JPS644113Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] This invention relates to a paper-out state determination device for a copying machine equipped with a manual feed mechanism for manually feeding copy paper.

Conventionally, in copying machines, there is a manual feed mechanism that allows copies to be made by manually feeding paper from the manual paper insertion slot, and an automatic mechanism that allows copies to be made by automatically feeding paper from the paper feed cassette in which paper is stored. There are some that have both mechanisms. The copying machine in this case also includes a switch for selecting either a state in which copies can be made by manual paper feeding or a state in which copies can be made by automatic paper feed. This switch is
If it is a selection button provided on the operation panel, or if it is a movement detection switch of a cover that opens and closes the manual paper insertion slot into which paper is manually fed, or if it is a paper detection switch that is manually fed from the manual paper insertion slot. There are cases where it is used for both purposes. In any case, by operating this switch, the copying machine is switched from a state in which copying is possible using automatic paper feeding to a state in which copying is possible using manual paper feeding. In addition, the start of copying by manual paper feeding is performed almost simultaneously with the state in which manual feeding paper becomes available for copying, and the start of copying by manual paper feeding is performed at the same time as the state in which manual feeding paper becomes available for copying. Some operations cannot be performed unless the copy start button is operated. The former is a case where the above selection switch is a manual paper detection switch, and in this case, even if multiple copies are being made by automatic paper feeding, manual paper detection will occur if paper is manually fed. Some printers operate a switch to enable manual paper feeding and to immediately start manual paper feeding copying. On the other hand, the latter is a case where the selection switch is the selection button on the operation panel or the cover operation detection switch, and in this case as well, for example, the selection switch is pressed while copying is being performed by automatic paper feeding. There are some machines that can be operated to enable manual paper feeding and copying. However, to start manual paper feeding copying, it is necessary to separately operate the start button. On the other hand, this type of copying machine is equipped with a paper out status indicator, such as a paper replenishment lamp, to indicate when there is no copy paper in the paper cassette, a so-called paper out condition. Copying becomes impossible. In this case, by turning off the power to the copying machine, loading copy paper into the paper feed cassette, and then turning it on again, the out-of-paper indication by the paper replenishment lamp is canceled and the copying ready state is restored. This is true even when the above selection switch is operated to switch from a state where automatic paper feeding copying is possible to a state where manual paper feeding copying is possible; as soon as the paper replenishment lamp lights up, automatic paper feeding copying will no longer be possible. Of course, copying by manual paper feeding becomes impossible. In other words, in a copying machine equipped with a manual feed mechanism as described above, the manual feed mechanism is not utilized effectively, resulting in a waste of time and effort before copying can be resumed. Become.

This idea was devised in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to make it possible for copying machines equipped with a manual feed mechanism to utilize the manual feed mechanism effectively even when the machine runs out of paper. To provide a paper-out state determination device for a copying machine that enables continuous copying without wasting time and effort.

An embodiment of this invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In the drawing, a DC power supply +V is supplied via a resistor 1 to one end of a normally open type copy start switch 2, and the other end of this switch 2 is grounded. The copy start switch 2 is provided on the main body of the copying machine (not shown) and is operated to start copying by automatic paper feeding. Then, switch 2 is connected at the connection point between resistor 1 and switch 2.
The change in potential caused by turning on and off is supplied to an inverter circuit 3 as a logic signal of "1" or "0", and the output of this inverter circuit 3 is supplied to a NAND circuit 4. The output of this NAND circuit 4 is a flip-flop circuit (hereinafter simply
The signal is supplied to the set input terminal of the FF circuit (abbreviated as FF circuit) 5, and the FF circuit is set when the output of the NAND circuit 4 is a signal "0". Further, the output of the FF circuit 5 is supplied to a first timer circuit 6. This first timer circuit 6 is connected to the DC power supply +
V is supplied to one end of a capacitor 8 via a resistor 7, and the other end of this capacitor 8 is grounded.
The change in potential obtained through the resistor 9 connected to the connection point between the resistor 7 and the capacitor 8 is output as a logic signal of "1" or "0". At the connection point with 8, the set output of the FF circuit 5 is connected to the amplifier 1.
0 and a resistor 11 in series. At this time, the first timer circuit 6
If the output of the FF circuit 5 is the signal "0", the capacitor 8 is not charged and the signal "0" is output,
When the output of the FF circuit 5 becomes the signal "1", the capacitor 8 is charged and the signal "1" is output after a predetermined time has elapsed. The output of the first timer circuit 6 is supplied to an AND circuit 12.

Further, the DC power supply +V is supplied to one end of a normally open type copy paper detection switch 14 via a resistor 13, and the other end of this switch 14 is grounded.
The copy paper detection switch 14 is provided at a predetermined location on the conveyance path (not shown) of the main body of the copying machine, and the copy paper detection switch 14 is provided at a predetermined location on the conveyance path (not shown) of the main body of the copying machine. It is designed to turn on depending on the type of copy paper. The change in potential due to on/off of the switch 14 at the connection point between the resistor 13 and the switch 14 is "1".
Or the AND circuit 1 as a logic signal of “0”
2. Therefore,
If the switch 14 is not turned on even after a predetermined period of time has passed after the switch 2 is turned on and copying by automatic paper feeding starts, that is, there is no copy paper left in the paper feed cassette, etc. When there is no copy paper at a predetermined location, the output of the AND circuit 12 is set to be a signal "1". In this way, the first logic circuit 15 for detecting a paper-out state during automatic paper feeding is configured.

Further, a change in the potential at the connection point between the resistor 13 and the switch 14 is supplied as a logic signal to the inverter circuit 16.
The output of is supplied to an OR circuit 17. The OR circuit 17 is further supplied with the output of the AND circuit 12, and when the first logic circuit 15 detects a paper out state or the switch 14 is turned on, the output of the AND circuit 12 is supplied to the OR circuit 17. A signal "1" is obtained from the OR circuit 17. The output of the OR circuit 17 is delayed by a predetermined time by a second timer circuit 18 and then supplied to an inverter circuit 19, and the output of this inverter circuit 19 is connected to the reset input of the FF circuit 5. It is designed to be fed at the end. The second timer circuit 18
, the DC power supply +V is supplied to one end of the capacitor 21 via the resistor 20, and the capacitor 21
The other end is grounded. And the above resistor 20
Resistor 2 connected to the connection point between and capacitor 21
It outputs the change in potential obtained through 1 as a logic signal of “1” or “0”.
At the connection point between the resistor 20 and the capacitor 21,
The output of the OR circuit 17 is supplied via a resistor 23. At this time, the second
When the output of the OR circuit 17 is a signal "0", the timer circuit 18 outputs a signal "0" without charging the capacitor 21, and when the output of the OR circuit 17 becomes a signal "1", the capacitor 21 is not charged. After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, a signal "1" is output. Then, when the output of the second timer circuit 18 becomes a signal "1" and the output is inverted by the inverter circuit 19 and becomes a signal "0", the FF circuit 5 is reset. .

In addition, the copy paper insertion slot in the manual feed mechanism (not shown) of the copying machine main body is provided with a switch, such as a normally closed micro switch 25, which operates when the manual feed mechanism is used. When the door (not shown) provided in the copy paper insertion slot is opened, that is, when copying by manual paper feeding becomes possible, the switch 2 is turned on.
5 is turned off. The DC power supply +V is supplied to one end of the switch 25 via a resistor 26, and the switch 25 is supplied with the DC power +V through a resistor 26.
The other end of 5 is grounded. The change in potential due to on/off of the switch 25 at the connection point between the switch 25 and the resistor 26 is "1" or "0".
is supplied to an inverter circuit 27 as a logic signal, and the output of this inverter circuit 27 is supplied to the NAND circuit 4.

Furthermore, the DC power supply +V is supplied to one end of a normally open manual paper detection switch 29 via a resistor 28, and the other end of this switch 29 is grounded. The manual paper detection switch 29 is provided at a predetermined location on the manual paper transport path (not shown) in the main body of the copying machine, and is turned on by the manual paper conveyed through the transport path. It's summery. and,
The change in potential due to turning on and off of the switch 29 at the connection point between the resistor 28 and the switch 29 is as follows:
It is designed to be supplied to the inverter circuit 30 as a logic signal of "1" or "0". The output of this inverter circuit 30 is the third timer circuit 31
The signal is delayed by a predetermined time and then supplied to the AND circuit 32, and is also directly supplied to the AND circuit 32 without passing through the third timer circuit 31. In the third timer circuit 31, the DC power supply +V is connected to a capacitor 34 through a resistor 33.
The other end of this capacitor 34 is grounded. The change in potential obtained through the resistor 35 connected to the connection point between the resistor 33 and the capacitor 34 is output as a logic signal of "1" or "0".
The output of the inverter circuit 30 is supplied to the connection point between the inverter circuit 3 and the capacitor 34 via a resistor 36. At this time, if the output of the inverter circuit 30 is a signal "0", the third timer circuit 31 outputs a signal "0" without charging the capacitor 34, and the output of the inverter circuit 30 becomes a signal "1". Then, the capacitor 34 is charged and a signal "1" is output after a predetermined time has elapsed. The third timer circuit 31 has a time constant based on the time required for the copy sheet inserted from the manual feed mechanism to pass through a predetermined location in the manual feed path of the copying machine main body. It is set. Thus, the output of the AND circuit 32 is supplied to the OR circuit 37 together with the output of the AND circuit 12. The output of this OR circuit 37 is supplied together with the output of the inverter circuit 27 to a NAND circuit 38, and the output of this NAND circuit 38 is supplied to a set input terminal of a holding circuit, for example, an FF circuit 39. The FF circuit 39 is set when the output of the NAND circuit 38 becomes a signal "0". Further, the reset input terminal of the FF circuit 39 is supplied with a reset signal R generated from a control circuit (not shown) after the paper out state is released.

Further, the set output of the FF circuit 39 is supplied to an AND circuit 40 together with the output of the inverter circuit 27. Further, the potential change at the connection point between the resistor 26 and the switch 25 is supplied as a logic signal to an AND circuit 41, and the output of the OR circuit 37 is also supplied to this AND circuit 41. The outputs of the AND circuits 40 and 41 are both supplied to an OR circuit 42, and the output of the OR circuit 42 is used to display a paper out status indicator such as a paper replenishment lamp in the main body of the copying machine. (not shown). In this way, when the manual feed mechanism is not used, the above
A second logic circuit 43 is configured to operate the paper replenishment lamp based on the set output of the FF circuit 39.

Further, the DC power supply +V is supplied to one end of a capacitor 45 via a resistor 44, and the other end of this capacitor 45 is grounded. Then, the change in potential obtained through the resistor 46 connected to the connection point between the resistor 44 and the capacitor 45 is output to the inverter circuit 47 as a logic signal of "1" or "0".
It is now being supplied to The resistor 44 is connected to the capacitor 4 when the DC power supply +V is at zero potential.
A diode 48 for discharging 5 is connected in parallel with the polarity shown. Therefore, the output of the inverter circuit 47 is the same as that of the FF circuit 5,
39 reset input terminals, respectively. That is, after the power switch (not shown) of the copying machine is turned on, the FF circuits 5 and 39 are automatically reset after the time required for the operations of various circuit elements to stabilize. It is for.

Next, the operation of this device configured as described above will be explained.

First, when the power switch of the copying machine is turned on, a signal "0" is output from the inverter circuit 47 after a predetermined period of time required for the operation of various circuit elements to stabilize, and this signal is used to control the FF circuit. 5 and 39 are reset.
In this state, by turning on the copy start switch 2, copy paper is supplied from the paper feed cassette to the conveyance path, and the copy paper is conveyed along the conveyance path at a predetermined speed. At this time, the copy start switch 2 is momentarily turned on, and a signal "1" is supplied to the NAND circuit 4 via the inverter circuit 3. In this case, since the manual feeding mechanism is not used, the switch 25 remains on, and therefore the signal "1" is sent from the inverter circuit 27 to the NAND circuit 4.
is supplied. Therefore, the output of the NAND circuit 4 becomes the signal "0", which causes the FF circuit 5 to
is set. When the FF circuit 5 is set in this way, its set output becomes a signal "1", so the capacitor 8 of the first timer circuit 6 begins to be charged, and the output of the first timer circuit 6 becomes a signal after a predetermined time has elapsed. It becomes “1”. At this time, the copy paper detection switch 14 provided on the conveyance path is already turned on by the copy paper supplied from the paper feed cassette to the conveyance path in a normal state in which there is copy paper in the paper feed cassette. That is, when the signal "1" is supplied from the first timer circuit 6 to one input of the AND circuit 12, the signal "0" is supplied to the other input of the AND circuit 12 by turning on the switch 14 before that. is supplied. Therefore, the output of the AND circuit 12 becomes the signal "0". At this time, since the manual feed mechanism is not used, the manual paper detection switch 29 remains in the OFF state, and therefore the output of the AND circuit 32 is a signal "0". As a result, the output of the NAND circuit 38 becomes the signal "1", so the FF circuit 39 remains in its initial state, that is, in its reset state. Therefore, AND circuit 4
The output of 0 is the signal “0”, and the AND circuit 4
The output of 1 is also a signal "0". Therefore, since the output of the OR circuit 42 is the signal "0", no paper out display is made. On the other hand, the OR circuit 17 receives a signal "1" from the inverter circuit 16 when the switch 14 is turned on. Then, due to the action of the second timer circuit 18, the input of the inverter circuit 19 becomes the signal "1" after a predetermined time, and the signal "0" is supplied from the inverter circuit 19 to the reset input terminal of the FF circuit 5.
As a result, the FF circuit 5 is reset.

On the other hand, after turning on copy start switch 2,
When the output of the timer circuit 6 becomes a signal "1" after a predetermined period of time, if the copy paper detection switch 14 is not turned on, that is, if there is no paper in the paper feed cassette, the above switch is activated. 1
4 does not turn on even after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, and in such a case, both inputs of the AND circuit 12 are signal “1”.
becomes. Therefore, the output of the AND circuit 12 becomes a signal "1" and the output of the OR circuit 37 becomes a signal "1". At this time, in the AND circuit 41, since the switch 25 remains on, the other input is the signal "0", and therefore the output of the AND circuit 41 is the signal "0". Further, since the other input of the NAND circuit 38 supplied from the inverter circuit 27 is the signal "1", the output becomes the signal "0", and the FF circuit 39 is therefore set. When the FF circuit 39 is set, its set output becomes the signal "1", and at this time, the output of the inverter circuit 27 is the signal "1", so the AND circuit 40 is established and its output becomes the signal "1". becomes. Therefore, the output of the OR circuit 42 becomes a signal "1", and this signal lights up the paper replenishment lamp to indicate that the paper is out of paper and also sets the copying machine to a state in which copying is not possible.

In this case, when the door provided in the manual feed mechanism is opened, the switch 25 provided in the copy paper insertion slot of the manual feed mechanism is turned off. Then, the output of the inverter circuit 27 becomes a signal "0", and the output of the AND circuit 40 becomes a signal "0". Therefore, the output of the OR circuit 42 becomes a signal "0", the paper supply lamp goes out, and the copying ready state is restored again. That is, even if there is no paper in automatic paper feeding, the manual feeding mechanism can be effectively utilized, so that copying can be continued without wasting time and effort. Copying can thus be performed by manually inserting copy paper into the copy paper supply port of the manual feeding mechanism. In this case, the manual paper detection switch 29 provided on the manual paper transport path
However, it is turned on only when the manual paper passes through. Then, the output of the inverter circuit 30 becomes a signal "1", and therefore the output of the third timer circuit 31 becomes a signal "1" after a predetermined time. However, if the manual paper is being conveyed normally at this time, the switch 2 is activated before the output of the third timer circuit 31 becomes the signal "1".
9 is turned off, and the output of the inverter circuit 30 becomes a signal "0". Therefore, the output of the AND circuit 32 remains in the signal "0" state. However, if the manual paper gets jammed in the manual paper transport path and a jam occurs, the switch 29 remains on. Therefore, when the output of the third timer circuit 31 becomes the signal "1", the AND circuit 32 is established and its output becomes the signal "1", and the OR circuit 37 supplies the signal "1" to the AND circuit 41. Ru. At this time, since the switch 25 is off, the AND circuit 41 is established and its output becomes signal 1. Therefore, the output of the OR circuit 42 becomes a signal "1", the paper replenishment lamp lights up, and it is displayed that there is no paper during manual feeding, that is, that manual paper is jammed in the manual paper transport path. At the same time, the copying machine is set to a copy-disabled state. In this case, if the manual paper that is stuck in the manual paper transport path is removed, the switch 29 is turned off, and the output of the AND circuit 32 becomes the signal "0", which causes the output of the AND circuit 41 to become the signal "0". 0'', the paper replenishment lamp goes out and the manual feed mechanism returns to a state where copying is possible.

Further, when copying by the manual feed mechanism is finished, the switch 25 is turned on again by closing the door at the copy paper supply port of the manual feed mechanism. Then, at this time
Since the FF circuit 39 remains set due to the out-of-paper state during automatic paper feeding, the AND circuit 40 is established again and its output becomes the signal "1", and the output of the OR circuit 42 becomes the signal "1".
becomes. That is, the paper replenishment lamp lights up and the paper out state is displayed again. However,
By setting copy paper in the paper feed cassette and canceling the out-of-paper state, a reset signal R is output from a control circuit (not shown).
FF circuit 39 is reset. Therefore, FF
The circuit 39 becomes the signal “0” and the OR circuit 4
The output of No. 2 becomes a signal "0", the paper supply lamp goes out, and the state is returned to the state where copying by automatic paper feeding is possible again.

According to the above embodiment, when copying is performed by manual paper feeding using the manual feeding mechanism, the manual feeding paper may become jammed in the middle of the manual paper transport path for some reason, and the paper may become jammed. It is very convenient and practical because it displays the blank state and then returns to the copyable state by removing the paper.

Furthermore, it goes without saying that this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and that various modifications can be made without changing the gist of the invention.

As described above, according to this invention, a first logic circuit for detecting a paper-out state due to automatic paper feeding is provided, a holding circuit is provided for holding a detection signal of this first logic circuit, and a manual feeding mechanism is provided. A second logic circuit is provided which operates when the switch is in use, and outputs a paper-out signal for operating a paper-out status indicator based on the holding output of the holding circuit when the switch is not operating. With this configuration, even if a copying machine equipped with a manual feed mechanism runs out of paper, the manual feed mechanism can be used effectively, making it possible to continue copying without wasting time and effort. An extremely convenient and practical paper-out state determination device for a copying machine can be provided.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawing is a block diagram showing an embodiment of this invention. 2... Copy start switch, 5... Flip-flop circuit, 6... First timer circuit, 15... First
Logic circuit, 18...second timer circuit, 25...switch (switch that operates when using the manual feed mechanism),
31... Third timer circuit, 39... Holding circuit (flip-flop circuit), 43... Second logic circuit.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] Detecting out-of-paper condition due to automatic paper feeding in a copying machine equipped with a manual feed mechanism capable of copying by manual paper feeding and also equipped with a paper-out status indicator to display a out-of-paper condition due to automatic paper feeding. a first logic means for holding the detection signal of the first logic means; a switch that operates when the manual paper feeding mechanism is in a state where copying by manual paper feeding is possible; and second logical means for outputting a paper out signal for operating the paper out state indicator by the holding output of the holding means when the paper out state of the copying machine is not operating. Discrimination device.