JP3399686B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a test copy function for confirming copy conditions and its finished state prior to normal copying. 2. Description of the Related Art A test copy function is a function for making only one copy to visually confirm the image forming state of an image on a recording sheet before making a plurality of copies. That is, even if a plurality of copies are set, continuous copying is not performed immediately, but only one copy is experimentally copied and discharged to a predetermined tray to visually check the image copy condition. In the case of OK, by performing continuous copying, copying without failure can be performed. In recent years, copying apparatuses have become more multifunctional,
For example, a stapling apparatus that binds a bundle of sheets on which a document image is copied with a staple and a punch apparatus that punches a hole are known. Therefore, by stapling and punching one copy sheet in the test copy mode without immediately performing continuous copying and stapling or punching holes, the image position and the staple position are determined to be OK. Can be confirmed. A conventional method has been proposed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-1162 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-2143) and Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 63-11641, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-253969. [0005] In the above, a print key and a trial copy key are provided, and at the time of trial copy, continuous copying is started after a lapse of a predetermined time after copying one sheet. If the number of copy sets is “1”, no test copy is performed, and
When a plurality of documents are fed by a DF (automatic document feeder), a trial copy is performed only for the first document.
In the above, there has been proposed a method of interrupting with the first copy and continuing with the continue key. Further, in the above, a method has been proposed in which one copy is performed by pressing only the print key, and continuous copying is performed by pressing both the print key and the multi-copy confirmation key. [0006] However, in order to improve operability, a current copying machine or the like accepts a key input for starting the next copy at the time when the final transfer paper is fed. Ri to you in the rolling before the transfer paper is discharged, that is, when the user presses the copy key by mistake before to confirm the image quality will be beginning the next copy, a problem arises in that the start of a wasteful copy was there. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has been made in an attempt to form a document image once at least under set image forming conditions and discharge the document image to a predetermined discharge destination. Te image forming apparatus odor having a copy mode, a test copy key for instructing the execution of the trial copy and means for indicating whether or not the input of the trial copy key, a normal copy key for instructing execution of the normal copy, the normal Means for indicating whether a copy key can be input, and the trial copy key during the normal copy.
And the normal copy key cannot be entered.
When the last paper is fed, the normal copy key
While the test copy is being executed,
The copy key and the normal copy key cannot be entered.
When the discharge of the test copy is completed, the test copy
Key and input control for enabling input of the normal copy key
Means . According to the above-described invention, during execution of the test copy, the input of the copy key is disabled until the discharge of the test copy is completed, so that the copy cannot be started. An embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a copying machine which is an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and includes a copying machine main body A, an automatic document feeder B, and a sorter C. An automatic document feeder (ADF) B is provided with a document table 1 on which a document placed thereon is fed by a document feed roller 2, conveyed onto a contact glass 101, and stopped. The presence or absence of a document on the document placing table is detected by the document placing sensor 301, and the document placing sensor 30
For 1, a known transmission type or reflection type optical sensor can be used. The operation unit 200 includes a key unit for the user to set various copying conditions such as the number of copies, density, and selection of paper, and a display unit for displaying a setting state, guidance, and the like. This will be described later. The original conveyed on the contact glass 101 is irradiated with light by a light source 102 such as a fluorescent lamp or a halogen lamp, and the reflected light from the original is reflected by a first mirror 103, a second mirror 104, a through lens 105, and a third mirror. 10
The photosensitive drum 107 is exposed through an optical system 6. The photoreceptor drum 107 is uniformly charged by a charger 108, and forms an electrostatic latent image of a document upon exposure. Unnecessary charges are removed from the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 107 by the eraser 109, developed by the developing device 110, and then transferred to transfer paper by the transfer charger 111. Photoreceptor drum 1 after transfer
In 07, after the transfer paper is separated, the charge is removed by the charge removal charger 125, and the remaining toner is removed by the cleaning device 126 to prepare for the next copy. The transfer paper is supplied to feed trays 112, 113 and 1
14 or the double-sided tray 124, is conveyed along the conveyance path 115,
16, the photosensitive drum 107 and the transfer charger 111 are synchronized with the original on the photosensitive drum 107.
Sent between Then, when the toner image is transferred to the transfer paper by the transfer charger 111, the transfer paper is separated from the photoconductor by the separation charger 120, and the transfer belt 117
Is transferred to the fixing device 118, where the toner is fixed on the transfer paper. In the duplex mode in which copying is performed on both sides of the transfer paper, when the front side is copied, the double-sided switching claw 121 switches to the double-sided tray 124 side, and the transfer paper enters the double-sided approach path 123
The sheet is further sent to the double-sided tray 124 and temporarily stored there. At the time of back side copying, the transfer sheet whose front side has been copied is fed from the double-sided tray 124, and the above steps are repeated again. At the time of back side copying in the two-sided mode and in the one-sided mode, the two-side switching claw 121 is switched to the discharge side, and the transfer paper is discharged to the sorter C. Further, at the time of back side copying, the transfer paper is sent to the reversing unit 122, where it is reversed and then discharged to the sorter C. The transfer sheets discharged to the sorter C are stacked one by one in a bin, and when the set number of transfer sheets are stacked, the transfer sheets are discharged again to the first bin. Is completed. Discharge sensor 300
Is for detecting the discharge of the transfer paper outside the apparatus, and outputs ON when the transfer paper passes the discharge sensor 300. Therefore, when the output of the discharge sensor 300 changes from ON to OFF, it is understood that the transfer paper has been discharged outside the apparatus. Next, the operation section 200 will be described with reference to FIG. The mode clear key 201 is used to return all modes to the standard state. By operating this key, the number of repeats is set to one, the density is set to automatic density, the feeding is set to automatic feeding selection, and the magnification is set to the same magnification. All other functions such as the double-sided mode are released. Reference numeral 202 denotes an interrupt key for performing another copy during a copy operation; 203, a program key for registering and calling a mode frequently used by a user;
204 is a guidance key for displaying explanations of basic operations and functions, and 205 is a start key as a normal copy key for instructing the start of a copy operation. The start key 205 also has a function of displaying whether or not the input is possible, and a part of the start key 205 is made translucent, and an LED is arranged on the back side of the key,
The green LED is turned on when copying is permitted, and the red LED is turned on when copying is not permitted. Reference numeral 206 denotes a clear / stop key which has a function as a clear key for clearing a set number of copies when operated during standby, and as a stop key for interrupting the copy operation when operated during copy operation. A numeric keypad 207 is used to input the number of copies, zoom magnification, binding margin, and the like. Reference numeral 208 denotes a CRT display, which displays a setting state, a function explanation, an operation explanation, and the like. A touch panel is provided on the surface of the CRT 208, and functions as a selection key by touching the surface with a fingertip or the like. FIG. 3 shows a display example on the CRT 208. Reference numeral 240 denotes a message area, which is a place for displaying information about the machine, for example, displaying a message such as "copying possible" or "copying". A set number display area 241 displays the number of copies set by the ten keys 207. Reference numeral 242 denotes a trial copy key, and a trial copy is executed by touching the key. This key is not displayed in a state where the trial copy cannot be performed, and is invalidated even if this portion is touched. Reference numeral 243 denotes a density adjustment key for selecting a desired density position when it is desired to manually adjust the copy density. 24
An automatic density key 4 is selected when the background density of the document is detected and the copy density is automatically adjusted. An area 245 displays the paper size, the remaining amount of paper, and the paper type, and also serves as a tray selection key. Reference numeral 246 denotes an automatic paper selection key. When this key is selected, the document size is detected, and the tray containing the optimum paper calculated from the document size and the set magnification is automatically selected. A paper designation scaling key 247a is selected when it is desired to automatically enlarge or reduce an image of a document according to the designated paper size. 24
Reference numeral 7b denotes an equal-magnification key, which is selected when it is desired to copy at the same magnification. Reference numeral 248 denotes a magnification display area. Reference numeral 249 denotes a fixed size scaling key, which is selected when designating enlargement / reduction of a fixed size. Reference numerals 250 and 251 denote zoom keys which are used to specify a magnification in increments of 1%. Reference numeral 252 denotes a size change key, which is selected when the user wants to enlarge or reduce the size to a specified size. The magnification specified here is displayed in the magnification display area 248. The single-sided / double-sided key 253 is selected when a single-sided original is to be copied on both sides of a sheet. Double-sided / double-sided key 2
54 is selected when the user wants to copy a two-sided document on both sides of a sheet. The two-sided / one-sided key 255 is selected when the user wants to copy a two-sided original onto one side of a sheet. A front binding size display area 256 displays the binding size set by the front binding key 257. Reference numeral 258 denotes a back side binding margin display area, on which the binding margin dimension set by the back side binding margin key 259 is displayed. The out-of-edit mode erase key 260 is used to designate a part of a document and delete the outside of the document for copying. The in-edit mode erasing key 261 is selected when erasing the inside of the designated area of the document and copying. The center erasing key 262 is selected when erasing the central area of a document and copying, and is used when copying a book document or the like. The cover key 263 is selected when the first sheet of the document is to be copied on a cover sheet. Also, both cover keys 26
No. 4 is selected when the first sheet and the last page of the original are to be copied on the cover only paper. The chapter break key 265 is selected when copying the original of the designated page to the slip sheet. 266 is a sort function selection key, and 267 is a stack function selection key. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the operation control unit. The main control unit 280 controls the entire copying machine,
In particular, it controls a trial copy function as described later. The CPU 284 of the operation control unit exchanges commands with the main control unit 280 by serial communication via the optical transceiver 283, and upon receiving the command from the main control unit 280, determines the content to be displayed on the CRT 208, and
A large number of bit patterns stored in M285
It is displayed on the screen of the CRT 208 via the T controller 282. The bit pattern development area in the VRAM 281 is divided into several sections. A bit pattern on a screen different from the currently displayed screen can be developed, and the screen is changed by changing the address of the VRAM 281. It can be rewritten instantly. The CRT controller 282 exchanges addresses and data among the CPU 284, the CGROM 285, the touch panel 210, the keyboard 287 driven by the LED driver 286, the address decoder 288, the address latch 289, and the like.
The CPU 284 has an address latch 289, a ROM 290,
Addresses and data are exchanged between the address decoder 288 and the like via the nonvolatile RAM 291 and the system reset unit 292. Next, the operation at the time of copying will be described.
First, the user sets conditions such as magnification, density, etc., and the number of copies, which are input through the operation unit 200. If a trial copy is not necessary, the start key 205 is pressed as it is, so that the required number of copies are created. Also, sort key 2
If the button 66 is pressed and sorting is selected as a mode at the time of discharge, copies of one set of originals can be made for the number of sets. If the user wants to check the degree of completion of the copy before executing a plurality of copies, the operator sets the magnification, density, and the like with the operation unit 200, and then presses the test copy key 242. Then, contact glass 1 is sent from automatic document feeder B.
01 and the first document is fed onto the feed tray 1
One transfer sheet is fed from 12, 113 or 114, and a copy is made and discharged under set conditions. At this time,
If the discharge destination is a proof tray instead of a sorter and the copy surface is discharged upward, the image can be easily confirmed. Also,
The fed document is not discharged, and the contact glass 101 is not discharged.
Stays on top. In order to further change the copy conditions, the copy conditions may be changed on the operation unit and the trial copy key 242 may be pressed again. At this time, since the original has already been placed on the contact glass 101, only one copy is made again without performing the original feeding operation.
Similarly, when the chapter break mode is selected, the image of the first document is copied onto both the transfer paper on the normal tray and the transfer paper on the interleaf tray and discharged. Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the flow of processing during normal copying and test copying will be described. First, step S1
(Hereinafter "step" is omitted) Start key 20
It is determined whether 5 has been pressed. If the start key 205 has been pressed, it indicates a normal copy instruction. In step S2, the display of the test copy key is turned off, and in step S3, the red LED on the back of the start key 205 is turned on to display "start key disabled". In S4, the set number of normal copies are performed, and in S5, it is determined whether the last transfer paper has been fed. In this determination, it is considered that the final transfer sheet has been fed when the document placement sensor 301 of the automatic document feeder B detects the absence of the document and the feeding operation for the set number of sheets is performed. be able to. If the final transfer sheet has not been fed, the flow returns to S4 because the copying is still in progress, and the normal copying operation is repeated. When the final transfer paper is fed, the green LED on the back of the start key 205 is turned on in S6 to display "Start key available". If the start key 205 is pressed again in this state (S7), the process returns to S3, the start key is disabled, and the normal copy operation is started. Start key 20
If 5 is not pressed, the trial copy key 242 is displayed after the completion of discharge of the final transfer paper (S8, S9), and the process returns to the first key input wait. If the start key has not been pressed in S1, the process proceeds to S10, and it is determined whether or not the trial copy key 242 has been pressed. If the trial copy key 242 has not been pressed, the process returns to the first key input wait state. If the trial copy key 242 has been pressed, the display of the trial copy key 242 is turned off, the red LED behind the start key 205 is turned on, and the trial copy operation is executed ( S
11, S12, S13). After waiting for the transfer paper to be discharged outside the machine (S14), the green LED on the back of the start key 205 is turned on (S15), and the test copy key 242 is turned on (S16). Return. As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the next copy can be performed when the transfer paper is fed during the normal copy, so that the copy operation can be performed efficiently. Of course, when the test copy is selected, the test copy key and the normal copy key can be input after the transfer paper is ejected, so that the user may start copying erroneously before confirming the image quality. Can be avoided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a copying machine which is an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a detailed view of an operation unit 200 of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display state of a CRT 208 in the operation unit 200 in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a copying machine which is an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process when a start key and a trial copy key are pressed. [Description of Signs] 200: Operation unit 205: Start key 20
8: CRT display unit 242: trial copy key 280: main control unit 284: operation control unit CPU 282: CRT controller 300: discharge sensor 301: document placement sensor

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yoko Fukui 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Company (72) Inventor Ryoichi Suzuki 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Co., Ltd. In Ricoh (56) References JP-A-4-335366 (JP, A) JP-A-5-188703 (JP, A) JP-A-7-61097 (JP, A) JP-A-57-128357 (JP, A) JP-A-6-234258 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 21/00 370-540 G03G 21/14 B41J 29/38

Claims (1)

(57) Te [Claims 1 An image forming apparatus odor having a test copy mode for discharging the original image formed on a predetermined discharge destination once with at least the set image forming conditions, attempts to copy a trial copy key for instructing execution of, and means for indicating whether or not the input of the trial copy key, a normal copy key for instructing execution of the normal copy, and means for indicating whether or not the input of the normal copy key, the normal During copying, the trial copy key and the
The normal copy key cannot be entered and the end of the normal copy
The normal copy key can be input when paper is fed.
On the other hand, during execution of the test copy,
And the normal copy key cannot be
When the discharge of the copy has been completed, the trial copy key and
And input control means for permitting normal copy key input.
An image forming apparatus.