JP2808608B2 - Panel split control device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus having a photosensitive material that can be divided into a plurality of panels. The present invention relates to a panel division control device to be determined.

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, recording devices such as copying machines and facsimile machines have high image quality,
Advances such as multifunctionality and high reliability have been remarkable, and they have been widely used in various directions. However, user needs are diverse,
Further, it is necessary to meet demands for high image quality, multifunctionality, high reliability, low cost, low energy consumption, high speed, and the like.

From such a viewpoint, for example, taking a copying machine as an example, a photoconductor using an organic photosensitive material belt as a photoconductor has been developed in order to speed up a copying operation and achieve high image quality. There is a seam as a seam of the belt in the material belt, and the photosensitive material is divided into multiple panels so that this part is not developed because the photosensitive characteristics are different from others,
A plurality of latent images are formed on a photosensitive material so that copying can be performed.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, in the conventional copier, the number of panel divisions is determined mainly based on the paper size. For example, when the magnification is enlarged and the optical scanning speed is reduced, a scan start signal for the next panel is issued. In such a case, the carriage may not return to the original position at the time, and as a result, there is a problem that a panel skip occurs.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and in the automatic document exchange mode of the recording apparatus, by determining the panel division number based on the set number of recording sheets, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the motor for driving the automatic document feeder from rising. It is an object of the present invention to provide a panel division control device capable of copying with maximum efficiency.

[Means for solving the problem]

For this purpose, the panel division control device according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises a recording apparatus having a photosensitive material that can be divided into a plurality of panels, a copy mode setting unit 01, and a panel division unit according to the set copy mode. It has a panel division determination processing unit 02 for determining the number, and performs the optimal panel division according to the copy mode, and sends the number of divisions to each subsystem 03. In the automatic document exchange mode for determining the number of panel divisions, when the set number of recordings is equal to or greater than a predetermined number,
The number of panel divisions is set larger than the case where the number is smaller than the predetermined number, and the number of panel divisions is set larger when the set number of recordings is two or more than when the set number of recordings is one.

[Action]

The panel division control device of the present invention, in the automatic original exchange mode, when the set number of recording is equal to or more than a predetermined number, by increasing the number of panel divisions as compared with the case where the set number of recording is smaller than the predetermined number, When the set number of recordings is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the rest time of the motor driving the automatic document feeder becomes relatively long due to the number of document scans, and the motor temperature rises even if the number of panel divisions is increased. When the set number of recordings is smaller than the predetermined number of sheets, the number of panel divisions is smaller than when the number of recordings is equal to or more than the predetermined number, so that the motor can take a rest time and prevent the motor temperature from rising. Becomes

〔Example〕

 Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on examples.

In this embodiment, a copying machine will be described as an example of a recording device. Prior to the description, a table of contents for the description of the present embodiment is shown. In the following description, (I) and (II) are sections describing the outline of the overall configuration of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied, and sections describing the embodiments of the present invention in the configuration. Is the item (III).

(I) Outline of apparatus (I-1) Apparatus configuration (I-2) Function and characteristics of system (I-3) Configuration of electric control system of copier (I-4) Serial communication method (II) Specific Configuration of each part (II-1) Optical system (II-2) User interface (II-3) Paper transport system (II-4) Automatic document feeder (II-5) Sorter (II-6) Around belt (III) System (III-1) System positioning (III-2) State management (III-3) Interface correlation diagram (III-4) System environment (III-5) Complex function (III-6) Module correlation (III-7) Panel Division (Main Part of the Present Invention) (I) Outline of Apparatus (I-1) Apparatus Configuration FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied.

The copying machine to which the present invention is applied can be equipped with some additional devices to the base machine 1. The base machine 1, which is a basic configuration, has a platen glass 2 on which an original is placed. Are arranged, and the respective devices of the optical system 3 and the marking system 5 are arranged below it. On the other hand, the base machine 1 has an upper tray 6-1, a middle tray 6-2,
The lower tray 6-3 is attached, and all of these paper feed trays can be pulled out to the front, so that operability can be improved and the copier layout space can be saved, and the tray does not protrude from the base machine 1. A neatly designed copier has been realized. An inverter 9 is provided in the paper transport system 7 for transporting the paper in the paper feed tray.
10 and a duplex tray 11 are arranged.
Further, on the base machine 1, a user interface 12 composed of a CRT display is mounted.
A DADF (duplex auto document feeder: automatic screen document feeder) 13 is mounted on the platen glass 2. The user interface 12 is of a stand type, on which a card device can be attached.

Next, an additional device of the base machine 1 will be described. Instead of DADF13, RDH (Recirculation Document Handler: a device that returns originals to the original feed state and automatically repeats document feeding) 15 or normal ADF (Auto Document Feeder: automatic document feeder), editor pad (coordinate input) It is also possible to attach either a platen with a device) or a platen cover. Also, on the supply side of the paper transport system 7, an MSI (multi-sheet inserter: a manual feed tray capable of placing a plurality of papers at once) 16 and an HCP
(High capacity feeder: large capacity tray) 17 can be installed.
One or a plurality of sorters 19 can be arranged. DA
When the DF13 is arranged, the simple catch tray 20 or the sorter 19 can be attached, and when the RDH15 is attached, the offset catch tray 21, in which the copied sets are alternately stacked, the copy is performed. Finisher 22 can be attached to hold each set in a stable manner.
Further, a folder 23 having a paper folding function can be attached.

(I-2) Function and Features of System (A) Function The present invention fully automates the operation from the entrance to the exit of the copying operation while providing various functions corresponding to the needs of the user. The main feature is that the selection of functions, the selection of execution conditions, and the display of other menus and the like are performed on the CRT display, so that anyone can easily operate.

The main function is to switch the display screen on the CRT display to categorize into basic copy, applied copy and specialty copy modes, and to display menus such as function selection and execution condition settings in each mode. At the same time, the cascade of the screen is moved by key input to select and designate a function, and to input execution condition data.

The functions of the copying machine to which the present invention is applied include a main function, an automatic function, an additional function, a display function, a diagnostic function, and the like.

The main functions include the standard paper sizes A6 to A2 and B6 to B3, as well as the non-standard sizes, and the three-stage built-in tray as described above. In addition, fixed magnification of 7 steps and arbitrary magnification adjustment in 1% increments and 0.15% between 99% and 101%
You can fine-tune the pitch. Further, there are a density selection function in a fixed 7-step and a photo mode, a double-sided function, a left and right independent binding margin setting function in a range of 1 mm to 16 mm, a billing function, and the like.

The automatic function automatically selects paper according to the document size, selects the magnification in the specified paper state, density control, starts phasor ready after power-on, clears and power saves after a fixed time after copying is completed And so on.

Additional functions include composite copy, interrupt, preheat mode,
Clear the set number, clear all to auto mode, information explaining the function, P key for using the IC card, maximum lock original return to limit the set number, full job recovery using DADF, other than the jam section Editor for purging paper, full-copying without bleeding, partial copying or partial deletion of originals, 1
A job program that calls and processes jobs one by one
There are slip sheets for inserting blank sheets one by one between copies, and middle eraser / frame eraser used for books.

The display function uses a CRT display etc. to provide the operator with information on jam display, remaining paper display, remaining toner display, full toner recovery display, waiting time until the fuser warms up, inconsistency in function selection and machine status. There are functions such as message display.

The diagnostic functions include NVRAM initialization, input check, output check, history files such as the number of jams and the number of paper feeds, adjustment of initial values used for process codes around marking and photosensitive material belts, and registration gate on timing. There are functions such as adjustment and configuration setting.

Further, optionally, MS as described above
I, HCF, second deve colors (red, blue, green, brown), editor, etc. can be equipped as appropriate.

(B) Features The whole system of the present invention having the above functions has the following features.

(B) Achieving power saving A 1.5kVA high-speed, high-performance copier has been realized. Therefore, a control method for achieving 1.5 kVA in each operation mode is determined, and power distribution by function for setting a target value is determined. In addition, an energy system table for determining the energy transfer path is created, and management and verification by the energy system are performed.

(B) Cost reduction The in-house production of high-priced parts and technical improvement and standardization are being pursued. At the same time, the art material life has been improved from the hardware side and the toner consumption has been reduced to reduce the cost of the art material.

(C) Improving reliability To reduce component failures and extend their life, clarify the in / out conditions of each parameter, reduce design defects,
Aiming to achieve 100kCV no menincinance.

(D) Achieving high image quality The present apparatus employs a method in which toner particles are made fine by using microcarriers made of ferrite, and development is performed by using a repulsive magnetic field. As the photoreceptor, a high-sensitivity panchromatic organic light-sensitive material belt formed by coating the organic light-sensitive material in multiple layers is adopted, and a halftone can be expressed by a pictorial mode utilizing a set point. As a result, the generation copy has been improved and the black spot has been reduced, and an unprecedented high image quality has been achieved.

(E) Improved operability A fully automatic mode in which copying is performed in a predetermined mode by operating the start key just by setting the original and entering the number of copies, and a screen divided into basic copy, applied copy, and specialized copy The user can select various mode settings including a copy mode setting according to the user's request. These user interfaces are performed using a CRT display and a few keys and LEDs arranged in correspondence with the screen around the CRT display, making it possible to set the mode with an easy-to-read display menu and simple operations. Also,
By preliminarily storing the copy mode and its execution conditions in a nonvolatile memory or an IC card, it is possible to automate a predetermined operation.

(C) Example of Differentiation In a copying machine to which the present invention is applied, the function of the copying machine can be controlled by a program stored in an IC card. Therefore, by changing the program stored in the IC card for each card, it is possible to differentiate the use of the copying machine. This will be described with some easy-to-understand examples.

As a first example, a multi-purpose building is provided with a copier shared by a plurality of companies, or a copier shared by different departments even within one company or factory. The case will be described. The latter joint use is necessary for budget control, and in the past, use control of each department was performed using a device such as a copy riser.

This copier has an IC card device, a DADF 13, a sorter 19, a UI 12, a supply tray (6-
1-6-3), and a copying machine having a relatively advanced system configuration including the duplex tray 11. Some co-users require the DADF 13 or sorter 19, while others do not require any additional equipment.

If a plurality of persons or departments having different usage modes try to determine the cost burden of the copying machine solely from their own copy volumes, those who only make low-volume copies will be required to make copies with various additional devices. This would oppose the introduction of the copier, making it difficult to coordinate with people or departments that want to use the copier to a high degree.

In such a case, prepare IC cards according to the usage of each person or each department, and the more people or departments who want advanced functions will bear more basic costs and utilize more functions. You should be able to do so. For example, the owner of the most advanced IC card operates the copier with the IC card set in the IC card device, thereby obtaining the DADF 13, the sorter 19, and the supply tray (6-1).
6-3) and the duplex tray 11 can be used freely, and office efficiency can be improved. On the other hand, those who do not need copy paper sorting have ICs that lack a program for sorting.
By setting a card and using only the catch tray 20, costs can be reduced.

As a second example, a case where a copy agency runs a self-copy service shop with an IC card will be described.

In the store, a plurality of copying machines are arranged, and an IC card device 22 is attached to each of them. The customer requests an IC card according to the service mode, sets it in a desired copying machine, and makes a copy by self-service. Customers who are unfamiliar with copiers can request an IC card equipped with a program for displaying operation explanations as a program, and by setting this, it is possible to display various operation information on the UI 12 and it is possible to execute copy work without fail it can. Whether the DADF 13 can be used, whether multi-color printing can be performed, and the like can be determined by the IC card to be lent, and the type of use can be limited, so that customers who are charged can be managed. Furthermore, since the actual copy operation such as the number of copies and the size of the used copy paper can be written on the IC card, billing becomes easy, and detailed services such as discounting copy fees to regular customers are also possible. .

As a third example, a service using an IC card storing a program for a specific user will be described. For example, at a patent office, when examining patent publications reduced by photoengraving, it is necessary to make the same copy as the original size.
There are jobs that make copies at a relatively large enlargement rate of 0%. Also, when preparing a drawing to be submitted to a government office, work to reduce or enlarge the original drawing in small steps is performed to meet the request. In addition, in departments that copy resident's cards such as city halls or ward offices, copies of the information about people who are not covered by the claim and places that should be kept secret in order to protect personal privacy are copied. And make an abstract.

As described above, some users (users) request to use the copying machine in a special use mode. If the functions of the copying machine are set so as to satisfy all such requirements, the console panel becomes complicated and the ROM inside the copying machine becomes large. Therefore, by preparing an IC card for each specific user and setting the IC card, a copying machine having a function most suitable for the user can be realized.

For example, in the case of a patent office, by purchasing a dedicated IC card, in addition to the normal several types of reduced magnification,
You can easily select a reduction ratio of 200%. In addition, the reduction ratio can be set in a range requiring fine adjustment, for example, in increments of 1%. Furthermore, in the light emitting section of the resident's card, the type of the resident's card and the columns and items to be deleted can be indicated on the display such as the liquid crystal display by operating keys such as a numeric keypad. By pressing, only the desired range of the original is copied, or only the necessary portion is edited and recorded.

(I-3) Configuration of Electric System Control System of Copying Machine FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a subsystem of the copying machine to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration by a CPU.

As shown in FIG. 3, the copier system to which the present invention is applied includes four subsystems including a SQMGR subsystem 32, a CHM subsystem 33, an IMM subsystem 34, and a marking subsystem 35 on a main board 31. , U / around it
It is composed of nine subsystems including five subsystems including an I subsystem 36, an INPUT subsystem 37, an OUTPUT subsystem 38, an OPT subsystem 39, and an IEL subsystem 40. Then, for the SQMGR subsystem 32, the CHM subsystem 33 and the IMM subsystem 34
Since it is executed by software under the main CPU 41 shown in FIG. 4 together with the R subsystem 32, it is connected by an interface between subsystems (represented by solid lines) which does not require communication. However, other subsystems are
Since it is executed by software under the CPU separate from 1, it is connected by a serial communication interface (shown by dotted lines). Next, these subsystems will be described briefly.

The SQMGR subsystem 32 receives the copy mode setting information from the U / I subsystem 36, and synchronizes the subsystems so that the copy operation can be performed efficiently,
It is a sequence manager that issues work instructions to each subsystem, constantly monitors the status of each subsystem, and performs prompt status determination processing when an abnormality occurs.

The CHM subsystem 33 is a subsystem that controls a paper storage tray, a duplex tray, and a manual feed tray, controls the feed of copy paper, and controls the purge operation of copy paper.

The IMM subsystem 34 is divided into panels on the photosensitive belt,
It is a subsystem that controls the running / stop of the photosensitive material belt, the control of the main motor, and other controls around the photosensitive material belt.

The marking subsystem 35 is a subsystem that controls the potential of the corotron, the exposure lamp, the developing machine, the potential of the photosensitive material belt, and the toner density.

The U / I subsystem 36 is a subsystem that performs all control of the user interface, display of machine status, job management such as determination of a copy mode, and job recovery.

The INPUT subsystem 37 includes automatic document feed (DADF), semi-automatic document feed (SADF), large size (A2) document feed (LDC), computer form document feed (CFF),
This is a subsystem for controlling the automatic feed (2-UP) of the original, controlling the automatic repetition of the original (RDH), and detecting the original size.

The OUTPUT subsystem 37 is a subsystem that controls a sorter and a finisher, outputs a copy in each mode of sorting, stacking, and non-sorting, and performs binding output.

The OPT subsystem 39 is a subsystem that controls scanning, lens movement, shutter, and PIS / NON-PIS when exposing a document, and moves the carriage in the LDC mode.

The IEL subsystem 40 is a subsystem that erases unnecessary images on the photosensitive material belt, erases the leading and trailing edges of the images, and erases images according to the edit mode.

The above-described system is configured with seven CPUs shown in FIG. 4 as a core, and can flexibly cope with a combination of the base machine 1 and additional devices surrounding the base machine.
Here, the main CPU 41 is on the main board of the base machine 1 and has the SQMGR subsystem 32, the CHM subsystem 33,
It includes software of the IMM subsystem 34 and is connected to each of the CPUs 42 to 47 via the serial bus 53. These CPUs 42-47
Correspond one-to-one with each subsystem connected by the serial communication interface shown in FIG. Serial communication is performed between the main CPU 41 and each of the other CPUs 42 to 47 according to a predetermined timing with 100 msec as one communication cycle. Therefore, for signals that require strict timing mechanically and cannot be synchronized with the timing of serial communication, an interrupt port (INT terminal signal) is provided in each CPU and interrupts are issued by a hot line separate from the serial bus 53. It is processed. That is, for example, a copy operation is performed at a process speed of 309 mm / sec at 64 cpm (A4LEF), and
If it is set to 1 mm, there are jobs that cannot be processed in the communication cycle of 100 msec as described above. A hotline is required to guarantee the execution of such a job.

Therefore, in this copying machine, various types of additional devices can be installed, and a system configuration corresponding to each of these additional devices can be adopted for software.

One of the reasons for adopting such a configuration is that (i) if all the operation control programs for these additional devices are prepared in the base machine 1, the memory capacity required for this is enormous. It is due to becoming. (Ii) When a new additional device is developed in the future or the current additional device is improved, the ROM in the base machine 1 is
This is because these additional devices can be utilized without replacing (read-only memory) or expanding.

For this reason, the base machine 1 has a basic storage area for controlling a basic part of the copying machine, and an additional storage area for storing a program fetched together with the function information of the present invention from an IC card. Various programs such as a control program of the DADF 13 and a control program of the UI 12 are stored in the additional storage area. Then, when an IC card is set in the IC card device 22 with a predetermined additional device attached to the base machine 1, a program required for a copy operation is read through the UI 12 and loaded into the additional storage device. I have. The loaded program cooperates with the program written in the basic storage area, or controls the copying operation with a priority over the program. The memory used here is a nonvolatile memory composed of a random access memory backed up by a battery. Of course, other storage media such as an IC card, a magnetic card, and a floppy disk can be used as the nonvolatile memory. In this copying machine, in order to reduce the burden of operation by an operator, setting of image density and magnification can be preset, and the preset values are stored in a nonvolatile memory. ing.

(I-4) Serial Communication System FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a transfer data structure and transmission timing of serial communication, and FIG. 6 is a time chart showing a mutual communication interval in one communication cycle.

In the serial communication performed between the main CPU 41 and each of the CPUs (42 to 47), a data amount as shown in FIG. In FIG. 2A, for example, a UI
In the case of, the transmission data TX from the main CPU 41 is 7 bytes, the reception data RX is 15 bytes, and the transmission timing t _i (FIG. (C)) to the next slave, that is, the optical CPU 45, is 26 ms. Is shown. According to this example, the total communication amount is 86 bytes, and a communication speed of 9600 BPS has a period of about 100 ms. The data length includes a header, a command, and data as shown in FIG. When the transmission / reception with the maximum data length shown in FIG. 6A is targeted, the entire communication cycle is as shown in FIG. Here, from the communication speed of 9600 BPS, the time required for transmission of one byte is 1.2 mS, the time from the end of reception of the slave to the start of transmission is 1 mS, and as a result, 100 mS is one communication cycle.

(II-1) Optical System FIG. 7 (a) is a schematic side view of the optical system of the copying machine, FIG. 7 (b) is a plan view, and FIG. 7 (c) is a side view in the XX direction of FIG. It is. The scanning exposure apparatus 3 of this embodiment moves the second scanning system B in the reverse direction when the first scanning system A scans the original, and moves the image on the photosensitive material at a speed higher than the moving speed of the photosensitive material 4. PIS (precession imaging system) method of exposing to light, and fixing the second scanning system B,
The first scanning system A is made independently movable.

In FIG. 7A, a first scanning system A is an exposure lamp.
First carriage 101 having 102 and first mirror 103
And a second carriage 105 having a second mirror 106 and a third mirror 107, and scans an original placed on the platen glass 2. On the other hand, the second scanning system B includes a third carriage 10 having a fourth mirror 110 and a fifth mirror 111.
9 and a fourth carriage 112 having a sixth mirror 113. A lens 108 is disposed on the optical axis between the third mirror 107 and the fourth mirror 110 and is moved by a lens motor according to the magnification, but is fixed during scanning exposure.

The first scanning system A and the second scanning system B are driven by a carriage motor 114 which is a DC servo motor. The transmission shaft 11 is provided on both sides of the output shaft 115 of the carriage motor 114.
6 and 117 are provided, and timing belts 119a and 119b are stretched between a timing pulley 115a fixed to the output shaft 115 and timing pulleys 116a and 117a fixed to the transmission shafts 116 and 117. The transmission shaft 116 has a capstan pulley 1
16b is fixed, and the driven roller 1 is disposed opposite to the fixed roller 16b.
A first wire cable 121a is stretched in a cross shape between 20a and 120b, the first carriage 101 is fixed to the wire cable 121a, and the wire cable 121a is provided on the second carriage 105. Set speed reduction pulley 1
When the carriage motor 114 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure, the first carriage 101
₁ moves in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG.
There has been so moved in the same direction at a speed V _1/2.

Also, a timing pulley 117b fixed to the transmission shaft 117
A timing belt 119c is stretched between the timing pulley 123a of the transmission shaft 123 and the driven shaft 120c disposed opposite to the capstan pulley 123b of the transmission shaft 123. Second wire cable 12
1b is stretched. The fourth carriage 112 is fixed to the wire cable 121b, and the wire cable 121b is wound around a reduction pulley 122b provided on the third carriage 109, and rotates the carriage motor 114 in the direction indicated by the arrow. If so, the fourth carriage 112
There together moves in a direction indicated by an arrow in the deceleration V _2, third carriage 109 is so moved in the same direction at a speed V _2/2.

FIG. 7 (b) is a plan view for explaining a power transmission mechanism of the optical system of the copying machine shown in FIG. 7 (a), and shows a transmission shaft.
The PIS clutch 117 is provided with a PIS clutch 125 (electromagnetic clutch) for transmitting the rotation of the timing pulley 117a to the timing pulley 117b. Of the transmission shaft 1
It is transmitted to 17,123. Further, when the PIS clutch 125 is energized and released, the rotation of the rotating shaft 115 is not transmitted to the transmission shafts 117 and 123.

Also, as shown in FIG.
An engagement protrusion 126a is provided on the side surface of the 116a, and the engagement piece 126b is turned on by turning on the LDC lock solenoid 127.
And the transmission shaft 116 is fixed, that is, the first scanning system A
And the LDC lock switch 129 is turned on. Further, an engagement protrusion 130a is provided on a side surface of the timing pulley 123a, and when the PIS lock solenoid 131 is turned on, the engagement piece 130b engages with the engagement protrusion 130a, and the transmission shaft 12a
3 is fixed, that is, the second scanning system B is fixed, and the PIS lock switch 132 is turned on.

In the scanning exposure apparatus configured as described above, the PIS
Exposure methods of the PIS (precession imaging system) mode and the NON-PIS mode are selected by the disengagement of the clutch 125. In the PIS mode, for example, when the magnification is 65% or more, the PIS clutch 125 is engaged to speed up the second scanning system B.
By moving at V _2, the exposure point of the photosensitive material belt 4 is moved and the photosensitive material belt 4 in the reverse direction, per relatively quickly to a unit time than the scanning speed V ₁ of the process speed V _P of the optical system The number of copies has been increased.

At this time, if the magnification is M, V ₁ = V _P × 3.5 / (3.5M−
1), and if M = 1 and V _P = 308.9 mm / s, V ₁ = 432.5
mm / s. Also, V ₂ is the timing pulleys _{117b, V 2 = (1 /} 3~1 / 4) determined by the diameter of 123a has a V _1. On the other hand, in the NON-PIS mode, for example, in the case of 64% or less, by releasing the PIS clutch 125 and turning on the PIS lock solenoid, the second scanning system B is fixed and scanning is performed with the exposure point fixed. . In the PIS method, the speed of the scanning system increases at the time of reduction, and the illumination power must be increased, thereby avoiding an increase in the load on the drive system and the illumination power.

The lens 108 has a lens carriage 135 disposed below the platen glass 2 as shown in FIG.
Is slidably attached to a support shaft 136 fixed to the support shaft 136. The lens 108 is connected to the lens motor Z137 by a wire (not shown), and the rotation of the lens motor Z137 moves the lens 108 in the Z direction (vertical direction in the figure) along the support shaft 136 to change the magnification. Let it.

Further, the lens carriage 135 is provided with a support shaft 139 on the base side.
Is slidably attached to the lens carriage X140, and is connected to the lens motor X140 by a wire (not shown).
The magnification is changed by moving in the X direction (horizontal direction in the figure) along 39. These lens motors 137 and 140 are four-phase stepping motors. When the lens carriage 135 moves, the small gear 142 provided on the lens carriage 135
Rotates along the cloud-shaped surface of the lens cam 143, thereby rotating the large gear 144, and moving the mounting base 146 of the second scanning system via the wire cable 145. Therefore, the distance between the lens 108 and the second scanning system B can be set for a predetermined magnification by the rotation of the lens motor X140.

As shown in FIG. 8 (b), a lens shutter 147 is provided on one side of the lens 108 so as to be openable and closable by a link mechanism 148. When the shutter solenoid 149 is turned on and off, the lens shutter 147 is opened during image scanning. , And is closed when the image scan is completed. As described above, the reason why the lens shutter 147 is closed and the optical path is shut off except during image scanning is that DDP patches and ADC patches for process control are formed on the belt photosensitive material, and the second scanning system B is in the PIS mode. The purpose is to return to catch up with the latent image formed on the belt photosensitive material to prevent the image from being erased, and to prevent fatigue of the photosensitive material due to disturbance light when the platen cover is opened.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an outline of a subsystem of the optical system. As mentioned earlier, optical
The CPU 45 is connected to the main CPU 41 by serial communication and a hot line, and controls each carriage, lens, and the like in order to form a latent image on a photosensitive material in a copy mode transmitted from the main CPU 41. The control power supply 152 consists of a logic power supply (5V), an analog power supply (± 15V), a solenoid, and a clutch power supply (24V).
53 is composed of 38V.

The carriage registration sensor 155 is disposed at a position where the actuator 154 provided on the first carriage 101 depresses the carriage registration sensor 155 when the first carriage 101 comes to the document registration position, and the actuator attached to the first scanning system A is When the carriage registration sensor 155 is depressed, a signal is output. This signal is sent to the optical CPU 45 and serves as a reference for determining a position or timing for performing registration or for determining a home position P when the first scanning system A returns. Also,
The first home sensor 15 for detecting the position of the carriage
6a, a second home sensor 156b is provided, and the first home sensor 156a is disposed at a predetermined position between the registration position and the stop position of the first scanning system A, and detects the position of the first scanning system A. Output signal. In addition, the second home sensor 15
6b detects the position of the second scanning system and outputs a signal.

The rotary encoder 157 is of a type that outputs A-phase and B-phase pulse signals that are shifted by 90 ° in accordance with the rotation angle of the carriage motor 114.
With rotation, the pitch pitch of the timing pulley of the first scanning system is 0.15
Designed for 71mm / pulse.

The magnification solenoid 159 moves a magnification lens (not shown) in the vertical direction under the control of the CPU 45, and confirms the ON operation of the magnification switch 161 fixed in the optical path. The lens home sensors 161 and 162 are sensors that detect the home position of the lens 108 in the X direction and the Z direction, and are arranged on the reduction side at a predetermined interval from the position at the same magnification.

The LDC lock solenoid 127 is the first
Scanning system A is fixed at a predetermined position, and it is confirmed by turning on LDC lock switch 129 that the first scanning system is locked.

The PIS lock solenoid 131 is the PIS lock solenoid in the NON-PIS mode.
When the clutch 125 is released, the second scanning system B is fixed, and it is confirmed by turning on the PIS lock switch 132 that the second scanning system is locked.

The PIS clutch 125 is of a type that disengages the clutch when energized and engages the clutch when not energized, and reduces power consumption in the PIS mode.

Next, control of the scan cycle of the optical system will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b). FIG. 10A shows the relationship between the speed of the carriage motor 114 and time. This control scans the first scanning system A at a designated magnification and scan length, and starts when a scan start signal is received from a hot line. From the scan length data received from the main, an image scan count, which is the count number of the encoder clock from the interruption of the registration sensor to the end of the scan, is calculated.

First, after setting the reference clock data corresponding to the magnification, the carriage motor is moved in the scanning direction (C
W), and in the speed mode, DAC data is set for each interruption of the encoder pulse, and acceleration control during scanning is performed (step). Then in the steps
Set to the PLL (phase control) mode. If there is an interrupt signal that turns off the registration sensor in the step, proceed to the step. If the count of the encoder clock exceeds the number corresponding to the scan length, release the PLL mode. The speed mode is set, and the carriage motor is decelerated by applying a reverse driving force to the carriage motor.

Next, in step CW to CCW (reverse signal)
It is determined whether there is an interruption to the vehicle. If so, acceleration control at the time of return is performed in the speed mode (step). If the count number of the encoder reaches a preset brake start point (step), at the time of return, Deceleration control, and when the registration sensor is depressed, the scan end signal (high level) is notified to the main CPU (step),
If there is a reverse rotation signal again, the carriage motor is stopped (step). Note that the CPU resets the counter that counts the encoder clock to 0 at the following points.

FIG. 10B shows opening / closing control of the shutter 147. Since there is a time lag between the on / off of the shutter solenoid and the fully open / close of the shutter, the shutter turns on the solenoid immediately before passing the registration sensor,
Control is performed so that the solenoid is turned off immediately before the scan end. First, the number of counts from the start of the scan until the shutter is turned on (opened) is referred to as a shutter-on count. Then, the image scan count and the count number from the time the shutter is turned off (closed) until the scan end (shutter-off count) are calculated. Calculate the difference between These shutter-on count and shutter-off count data are prepared in the ROM as a table. According to this method, since the scan count is calculated from the paper size data, there is no need to have a shutter-on count and shutter-off count table for each paper size. Next, an image scan is started, the shutter is opened if the number of encoder clocks is equal to or greater than the shutter-on count, and if there is a resistent-off interrupt, the encoder clock number is compared with the shutter-off count here. When the count becomes equal to or greater than the shutter-off count, the shutter is closed and the image scan is completed.

(II-2) User interface (U / I) (II-2-1) Features of the user interface FIG. 11 is a view showing a state of attachment of a user interface using a display, and FIG. 12 is a user interface using a display. FIG.

Conventional user interfaces are mainly composed of console panels on which keys, LEDs, and liquid crystal displays are arranged, and include, for example, a backlit type and a type with a message display. The backlit console panel is designed to be readable by selectively illuminating a display plate on which a fixed message is arranged at a predetermined position in advance with a lamp or the like from behind, and has a message display. The console panel is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display element and displays various messages as needed without increasing the display area. Which of these console panels is adopted is determined for each copying machine in consideration of the complexity of the system configuration of the copying machine, operability, and the like.

(A) Characteristics of Mounting Position The present invention is characterized in that a stand-type display is adopted as a user interface, instead of employing the conventional console panel as described above. When a display is adopted, the user interface 12 can be mounted three-dimensionally above the copying machine main body (base machine) 1 as shown in FIG. 11 (a). In particular, the user interface 12 is shown in FIG. 11 (b). By arranging the copying machine in the right rear corner of the copying machine main body as described above, the size of the copying machine can be designed without considering the user interface 12, and the apparatus can be made compact. Further, in the copying machine, the height of the platen, that is, the height of the apparatus is designed to be a waist high enough to set a document, and this height regulates the height of the apparatus. As described above, the conventional console panel is mounted on the same upper surface as this height, and the operation unit and the display unit for function selection and execution condition setting are arranged at a considerable distance from the eyes. In this regard, in the user interface 12 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 11 (c), the position is higher than the platen, that is, close to the eye level, so that it is easy to see and the position is not downward but forward for the operator. In addition, it is on the right side, and the operation is easy. In addition, by making the mounting height of the display close to the eye level, the lower side can be effectively used as a mounting space for the control board of the user interface and the card device 24. Therefore, a structural change for mounting the card device 24 becomes unnecessary, and the card device 24 can be additionally provided without changing the appearance at all, and at the same time, the mounting position and height of the display can be easily viewed.
Further, the display may be fixed at a predetermined angle, but it is needless to say that the angle may be changed. In this way, unlike the conventional console panel which is mounted flat on the front side of the platen, its front direction can be easily changed, and therefore, FIG. 11 (c)
By turning the display screen slightly upward in accordance with the operator's eyes as shown in Fig. 11 and to the left as shown in Fig. 11 (b), that is, upward in the center (in the direction of the operator's eyes), the operability is further improved. A good user interface 12 can be provided. By adopting such a configuration, particularly in a compact apparatus, the operator can operate the document set and the user interface without moving at the center of the apparatus.

(B) Features on Screen On the other hand, even when a display is adopted, a large amount of information is required to provide information corresponding to multi-functionality, so a large display area is required when simply considered.
It has the aspect that it is difficult to respond to compactness. When a display having a compact size is adopted, it is difficult to provide all necessary information on one screen, not only because of the problem of display density, but also because it is necessary to provide a screen which is easy for the operator to see and understand. Therefore, various ideas have been devised in order to display even a compact size in an easily understandable manner.

For example, in the user interface of the present invention, the display screens are switched by classifying in the copy mode, and menus such as function selection and execution condition setting are displayed in each mode, and a cascade (cursor) of the screen is displayed by key input. You can move to specify options and input execution condition data. Depending on menu options, the detailed items are displayed in a pop-up display (overlapping display or window display) to enhance the display contents. As a result, even if there are many selectable functions and setting conditions,
The display screen can be refreshed and operability can be improved. As described above, in the present invention, the screen division configuration, the area division on each screen, the illuminance adjustment, the gray display, and other display modes are devised.
By successfully combining D and D, the operation unit has a simple configuration, diversifying and simplifying the display control, display contents and operation input of the display, and solving the problem of realizing both compactness and multifunctionality of the device. ing.

FIG. 12 shows an appearance of a user interface configured using a CRT display. In this example,
A key / LED board is arranged below the CRT display 301 and in front of the right side. As a screen configuration, the selection mode screen is divided into a plurality of areas of the screen, a selection area is provided as one of the areas, and the selection area is vertically divided so that each can be selected and set as a cascade area. Therefore, on the key / LED board, cascade keys 319-1 to 319-5 for cascade selection setting are arranged below the selection area of the vertically divided screen, and a mode selection key for switching the selection mode screen. 308-310 Other keys (302-304, 306, 307, 315-318) and LEDs (305, 311
To 314) adopt a configuration arranged on the right side.

(II-2-2) Display Screen Configuration The screen includes a selection mode screen for selecting the copy mode, a review screen for confirming the setting state of the copy mode, and a screen for executing the copy in the standard mode. It is composed of an automatic screen, an information screen for providing an explanation screen for a multifunctional copy mode, a jam screen for appropriately displaying the position of a jam when it occurs, and the like.

(A) Selection mode screen FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the selection mode screen.

As the selection mode screen, three screens of basic copy, application copy, and specialty copy shown in FIGS. 13 (a) to 13 (c) are set, and are switched to the CRT display by operating the mode selection keys 308 to 310. Of these screens,
The basic copy screen categorizes the most commonly used functions into groups, the application copy screen categorizes the most commonly used functions into groups, and the remaining special technical functions. The professional copy screens are grouped by category.

Each selection mode screen is divided into a message area A basically composed of two lines from the top, a setting state display area B composed of three lines, and a selection area C composed of nine lines.
In the message area A, a J-code message when there is a contradiction in the copy execution conditions, a J-code message when there is a hardware failure that requires contacting a service person, a C-code message that prompts the operator to take various precautions, and the like are displayed. Is done. Among them, the J code message has a check table of combination of copy execution conditions according to the setting contents of each cascade, and when the start key 318 is operated, the table is checked by referring to the table and output when there is a contradiction in the copy mode. Is done. In the setting state display area B, a selection state of another mode, for example, a selection state of an applied copy and a specialized copy with respect to a basic copy screen is displayed. In the display of the selected state, if the cascade state of the selection area C is other than the default (lower row), the cascade is displayed. In the selection area C, the cascade name is displayed in the upper part, the lower part of each cascade area is the default area, and the area above it is a non-default area, and the cascade key is operated to individually operate five cascade areas. You can choose to. Therefore, when the selection operation is not performed, the default area is selected, and the default state is the fully automatic copy mode. The selection area is selected and set by the lower cascade keys 319-1 to 319-5 corresponding to the vertically divided cascade area. It should be noted that the right side of the message area A serves as a count section for displaying the set count and the maid count.
Used as a maintenance information section for toner supply and the like. The contents of the cascade area of each selection mode screen will be described below.

(A) Basic Copy The basic copy screen includes a cascade of “paper tray”, “reduction / enlargement”, “double-sided copy”, “copy density”, and “sorter” as shown in FIG. 13 (a).

In the “paper tray”, automatic is the default, and in this case, a tray containing paper of the same size as the document size is automatically selected. By operating the cascade key, one of the manual tray, large capacity tray, upper tray, middle tray, and lower tray can be selected using an area other than the default area. Note that, in the column of each tray, the size, type, and icon (pictogram) of the stored paper are displayed so that the stored paper can be easily identified as illustrated. The paper is
There is a setting for feeding in the longitudinal direction and a setting for feeding in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

"Reduced / Enlarged" defaults to 1: 1
Automatic, fixed / arbitrary can be selected by operating the cascade key. In the automatic mode, the magnification is automatically set according to the selected paper size, and copying is performed. Magnification (line magnification)
Can be set from 50% to 200% arbitrarily in 1% increments. In fixed / arbitrary settings, the contents of the specific setting target are displayed in a pop-up screen by operating the cascade key, and 50.7%, 70% , 81%, 100%, 121%, 141
The user can select a fixed magnification consisting of seven levels of% and 200%, and can select and set an arbitrary magnification that changes continuously by 1%.

"Double-sided copy" is one-sided by default,
Other than the default, two-sided → one-sided, two-sided → two-sided, one-sided → two-sided can be selected in the relation of original → copy. For example, double-sided → single-sided is for performing single-sided copying on a double-sided original, and single-sided → double-sided is for forming a single-sided original into both copies. When making double-sided copy, the copy paper whose copy has been made on the first side is first stored in a duplex tray. Next, copy paper is sent out again from the duplex tray, and copying is performed on the back surface.

For "Copy Density", automatic is the default,
Seven levels of density can be set other than the default, and seven levels of density can be set even in the photo mode. The setting of this content is performed by a pop-up screen.

"Sorter" has a default copy receiver, and you can select a collation or stack other than the default. Collating is a mode in which copy sheets are sorted into each bin of the sorter, and stack mode is a mode in which copy sheets are sequentially stacked.

(B) Application Copy The application copy screen includes a cascade of “special original”, “margin”, “color”, “insert”, and “discharge surface” as shown in FIG. 13 (b).

The "special manuscript" is a function to copy large manuscripts such as A2 / B3 (LDC), a function to count holes in a manuscript output from a continuous form of a computer and copy one page at a time (CFF; computer form feeder), same size Two originals
It is possible to select a function other than the default, which is a double hook function (2-UP) for copying on a sheet of paper.

Bind margin is 1mm at the right or left edge of the copy
The "binding margin" is set within a range of ~ 16 mm, and the right binding, the left binding, and the length of the binding margin can be set other than the default.

"Color" is black by default, and you can select red other than the default.

"Slip sheet" is a function to insert a blank sheet in the middle during OHP copying, and can be selected other than the default.

The “discharge surface” can be selected other than the default so as to forcibly specify one of the front surface and the back surface and discharge the paper.

(C) Specialized copy The specialized copy screen is composed of a cascade of “job memory”, “edit / combine”, “fine adjustment of the same size”, and “frame erase” as shown in FIG. 13 (c).

"Job memory" is a page program that uses a card, in which a plurality of jobs are registered, called up, and automatically copied by pressing the start key. Calling and registration can be selected other than the default.

“Editing / combining” can select an editing function and a total function other than the default. The editing function is a function for inputting data for editing using an editor or the like, and a function of partial color, partial photograph, partial deletion, and marking color can be selected on the pop-up screen. As for the partial color, only the designated area is copied with one color, and the remaining part is copied with black. The partial photo copies the photo to the specified area, and the partial deletion does not copy the specified area. As for the marking color, when an area to be marked is specified, as an example, a light color is superimposed and recorded on the area to obtain an effect as if marking was performed.

The synthesizing function is a function of making one copy from two originals using a duplex tray, and includes sheet synthesizing and parallel synthesizing. Sheet combining is a function for recording both the first document and the second document in a state of being overlapped on one sheet of paper, and it is also possible to copy the first document and the second document in different colors. It is possible. On the other hand, the parallel composition is a function of creating a composite copy on one sheet in a state where the entirety of the second original is attached to the entirety of the first original.

"Same-size fine-tuning" is set at a magnification of 99% to 101% in 0.15% steps, and this function can be selected other than the default.

“Erasure” is to copy the image information around the original and not to copy the image information, as if a “frame” was set around the image information. The user can select any size other than the default setting and the full copy mode without erasing.

(B) Other screens FIG. 14 is a diagram showing examples of screens other than the selection mode screen.

(A) Review screen The review screen displays the status of the copy mode selected on each of the three selection mode screens described above, and as shown in FIG. The setting state of the cascade of the mode screen is displayed on one screen. In this review screen, the selection items, that is, the cascade name and the currently selected mode, that is, the options, are displayed. The inverted display with the background is adopted.

(B) Full-automatic screen The fully-automatic screen is a screen as shown in FIG. 14 (a). When the power is turned on, the preheating key 306 is operated in the preheating mode, or the all clear key 316 is operated. When displayed. This is a screen where all the cascades of the selection mode screens are set to default. On this screen, place the original on the platen as instructed, set the number of copies using the numeric keypad, and
When the user presses 318, a sheet having the same size as the document is selected, and the set number of copies is executed.

(C) Information screen The information screen is a screen for providing an explanation screen such as how to make a copy in each copy mode as shown in FIG. 14 (c), and is displayed by operating the information key 302. An explanation screen is displayed by inputting the information code displayed on the screen from the ten keys.

(D) Jam screen As shown in FIG. 14 (d), the jam screen is displayed on top of the screen displayed during the copy operation, and the jam is displayed by reducing the brightness of the original screen by one rank. To make the content clearer.

(C) Display Mode According to the present invention, as described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, the display is divided into a plurality of screens and switched and displayed, thereby reducing unnecessary information at each time and simplifying information of one screen. By changing the display mode in accordance with the display area of these layouts, the input setting state thereof, and the like, a screen with accents that is easy to see and understand is configured. For example, the selection mode screen is divided into a message area (including the count area), a setting state display area (including the maintenance information area), and a selection area as described above, but the display mode of each area is changed. ing. For example, in the message area including the count section, only the character string of the message is displayed in high brightness with the back black, and the same expression as that of the back lid type console panel is adopted. Further, in the setting state display area, the background is displayed in a mesh, that is, dots are displayed with light and dark at a predetermined uniform density, and the display portion of the cascade name is displayed in reverse (characters are dark and background is light). That is, this display is a representation of each cascade name in a card image. Further, the lower one line of the setting state display area is used as a maintenance information area such as toner bottle fullness and toner replenishment.
This information has a different characteristic from the setting state display information, so that the difference can be clearly recognized. Therefore, a display mode similar to that of the message area is employed. And
In the selection area, the periphery is displayed in a mesh, and the entire cascade display area is displayed in gray with low brightness, and options and cascade names are highlighted. Further, in addition to this display, the background of the set option area is displayed as a high-brightness display (reversed display). For example, in the basic copy screen, the tray options that have run out of paper due to the cascade of paper trays are displayed with black background. Characters are displayed in high brightness.

In the fully automatic screen shown in FIG. 14 (a), the background of the display area is displayed in a dark mesh, the area in which each operation instruction such as "document setting" is displayed is displayed in a bright mesh, and the border is bordered. To improve the clarity of the display and make it easier to see. As described above, it is needless to say that the display modes of the background can be freely changed and combined appropriately.

In particular, by bordering the background as shown in the drawing, the background is displayed with high brightness (normal brightness by paper white), gray gradation display with reduced brightness, and display with a predetermined light and dark dot density. To give the image of the card. As described above, by performing the border display while changing the display mode of the background of each area, the display contents of each area can be clearly distinguished for the operator, and an easy-to-view screen is provided. Also,
Also in the display of characters, the display is displayed in reverse or blinking, so that the user can be alerted to a characteristic attention for each display information.

In addition to devising the back of the character string and the change in the luminance of the character as described above, the present invention adds an icon (pictogram) to the option, the cascade name, and other character strings to provide a more imaginary image. Another feature is that the characterized display mode is adopted. For example, on the basic copy screen, the cascade names “reduce / enlarge”, “double-sided copy”,
These are those added to the head of “copy density” and “sorter”, and those added after the lower, middle, and upper paper sizes in the “paper tray” option. This icon conveys information to the user visually from another aspect, that is, the fact that the accent of the information is diminished only by the character string, that is, the image is more accurate and intuitive than the character string depending on the content of the information. There is a great merit in that important information can be transmitted to the user.

(II-2-3) Key / LED board The user interface is a CRT as shown in Fig. 12.
Although the display is composed of a display and a key / LED board, in the present invention, the number of keys and LEDs on the key / LED board is particularly increased because the display and setting of options are performed using the screen of the CRT display. We are trying to minimize it.

Mode selection keys 308 to 310 for screen switching and a cascade key 319-1 for selecting each cascade area
The function can be selected and set with eight keys of 319-5. Therefore, when one of the basic copy screen, the advanced copy screen, and the specialty copy screen is selected by operating the mode selection keys 308 to 310, the cascade key
Except for the operations of 319-1 to 319-5, all functions can be selected only by inputting numerical values using the numeric keypad 307, and copying by a desired function can be executed. Cascade key 319-1
319-5 are pairs of up and down movement keys to select and set a function by moving the setting cursor up and down in each cascade area. As described above, the screen of the selection mode is selected from the three by the mode selection keys 308 to 310 and only one of them is displayed.
LED 311-31 to show what is selected by
3 is used. That is, when the mode selection keys 308 to 310 are operated to display the screen of the selection mode, the LEDs 311 to 313 corresponding to the mode selection keys 308 to 310 are turned on.

When many functions are provided, it is not easy for the user to learn all the functions and make full use of them. Therefore, the information key 302 is used to provide a screen for explaining how to make a copy in each copy mode. This information function is executed as follows. First, the information key 302
Is operated, a list of information codes is displayed on the information index screen as shown in FIG. 14 (c). When the information code specified on this screen is selected and input using the numeric keypad 307, the screen shifts to an information pop-up screen corresponding to the code, where a copy mode explanation screen is displayed.

In addition, since the selection mode screen is divided into three as described above, and various functions defined by the three screens are selected and set, the entire setting state including other screens can be confirmed. Is also required. Therefore, the review key 303 is used to confirm such a setting state of the entire screen.

The dual language key 304 is a key for switching the language of the display screen. With internationalization, users using various different languages often share devices. Even in such an environment, display data and font memory are prepared in, for example, two languages, Japanese and English, in order to eliminate language obstacles, and the display data and font memory are switched by operating the dual language key 304. The display screen can be output by freely switching between words and English. In addition, the language is not limited to two, and a plurality of languages may be facilitated, and the languages may be switched in a predetermined order by operating the dual language key 304.

The preheating key 306 is used to set a preheating mode in order to save power consumption in the non-use state and to enable a quick transition from the non-use state to the copy operation. Switch to full automatic mode. Therefore, the LED 305 is used to indicate which of the states is in.

The all clear key 316 is used to clear the copier, that is, to set a full automatic mode in which each of the selection mode screens is set to a default, and displays the full automatic screen. This is the content of a screen that informs the operator that the current copy mode is a fully automatic mode, as shown in FIG. 14 (a).

The interrupt key 315 is used when continuous copying is being performed and another emergency copy needs to be made. When the interrupt processing is completed, the interrupt key 315 is used to return to the original copy work. Is also canceled. LED314
Indicates whether the interrupt key 315 is in an interrupted state or in a released state.

The stop key 317 is used to stop the copying operation in the middle, to set the number of copies, and to set the pins of the sorter.

The start key 318 is operated when the function selection and its execution conditions are completed and the copy operation is started.

(II-2-4) Configuration of User Interface Control System FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the user interface, and FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a software configuration of the user interface.

(A) Hardware configuration A user interface system equipped with a U / I CPU 46 basically has hardware as shown in FIG.
CRT board 331, CRT display 301 and key / LED board 333
It is composed of The CRT board 331 includes a U / I CPU 46 that controls the entire system and a CRT that controls the CRT display 301.
It has a controller 335, a keyboard / display controller 336 that controls the key / LED board 333, and
A program memory (ROM) 337 for storing the above-described programs as a memory, a frame memory (ROM) 338 for storing frame data, a part of which is configured as a non-volatile memory for storing tables, display control data, etc., and a work area RAM 339, two sets of V-RAM (RAM for video) 340, a character generator 342, and the like.

The CRT display 301 has, for example, a 9-inch size, and has a display color of paper white and a non-glare surface treatment. Using a screen of this size, if the total number of dots is 480 x 240, the dot pitch is 0.33 mm x 0.46 mm, and the dot configuration of tiles (characters) is 8 x 16 in a display area of 160 mm (H) x 110 mm (V), The number of tiles is
It becomes 60 × 15. Therefore, if you display kanji and kana at 16 dots x 16 dots and alphanumeric characters and symbols at 8 dots x 16 dots,
Kanji and Kana can display 30x15 characters using two tiles. In addition, display is performed by specifying four levels of normal luminance, gray 1, gray 2, and black level in units of tiles, and displaying reverse, blink, and the like. Input signal timing of such display, a dot frequency f _d When 10 MHz, 480 × 240, was treated between video data of 48μS at the period of the horizontal synchronizing signal 64 .mu.s, at the period of the vertical synchronizing signal of 16.90MS 15.36 mS
During this time, the video data will be processed.

Keyboard / display controller 336 is for U / I
The output of the clock generator 346 input to the CPU 46 is divided into 1/4 by the counter 347, and a clock whose frequency is set to 2.7648 MHz is input. The key / LED scan time of ms is created. If the scan time is too long, it takes a long time to detect the input.Therefore, there is a problem that the input data is not taken in when the key operation time by the operator is short.
The operation frequency of U increases, and the throughput decreases. Therefore, it is necessary to select an optimal scan time in consideration of these situations.

(B) Software configuration The software configuration of the user interface
As shown in the figure, a monitor with I / O management, task management, and communication protocol functions, a video controller with key input management and screen output management functions, job management, control, selection judgment, mode determination, etc. And a job controller having the following functions. For key input, the video controller processes the physical information of the key,
The job controller recognizes the mode, checks the reception conditions, and controls the job. In screen display, the job controller controls the screen based on machine status information and selection mode information, issues interface commands to the video controller, executes the command on the video controller, edits the screen,
Perform drawing. The key change detection unit 36 described below
2. The blocks that process, generate, and control other data are shown in fixed program units (modules), and these constituent units are grouped together for convenience of explanation. Of course, there are cases in which a plurality of modules are configured, or a plurality of modules are collectively configured.

In the video controller, the key change detection unit 362
Is for performing a double-press check and a continuous key press state detection on the physical key information passed from the monitor by the physical key table 361. The key conversion unit 363 converts the currently pressed physical key detected as described above into a logical key (logical information), and checks the key reception condition of the logical key (current key) in the job. Ask the controller. The conversion table 364 is referred to by the key conversion unit 363 at the time of conversion from the physical key to the logical key. For example, even if the cascade key is the same physical key, the logical information differs depending on the screen, so the display control The conversion from the physical key to the logical key is controlled by the display screen information of the data 367.

The screen switching unit 368 receives the key reception signal and the logical key from the job controller, or receives the logical key directly from the key conversion unit 363 in the video controller, and the logical key calls the basic copy screen or the application copy screen, or If the key is a simple screen switching key for expanding a pop-up screen by moving the key, and does not have a mode update or a state update, the display control data 367 is updated to the corresponding screen number in the display screen. Therefore, the screen switching unit 368 stores a logical key for developing the pop-up screen as a table, and displays the pop-up screen to be expanded when the logical key is operated and no other key is input within 750 msec. Control data
Update 367. In this process, in the process of selecting a certain option, the option to expand the pop-up screen may be selected temporarily by operating the cascade key,
Even in such a case, the pop-up screen is prevented from being developed one by one. Therefore, even if a logical key for expanding the pop-up screen is input within 750 msec, another key input is ignored as a temporary key input. Also, in the case of updating a state such as occurrence of a jam, updating a cascade or other copy mode, or updating a message or count value, the display control unit 369 receives an interface command from the job controller, analyzes the received command, and performs display control. The data 367 is updated.

The display control data 367 waits for data to control the display of each screen, such as a screen number to be displayed and display variable information in the screen, and the dialog data 370 is a basic frame of each screen,
This is a hierarchically structured database having display data of each frame, and reference addresses of variable data among the display data (addresses of the display control data 367 storing display variable information). The dialog editing unit 366 reads the basic frame of the screen to be displayed based on the screen number displayed by the display control data 367, the display data from the dialog data 370, and further displays the variable data according to the display variable information of the display control data 367. Determine the data, edit the screen, and edit the V-RAM3
Draw and expand the display screen on 65.

In the job controller, the key management unit 14 checks whether or not the logical key is in a receivable state by referring to the state table 371. If the logical key is receivable, other key information is not updated until 750 msec elapses thereafter. The key information is determined on condition that no input is made, and sent to the key control unit 375. The key control unit 375 performs a key reception process to update the copy mode 378, issue a mode check and a copy execution command, grasp the machine state, and pass display control information to the display management unit 377 to perform display control. Is what you do. In the copy mode 378, copy setting information of basic copy, applied copy, and specialty copy is set. The display management unit 377 issues an interface command to the video controller based on the processing result by the key management unit 14 or the control unit 375, and activates an interface routine (display control unit 369). After operating the start key, the job control unit 376 receives the operation information of the machine, issues a command for machine control, and performs management for executing a copy operation for one document. Command control section 373
Notifies the state management unit 372 and the job control unit 376 of the status of the received command transmitted from the main unit, and receives a command for execution from the job control unit 376 and transmits the command to the main unit during job execution. Therefore, the start key is operated, and the key control section 37 is operated.
5 sends the command corresponding to the copy mode to the send buffer 380
When the copy operation is performed by setting
The command of the operation state of the machine is sequentially received by the reception buffer 379. The command control unit 373 notifies the job control unit 376 of this command, so that a predetermined number of copies are completed and a command for executing the next copy is executed each time the copy is completed until a machine stop command is issued. Is issued. During the copy operation, when a jam occurrence command is received, the state management unit 372 recognizes the jam state through the command control unit 373, updates the state table 371, and simultaneously jams from the display management unit 377 to the video controller through the key control unit 375. Issues screen control interface commands.

(II-3) Paper transport system In FIG. 17, the upper tray 6-
1, middle tray 6-2, lower tray 6-3, and duplex tray 11 are installed in the base machine, and high capacity tray (HCF) 17 and manual tray (MSI) 16 are optionally installed on the side. Is provided with a paperless sensor, a size sensor, a clutch and the like as appropriate. Here, the no-paper sensor is a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a copy sheet in the supply tray, and the size sensor is a sensor for determining the size of the copy sheet stored in the tray. The clutch is a component for controlling on / off of driving of each paper feed roll. In this way, by allowing copy paper of the same size to be set in a plurality of supply trays, when one copy tray runs out of copy paper, copy paper of the same size is automatically fed from another supply tray. .

The feeding of copy sheets is performed by a dedicated feed motor, and a step motor is used as the feed motor. Whether or not the copy sheet is normally fed is detected by the feed sensor. A gate solenoid is used for registration for aligning the leading edge of the copy sheet once sent. The gate solenoid is different from a normal solenoid of this type in that the gate is opened at the time of energization so that a copy sheet is passed. Therefore, in a standby state in which no copy paper arrives, power is not supplied to the gate solenoid, and the gate is kept open to reduce power consumption. The gate solenoid is energized slightly before the arrival of the copy sheet, and the gate is closed to prevent passage. Thereafter, when the conveyance of the copy sheet is restarted at a predetermined timing, the power supply is stopped and the gate is opened. By performing such control, the position of the gate at the time when the leading edge of the copy sheet is blocked from passing is reduced, and even when the copy sheet is pressed against the gate with a relatively strong force, the positioning of the gate is determined. Can be done accurately.

When copying again in the duplex mode in which copying is performed on both sides of the paper or the composite mode in which copying is performed multiple times on
The sheet is guided to a transport path stacked on the duplex tray 11. In the case of the double-sided mode, the sheets are stacked directly on the duplex tray 11 from the conveyance path.In the case of the synthesis mode, the sheet is once conveyed from the conveyance path to the inverter 10 for the synthesis mode, and then is inverted to the duplex tray 11. Be guided. A gate 503 is provided at a branch point between the paper discharge outlet 502 from the transport path 501 to a sorter and the duplex tray 11 side, and a transport path is provided at a branch point leading to the synthesis mode inverter 10 on the duplex tray 11 side. Gates 505 and 506 for switching are provided, and a discharge outlet 502 is provided with a gate 507 and is inverted by a triroll inverter 9 so that the copied surface can be discharged with the front side.

The upper tray and the middle tray are trays that can store a sheet size of about 500 sheets, A3 to B5, legal, letter, special B4, and 11 × 17. As shown in FIG. 18, a tray motor 551 is provided, and the tray 552 is inclined when the number of sheets is reduced. As sensors, three paper size sensors 553-5 to detect paper size
55, a paperless sensor 556 for detecting running out of paper, and a surface control sensor 557 used for adjusting the height of the tray. There is also an emergency switch 558 for preventing the tray from rising too high. The lower tray is a tray capable of storing about 1100 sheets and storing the same sheet size as the upper tray and the middle tray.

In FIG. 17, the duplex tray is a tray that can hold about 50 sheets and can hold the same sheet size as each of the above trays. This is a tray for temporarily storing the copied paper when performing copying. Feed rollers 50 are provided on the entrance side conveyance path of the duplex tray 11.
7. A gate 505 is provided, and the gate 505 controls switching of sheet conveyance according to the combination mode and the duplex mode. For example, in the case of the double-sided mode, the sheet conveyed from above is guided to the feed roll 509 side by the gate 505, and in the case of the synthesizing mode, the sheet conveyed from above is temporarily set by the gates 505 and 506 in the synthesizing mode. After that, when it is turned over, it is led to the feed roll 510 and the duplex tray 11 side by the gate 506. In order to store paper in the duplex tray 11 and allow it to fall freely to a predetermined edge position, a tray inclination angle of about 17 ° to 20 ° is generally required. However, in the present invention, since the duplex tray 11 is accommodated in a narrow space in order to make the apparatus compact, a maximum inclination angle of 8 ° can be obtained. Accordingly, the duplex tray 11 is provided with a side guide 561 and an end guide 562 as shown in FIG. In the control of the side guide and the end guide, when the sheet size is determined, the sheet is stopped at a position corresponding to the sheet size.

Large capacity tray (HCF), a supply tray that can hold thousands of copy sheets. For example, it is often appropriate for a customer who does not need to make a copy by enlarging or reducing a document or a customer having a small copy amount to purchase the base machine alone. On the other hand, a customer who makes a large number of copies or a customer who requires a complicated copy operation often needs a duplex tray or a large capacity tray. As a means to fulfill these various requirements, this copier system has a structure that allows each additional device to be easily attached and detached, and provides an independent CPU (central processing unit) for some of the additional devices. Then, distributed control is performed by a plurality of CPUs.
This not only has the advantage that the product desired by the customer is easily obtained, but also the possibility of installing new additional equipment teaches the customer the possibility of a new copying operation. This will greatly enhance the purchase of this copier system in promoting the evolution of office paperwork.

The manual feed tray (MSI) 16 is a tray capable of storing about 50 sheets and paper sizes A2F to A6F, and is particularly capable of using large-size paper that cannot be stored in another tray. Conventional manual feed trays of this type
Since the manual feed is performed one sheet at a time, the copy sheet may be preferentially sent out from the manual feed tray when the manual feed is performed, and the operator does not need to select the manual feed tray itself. On the other hand, the manual feed tray 16 of the present invention can set a plurality of copy sheets at the same time. Therefore, if the feeding from the manual feed tray 16 is performed with the set of copy sheets, the feed may be started when a plurality of copy sheets are set. In order to prevent such a situation, the manual tray 16 is selected.

In the present invention, compactness is achieved by adopting a configuration in which a nudger roll 513, a feed roll 512, and a takeaway roll 511 are integrally attached to a tray. After the leading edge of the paper is nipped by the take-away roll 511, the feed-out sensor detects the leading edge and pauses it to perform pre-registration to adjust the transfer position and absorb variations in paper feeding in the feeder section doing. The fed sheet is fed to the transfer position of the photosensitive material belt 4 via the aligner 515.

(II-4) Automatic Document Feeder (DADF) In FIG. 20, the DADF 13 is mounted on the platen glass 2 of the base machine 1. In this DADF13,
A document tray 602 on which a document 601 is placed is provided. A delivery paddle 603 is arranged on the document sending side of the document tray 602, so that the documents 601 are sent out one by one. The fed document 601 is conveyed to an arc-shaped conveyance path 609 by a first driving roller 605 and its driven roller 606 and a second driving roller 607 and its driven roller 608. Further, the arc-shaped conveyance path 609 joins with the manual conveyance path 610 and is connected to the horizontal conveyance path 611. At the exit of the arc-shaped conveyance path 609, a third drive roller 612 and its driven roller 613 are provided. Is provided. The third drive roller 612 is vertically movable by a solenoid (not shown).
The driven roller 613 is configured to be able to contact and separate from the driven roller 613. The horizontal transport path 611 is provided with a stop gate 615 that is rotated by a drive motor (not shown).
A reversing conveyance path 616 is connected to the arcuate conveyance path 609. A fourth drive roller 617 is provided in the reversing conveyance path 616.
Is provided. Further, a belt driving roller 619 is provided on the platen gas 2 so as to face the outlet of the horizontal transport path 611, and the belt 621 stretched between the driven rollers 620 can be rotated forward and backward. A fifth drive roller 622 is provided at the outlet of the belt transport section, and a sixth drive roller 623 is disposed in the manual feed path 610. Two drive rollers 623 are provided in the front-rear direction of the base machine 1 (perpendicular to the paper surface in the drawing), and are configured to be able to simultaneously feed two originals of the same size. Reference numeral 625 denotes a cleaning tape for cleaning the surface of the delivery paddle # 03 by the seventh driving roller 626.

Next, the photo sensor S ₁ to S ₁₂ will be described with reference also to Figure 21. S ₁ is no paper sensor, the take-away sensor S ₂ is for detecting passage of the document, S _3, S ₄ the manual feed conveying path 610 for detecting the presence of a document 601 on the document tray 602
Feed sensor provided before and after the, S ₅ is a registration sensor, which document at the stop gate 615 skewing of the document is corrected by the skew rollers 627 for detecting whether or not in position, S ₆ to S ₁₀ is the size of the document paper size sensor for detecting, S ₁₁ is a discharge sensor, S ₁₂ for detecting whether the document has been discharged is an end sensor for detecting the end of the cleaning tape 625.

Next, the operation of the DADF 13 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. (A) is a platen mode in which the original 601 is placed on the platen 2 and exposed.

(B) is the simplex mode, and the document tray 602
The document 601 is stacked such that the first side to be copied is on the upper side. When you press the start button,
While the first drive roller 605 and the second drive roller 607 rotate, the third drive roller 612 moves upward and separates from the driven roller 613, and the stop gate 615 descends to block the horizontal transport path 611. I do. As a result, the original 601 passes through the arc-shaped conveyance path 609 and is pressed against the stop gate 615 (to
). The skew roller 627 at the position of the stop gate 615, the document with its end portion is corrected so as to be perpendicular to the horizontal conveyance path 611, the document size is detected by the sensor S ₆ to S _10. Next, the third drive roller 612 moves downward to come into contact with the driven roller 613, and the stop gate 615 is moved.
Rises to open the horizontal transport path 611, and the third drive roller 61
2. The belt driving roller 619 and the fifth driving roller 622 rotate, and the copy surface of the original is lowered, and the platen 2 is rotated.
After being sent to an upper predetermined position and exposed, it is discharged. The same operation is performed when a single document is sent from the manual feed path 610. In addition to the function of sending one document at a time, a function of simultaneously sending two documents of the same size (2-UP), a large document And a computer form feeder (CCF) to send continuous paper for computers.

(C) is a duplex mode in which the step of exposing one side of the document is the same as the steps (1) to (4) above, but when the one-sided exposure is completed, the belt drive roller 619 rotates in reverse and the third drive is performed. The roller 612 moves upward and separates from the driven roller 613, and the stop gate 615 descends to shut off the horizontal transport path 611. Therefore, the original is transported halfway.
16 and the fourth drive roller 617 and the second drive roller 617.
The roller 607 passes through the arc-shaped conveyance path 609 and is pressed against the stop gate 615 (-). Then the third
Of the third driving roller 612, the belt driving roller 619, and the fifth driving roller 622, while the driving roller 612 moves downward and comes into contact with the driven roller 613, and the stop gate 615 rises to open the horizontal conveyance path 611. Rotates, and the document is sent to a predetermined position on the platen 2 with the back surface of the document facing down and is exposed. When the exposure on both sides is completed, the belt drive roller 619 is again rotated in the reverse direction, is again conveyed to the half-conversion conveyance path 616, and is similarly discharged on the platen 2 by the fifth drive roller 622 (-). Therefore, the discharged originals are stacked in the order in which they are first stacked on the original tray 602 with the first surface to be copied facing down.

(II-5) Sorter In FIG. 23, the sorter 19 has a sorter main body 652 and 20 pins 653 on a movable carriage 651. Sorter body 652
Inside the belt drive roller 6 that drives the conveyor belt 655
56 and its driven roller 657 are provided, and a chain drive sprocket 660 for driving the chain 659 and its driven sprocket 661 are provided. These belt drive roller 656 and chain drive sprocket 6
60 is driven by one sorter motor 658. Above the conveyor belt 655, a paper inlet 662, a paper outlet 663, and a switching gate 665 driven by a solenoid (not shown).
Is provided. Also, an indexer 666 for switchingly supplying copy paper to each bin is attached to the chain 659. As shown in Fig. 24, the sorter motor
658 drive shaft 671 rotation timing belt 67
It is transmitted to pulley 673 via 2. The rotation of the pulley 673 is transmitted to the belt drive roller 656 and also to the chain drive sprocket 660 via the gear device 674.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG. (A) shows the non-sort mode, and the switching gate 665 is for feeding the copy sheet to the uppermost discharge tray at the non-sort position. (B) indicates the sort mode, and the switching gate 665 is shown.
Is switched to the sort position, and the odd-numbered sheets are conveyed to the odd-numbered bins from the top to the bottom bin, and the even-numbered sheets are moved to the even-numbered bins from the bottom to the upper bin. Conveyed. This reduces the sorting time. (C) and (D) show the stack mode, (C) shows an example in which four copies of four documents are copied for each document, and (D) shows the case where the maximum number of sheets stored per bin is exceeded. For example, if the number of sheets exceeds 50, it is stored in the next bin.

(II-6) Belt rotation The belt rotation consists of an imaging system and a marking system.

The imaging system is managed by the IMM subsystem 34, and writes and deletes a latent image. The marking system is managed by a marking subsystem 35, and performs charging, exposure, surface potential detection, development, transfer, and the like. In the present invention, the IMM subsystem 34 and the marking subsystem 35 cooperate with each other in order to achieve high-speed copying and high image quality by performing panel management on the belt, forming a patch, and the like as described below. doing.

 FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an outline of a belt periphery.

An organic photosensitive material belt 4 is disposed in the base machine 1. Organic photosensitive material belts have many degrees of freedom compared to photoconductor drums that form photosensitive materials by depositing Se, because the photosensitive material is formed by coating the charge generating layer, transfer layer, and other layers. Therefore, the cost can be reduced, and the space around the belt can be increased, thereby facilitating the layout.

On the other hand, the belt expands and contracts, and the diameter of the roll also changes due to the temperature difference.Therefore, a belt hole is provided at a fixed distance from the belt seam, this is detected, and a pulse corresponding to the rotation speed of the main motor is detected. Is generated by an encoder to form a machine clock, and a machine clock for one round is constantly counted, whereby a pitch signal serving as a reference for starting a carriage and a timing of a registration gate are corrected in accordance with expansion and contraction of a belt.

The organic photosensitive material belt 4 in this device has a length of 1 m or more, and 4 A4 size sheets and 3 A3 size sheets are mounted. However, since the belt has a seam, a panel (image formed on the belt) is always used. (Formation area) A copy of a panel that has not been managed cannot be taken. Therefore, the position of the panel is determined based on the belt hole provided at a certain distance from the seam, the number of panels (number of peaches) to be placed on the belt is determined according to the copy mode specified by the user, and the paper size. A signal is issued when the panel that first makes a copy by pressing the button comes to the position of the gate park near the roll 201, and signals that a copy can be made from here.

Organic photosensitive material belt 4 is charged corotron (charger) 21
1 is uniformly charged, and is driven at a constant speed in the clockwise direction in the figure. When the first panel comes a fixed time before the register (exposed portion) 231, a pitch signal is output, and the timing of carriage scanning and paper feed is set based on this pitch signal. Charge Corotron 21
The belt surface charged by 1 is exposed at an exposure location 231. A light image of a document placed on the platen glass 2 arranged on the upper surface of the base machine 1 is incident on the exposure location 231. For this purpose, an exposure lamp 102, a plurality of mirrors 101 to 113 for transmitting reflected light of the document surface illuminated by the lamp, and an optical lens 108 are arranged, of which the mirror 101 is used for reading the document. Be scanned. The mirrors 110, 111, and 113 constitute a second scanning optical system, which is called a PIS (Precession Image Scan). Since there is a limit in increasing the process speed, copy without increasing the process speed. In order to increase the speed, a second
Scan the scanning optics to increase the relative speed, up to 64
/ min (CPM).

An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the document is formed on the organic photosensitive material belt 4 by the image information exposed in a slit shape at the exposure portion 231. And IEL (Inter Image Lamp) 215
After performing unnecessary image and erase between images and side erasing, the electrostatic latent image is usually developed by a developing device 216 for black toner or a developing device 217 for color toner to create a toner image. The toner image moves with the rotation of the organic photosensitive material belt 4 and passes near the pre-transfer corotron (transfer device) 218 and the transfer corotron 220. The pre-transfer corotron 218 is usually for weakening the electric adhesion of the toner by applying an alternating current to facilitate the movement of the toner. Also, since the belt is made of a transparent material, the pre-transfer lamp 22
In step 5 (also used for erasing), the belt is irradiated with light from the back to further weaken the electrical adhesion of the toner and facilitate the transfer.

On the other hand, the copy paper accommodated in the supply tray of the base machine 1 or the copy paper manually fed along the manual feed tray 16 is sent out by a feed roll, guided by the conveyance path 501, and Pass between Transfer Corotron 220. The paper feed is basically performed by LEF (Long Edge Feed), and the registration gate is opened and closed so that the leading edge of the paper coincides with the exposure start position at the tacking point, and the toner image is transferred onto the copy paper. Then, the paper and the photosensitive material belt 4 are peeled off by the detack corotron 221 and the strip finger 222, and the copy paper after the transfer passes through the space between the heat roll 232 and the pressure roll 233 and is thermally fixed. And is discharged onto a discharge tray (not shown).

The photosensitive material belt 4 from which the copy paper has been peeled is easily cleaned by the pre-clean corotron 224, and the lamp 2
Unnecessary charges are erased by light irradiation from the back surface by the blade 25, and unnecessary toner, dust, and the like are scraped off by the blade 226.

A patch is formed between images on the belt 4 by the patch generator 212, and the electrostatic potential of the patch portion is detected by the ESV sensor 214 for density adjustment. Also belt 4
Has a hole as described above, and the belt speed is detected by the belt hole sensor 213 to detect the belt speed and control the process speed. ADC (Aut
o Density Control) The sensor 219 compares the amount of reflected light from the toner on the patch with the amount of reflected light when there is no toner to detect the degree of toner adhesion. Is detected when it is wrapped around.

FIG. 27 shows the state of panel division on the photosensitive material belt 4.

Since the belt 4 has a seam portion 251, an image is not placed on the belt portion 251. A belt hole 252 is provided at a position at a fixed distance l from the seam portion. For example, when the circumference is 1158 mm, l is 70 mm. . 253 and 254 in the figure are the first and last panels when the photosensitive material belt surface is divided into N pitches.
Is the panel interval, C is the panel length, and D is the panel pitch length, which is 289.5 mm for 4-pitch division, 386 mm for 3-pitch division, and 579 mm for 2-pitch division.
Seam 251 consists of LE (Lead Edge) on panel 253 and panel 254
A = B / 2 so as to be at the center with the TE (Tail Edge).

Note that the LE of the panel needs to match the LE of the paper, but the TE does not always match, and matches the maximum paper TE applicable to the panel.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing an outline of functions of the IMM subsystem.

An overview of the functions of the IMM subsystem 34 is to perform serial communication with the IEL subsystem 40 via a bus line, send an interrupt signal via a hotline to perform high-precision control, manage image formation, and perform marking control. 35, The control signal is sent to the CHM subsystem 33 to control around the belt.

In addition, the main motor is controlled by detecting a hole opened in the organic photosensitive material belt 4, and a panel formation position is determined to perform panel management. In a low-temperature environment, the phasor is idled to maintain the fixing roll at a predetermined temperature so that quick copying can be performed. When the start key is pressed, the system enters the setup state, _adjusts constants such as _VDP before copying, and when the copy cycle starts, erases the leading and trailing edges of the image based on the document size. Forming an image area. Further, a patch for toner density adjustment is formed by forming a patch in the inter-image area. Further, when a hard down cause such as a jam cause or a belt failure is detected, the belt is stopped or the machine is stopped by communicating with the sequence manager.

Next, input / output signals and operations of the IMM subsystem will be described.

A detection signal of the toner in the black toner bottle 261 and the color toner bottle 262 is input, and the remaining amount of the toner is detected.

From the optical registration sensor 155, an optical registration signal serving as a reference for a PG request signal, a bias request signal, and an ADC request signal output from the IMM subsystem to the marking subsystem is input.

The original size is input from the platen original size sensors S _{6 to} S ₁₀ , and the erase area by the IEL 215 is determined based on the original size and the paper size.

A belt hole signal is input from the belt hole sensor 213, and the process speed is controlled by the main motors 264 and 265 to correct for variations in the time the belt makes one revolution. Two main motors are provided so that they can be operated at an efficient operating point, the power of the motor can be efficiently output according to the load condition, and the effective use of the power and the stop position accuracy are improved. Regenerative braking by motor. Also, the motor can perform reverse drive. This is because if cleaning is performed by bringing the blade into close contact with the photosensitive material belt, paper dust and toner residue accumulate on the front side of the blade, and this is removed. Belt clutch 267
And only the belt can be selectively stopped. A pulse is generated from the encoder in synchronization with the rotation of the motor, and the pulse is used as a machine clock to obtain a machine clock corresponding to the belt speed.

If a hole cannot be detected for a certain period of time by the belt hole sensor 213 or the size of the hole has changed, this is transmitted from the IMM to the sequence manager, and the machine is stopped.

Further, the IMM subsystem performs serial communication with the IEL subsystem 40, sends an interrupt signal through a hot line, and sends out an IEL enable signal, an IEL image signal, an ADC patch signal, and an IEL black band signal. Unnecessary images are erased using the IEL image signal, and A
With the DC patch signal, the IEL subsystem 40 defines the shape and area of the patch area formed by the patch generator 212, and adjusts the charge amount to increase the electrostatic potential to 500 to 600V.
Adjust to a constant potential. The IEL black band signal forms a black band between the images at predetermined intervals so that toner adheres to the belt 4 at predetermined intervals so that the belt 4 is not damaged by the blade 226, and acts as a kind of lubricant. The belt 4 is prevented from being damaged even in the case of copying when the toner amount is extremely small as in the case of the following.

Further, the IMM communicates with the marking subsystem 35 via a hot line, and a patch formation request signal, a bias request signal, an AD
Send a C request signal. In response, the marking subsystem 35 drives the patch generator 212 to form a patch, drives the ESV sensor 214 to detect an electrostatic potential, and drives the developing machines 216 and 217 to form a toner image. doing. Further, it controls the drive of the pre-transfer corotron 218, the transfer corotron 220, and the detack corotron 221.

A pitch reset signal is sent from the IMM,
The start timing of the carriage is set based on this.

A detection signal as to whether or not the color developing unit is mounted is input to detect whether the toner of the developing unit is black or color.

A registration gate trigger signal is sent from the IMM to the CHM subsystem 33 to control so that the sheet and the leading edge of the image coincide at the tacking point, and when it is necessary to correct the timing of opening the registration gate, the correction amount is set. Calculated and sent.

The toner scraped off by the blade 226 is collected in a collected toner bottle 268, a detection signal of the amount of toner in the bottle is input to the IMM, and an alarm is issued when the amount exceeds a predetermined amount.

The IMM drives the fan motor 263 to prevent an abnormal temperature rise, so that the environmental temperature is within the allowable temperature range and a copy of stable image quality can be obtained.

 FIG. 29 shows a timing chart.

The reference time for the control is the position of the optical registration sensor. The IEL is turned off after a predetermined time (T1) of the optical registration sensor ON / OFF signal. That is, the front end is turned on until T1 and the rear end is turned on after T2. In this manner, the image is formed by the IEL image signal, and the leading edge of the sheet at the tacking point is made to coincide with the leading edge of the image by controlling the timing of the registration gate. After the image formation is completed, an ADC patch signal is generated by a patch generator request signal (T5 after the reference time), and a patch is formed on the inter image. After the patch is formed, a bias request signal is issued (after T6) to perform development, and then an ADC request signal is issued (after T7) to detect toner density. Further, a black band is formed in the inter image by the black band signal.

During AE (Auto Exposure) scanning, IEL
Does not turn on / off the image signal.

(III) System (III-1) Positioning of System FIG. 30 is a conceptual diagram showing the positioning of each subsystem in this embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the system configuration is roughly divided into a main body, an input / output device, and a user interface, and a system (SQMGR) 3 for controlling the main body correspondingly.
2, INPUT subsystem for controlling the optional ADF 3
7, OUTPUT to control the sorter which is also optional
It comprises a subsystem 38 and a U / I subsystem 36.
CHM33, IMM34, and XE that make up each subsystem of the main unit
RO35, OPT39, and IEL40 are under the control of SQMGR32. All subsystems exchange necessary data via SQMGR32, and SQMGR32 keeps track of the state of the entire system. Of course, only the U / I needs to know the information that only each subsystem needs to know, such as when a document is simply placed on the document tray, especially SQMGR.
Will not be given that information. In this way, the entire apparatus is configured to be organically and efficiently controlled by the SQMGR.

(III-2) Module Configuration of System FIG. 31 is a module correlation diagram of the system.

The main SQ that supervises the entire system module configuration
It consists of the MGR unit 751 and each module under its control.

The main SQMGR unit 751 performs reception / transmission processing, M / C state
It controls processor states, manages subsystems, processes internal systems, monitors interlocks, and so on.

The SYSMNG unit 752 checks the transition condition of the M / C state, and rewrites the M / C state when a state transition occurs to manage the state.

The SYSPRC unit 753 monitors what the current system state is and issues an instruction to each remote.

The PRCMNG unit 754 checks the transition condition to the processor state, and rewrites the processor state when the body transition is established.

The PRCPRC unit 755 monitors the processor state and gives an instruction to the remote according to the state.The PRCSUB unit 756 under its control performs various operations such as calculating the scan length from the paper size and magnification. ing.

The UIMGR unit 757 performs job management and interface control with other subsystems.

The CHMMGR unit 758 performs a paper purge determination, determines whether or not to perform a paper purge when an error occurs in the machine, and in which zone to perform a paper purge for the purge, and determines the paper tray information. The management of.

IMMMGR unit 759 is for belt state management, main motor,
Main motor state management.

 The MARKMGR unit 760 performs XERO state management.

The OPTMGR unit 761 performs lens state management, fixed and arbitrary magnification management, and carriage state management.

The INMGR unit 762 manages the document position, calculates the number of returned documents,
Judgment of blank copy is performed as in the case of document jam.

The OUTMGR unit 763 manages the state of the sorter.

SYSIN section 764 manages billing, service kit processing,
24V power control and communication fail check.

The interrupt processing unit 765 is, for example, a document register (DADF
→ SQMGR), scan start (SQMGR → OPT), registration sensor (OPT → marking, IMM), scan end (OPT →
Performs interrupt processing and pitch processing centered on the hot line interface such as marking, SQMGR) and document exchange (SQMGR → DADF). The TXQUE unit 766 performs transmission processing by transmission requests from other modules, transmission queue FULL (transmission Fail check processing is performed due to the full RAM area allocated for data).

(III-3) State Processing In this apparatus, state management is performed for the main body and each subsystem from the viewpoint of easy control, and the relation between the states has a hierarchical structure. That is,
Above each subsystem, such as the belt state and marking state, there is a processor state that indicates what state each subsystem is in, and further, above the input state, processor state, and output state, what state the entire machine is in There is an M / C state that indicates whether the

(A) Machine state Figure 32 shows the M / C state. When each application is activated for the first time after power-on, the transition of the initialization state is controlled by each remote prior to the control of the M / C. This is the state where NVM data required for is distributed (). Then, in the case of the normal mode, a transition is made from the initialization state to the STANDBY state that gives the user an opportunity to set the copy mode (). Also,
In the diagnostic mode, the diagnostic state is set to set the M / C configuration and control data (). And STAN
In the DBY state, when the start button is pressed and a start command is received from the U / I, the state changes to the PROGRESS state in which the copy operation is performed according to the user's request (), the requested copy is completed, and the M / C is shut down. When it becomes necessary to do so, it enters the SOFT DOWN Coin state (). This state provides the user with an opportunity to start copy restart. When a start command is received, the state transits to the PROGRESS state again (). When the M / C has to be shut down due to a failure or the operation of the stop key, all clear key, etc., the state becomes the SOFT DOWN PAUSE state to wait until the M / C stops in the best condition. (), "Please wait" message is displayed.
Copy display in STANDBY is "Can copy", PROGRES
The message display in S is "Copying", SOFT D
The copy display in OWN Coin is "Can be copied".

When the INPUT, processor, and OUTPUT are all stopped, if there is a cause jam, the state transits to the PURGE STNDBY state for giving the user an opportunity to remove the cause of the jam (). When in the PURGE STANDBY state, press the start key, and when the SQMGR receives a start command from the U / I, it enters the PURGE state (), M
/ C will do the recovery work it can do on its own. In the state of SOFT DOWN PAUSE, INP
If the UT, processor, and OUTPUT all stop and there is no cause jam, etc., return to the STANDBY state (). Also, in the STANDBY state, the job is canceled, and when the document needs to be purged, a transition is made to the purge STANDBY state (), and in the PURGE state, the PURGE ends, and
If the job is in the middle of the job, the state transits to the state of PROGRESS (), PURGE ends, and if there is no job, the state transits to STANDBY (). In addition, the job is canceled in STANDBY, and if the PURGE of the document is not required, the state of the STANDBY state is maintained ().

By performing such a state management, the SQMGR always grasps what state the M / C is in and controls the M / C.

(B) Processor state FIG. 33 is a diagram showing the processor state.

The state division divides the state after the power ON from the copy operation and the state after the copy operation into several parts, decides the job to be performed in each state, and moves to the next state if all the jobs in each state are not completed In order to improve the efficiency and accuracy of control by avoiding this, a flag is determined for each state, and each subsystem refers to this flag to determine which state the main system Know what to do and judge what to do. Each subsystem is also divided into states, and a flag is similarly determined corresponding to each state. The main system refers to the flag and grasps and manages the state of each subsystem.

First, when the power is turned on, the state of the processor is initialized, and it is determined whether the mode is the diagnostic mode or the user mode (copy mode). The diagnostic mode is a mode used by a service person for repairs and the like, and performs various tests based on the conditions set in the NVM.

In the initialization state in the user mode, the initialization is performed according to the contents of the NVM. For example, the carriage is set at the home position, the lens is set at a position of 100% magnification, and an initialization command is issued to each subsystem. When the initialization ends, the state transits to standby.

Standby is a state until all subsystems have completed the initial setting and the start button is pressed,
Display "Please wait" on the fully automatic screen. Then, the Colt lamp is turned on and the fuser idles for a predetermined time, and when the fuser reaches a predetermined control temperature, the U /
I will display the message "Can be copied" in the message. This standby state is a period of about several tens of seconds at the first power ON.

The setup is a pre-preparation state of copying started by pressing the start button, the main motor and the sorter motor are driven, and the V _{DDP of the} photosensitive belt _{adjusts the} constant. Also, the ADF motor is turned on, the first document feed starts, the first document reaches the registration gate, and the document size is detected.
The magnification is determined and the ADF manuscript is laid on the platen. Then, the second document of the ADF is sent out to the registration gate, and the state shifts to cycle-up.

Cycle-up is a state where the belt is divided into several pitches and panel management is performed, and the first panel reaches the get park point. That is, the pitch is determined in accordance with the copy mode, and the optical subsystem is informed of the magnification and the lens is moved. Then, the copy mode is notified to the CHM subsystem and the IMM subsystem,
When the magnification set is recognized, the scan length is determined by the magnification and the paper size, and the optical subsystem is notified. Then, the copy mode is notified to the marking subsystem, and when the start of the marking subsystem is completed, the panel L / E determined by the pitch is checked by the IMM subsystem, and the first copy panel is found, and the get copy point is set. When it reaches, it becomes get park ready and enters the cycle.

The cycle is a copy operation, and the ADC (Automatic D
The copy operation is repeatedly performed while performing ensity control), AE (Automatic Exposure), DDP control, and the like.
When R / L = counted number of sheets, document exchange is performed, and when this is performed for a predetermined number of sheets, a coincidence signal is output and the cycle starts.

Cycle down is a state in which the carriage scan, paper feed, etc. are completed and the copy operation is cleaned up.Each corotron, developing machine, etc. are turned off, and the panel next to the last used panel stops at the stop park position. Panel management to ensure that only specific panels are used and do not cause fatigue.

From this cycle down, it usually returns to standby,
If the start key is pressed again when copying in the platen mode, the process returns to the setup in the case of restart. If a cycle-down factor such as a jam occurs even from setup and cycle-up, the state transitions to cycle-down.

Purging is a state in which a jam has occurred, and when the cause jam sheet is removed, other sheets are automatically discharged. Normally, when a jam occurs, the state transitions from any state to cycle down → standby → purge. Then, a transition is made to standby or set-up due to the purge end, but if a jam occurs again, a transition is made to cycle down.

The belt-down occurs when a jam occurs on the tray side from the tacking point. In a state where the belt drive is stopped by releasing the belt clutch, the paper before the belt can be discharged.

The 24V power supply is cut off in a state where the interlock is opened and a dangerous state occurs or a machine clock failure occurs and the control becomes uncontrollable.

Then, when these belt down and hard down factors are removed, the state shifts to standby.

(III-4) Interface Correlation Diagram Next, data exchange between the SQMGR and each subsystem will be described using an initialization process as an example.

FIG. 34 is an interface correlation diagram between subsystems in the initialization processing.

When the power is turned on by the user, an initialization process is performed. After the power is turned on, the SQMGR transmits various values stored in the NVM necessary for starting each subsystem to the respective subsystems after 1.5 seconds. When the sorter sends a CONFIG command to the SQMGR and informs whether the sorter is one or two, and when the initialization end information is returned from the U / I, the SQMGR changes the system state to DADF and marking. Inform. After the 24V power supply is turned on, the OPT is instructed to initialize. This is because the OPT initialization requires driving the lens and carriage. Next, each subsystem is notified of whether the normal copy mode is the diagnostic mode or the RUN mode. This information is sent to SQMRG together with the initialization end command from U / I. And, INPUT TRAY STATUS, ALOCK mode
Is notified from the DADF, this information is notified to the U / I. Also, when CHM sends tray STATUS information to inform the tray status, this information is also
Notify I. During this time, the heating of the fuser is started, two Colts lamps are turned on, the DEVE retract is operated, the information of the fuser STATUS is sent to the SQMGR, and this information is sent to the U / I. Then, when the notification of the initialization end is made from each subsystem, the SQMGR notifies the CHM, the marking, and the U / I of the system state, that is, the standby, and rewrites the processor state to the standby state. U / I is an automatic screen, magnification 100
% And paper A4 size are specified, and the key is ready to be received. The display shows "Copy is possible" and the initialization processing ends.

In this way, the SQMGR gives necessary instructions to each subsystem, receives a report from each subsystem that processing has been performed as instructed, constantly grasps the state of each subsystem, rewrites the system state, and The required information is notified to the U / I and displayed.

(III-5) System environment I / O directly controlled by SQMGR is billing,
If a failure occurs, it is a process to turn off the power after a predetermined time elapses, or a service kit etc. that allows you to receive a copy service with a key or card, such as a CHM, a sorter, a set number of U / I, etc. This is because the data is aggregated from each subsystem and the processing is performed differently from other functions in order to perform this in one existing subsystem.

For example, taking a billing as an example, in this embodiment, a billing system corresponding to a new function such as colorization is prepared, and mainly a TOTAL billing, a MODAL billing, a CO
Consists of LOR billings.

(1) TOTAL billing counts the number of copies used in 1stDEVE, and counts the number of sheets in a duplex tray and the number of sheets stored in a sorter.

(2) MODAL billing is a service for a large number of users by counting one document and counting it up to a specified number within the range of 1 to 999 sheets set by NVM, and not counting over that number. Can be done.

(3) COLOR billing counts the number of copies of all copies using 1stDEVE and using 2ndDEVE, and does not enter MSI
The number of copies for 2 size paper is counted separately as A2 paper billing.

In such a method, for example, when copying in the composite mode of black and red, when copying in black (1stDEVE), counting is performed in both the TOTAL billing and the COLOR billing, and the red (2ndDEV
When copying in E), count only the COLOR billing.

The timing at which the billing counter is turned ON is when the paper has been normally ejected, and the jammed paper is not counted. In addition, the OFF timing of the billing is set 100 msec after the ON of the billing, and the shorter one is better on software, but the counting is performed by a mechanical counter, so a predetermined time is required to operate this. This is because, in addition, it cannot be made too long to count the next sheet.

In addition, MODAL billing counts the number of copies for one original, so it is not a mechanical counter,
It is necessary to count by a soft counter. In that case, the billing is counted by the sorter EXIT sensor OFF, when there is no sorter, the body EXIT sensor OFF, and the billing is counted by the sensor OFF to the duplex tray. In addition, an interrupt MODAL counter is provided to count the
Perform the same as the MODAL billing counter.

The billing control at the time of abnormality is the same as that of jam and interlock open, and the paper discharged by the purge is not counted. When canceling a job with the clear key or all clear key, the soft counter for MODAL billing is set in the same way as in the case of jam.
Count with the ODAL counter. In the case of no paper and LOWTONER, neither is counted.

(III-6) Composite Function The SQMGR performs various controls on jobs that extend between subsystems or jobs that perform state management, and typical ones will be described below.

(A) Restart The restart is intended to increase the productivity by permitting the reception of the next job before the M / C stops, and the last scan as shown in Fig. 35 (a). M / C state (system state) by the next pitch signal of SCAN
Changes from PROGESS to SOFT DOWN COIN, and from when the processor state enters CYCLE DOWN from CYCLE,
If the start key is pressed again until T, the main unit, and the OUTPUT stop completely, acceptance of the job is permitted.

When the M / C state enters the STANDBY state, INPUT, main unit, OUT
The PUT stops completely, and subsequent starts are not restarted, but are handled as normal start. Then, in the restart, the M / C state changes from SOFTDAWNCOIN to PROGESS, and the processor state changes from CYCLEDAWN to SETUP, as shown in FIG. XERO
If the restart is performed during the fall, the stop is immediately stopped and the start sequence is started. If the restart is performed during the stopper park, the stop park operation is immediately stopped and the start sequence is started. When the belt is restarted during the reverse rotation operation, the start-up sequence starts after the reverse rotation operation is completed.

In the platen mode, a new job is accepted by the start button from the scan return time of the last copy, and a new job is started.In SADF2UP and LDC modes, the original is already scanned at the last scan return time of the registered original. A new job is started if the original is set or the original is set before the machine stops. In the ADF mode, restart can be performed only when cards are continuously inserted (cards are continuously inserted). The machine is started after the last sheet is discharged. CF
Job restart is not accepted in F mode.

(B) Panel division Since the conventional copier mainly determines the number of panel divisions based on the paper size, for example, when the magnification is enlarged and the optical scanning speed is reduced, a scan start signal for the next panel is issued. In this embodiment, there is a disadvantage that the carriage does not return to the original position when the sheet is touched. Is determined. This determination is made by the SQMGR based on the copy mode in the M / C start command sent from the U / I to the SQMGR when the start key is pressed in the standby state. As a result, the CPM is maintained at a high level by always performing optimal panel division according to the copy mode.

(D) Automatic Document Recovery In this embodiment, ADF, double-sided original / single-sided copy (D / S),
If a paper jam occurs in the two-sided original / two-sided copy (D / D) mode and the side of the REGI original is different from the side to take the next original, do not purge the original as in the past. At the next start, the document is automatically reversed so that copying can be started. The detection of the side of the document surface on which REGI is performed is determined by SQMGR based on the data of the REGI INF command sent from DADF.

(III-7) Panel division control device (main part of the present invention) In this embodiment, a photosensitive material belt is used, and since the photosensitive material belt has a seam, the panel is divided so that the seam portion is not developed. ing.

Further, in this embodiment, the system is divided into a plurality of subsystems, and the entire system is organically controlled by SQMGR. If the job is complicated such that one job spans each subsystem, this is used as a composite function as SQMGR
The panel division of the present invention is one of them.

(III-7-1) Panel Division FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a state of panel division in this embodiment.

Fig. 36 (a) shows the case of four-panel division. The pitch interval is 289.5mm, which is obtained by dividing 1158mm around the belt into four parts, the panel length is 216mm, and the seam is located at the center between the panels. The first panel is located 36.75 mm from the seam. Similarly, in the case of three-panel division, two-panel disassembly, and one-panel division, seams are arranged at equal intervals so that the seam is located at the center between the panels. Panel pitch is 297mm for 3 pitch and 2 pitch
This is because it is only necessary to cover up to A3 size in the case of two pitches, and the panel width is 670 mm in the case of one pitch.

37 to 40 are views showing the concept of panel division according to the present invention. In the figure, the horizontal axis is the scan time, and the vertical axis is the scan distance.

Figure 37 (b) shows the case of four panels divided, pitch interval T ₁ is 937.5msec (= 289.5mm / 308.9mm / sec ). Now IMM pitch reset signal is issued at timing t ₀ from when the scanning start of the carriage is performed at timing t _1, subsequent pitch reset at a period of 937.5Msec, scan start is performed, during the sensitive material belt around Scanning for 4 panels is performed and 6000msec / 937.5
msec = 64 CPM is achieved.

As shown in FIG. 37 (b), for example, the magnification is enlarged,
When scanning speed becomes slow and scanning time becomes long,
Scanning begins at the timing t _1, the next scan start signal when the carriage return timing t ₁
+ T ₁ will have passed. As a result, the next t ₁ +
Panel to be started at the timing of T ₁ is skipped, so that the scanning is performed by scanning start signal when the next t ₁ + 2T _1. As a result, skipping occurs every other panel, and as a result, it becomes the same as in the case of two pitches, and becomes 32 CPM.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 37 (c), the pitch spacing T ₂ by the 3 panel split and start with 1250msec next, for example, the timing t _1, when the carriage return, the timing of the next t ₁ + T ₂ No pitch skip occurs if the scan is started in time. As a result, 60000 msec / 1250 msec = 48 CPM is achieved. As described above, the scan time exceeds the pitch interval in the four-panel division, but when the three-panel division fits, the copy can be performed with the maximum efficiency by dividing the three panels.

FIG. 38 is a diagram showing a case of three-panel division and two-panel division.

FIG. 38 (a) shows a case where scanning is normally performed in three-panel division, and FIG. 38 (b) shows a case where skipping occurs due to prolonged scanning time. Figure 38 (a)
In this case, 48 CPM is achieved, but in the case of FIG.
Every other skip occurs, dropping to 24 CPM. In this case, assuming that the scan time is within the pitch interval by dividing into two panels as shown in FIG. 38 (c), copying can be performed at 60000 msec / 1875 msec = 32 CPM, and copying at the maximum efficiency can be performed. Can be.

In this embodiment, since the maximum time from the home position of the carriage to the home position is 1236.8 ms, it does not exceed 1875 ms in the case of two pitches. In the case of the MSI, one pitch is set to 298 mm or more and two pitches are set to 297 mm or less due to restrictions due to the paper size. This is paper of 298mm or more is A2 paper, the length in the feed direction is 594mm
This is because two pitches cannot be obtained with the total length of 1158 mm of the photosensitive material belt of this embodiment.

(III-7-2) Copy mode and panel division number FIG. 39 is a table showing the relationship between the copy mode and the panel division number.

In the present invention, the number of panel divisions is determined according to the magnification, the length of the sheet in the feed direction, the set number, the sheet feed tray, and the INPUT mode.

For the magnification, for example, 50-63%, 64-101%, 102
~ 115.4%, 116-200%. This is because if the paper size is the same, the scan length will increase and the scan speed will increase when the magnification is reduced, and the scan length will decrease but the scan speed will decrease at the enlargement ratio. Since the time required for the carriage to start from the home position and return to the home position is longer than the magnification of 100%, the number of panel divisions is reduced. The magnification and the time required for the carriage to start from the home position and return to the home position are as shown in FIGS. 40 (a), (b) and (c).

FIG. 40 is an example of a paper size of 216 mm, and the time from when the carriage starts from the home position to when it returns to the home position is a pre-scan rise time, a pre-scan time, and a main scan for adjusting the light amount of the exposure lamp. This is the sum of the image scan, the overscan time caused by the inertia of the carriage, the carriage return time, and the variation time due to the carriage. In this way, the time from the home position of the carriage to the home position is obtained at 1% intervals for each magnification, and the number of panel divisions is determined so that the carriage can be ready for the next scan start.

A4 paper size is 210mm in the feed direction
The size can be divided into letter size which is 216 mm, letter size or more, for example, B4 size and A3 size. For A4 size, 64 to 115.4% can be divided into 4 panels. In the case of the letter size, only four panels can be divided into 64 to 101%, and if the four panels are divided into 102 to 115.4%, a skip occurs as described above, which is the same as two panel division.

The set number is determined only for the ADF mode. This is because in the DADF of this embodiment, the servo motor for exchanging the original has a low speed mode and a high speed mode, and the R / L
When = 1, document exchange is performed in the low-speed mode, and when R / L ≧ 2, document exchange is performed in the high-speed mode. R /
When L = 1, document exchange in low-speed mode is
For example, in the case of four-panel division, document replacement is performed every 937.5 msec, and since the document replacement is frequent, a rise in temperature due to heat generated by the servomotor poses a problem. When R / L ≧ 2, once the document is replaced, scanning is performed at least twice, so that the document is cooled for the rest time, and the temperature does not rise even in the high-speed mode. Therefore,
When R / L = 1, the number of panel divisions is reduced by one for R / L ≧ 2.

For the paper feed tray, the upper, middle, and lower trays of the main unit, and optional HCF and multi-sheet
Inserter (MSI). This is because MSI usually has a size of up to A5 to A2 size, that is, up to 594 mm paper, and is intended for large paper size, for example, A5 to A3 is all 2 pitches, larger paper, for example For 594 mm paper, copying is not possible unless the pitch is 1 pitch.

As for INPUT mode, platen mode, ADF mode, SADF, 2UP
Mode and CFF mode are the same. Mostly A2 for LDC
In most cases, a large original is flown to make a 1: 1 copy, or an A4 original is flown to make an A2 size copy at 200%, and the LDC does not scan and moves the original. This is because the time varies depending on the document, and the next document cannot be inserted until the movement of the document is completed, so that a long time is required for document replacement and only one panel can be taken. However, for example, four pitches are possible in the case of B5 or the like, but since such use is not usually performed, all the LDCs are one panel in this embodiment.

(III-7-3) Processing Flow of Panel Division FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a processing flow of panel division.

In this process, the SQMGR determines the panel division number based on the copy mode sent from the U / I with reference to a table as shown in FIG. When this process is started, it is first determined whether or not the INPUT mode is the LDC, and if it is the LDC, the pitch is set to one pitch as described above (steps 1000 and 100).
1). If the mode is not the LDC mode, it is determined whether the paper tray is MSI. If the mode is MSI, it is the same for all INPUT modes except LDC. The pitch is set (steps 1002 to 1005). Only in the case of the ADF mode, the number of panel divisions is divided according to the set number of sheets.
6) In the ADF mode, if R / L is 1, the pitch is determined to be 2 pitches or 3 pitches in accordance with the length and magnification of the paper in the feed direction (steps 1008 to 1015). If the mode is not the ADF mode or the ADF mode and R / L is not 1, the same applies to all other INPUT modes, depending on the paper feed direction length and magnification in FIG. Four pitches and three pitches are determined (steps 1016 to 1023).

(III-7-4) Interface Correlation Diagram FIG. 42 is an interface correlation diagram between subsystems when a panel is divided and copying is performed.

Now, machine state and processor state are STAND
Assuming that it is in the BY state, the INPUT mode is determined by the U / I, and when a predetermined magnification value is sent from the U / I to the SQMGR, the SQMGR issues a magnification setting request to the optical. The optical returns the magnification setting end to SQMGR. When the start button is pressed, a machine start command is sent from the U / I, the M / C state (M / C) is in progress, and the processor state (P / S) is in setup. Data indicating the copy mode as shown in FIG. 43 is added to the M / S start command. For example, OUTPUT mode, INPUT mode for data 1, CF size for data 2, APMS state for data 3 , Contains tray number information.

For example, in the APMS state, the data of the automatic equal magnification mode, the automatic paper selection mode, the automatic magnification selection mode, and the manual as shown in FIG.
As shown in Figure 45, it contains data of undefined, upper, middle, lower, HCF, and manual feed. The magnification of data 4 and 5 is U / I
Sets a value between 50% and 200% specified by the user in a binary format. If the magnification value is 0 (undefined), the U / I
, And according to the magnification sent by DOC DESIDE.ANSWER which is a response from U / I. As the fixed magnification, values 1 to 15 corresponding to the magnification as shown in FIG. 46 are sent. At this time, the upper 7 bits of the magnification become 0.

When such a copy mode is received from U / I, SQMGR
Sends an INPUT state command to DADF, which feeds the manuscript and sends the manuscript size to SQMGR. SQMGR sends the document size from DADF to U / I and sends an OUTPUT start command to the sorter (SRT). Then, a SETUP / REQ command is sent to the IMM, and I
The MM sends a belt state command to the marking, and the marking enters the VDDP setup, V0.2G setup, and XERO setup processing. Then, SQMGR changes the P / S from setup to cycle-up, determines panel division, and sends that information to each subsystem.

Thus, for example, a magnification setting and a scan length are instructed for the optical, a copy mode is instructed for the CHM, a get park REQ is issued for the IMM, and a lead edge of a panel for forming a latent image next from the IMM is generated. When found and the Park Lady returns, the P / S is changed to a sile and the copying operation is started. If the panel division changes each time the document is replaced in the MIXADF mode, the SQMGR switches the P / S from cycle to cycle-up each time, performs the pitch determination again, and repeats the same for each subsystem. Information of the determined pitch is played, P / S is switched to a cycle, and copying is continued similarly. Therefore, in MIXADF, the copy operation is continued while going back and forth between the cycle and the cycle up.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, in the automatic document exchange mode, when the set number of recordings is equal to or more than a predetermined number, the panel division number is increased as compared with the case where the set number of recordings is smaller than the predetermined number. When the set number of recordings is equal to or more than the predetermined number, the rest time of the motor driving the automatic document feeder becomes relatively long due to the relationship of the number of document scans, and the motor temperature rises even if the number of panel divisions is increased. When the set number of recordings is smaller than the predetermined number, the number of panel divisions is reduced as compared with the case where the number of recordings is equal to or more than the predetermined number, so that the motor can take a rest time and prevent the motor temperature from rising. It becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a panel division control device of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overall schematic configuration, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a control system, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a CPU, and FIG. 5 is a transfer data configuration and transmission timing of serial communication. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a time chart showing a mutual communication interval in one communication cycle;
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a scanning exposure apparatus, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a lens drive system, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a control system configuration of an optical system, and FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state of attachment of a user interface using a display, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an appearance of a user interface using a display, FIG.
FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the selection mode, FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a screen other than the selection mode screen, FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the user interface, and FIG. 16 is software for the user interface Diagram showing the configuration,
FIG. 17 is a side view for explaining the paper transport system, FIG. 18 is a side view of the paper tray, FIG. 19 is a plan view of the duplex tray, FIG. 20 is a side view of the automatic document feeder, FIG. Is a diagram showing an arrangement example of the sensor, FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the automatic document feed, FIG. 23 is a side view showing the configuration of the sorter, FIG. 24 is a side view showing a drive system of the sorter, FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the sorter, FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an outline of the belt circumference, FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a state of panel division on the photosensitive material belt, and FIG. FIG. 29 is a diagram for explaining functions, FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a timing chart, FIG. 30 is a conceptual diagram of positioning of the system, FIG. 31 is a module correlation diagram, FIG. 32 is a diagram showing machine states,
FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a processor state, FIG. 34 is an interface correlation diagram, FIG. 35 is a diagram for explaining restart, FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a state of panel division in this embodiment, FIG. FIG. 38 is a diagram for explaining the concept of panel division according to the present invention, FIG. 39 is a diagram showing the relationship between the copy mode and the number of panel divisions, and FIG. 40 is a diagram showing the relationship between the carriage for each magnification when the paper size is 216 mm. FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a time from the home position to the home position, FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a process flow of panel division, FIG. 42 is a diagram showing an interface correlation between subsystems, FIG. 43 is a diagram showing copy mode data, FIG. 44 is a view showing APMS data, FIG. 45 is a view showing tray data, and FIG. 46 is a view showing fixed magnification data. 01: Copy mode setting unit, 02: Panel division determination processing unit.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G03G 15/00 303 G03G 21/00 370-540

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A recording apparatus having a photosensitive material which can be divided into a plurality of panels and an automatic document exchange mode using an automatic document feeder driven by a motor, wherein a predetermined number of recording sheets is set in the automatic document exchange mode. A panel division control device, comprising: a panel division determination processing unit that increases the number of panel divisions when the number is greater than or equal to the predetermined number. 2. The automatic document exchange mode according to claim 1, further comprising a panel division determining section for increasing the number of panel divisions when the set number of recordings is two or more than when the number of recordings is one. The panel division control device according to claim 1.