JP2715429B2 - Index mark imprinting device for electrophotographic copier - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (Industrial application field) The present invention relates to an index mark imprinting apparatus of an electrophotographic copying machine, and forms an index mark around a sheet while an image is formed on the sheet. In addition, it is used for displaying for towing or the like.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, when an index is provided in a file or the like of a copy, an index piece that sticks out to the outside of a required page of the filed copy is attached.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In the above-mentioned conventional method, the operation is complicated since the index pieces have to be stuck.

In addition, since the pasted index pieces protrude from the filed copy, they are susceptible to external effects such as catching. For this reason, if the index piece is weaker than the copy, it is likely that the index piece itself will be damaged, and if the index piece is strong, the index piece pasting boundary of the copy will be damaged. In any case, it is difficult to withstand long-term use. Therefore, the applicant first provided an index mark on one side of the original placing portion, and the index mark imprinting device which automatically changed the position and imprinted it on one side of the copy sheet along with copying of the original image. Suggested. However, the size of the sheet used for copying is not fixed. For this reason, if an attempt is made to use the entire range of one side of the maximum size sheet as the position update range for index mark imprinting, the change range of the imprinting position will be exceeded for copy sheets smaller than that, and the imprinting of the mark will fail. You will fly. To solve this problem, if the shift range of the imprint position is set according to the minimum size copy sheet, the mark can be imprinted using the entire range of one side of the copy sheet of a larger size. It is inconvenient because it cannot be done.

The present invention adjusts at least one of the number of steps of change in the position where the index mark is imprinted and the mark size in accordance with the size of the copy sheet, so that the index mark of the electrophotographic copying machine can solve the above-described problems. It is an object to provide an imprinting device.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an imprinting means for imprinting an index mark along one side of a copy sheet, and an imprinting position of the index mark on the copy sheet. And a control means for changing the number of steps of changing the imprint position of the index mark according to the size of the copy sheet to be copied. There is also a printing means for printing an index mark along one side of a copy sheet,
Changing means for automatically changing the imprint position of the index mark along one side of the copy sheet; and control means for changing the size of the index mark according to the size of the copy sheet to be copied. It is a feature.

(Operation) The index mark imprinting apparatus of the electrophotographic copying machine according to the present invention has the following features.
Since at least one of the number of steps of change in the position where the index mark is to be imprinted and the mark size is adjusted, the index mark can be reliably imprinted using a range corresponding to the size of the copy sheet regardless of the size.

(Embodiment) An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a centering type electrophotographic copying machine as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 will be described.

The electrophotographic copying machine is provided with a photosensitive drum 2 driven counterclockwise at a substantially central position in the body 1. Around the photoreceptor drum 2, a main eraser lamp 3, a main charging charger 4, a developing device 5, a transfer charger 6, a separation charger 8 for a copy sheet 7, a cleaning device 9, and the like are sequentially arranged in a counterclockwise direction. I have.

The photoreceptor drum 2 has a photoreceptor layer provided on its surface.
The photoreceptor layer is charged by passing through the main eraser lamp 3 and the main charging charger 4, and
Exposure optical system provided under the original placing glass 10 on the upper surface
11 receives image exposure. The exposure optical system 11 includes a light source 12, movable mirrors 13, 14, 15, a projection lens 16, and a mirror 17. The light source 12 and the movable mirror 13 move leftward at a speed of (V / n) (n: copy magnification) with respect to the peripheral speed (V) of the photosensitive drum 2 (constant irrespective of the same magnification or magnification). Go to
The movable mirrors 14 and 15 are driven by the DC motor M1 so as to move leftward at the speed of (V / 2n), scan the original image on the original mounting glass 10 and perform slit exposure on the photosensitive drum 2. I do. Changing the copy magnification involves an operation in which the projection lens 16 moves on the optical axis by the stepping motor M2 and the mirror 17 moves or swings.

Paper feed units 20 and 21 having paper feed rollers 18 and 19 are provided at one lower side of the body 1 to transfer the copy sheet 7 to and from the photosensitive drum 2 and the transfer between the chargers 6 and 8 respectively. Paper is fed to the printer. A manual paper feed unit 22 is also provided above the paper feed units 20 and 21. Further, a registration roller pair 23 for setting registration timing is provided immediately before the transfer section. On the other hand, a transfer belt 24 for receiving the transfer of the toner image from the photosensitive drum 2 and transferring the copy sheet 7 to be separated, a fixing device 25, and a discharge roller pair 30 are provided behind the transfer unit. After the sheet 7 is subjected to a fixing process by the fixing device 25, the sheet 7 is discharged to a discharge tray 31 outside the machine body 1 via a discharge roller pair 30. Paper feed units 33 and 34 are also provided in a base 29 on which the machine body 1 is mounted, and can be selectively used.

Further, an inter-image eraser unit 32 is provided at a position between the exposure unit around the photosensitive drum 2 and the developing device 5. When operated, the inter-image eraser unit 32 removes the electric charge received by the charger 4 on the photosensitive drum 2, and erases the electrostatic latent image at the removed portion so that development is not performed. . This is photosensitive drum 2
It is commonly used to prevent image formation between the images formed thereon.

As shown in FIG. 2, this inter-image eraser unit 32
A large number of light emitting diodes (hereinafter referred to as LEDs) 32a are arranged in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 2, and the operation timing and control of which of the LEDs 32a emit light at the time of operation causes the light emitting diodes 32a to be arranged on the photosensitive drum 2. The image can be erased at any part of the normal image area where the formation and development of the electrostatic latent image is performed, and the present invention is also used to erase unnecessary index marks as will be described below.

As an example, the index mark is formed on the original placing glass 10 on the upper surface of the body 1, and an original scale 41 is provided on one side of the original placing glass 10 as shown in FIG. The original scale 41 has a scale corresponding to the body 1 which is a center-aligned system, and is provided with a scale 41a for a country mainly using the A and B series such as Japan.

A linear index mark 42 is provided on the original placing glass 10 along the original scale 41, and a slit is formed on the photosensitive drum 2 by the exposure optical system 11 together with the image of the original placed on the original placing glass 10. Exposed.

An operation panel 51 as shown in FIG. The operation panel 51 has a print key
A numeric keypad 53 for setting the number of copies and an index mark position number is provided beside the print key 52.
There is provided with a key 53 _{0-53 9,} or to clear the number of copies, the copying operation in the middle clear stop key for or is interrupted at 54, interrupt key 55 of the interrupt copying provided in the group Have been.

Above the print key 52, there is provided a display unit 56 for displaying the number of copies, the index mark position number and the like. Copy density adjusting keys 57 and 58 and a copy density display section 59 are provided beside the display section 56. The copy density is increased by operating the key 57, and the copy density is decreased by operating the key 58.

Beside the numeric keypad 53, a mode selection key 67 for selecting a mode for imprinting the index mark 42 and a selection key 68 for selecting a mode for automatically updating the imprint position of the index mark and its display section 67a and index mark. And a display section 68a thereof.

The index mark imprinting selection key 67 is operated to switch from the normal mode to the index mark imprinting mode, and to return to the normal mode when operated again. Then, by operating the numeric keypad 53 in the index mark imprinting mode, the position number of the index mark can be set, and this is displayed on the display unit 56.

Also, when the mode selection key 68 for automatically updating the imprint position of the index mark is operated, the mode is switched from the normal mode to the imprint position automatic update mode, and the timing for updating the mark position can be set. When operated, it returns to the normal mode.

The above-described operation control of the copying machine is performed by a microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as a microcomputer) 81 shown in FIG. 5, and the above-mentioned various operation means, an operation unit, a display unit, and the like are connected. In particular, the image-to-image eraser unit 32 includes an LED 32a.
The photosensitive drums 2 are arranged at a pitch of 60 mm at a pitch of 5 mm so that the entire width of the photosensitive drums 2 can be erased. The LEDs 32a are controlled by an eraser control circuit 82 shown in FIGS. 7 are numbered from one end on the short side to the other end, and data for turning them on and off are given from the microcomputer 81 as serial data together with a clock signal.

Here, as shown in FIG. 9, the index mark 42 has a predetermined length on one side of the copy sheet 7.
The image is printed as a, and when the copy sheets 7 are bundled, an image 42a 'is presented on the outer peripheral end surface thereof, so that the index is displayed outside.

The length of this index mark 42a is 3 of the LED 32a.
It is set to correspond to the width of each item, and only the LED 32a corresponding to the index mark at the set position is turned off, and the other
By turning on the LED 32a, only the index mark at the set position can be copied. Index mark 42a
When it is not necessary to imprint, all the index marks on the photosensitive drum 2 are erased by turning on all the LEDs 32a so that copying is not possible.

To control this by the microcomputer 81, the index mark setting positions 1 to 20 are assigned to the respective LEDs 1 to ₆₀ as shown in Table 1 below and stored in the RAM, and are set according to the index mark position setting. RAM corresponding LED32a number
Is specified and controlled from the stored contents.

Incidentally main motor M ₃ in addition to the to the microcomputer 81, the clutch C of developing the motor M _4, the clutch CL ₁ of the pair of registration rollers 23, the clutch CL _2, the lower feed roller 19 of the upper feed roller 18
L ₃ , sheet position detection sensor just before registration roller pair 23
91, a fixed position detecting switch 92 for the first mirror 13 as a scanner, an image leading end position detecting switch 93, and the like are also connected.

As shown in FIG. 1, a document placing glass is provided on the upper surface of the body 1.
An automatic document feeder 100 to be placed on the document 10 is installed. This apparatus 100 has a large number of originals 102 on an original tray 101.
The original 102 on the tray 101 is sent out one by one from the lower one by the lower feed-out roller 103 and the separating roller pair 104, and the original is placed on the original placing glass 10 via the U-turn path 105. The sheet is fed between the sheet and a conveyor belt 106 provided so as to slide on the sheet. The conveyance belt 106 conveys the sent original to a predetermined copy position on the original placing glass 10, temporarily stops, and provides the necessary number of copies. In this case, so-called grouping is performed although sorting is necessary because the number of copies for each document is stacked as a group on the discharge tray 31. After the copying is completed, the transport belt 106 is driven again, and the original placing glass 10
The upper original 102 is returned to the original tray 101 through the U-turn path 107, and the original 10 remaining in the original tray 101 is returned.
Put it back on 2. M ₅ is a drive motor of the apparatus 100.

When all the originals 102 initially set on the original tray 101 are copied as described above, the originals 102 are returned to the original tray 101 as originally set,
It can be fed again for copying.

If the documents set in this way are sequentially fed and copied one by one as many times as necessary, the copies of each document are sequentially discharged onto the discharge tray 31 and overlapped in that order. The number of copies overlaps with the same page alignment as the original. Therefore, they are not sorted one by one, but are sorted.

As described above, in order to automatically obtain a large number of copies for a large number of documents using the automatic document feeder 100, it is convenient to automatically print the index marks while changing the position as necessary. Note that the automatic document feeder 100 is provided with a sensor 109 for detecting a so-called document break when all the documents 102 set on the automatic document feeder 100 have been fed.

As shown in FIG. 7, the sensor 109 includes a lever 110 that can rotate around a shaft 108 and has a heavy downward end 110a and has a sliding slidability, and a photo sensor 111 that detects the movement of the lever 110. . This lever 1
When the apparatus 100 is used, the leading end 110a is automatically placed on the original 102 on the original tray 101, and all the originals 102 are fed and there is no received original. The state change at this time is detected by the photo sensor 111 and input to the microcomputer 81. This input signal serves as a detection signal for a break in the original 102 when the original 102 is repeatedly copied. However, as shown in FIG.
The condition is that the document detection sensor 112 provided below the bottom of the document 1 detects a document.

The document 102 on the document tray 101 on which the tip 110a of the lever 110 of the sensor 109 is placed is sequentially fed from the lower portion thereof, and after being subjected to copying, returned to the document tray 101 and returned to the document tray 101. But does not hinder the detection of the document break. And document tray 10
When all the originals 102 after copying have been returned to the upper side, if the next copying is to be continued, prior to the copying, the lever 11
The zero leading end 110a is automatically placed on the original on the original tray 101 again.

By the way, it is desired that the position change of the index mark be increased as the number of copies and the number of copies increases.
However, if the size of the index mark and the number of steps for changing the imprint position are specified, setting the number of steps according to the large-size copy sheet will result in the set number of steps being small for the small-size copy sheet. There is an inconvenience that it is not printed during actual copying. Also, if the number of steps is set in accordance with a copy sheet of a small size, in the case of a copy sheet of a large size, a space full of the size cannot be fully utilized.

In order to cope with these inconveniences, in this embodiment, the number of steps of the change of the imprint position of the index mark is set in accordance with the size of the copy sheet, and the index mark is always set to the number of steps using the space full of the size of the copy sheet. Be able to shoot. Instead of setting the number of steps for changing the position of the index mark according to the size of the copy sheet, the size of the index mark may be changed so that the printing space can be adapted to the size of the copy sheet even with the same number of steps of position change. . If necessary, both the mark size and the number of steps can be set according to the size of the copy sheet.

To make settings according to the size of the copy sheet,
A copy sheet size detection signal from a size detection switch 122 provided in each of the paper feed units 20, 21, 33, and 34 as shown in FIG. 1 is used. The detection switch 122 is connected to the sheet cassette 12 mounted on the sheet feeding units 20 and 21 as shown in FIG.
The combination of the switches 122a ₁ , 122a ₂ , 122a ₃ facing the size signal uneven portion 125 provided on
It has become a combination of _{22b 1, 122b 2, 122b 3} . Paper feed unit 33,
Description of 34 is omitted.

Combinations in which the switches 122 are turned on and off by the size signal concavo-convex portion 125 and a table of the copy sheet size using the combinations are assigned as shown in Table 2 below.

The maximum number of steps that can be set for the imprint position of the index mark is represented by the maximum mark value indicating the imprint limit step at one end of the copy sheet and the minimum mark value indicating the imprint limit step at the other end of the copy sheet. If the number is from 1 to 20, the width of the number of steps suitable for each sheet size can be set as shown in Table 2. If the cassette is not installed, or if there is no corresponding sheet size, the maximum sheet size is A4
It is set to be the same as that for Y and A3T.

These switches 122a ₁ , 122a ₂ , 122a ₃ , 122b ₁ , 122
b ₂ , 122 b ₃ , sensors 109 and 112 provided in the device 100, and a motor M ₅ are also connected to the microcomputer 81.

Next, the control of printing the index mark will be mainly described with reference to the flowcharts in FIG.

First, in the main flow of the copy operation control shown in FIG. 11, an initial operation after reset release of the microcomputer 81 is performed in step # 1, and an internal timer that defines one routine of microcomputer control is operated in step # 2. Next, it is determined in step # 3 whether or not copying is in progress. If copying is in progress, the process proceeds to step # 7, and if not, the process proceeds to step # 4.
In step # 4, it is determined whether or not the mode is the index mark imprinting mode, and the mode is set accordingly. In the next step # 5, it is determined whether or not the mode is an automatic update mode of the index mark imprint position in the index mark imprint mode, and the mode is set accordingly.

Thereafter, in step # 6, corresponding to the setting in step # 5, detection of the size of the copy sheet and setting of the maximum and minimum values of the mark defining the number of steps of imprinting the index mark corresponding thereto are performed, and further in step # 7. Make other settings such as the number of copies. In step # 8, the eraser unit 32 is controlled. In step # 9, control for automatically updating the index mark imprint position is performed in accordance with the mode setting in step # 5 and the setting of the maximum and minimum mark values based on the copy sheet size. In step # 10, other controls such as the scanning system and the rotation of the photosensitive drum 2 are performed, and in the next step # 11, the routine timer is checked. When the timer is over, the process returns to step # 2.

The subroutine of the copy mode setting 1 in step # 4 in the main routine of FIG. 11 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In steps # 100 to # 100d, the state SC1 is checked, and according to the result, steps # 101, # 111, # 121,
The process branches to one of # 131, # 141, and # 151.

When the state SC1 is 0, the process proceeds to step # 101, where it is checked whether or not the index mark imprinting selection key 67 is on. If it is off, the process returns as it is. Determine whether the selection key 68 is off,
If it is on, the mode returns without setting the mode. If it is off, the state SC2 is set to 0. Next, steps # 104 to # 10
Proceeding to step 8, the contents currently displayed on the display unit 56 are saved to the stack area, and the contents of the RAM of the index mark position number are displayed on the display unit 56. Then, the flag F1 indicating that the index mark imprinting is selected is set, the display 67a is turned on to indicate to the operator that the index mark imprinting mode is selected, the state SC1 is incremented, and the process returns.

When the state SC1 is 1, the process proceeds to step # 111, where it is checked whether or not the selection key 67 is on.
Proceed to 6, set state SC1 to 3, and return. If it is on, the process proceeds to step # 112 to check whether any of the numeric keys 53 has been turned on. If it is off, the process returns as it is, and if it is on, the display unit proceeds to steps # 113 to # 115.
The contents of 56 are deleted once, and the contents of the entered key are displayed in the first digit. Then, the state SC1 is incremented and the process returns.

When the state SC1 is 2, the process proceeds to step # 121 to check whether or not the selection key 67 is on. If the selection key 67 is on, the process proceeds to step # 122. If the selection key 67 is off, the process proceeds to step # 125, and the state SC1 is incremented. To return. In step # 122, it is checked whether any of the numeric keys 0 to 9 has been turned on. If it is off, the process returns as it is. If it is on, the process proceeds to steps # 123 to # 125, and the display content of the 1 digit is shifted to the 10 digit. The contents of the input numeric keypad 53 are displayed in the first digit. Then, the state SC1 is incremented.

When the state SC1 is 3, the process proceeds to step # 131, and it is checked whether the selection key 67 is off. If the selection key 67 is on, the process returns as it is. If the selection key 67 is off, the process proceeds to step # 132.
(In this case, 7-segment display RA
Check whether (in M) is larger or smaller than 20. If it is larger, set 20 in the index mark position number RAM. If smaller, set the value in the index mark position number RAM as it is. In steps # 135 and # 136, the contents before the selection key 67 of the 7-segment display RAM is turned on are restored from the stack area, and the state SC1 is incremented.

When the state SC1 is 4, the flow advances to step # 141 to check whether or not the selection key 67 is ON. If the selection key 67 is OFF, the flow returns as it is. If the selection key 67 is ON, the flow advances to steps # 142 to # 144.
F1 is set to “0”, the display section 67a is turned off, and the state SC1 is incremented.

When the state SC1 is 5, it is checked whether or not the selection key 67 is off. If the selection key 67 is on, the operation returns as it is. If the selection key 67 is off, the state SC1 is set to 0 and the operation returns.

Thus, the selection and release of the index mark imprinting mode, the setting and display of the index mark position number, and the release thereof are performed.

A subroutine of copy mode setting 2 in step # 5 in the main routine of FIG. 11 will be described with reference to FIG.

The state SC2 is checked in steps # 300 to # 300b, and according to the result, steps # 301, # 311, # 321,
Branch to one of # 331. When the state SC2 is 0, the process proceeds to step # 301, and it is determined whether or not the selection key 68 of the automatic update mode of the index mark imprinting position is on. If it is off, return as it is; if it is on, step #
Proceed to 302. Here, it is further determined whether or not the mode selection key 67 for imprinting the index mark is off, and if it is on, the process returns as it is. If it is off, the state SC1 is set to 0 in steps # 303 to # 307, and the RAM of the index mark position number
Is set to the minimum mark value so that mark imprinting is performed from the position of the minimum mark value, and the flag F1 indicating the mark position automatic update mode is set to "1" and the automatic update mode of the imprint position is selected. Is turned on, the state SC2 is incremented.

If the state SC2 is 1, the flow advances to step # 311 to determine whether or not the selection key 68 is off. If it is on, the process returns as it is, and if it is off, the state SC2 is incremented in step # 312 and the process returns.

If the state SC2 is 2, the flow advances to step # 321 to determine whether or not the selection key 68 is on. If it is off, it returns as it is. If it is on, in steps # 322 to # 324, it sets the flag F1 to "0", turns off the display unit 68a in the automatic update position of the projection position, increments the state SC2, and returns. I do.

When state SC2 is 3, proceed to step # 331 and select key
Determine if 68 is turned off. If it is on, return as it is; if it is off, state S in step # 332
Return C2 to 0 and return.

The subroutine for detecting the copy size in step # 6 in the main flow of FIG. 11 will be described.
In step # 600 shown in FIG. 14, the maximum and minimum mark values of the index mark imprinting position are set according to the state of the detection switch 122 and the correspondence table shown in the display for the cassette selected at the time of use.

As described above, the mode selection and cancellation of the imprint position automatic updating in the index mark imprint mode, the turning on and off of the display section 68a, the setting of the number of steps of the mark imprint position change according to the size of the copy sheet, and the like. Processing called cancellation is performed.

Next, a subroutine of the eraser control in the main flow of FIG. 11 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the state SC4 is checked in steps # 200 to # 200d, and according to the result, steps # 201, # 211 and # 22 are performed.
The process branches to one of # 1, # 231, # 241, and # 251.

When the state SC4 is 0, the flow branches to step # 201 to determine whether copying is in progress. If so, the flow proceeds to step # 202. If not, the flow proceeds to step # 203 to store the data RAM to be transmitted to the eraser control circuit 82. Data is set so that the LEDs 32a1 _to 32n are all turned off. And step # 20
At 7 the data is actually transmitted. Step # registration roller pair 23 just before sensor 91 in 202 it is determined whether the ON, the process proceeds to off if step # 203, the on if transmission data RAM and a data set as LEDs 32 a _{1 to n} becomes full lighting to erase the imaging area to an image leading end, a set and state SC4 timer T ₁ of the for copy sheet 7 by the registration roller pair 23 aligns the blind tip loops in the 1 proceeds to step # 207.

When the state SC4 is 1, the process proceeds to step # 211 and the timer
T ₁ is determined whether or not it is completed, the process proceeds to step # 207 if it has not been completed, if the end step # 212, # 21
3 operates the scanning system motor M ₁ proceeds to step # 207 after the state SC4 to 2.

If the state SC4 is 2, the process proceeds to step # 221, where it is determined whether or not the scanning system predetermined position detection switch 92 is turned on.
If off, proceed to step # 207; if on, step # 222
Index mark image tip sets a timer T ₂ of the to reach the position of the eraser units 32 ~ # 224,
Set state SC4 to 3 and clutch C of registration roller pair 23
The L ₁ advances to step # 207 after the on.

When the state SC4 is 3, the process proceeds to step # 231, it is determined whether the timer T ₂ has been completed, the process proceeds to step # 207 If not completed, the process proceeds to step # 232 if the ends. In step # 232, it is determined whether the flag F1 is "1" or "0". If "1", the mode is the index mark imprinting mode, so the process proceeds to step # 233, where the index corresponding to the currently set index mark position number is set. set the data to be LED only off corresponding to the mark, and sets the timer T ₃ of the index mark width (dimension of the photosensitive drum 2 rotating direction) component, the state SC4 to 4. Flag F
When 1 is “0”, no index mark is formed.
In step # 236, all the LEDs corresponding to the index marks of all the position numbers are turned on, and in steps # 234, # 235,
Proceed sequentially to # 207.

When state SC4 is 4, proceed to step # 241, timer
If no T ₃ is determined whether or not it is completed completed Continue to step # 207, when being finished step # 242
The LED in ~ # 244 sets the data transmission RAM as LEDs 32 a _{1 to n} are all turned off, sets a timer T ₄ of the image width of,
State SC4 is set to 5.

When the state SC4 is 5, the process proceeds to step # 251 and the timer T ₄
Is determined to be completed, and if not completed, the process proceeds directly to step # 207. If completed, the process proceeds to step # 25.
2. In step # 253, data for turning on all the LEDs is set in the transmission data RAM, and the state SC4 is set to 0, and the process proceeds to step # 207.

As described above, only when the index mark imprint mode is selected, only the index mark corresponding to the set position is imprinted on the copy sheet 7 together with the document image and copied.

A description will now be given, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 16, of a subroutine for automatically updating the mark imprinting position when a large number of originals are copied by the original moving and feeding apparatus 100 in step # 8 in FIG.

In steps # 400 and # 400a, the state SC3 is checked, and the process branches to any of steps # 401, # 411, and # 421 according to the result.

When the state SC3 is 0, the process proceeds to step # 401 to judge whether or not copying is in progress. If copying is not in progress, the process returns as it is. If copying is in progress, the process proceeds to step # 402 to determine whether the original is set on the exposure unit. Is determined, and if not set, the process returns as it is. If set, the process proceeds to step # 403, and the document counter 1 is incremented to count the number of documents. Used to change the position of the index mark. Next, in step # 404, it is determined whether the sensor 109 for detecting a break in the document group is off. If on, the process returns as it is. If off, the process returns to step # 405 by incrementing the state SC3 in step # 405. Sensor 1
The number counted by the document counter 1 at the time of the document break when 09 is turned off is the number of documents set on the document tray 101. When the state SC3 is 1, the flow advances to step # 411 to decrement the copy counter. The number of copies counter is set to the required number of copies, and is decremented each time one copy is completed. Then step # 412
It is determined whether the number of copies counter is 0 or not. If 0, it means that copying is completed, and the state SC3 is set to 0 in step # 413 and the process returns. If the copy counter is not 0, the flow proceeds to step # 414 to perform the next partial copy, the document counter 2 is set to 0, and the flow proceeds to step # 415. Here, the mark number position RAM is incremented based on the OFF signal of the sensor 109 which has detected a break in the document where the previous copy has been partially completed. After that, in step # 416, it is determined whether or not the content of the mark number position RAM is the maximum mark value. Otherwise, proceed to step # 418; otherwise, mark number in step # 417
The RAM is set to the minimum mark value so that the operation is repeated from the minimum mark imprint position. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, printing is performed while updating the mark position by utilizing the full range corresponding to the size of the copy sheet, and when the limit is reached, printing is repeated from the first position. Thereafter, in step # 418, the state SC3 is incremented.

When the state SC3 is 2, the process proceeds to step # 421 to copy the next copy. In step # 421, it is determined whether or not copying is in progress. If copying is not in progress, the process returns as it is. If copying is in progress, in step # 422, it is determined whether or not document setting is completed. Then, in step # 423, the document counter 2 is incremented. In step # 424, it is determined whether or not the document counters 1 and 2 match. If they match, the state SC3 is set to 1 in step # 425 and the process returns.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the present invention, since the above-described configuration and operation are provided, the index position is automatically updated and the position of the index mark is copied to the periphery of the sheet when copying a large number of sheets and a large number of copies. The number of steps or mark size is set according to the size of the copy sheet, and the full size of the copy sheet can be used without excess or shortage to ensure the maximum number of steps, and the index mark can be used effectively. it can. Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, by changing the size of the mark according to the paper size,
Even when a small-sized copy sheet is used, the number of index marks that can be formed does not decrease.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an electrophotographic copying machine showing a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an image-to-image eraser, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the machine body 1, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control circuit, FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an eraser control circuit, FIG. 7 is a plan view of a document break detecting sensor, and FIG. 8 is a diagram of a document detecting sensor on a document tray. Perspective view,
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an index mark imprinted state,
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of an opposing state of a copy sheet size detection switch and a sheet cassette, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a main routine of overall control, FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a copy mode setting 1 subroutine, and FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a copy mode setting 2 subroutine, FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a copy size detection control subroutine,
FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an eraser control subroutine,
FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a mark imprinting position automatic update control subroutine. 7 Copy sheet 2 Photosensitive drum 11 Exposure optical system 20, 21, 33, 34 Paper feeder 32 Eraser 67 Index mark imprint mode selection key 68 Index mark imprint Selection key for automatic update mode of copy-in position 81 Microcomputer 101 Document 109 Document break sensor 122 Copy size detection switch

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-63-19283 (JP, A) JP-A-61-151673 (JP, A) JP-A-62-270970 (JP, A) JP-A-63-59623 (JP) JP-A-63-202766 (JP, A) JP-A-64-63984 (JP, A) JP-A-1-198765 (JP, A) JP-A-1-204037 (JP, A) JP-A-63-88542 (JP, A) JP-A-63-63025 (JP, A) JP-A-59-114963 (JP, A) JP-A-55-2012 (JP, A) JP-A-62-14660 (JP, A A) JP-A-62-131328 (JP, A) JP-A-62-104244 (JP, U)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An imprinting means for imprinting an index mark along one side of a copy sheet; a changing means for automatically changing an imprint position of the index mark along one side of the copy sheet; An index mark imprinting apparatus for an electrophotographic copying machine, comprising: control means for changing the number of steps of changing the imprint position of the index mark according to the size of the sheet. 2. Imprinting means for imprinting an index mark along one side of a copy sheet; changing means for automatically changing the imprint position of the index mark along one side of the copy sheet; Control means for changing the size of the index mark in accordance with the size of the sheet.