JP2001305919A - Copying machine and copying system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a copying machine and a copying system capable of preventing the needless ejection of paper. SOLUTION: A control means 11 stops the feeding operation of the paper in a paper supply part 14 until an original presence/absence detection means 13 detects the presence or absence of an original where the image to be formed on the 2nd surface of a sheet of paper is drawn when remainder information acquired by a remainder information acquiring means 17 is the information to permit an image forming part 15 to form the image only on the 1st surface of a sheet of paper when an image reading part 12 reads the image of only one surface of each original and the image forming part 15 forms the image on both surfaces of the paper. Then, the control means 11 inhibits the feeding operation of the paper in the paper supply part 14 when the detection means 13 detects the presence of the original where the image to be formed on the 2nd surface of a sheet of paper is drawn.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying machine used together with a charging device for charging a user for a fee required for copying, and a copying system including the copying machine and the charging device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A copying machine includes an image reading device and an image forming device, reads an image drawn on a document by an image reading device, creates image data, and creates an image forming device based on the image data. The image on the document is copied onto the sheet by forming an image on the sheet. Generally, the image reading apparatus has an automatic document feeder, and can read an image of only one side of each document, or can read an image of both sides of each document.
Further, the image forming apparatus can form an image on only one side of each sheet, and can also form an image on both sides of each sheet. Further, depending on the type of the copying machine, the image forming apparatus may read all the images on each document and then form all the images on each sheet using the image forming apparatus. In some cases, the formation of an image on a sheet by the apparatus is performed alternately (or in a format similar to this).

A copying machine may be installed in a public place in addition to being installed in an office, and may be used together with a charging device for charging a user for a copying fee. That is, the user who intends to make a copy inputs a charge determined according to the copy conditions (the number of documents, the number of copies, monochrome / color, etc.) to the charging device, and copies using the copying machine. This fee is paid by cash,
A prepaid card or a credit card may be used.
At this time, if the amount of the fee charged to the charging device is sufficient, the user can perform all intended copying.
However, if the amount of the fee charged to the charging device is insufficient, the user cannot perform all intended copying,
Only the copy corresponding to the input amount can be made.

[0004]

In a copying machine used together with a billing device, when an image reading device reads an image of only one side of each document and an image forming device forms an image on both sides of each sheet, The following problems exist.

For example, when the image of the original to be copied by the copying machine is eight pages and the charge input to the charging device is equal to or more than the amount corresponding to the copying of eight pages, the copying machine prints the first page. The copying of the images on pages 8 to 8 is carried out without any problem, and the first to fourth sheets, each having an image formed on both sides, are discharged out of the apparatus. That is, the discharged first sheet is
The image of the first page is formed on the first surface, and the second page is formed on the second surface.
A page image is formed. The second sheet has a third page image formed on the first surface and a fourth page image formed on the second surface. On the third sheet, the image of the fifth page is formed on the first surface, and the image of the sixth page is formed on the second surface. In the fourth sheet, an image of page 7 is formed on the first surface, and an image of page 8 is formed on the second surface.

However, when the image of the document to be copied by the copying machine is eight pages, and the fee charged to the charging device is insufficient for the copying of seven pages, The copying of the images of the first to sixth pages is performed without any problem, and the first to third sheets, each having an image formed on both sides, are discharged outside the machine.

At the time when the image of the seventh page is to be formed on the first side of the fourth sheet, the balance of the fee charged to the charging device is determined to correspond to the copying of the image of one page. Has become. Therefore, after that, the image of the seventh page is formed on the first side of the fourth sheet, but the image of the eighth page is formed on the second side of the fourth sheet due to insufficient balance. I can't.

In a copying machine having a double-sided tray, the fourth
Of paper remain in this double-sided tray. Therefore, the user can open the housing panel of the copying machine and take out and obtain the fourth sheet from the double-sided tray.
On the other hand, in a copier having no double-sided tray, the fourth sheet is discharged out of the apparatus, so that the user can obtain the fourth sheet. The double-sided tray temporarily stores sheets of paper on which an image has been formed on the first side and which have not yet been formed on the second side.

Although the fourth sheet can be obtained by the user, the image of the eighth page is not formed. If the user also wants to copy the image on page 8, 1
By additionally charging a charge corresponding to the copying of the pages to the charging device, an image of the eighth page is formed on the first side of the fifth sheet in the copying machine, and the fifth sheet is discharged out of the apparatus. Is done.

That is, if the amount of the fee charged to the charging device is sufficient for the number of pages of the image of the original document to be copied by the copying machine, the paper on which images are formed on both sides is discharged outside the machine. However, when the amount of the charge charged to the charging device is insufficient, the sheet on which the image is formed on only one side remains in the double-sided tray or is discharged outside the apparatus. In addition, when an image that has not been copied due to an insufficient input charge is formed on a new sheet by adding an additional charge, the number of sheets to be discharged when the amount of the charge input to the charging device from the beginning is sufficient. As compared with No. 4, more five sheets are output. As described above, in the conventional copier, there is a case where the paper is wastefully discharged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide a copying machine and a copying system capable of preventing wasteful discharge of paper.

[0012]

A copying machine according to the present invention comprises:
A copying machine used together with a billing device for billing a user for a copying fee. (1) Image reading that feeds a document placed on a document tray and reads an image drawn on the document. (2) a document presence detecting unit for detecting the presence or absence of a document on a document tray; (3) a paper feed unit for feeding a sheet on which an image read by the image reading unit is to be formed; and (4) An image forming unit that forms an image read by the image reading unit on a sheet fed from a sheet feeding unit; and (5) a charging unit that notifies information of a fee required for image formation in the image forming unit to a charging device; (6) balance information acquiring means for acquiring balance information from a billing device before the paper feeding section feeds the paper, and (7) document presence detecting means. The presence or absence of a document on the document tray Information and information on the balance obtained by the balance information obtaining means, and an image reading operation in the image reading section, a paper feeding operation in the paper feeding section, an image forming operation in the image forming section, and a charging in the charging information notifying means. And control means for controlling the instruction operation.

The control means of the copying machine according to the present invention, when the image reading section reads an image on only one side of each document and the image forming section forms an image on both sides of each sheet, obtains balance information acquisition information. When the information of the balance obtained by the means permits the image forming unit to form an image only on the first side of one sheet, (1)
The sheet feeding operation in the sheet feeding unit is stopped until the presence or absence of a document on which an image to be formed is drawn on the second surface of the sheets is detected by the document presence detection unit. When the document presence detecting unit detects that there is no document on which the image to be formed is drawn on the second surface of the sheet, the sheet feeding operation of the sheet feeding unit is permitted, and (3) the first sheet When it is detected by the document presence / absence detecting means that there is a document on which an image to be formed is drawn on two surfaces, the sheet feeding operation of the sheet feeding unit is prohibited.

This copying machine operates as follows under the control of the control means. That is, a document placed on the document tray is fed, and an image drawn on the document is read by the image reading unit. Also, the presence / absence of a document on the document tray is detected by the document presence / absence detecting means. The image read by the image reading unit is formed by the image forming unit on a sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit. Then, information on the fee thrown for image formation in the image forming unit is notified to the charging device by the charging information notifying means, and charging is instructed to the charging device. Further, the balance information acquiring means acquires balance information from the charging device before the sheet feeding unit feeds the sheet.

In particular, when the image reading section reads an image of only one side of each document and the image forming section forms an image on both sides of each sheet, the balance information obtaining means is provided prior to the sheet feeding operation by the sheet feeding section. When the information of the balance obtained by the above is to permit the image forming unit to form an image only on the first side of one sheet, the copying machine is controlled under the control of Works like That is, the feeding operation of the paper in the paper feeding unit is stopped until the presence / absence of the document on which the image to be formed on the second surface of the one sheet is drawn is detected by the document presence detecting unit. When the document presence detecting unit detects that there is no document on which the image to be formed is drawn on the second surface of the one sheet, the sheet feeding operation in the sheet feeding unit is permitted. On the other hand, if it is detected by the document presence / absence detecting means that there is a document on which an image to be formed is drawn on the second surface of the one sheet, the sheet feeding operation in the sheet feeding unit is prohibited. By doing so, the paper on which the image is formed on the first surface is not wastefully discharged.

Further, in the copying machine according to the present invention, the information of the balance acquired by the balance information acquiring means is such that the image forming unit stores one of the information.
This permits the image to be formed only on the first side of one sheet of paper, and the presence / absence of a document on which the image to be formed is drawn on the second side of the one sheet is detected by the document presence / absence detection means. A display unit for prompting the user to add a fee to the billing device when the billing device is added. In this case, the paper on which the image has been formed on the first side is not wastefully discharged, and if the user prompts the display on the display unit to additionally input the insufficient fee, each Since the paper on which images are formed on both sides is discharged outside the apparatus, the paper is not discharged wastefully.

Further, the copying machine according to the present invention is characterized by further comprising a jam detecting means for detecting that a jam has occurred in the image forming unit. The control means of the copying machine according to the present invention, when the occurrence of the jam is detected by the jam detection means, (1) the same number of new sheets as the number of sheets remaining in the machine at the time of the occurrence of the jam And instruct the paper feed unit to feed
(2) The image forming unit is instructed to re-form an image to be formed on a sheet that was stuck in the machine when the jam occurred on a new sheet, and (3) stayed in the machine when a jam occurred. When the image forming unit re-forms a new sheet of an image to be formed on a sheet that has already been charged by the charging apparatus, the image forming unit does not notify the charging apparatus of information on the fee required for the re-forming. An instruction is given to the information notifying means. In this case, by performing the above-described control at the time of occurrence of a jam, duplication according to the input fee can be performed without waste without performing double charging.

A copying system according to the present invention includes the above-described copying machine according to the present invention and a charging device for charging a user for a fee required for copying in the copying machine. According to this copying system, the paper on which the image is formed on the first side is not wastefully discharged in the copying machine. In addition, an appropriate fee is charged to the user who intends to copy.

In the specification and drawings of the present application,
"Paper" is not limited to plain paper, but includes other specialty paper and OH
This is a concept that also includes a P sheet.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements will be denoted by the same reference symbols, without redundant description.

First, an embodiment of a copying machine according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copying machine 10 according to the present embodiment. The copying machine 10 shown in this figure is of a type having no double-sided tray. The copier 10 has an image reading apparatus 100 for reading an image drawn on an original to create image data at an upper stage, and an image forming apparatus 200 for forming an image on a sheet based on the image data at a lower stage. And a paper output tray 300 for receiving the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus 200.

The image reading apparatus 100 includes a nudger roll 1
01, feed roll 102, retard pad 103,
Take-out roll 104, registration roll 105, platen roll 106, out roll 107,
It includes a first discharge roll 108, a second discharge roll 109, an optical system 110, an image reading element 111, and a document tray 112. The image forming apparatus 200 includes a raster output scanner (R
OS: Raster Output Scanner) 201, photosensitive drum 2
02, developing unit 203, transfer charger 204, paper feed tray 2
05A to 205D, registration roll 206,
Fixing section 207, cleaning section 208, paper transport path 2
09, sheet reversing path 210 and invert gate 21
Including 1.

Next, an outline of a copying operation of the copying machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. Here, the billing is not considered. Copy conditions (paper size, paper size, etc.) are displayed on the user interface panel (not shown) on the
Scaling ratio, number of copies, monochrome / color, etc.)
Is set, and the original is placed on the original tray 112 with the surface on which the image to be copied is drawn facing upward.

When the start button is pressed, the image reading device 100 operates as follows. The original placed on the original tray 112 is picked up by the nudger roll 101 in order from the topmost one and sent to the feed roll 102 and the retard pad 103, and the feed roll 102 and the retard pad 103
To separate them one by one. Then, the separated document is transported by the take-out roll 104 and the registration roll 105 to the reading position along the transport path. The document conveyed to the reading position is conveyed at a constant speed by the platen roll 106, and the image is read by the optical system 110 and the image reading element 111 during the conveyance. At the time of this image reading, the optical system 110 remains stopped. The document for which the image reading has been completed is discharged to the document discharge tray by the out roll 107 and the first discharge roll 108.

The operation of the image reading apparatus 100 described above is for reading only an image on one side of a document, but when reading images on both sides of a document, the image reading apparatus 100 operates as follows. I do. That is, the original for which the reading of the image on the first surface has been completed is not completely discharged to the original discharge tray, but is temporarily stopped while being partially discharged and sandwiched by the first discharge roll 108. When the out roll 107 and the first discharge roll 108 rotate in the reverse direction, the document sandwiched by the first discharge roll 108 is moved along the transport path by the out roll 107, the takeout roll 104, and the registration roll 105. It is transported again to the reading position. The original conveyed again to the reading position is placed on the platen roll 106
Is transported at a constant speed by the optical system 11 during the transport.
0 and the image reading element 111 reads the image on the second surface. The original on which the reading of both sides of the image has been completed is temporarily stopped while being partially sandwiched and discharged by the first discharge roll 108, and then discharged by the first discharge roll 108 and the second discharge roll 109 which are rotated in the reverse direction. It is discharged to a tray.

The image of the document read by the image reading apparatus 100 as described above is formed on paper by the image forming apparatus 200 after the image data is subjected to image processing as necessary. You.

In the image forming apparatus 200, the ROS 201 controls the photosensitive drum 2 based on the transmitted image.
Image exposure is performed on the photosensitive drum 202, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 202. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 202 is developed by the developing unit 203 to become a toner image. On the other hand, a sheet fed from a sheet in which a sheet of a predetermined size is stored among the sheet feeding trays 205A to 205D is conveyed to a registration roll 206 by a plurality of conveying rolls and waits.

Then, the registration roll 206
Is transported in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 202, and the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 202 is transferred by the transfer charger 204. The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is fixed by the fixing unit 207 to form an image. The sheet on which the image is formed is discharged to the discharge tray 300. After the transfer process is completed, the cleaning unit 208 removes residual toner, paper dust, and the like from the photosensitive drum 202, and prepares for the next transfer process.

The operation of the image forming apparatus 200 described above is for forming an image on only one side of a sheet. However, when forming an image on each side of a sheet, the image forming apparatus 200 operates as follows. Works. That is, the sheet on which image formation on the first side has been completed is not
The sheet is guided from the sheet conveying path 209 to the sheet reversing path 210 by the invert gate 211 and temporarily stopped on the sheet reversing path 210 without being discharged. Then, the sheet is again conveyed to the registration roll 206 and once waited, then conveyed in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 202, and the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 202 is transferred to the transfer charger 204. Is transferred to the second surface. The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is fixed by the fixing unit 207 to form an image on the second surface. Then, the sheets on which the images are formed on both sides are placed in the discharge tray 30.
Discharged to zero.

Next, a functional block configuration of the copying system 1 and the copying machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the copying system 1 and the copying machine 10 according to the present embodiment. This copying system 1
A copying machine 10 whose schematic configuration has been described with reference to FIG.
0 and a charging device 20 for charging a user for a fee for copying.

The copying machine 10 has, as functional blocks, a control unit 11, an image reading unit 12, a document presence / absence detecting unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, an image forming unit 15, a billing information notifying unit 16, a balance information obtaining unit 17, and a display. It has a section 18 and a jam detecting means 19. On the other hand, the billing device 20 has a billing information acquiring unit 21, a balance information notifying unit 22, and a billing unit 23 as functional blocks. In FIG. 2, the directions in which various control signals and various information are transmitted between the blocks are indicated by arrows.

The image reading section 12 of the copying machine 10 is a functional block for feeding a document placed on a document tray 112 and reading an image drawn on the document. And image reading element 111
And so on. The document presence / absence detecting means 13 includes a document tray 112
This is to detect the presence or absence of the upper original, specifically, a light emitting element and a light receiving element embedded in the original tray 112. Light output from the light emitting element is reflected by the original and received by the light receiving element. The presence or absence of a document is detected based on whether or not there is a document.

The paper feed unit 14 of the copying machine 10 includes the image reading unit 1
2 is a functional block for feeding paper on which an image read by the image forming apparatus 2 is to be formed, and includes paper feed trays 205A to 205D of the image forming apparatus 200 and rollers for feeding paper from each paper feed tray. Image forming unit 1
Numeral 5 is for forming an image read by the image reading unit 12 on a sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit 14.
ROS 201 of image forming apparatus 200, photosensitive drum 20
2. Developing unit 203, transfer charger 204 and fixing unit 20
7 inclusive.

The charging information notifying means 16 of the copying machine 10 notifies the charging information obtaining means 21 of the charging apparatus 20 of the information on the fee required for the image forming section 15 to form an image on a sheet. Instruct the user to charge. The balance information obtaining means 17 controls the paper feed unit 14 to feed the paper before feeding.
The balance information is acquired from the balance information notification means 22 of the charging device 20.

The display unit 18 of the copier 10 is a user interface panel on the front of the copier 10, and displays a copy condition and a display for prompting a user to perform a necessary operation. For example, when images of all originals cannot be copied due to insufficient balance, the display unit 18
Displays a message prompting the user to add a charge to the charging device 20.

The jam detecting means 19 of the copying machine 10 detects the occurrence of a jam inside the image forming unit 15. Specifically, the sheet conveying path 209 and the sheet reversing path of the image forming apparatus 200 are used. Sensors provided at various points 210 detect the occurrence of a jam based on the result of detection of the presence or absence of a sheet or passage of the sheet by each sensor.

The control means 11 of the copying machine 10 includes information on the presence or absence of a document on the document tray 112 detected by the document presence detection means 13, information on the balance acquired by the balance information acquisition means 17, and jam detection means. 19 to obtain the information of the jam detection. Further, the control unit 11 controls an image reading operation in the image reading unit 12, a paper feeding operation in the paper feeding unit 14, an image forming operation in the image forming unit 15, and a charging instruction operation in the charging information notification unit 16.

The control means 11 performs the following control when the image reading section 12 reads an image of only one side of each document and the image forming section 15 forms an image on both sides of each sheet. . That is, the control unit 11 performs the balance information obtaining unit 17 before the paper feeding by the paper feeding unit 14.
Image forming unit 1 based on the information of the balance obtained by
5 determines whether or not it is permitted to form an image on only the first side of one sheet. If image formation on only the first side of one sheet is permitted, the control unit 11
Until the presence / absence of a document on which an image to be formed on the second surface of the paper is drawn is detected by the document presence / absence detection unit 13.
The paper feeding operation of the paper feeding unit 14 is stopped.
When the document presence detecting unit 13 detects that there is no document on which an image to be formed is drawn on the second surface of the sheet, the control unit 11 permits the sheet feeding unit 14 to feed the sheet. On the other hand, when the document presence detecting unit 13 detects that there is a document on which an image to be formed is drawn on the second surface of the sheet, the control unit 11 prohibits the sheet feeding operation of the sheet feeding unit 14.

The charging information acquisition means 21 of the charging device 20
The charge information notified by the charge information notifying means 16 of the copying machine 10 is obtained, and charging is instructed to the charging means 23 based on the obtained charge information. The billing means 23 grasps the amount of the fee inputted by the user, and
The balance is calculated based on the fee information obtained in step (1). The balance information notifying means 22 transmits the information of the balance calculated by the charging means 23 to the balance information obtaining means 17 of the copying machine 10.
Notify. Here, the fee information may be the amount of the fee to be charged itself, or may be information necessary for calculating the amount. The information on the balance may be the amount of the balance itself or information necessary for calculating the number of pages of an image for which image formation is permitted in the image forming unit 15 based on the amount of the balance. There may be.

Next, a control operation of the copying machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of the copying machine 10 according to the present embodiment. This flowchart is for the case where the image reading unit 12 reads an image of only one side of each document and the image forming unit 15 forms an image on both sides of each sheet. Document presence / absence detection means 13, paper feed unit 1
4, the operation of each of the image forming unit 15 and the billing information obtaining means 17 will be described.

At the timing when the paper feed unit 14 should feed the paper, prior to the paper feed operation, the control unit 11 determines whether or not all the images have been formed in the image forming unit 15 (step S1). S1). if,
If the formation of all images has not been completed, the control unit 11
Obtains balance information from the charging device 20 via the balance information obtaining means 17 and determines whether or not there is a balance corresponding to image formation on both sides of one sheet based on the balance information. Is determined (step S2).

If it is determined that there is a balance corresponding to the image formation on both sides of the sheet, the control means 11
Is permitted to feed the paper (step S3), and thereafter, the operation starts again from step S1. That is, if there is a balance corresponding to the image formation on both sides of the sheet, the charging device 20 can collect the required fee even if the image is formed on only one side of the sheet or both sides. Therefore, the control unit 11 permits the paper feeding unit 14 to feed the paper.

On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no balance corresponding to image formation on both sides of the sheet, the control means 11 determines whether there is a balance corresponding to image formation on one side of one sheet. (Step S4). If it is determined that there is a balance corresponding to the image formation on the first side of the sheet, the control unit 11
Until the presence / absence of a document on which an image to be formed on the second surface of the paper is drawn is detected by the document presence / absence detection unit 13.
The sheet feeding operation of the sheet feeding unit 14 is stopped (step S5).

When the document presence detecting unit 13 detects that there is no document on which an image to be formed is drawn on the second surface of the sheet, the control unit 11 permits the sheet feeding operation of the sheet feeding unit 14. (Step S3), and thereafter, the operation starts again from Step S1. That is, when there is a balance corresponding to the image formation on the first side of the sheet and the image formation is performed only on the first side of the sheet, the charging device 20 can collect a required fee, It is not wasteful if the sheet on which the image is formed only on the first side is discharged.
Allows the paper feed unit 14 to feed the paper.

However, when the document presence detecting unit 13 detects that there is a document on which an image to be formed is drawn on the second surface of the sheet, the control unit 11 causes the sheet feeding unit 14 to feed a new sheet. Is not permitted (step S7). That is, if there is only a balance corresponding to the image formation on one side of the sheet even though there is a document on which an image to be formed is drawn on the second side of the sheet, if the first sheet of the sheet is fed,
Since the image is formed only on the surface and the sheet is discharged and wasted, the control unit 11 prohibits the sheet feeding unit 14 from feeding a new sheet. Also, when it is determined in step S4 that there is not even the balance corresponding to the image formation on the first side of the sheet, the control unit 11 does not permit the sheet feeding unit 14 to feed a new sheet (step S7). ). Then, after step S7, the image forming unit 15
Forms an image on the paper that has already been fed, and discharges the paper on which the image has been formed (step S8). Thereafter, the copier 10 stops due to insufficient balance (step S8).
9).

Next, an example of copy scheduling of the copying machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, a case will be described in which image reading apparatus 100 reads an image of only one side of each document and image forming apparatus 200 forms an image on both sides of each sheet. Hereinafter, four cases will be described with reference to FIGS. Case 1 is a case where the number of originals is eight and the input amount is eight pages. Case 2 is a case where the number of originals is eight and the input amount is seven pages. Case 3 is a case where the number of originals is seven and the input amount is seven pages. Case 4 is a case where the number of originals is seven and the input amount is six pages.

In the copy scheduling tables shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the image reading at each pitch (the page number of the document from which the image is read by the image reading unit 12) and the balance information (obtained by the balance information obtaining unit 18). The number of pages of an image that can be formed based on the information of the balance to be formed), the presence / absence of a document (the result of detection by the document presence / absence detection unit 13), and the paper feed (formed on the first surface of the paper fed from the paper supply unit 14) Page number of an image to be formed) and image formation (image forming section 1)
5 indicates the page number of the image formed. The pitch means a certain period required for forming an image on one surface of one sheet. In the image formation section,
For example, “4/3” means that the image on page 3 has already been
This means that the image of the fourth page is formed on the second surface of the sheet formed on the surface. In the column of image formation, "s"
The meaning that no image is formed on any sheet.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining copy scheduling of the copying machine 10 according to the present embodiment in case 1. Case 1 is a case where the number of documents is eight and the input amount is eight pages. In this case 1, at the pitch 0 at which the first sheet is to be fed, the balance information is 8, and there is a document on the sheet feeding tray 112, so the first sheet is fed from the sheet feeding unit 14. . At the pitch 1, the image of the first page is read by the image reading unit 12.

At the pitch 2, the image reading unit 12
The image of the page is read, and the image of the first page is formed on the first surface of the first sheet by the image forming unit 15. The first sheet is guided to the sheet reversing path 210. Also, at pitch 2 at which the next sheet is to be fed, the balance information is 6, and there is a document on the paper feed tray 112, so the second
Is fed from the paper feeding unit 14. At the pitch 3, the image of the third page is read by the image reading unit 12, but the image is not formed on any sheet by the image forming unit 15.

At the pitch 4, the image reading unit 12
The image of the page is read, and the image of the third page is formed on the first surface of the second sheet by the image forming unit 15. The second sheet is guided to the sheet reversing path 210. At the pitch 4 at which the next sheet is to be fed, the balance information is 4, and the document is on the sheet feed tray 112, so the third sheet is fed from the sheet feeding unit 14. At the pitch 5, the image of the fifth page is read by the image reading unit 12, but the image is not formed on any sheet by the image forming unit 15.

At the pitch 6, the image reading unit 12
While reading the page image, the image forming unit 15 forms the fifth page image on the first surface of the third sheet, and the third sheet is guided to the sheet reversing path 210. At the pitch 6 at which the next sheet is to be fed, the balance information is 2 and there is a document on the sheet feed tray 112, so the fourth sheet is fed from the sheet feeding unit 14. At the pitch 7, the image of the seventh page is read by the image reading unit 12, and the sheet reversing path 210 is read by the image forming unit 15.
The image of the second page is formed on the second surface of the first sheet conveyed from the printer, and the first sheet is discharged out of the apparatus.

At the pitch 8, the image reading unit 12
The image of the page is read, and the image of the seventh page is formed on the first surface of the fourth sheet by the image forming unit 15, and the fourth sheet is guided to the sheet reversing path 210. The pitch 8 is a timing for feeding the next sheet. However, since there is no document on the sheet feed tray 112,
No paper is fed from 4. At the pitch 9, the image of the fourth page is formed on the second surface of the second sheet conveyed from the sheet reversing path 210 by the image forming unit 15, and the second sheet is discharged out of the apparatus.

At the pitch 10, no image is formed on any sheet by the image forming unit 15. Pitch 11
Then, the image of the sixth page is formed on the second surface of the third sheet conveyed from the sheet reversing path 210 by the image forming unit 15, and the third sheet is discharged out of the apparatus. Pitch 1
In 2, the image is not formed on any sheet by the image forming unit 15. At the pitch 13, the image forming unit 15
As a result, an image of the eighth page is formed on the second surface of the fourth sheet conveyed from the sheet reversing path 210, and the fourth sheet is discharged out of the apparatus.

As described above, in this case 1, the balance information acquisition / acquisition 18 is performed at each of the pitches 0, 2, 4, and 6, which are the timings at which the paper feeding unit 14 should feed the paper.
It is determined that there is a balance corresponding to the image formation on both sides of the paper based on the information on the balance obtained by the above (step S2), and the paper feeding from the paper supply unit 14 is immediately permitted (step S3). Then, the image forming unit 15 sets “1, s, 3, s, 5, 2/1, 7, 4/3, s, 6/5, s, 8/7”.
The image of each page is formed on the sheet in this order.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining copy scheduling of the copying machine 10 according to the present embodiment in case 2. Case 2 is a case where the number of originals is eight and the input amount is seven pages. In this case 2, up to the pitch 5 is substantially the same as in the case 1, and at each of the pitches 0, 2, and 4, which are timings at which the paper feeding unit 14 should feed the paper, there is a balance corresponding to image formation on both sides of the paper. Therefore, the feeding of the sheet from the sheet feeding unit 14 is immediately permitted.

However, at the pitch 6 where the fourth sheet is to be fed, the balance information is 1 (step S).
4) The paper feeding operation of the paper supply unit 14 is stopped until the presence / absence of a document on which an image to be formed on the second surface of the fourth paper is drawn is detected by the document presence / absence detection unit 13 (step S4). S5). In the period of the pitch 6, after the time when the paper is to be fed from the paper feeding unit 14,
Since the presence / absence of a document is confirmed by the document presence / absence detecting means 13, no paper is fed from the paper feed unit 14 at this pitch 6. Then, at this pitch 6, the presence or absence of the document on which the image to be formed on the second surface of the fourth sheet is drawn on the paper feed tray 112 is detected by the document presence / absence detecting means 13 (step S6). At each subsequent pitch, the paper is not fed from the paper supply unit 14 (step S7).

At the pitch 7, the image of the second page is formed on the second side of the first sheet conveyed from the sheet reversing path 210 by the image forming unit 15, and the first sheet is outside the machine. Is discharged to At the pitch 8, no image is formed on any sheet by the image forming unit 15. At the pitch 9, the image reversing path 210
The image of the fourth page is formed on the second surface of the second sheet conveyed from the printer, and the second sheet is discharged out of the apparatus. At the pitch 10, no image is formed on any sheet by the image forming unit 15. At the pitch 11, the image of the sixth page is formed on the second surface of the third sheet conveyed from the sheet reversing path 210 by the image forming unit 15.
Paper is discharged outside the machine.

As described above, in this case 2, three sheets each having images formed on both sides are discharged out of the apparatus. However, since the fourth sheet is not fed from the sheet feeding unit 14 due to insufficient balance, the sheet having only the image of the seventh page formed on the first surface is not wasted.

In this case 2, the information of the balance acquired by the balance information acquiring means 17 at pitch 6 is 1, and the original on which the image to be formed on the second side of the fourth paper is drawn When the presence or absence of the document is detected by the document presence / absence detection unit 13, the display unit 18 preferably displays a message to prompt the user to add a fee to the charging device 20.
If the user prompts the display on the display unit 18 to input an additional fee, the copier 10 forms an image of the seventh page on the first side of the fourth sheet, The image of the eighth page is formed on the second side of the sheet, and the fourth sheet is discharged outside the apparatus. The copier 10 may form the image on each side of the fourth sheet after the pitch 11, or may pause after the display unit 18 performs the above-mentioned display at the pitch 6 and stop any operation by the user. You may wait for such a response.
In any case, by doing so, the four sheets, each having an image formed on both sides, are discharged outside the apparatus, so that the sheets are not wastefully discharged.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining copy scheduling of the copying machine 10 according to the present embodiment in case 3. Case 3 is a case where the number of originals is seven and the input amount is seven pages. In this case 3, up to the pitch 5 is the same as in the case 2, and at each of the pitches 0, 2, and 4, which are the timings at which the paper supply unit 14 should feed the paper, it is assumed that there is a balance corresponding to the image formation on both sides of the paper. Since the determination is made, the paper feed from the paper feed unit 14 is immediately permitted.

The pitch at which the fourth sheet is to be fed 6
Since the information of the balance is 1 (step S4), until the presence or absence of a document on which an image to be formed on the second surface of the fourth sheet is drawn is detected by the document presence detection unit 13,
The sheet feeding operation in the sheet feeding unit 14 stops (step S5). In the period of the pitch 6, after the time at which the paper is to be fed from the paper feed unit 14, the presence or absence of the document is confirmed by the document presence / absence detecting means 13. Therefore, at the pitch 6, the paper is fed from the paper feed unit 14. Never. Then, at this pitch 6, since the document presence / absence detecting means 13 detects that the document on which the image to be formed on the second surface of the fourth paper is drawn is not on the paper feed tray 112 (step S6), At the subsequent pitch 8, the fourth sheet is fed from the sheet feeding unit 14 (Step S).
3).

Since the feed of the fourth sheet by the sheet feeding unit 14 is stopped by two pitches from the pitch 6, the image reading operation by the image reading unit 12 is also stopped by two pitches. Therefore, at the pitch 7, the image of the second page is formed on the second surface of the first sheet conveyed from the sheet reversing path 210 by the image forming unit 15, and the first page is formed.
Paper is discharged outside the machine. At the pitch 8, no image is formed on any sheet by the image forming unit 15, but the fourth sheet is fed from the sheet feeding unit 14. At the pitch 9, the image of the seventh page is read by the image reading unit 12, and the image of the fourth page is formed on the second surface of the second sheet conveyed from the sheet reversing path 210 by the image forming unit 15. Then, the second sheet is discharged out of the apparatus.

At the pitch 10, the image of the seventh page is formed on the first surface of the fourth sheet by the image forming section 15, and the second page is formed.
Is guided to the sheet reversing path 210. At the pitch 11, the image forming unit 15 forms an image of the sixth page on the second surface of the third sheet conveyed from the sheet reversing path 210, and the third sheet is discharged out of the apparatus. Pitch 12
In Nos. To 14, the image forming unit 15 does not form an image on any sheet. At the pitch 15, the image forming unit 15 outputs a blank sheet on the second surface of the fourth sheet conveyed from the sheet reversing path 210, and the fourth sheet is discharged outside the apparatus.

As described above, in this case 3, the three sheets, each having an image formed on both sides, are discharged out of the apparatus. In addition, the fourth sheet on which the image of the seventh page is formed on the first surface is also discharged outside the apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining copy scheduling of the copying machine 10 according to the present embodiment in case 4. Case 4 is a case where the number of originals is seven and the input amount is six pages. In this case 4, up to a pitch 5 is substantially the same as in the case 3, and at each of the pitches 0, 2, and 4, which are timings at which the paper feed unit 14 should feed the paper, there is a balance corresponding to image formation on both sides of the paper. Therefore, the feeding of the sheet from the sheet feeding unit 14 is immediately permitted.

However, at the pitch 6 where the fourth sheet is to be fed, the balance information is 0 (step S
4) The paper is not fed from the paper supply unit 14 at each subsequent pitch (step S7). in this case,
Conveyance of another sheet that has already been fed and is present in the apparatus can be continued. Therefore, at the pitch 7, the image of the second page is formed on the second surface of the first sheet conveyed from the sheet reversing path 210 by the image forming unit 15, and the first page is formed.
Paper is discharged outside the machine. At the pitch 8, no image is formed on any sheet by the image forming unit 15. At the pitch 9, the image forming unit 15 applies the fourth sheet to the second surface of the second sheet conveyed from the sheet reversing path 210.
A page image is formed, and the second sheet is discharged out of the apparatus. At the pitch 10, no image is formed on any sheet by the image forming unit 15. At the pitch 11, the image of the sixth page is formed on the second side of the third sheet conveyed from the sheet reversing path 210 by the image forming unit 15,
This third sheet is discharged out of the apparatus.

As described above, in this case 4, three sheets each having images formed on both sides are discharged outside the apparatus. However, since the fourth sheet is not fed from the sheet feeding unit 14 due to insufficient balance, the sheet having the image of the seventh page formed on the first surface is not discharged.

In any of the cases 1 to 4 described above, a jam may occur in the image forming unit 15 after the paper is fed by the paper feeding unit 14 and before the paper is discharged outside the machine. The paper remaining in the machine when the paper jam occurs is the paper that has been fed from the paper feeding unit 14 after it has been confirmed that the balance is sufficient. Some have been charged by the device 20. Therefore, when the jam detection unit 19 detects the occurrence of a jam, the control unit 11 preferably performs the following control.

That is, when the jam detecting means 19 detects the occurrence of a jam, the display unit 19 displays the fact and prompts the user to remove the paper remaining in the apparatus.
When the paper inside the machine is removed by the user, the control means 1
1 instructs the sheet feeding unit 14 to feed the same number of new sheets as the sheets remaining in the apparatus when the jam occurs. Further, the control unit 11 instructs the image forming unit 15 to re-form an image to be formed on the sheet remaining inside the apparatus when the jam occurs on a new sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit 14. To instruct. further,
When the image forming unit 15 re-forms on a new sheet, among the images to be formed on the sheet remaining in the machine when the jam occurs, the image that has already been charged by the charging apparatus 20 is controlled. The billing information notifying means 1 does not notify the billing device 20 of the fee information required for the reconstruction.
Instruct 6.

Since the control means 11 knows the copy scheduling as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, based on this, it obtains the number of sheets remaining in the machine when a jam occurs. The page numbers of the images to be formed on these sheets can also be obtained, and the page numbers of the images already charged by the charging device 20 among the images to be formed on these sheets can also be obtained. be able to. By performing the above-described control at the time of occurrence of a jam, it is possible to perform copying according to the input fee without waste without performing double charging.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, although the copying machine of the above embodiment does not have a double-sided tray, the present invention is also applicable to a copying machine having a double-sided tray.

[0072]

As described in detail above, according to the copying machine of the present invention, the image reading section reads an image of only one side of each document, and the image forming section forms an image on both sides of each sheet. In this case, the information on the balance obtained by the balance information obtaining means prior to the paper feeding operation by the paper feeding unit permits the image forming unit to form an image on only the first side of one sheet. In the copying machine according to the present invention, the paper in the paper feeding unit is kept until the presence or absence of a document on which an image to be formed on the second surface of the one sheet is drawn is detected by the document presence / absence detecting means. Feed operation stops. When the document presence detecting unit detects that there is no document on which the image to be formed is drawn on the second surface of the one sheet, the sheet feeding operation in the sheet feeding unit is permitted. On the other hand, if it is detected by the document presence / absence detecting means that there is a document on which an image to be formed is drawn on the second surface of the one sheet, the sheet feeding operation in the sheet feeding unit is prohibited. By doing so, the paper on which the image is formed on the first surface is not wastefully discharged.

The information on the balance obtained by the balance information obtaining means permits the image forming section to form an image on only the first side of one sheet, and the information of the one sheet The image processing apparatus further includes a display unit for prompting the user to add a fee to the charging device when the document presence / absence detection unit detects that a document on which an image to be formed is drawn exists on the second surface. Is preferred. In this case, the paper on which the image has been formed on the first side is not wastefully discharged, and if the user prompts the display on the display unit to additionally input the insufficient fee, each Since the paper on which images are formed on both sides is discharged outside the apparatus, the paper is not discharged wastefully.

Preferably, the apparatus further includes a jam detecting means for detecting that a jam has occurred in the image forming section. The control means of the copying machine according to the present invention, when the occurrence of the jam is detected by the jam detection means, (1) the same number of new sheets as the number of sheets remaining in the machine at the time of the occurrence of the jam And (2) instruct the image forming unit to re-form an image to be formed on the paper remaining inside the machine when a jam occurs on a new paper sheet. (3) When the image forming unit re-forms a new sheet of an image to be formed on a sheet remaining inside the apparatus when a jam occurs, the image has already been charged by the charging apparatus. It is preferable to instruct the charging information notifying means not to notify the charging device of information on the fee required for formation. In this case, by performing the above-described control at the time of occurrence of a jam, duplication according to the input fee can be performed without waste without performing double charging.

A copying system according to the present invention includes the above-described copying machine according to the present invention, and a charging device for charging a user for a fee required for copying in the copying machine. According to this copying system, the paper on which the image is formed on the first side is not wastefully discharged in the copying machine. In addition, an appropriate fee is charged to the user who intends to copy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copying machine 10 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a copying system 1 and a copying machine 10 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of the copying machine 10 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a copying machine 10 according to the embodiment in a case 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining copy scheduling.

FIG. 5 shows a copying machine 10 according to the embodiment in a case 2;
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining copy scheduling.

FIG. 6 shows a copying machine 10 according to the embodiment in case 3;
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining copy scheduling.

FIG. 7 shows a copying machine 10 according to the embodiment in a case 4;
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining copy scheduling.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Copy system, 10 ... Copy machine, 11 ... Control means, 1
2 ... image reading unit, 13 ... document presence / absence detecting means, 14 ... paper feeding unit, 15 ... image forming unit, 16 ... charge information notifying unit, 17
... balance information obtaining means, 18 display unit, 19 jam detection means, 20 charging apparatus, 21 charging information obtaining means, 22
... balance information notifying means, 23 ... billing means.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A copying machine used together with a billing device for billing a user for a fee required for copying, wherein a document placed on a document tray is fed and an image drawn on the document is read. An image reading unit, a document presence / absence detection unit that detects presence / absence of a document on the document tray, a paper feeding unit that feeds a sheet on which an image read by the image reading unit is to be formed, An image forming unit that forms the read image on a sheet fed from the paper feeding unit; and information on a fee required for image formation in the image forming unit is notified to the charging device. Charging information notifying means for instructing charging, balance information obtaining means for obtaining balance information from the charging apparatus before the paper feeding section feeds the paper, and document presence detecting means. Information on the presence or absence of a document on the document tray detected, and information on the balance obtained by the balance information obtaining means, an image reading operation in the image reading section, and a paper feed in the paper feeding section. Control means for controlling an operation, an image forming operation in the image forming section, and a charging instruction operation in the charging information notifying section, wherein the control section controls the image reading section to read an image of only one side of each document. In the case where the image forming unit forms an image on both sides of each sheet, the information of the balance acquired by the balance information acquiring unit is:
When the image forming section permits the image to be formed only on the first side of one sheet, the presence or absence of a document on which the image to be formed is drawn on the second side of the one sheet The paper feeding operation in the paper feeding unit is stopped until the document is detected by the document presence / absence detection means, and if there is no document on which an image to be formed is drawn on the second surface of the one sheet, When it is detected by the presence / absence detection means, the sheet feeding operation in the paper feeding unit is permitted, and when there is a document on which an image to be formed on the second surface of the one sheet is present, the document presence / absence detection means When detected by
A copying machine for inhibiting a sheet feeding operation in the sheet feeding unit. 2. The information on the balance obtained by the balance information obtaining means permits the image forming section to form an image on only the first side of one sheet, and
When it is detected by the document presence detecting means that there is a document on which an image to be formed is drawn on the second surface of the sheets, a message is displayed to prompt the user to add a fee to the charging device. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit.
The copier described. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a jam detecting unit configured to detect a jam occurring in the image forming unit, wherein the control unit determines that the jam has been detected by the jam detecting unit. The paper feed unit is instructed to feed the same number of new papers as the papers remaining in the machine when the error occurs, and the image to be formed on the papers remaining in the machine when the paper jam occurs. The image forming unit is instructed to re-form on the new sheet, and among the images to be formed on the sheets remaining in the machine when the jam occurs, the images that have already been charged by the charging device, When the image forming unit re-forms on the new sheet, the charge information notifying unit instructs the charge information notifying unit not to notify the charge device of the charge required for the re-formation. , Copying machine according to claim 1, wherein a. 4. A copying system comprising: the copying machine according to claim 1; and a charging device for charging a user for a fee required for copying in the copying machine.