponding to the forward movement of the scanning optical system 10 is set in the timer (TC).

In the above steps (#211) to (#216), the fed copy paper is temporarily stopped before the timing roller 30, waits for a timing signal output as the scanning optical system 10 moves, and waits for the timing signal to be output as the scanning optical system 10 moves. By operating the timing roller 30 at the output timing of the signal, the leading edge of the copy paper and the leading edge of the image are synchronized.

In steps (#218) to (#219), after a certain period of time counted by the timer (T-C) after the timing signal is output, the electrostatic charger is turned off, the scan signal is set to "0", and the timing roller clutch is turned off. Turn off and stop imaging. This completes the first scan, so reset the first scan flag to "0" in step (#218).

In step (#220), it is determined whether the return signal output when the scanning optical system 10 is about to return to its original position is "1", and when it is in the middle of the return movement, it is determined in step (#221). Determine whether copying operations have been performed for the set number of sheets. If the multi-copy has not been completed, the copy start flag is set to "1" again in step (#224), and the process proceeds to step (#225). If it is determined in step (#221) that the multi-copy has been completed, the fixed position signal "1" is outputted when the scanning optical system 10 returns to the original fixed position in step (#222).
After that, turn off the developing motor and transfer charger, and set the timer (T-D).

In steps (#225) to (#226), the main motor is stopped at the timing when the timer (T-D) ends. And step (#227)
Now, the signals output in the above routine are collectively output to each element.

In FIG. 7 showing details of the discharge sensor processing routine (#3), first, in step (#301), the ON edge of the second sensor CE2 is determined. If the first scan flag is "1" at this ON edge timing, the copy paper just discharged is determined to be the paper left behind after the jam processing. In other words, the second sensor CE2 is not turned ON immediately by the first scan after the power is turned on.In other words, since it is not the timing for the fed paper to be ejected, the first sensor CE1 and It is determined that the paper remained in the paper conveyance path between the second sensor CE2 without turning on both sensors.

In the next step (#303), it is determined whether or not the sorter 400 is connected to the copying machine 100, and if it is connected, it is determined whether its operation mode is sort mode or non-sort mode. . If it is connected and in sort mode, proceed to the next step (#304) and copy machine 10.
Assuming that a jam has occurred on the 0 side, the jam 2 flag indicating this state is set to "1". Even if the sorter 400 is connected, it is not in sort mode.
In other words, if it is in non-sort mode, it returns as is. Further, if the sorter 400 is not connected, the process returns in the same way. In both of the above cases,
The remaining paper is discharged as is, and in the former case, it is placed in a specific bin of the sorter 400, and in the latter case, it is sent to a specific bin of the copying machine 100.
The paper is output to the paper output tray.

Next, details of the jam processing routine (#4) will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this routine, the occurrence of a jam in both the paper feeding path and the copied paper ejection path is detected by monitoring the output of the first sensor CE1 and the second sensor CE2 and the time by a timer, and distinguishes the occurrence state. Separately, processing for displaying on the display unit 72 is performed.

First, in steps (#401) to (#405), at the timing of the ON edge of the power switch (SW),
The paper is connected to the first sensor CE1 and the second sensor CE2
Find out if it's affected. The first sensor CE1
If it is ON, set the jam 1 flag to “1” and set the jam 1 flag to “1”.
If sensor CE2 is ON, the jam 2 flag is set to "1".

If it is not the timing for the ON edge of the power switch, proceed to step (#406) and subsequent steps. In steps (#406) to (#409), the timer (J1),
Set the timer (J2). Step (#41
In steps 0) to (#414), the timer (J1) is reset by turning on the first sensor CE1, and in the second and subsequent scans, that is, when the first scan flag is “0”, the second sensor CE2 is turned on. Reset the timer (J2) and monitor whether paper feeding and ejection are performed normally.

Steps (#415) to (#418) are executed when the paper is not fed or ejected normally, that is, the timers (J1) and (J2) are not reset (the paper does not reach sensor CE1 or CE2). ), it is assumed that a jam has occurred and a jam occurs in steps (#416) and (#418), respectively.
Set "1" to the flag and "1" to the jam 2 flag.

In steps (#419) to (#423), a jam is displayed according to the state of the jam, and the copying machine 10 is
Performs processing to stop the operation of 0. If it is determined in step (#419) that the jam 1 flag is "1", the process proceeds to step (#420) and the copying machine 1 is
“〓 is displayed in the copy number display section 72 of the operation panel of
1" is displayed, and all outputs are turned OFF in step (#423) to stop the copying operation.
If the jam 1 flag is not "1" in step (#419), proceed to step (#421) and jam 2.
The flag is determined, and if it is "1", "2" is displayed on the copy number display section 72 in step (#422), and the copying operation is immediately stopped. In addition, if both the jam 1 flag and the jam 2 flag are “1”,
The jam 1 flag is displayed with priority.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart for comprehensively controlling the operation of the sorter 400. In step (S1), the third CPU that controls the operation of the sorter 400 is initialized, the RAM is cleared, various registers are set, the built-in timer is started, and the deflection unit 431 is set to the position corresponding to the topmost bin 401. Execute initialization such as.

In step (S2), the processing mode of the sorter 400 is switched between a sort mode and a non-sort mode, the details of which will be explained with reference to FIG. Step (S3) is a sorting processing routine for executing an actual sorting operation, the details of which will be explained with reference to FIG. Step (S4) is
Processing other than steps (S2) and (S3) is performed, and in the next step (S5), it is determined whether a timer for making the processing time of one routine constant is terminated. The interrupt routine at step (S6) operates in response to an interrupt request (INT) from the first CPU 201, regardless of the progress of the main routine consisting of steps (S1) to (S5), and performs data communication with this CPU.

In the mode switching processing routine (S2) of FIG. 10, when the ON edge of the mode switching switch 440 is detected in step (S201), in steps (S202) to (S204), if the mode is currently in the sort mode, the non-sort mode is selected. mode, the display section 441 is turned off and the display section 442 is turned on. Conversely, when the non-sort mode is set, the mode is switched to the sort mode in steps (S202) and (S205) to (S206), and the display section 441 is turned on and the display section 442 is turned off. The sorter 400 executes an operation mode corresponding to the display on each of the display sections 441 and 442, respectively.

Figure 11 is the sorting processing routine (S3)
This is a flowchart showing the details. If the display section 441 is not turned on in step (S301), it is the non-sort mode, and the process returns directly. In the non-sort mode, the deflection section 431 is positioned at a position corresponding to the initially set uppermost bin 401, and the set number of copy sheets are continuously discharged into this bin 401. Further, the remaining paper after the jam processing is also discharged to the top bin 401 in the non-sort mode.

When in sort mode, step (S302)~
In (S304), when the over flag is "0", the bin number is incremented at the timing when copy paper is ejected from the copying machine 100. That is,
When the deflection unit 431 is in the position corresponding to the bin 401 with the bin number "1", the copy paper is placed in the copying machine 10.
When the timing for ejecting from 0 comes, the bin number is set to "2", and after the copy paper is ejected into the bin with the bin number "1", the deflection unit 431 is set to correspond to the incremented bin number "2". move it to the desired position.

After incrementing the bin number in step (S304), in the next step (S305), it is determined by the output of sensor 420 whether the number of copies set in advance by inputting on the numeric keypad has been ejected, and if it has not been ejected, it is determined. Proceed to step (S306). Here, the bin number is the highest, that is, the lowest bin 4.
It is determined whether the number exceeds 10.
If it does not exceed the limit, the process returns and continues the sorting operation. If it exceeds, step (S307)
The program proceeds to step S309, sets the over flag to "1", and returns the bin number to "1". The deflection unit 431 is driven upward to the position of the topmost bin 401. If the set number of sheets has not yet been ejected, the bin number is not incremented and the deflection unit 431 is positioned at the topmost bin 401.
Copy sheets are continuously discharged into the same bin 401.

If it is determined in step (S305) that the set number of sheets has been ejected, the process proceeds to step (S308).
Then, the over flag is set to "0". Force the bin number to “1” in the next step (S309)
When the deflection unit 431 is
The copying machine is driven to the position, is oriented at that position, and waits for the start of the next copying operation.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above detailed description, according to the present invention, the copying machine main body can perform the optimal Since the switching is possible, it is easy to dispose of paper left behind after jamming, and the user is not inconvenienced. In particular, it is possible to prevent random sorting due to leftover paper, and also to prevent jamming on the sorter side due to differences in paper size.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a copying machine to which the present invention can be applied, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the operation panel of the copying machine main body, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the operation panel of the sorter, and FIG. A schematic circuit diagram of the copying machine; FIG. 5 is a flowchart that generally shows the control of the copying machine; FIGS. 6a, b, and c are flowcharts showing details of the copy operation routine; and FIG. 7 is a discharge sensor processing routine. 8 is a flowchart showing details of the jam processing routine, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing general control of the sorter,
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of the mode switching processing routine, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing details of the sorting processing routine. 1... Photosensitive drum, 10... Scanning optical system, 1
00...Copy machine, 400...Sorter, CE1...
The first sensor in front of the timing roller, CE2
...Second sensor located in the discharge roller section.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a copying machine to which a sorter can be connected, if the ejection of another copy paper is detected before the ejection of the first fed paper at the start of copying, when the sorter is not connected, the above A paper discharge control device for a copying machine, comprising a control means for performing switching control so as to discharge the discharged copy paper as it is and to stop the copying operation when the sorter is connected and the sorter is in a sort mode. .