JP3028085B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus provided with a display device for a user interface and capable of executing function selection or execution condition setting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, recording apparatuses such as copying machines have come to utilize advanced control technology and data processing technology by introducing a computer, so that available functions have been diversified. Many and various operations are required for setting the conditions. For operators,
Since there are many types of operations to be learned and the operations are complicated, mistakes in operation procedures and erroneous operations are likely to occur. Therefore, a console panel is employed to make the operation of the operator as easy as possible. The console panel is provided with various key switches for operation selection and operation means such as a numeric keypad, and further provided with display lamps and indicators for displaying selection, setting status, and operation guidance messages by key operation.

[0003] The conventional user interface mainly comprises a console panel on which keys, LEDs and a liquid crystal display are arranged. For example, there is a backlit type or 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.

FIG. 67 is a view showing an example of a console panel used in a copying machine, which has already been separately proposed by the present applicant (for example, Japanese Patent Application Nos. 62-278553 to 62-2).
No. 78655).

[0005] On the console panel 701, a menu display plate 702 is arranged on the upper part thereof, and the contents of the respective panel portions (703 to 708) are displayed in characters.

[0006] Among them, the sorter panel 703 includes 1
One switch 709 and two display lamps 710 are arranged so that a sorting mode (stack mode and collation mode) when a sorter is connected can be selected.

The function selection panel 704 includes a switch 711 for editing, correcting, and confirming an image, a switch 712 for storing the image in a job memory, a continuous page copying function, a frame erasing function, a binding function, and various other functions. A switch 713 for making a proper copy mode, a switch 714 for making double-sided copy, and a display lamp 715 for displaying the presence or absence of selection of these switches are arranged.

A display lamp 7 indicating the type (color) of the color developer is provided at the top of the panel 705 for monochromatic color emphasis.
15, four switches 716 to 719 and a display lamp 71 for indicating which of the switches 716 to 719 are set are provided in the remaining portion.
0 is arranged. These are a marking color switch 716, a partial color conversion switch 717, a continuous shooting color synthesis switch 718, and a single color switch 719.

A copy density panel 706 has a display lamp 71 indicating which of the five levels of copy density has been selected.
0 and shift keys 720 and 721 for selecting one of these copy densities are arranged. When the upper shift key 720 is pressed, the copy density is set to be lower, and when the lower shift key 721 is pressed, the copy density is set to be higher. The density can be adjusted in, for example, 16 steps. Copy density panel 706
An automatic density adjusting switch 723 is disposed below the switch, and the automatic density display lamp 722 is turned on by operating the switch 723 to enter an automatic density adjusting mode.

A portion for setting and displaying a magnification is disposed on the left side of the magnification / paper selection panel 707, and a portion for selecting a paper is disposed on the right side. Shift keys 724 and 725 for setting an arbitrary magnification and a magnification display section 723 are arranged in a portion for setting and displaying a magnification, and a fixed magnification key 726 and a fixed magnification key 726 for selecting a predetermined fixed magnification are arranged next to them. A magnification display plate 727 and a display lamp 710 are arranged. Eight types of display plates 728 indicating the paper size or the type of paper, and shift keys 729 and 730 for selecting one of them are arranged in a portion for selecting the copy paper.
In addition, a display lamp 710 indicating which paper size or paper is selected is disposed on the left of the eight types of display boards 728. Further, below the magnification / paper selection panel 707, an automatic paper / magnification selection switch 731 for selecting a preset combination of magnification and paper size is arranged.

A display panel 708 located on the right side of the magnification / paper selection panel 707 has a symbol 732 of the copying machine.
And a liquid crystal display unit 733. Pattern 732
Displays the selection state of the supply tray, the location where a paper jam has occurred, and the like by lighting a lamp. The liquid crystal display unit 733 displays various messages in sentences including kanji, and selects functions and sets execution conditions. Do.

Further, below the display panel 708, various keys or buttons are arranged. These are an all clear button 734 for returning the copying machine to the basic state, that is, the priority mode, a numeric keypad 735 used for setting the number of copies, and for inputting numerical values for specifying diagnosis contents when performing the diagnosis of the copying machine. An interrupt button 736 which is used when continuous copying is being performed and another emergency copy needs to be performed. When interrupting copying, setting the number of copies, or setting a sorter bin. Stop clear button 7 used as a clear button
37, start button 7 for starting copy operation
38, a selection key 739 for moving a cursor to a message displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 733, a setting key 740 for setting a position designated by the cursor, and the like.

The console panel described above is arranged so that an area for basic operations such as selection of paper and setting of copy density is separated from an area for applied operations such as function selection and monochromatic color emphasis. In addition, by displaying a sentence mixed with kanji and kana on the liquid crystal display unit 733 to assist the application operation, it is devised to reduce the occurrence of errors in the panel operation as much as possible.

In the case of a copying machine, there are a great number of combinations of those having various functions in a main body machine, those equipped with a sorter, an automatic document feeder, a paper tray, an IC card device and the like as additional devices. Become. Of course, the functions that can be used differ depending on these combinations, so the number of switches for selecting functions arranged on the console panel and the processing in the device associated with the operation also differ, and the corresponding indicator lamps Also, the arrangement and the number of the indicators are different.
For this reason, it is necessary to determine the arrangement and size of switches and indicators according to the scale of the copying machine and change the configuration of the console panel.

[0015]

Recording apparatuses such as copiers occupy a large weight in offices. However, in a situation where office space costs are soaring, efficient use of office space is required. It is strongly demanded that a recording device such as a copying machine be made compact and its occupied area be reduced. However, as described above, in the console panel, when the number of functions increases, the number of switches and indicators to be mounted increases for selection and setting of execution conditions, so that a large space is required. There is a problem that it cannot be secured. Therefore, in the case where a copier or the like is to be multifunctional and more compact, there is a problem that the miniaturization of the console panel is limited because the multifunction and the compactness are contradictory.

In order to increase the operability by making the device compact and multifunctional, the mounting position is limited to a limited position in front of the device in view of the operability of the console panel. Therefore, conversely, if the space is limited, the number of switches and indicators etc. must be reduced, but in such a case, it is necessary to use them in combination with a small number of switches and indicators, and the operation and display become complicated. turn into.
Further, if the number of switches, indicators, and the like is not reduced as much as possible in a limited space, the switches, indicators, and the like must be arranged densely or have a small size. As a result, there is a problem that the density of the display characters on the display increases, and the surface of the console panel becomes complicated.

Accordingly, the present applicant has adopted a CRT display as a user interface instead of employing this kind of console panel as a user interface.
A recording apparatus has been proposed which sets a selection area on the T screen to select a function and set an execution condition, thereby minimizing the number of keys. However, even when a CRT display is adopted, a large amount of information is required to provide information corresponding to multi-functionality. Therefore, a simple display requires a large display area, which makes it difficult to cope with compactness. . When a CRT display having a compact size is employed, 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 user to see and understand.

The above-mentioned proposal solves such a problem by adopting a screen division display method. However, the screen is divided and appropriately set so that each setting is performed on each screen. Then, since the number of screen switching operations increases, it is important to perform the switching quickly. On the other hand, if the function is multi-functional as described above, the number of choices naturally increases, and the number of divided screens also increases. This also imposes a certain limit on promptly displaying a necessary screen when necessary.

In the case of the reduction function, which is one of the various functions described above, there are generally a reduction ratio between paper sizes A3, A4, A5, B4, and B5 and a reduction ratio for fine adjustment. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 62-44728
And Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-94068. In the former, when the magnification is set in the copy mode, the magnification is fine-adjusted in the self-diagnosis mode so that the copy can be performed at an accurate set magnification.
The latter has two selection means for selecting magnifications with a predetermined reduction ratio difference and a smaller reduction ratio difference, respectively. The reduction ratio adjusted by the first selection unit is reduced by the second selection unit. Adjustment is performed. But,
In the former, the fine adjustment magnification cannot be selected from time to time in the image recording mode, and in the latter, the two selections are made on the same operation panel. There is a problem that a general user who makes only selection is confused.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has an object to improve the operability of selecting and setting a reduction ratio using a predetermined reduction ratio step width and a smaller reduction step size. It is the purpose.

[0021]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides a recording apparatus provided with a display device for a user interface and capable of selecting a function or setting an execution condition. Basic selection mode screen for setting
Selection mode screen switching display means for switching and displaying one of the two selection mode screens, recording magnification selection means for selecting a reduction magnification in 1% increments, and a smaller magnification step size in the recording magnification selection means. A micro-reduction ratio selection unit for selecting a reduction ratio by a reduction ratio step width, and when performing image recording, performing a reduction ratio selection by the recording magnification selection unit on the basic selection mode screen and selecting the fine reduction ratio The reduction ratio selection by the means is performed on a selection mode screen other than the basic selection mode screen. The reduction ratio selection has the same function, but since the reduction ratio selection and the minute reduction ratio selection are switched to the different selection mode screens as described above, confusion at the time of the reduction ratio selection is improved and operability is improved. Can be.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 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, (1) and (2) are:
The section describing the outline of the overall configuration of the copying machine to which the present invention is applied, and the section describing the embodiment of the present invention in the configuration is (3).

(1) Outline of the device (1-1) Device configuration (1-2) System functions and features (1-3) System configuration (1-4) Serial communication system (1-5) State division (2) ) Specific configuration of each part (2-1) Optical system (2-2) Around belt (2-3) Paper transport system (2-4) Automatic document feeder (2-5) Sorter (3) User interface ( (U / I) (3-1) Outline of user interface configuration (3-2) Control system configuration (3-3) Pop-up screen display (3-4) Display screen configuration (3-5) Key / LED board and Display Display Circuit (1) Overview of Device (1-1) Device Configuration FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied.

In the copying machine to which the present invention is applied, some additional devices can be provided to the base machine 1, and the base machine 1, which is a basic configuration, places a document on the upper surface. The platen glass 2 is arranged, and the optical system 3 and the marking system 5 are arranged below the platen glass 2. On the other hand, an upper tray 6-1, a middle tray 6-2, and a lower tray 6-3 are attached to the base machine 1, and all of these paper feed trays can be pulled out to the front.
This improves the operability and saves the layout space of the copier, and realizes a copier with a cleaner design that does not protrude from the base machine 1. In addition, inverters 9 and 10 and a duplex tray 11 are arranged in a paper transport system 7 for transporting the paper in the paper feed tray. Furthermore, on the base machine 1, CR
A user interface 12 consisting of a T display is attached, and a DADF is placed on the platen glass 2.
(Duplex auto document feeder: automatic double-sided document feeder) 13 is attached. 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 the DADF 13, RDH (recycled document handler: a device for returning a document to an original feed state and automatically repeating document feeding) 15 or a normal ADF
(Auto Document Feeder: Automatic Document Feeder),
Either a platen with an editor pad (coordinate input device) or a platen cover can be attached. Also,
An MSI (multi-sheet inserter: manual feed tray) 16 and an HCF (high capacity feeder: large capacity tray) 17 can be attached to the supply side of the paper transport system 7. One or more sorters 19 can be arranged. DADF1
3 is arranged, the simple catch tray 20 or the sorter 19 can be attached. When the RDH 15 is attached, the offset catch tray 21 in which the copied sets are stacked alternately, the copy is performed. Done 1
A finisher 22 for stapling one set can be attached, and a folder 23 having a paper folding function can be attached.

(1-2) Functions and Features of System (A) Function The present invention provides a variety of functions corresponding to the needs of the user while fully automating the operation from the entrance to the exit of the copying operation. 12 is characterized in that selection of functions, selection of execution conditions, and display of other menus and the like are performed on a CRT display, so that anyone can easily operate.

As a main function, by switching the display screen on the CRT display, menus such as function selection and execution condition setting in each mode are classified into basic copy, application copy and specialty copy modes. Is displayed, and the cascade of the screen is moved by key input to select and designate a function or 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 diagnosis function, and the like.

The main functions are that the paper size is A6-A2,
It can be used not only in the fixed form of B6 to B3 but also in the fixed form, and has a three-stage built-in tray as described above. Also,
7 levels of fixed magnification, arbitrary magnification adjustment in 1% increments and 99%
Fine adjustment can be made in steps of 0.15% between 101%. Further, there are a density selection function in a fixed 7-step and a photograph 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.

In the automatic function, paper selection is automatically performed according to the document size, magnification selection is performed in a paper specification state, density control, start is performed in fuser ready after power-on, and clear is performed after a fixed time after copying is completed. And power save functions. Additional functions include composite copy, interrupt, preheat mode, clear the set number of sheets, clear all to auto mode, information describing the function, P key for using the IC card, maximum lock original return to limit the set number of sheets, Full job recovery using DADF, purge to eject paper other than jammed paper, full copy without bleeding, editor for partial copy and partial deletion of original, job program to call and process jobs one by one, blank paper 1 during copy
There are slip sheets inserted one by one, and a middle eraser / frame eraser used for books.

In the display function, a CRT display or the like is used to display a jam display, a remaining paper amount display, a remaining toner amount display, a full recovery toner display, a waiting time display for the fuser warming, a function selection conflict, and information on the machine state. There is a function such as a message display to be provided to the user.

The diagnostic functions include initialization of NVRAM, 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. There are functions such as adjustment of on-timing and configuration setting.

Further, as an option, the colors of MSI, HCF, and second deve as described above (red, red,
Blue, green, brown), editors, etc. can be equipped as appropriate. (B) Features The whole system of the present invention having the above functions has the following features.

(A) Achieving power saving A 1.5 kVA high-speed, high-performance copier is realized. Therefore, 1.5 kVA in each operation mode
The control method for realization is determined, and the power distribution for each function for setting the 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) Reduction in cost In addition to in-house production of high-priced parts to improve the technology and standardization, the cost of the material is reduced by improving the life of the material from the hardware side and reducing toner consumption.

(C) Improving reliability In order to reduce component failures and extend the life, clarify the in / out conditions of each parameter, reduce design defects, and
The aim is to realize 00kCV no menincinance.

(D) Achieving high image quality In this apparatus, a method is employed 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.
With these things, generation copy improvement,
The black spots are reduced to achieve unprecedented high image quality.

(E) Improvement of operability A fully automatic mode is provided in which copying is performed in a predetermined mode by operating a start key only by setting an original and inputting the number of copies. Various mode settings can be selected according to the user's request, including the setting of the copy mode based on the divided screen. These user interfaces are performed by a CRT display and a small number of keys and LEDs arranged in correspondence with the screen around the CRT display, so that a mode setting can be made with an easy-to-read display menu and simple operations. In addition, by preliminarily storing the copy mode and its execution condition in a nonvolatile memory or an IC card, it is possible to automate a predetermined operation.

(C) Example of Differentiation The function of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied 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. 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 copying machine has a base machine 1 shown in FIG. 2 with an IC card device, a DADF 13, a sorter 19, a user interface 12, a supply tray (6-1 to 6-3), and a duplex tray 11. It is assumed that the copying machine has an advanced system configuration. Some co-users require the DADF 13 and / or the 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 only from their own copy volumes, those who only make low-volume copies are equipped with various additional devices. This makes it difficult to coordinate with a person or department who is going to use the copying machine at a high level.

In such a case, an IC card is prepared in accordance with the usage of each person or each section, and a person or a section desiring advanced functions bears a higher basic cost, and more What is necessary is just to be able to utilize the function. For example, the owner of the most advanced IC card operates the copying machine with the IC card set in the IC card device, thereby obtaining the DADF 13, the sorter 19, the supply trays (6-1 to 6-3) and the duplex tray. 11 can be used freely, and office efficiency can be improved. On the other hand, a person who does not need to sort copy sheets can save costs by setting an IC card that lacks a sorting program and using only the catch tray 20.

As a second example, a case where a copy trader operates 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,
Set this in the copier of your choice and make a copy by self-service. A customer who is unfamiliar with the copying machine can request an IC card provided with a display function of an operation explanation as a program, and by setting the IC card, various operation information can be displayed on the UI 12 so that the copying operation can be performed without fail. it can. Whether the DADF 13 can be used, whether multi-color recording 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,
Detailed services such as discounting copy fees for 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, there is a job of copying at a relatively large enlargement ratio of 200% because it is necessary to make the same copy as the original size. 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 image information of places that are not covered by claims and information that should be kept secret in order to protect personal privacy are copied. And make an abstract.

As described above, depending on the user (user),
There is a demand for using a 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, I
By preparing a C card and setting it, it is possible to realize a copying machine having a function most suitable for the user.

For example, in the case of a patent office, by purchasing a dedicated IC card, it is possible to easily select a fixed magnification of 200% in addition to the usual several kinds of reduced magnifications. In addition, the reduction ratio can be set in a range requiring fine adjustment, for example, in increments of 1%. In addition, the resident card issuance department can indicate the type of resident card and the columns and items to be deleted on a display such as a liquid crystal display by operating keys such as numeric keys,
Then, by pressing the start button, only the original desired range is copied, or only the necessary portion is edited and recorded.

(1-3) Configuration of Electric System Control System for 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.

A copying machine system to which the present invention is applied
As shown in FIG. 3, four subsystems including an SQMGR subsystem 32, a CHM subsystem 33, an IMM subsystem 34, and a marking subsystem 35 on a main board 31, and a U / I subsystem 36 around the subsystem,
It is composed of nine subsystems including five subsystems including an INPUT subsystem 37, an OUTPUT subsystem 38, an OPT subsystem 39, and an IEL subsystem 40. In contrast to the SQMGR subsystem 32, the CHM subsystem 33 and the IMM subsystem 34 are executed together with the SQMGR subsystem 32 by software under the main CPU 41 shown in FIG. Are connected by an interface (shown by a solid line). However, the other subsystems have a separate C from the main CPU 41.
Since it is executed by software under the PU, 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,
Issuing work instructions to each subsystem while synchronizing the subsystems so that copying work can be performed efficiently, constantly monitoring the status of each subsystem, and performing quick status judgment processing when an error occurs. It is a sequence manager.

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

The IMM subsystem 34 is a subsystem for dividing panels on the photosensitive belt, controlling the running / stopping of the photosensitive belt, controlling the main motor, and controlling the periphery of the photosensitive belt.

The marking subsystem 35 is a subsystem for controlling the potential of the corotron, the exposure lamp, the developing device, 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 an automatic document feed (DADF), a semi-automatic document feed (SADF),
Large-size (A2) original feed (LDC), computer form original feed (CFF), automatic two-sheet original feed (2-UP) control, repeated automatic original feed (RD)
H) is a subsystem for controlling the document size and detecting the document size.

The OUTPUT subsystem 37 is a subsystem that controls a sorter and a finisher, outputs copies in sorting, stacking, and non-sorting modes, and outputs bound copies.

The OPT subsystem 39 controls scanning, lens movement, shutter, PIS / NON-PIS at the time of document exposure, and moves the carriage in the LDC mode.

The IEL subsystem 40 is a subsystem for erasing an unnecessary image on the photosensitive material belt, erasing the leading and trailing edges of the image, and erasing the image according to the editing mode.

The above system has seven CPUs shown in FIG.
As a nucleus, which makes it possible to flexibly cope with a combination of the pace machine 1 and additional devices surrounding the pace machine 1. Here, the main CPU 41 is located on the main board of the base machine 1 and has the SQMGR subsystem 3
2, CHM subsystem 33, IMM subsystem 34
CPU 4 through the serial bus 53
2 to 47. These CPUs 42 to 47
Each subsystem corresponds one-to-one with each subsystem connected by the serial communication interface shown in FIG. In the serial communication, 100 msec is defined as one communication cycle and the main CPU 41 and each of the other CPUs 42 to 42 according to a predetermined timing.
47. 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 an interrupt is issued by a hot line different from the serial bus 53. It is processed. That is, for example, 64 cpm (A4LEF), 30
If the copy operation is performed at a process speed of 9 mm / sec and the control accuracy of the register is set to ± 1 mm, a job which cannot be processed in the communication cycle of 100 msec as described above occurs. A hotline is required to guarantee the execution of such a job.

Accordingly, in this copying machine, a system configuration corresponding to each of these additional devices can be adopted for software, in response to the fact that various additional devices can be attached.

One of the reasons for adopting such a configuration is as follows.
(I) If the operation control programs for all of these additional devices are prepared in the base machine 1, the memory capacity required for this is enormous. Also, (ii) when a new additional device is developed in the future or the current additional device is improved, these ROMs (read only memory) in the base machine 1 need not be replaced or added without replacement. This is because the additional device can be used.

Therefore, the base machine 1 has a basic storage area for controlling the basic part of the copying machine, and an additional storage area for storing a program taken together with the function information of the present invention from an IC card. In the additional storage area,
Various programs such as a control program for the DADF 13 and a control program for the user interface 12 are stored. 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 out through the user interface 12 and loaded into the additional storage device. Has become. The loaded program controls the copy operation in cooperation with the program written in the basic storage area or 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 the operator, it is possible to preset image density and magnification settings, etc.
The preset value is stored in a nonvolatile memory.

(1-4) 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.

The main CPU 41 and each of the CPUs (42 to 4)
7), the serial communication performed with FIG.
A data amount as shown in FIG. FIG.
In (a), for example, in the case of the user interface, 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 to the next slave, that is, the optical CPU 45 (FIG. 5C )) Is 26 mS. According to this example, the total communication amount is 86 bytes, and the communication speed of 9600 BPS has a period of about 100 ms. The data length is composed of a header, a command, and data as shown in FIG. When the transmission / reception with the maximum data length shown in FIG. 5A 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. .

(1-5) State Division FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the state division of the main system.

In the state division, the state after the power ON, the copy operation, and the state after the end of the copy operation are divided into several parts, and the jobs to be performed in each state are determined. If all the jobs in each state are not completed, the next state is determined. This is to ensure the efficiency and accuracy of the control by preventing the transition to the state. Flags are determined for each state, and each subsystem refers to this flag so that the main system Know which state you are in and decide what you need 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). Diag mode is a mode used by service personnel for repairs, etc.
Various tests are performed based on the conditions set in the above.

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

The standby state is a state until all subsystems have completed the initial setting and the start button is pressed, and the display of "Please wait" is displayed on the fully automatic screen. Then, the Colt lamp is turned on to perform the fuser idle rotation for a predetermined time, and when the fuser reaches a predetermined control temperature, the U / I displays a message "Copying is possible" with a message. This standby state is a time period of about several tens of seconds at the first power ON.

The setup is a preparatory state of the copy which is activated by pressing the start button. The main motor and the sorter motor are driven, and the V _{DDP of the} photosensitive belt is set.
Adjustment of constants such as ADF motor is ON
Then, the first original feed starts, the first original reaches the registration gate, and the original size is detected.
In the S mode, the tray and the magnification are determined, and the ADF document is laid on the platen. Then, the second document of the ADF is sent out to the registration gate, and a transition is made to cycle-up.

The cycle-up is a state in which the belt is divided into several pitches to perform panel management and the first panel reaches a 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, and when the magnification set is recognized, the scan length is determined based on 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 is set at the get park point. When it reaches, it becomes get park ready and enters the cycle.

The cycle is a state where the copy operation is being performed, and
(Automatic Density Control), AE (Automat
ic Exposure), the copy operation is repeated while performing DDP control and the like. When R / L = counted number of sheets, the document is exchanged. When this operation is performed for a predetermined number of sheets, a coincidence signal is output and the cycle starts.

The cycle down includes a carriage scan,
This is a state in which paper feed, etc., is completed, and after the copy operation is completed, each corotron, developing machine, etc. are turned off, and panel management is performed so that the next panel after the last used panel stops at the stop park position and specified. Only the panels are used to prevent fatigue.

After the cycle down, the process returns to the normal standby mode. However, when the copy is performed in the platen mode, the start key is pressed again, and the process returns to the setup mode. If a cycle-down factor such as a jam occurs even from setup and cycle-up, the state transitions to cycle-down.

The purging is a state in which a paper jam has occurred, and when the paper causing the paper jam is removed, other papers 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 to cycle down occurs.

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

In the hard down, 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 impossible.

Then, when these belt down and hard down factors are removed, a transition is made to standby.

(2-1) Optical System FIGS. 8 and 9 show the configuration of the scanning exposure apparatus. FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of the optical system, FIG. 9A is a schematic plan view of the optical system, (C) is an XX direction side view of (b).

The scanning exposure apparatus 3 of this embodiment exposes an image on the photosensitive material at a speed higher than the moving speed of the photosensitive material belt 4.
An IS (precession imaging system) method is employed, and a method is employed in which the second scanning system B is fixed and the first scanning system A is independently movable. That is, the first scanning system A includes a first carriage 101 having an exposure lamp 102 and a first mirror 103, and a second carriage 105 having a second mirror 106 and a third mirror 107, and is mounted on the platen glass 2. The placed document is scanned. On the other hand, the second scanning system B includes a third carriage 109 having a fourth mirror 110 and a fifth mirror 111, and a fourth carriage 1 having a sixth mirror 113.
12 are provided. A lens 108 is disposed on the optical axis of the third mirror 107 and the fourth mirror 110,
It 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. Output shaft 11 of carriage motor 114
5, transmission shafts 116 and 117 are provided on both sides of the output shaft 1.
15 and the transmission shaft 1
16, a timing pulley 116a fixed to 117,
Timing belts 119a and 119b are stretched between 117a. A capstan pulley 116b is fixed to the transmission shaft 116, and a first wire cable 121a is stretched between the driven rollers 120a and 120b arranged opposite to the capstan pulley 116b. When the first carriage 101 is fixed, the wire cable 121a is wound around a reduction pulley 122a provided on the second carriage 105, and when the carriage motor 114 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure, , together with the first carriage 101 is moved in the arrow direction at a speed V _1, the second carriage 105 is designed to move in the same direction at a speed V _1/2.

The timing pulley 117b fixed to the transmission shaft 117 and the transmission shaft 1
A timing belt 119c is stretched between the 23 timing pulleys 123a, and a second wire cable 121b is stretched between the capstan pulley 123b of the transmission shaft 123 and the driven roller 120c arranged opposite thereto. I have. The fourth wire is attached to the wire cable 121b.
While the carriage 112 is fixed, the wire cable 121b is wound around a reduction pulley 122b provided on the third carriage 109, and the carriage motor 1
When rotating the 14 in the drawing direction of the arrow, together with the fourth carriage 112 is moved in the arrow direction at a speed V _2, so that the third carriage 109 is moved in the same direction at a speed V _2/2 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 9A, the transmission shaft 117 is provided with a PIS clutch 125 (electromagnetic clutch) for transmitting the rotation of the timing pulley 117a to the timing pulley 117b. When the power supply to the clutch 125 is turned off, the clutch 125 is engaged, and the rotation of the rotating shaft 115 is transmitted to the transmission shafts 117 and 123. Further, when the PIS clutch 125 is energized and released, the rotation of the rotation shaft 115 is not transmitted to the transmission shafts 117 and 123. FIG. 9 (b)
As shown in the figure, on the side surface of the timing pulley 116a,
An engagement protrusion 126a is provided, and when the LDC lock solenoid 127 is turned on, the engagement piece 126b is
, The transmission shaft 116 is fixed, that is, the first scanning system A is fixed, 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 is engaged with the engagement protrusion 130a to fix the transmission shaft 123, that is, to perform the second scan. The system B is fixed, and the PIS lock switch 132 is turned on.

In the scanning exposure apparatus configured as described above, the PIS (precession imaging system) mode and the NON
-The exposure method of the PIS mode is selected. In the PIS mode, for example, when the magnification is 65% or more, the PIS clutch 12
By 5 a engaged to move the second scanning system B at a speed V _2, to move the exposure point of the photosensitive material belt 4 in the light-sensitive material opposite direction, the process speed of the scan velocity V ₁ of the optical system V _P Increase the number of copies per unit time by making it relatively faster. At this time, if the magnification is M, V ₁ = V _P × 3.
5 / (3.5M-1) a _{is, M = 1, V P =} 308.
If it is 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, in order to prevent an increase in the speed of the scanning system and an increase in the illumination power at the time of reduction and to suppress the power consumption, the PIS clutch 125 is released, for example, at 64% or less. PI
By turning on the S lock solenoid, the second scanning system B is fixed and the exposure point is fixed to perform scanning, avoiding an increase in the load on the drive system and an increase in the original illumination power, and 1.5 KVA.
It contributes to the realization of.

The lens 108 is slidably mounted on a support shaft 136 fixed to a lens carriage 135 disposed below the platen glass 2 as shown in FIG. The lens 108 is connected to a 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. The lens carriage 135 is slidably mounted on a support shaft 139 on the base side, and is connected to a lens motor X140 by a wire (not shown).
The lens motor X140 rotates to move the lens carriage 135 along the support shaft 139 in the X direction (horizontal direction in the figure) to change the magnification. 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 is
The gear rotates along the cloud 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 rotating the lens motor X140.

As shown in FIG. 10B, a lens shutter 147 is provided on one side surface of the lens 108 by a link mechanism 148 so as to be openable and closable. Is opened, and closed when the image scan is completed. The purpose of blocking light by the lens shutter 147 is to form a DDP patch and an ADC patch on the belt photosensitive material, and to prevent the image from being erased when the second scanning system B returns in the PIS mode.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an outline of a subsystem of the optical system. Optical CPU4
Reference numeral 5 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 is composed of a logic power supply (5 V), an analog power supply (± 15 V), a solenoid, and a clutch power supply (24 V). The motor power supply 153 is composed of 38 V.

The carriage registration sensor 155 is arranged so as to correspond to the registration position of the first mirror 101, and outputs a signal when the actuator attached to the first scanning system A depresses the carriage registration sensor 155. This signal is sent to the optical CPU 45 to determine a position or timing for performing registration, or to determine a home position P when the first scanning system A returns. Further, a first home sensor 156a and a second home sensor 156b are provided for detecting the position of the carriage, and the first home sensor 156a is provided.
Is located at a predetermined position between the registration position and the stop position of the first scanning system A, detects the position of the first scanning system A, and outputs a signal. Also, the second home sensor 156b is
It detects the position of the scanning system and outputs a signal.

The rotary encoder 157 has an A phase shift of 90 ° according to the rotation angle of the carriage motor 114.
It is of the type that outputs pulse signals of phase B and phase B,
For example, the axis pitch of the timing pulley of the first scanning system is designed to be 0.1571 mm / pulse at 200 pulses / rotation. The power-magnifying solenoid 159 moves the power-magnifying lens (not shown) in the vertical direction under the control of the CPU 45, and confirms the movement of the power-magnifying lens by the on / off operation of the power-magnifying switch 161. Lens home sensors 161, 16
2 is a lens X motor 140 and a lens Z motor 13
7 is a sensor for detecting the home position. The LDC lock solenoid 127 fixes the first scanning system A at a predetermined position under the control of the CPU 45.
It is confirmed by the DC lock switch 129. PIS
The lock solenoid 131 locks the second scanning system B when the PIS clutch 125 is released in the NON-PIS mode, and the lock is confirmed by the PIS lock switch 132. PIS clutch 125
Is a type in which the clutch is released when the power is supplied and the clutch is engaged when the power is not supplied, which reduces the power consumption in the PIS mode and contributes to the realization of 1.5 KVA.

FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b) show the control of the scan cycle of the optical system. This control scans the first scanning system A at a specified magnification and scan length. Fires when a signal is received. 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 rotated in the scanning direction (CW) in step to perform acceleration control during scanning (step). Next, in a step, a PLL (phase control) mode is set. If there is an interrupt signal for turning off the registration sensor in the step, an image scan is started, and when the count number of the encoder clock becomes equal to or more than the value corresponding to the scan length (step), The PLL mode is released, the speed mode is set, and the carriage motor is rotated in the return direction (CCW). Next, it is determined whether or not there is an interruption from the CW to the CCW (reverse rotation signal) in a step, and if so, acceleration control at the time of return is performed (step), and the count number of the encoder reaches a preset brake start point. If the reverse rotation signal is received (step ○ 10), the carriage motor is stopped (step ○ 1).
2). Also, as shown in (b), a count number for turning on (opening) the shutter is set, and the shutter is opened when the encoder clock number is equal to or greater than the shutter on count, and the encoder clock number is greater than the shutter off count. The shutter is closed with the shutter to end the image scan.

(2-2 ) Belt rotation The belt rotation is composed of an imaging system and a marking system.

The imaging system is the IMM subsystem 34
And writes and deletes latent images.
The marking system is managed by the marking subsystem 35, and performs charging, exposure, surface potential detection, development, transfer, and the like. In the present invention, in order to achieve high-speed copying and high image quality by performing panel management and patch formation on the belt as described below, the IMM subsystem 3 is used.
4 and the marking subsystem 35 cooperate with each other.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an outline of a belt periphery.

An organic photosensitive material belt 4 is provided in the base machine 1.
Is arranged. Since the organic photosensitive material belt is coated on any number of layers such as the charge generation layer and the transfer layer to form the photosensitive material,
Compared with a photosensitive drum that forms a photosensitive material by depositing Se, the degree of freedom is large, the manufacturing is easy, the cost can be reduced, and the space around the belt can be increased. Is easy to do.

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

The organic photosensitive material belt 4 in this apparatus has a length of 1 m or more, and four A4 size sheets and three A3 size belts are mounted. However, since the belt has a seam, a panel (formed on the belt) is always used. (Image forming area to be controlled) A copy of a panel determined to be not managed cannot be taken. for that reason,
Determine the position of the panel based on the belt hole provided at a fixed distance from the seam, determine the number of panels (number of pitches) on the belt according to the copy mode specified by the user, the paper size, and press the start button. A signal is issued when the panel which is first pressed to make a copy comes to the position of the get park near the roll 201 to signal that a copy can be made therefrom.

The organic photosensitive material belt 4 is uniformly charged by a charge corotron (charging device) 211 and is driven at a constant speed in the clockwise direction in the figure. When the first panel comes a fixed time before the registration (exposed portion) 231, a pitch signal is output, and the timing of carriage scanning and paper feed is set based on this signal. The surface of the belt charged by the charge corotron 211 is exposed at an exposure portion 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 point 231. For this purpose, an exposure lamp 102, a plurality of mirrors 101 to 113 for transmitting reflected light of the original surface illuminated by the exposure lamp 102, and an optical lens 108 are arranged. Of these, the mirror 101 is used for reading the original. Be scanned. The mirrors 110, 111, and 113 constitute a second scanning optical system, which is called PIS (Precession Image Scan). Since there is a limit in increasing the process speed, the copy speed can be increased without increasing the process speed. In the direction opposite to the belt movement direction so that the
Scan the scanning optics to increase the relative speed, up to 64
Sheets / min (CPM).

An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the original is formed on the organic photosensitive material belt 4 by the image information exposed in a slit shape at the exposure portion 231. After an unnecessary image or erasing between images or side erasing is performed by an IEL (inter-image lamp) 215, the electrostatic latent image is usually developed with a black toner developing device 216 or a color toner developing device 217.
And a toner image is created. The toner image moves with the rotation of the organic photosensitive material belt 4 and passes near a pre-transfer corotron (transfer device) 218 and a transfer corotron 220. The pre-transfer corotron 218 is used to weaken the electrical adhesion of the toner by applying an alternating current to facilitate the movement of the toner.
Further, since the belt is formed of a transparent material, the belt is irradiated with light from the back side by a pre-transfer lamp 225 (also used for erasing) before the transfer to further weaken the electrical adhesion of the toner, and the transfer is performed. Make it easier.

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 the feed roll, guided to the conveyance path 501, and fed to the organic photosensitive material. It passes between the belt 4 and the transfer corotron 220. Paper feed is basically LEF (Long Edge Feed)
The registration gate is opened and closed so that the leading edge of the sheet and the exposure start position coincide at the tacking point, and the toner image is transferred onto the copy sheet. 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 between the heat roll 232 and the pressure roll 233 and is thermally fixed, and is conveyed by the transport rolls 234 and 235. 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, unnecessary charges are erased by irradiating light from the back with the lamp 225, and unnecessary toner, dust and the like are removed by the blade 226. Is scraped off.

A patch is formed between the 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 to adjust the density. As described above, the belt 4 is provided with a hole, and the belt hole sensor 213 detects the hole to detect the belt speed, thereby controlling the process speed. An ADC (Auto Density Control) sensor 219 compares the amount of reflected light from the toner on the patch portion with the amount of reflected light when there is no toner to detect the degree of toner adhesion, and the pop sensor 223 removes the paper. It has detected that it has been wrapped around the belt without the need.

FIG. 14 shows how panels are divided on the photosensitive material belt 4.

The belt 4 has a seam portion 251 so that an image is not placed on the belt portion. A belt hole 252 is provided at a position at a fixed distance l from the seam portion. 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. In the figure, B is the panel interval, C is the panel length, D is the panel pitch length, and is divided into 4 pitches. 289.5 mm in case of 3 and 38 in case of 3-pitch division
In the case of 6 mm and two pitch division, it is 579 mm. The seam 251 is set at A = B / 2 so that the seam 251 is located at the center between the LE (Lead Edge) of the panel 253 and the TE (Tail Edge) of the panel 254.

Note that the LE of the panel must match the LE of the sheet, but the TE does not necessarily match, and matches the maximum sheet TE applicable to the panel.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram schematically showing the functions of the IMM subsystem.

The functions of the IMM subsystem 34 will be briefly described. Serial communication is performed with the IEL subsystem 40 via a bus line, an interrupt signal is sent by a hot line to perform high-precision control, and image formation is managed. A control signal is sent to the marking subsystem 35 and the CHM subsystem 33 to control around the belt.

The main motor is controlled by detecting holes opened in the organic photosensitive material belt 4, and the panel formation position is determined to perform panel management. In a low-temperature environment, the fuser is rotated idle to maintain the fixing roll at a predetermined temperature so that quick copying can be performed. When the start key is pressed will be setup state, performs narrowing combined constants such as V _DDP prior to copying, go image tip based on the document size enters the copy cycle, the edge erase the rear required 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 operation 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.

The IMM 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 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 IE is determined from this and the paper size.
The application area according to L215 is determined.

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 regenerative braking by the motor is performed so that the power of the motor can be efficiently output in accordance with the state of the load, the power is effectively used, and the stop position accuracy is improved. 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. The belt drive by the motor is performed via a 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 predetermined 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.

The IMM subsystem performs serial communication with the IEL subsystem 40 and sends an interrupt signal through a hot line, and outputs an IEL enable signal, an IEL image signal, an ADC patch signal, an IE
An L black band signal is transmitted. Unnecessary images are erased by the IEL image signal, and the patch generator 2 is converted by the IEL subsystem 40 by the ADC patch signal.
The shape and area of the patch region formed in step 12 are defined, and the amount of charge is adjusted to adjust the electrostatic potential to a constant potential of 500 to 600V. The IEL black band signal forms a black band between images at predetermined intervals so that toner adheres to the belt 4 so that the belt 226 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 by a hot line, and sends out a patch formation request signal, a bias request signal, and an ADC request signal on the basis of an optical registration signal. In response to this, the marking subsystem 35 drives the patch generator 212 to form a patch, and also drives the ESV sensor 214 to detect an electrostatic potential.
6, 217 are driven to form a toner image. In addition, drive control of the pre-transfer corotron 218, the transfer corotron 220, and the detack corotron 221 is performed.

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

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

A registration gate trigger signal is sent from the IMM to the CHM subsystem 33 to control the paper and the leading edge of the image at the tacking point so that they coincide with each other. The correction amount is calculated and sent.

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

Further, 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. 16 is a timing chart.

The reference time for 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 after T2, it is turned on and the rear end is erased. Thus IE
Image formation is performed by the L 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 image formation, patch generator request signal (T5 after reference time)
Generates an ADC patch signal to form a patch in the inter-image. After the patch is formed, a bias request signal is issued (after T6), and development is performed.
A request signal is issued (after T7), and the toner density is detected. Further, a black band is formed in the inter image by the black band signal.

During the AE (Auto Exposure) scan, the IEL image signal is not turned on / off.

(2-3) Paper transport system In FIG. 17, the upper tray 6-1 is used as the paper tray.
The middle tray 6-2, the lower tray 6-3, and the duplex tray 11 are provided in the base machine, and a large capacity tray (HCF) 17 and a manual feed tray (MSI) 16 are optionally provided on the side. A paperless sensor, a size sensor, a clutch and the like are appropriately provided. Here, the no paper sensor is
The size sensor is a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of copy paper in the supply tray, and the size sensor is a sensor for determining the size of copy paper 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. Then, 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 the 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 closes to prevent passage. After a while
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 is less likely to fluctuate when the leading edge of the copy sheet is blocked from passing. Can be done accurately.

When copying is performed again in the duplex mode in which copying is performed on both sides of a sheet or the combining mode in which copying is performed a plurality of times on the same side, 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 transport path.
In the case of the combination mode, the sheet is once conveyed from the conveyance path to the combination mode inverter 10, and then reversed and guided to the duplex tray 11. A gate 503 is provided at a branch point between the discharge outlet 502 to the sorter or the like from the transport path 501 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.
02 has a gate 507 and a triroll inverter 9
, So that the copied surface can be ejected with the front side facing.

The upper tray and the middle tray have about 500 sheets of paper, A3 to B5, legal, letter, and special B.
This is a tray that can accommodate 4, 11 × 17 paper sizes. As shown in FIG. 18, a tray motor 551 is provided, and the tray 552 is inclined when the number of sheets is reduced. The sensors include three paper size sensors 553 to 555 for detecting the paper size, a no-paper sensor 556 for detecting the out of paper, and a surface control sensor 557 used for adjusting the tray height. There is also an emergency switch 558 for preventing the tray from rising too high. The lower tray is
This 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, a duplex tray is a tray that can hold about 50 sheets and can store the same sheet size as each of the above-mentioned trays. This is a tray for temporarily storing copied paper when performing alternate copying. In the entrance-side transport path of the duplex tray 11,
A feed roll 507 and a gate 505 are 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 duplex mode, the paper conveyed from above is
5, the paper conveyed from above is fed to the gate 50 in the case of the combination mode.
Once guided to the synthesis mode inverter 10 by 5 and 506, and then reversed, it is guided to the feed roll 510 and the duplex tray 11 side by the gate 506. In order to store sheets in the duplex tray 11 and allow the sheets to freely fall to a predetermined edge position, generally, 17 ° to
A tray tilt angle of about 20 ° is required. However, in the present invention, since the duplex tray 11 is stored in a small space in order to make the apparatus compact, a maximum of 8
Can only take an angle of inclination of °. Therefore, the duplex guide 11 has a side guide 561 as shown in FIG.
And an end guide 562 are provided. 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.

The large capacity tray (HCF) is a supply tray capable of storing 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 copying operation often needs a duplex tray or a large-capacity tray. As a means for realizing such various requests, this copying machine system has a structure in which each additional device can be easily attached and detached,
In addition, for some of the additional devices, an independent CPU (central processing unit) is prepared to perform distributed control 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 a new additional device teaches the customer the possibility of a new copying operation. The purchase of this copier system is of great interest 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. . In this type of conventional manual feed tray, manual feed is performed one by one. Therefore, it is only necessary to preferentially send out copy sheets from the manual feed tray when 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 by setting the copy sheets, the feed may be started at the time 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, the nujar roll 51 is placed on the tray.
3, feed roll 512, take away roll 51
By adopting a configuration in which the two are integrally mounted, the size is reduced. After the leading edge of the paper is nipped by the take away roll 511, the leading edge is detected by the feed-out sensor and temporarily stopped to perform pre-registration to adjust the transfer position, and absorb variations in paper feeding in the feeder section. are doing. The fed sheet is fed to the transfer position of the photosensitive material belt 4 via the aligner device 515.

(2-4) Automatic Document Feeder (DAD)
F) In FIG. 20, the DADF 13 is mounted on the platen glass 2 of the base machine 1. This DADF
13 is provided with a document tray 602 on which a document 601 is placed. A delivery paddle 603 is arranged on the document sending side of the document tray 602, and the documents 601 are sent out one by one. Original sent out 6
01 is the first drive roller 605 and its driven roller 60
6 and the second drive roller 607 and its driven roller 60
8, the paper is conveyed to an arc-shaped conveyance path 609. Further, the arc-shaped conveyance path 609 joins with the manual conveyance path 610 and is connected to the horizontal conveyance path 611.
A third drive roller 612 and its driven roller 613 are provided at the outlet of 09. This third drive roller 6
Numeral 12 is vertically movable by a solenoid (not shown), and is configured to be able to contact and separate from a driven roller 613. A stop gate 615 that is rotated by a drive motor (not shown) is provided in the horizontal transport path 611, and a reversing transport path 616 is connected from the horizontal transport path 611 to the arc-shaped transport path 609. A fourth drive roller 617 is provided in the reversing conveyance path 616. Further, a belt driving roller 619 is provided on the platen glass 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. At the exit of this belt transport section,
And a sixth drive roller 623 is provided in the manual feed path 610. The two drive rollers 623 are provided in the front-rear direction of the base machine 1 (the direction 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 603 by the seventh driving roller 626.

Next, referring also to FIG.
About ₁ ~S ₁₂ will be described. S ₁ is no paper sensor for detecting the presence of a document 601 on the document tray 602, S
₂ is a takeaway sensor that detects the passage of a document,
S ₃ and S ₄ are feed sensors provided before and after the manual feed path 610, and S ₅ is a registration sensor that detects whether or not the original is at a predetermined position at the stop gate 615 by correcting the skew of the original by the skew roller 627. , S ₆ ~
S paper size sensor ₁₀ for detecting the size of the document, S
Reference numeral ₁₁ denotes a discharge sensor for detecting whether or not the document has been discharged;
Reference numeral ₁₂ denotes 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 a simplex mode in which a document 601 is stacked on a document tray 602 such that the first surface to be copied faces upward. When the start button is pressed, first, the first drive roller 605 and the second drive roller 607 rotate, but the third drive roller 61
2 moves upward and separates from the driven roller 613,
The stop gate 615 descends and shuts off the horizontal transport path 611. As a result, the document 601 passes through the arc-shaped conveyance path 609 and is pressed against the stop gate 615 (-). 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 rises to open the horizontal conveyance path 611, and the third drive roller 612, the belt drive roller 619, and the fifth
Is rotated, and the original is sent to a predetermined position on the platen 2 with the surface to be copied facing down, exposed, and then ejected. 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) for feeding continuous paper for a computer.

(C) is a duplex mode.
The step of exposing one side of the document is the same as the steps (1) to (4) above. However, when the one-sided exposure is completed, the belt driving roller 619 rotates reversely, and the third driving roller 612 moves upward to follow At the same time as separating from the roller 613, the stop gate 615 descends and shuts off the horizontal transport path 611. Therefore, the document is conveyed to the reversing conveyance path 616, and is further pressed by the fourth drive roller 617 and the second drive roller 607 through the arcuate conveyance path 609 to the stop gate 615 (（). Next, the third drive roller 612 moves downward to come into contact with the driven roller 613, and the stop gate 615 rises to open the horizontal transport path 611, and the third drive roller 612, the belt drive roller 61
The 9th and 5th drive rollers 622 rotate, and the document is sent to a predetermined position on the platen 2 with the back side down, and is exposed. When the exposure on both sides is completed, the belt driving roller 61 is again turned on.
9 rotates in the reverse direction, is again conveyed to the reversing conveyance path 616, passes through the platen 2 in the same manner, and returns to the fifth drive roller 622.
(~ に よ り 10). Therefore, the discharged originals are stacked in the order in which the originals are first stacked on the original tray 602 with the first surface to be copied facing down.

(2-5) Sorter In FIG. 23, the sorter 19 has a sorter main body 652 and 20 bins 653 on a movable carriage 651. A belt driving roller 656 for driving the conveyor belt 655 and its driven roller 657 are provided in the sorter main body 652, and a chain driving sprocket 660 for driving the chain 659 and its driven sprocket 6
61 are provided. These belt drive rollers 656
The chain drive sprocket 660 is driven by one sorter motor 658. A paper inlet 662, a paper outlet 663, and a switching gate 665 driven by a solenoid (not shown) are provided above the transport belt 655. The chain 659 is provided with an indexer 666 for switching and supplying copy paper to each bin. As shown in FIG. 24, the rotation of the drive shaft 671 of the sorter motor 658 is transmitted to the pulley 673 via the timing belt 672. The rotation of the pulley 673 is transmitted to the belt drive roller 656 and to the chain drive sprocket 660 via the gear device 674.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG.
(A) shows a non-sort mode, in which a switching gate 665 is located at a non-sort position and feeds a copy sheet to the uppermost discharge tray. (B) shows the sort mode,
The switching gate 665 is switched to the sort position, the odd-numbered sheets are conveyed from the top to the lower bin to the odd-numbered bin, and the even-numbered sheets are shifted from the bottom to the upper bin. Conveyed to the bin. 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 a case where the maximum number of sheets stored per bin has been exceeded. In a bottle.

(3) User Interface (U / I) (3-1) Outline of User Interface Configuration FIGS. 26 and 27 show the state of attachment of a user interface using a display, and FIG. 28 shows a user using a display. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an interface.

(A) Features of Mounting Position The present invention is characterized in that a stand-type display is adopted as the 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. 26A, and in particular, the user interface 12 is copied as shown in FIG. By arranging the copier in the right rear corner of the main body 1, the size of the copier can be designed without considering the user interface 12, and the apparatus can be made compact.

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. On the other hand, in the user interface 12 of the present invention, as shown in FIG.
It becomes easy to see and the position is forward and not to the right of the operator, but also to the right, so that 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.

As described above, when the display is used for the user interface, unlike the conventional console panel which is flatly mounted on the front side of the platen, the front direction thereof can be easily changed.
As shown in FIG. 26, the screen of the display is directed slightly upward in accordance with the operator's eyes and to the left as shown in FIG. A 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-functions. However, it has the aspect that it is difficult to respond to compactness. When a compact size display is adopted, providing all necessary information on one screen is not only a problem of display density, but also easy for an operator to see.
It is also difficult to provide an easy-to-understand screen.

Therefore, when adopting a display in the user interface with the proposition of compactness,
In view of the balance, it is necessary to adopt a display of a compact size and to devise display control in the display. In the present invention, the display is compared with the LED or liquid crystal display used in the console panel,
Utilizing the merit that various display modes and display controls can be adopted, various ideas have been devised so as to easily display even a compact size.

For example, in the user interface according to the present invention, the display screen is switched according to each of the copy modes of the basic copy, the advanced copy, and the specialty copy, and a menu such as function selection and execution condition setting is displayed in each mode. At the same time, a cascade (cursor) on the screen is moved by a key input so that an option can be specified and execution condition data can be input. In addition, depending on menu options, the detailed items are displayed in a pop-up display (overlapped 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, according to the present invention, the screen division configuration,
By devising methods such as area division, brightness adjustment, gray display and other display modes on each screen, the operation section is simplified by well combining operation keys and LEDs, and display control and display contents of the display are simplified. In addition, the present invention solves the problem of diversifying and simplifying operation inputs and realizing both compactness and multifunctionality of the device. FIG. 28 shows the appearance of a user interface configured using a CRT display based on such a concept. In this example, a key / LED board is arranged on the lower side and the front side on the right side of the CRT display 301. In the selection mode screen as a screen configuration, the screen is divided into a plurality of regions, a selection region is provided as one of the regions, and the selection region is vertically divided so that each function can be individually selected and set as a cascade region. I have to. Therefore, key / L
In the ED board, cascade keys 319-1 to 319-5 for cascade selection setting are arranged below a selection area of a vertically divided screen, and mode selection keys 308 to 310 for switching a selection mode screen are provided. Other keys (302-304, 306, 307, 315-318)
And the LEDs (305, 311 to 314) are arranged on the right side. Since the number of keys and LEDs is reduced and these are arranged beside and below the CRT display 301, the size need only be slightly larger than that of the CRT display 301, and a compact user interface can be provided. .

(3-2) Configuration of Control System FIG. 29 shows the relationship between the U / I CPU and the main CPU connected by serial communication, and FIG. 30 shows the hardware configuration of the user interface. 31 is a diagram showing the software configuration of the user interface.

(A) Hardware Configuration The main CPU 41 is, as shown in FIG.
3, an NVRAM (non-volatile memory) 324, an interface 321 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the base machine, and an interface 322 for transmitting and receiving data to and from an additional device (OPTION).
Is connected to the communication control circuit 327 via the communication control circuit 327, and the U / I CP
It is configured to communicate with U46 and other CPUs. The ROM 323 stores a program including subsystems such as the sequence manager, the imaging module, and the copy handling module described above. The bus arbiter 326 is a system R
An AM 325 for holding data sent from the main CPU 41 to another CPU and data received from the other CPU, so that the main CPU 41 can exchange data asynchronously with the timing of serial communication.
The OM 328 stores a communication program for transmitting and receiving data on the serial communication line by the communication control circuit 327. The main CPU 41 may perform all functions related to the bus arbiter 326 and the communication control circuit 327 related to communication. The subsystem of the sequence manager in the main CPU 41 monitors the status of each subsystem by serial communication, and upon receiving a copy mode signal from the user interface, sends a signal to each subsystem so that copying can be efficiently performed at a predetermined timing. Give work instructions.

As shown in FIG. 30, the user interface system including the U / I CPU 46 basically includes a CRT board 331, a CRT display 301, and a key / LED board 333. The CRT board 331 includes a U / I CPU 46 that controls the entire system, a CRT controller 335 that controls the CRT display 301, and a key / LED board 3.
A keyboard / display controller 336 for controlling the memory 33; a program memory (ROM) 337 for storing the above programs as a memory; and a frame memory (ROM) 33 for storing frame data.
8, a RAM 339 that is partially configured as a non-volatile memory and stores tables, display control data, and the like and is used as a work area; two sets of V-RAMs (video RA
M) 340, a character generator 342, and the like.

The main CPU 41 and the U of the CRT board 331
Data is transmitted and received between the / I CPU 46 and the serial communication line via the driver 344 and the receiver 343. TXD is a transmission signal from the CRT substrate 331, and RXD is a reception signal to the CRT substrate 331. The clock generator 346 includes, for example, 11.0592
MHz crystal oscillator is used, and this is used for U / I CPU.
By dividing into 1/12 inside 46, 0.92
A basic frequency of 16 MHz is generated. And U /
In the communication of the CPU 46 for I, this is set to 1 by an internal timer.
The transfer clock is set by dividing the frequency by 256 (programmable). Therefore, the fundamental frequency 0.921
The frequency of 6MHz is determined to be 1/3 by program, and
When the frequency is divided into / 32, the transfer clock becomes 9600 Hz (the transmission bit rate is 9600 BPS).

The U / I CPU 46 is a main CPU 41
And a key / LED board 333 operation signal is input from a keyboard / display controller 336 to the CRT display 301.
Switch the screen to be displayed on the screen, set the copy mode,
A message to be displayed on the T display 301 is generated. When the start key 318 is operated in the input processing of the operation signal of the key / LED board 333,
The copy mode at that time is checked, and if there is no inconsistency, the copy mode is transmitted to the main CPU 41. In the display processing of the CRT display 301, a code of the character generator is set corresponding to the display screen, and the code is written in the V-RAM 340. The frame memory 338 stores information for setting the code of the character generator. V-RAM34
When the code is written to 0, the CRT controller 33
5, dot data of the character generator 342 is read out in synchronization with the raster address.
It is converted to serial data by the direct conversion circuit 355,
It is displayed on the display 301.

Watchdog timer (WDT) 34
Reference numeral 5 is for checking runaway of the U / I CPU 46, and is reset when the U / I CPU 46 reads a specific address, for example, any one of the data areas 7000 to 77FF. Therefore, by creating a program so as to read this specific address within 150 mS, if the U / I CPU 46 runs away,
Even after the elapse of mS or more, the specific address is not read, and the watchdog timer (WDT) 345 is not reset, so that the U / I CPU 46 runs out of control.

Keyboard / Display Controller 3
Reference numeral 36 denotes a clock obtained by dividing the output of the clock generator 346 input to the U / I CPU 46 to 1/4 by the counter 347 to 2.7648 MHz, and further dividing the output to 1/27 by the prescaler. The key / LED scan time of 4.98 ms is created by setting the frequency to 102 kHz. If the scan time is too long, it takes a long time for input detection. Therefore, when the key operation time by the operator is short, there is a problem that the input data is not taken. This will increase the throughput. 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 is shown in FIG.
Monitor having I / O management, task management, and communication protocol functions, a video controller having key input management and screen output management functions, and job management and control, selection determination, mode determination, etc. It comprises a job controller having functions. Here, when a predetermined number of copies are to be made, one job is a period from the start of the copy operation to the completion of the predetermined number of copies and termination.
In this way, the software is divided and the video controller performs screen editing control and key input conversion processing, so that the job controller can design software irrespective of the display device and keyboard. Therefore, for example, even when the display is replaced with a console panel, it is only necessary to change the design of the video controller according to the console panel without changing the job controller at all. That is, the video controller passes a logical key to the job controller between the display device or keyboard and the job controller,
The interface command received from the job controller may be reflected on the display device or the keyboard.

The logical key and the interface command enable such software division. By controlling the video controller with the interface command from the job controller, the job controller can manage the job without being aware of the screen at all. To facilitate software construction. Therefore, regarding key input, the video controller processes the physical information of the key, the job controller recognizes the mode, checks the key reception condition, and controls the job. In the screen display, the job controller controls the screen based on machine state information and selection mode information and issues an interface command to the video controller, and the video controller executes the command to edit and draw the screen. The key change detection unit 362 and other blocks that perform processing, generation, and control of data described below are shown in fixed program units (modules), and these constituent units are summarized for convenience of description. It is needless to say that some of them may be constituted by a plurality of modules or a plurality of modules may be collectively constituted.

"Video controller" key change detection unit 3
Reference numeral 62 is for performing a double-press check and detecting a continuous key-press state of the physical key information passed from the monitor by the physical key table 361. Key conversion unit 363
Converts the currently pressed physical key detected as described above into a logical key (logical information), and requests the job controller to check the key reception condition of the logical key (current key). . Conversion table 364
Is referred to by the key conversion unit 363 when converting the physical key to the logical key. For example, even if the cascade key is the same physical key, the logical information is different depending on the screen. The conversion from the physical key to the logical key is controlled by the display screen information.

The screen switching unit 368 receives the key reception signal and the logical key from the job controller, or receives the logical key from the key conversion unit 363 directly in the video controller, and the logical key calls the basic copy screen or the application copy screen. Alternatively, in the case of a simple screen switching key for expanding a pop-up screen by moving the cascade and not having a mode update or a state update, the display control data 367 is updated to the display screen number to the relevant screen number. Therefore, the screen switching unit 368 stores a logical key for expanding the pop-up screen as a table, and displays the pop-up screen so as to expand when the logical key is operated and there is no other key input within 750 msec. The control data 367 is updated. This processing is performed in order to prevent the pop-up screen from being expanded one by one in the process of selecting a certain option by temporarily operating the cascade key to select the option to expand the pop-up screen. What to do. Therefore, if there is another key input within 750 msec even if it is a logical key for expanding the pop-up screen, it will be ignored as a temporary key input. In the case of updating a state such as occurrence of a jam, moving a cascade or updating other copy modes, or updating a message or count value, the display control unit 369 receives and analyzes an interface command from the job controller, and performs display control. The data 367 is updated.

The display control data 367 has data for controlling the display of each screen such as a screen number to be displayed and display variable information in the screen. The dialog data 370 includes a basic frame of each screen, display data of each frame, This is a hierarchically structured database having reference addresses of variable data among display data (addresses of display control data 367 storing display variable information). The dialog editing unit 366 converts the basic frame of the screen to be displayed based on the screen number displayed by the display control data 367 and the display data into the dialog data 37.
From 0, the display data is determined according to the display variable information of the display control data 367, the screen is edited, and the display screen is drawn and developed on the V-RAM 365.

[Job controller] key management unit 14
Checks whether or not the logical key is in a receivable state with reference to the state table 371. If the logical key is receivable, the key information is not input until 750 msec elapses thereafter. And sends it to the key control section 375. The key control unit 375 performs a key reception process and executes the copy mode 37.
8 is executed, a mode check and a copy execution command are issued, a machine state is grasped, and display control information is passed to the display management unit 377 to perform display control. 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 of the key management unit 14 or the key control unit 375, and activates an interface routine (display control unit 369). The state management unit 372 updates the state table 371 for key reception by determining a change in the state from state information of the machine such as a key reception state, occurrence of a jam or a failure, opening of an interlock, and the like. Then, the key reception condition is checked based on the state information. 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 unit 373
Notifies the state management unit 372 and the job control unit 376 of the state of the received command transmitted from the main unit, and also executes the job control unit 3 during job execution.
A command for the execution is received from 76 and transmitted to the main unit.

Therefore, when the start key is operated and the key control unit 375 sets a command corresponding to the copy mode in the transmission buffer 380 to execute the copy operation, the command in the operating state of the machine is sequentially transmitted to the reception buffer 379. Is received. 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 machine stop command is issued. Is issued. During the copy operation, when a jam occurrence command is received, the jam state is recognized by the state management unit 372 through the command control unit 373, and the state table 371 is updated. Issues screen control interface commands.

[Interface Command] By employing an arrangement in which the job controller issues an interface command to control the video controller, the job controller and the video controller can be independently designed, and the display can be easily changed to the console by changing the video controller. It can be changed to a panel or other input / output means. The interface command is a registration command, for example, No. , Paper size, orientation, additional device, device name, presence / absence, second development, presence / absence, color, and the like. Normal setting commands include cascade, cascade, set number of sheets, and margin. The edit setting commands include box display and coordinate display, and the job setting commands include call values, registered numerical values, etc.
Display commands include normal message, state display,
Mode commands such as maid display, residual toner display, collected toner display, and no paper display include jam, clear jam, change information, preheat, interrupt, return, and change. Further, there are a display control command, a machine operation state command, an initialization command, a diagnosis command, and the like. The display controller 369 of the video controller analyzes these commands and updates the display control data 367. For example, the registration command sets the initial settings of each screen. The normal setting command displays the cascade setting status on the normal setting screen, deletes unnecessary cascades, and sets the number of sets (set count).
And a margin value are displayed. With the mode conversion command, each mode screen is displayed and an LED (not shown) is turned on / off.

As described above, the operation of the cascade key is triggered when the cascade key is turned off from on, when it is continuously pressed for 750 msec, and when it is continuously pressed for 125 msec. If the key is accepted, move one rank. If the destination is incapable of accepting the mode, one rank is skipped and the next key is selected. In this operation, when the cascade is up, a logic code corresponding to the cascade is passed to the job controller as a key reception, and is fed back as display data from the job controller to the video controller.

[Table] FIGS. 32 to 34 are diagrams showing examples of tables prepared in the job controller.

In the present invention, various tables are provided for key management and copy mode generation in the user interface as described above. In particular, 64 cpm, 309 m
When the present invention is applied to a high-speed copying machine that performs a copying operation at a process speed of m / sec, the user interface uses serial communication with a sequence manager (SQMGR subsystem) that controls and controls the machine. The key operation of the user interface and the operation of the machine cannot be directly connected because the connection is made and the machine state information is passed only at a predetermined communication timing. For that purpose, it is necessary to generate various states and perform key reception management, and a table is used.

As described above, the job controller processes the user's request using the logical key, prepares various tables for providing the user with input setting information and machine information, and processes these information. I have. The state table 371 is one of them, and is used for managing the reception of keys as described above. FIG. 32A shows the table configuration. The state information includes job state, machine state, run case, con state, state case, and mode information.

The job state indicates the status of the job controller.
Or the job is completed (COMPLETE) or running (I
NCOMPLETE) or duplex mode (S /
S, D / S, S / D, D / D), and the mode (S / D
In the case of (D, D / D), information on whether the job is in an end state or in execution is further managed therein. For example, when the original is set on the platen and the set number of copies is executed five times, the INCOMPLETE is performed during the execution of the five copies, that is, until the execution of the five copies is completed. COMPLETE.

The machine state is information to be remembered when the state of the machine is received from the main unit as shown in FIG. 33. The machine state is an initial state (INITIARIZE), a so-called operating state (PROGRESS) in which a copy cycle is entered, The copy cycle is about to stop after completion (SOFTDOWN COIN), abnormal stop such as jam or belt cut (SOFTDOWN PAUSE), automatic discharge after jam (PURGE), machine stop (STAND-BY) ), The state where purge is executed by start command (P
URGE STAND-BY), machine stopped due to jam (JAM)
There is information. Accordingly, the relationship with the machine operation is that when the start key is operated from the standby, the progress is made, and when the operation is normally ended after passing through the soft-down coin, the operation again becomes the standby. However, if a jam occurs in the middle, a soft down pause occurs, and if the jam stops, the jam occurs. If it is necessary to discharge the sheet, the purge standby mode is set. If the sheet is discharged, the purge is started.

The run case is one of the key management-specific states created by the state management unit. The run case is information on machine state. The start key is not pressed or pressed in the platen mode, and the job standby or purge complete information is held in purge standby. In the present invention,
Since there is communication with the main body, the reception of keys changes depending on the communication with the communication. A table corresponding to a key is provided in each state such as a job state, a run case, and a state case, and a search is made from this table as to whether the key is acceptable.

The constate is a state created by the state management, and is ready (RDY), wait (WAIT), J
Has information of code, caution, U code, jam,
The state case has a J code number. The displayed messages and priorities differ depending on the state. The mode information has information such as auto start, power save, and edit input. Key management is performed based on each of the above state information.

FIG. 34 shows the structure of the copy mode table 378. The copy mode table 378 is composed of main body transmission information of bytes 0 to 12, FEATURE RECOVERY information of bytes 13 to 24, and job status of bytes 25 and 26.

In addition to the above, the command control unit 37
3 has a U code table, jam status information, a caution table, and the like. The U code table is generated from the information sent from the main unit when an abnormality occurs in the machine. To determine if the U code is acceptable. The caution table has information such as an interlock opened, a tray removed, and a state of no paper.

(C) Process Flow Next, an example of a process corresponding to the operation by the operator and the state of the machine will be described.

First, when the power is turned on and initialized, the key table is switched from the key management unit 374 to the screen switching unit 36 on condition that the state table 371 is in the initial state and there is no key input.
8 issues an initial screen instruction. In the video controller,
In response to this instruction, the screen switching unit 368 sets the display screen of the display control data 367 as the initial screen.

When the initial screen is the basic copy screen in the display control data 367, the dialog editing unit 366 reads the basic copy frame from the dialog data 370. In this frame, the address of the display control data 367 is indicated for each area. The dialog control unit 366 reads and edits the display control data 367 based on this address, and draws a basic copy screen on the V-RAM 365. . At the same time, the LED of the basic copy is turned on. Here, when the mode selection key of the application copy or the specialty copy of the keyboard is operated, the key management unit 374 is operated.
To check the key reception conditions, and similarly issue a screen instruction corresponding to the screen switching unit 368. If the initial screen is set to the fully automatic screen in the display control data 367, the fully automatic screen is drawn. This setting is performed in the diagnostic mode.

When the cascade key is operated by the operator and the physical key table 361 is updated in the display state of these screens, the key change detection unit 361 detects this and converts it into a logical key by the key conversion unit 363. Since the conversion of the cascade key into the logical key differs depending on the screen, the reference position of the conversion table 364 is controlled based on the screen information of the display control data 367, and the conversion into the logical key is performed. For example, in FIG.
Is operated, if the screen is a basic copy screen, it is converted to a logical key for double-sided copy cascade, but if it is an application copy screen, it is converted to a logical key for color cascade.

The key management unit 374 determines from the state table 371 whether or not the current state is acceptable. In this case, acceptance is permitted under the condition of a cascade key on the selection mode screen. Is sent to the state management unit 372 from here. In the key control unit 375, the copy mode 37
8 is updated, and the cascade display information is passed to the display management unit 377. The display management unit 377 generates an interface command and issues it to the display control unit 369. The display control unit 369 receives the interface command and updates the cascade setting information of the display control data 367. Thereafter, this content is reflected on the screen by the dialog editing unit 366 as described above. When each selection mode screen is switched in this way and each cascade is set, the setting state is displayed on the display, and the copy mode 378 and the state table 371 of the job controller are updated.

When the start key is operated, the key control unit 375 checks the copy mode 378 and issues a copy execution command. This copy execution command is issued by setting it in the transmission buffer 380 and transmitted to the main CPU via a serial communication line by the monitor. If the mode settings are inconsistent, the display management unit 377 generates and issues a display control interface command to control the message.

Upon issuing the copy execution command, the job control unit 376 manages the copy operation for each copy. For example, when the machine starts a copy operation and a machine state command is received every moment in the reception buffer 379, the command control unit 373 analyzes this and notifies the state management unit 372 and the job control unit 376. The job control unit 376 receives a machine status command and issues commands necessary for machine operation up to a set number of copies for each copy. This is set in the transmission buffer 380 through the command control unit 373. On the other hand, the state management unit 372 updates the state table 371 according to the machine state command. Therefore, in this state, the key management unit 374 cannot accept the mode selection key, the cascade key, and the like.

When a jam occurs during execution of a copy and a jam occurrence command is received from the machine, the information is transmitted to the job control unit 3 via the command control unit 373.
76 and the state management unit 372. as a result,
The state table 371 is updated with a jam occurrence state,
Job is suspended. Then, the key control unit 37
In step 5, by recognizing the jam occurrence position and passing the information to the display management unit 377, the display management unit 377 generates and issues an interface command based on the jam processing code in the mode classification, for example, to which the parameter of the jam zone is added. I do. Accordingly, the display control unit 369 processes this command and updates the display control data 367 to the content of the jam screen display, thereby setting the screen brightness at that time to 1
A jam screen is displayed on the display in which the rank is reduced and the screen representing the jam zone is overwritten.

In the machine status command, the key control unit 375 recognizes the remaining amount of toner, the status of the collection bottle, the out-of-paper condition, the open state of the interlock, and the like. Control of parts and the like.

The diagnostic mode is shifted by a special operation such as simultaneously operating the all clear key when the power is turned on. In this mode, the key management unit 3
It is recognized in the key control unit 375 through 74. Then, a diag command is issued through the display management unit 377 to control the diag screen. In this mode, a specific area of the display control data 367 is registered,
It can be set and cannot be set in normal modes other than the diagnostic mode. For example, setting whether to display a fully automatic screen or not to display the fully automatic screen is one of them.

(3-3) Pop-Up Screen Display A pop-up display is a close-up of the selected mode as an extension of the currently displayed screen when there are many options and sentences that cannot be displayed on the screen. The part of the screen being displayed is overwritten with a close-up window in a specific mode.

In the pop-up open mode, a mode to be popped up is selected for a predetermined time, for example, 750 msec.
On the condition that the time has elapsed, if another key input is made, such as a further operation of the cascade key before the elapse of 750 msec, the operation is canceled. This is to avoid wasting the processing of responding to the transient mode selection as in other mode determinations. By such a pop-up opening, a mode can be selected on the pop-up window by a cascade key corresponding to the portion, while a mode of a portion hidden by the pop-up window cannot be changed by the cascade key.

In the bopp-up close operation, after a certain period of time elapses, for example, 500 msec after the “close” (close key) on the pop-up window is selected, a screen change key, an auto clear key, and other keys (including a cascade key) outside the pop-up window are used. This operation is performed when an operation is performed, the preheating mode is entered, the interruption mode is entered, and the like. Therefore, when the screen is changed and the screen returns to the original screen, the previous popup is closed. When the close key is operated to close the pop-up, it is displayed that the pop-up is closed in a cascade, and no input of another key is accepted.

(A) Screen Data In the present invention, even if the cascade and options, that is, selectable functions are changed due to a different mounting state of the additional device or the like, basically, a screen corresponding to the combination is not prepared, and As shown in FIG. 31, a screen database is stored in the ROM as dialog data 370, and its variables are stored in the RAM as display control data 367, so that a specific display block can be changed and edited with data of one screen. I have.

FIG. 35 (a) shows the configuration of the memory space for dialog data, which uses eight 32-kbyte chips and accesses with a page (page number) and an absolute address (absolute address). Has become. As shown in the figure, by using a part of page 0 as a jump table and pointing to the storage address of the data of each screen (frame), it can be accessed by the screen number (frame No. and pop-up No.). The basic data structure includes, as shown in FIG. 35B, an ID indicating what data, a page, an absolute address, and a head display position (Screen Position).
For example, message data (Message Variable), numerical data such as set count (Numeric Variable), shape data with fixed display contents (Figure Variable), and contents change depending on the mounting state of the device. Variable data (Elementary Varia
ble), blink data (Blink Variable) for blinking the removed tray or the like, cascade data (Presettable Variable) that can be set in advance, basic frame data, pop-up frame data, and the like.

The overall data structure of the dialog data is as follows:
As shown in FIG. 35 (c), the jump table JT, the frames F1, F2,..., The constituent frames such as the basic frame BF and the pop-up frame PF constituting each frame, the object reference OR, and the specific display data of each are shown. Stored object data OD
The object data OD has actual display information, and the others are pointers of a hierarchical structure (tree structure) as shown by arrows. Then, all screen data is prepared in the configuration frame, all display data corresponding to each screen is prepared as a pair of the object reference OR and the object data OD, and reference to the object reference OR (Test Variable) is used. For example, in the case of the data in the setting state display area displayed on / off, on data and off data are prepared in the object reference OR and the object data OD, and which of the two is used is determined by the display control data of the address indicated by the reference information. 367. That is, the reference information (Test Variable) indicates a reference address of the display control data 367, and the display control unit 369 (FIG. 31) may set data to the address according to the copy mode or the mounting state of the additional device. Therefore, the same applies to display control depending on whether a sorter or the like is mounted.

Next, each data structure will be described in detail. The jump table JT includes a page and an absolute address corresponding to each frame, and the corresponding frame F1, F2,
... Points to the first address. Frame F
1, F2,... Are the basic copy screen and the advanced copy screen,
A professional copy screen, a review screen, an information screen, a jam screen, and the like. Each frame has "Possibilities" information indicating the number of data at the top, and then points to the top address of each constituent frame consisting of a basic frame and a pop-up frame by "ID" and a data address. For example, in the case of the basic copy screen, the constituent frames include a basic frame BF without a pop-up, a pop-up frame with a magnification, and a pop-up frame PF with a copy density.
Similarly, the constituent frames such as the basic frame BF and the pop-up frame PF are prefixed with “Possibilities”.
It has information, and then points to the head address of all object references OR constituting the frame by "ID" and data address, and has a head display position (Screen Position). The object reference OR includes reference information (Test Variable) containing the address of the display control data 367 after “Possibilities” information, and maximum display area information (Max Hei).
ght & Width), and corresponding to each object data OD, “ID” and data address, display mode data (Rev / Gray) such as reverse or gray, constant (Con)
stant) data follows.

For example, in the example of message data, if there are k message data, the object reference OR has data from constants “0” to “k”.
Each points to the object data OD of the corresponding message data. Therefore, the character string of the object data of the constant “0” to which the object reference OR points is “can be copied.”
If the constant “1” is “copied”, the display control unit 36 stores the display control data 367 at the address indicated by the reference information of the object reference OR.
By writing "0" from 9, "copying is possible" can be displayed, and by writing "1", "copying" can be displayed. As described above, in the object reference OR, for example, in the case of message data, all data are prepared for each of the upper message and the lower message. The dialog editing unit 366 selects the object data OD based on the reference information in the object reference OR, processes the pointed object data OD, reads out, for example, the character “can be copied.” Write to V-RAM.

When the object data OD is several data, only one line is used, so the height information (Heigh
t), the data width (the number of tiles, Width), data designating a font such as Gothic font and Mincho font, display attribute data such as reverse, and reference information (Test Var.) follow.
The display control data 36 of the address specified by the reference information
In 7 are written numerical values to be displayed, such as a count value and a magnification value. Similarly, in the case of gray scale, the size (Height, Width) and level (off “0
0 ", level 1" 01 ", level 2" 10 ", ...). As described above, the dialog data includes data of various characteristics, and FIG. 37 shows the data classified by the basic copy screen.

On the basic copy screen shown in FIG. 37, as described above, the setting state display area and the data EV (Elementary Variable) of the cascade name of the sorter are data displayed on / off. Accordingly, in the case of such data, as shown in FIG. 38A, reference data is a pair of on and off (blank) by constants “1” and “0”. Therefore, the reference information (Test Var)
"1" for the display control data of the address specified by iable)
Or "0" is written. In the case of "1", for example, "sorter" is displayed, and in the case of "0", it becomes blank.

FIG. 38 (b) shows an example of the data structure applied to the fixed cascade without any change.
In the basic copy screen shown in FIG. 7, data CV (Cas) applied to each cascade of reduction / enlargement, double-sided copy, and copy density
cade Variable). In this data, there is a frame for each cascade in the object reference OR (O
N) and a reference without a frame (OFF) are provided as a series of data. Then, the reference information (Test Variabl)
A cascade number indicating that there is a frame is written in the display control data of the address specified in e). Therefore, in the case of this data, data having a frame (ON) is selected only for cascades that specify a frame in the display control data, and data having no frame (OFF) is selected for other cascades. As described above, when there is a frame, a frame (shadow) that gives a three-dimensional effect is displayed on the right side and the lower side, and the background is displayed with high luminance. When there is no frame, the background is displayed with gray gradation.

FIG. 38 (c) shows an example of a data structure applied to a blink such as a tray, and FIG.
Is a data BL (Blink Variable) applied to the display area of the tray excluding manual feed. In this data, when blink-designated data is set in the display control data at the address specified by the reference information (Test Variable), the head display position (Screen Posit) is set.
area) specified by the size (height, width) is set as a blink. That is, this data is set for all areas to be blinked.

FIG. 39 shows an example of a data structure applied to a cascade whose setting can be changed in advance.
In the basic copy screen shown in Fig. 7, the data PC (Presettable C) applied to each cascade of paper tray and sorter is displayed.
ascade Variable). In this data, a group (Group) having reference information for controlling a cascade with a frame, “ID”, and reference information of each cascade is provided.
of FIG.), followed by reference information (Tech Rep Variable) and a top display position (Screen Position) corresponding to each cascade position. Then, the reference information (Tech Rep Var) corresponding to each cascade
An option is set in the display control data indicated by iable).

FIGS. 40 to 44 are diagrams showing specification examples of display control data. The display control unit 369 sets display control data according to the specifications shown in FIG. For example, when the cascade of the job memory is set to a value other than the default on the professional copy screen, the display control unit 369 writes “1” to the address AOC of the display control data 367. Therefore, when the basic copy screen is displayed,
The cascade name of “Job memory” is displayed in the setting status display area.

FIG. 45 is a diagram for explaining the flow of the screen editing process, and FIG. 46 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the screen editing process module.

As described above, in the present invention, V-RA
M is duplicated, and if a part of the screen is changed, only that part is rewritten. If there are many changes on the screen, the data is expanded to the back V-RAM and then
Is switched, the flicker at the time of changing the display screen is eliminated. Therefore, in the screen editing process, it is necessary to first determine whether or not the rewriting process is one screen, as shown in FIG. The screen is frame N as described above.
o. And pop-up No. , And are edited and developed according to the setting contents of the display control data. Therefore, the frame No. Or pop-up No. Is changed, the screen is rewritten, and the back V-RAM is used. However, when the all clear key is operated, all the cascades are reset to the default, so that each cascade moves. Then, the contents of the change are increased and the back V-RAM is used. Therefore, the back V-RAM
First, a determination is made as to whether the process uses the table V or rewrites a part of the table V-RAM (step).

In the case of the screen rewriting process, the dialog is initialized. In this processing, the frame No. And pop-up No. , The leading address of the dialog data is obtained, and a dialog read pointer is set (step).

Then, “Possibility” is obtained from the configuration information group.
A check process is performed for each block one by one, and it is checked whether the item is a fixed item or a variable item (step).

In the case of YES (in the case of a fixed item), after performing a screen gray check, a read process is started and output to the back V-RAM to expand the display data (step to).

In the case of NO (in the case of a variable item),
The addresses of the configuration information and the reference information (Test Variable) are registered in the update table, and when all the variable items have been registered, an EOF (end of file) code is set in the update table (step to? 1).
0).

[0203] The above processing of-○ 10 is called “Possibility”.
Next, the update table is updated to EOF.
The blocks up to the code are checked one by one, and the same processing as above is performed (steps # 11 to # 12).

[0204] The screen rewriting process is performed as described above. If the determination is NO, the next partial rewriting process is performed.

In the partial rewriting process, the update data table is checked, the dialog data of the changed variable item is read, the display block data is created, and output to the table V-RAM.

(3-4) Configuration of Display Screen In the user interface of the present invention, the configuration of the key / LED board is simplified by making the best use of the CRT display. Among them, the screen is devised in order to make the screen simple and easy to view and to effectively perform the selection setting, confirmation, and message transmission functions.
The screen includes a selection mode screen for selecting the copy mode, a review screen for checking the setting status of the copy mode, a fully automatic screen for executing the copy in the standard mode, and a multifunctional copy mode. It is composed of an information screen that provides a screen, a jam screen that appropriately displays the position of a jam when it occurs, and the like. In addition, the selection mode screen has many functions and becomes complicated on one screen, and some of the functions include not only functions that are used in general but also specialized functions. Into three parts. The divided screens can be selectively switched and displayed by mode selection keys 308 to 310 as appropriate, and a desired function can be selectively set on each screen. Furthermore, the screen is divided into a selection area, a setting state display area of another mode, a message area, and the like, so that information can be accurately transmitted to the user according to the operation state.

According to the present invention, among the various screens, for example, in the selection mode screen or the information screen, for the items for which all the information cannot be displayed at once, a pop-up screen for developing the detailed items is provided and the screen is provided. When an option is selected or its key code is input, the original screen is simplified by overwriting the pop-up screen so that the screen configuration is easy to understand. In addition, for an option having a pop-up screen, identification information is added using, for example, an icon (pictogram), thereby displaying to the operator that there is a pop-up screen on the screen, and the presence or absence of the identification information in software is determined. It is also possible to add a recognition algorithm and to easily determine whether or not there is a pop-up screen. Similarly to the pop-up screen, when a jam occurs, the jam screen is overwritten on the screen at that time.

FIG. 47 is a diagram showing an example of a basic copy screen and its pop-up screen. FIGS. 48 and 49 are diagrams showing an example of an application copy screen and its pop-up screen. FIGS.
2 shows an example of a professional copy screen and its pop-up screen, FIGS. 53 and 54 show examples of an information screen, and FIG. 55 shows an example of a jam screen.

The selection mode screen is shown in FIGS.
The three screens of basic copy, application copy, and specialty copy shown in FIG. 3 are set, and are displayed on the CRT display by operating the mode selection keys 308 to 310. Of these screens, the most commonly used functions are categorized and grouped into the basic copy screen.The next most commonly used functions are categorized and grouped into the application copy screen. The specialized copy screen is a grouping of special specialized functions.

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 the copy execution conditions are inconsistent, a U-code message when there is a hardware failure that requires contacting a service person,
A C code message or the like is displayed to call the operator for various precautions. Among them, the J code message has a check table for a combination of copy execution conditions according to the setting contents of each cascade. 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 application copy and specialty copy with respect to the basic copy screen is displayed. In this display of the selected state, when 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 row, the bottom area of each cascade area is a default area, and the area above it is a non-default area. 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. Note that the right side of the message area A is used as a count section for displaying a set count and a maid count, and the lower row of the set state display area B is used as a maintenance information section such as toner bottle full and toner supply. The contents of the cascade area of each selection mode screen will be described below.

(A) Basic Copy Screen As shown in FIG. 47 (a), the basic copy screen includes a cascade of “paper tray”, “reduction / enlargement”, “double-sided copy”, “copy density”, and “sorter”. Become.

In the “paper tray”, automatic is the default, and in this case, a tray containing paper of the same size as the original 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. In the column of each tray, the paper size, type, and icon (pictogram) are displayed as shown in the drawing so that the stored paper can be easily identified. There is a setting for feeding the paper in the longitudinal direction and a setting for feeding the paper in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

The default of “reduction / enlargement” is the same magnification, and 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. The magnification (line magnification) can be arbitrarily set in increments of 1% from 50% to 200%. When “fixed” / “arbitrary” is selected by operating the cascade key, the contents to be specifically set are shown in FIG. Displayed by the pop-up screen shown in (b), 50.7%, 70%, 81%, 100%, 121
%, 141% and 200% can be selected as a fixed magnification, and an arbitrary magnification that changes continuously by 1% can be selected and set. This pop-up screen is obtained by developing numerical selection information as detailed items of fixed magnification options and developing numerical input information as detailed items of arbitrary magnification options.

[0214] The "double-sided copy" has a default of one-sided, and other than the default, two-sided-> one-sided, two-sided-> two-sided, one-sided-> two-sided can be selected in relation to the original document-> 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 performing single-sided copying of a single-sided original. In the case of making double-sided copy, the copy sheet copied 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 side.

The default "copy density" is automatic, and seven levels of density can be set other than the default, and seven levels of density can also be set in the photograph mode. The setting of this content is performed by a pop-up screen shown in FIG. This pop-up screen develops not only the density level selection information as detailed items of the copy density option but also the presence or absence of a related photo copy.

The "sorter" has copy receiving as a default, and other than the default, a collation and a stack can be selected. 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.

[0217] As shown in the figure, a triangular icon with an intermediate color is additionally displayed as an identification information on an option having a pop-up screen.

(B) Application Copy Screen The application copy screen consists of a cascade of “special original”, “margin”, “color”, “interleaf”, and “discharge surface” as shown in FIG. .

The "special manuscript" is a two-claw function (2-UP) for copying two manuscripts of the same size onto one sheet in a cascade other than the default. Function to copy one page at a time (CFF; computer form feeder), A2 / B
A function (LDC) for copying a large original such as 3 can be selected, and the latter two functions are developed on a pop-up screen shown in FIGS. 48 (b) and 48 (c). Since these pop-up screens are also closely related to the paper tray, the details of this option are also expanded, and not only the functions related to the option but also the details of the related functions are displayed. By deploying them together, it is possible to select and set related functions on a single screen while maintaining consistency with related options, thereby improving operability and reducing inconsistent selection settings and mistakes. Improving efficiency.

The "binding margin" is used to set a "binding margin" in the range of 1 mm to 16 mm at the right end or the left end of the copy. FIG. 49 (a)
This is developed on the pop-up screen shown in FIG. This pop-up screen is obtained by adding icons in order to reduce errors in recognizing the detailed items and expanding the numerical value input information by frame display.

[0221] For "color", black is the default, and red can be selected other than the default.

"Interleaf" is a function for inserting a blank sheet in the middle during OHP copying, and can be selected other than the default.

The "discharge surface" can be selected from other than the default so as to forcibly specify either the front surface or the back surface and discharge the paper.

(C) Specialized Copy Screen The specialized copy screen is composed of a cascade of “job memory”, “editing / combining”, “single-size fine adjustment”, and “erasing” as shown in FIG.

[0225] The "job memory" is a page program using a card, in which a plurality of jobs are registered, called up, and automatically copied by pressing the start key. Then, the registration and the call can be selected other than the default, and the detailed items are developed on the pop-up screens shown in FIGS. 50 (b) and 50 (c).

In the case of "edit / combine", an edit function and a combine function can be selected other than the default. The editing function is a function for inputting data for editing using an editor or the like. The editing function is developed on a pop-up screen shown in FIG. 51 (a) and further included therein is shown in FIGS. 51 (b) and 51 (c). 52
(A) to (c), details of each function of area designation, marking color, extraction / deletion, partial photograph, and partial color are developed and selectable on the pop-up screen shown in FIG. 53 (a). As for the partial colors, 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, for 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 for making one copy from two originals using a duplex tray, and is developed by a pop-up screen shown in FIG. 53 (b). There is parallel composition.
In sheet combining, the entirety of both the first document and the second document are set to 1
This is a function of superimposing and recording on sheets of paper, and it is also possible to make copies of the first document and the second document in different colors. On the other hand, the parallel composition is a function of creating a composite copy on one sheet of paper in a state where the entirety of the second original is attached to the entirety of the first original.

"Equal magnification fine adjustment" is set at a magnification of 99% to 101% in increments of 0.15%. This function can be selected other than the default, and its details are shown in FIG.
It is developed by the pop-up screen shown in (1).

[0230] "Erasure" is to copy the image information of the peripheral portion of the original without making a copy, and as if a "frame" is set around the image information. Figure 53 (d) with standard as default
You can select any size other than the default by setting an arbitrary size using the pop-up screen shown in Fig. 1 and full copy mode without erasing.

In the pop-up screen developed on the professional copy screen, as shown in the figure, since the selection of functions is specialized and complicated, icons are added and detailed items of related functions are also developed. We make full use of the display techniques we adopted in.

(D) 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. By inputting the information code displayed on this screen from the numeric keypad, an explanation screen is displayed as a pop-up screen as shown in FIGS. This pop-up screen is different from the expansion of the detailed items of the options adopted in the setting mode screen, in which a so-called index is used as an option, and the detailed contents are expanded by text.

(E) Jam screen The jam screen is superimposed on the screen displayed during the copy execution as shown in FIGS. 56 (a) and 56 (b).
By reducing the luminance of the original screen one rank at a time, the contents of the jam display are made clearer. The feature of this jam screen is that the inside is expressed in black in accordance with the image of the main body, a picture of a door handle is added, and a message of opening the door is added.

(F) Other Configuration Screens FIG. 57 is a diagram showing an example of a review screen and a fully automatic screen.

The review screen displays the status of the copy mode selected in each of the three divided selection mode screens, and as shown in FIG. The setting status of the cascade 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 display with the background is adopted.
By distinguishing between the default state and the non-default state in this way, the cascade (options) other than the default changed from the fully automatic mode is particularly prominently displayed. In addition, the screen configuration is divided into three copy modes of basic copy, applied copy, and specialty copy and displayed in three levels, and the display position is made to correspond to the position of the mode selection key.
Furthermore, by switching the screen from the review screen to each mode screen by pointing the screen selection key with a white arrow. This display allows the operator to confirm the setting state of each cascade, thereby improving operability and reducing copy errors.

The fully automatic screen is a screen as shown in FIG. 57B, when the power is turned on, when the preheating key 306 is operated (released) in the preheating mode, or when the all clear key 316 is operated. And the cascade of each selection mode screen is set to the default. On this screen, a document is set on the platen as instructed, the number of copies is set using the numeric keypad, and the start key 318 is pressed.

(G) Screen Change The screen change is triggered by the conditions shown in FIG. First, when the power is turned on and initialization (initialization) is completed, a basic copy screen is displayed if there is no instruction to shift to the diagnostic mode. This basic copy screen is displayed by further operating the all clear key, the basic copy mode selection key, and the preheat key during the preheat screen.The advanced copy screen, specialized copy screen, and review screen are displayed by pressing the respective mode selection keys. The display is switched by operation. The start key is accepted only on these screens, and the copy operation can be executed.
In the specialty copy screen, when an edit or a job program is selected, the screen changes to the input screen, and when the input is completed, the screen returns to the original specialty copy screen. Further, from these screens, the operation of the information key and the input of the code shift to the information screen, and the operation of the preheating key (power save key) shifts to the preheating screen. Then, when a jam occurs, the jam screen is superimposed on the selection mode screen when the copy is executed. The burn-in prevention screen is shifted by the operation of the timer when there is no key input even if a predetermined time elapses with any of the above screens, and returns to the original screen by key operation.

(H) Display Mode FIG. 59 is a diagram showing a classification example of the screen layout. The present invention simplifies the information of one screen by dividing the image into a plurality of screens and switching and displaying the information as described above, thereby simplifying the information of one screen. Assorted into screen layouts. That is, FIG. 12A shows the layout of the selection mode screen, and FIG.
FIG. 3C shows the layout of a job program screen and the like, and FIG. 3C shows the layout of a preheating screen, a burn-in prevention screen, an information screen, a diagnostic screen, and the like.

In the present invention, the display mode is changed according to the display area of these layouts, the input setting state thereof, and the like, thereby forming a screen with accents that is easy to see and understand. For example, in the layout selection mode screen shown in FIG. 59A, the message area (including the count area), the setting state display area (including the maintenance information area), and the selection area are divided as described above. , The display mode of each area is changed. For example, in the message area including the counting section, the back is black and only the character string of the message is displayed in high brightness, 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 shade at a predetermined uniform density, and the display portion of the cascade name is displayed in reverse (dark characters and light background).
I have to. 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. However, since this information has a different characteristic from the setting state display information, the difference is clearly shown. To enable recognition, a display mode similar to that of the message area is employed. In the selected 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 (inverted display). Characters are displayed in high brightness.

The fully automatic screen shown in FIG.
The screen layout is as shown in (b). In this screen,
The background of the display area is displayed in a dark mesh display, the area displaying each operation instruction such as "document setting" is displayed in a bright mesh display, and the border is bordered to improve the clarity of the display for easy viewing. As described above, it is needless to say that the display modes of the background can be freely changed and combined as appropriate.

In particular, the border of the area such as the display of the background with high luminance (normal luminance by paper white), the gray gradation display with reduced luminance, or the display with the predetermined light and dark dot density is bordered as shown in the figure. This gives the card a three-dimensional effect and gives 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, in the display of characters, reverse display or blink display is used, so that the user can be alerted to a characteristic attention for each display information.

In addition to devising the back in the character string and the change in the luminance of the character as described above, the present invention provides a method of adding an icon (pictogram) to an option, a cascade name, or another character string. Another feature is that a display mode characterized by an image is adopted. For example, on the basic copy screen, the cascade names “reduced / enlarged”, “double-sided copy”, “copy density”, and “sorter” are added to the head, and the “paper tray” option is used to select the lower, middle, and upper tiers. That is what is added after the paper size. This icon conveys information to the user visually from another aspect, that is, the fact that the accent of the information is diminished by the character string alone, 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.

(3-5) Key / LED board and display display circuit (A) Key / LED board The user interface is a CRT as shown in FIG.
In the present invention, in particular, the present invention is configured to display and set options using the screen of the CRT display, so that the number of keys and LEDs on the key / LED board We are trying to minimize it.

That is, as described above, the CRT
In order to use the display effectively, the screen displayed on the CRT display is divided, and the area of each screen is also divided to organize the display contents and to make the screen easy to see. For example, the screen in the selection mode is divided into three parts, that is, a basic copy, an application copy, and a specialty copy.
It is divided into one cascade area and the function selection setting is performed in each cascade area. And mode selection keys 308 to 310 for screen switching;
Cascade key 319 for selecting each cascade area
Functions can be selected and set with eight keys from -1 to 319-5. Therefore, the mode selection key 30
When any one of the basic copy screen, the application copy screen, and the specialty copy screen is selected by operating the buttons 8 to 310, then all functions are performed only by inputting numerical values using the numeric keypad 307 except for the operation of the cascade keys 319-1 to 319-5. Is selected, and copying by a desired function can be executed. The cascade keys 319-1 to 319-5 are pairs of up and down movement keys in order 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 by the mode selection keys 308 to 310 out of three, and only one of them is displayed.
LEDs 311 to 31 are used to display which mode selection keys 308 to 310 the screen is selected.
3 is used. That is, the mode selection keys 308 to 31
When the selection mode screen is displayed by operating 0, the LEDs 311 to 31 corresponding to the mode selection keys 308 to 310 are displayed.
313 lights up.

When many functions are provided, it is not easy for the user to learn all the functions and to 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, when the information key 302 is operated, a list of information codes is displayed on an information index screen as shown in FIG. 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, and a copy mode explanation screen is displayed there.

Also, as described above, the screen of the selection mode is 3
Since the screen is divided into three screens and various functions defined on the three screens are selected and set, it is also required to be able to confirm the entire setting state including the other screens. Therefore,
The review key 303 is used to confirm the setting state of such an entire screen. The review key 303 is a key for displaying a review screen, and when this key is operated, a review screen as shown in FIG. 56 showing the setting state of all screens of the basic copy, the application copy, and the specialty copy is displayed. .

[0246] 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 a font memory are prepared in, for example, two languages, Japanese and English, in order to eliminate language obstacles.
By switching the display data and the font memory by the operation of step 04, the display screen can be output by freely switching between Japanese and English. In addition, not only two languages but also a plurality of languages may be facilitated, and the languages may be switched in a predetermined order by operating the dual language key 304, or a Japanese dialect may be added.

The preheating key 306 is used to set a preheating mode in order to save power consumption in the non-use state and enable a quick transition from the non-use state to the copy operation. Switch between preheating mode and fully 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 fully automatic mode which is set to the default of each selection mode screen, and displays a 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.

The interrupt key 315 is used when continuous copying is being performed and another emergency copy needs to be performed. When the interrupt processing is completed, the process returns to the original copying operation. Is also released. The LED 314 indicates whether the interrupt key 315 is in an interrupted state or in a released state.

The stop key 317 is used for stopping the copying operation in the middle, setting the number of copies, and setting the bin of the sorter.

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

FIG. 60A is a diagram showing an example of a setting map for keyboard scanning, and FIG. 60B is a diagram showing an example of a setting map for LED scanning.

The key / LED is set at 102 kHz by the keyboard / display controller 336 as described above.
A scan time of 4.98 msec is created and processed from the clock of z.
As shown in (a), eight scans from “0” to “7” are defined as one cycle, and each scan is defined as one from “0” to “7”.
It consists of byte data and generates the physical table described above. Similarly, the LEDs are also turned on / off by a scan map as shown in FIG.

(B) Display FIG. 61 is a diagram showing display timing, and FIG. 62 is a V-RAM.
FIG. 63 shows a first V-RAM.
FIG. 64 is a diagram for explaining the readout circuit of the character generator, and FIG. 65 is a diagram showing an example of correspondence between dot patterns, data and scan addresses.

The CRT display 301 has a size of 9 inches, for example, and has a paper white display color,
A non-glare surface-treated one is used. Using a screen of this size, 160mm (H) x 110mm
If the total number of dots is 480 × 240, the dot pitch is 0.33 mm × 0.46 mm, and the dot configuration of the tile (character) is 8 × 16 in the display area of (V), the number of tiles is 60
× 15. Therefore, 16 characters x 16 characters
When dots, alphanumeric characters and symbols are displayed in 8 dots x 16 dots, Kanji and Kana use two tiles to display 30 x 1
The display of five characters becomes possible. Also, it is specified in four gradations of normal luminance, gray 1, gray 2, and black level in tile units,
It also displays reverse, blink, etc. The input signal timing for such a display is such that the dot frequency f _d is 10 MHz.
z, 480 × 240, 64 as shown in FIG.
The video data is processed for 48 μS in the period of the horizontal synchronization signal, and 1 μS is processed in the period of the vertical synchronization signal of 16.90 mS.
The video data will be processed for 5.36 ms.

The clock generation circuit 353 generates a clock of the frequency of the dot output from the parallel / serial conversion circuit 355. I have. Therefore, a plurality of bits of dot data are input from the character generator 342 to the parallel / direct conversion circuit 355 by the output clock of the counter 354,
The serial data is sent to the attribute adding circuit 356.
The attribute adding circuit 356 inputs a blanking signal from the CRT controller 335 and controls the video signal according to the attribute data only during the display period. The one-shot circuit 348 generates an interrupt signal for the U / I CPU 46 with a vertical synchronization blanking signal among the blanking signals output from the CRT controller 335.

The video data written to the V-RAM 340 is composed of 16 bits per tile, of which 12 bits represent the character generator code and the remaining 4 bits represent the attribute. Therefore, the V-RAM 340 stores the code of the character generator in the RAM-L, the upper 4 bits and the attribute 4 bits in the RAM-L, in correspondence with the address of the CRT screen.
It is configured to write to AM-H, and holds these for two screens.

The address of the V-RAM 340 is, as shown in FIG.
The video data is written into the V-RAM 340 by the U / I CPU 46.
The display on the RT display 301 is performed by the CRT controller 335. For example, the CRT controller 335 supplies V
Looking at the address of the RAM 340, it is as shown in FIG. 63, and the code and the attribute of the character generator are written at the addresses “0”, “1”,. Therefore, the CRT controller 335 uses the circuit shown in FIG. 64 to synchronize the data “D0 → D7” (L side) and “D0 → D4” (H side) at the corresponding addresses in synchronization with the display timing.
, And by generating a raster address “RA” and accessing the character generator, the scan line data “D0 → D7” of each tile is aligned /
Output to the direct conversion circuit 355. For example, the dot pattern of the kanji character of "wealth" can be represented as shown in FIG.
As mentioned earlier, Kanji consists of two tiles,
In response to the scan address "A0 → A3", the output "D0 → D7" in which the left half is a tile, and the output "D0 → D7" in which the right half is a tile are output from the character generator 341.

A 4-bit attribute is also read in accordance with the output of the tile. FIG. 66 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a video signal control circuit according to the attribute data.
As shown in this figure, the control of the attribute is performed by logically processing the video data and the attribute data of the reverse signal by an EXOR circuit, inverting the video data when the reverse signal is on (high level), and further outputting the output to an AND circuit. When the blink signal is turned on by the processing described above, the signal may be turned on / off by a clock and the signal level may be changed by the gray signal. As described above in the selection mode screen, the background is changed so that the divided area is clearly displayed or the attention area such as the position of the cascade is changed. Display and reverse display are used. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 57B, the control of the display mode of the background by the dots is generated by the dot pattern of the tile. That is, the background of the display area of “document set”, “number of sheets set”, and “start” in FIG. 57B and the background outside the display area are changed by changing the dot density of the tile.

As described above, the video signal displayed on the CRT screen is switched between the first V-RAM and the second V-RAM by dynamically changing the start address of the CRT controller 335. Is selected and displayed. Therefore, C for U / I
The PU 46 has a port for inputting a blanking start signal and a display period signal, and a port for outputting a display permission signal. Then, in the U / I CPU 46,
The CRT is interrupted at the falling edge at the start of the blanking period of the CRT by the blanking start signal, and the CRT display state is recognized by the display period signal. The display permission signal instructs display permission and prohibition on the CRT.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, the pop-up screen overwrites some options on the copy mode setting screen, the description of the information screen, and the display of the jam screen. However, the present invention may be applied to the development of other items, May be switched to the original screen instead of overwritten and displayed, or a multi-window type display may be performed. In addition, the pop-up screen is closed when a special key input or transition to a specific mode is performed, but when the pop-up screen is expanded, the operator may be confused by the operation and the next operation may be delayed, If the key input is not performed within a certain time after the pop-up screen is developed, the pop-up screen may be automatically closed.

[0262]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the recording magnification selecting means for selecting the reduction magnification at a predetermined reduction magnification step width, and the recording magnification selecting step is smaller than the recording magnification selection step width. Having a micro-reduction ratio selecting means for selecting a micro-reduction ratio by the reduction ratio step width, even if the reduction ratio selection having the same function, when performing image recording, the reduction ratio selection by the recording magnification selection unit, Since the selection of the minute reduction ratio by the minute reduction ratio selection unit is controlled by switching to a different selection mode screen by the selection mode screen switching unit, the predetermined reduction ratio step width at the time of the selection of the reduction ratio is smaller than that. The operability can be improved by eliminating confusion in selecting the reduction ratio of the reduction ratio step width.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a recording apparatus including a display device for a user interface.

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 illustrating a hardware configuration of a CPU.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a transfer data configuration and transmission timing of serial communication.

FIG. 6 is a time chart showing a mutual communication interval in one communication cycle.

FIG. 7 is a state transition diagram of a processor.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a scanning exposure apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a scanning exposure apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a lens driving system.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a control system configuration of an optical system.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the optical system.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a marking system.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining panel division on a photosensitive material belt.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram schematically showing functions of a marking system.

FIG. 16 is a timing chart of a marking system control sequence.

FIG. 17 is a side view for explaining a sheet transport system.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the paper tray.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of a duplex tray.

FIG. 20 is a side view of the automatic document feeder.

FIG. 21 is a plan view showing an arrangement example of sensors.

FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the operation of automatic document feeding.

FIG. 23 is a side view showing the configuration of the sorter.

FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining a drive system of the sorter.

FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the sorter.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an attached state of a user interface using a display.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an attached state of a user interface using a display.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a user interface using a display.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a relationship between a U / I CPU and a main CPU connected by serial communication.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a user interface.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a software configuration of a user interface.

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table prepared in the job controller.

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table prepared in the job controller.

FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table prepared in a job controller.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a configuration example of screen data.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a configuration example of screen data.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a configuration example of screen data.

FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of screen data.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing a configuration example of screen data.

FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of screen data.

FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of screen data.

FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of screen data.

FIG. 43 is a diagram showing a configuration example of screen data.

FIG. 44 is a diagram showing a configuration example of screen data.

FIG. 45 is a diagram for describing screen editing processing.

FIG. 46 is a diagram for describing screen editing processing.

FIG. 47 is a diagram illustrating an example of a basic copy screen and a pop-up screen.

FIG. 48 is a diagram illustrating an example of an application copy screen and a pop-up screen.

FIG. 49 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pop-up screen of an application copy screen.

FIG. 50 is a diagram showing an example of a professional copy screen and a pop-up screen.

FIG. 51 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pop-up screen of a professional copy screen.

FIG. 52 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pop-up screen of a professional copy screen.

FIG. 53 is a diagram showing an example of a pop-up screen of a professional copy screen.

FIG. 54 is a diagram showing an example of an information screen and a pop-up screen thereof.

FIG. 55 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pop-up screen of an information screen.

FIG. 56 is a diagram showing an example of a jam screen.

FIG. 57 is a diagram showing an example of a review screen and a fully automatic screen.

FIG. 58 is a diagram for describing screen switching control.

FIG. 59 is a diagram showing a classification example of a screen layout.

FIG. 60 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting map for keyboard scan and LED scan.

FIG. 61 is a diagram showing display timing.

FIG. 62 is a diagram showing an example of address correspondence in a V-RAM.

FIG. 63 is a diagram showing the correspondence between the address of the first V-RAM and the CRT display position.

FIG. 64 is a diagram illustrating a reading circuit of the character generator.

FIG. 65 is a diagram illustrating an example of correspondence between dot patterns, data, and scan addresses.

FIG. 66 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a video signal control circuit according to attribute data.

FIG. 67 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conventional user interface using a console.

[Explanation of symbols]

01 ... user interface, 02 ... display,
03 ... Screen, 04 ... Key input means, 05 ... Options, 06
… Pop-up screen.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI G09G 5/14 G09G 5/14 Z H03M 11/04 H04N 1/00 C H04N 1/00 1/393 1/393 G03B 27/34 // G03B 27/34 (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/023 G03G 21/00 386 G06F 3/14 340 G09G 5/00 510 G09G 5/00 530 G09G 5/14 H03M 11/04 H04N 1/00 H04N 1/393 G03B 27/34

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A recording apparatus comprising a user interface display device and capable of executing function selection or execution condition setting, wherein a basic selection mode screen for selecting the most commonly used functions or setting execution conditions; A selection mode screen switching display unit for switching and displaying at least one other selection mode screen; a recording magnification selection unit for selecting a reduction ratio in 1% increments; and a reduction ratio in the recording magnification selection unit A fine reduction ratio selecting means for selecting a reduction ratio with a reduction ratio step width smaller than the step width, and when performing image recording, performing the reduction ratio selection by the recording magnification selection unit on the basic selection mode screen; The reduction ratio selection by the minute reduction ratio selection means is performed on a selection mode screen other than the basic selection mode screen. A recording device including a user interface display device.