JP3526234B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with a money collecting device such as a coin vendor, which charges a fee for copying.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus has been put to practical use, which is arranged at a store or the like and is provided with a coin vendor so that a user can make a self-service copy.

As an image forming apparatus of the type that charges for such copying, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-1423.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 56-56 discloses a structure for requesting an additional fee when the balance is insufficient during copying, and allowing the user to continue copying if the fee is added, which is convenient for the user.

Further, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-338767, the copy fee is not set uniformly but is calculated according to the paper size, the copy mode, and the number of copies, so that a more detailed fee can be obtained. It describes the structure that enables the system and makes it more reasonable for users.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional image forming apparatus, when the copying is interrupted due to a shortage of the money deposited into the coin vendor or the like while the user is performing the copying, If the user does not have the money in hand, or if the money is low, there is a problem that copying cannot be continued.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and when the amount of the remaining money decreases during copying, it is convenient for the user to change the copy conditions and continue more copies with the remaining money. It is intended to provide an image forming apparatus capable of

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and within the range of the deposit money, the copying fee according to the copying conditions for copying. In the image forming apparatus that prohibits copying due to insufficient deposit money, balance management means for managing the balance of the deposit during copying and detecting that the balance is below a predetermined amount, When the remaining amount management means detects that the remaining amount is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, it notifies other copying conditions that allow the copying to continue more than the currently set copying conditions, and informs the other copying. It is characterized in that it is provided with an alternative copy introducing means for prompting the user to change the conditions.

According to this, when the remaining amount management means detects that the remaining amount is less than or equal to a predetermined amount during copying, the alternative copying introducing means causes the user to continue copying. The condition is notified and the change to other notified copy conditions is urged. Therefore, even if the user has a small amount of money in hand and cannot add a deposit, By changing to the notified copying conditions and performing the alternative copying, the remaining money can be effectively used and the copying can be continued as an emergency evacuation.

Therefore, when the user does not pay much attention to the finished form of copying, by performing alternative copying, more copying can be performed with the remaining money, and the convenience of the image forming apparatus charged for copying is improved. Can be achieved.

As a method of notifying the alternative copy, for example,
If the image forming apparatus includes a display panel or the like, the display panel may be used. By displaying the message together with the message on the display panel, the user can carry out the alternative copying without confusion.

The other copying conditions that allow the alternative copying introducing means to notify the user of the continuation of copying are as follows:
There is multi-in-one copying in which original images for multiple sheets are combined and copied on a single sheet. In this case, if multi-in-one copying is currently set, the number of sheets greater than the currently set number is set. The original images are collected (claim 2).

In multi-in-one copying, a plurality of original images are combined and copied onto one sheet, so that the original images are combined as compared to the case where one original image is copied onto one sheet. The copying fee for the number of originals is almost the same as the copying fee for one sheet, and the remaining money can be effectively used to make more copies with the remaining money.
When multi-in-one copy is currently set, more copies can be made by collecting a larger number of document images than the currently set number.

Another copy condition that the alternative copy introducing means informs the user so that copying can be continued is copying in which the copy magnification is smaller than the currently set magnification. Item 3).

By making the image smaller, such as when the full-color mode is set, the charge per copy can be effectively reduced, and the remaining money can be effectively used to make more copies with the remaining money.

Multi-in-one copying (claim 2)
Alternatively, in the case of copying in which the copy magnification is smaller than the currently set magnification (claim 3), it is preferable that a lower limit value is set in advance for the reduction ratio to avoid excessive reduction (claim 3). 4).

If the size is reduced too much, the size is too large for the user, which is unsatisfactory.
Since it is difficult to see pictures and characters, it is possible to further improve the convenience of alternative copying by setting an appropriate reduction ratio in advance.

Further, when the lower limit value is set in advance for the reduction rate, it is more preferable that the lower limit value of the reduction rate is smaller for the picture original than for the text original (claim 5).

Even with the same reduction ratio, a text original is more difficult to see than a picture original. Therefore, by making the lower limit of the reduction ratio smaller for a picture original than for a text original, the text original becomes difficult to see. While preventing this, the picture original can be made small enough to be recognizable efficiently, and the remaining money can be effectively used to make more copies with the remaining money.

Another copy condition that the alternative copy introducing means informs the user so that copying can be continued is copying in which the size of the paper is smaller than the currently set size. (Claim 6).

When high-quality paper, OHP, coated paper, or other paper that is more expensive than plain paper is used, the cost per copy can be effectively reduced by reducing the paper size, and the remaining balance is effective. You can make more copies with the remaining money.

Further, as another copy condition that the alternative copy introducing means informs the user so that copying can be continued, a color having a smaller number of image forming primary colors than the currently set color mode is used. There is copying in mode (claim 7).

Since the unit copying fee for full-color copying is 4 to 5 times the unit copying fee for monochrome copying, when the paper size is made small or when a plurality of originals are combined and copied on one sheet of paper. In comparison with, the remaining money can be used effectively and more copies can be made with the remaining money.

Further, in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, the balance management means determines the predetermined amount of money to be used for detection according to copying conditions of the current user after the start of copying. Is more preferable (Claim 8).

With such a configuration, compared to the configuration in which the predetermined amount of money is fixed, the introduction to the alternative copying can be promoted at an appropriate timing suitable for each user, so that the alternative copying is more convenient. Can be further improved.

Then, as a structure in which the predetermined amount of money used for detection is determined by the copying conditions of the current user after the start of copying, the balance management means sets a copying fee for one original under the copying conditions currently being executed. There is a configuration in which the amount is calculated and multiplied by a predetermined number of documents (claim 9).

According to this, when the copying of one original is completed and the introduction of the alternative copying is promoted at the timing of shifting to the copying of the next original, for example, a plurality of copies are made for one original. There is no possibility of switching to the alternative copy in the middle of executing. As a result, a copy created under the copy condition initially desired by the user and a copy created by the alternative copy do not coexist on the same original.

In addition, the predetermined amount of money used for detection is determined according to the copying conditions of the current user after the start of copying, and the balance management means carries out one copy after the current user deposits the deposit. There is a configuration in which the maximum amount of the copying fee for the original is multiplied by a predetermined number of originals (claim 10).

According to this, it is possible to further reduce the possibility that a copy made under the copy condition initially desired by the user and a copy made by the substitute copy are mixed in the same original.
The serviceability for users is further improved.

In addition, the predetermined amount of money used for detection is determined according to the copying conditions of the current user after the start of copying, and the balance management means performs the operation for one sheet after the current user deposits the deposit. There is a configuration in which a charge is multiplied by a predetermined number of originals under the most frequently used copying condition among the copying conditions for the original (claim 11).

According to this, while giving priority to the generation of the copy of the copy condition originally desired by the user, the same original is created by the copy made under the copy condition initially desired by the user and the alternative copy. It is possible to reduce the possibility that a copy will be mixed.

Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the balance copy managing means performs an operation of the alternative copy introducing means for informing and changing the other copy conditions by the balance management means. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which it is detected that the following has occurred and after the copying of the same original document that is currently being performed is completed (claim 1
2).

When a plurality of copies are made on the same original, if the user is prompted to perform an alternative copy during the copy, a copy of the same original under the conditions desired by the user and a copy made by the alternative copy. Although there is a possibility that and will be mixed, such a problem can be reliably avoided by adopting such a configuration.

[0033]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

First, the configuration of the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic front sectional view of the digital copying machine.

This digital copying machine, as shown in FIG.
The copying machine main body 1 is provided with a coin bender 3 for receiving coins from a user, and a paper feeder 2 is also mounted below the copying machine main body 1.

The copying machine main body 1 is provided with a document table 111 and an operation panel 5 (see FIG. 5) described later on the upper surface thereof, and the image reading section 110 and the image forming section 21 are provided inside.
0 is provided.

On the upper surface of the document table 111, the document table 11
1. A double-sided automatic document feeder (RADF; Reversing Automati
A cDocument Feeder) 112 is attached. The RADF 112 is supported on the document table 111 in an openable and closable state.

In the RADF 112, first, one surface of the document is placed on the document table 111 at a predetermined position and the image reading unit 11 is operated.
The original is conveyed so as to face 0, and after the image reading on this one surface is completed, the other surface is placed on the original table 11
The original is inverted so as to face the image reading unit 110 at the predetermined position 1 and is conveyed toward the original table 111.
Then, the RADF 112 discharges this document after the image reading on both sides of one document is completed, and executes the double-sided conveyance operation for the next document. The operation of feeding and reversing the document is controlled in relation to the operation of the entire copying machine.

The image reading unit 110 uses the FADF1
The image reading unit 12 reads an image of a document conveyed on the document table 111 by the document 12, and also reads a document placed on the document table 111.

The image reading section 110 has first and second original scanning members 113 and 114 that reciprocate in parallel along the lower surface of the original table 111, an optical lens 115, and a photoelectric conversion element 116. ing.

The first document scanning body 113 has an exposure lamp 113a for exposing the surface of the document image, and a mirror 113b for deflecting a reflected light image from the document in a predetermined direction. It reciprocates in parallel at a predetermined scanning speed while maintaining a constant distance from the lower surface.

The second document scanning body 114 has two mirrors 114a and 114b for further deflecting the reflected light image from the document deflected by the mirror 113b of the first document scanning body 113 toward a predetermined direction. However, it reciprocates in parallel with the first document scanning body 113 while maintaining a constant speed relationship.

The optical lens 115 is used as the second original scanning member 1.
The reflected light image from the document deflected by the mirror 114b of 14 is reduced, and the reduced light image is formed at a predetermined position on the photoelectric conversion element 116.

The photoelectric conversion element 116 sequentially photoelectrically converts the formed light image and outputs it as an electric signal. It reads a black-and-white image or a color image, and outputs R (red) and G.
It is composed of a three-line color CCD capable of outputting line data that is color-separated into color components of (green) and B (blue). The document image information converted into an electric signal by the photoelectric conversion element 116 is further transferred to an image data processing unit 41 (see FIG. 3) described later and subjected to predetermined image data processing.

The image forming section 210 is located at the substantially central portion of the copying machine main body 1, and below the image forming section 210, the sheets (recording media) P stacked and accommodated in the sheet feeding cassette are separated one by one. Paper feeding mechanism 21 for feeding toward the image forming unit 210
1 is provided. Paper P that has been separated and supplied one by one
Is conveyed to the image forming section 210 with its timing controlled by a pair of registration rollers 212 arranged in front of the image forming section 210. Further, the sheet P having an image formed on one side is re-supplied and conveyed to the image forming unit 210 at the same timing as the image formation of the image forming unit 210.

A transfer / conveying belt mechanism 213 is arranged below the image forming section 210. The transfer / transport belt mechanism 213 is configured such that the transfer / transport belt 21 is stretched between the drive roller 214 and the driven roller 215 so as to extend substantially in parallel.
6, the paper P is electrostatically adsorbed and conveyed.

Transfer / transport belt mechanism 2 in the paper transport path
A fixing device 217 for fixing the toner image transferred and formed on the paper P on the paper P is disposed on the downstream side of the paper 13. The paper P that has passed through the nip between the pair of fixing rollers of the fixing device 217 is conveyed in the conveyance direction switching gate 2.
After passing 18, the sheet is discharged onto a sheet discharge tray 220 attached to the outer wall of the copying machine main body 1 by a discharge roller 219.

The switching gate 218 is used for the sheet P after fixing.
The transport path of (1) is selectively switched between a path for discharging the paper P to the outside of the copying machine main body 1 and a path for resupplying the paper P toward the image forming unit 210. The sheet P whose conveyance direction has been switched again toward the image forming unit 210 by the switching gate 218 is turned upside down through the switchback conveyance path 221 and then the image forming unit 21.
It is supplied again to 0.

Further, above the transfer / transport belt 216 in the image forming section 210, close to the transfer / transport belt 216, the first image forming station Pa, the second image forming station Pb, and the third image forming station. P
c and the fourth image forming station Pd are arranged in parallel in order from the upstream side of the paper transport path.

The transfer / transport belt 216 is connected to the driving roller 21.
2, the paper P is frictionally driven in the direction indicated by the arrow Z in FIG. 2 and grips the paper P fed through the paper feeding mechanism 211 as described above.
To Pd in sequence.

The image forming stations Pa to Pd have substantially the same structure, and the image forming stations Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are sensitized to rotate in the arrow F direction shown in FIG. Body drum 222a / 222b / 22
2c and 222d are included.

Around the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d, chargers 223a, 223b, 223c, 22 for uniformly charging the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d, respectively.
3d and developing devices 224a.22 for developing the electrostatic latent images formed on the photoconductor drums 222a to 222d, respectively.
4b, 224c, 224d and transfer dischargers 225a, 225b, 225c, 225d for transferring the developed toner images on the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d to the paper P.
And cleaning devices 226a, 226b, 2 for removing the toner remaining on the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d.
26c and 226d are the photosensitive drums 222a to 222.
They are sequentially arranged along the rotation direction of d.

Further, each of the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d
Above the laser beam scanner unit (below,
LSU) 227a, 227b, 227c, and 227d are provided, respectively. Each LSU 227a-227d
Also has substantially the same configuration, and for deflecting the laser beam from the semiconductor laser element (not shown) that emits dot light modulated according to image data in the main scanning direction. Polygon mirror 240a
240b / 240c / 240d and the polygon mirror 24
Fθ for forming an image of the laser beam deflected by 0a to 240d on the surface of the photoconductor drums 222a to 222d.
Lenses 241a, 241b, 241c, 241d and mirrors 242a, 242b, 242c, 242d, 243a
-It consists of 243b, 243c, 243d, etc.

The LSU 227a contains pixel signals corresponding to the black color component image of the color original image, the LSU 227b contains pixel signals corresponding to the cyan color component image of the color original image, and the LSU 227c contains magenta of the color original image. Pixel signal corresponding to the color component image of LSU227d
Pixel signals corresponding to the yellow color component image of the color original image are input to each. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the original image information that has been color-converted is transferred to each photosensitive drum 22.
It is formed on 2a to 222d.

The developing device 227a contains black toner, the developing device 227b contains cyan toner, the developing device 227c contains magenta toner, and the developing device 227d contains yellow toner. The electrostatic latent images on the photoconductor drums 222a to 222d are developed with the toners of the respective colors. As a result, the image forming unit 2
The document image information color-converted in 10 is reproduced as a toner image of each color.

Further, a paper suction (brush) charger 228 is provided between the first image forming station Pa and the paper feed mechanism 211. The adsorption charger 228 charges the surface of the transfer / transport belt 216.
As a result, the paper P supplied from the paper feeding mechanism 211 is
In the state where it is securely adsorbed on the transfer / transport belt 216, the first
The image forming station Pa and the fourth image forming station Pd are conveyed without deviation.

On the other hand, between the fourth image forming station Pd and the fixing device 217, a static eliminator 229 is provided almost directly above the drive roller 214. This static eliminator 229
An alternating current for separating the paper P electrostatically attracted to the transport belt 216 from the transfer transport belt 216 is applied to.

A cut sheet of paper is used as the paper P. When the paper P is sent out from the paper feed cassette and fed into the guide of the paper feed transport path of the paper feed mechanism 211, the tip portion of the paper P is detected by a sensor (not shown), and this sensor is used. Based on the detection signal output from the pair of registration rollers 212, the registration rollers 212 temporarily stop.

Then, the paper P is sent on the transfer / conveying belt 216 rotating in the direction of arrow Z in FIG. 2 at a timing with each of the image forming stations Pa to Pd. At this time, since the transfer / conveying belt 216 is charged by the attraction charger 228 as described above, the paper P
While passing through the image forming stations Pa to Pd,
Stable transportation and supply.

In each of the image forming stations Pa to Pd, a toner image of each color is formed and superposed on the supporting surface of the paper P that is electrostatically attracted by the transfer and transport belt 216 and is transported. When the transfer of the image by the fourth image forming station Pd is completed, the sheet P is sequentially peeled from the transfer conveyor belt 216 by the removing machine 229 from the leading end portion thereof, and is guided to the fixing device 217.
Then, finally, the paper P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 220 from a paper discharge port (not shown).

Instead of the LSUs 227a to 227d, a writing optical system (LED head) including a light emitting diode array and an imaging lens array may be used. The LED head is smaller than the LSU,
Further, since it has no moving parts and is silent, it can be suitably used in a tandem type digital copying machine which requires a plurality of optical writing units like the copying machine main body 1.

The above-mentioned paper feeding device 2 arranged below the main body 1 of the copying machine is provided with a plurality of paper feeding cassettes therein, and each paper feeding cassette corresponds to the needs of the user. , Different sizes and plain paper, OPC,
Other types of paper P such as high-quality paper are stored.

The paper P fed from each paper feeding cassette in the paper feeding device 2 is fed into the guide of the paper feeding conveyance path of the above-mentioned paper feeding mechanism 211 provided on the digital copying machine 1 side, and the image is formed. It is conveyed to the forming unit 210.

On the other hand, when the coin is inserted from the coin slot 3a, the coin vendor 3 calculates the amount of coin inserted and sends it to the digital copying machine 1. Further, a coin return button (not shown) is provided, and when the button is operated, the balance obtained by subtracting the copy price from the inserted amount is returned from the return port 3b.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, the present digital copying machine 1 will be described.
The image processing unit in will be described. FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram of an image processing unit installed in the copying machine main body 1.

The image processing unit includes an image data input unit 40, an image data processing unit 41, a hard disk device or RA.
An image memory 43 including an M (random access memory), an image data output unit 42, a central processing unit (CP
U) 44, an image editing unit 45, and an external interface unit 46.

The image data input section 40 includes a color CCD 4
0a, shading correction circuit 40b, line matching unit 40c, sensor color correction unit 40d, MTF correction unit 40e,
And a γ correction unit 40f and the like.

The color CCD 40a is a three-line CC capable of reading a black-and-white document or a color document image and outputting line data separated into RGB color components.
D is the photoelectric conversion element 116 in the image reading unit 110 of FIG. 2 described above.

The shading correction circuit 40b corrects the line image level of the line data read by the color CCD 40a.
It corrects the deviation of the image line data read by the color CCD 40a and is composed of a line buffer or the like.

The sensor color correction unit 40d includes a color CCD 4
The color data of the line data of each color output from 0a is corrected, and the MTF correction unit 40e corrects so that the change of the signal of each pixel has a sharp influence.
The γ correction unit 40f corrects the brightness of the image to correct the visibility.

The image data processing unit 41 includes a monochrome data generating unit 41a, an input processing unit 41b, a region separating unit 41c,
Black generation unit 41d, color correction circuit 41e, zoom processing circuit 4
1f, a space filter 41g, and a halftone processing section 41h.

When the original is a monochrome original, the monochrome data generator 41a generates monochrome data from the RGB signal which is the color image signal input from the image data input unit 40.

When the original is a color original, the input processing section 41b outputs the RGB signal which is the color image signal input from the image data input section 40 to the image forming station P.
CMY to convert to YMC signal corresponding to b, Pc, Pd
It is a processing unit that performs conversion processing. In addition, a clock conversion process and an AE histogram process are also performed.
By the AE histogram processing, the image data input unit 4
From the color image signal input from 0, it is possible to separate whether the original is a text original or a picture original.

The area separating unit 41c separates whether the image data input from the monochrome data generating unit 41a or the input processing unit 41b is a character portion, a halftone dot photograph, or a photographic paper photograph. is there.

The black generation section 41d is for generating black by performing the undercolor removal processing based on the YMC signal output from the input processing section 41a, and is for generating black color data when forming a color image. The color correction circuit 41e adjusts each color of each YMC color image signal based on each color conversion table.

The zoom processing circuit 41f converts the magnification of the input image information based on the set magnification. The halftone processing unit 41h is for expressing gradation such as multi-value error diffusion and multi-value dither.

The image memory 43 temporarily stores the image data of each color which has been subjected to the halftone processing by the halftone processing section 41h, and is an 8-bit 4-color (serially output from the image data processing section 41 ( (32-bit) image data is sequentially received, and is temporarily stored in a buffer, converted from 32-bit data to 8-bit 4-color image data, and stored and managed as image data for each color. It is equipped with 43c and 43d.

In the image memory 43, since the positions of the image forming stations Pa, Pb, Pc and Pd are different,
By temporarily storing the image data of each color in the delay buffer memory 43e (semiconductor memory) of the image memory 43 and shifting the times, the color shift is prevented by adjusting the timing of sending the image data to each LSU 227a to 227b. There is. Further, the image memory 43 also includes an image synthesizing memory (not shown) for synthesizing a plurality of images.

The image data output section 42 includes a laser control unit 42a and LSUs 42b, 42c and 42d.
・ It consists of 42e. Laser control unit 42a
Is for performing pulse width modulation based on the image data of each color from the halftone processing unit 41h.
42d and 42e are laser control units 42
Laser recording is performed based on the pulse width modulation signal corresponding to the image signal of each color output from a. These, LSU42
b to 42e are the LSUs 227a to 22d in the image forming unit 210 of FIG. 2 described above.

The central processing unit (CPU) 44 includes an image data input section 40, an image data processing section 41 and an image memory 4.
3, the image data output unit 42, the image editing unit 45, which will be described later, and the external interface unit 46 are controlled based on a predetermined sequence.

The image editing unit 45 includes the image data input unit 4
0, the image data processing unit 41, or an external interface 46 to be described later, for performing a predetermined image editing on the image data temporarily stored in the image memory 43. The image synthesis memory 43 is used.

Further, the external interface 46 is an external image input processing device provided separately from the digital copying machine 1, for example, a communication portable terminal or a digital camera,
Alternatively, it is a communication interface means for receiving image data from a digital video camera or the like.

The image data input from the external interface 46 can also be handled by the image forming unit 210 of the digital copying machine 1 by once inputting it to the image data processing unit 41 and performing color space correction and the like. After converting to the data level, the hard disk 4 of the image memory 43
3a to 43d are stored and managed.

Next, the control system for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus in this digital copying machine will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the operation of each unit of the entire apparatus of the digital copying machine is managed by the central processing unit 44.

The details of the image data input unit 40, the image data processing unit 41, the image memory 43, the image data output unit 42, and the central processing unit (CPU: central processing unit in the figure) 44 in FIG. This is as described in 3.

The central processing unit 44 is, in addition, RADF1
12, the image reading unit 110, the image forming unit 210 (see FIG.
(See, for example), each drive mechanism unit that constitutes the digital copying machine is managed by sequence control, and a control signal is output to each unit.

Further, the central processing unit 44 includes an operation board unit 48 including an operation panel 5 (see FIG. 5) described later.
And the above-mentioned coin vendor (see FIG. 2) are also connected in a mutually communicable state.

When the operator uses the operation panel 5 to set the copy mode, a control signal indicating the contents is transferred from the operation board unit 48 to the central processing unit 44, whereby the central processing unit 44 digitally operates. The entire copier is controlled to operate according to the set mode.

On the contrary, from the central processing unit 44, control signals indicating various operating states of the digital copying machine are transferred to the operation board unit 48. On the operation board unit 48 side, the digital copying machine 1 receives the control signals. The current state is displayed on a color LCD 6 which will be described later provided on the operation panel 5 so that the user can recognize it.

When the user inserts a coin into the coin vendor 3, the coin vendor 3 calculates the inserted amount,
The money amount information is transferred to the central processing unit 44. Based on this money amount information, the central processing unit 44 determines whether or not the copy operation can be performed, and at the end of each copy, calculates the remaining amount of money to continue, stop, and In order to shift to the thrifty copy (alternative copy), the timing for displaying the thrifty copy introduction screen J of FIG. 1 is determined.

That is, the central processing unit 44 and the coin vendor 3 constitute the balance management means, and the central processing unit 4
4 and the touch panel type liquid crystal display device 6 (see FIG. 5) of the operation panel 5 which will be described later constitute an alternative copy introducing means. The central processing unit 44 also transfers the calculated remaining amount information to the coin vendor 3.

Next, the operation panel 5 used by the user for changing the copy conditions and various settings will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the operation panel 5 provided on the upper surface of the copying machine main body 1.

A touch panel type liquid crystal display device 6 for color display (hereinafter referred to as a color LCD) is provided at the center of the operation panel 5.
Is called), and a ten-key pad 8, a start key 11, a clear key 9, and an all-release key 10 are arranged on the right side thereof. A dial 7 for adjusting the screen brightness of the color LCD 6 is arranged on the left side of the color LCD 6.

Among the keys arranged on the right side of the color LCD 6, the ten key 8 is a key used for inputting a numerical value on the screen of the color LCD 6, and the start key 11 is for instructing the start of the copy operation. Is the key. Further, the clear key 9 is a key for clearing the set value displayed on the color LCD 6 and interrupting the copy operation, and the all cancel key 10 is a key for returning the setting of the copy condition to the default value.

Various screens are switched and displayed on the screen of the color LCD 6. Touch keys for setting various conditions are arranged on these screens, and various conditions can be set by directly pressing the touch key with a finger (hereinafter, simply referred to as operation). . Guidance for operation and warnings are also displayed on the color LCD 6.

Next, the procedure for changing the copy conditions in this digital copying machine will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 15 are color LCDs of the operation panel 5.
6 shows the screen displayed at 6.

During standby, the screen A shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the color LCD 6. On this screen A, a unit price list of charges is displayed so that the user can roughly estimate the copy charges.

The unit price charge for copying shown here is
Color mode, that is, black and white, single color, or full color, and the size and type of copy paper (sometimes simply referred to as paper), that is, large size such as A3 or B4, small size of A4, B5. They are classified according to size, plain paper, or special paper such as OHP or coated paper.

The calculation method of the charge is shown by the following equation.

[0100]

[Equation 1]

When the user inserts a coin into the coin vendor 3, the display on the color LCD 6 is switched from the screen A in FIG. 6 to the screen B in FIG. The screen B is a warning screen for warning the user of the prohibited items and the like. When the user operates the OK key on the warning screen B, the display is switched to the screen C for setting the condition shown in FIG.

Screen C in FIG. 8 is a condition setting screen. This condition setting screen C is displayed on the operation panel 5 (see FIG. 5) after the warning screen B or when another screen is displayed.
This is displayed after operating all the cancel keys 10 (see). The screen C has various display areas as described below.

The upper part of the condition setting screen C is a message area, and this message can be used to convey a message to the user so as not to cause confusion in the copying operation. Further, beside the message area is a display section for displaying the number of copies per original.

At the center of the condition setting screen C, there are a display section for displaying the document size and a display section for displaying the size and type of copy paper. If the RADF 112 (see FIG. 2) is used for the document size display area, R
The size of the set original detected when the original is set on the ADF 112 is displayed. Further, in the case of a platen copy in which a document is placed directly on the document table 111, when the document is set on the document table 111, the size of the set document detected at that time is displayed. In any case, the blank is left until the document size is detected.

At the center of the condition setting screen C, below the display area for the original size and the display area for the size and type of copy paper, the corresponding images are displayed as simple pictorial images. And the approximate size relationship between the document size and the copy paper size and the approximate size relationship between the document image size and the copy image size are displayed according to the key settings. Thus, even if the user makes a mistake in setting the condition, it is configured to be noticed at an early stage.

The lower part of the condition setting screen C is a condition setting area for setting copy conditions other than the number of copies. This condition setting area consists of a condition key area located at the bottom and a display area for setting contents by the condition keys above it. Furthermore, above the condition setting area, when the condition key is operated There is a condition selection area to open.

A color selection key (color selection in the figure), a copy density selection key (copy density in the figure), a paper type / size selection key, and an enlargement / reduction selection key are arranged in the condition key area. ing.

The color selection key is a key for selecting whether to copy in full color, single color, or black and white. When full color is selected, the digital copying machine copies the original image in full color, when single color is selected, one of yellow, magenta, and cyan is copied, and when black and white is selected, black is copied.

The copy density selection key is a key for selecting one of automatic density setting, manual density setting, and photographic density setting. When the automatic density setting is selected, the density value is automatically calculated so that the copy density is appropriate for the original density, and the copy density is set. When the manual density setting is selected, the copy density is set to the manually set density. When the density setting for photograph is selected, the density value corresponding to the photograph image is set as the copy density.

The paper type / size selection key is a key for selecting the type and size of the copy paper, and corresponds to the paper set inside the copying machine main body 1 and the paper feeding device 2 arranged below it. Is displayed. Here, with regard to the selection of the type of copy paper, three types of plain paper, OHP, and coated paper can be selected. Regarding the selection of copy paper size, A3, B4, A4,
Of the standard sizes of B5 and A5, a key group for manually selecting any one of the currently stored sheets and the sheet size is automatically set in accordance with the desired scaling ratio set by the user. An automatic paper size selection key is provided.

The enlargement / reduction selection key is a key for setting the ratio of the copy image size to the original image size. Here, a fixed variable magnification, a zoom variable magnification, or an automatic variable magnification can be set.

The fixed scaling key is a key provided for easily setting a standard size original when copying on a standard size paper, and 200% (original A5 → copy A3), 141 % (Original A5 → Copy A4, Original A
4 → copy A3, original B5 → copy B4), 122%
(Original A5 → Copy B5, Original A4 → Copy B4), 1
15% (original B5 → copy A4, original B4 → copy A
3), 100%, 86% (original A4 → copy B5, original A3 → copy B4), 81% (original B5 → copy A5,
Original B4 → Copy A4, 70% (Original A4 → Copy A
5, document A3 → copy A4, document B4 → copy B5) and 50% (document A3 → copy A5).

The zoom variable key is a key for setting the copy magnification in 1% steps. The automatic scaling key is a key for automatically setting the scaling ratio when the copy ratio desired by the user is set for the detected document size.

Then, when the start key 11 of the operation panel 5 (see FIG. 5) is operated after the setting of the above-mentioned conditions is completed, copying is carried out according to the set copy conditions.

On the condition setting screen, the most frequently used one is displayed as a default value. The condition setting screen C of FIG. 8 is also a setting default screen of the condition setting screen. Here, regarding color selection, copy density selection, paper type / size selection, and enlargement / reduction, “monochrome”, “automatic”, “plain paper / automatic”, and “100%” are set as default values, respectively. It shows the displayed case.

Depending on the needs of the user, the default value may differ from the default value, so that the default value can be changed on the setting screen for the administrator.
It should be noted that the display is switched to the administrator setting screen by a specific key operation preset such as “* # 34573”.

When the user sets the original on the original set tray of the RADF 112 or sets the original on the original table 111, it is detected on the original size display section as in the condition setting screen C of FIG. The document size is displayed. Also, based on the condition key settings and the original size, the copy size / type display area displays the copy size / type.
The type is displayed.

Here, the condition key is set to the default value, and an A4 size original is set. The default setting value (paper size selection is automatic,
Corresponding to the enlargement / reduction of 100%, the copy paper size is displayed as A4.

Further, an image showing the approximate size relationship between the image size of the original and the image size of the copy is displayed according to the detection of the original size, and the approximate size relationship between the original image size and the copy image size is known. .

If a setting value other than automatic is selected prior to setting the original, the display section for the size and type of copy paper is displayed according to the selection, and the image size of the original and the image of the copy are displayed. The image displaying the approximate size relation of the sizes is displayed only after detecting the document size.

On this condition setting screen C, the default value corresponding to each condition key is displayed above each condition key here. By operating, the color selection, copy density, copy paper type and size, and enlargement / reduction during copying can be changed from the default values.

For example, if the type and size of copy paper is A
To change from 4 size plain paper to A3 size coated paper, in the default condition setting screen C of FIG.
Operate the paper type / size selection key of the condition key. As a result, the display is switched to the screen D in FIG.

On the screen D, the condition selection area is opened, and the selectable paper types are displayed on the left side and the selectable paper sizes are displayed on the right side with the symbol "/" interposed therebetween. . When the lower condition key is displayed in this way in the condition selection area, a "▼" mark is displayed in the display area portion of the setting contents of the corresponding condition key. Also,
In the condition key area and the condition selection area, the condition key and the lower condition key that are currently selected and active are actively displayed in a thick frame.

Further, in this screen D, the copying machine main body 1
It is not possible to select a combination of the paper size and the paper type, which is the paper in which neither the internal paper cassette nor the paper cassette inside the paper feeder 2 is set. For example, when A3 is operated as the copy paper size on the screen D in FIG. 9, the display is switched to the screen E in FIG. In this screen E, the A3 size OHP is not installed, so the O of the copy paper type options is displayed.
HP will not be selectable. When the A4 size that can be combined is operated, the OHP unselectable state is released.

Next, when the coated paper key is operated as the type of copy paper and then the paper type / size selection key of the condition key is operated, the lower condition of the condition key is determined and the condition selection area is opened. The screen is closed and the display changes to the screen F in FIG. In the center portion of the screen F, the size relationship between the document size and the paper size is displayed as an image together with the size relationship between the document image and the selected copy sheet.

On the other hand, in order to change the color selection from black and white to full color, first, the color selection key of the condition setting screen C is operated. As a result, the display is switched to the screen G shown in FIG. On this screen G, the condition selection area is opened, and black and white, single color, and full color, which are lower conditions of the color selection condition, are displayed.

When the full color key in the condition selection area is operated on the screen G in FIG. 12, the display is changed to the screen H shown in FIG. 13 in which full color in the condition selection area is activated. Then, on the screen H of FIG. 13,
When the color selection key is operated, the condition selection area is closed, assuming that the lower condition of the condition key has been decided, and FIG.
The display changes to screen I.

When various conditions are set as desired in this way, the user presses the start key to carry out copying.

After that, when the copying is completed with a sufficient amount of money remaining, the display is switched to the screen Z shown in FIG. 15 and the processing is completed. This screen Z is an end screen. On the end screen Z, the displayed document placement location and copy ejection location of the displayed digital copying machine and the return port of the coin vendor are displayed in blinking, which prevents the user from forgetting to take the change, the original, or the copy. It is composed. After this screen Z is displayed for a predetermined period, the standby screen A shown in FIG. 6 is displayed again.
The display is switched to and the standby state is set up for the next user.

On the other hand, if the remaining amount of money reaches a predetermined amount or less while the copying is continued, the display is switched to the screen J shown in FIG. 1 in the present digital copying machine, and it is frugal to make more copies with the present remaining amount of money. It is designed to encourage the shift to copy (alternative copy).

Next, the procedure for carrying out this thrifty copy will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 16 and 17. 1 and 16
17 and 17 show the color LC of the operation panel 5 (see FIG. 5).
The screen at the time of thrifty copy displayed on D6 is shown.

The screen J of FIG. 1 is an introduction screen of a thrifty copy which guides the user to the procedure for carrying out more copies with the current balance. On this thrifty copy introduction screen J, it is possible to prompt the shift to the thrifty copy because of the shortage of the balance, and to reject the shift to the thrifty copy and perform the copy under the current conditions. A message is displayed. It also displays how many originals can be copied under the current copy conditions. In addition, operate the desired key from among the mode keys for thrifty copy,
After that, by operating the OK key, it is displayed that the thrifty copy in the designated mode can be performed.

Thrifty copy mode keys displayed on the thrifty copy introduction screen J are N IN 1 (multi-in-one copy) mode key 20, image / paper reduction mode key 21, and image reduction mode key 22 from the upper left. Yes, from the bottom left are the paper type change mode key and the down color mode key.

The N IN 1 mode key 20 is a key for selecting a mode in which a plurality of originals are collected and copied on one sheet so that copying can be continued further. In this embodiment, the N IN 1 mode is used as shown in FIG.
As shown on screen K of 6, 4 IN 1 copy in which images of four originals are combined and copied onto one copy sheet,
It is possible to set 2 IN 1 copy in which the images of two originals are combined and copied onto one copy sheet.

The image / paper reduction mode key 21 is a key for selecting a mode of the current copy conditions in which both the image and the paper size are reduced so that copying can be continued. The image reduction mode key 22 is a key for selecting a mode in which the image size is reduced and the copying can be further continued while the paper size remains the current setting among the current copy conditions.

The paper type change mode key is a key for changing the paper type of the current copy conditions so that copying can be continued. The down color mode key is a key for selecting a mode in which the color of the copy is reduced compared to the current copy condition so that the copy can be continued. If the current copy condition is full color, single color or black and white can be selected. If the current copy condition is single color, black and white can be selected.

When each mode key is operated on such a thrifty copy introduction screen J, detailed settings for each mode are displayed. For example, when the N IN 1 mode key 20 is operated on the introduction screen J of FIG. 1, the screen is switched to the screen K of FIG. The number of originals that can be copied is also displayed on this screen K, and this number is switched according to the number of copies displayed beside the message area and the selected setting key.

Further, on the screen K, six kinds of setting keys for setting the N IN 1 mode are displayed. Of these, the upper three keys are for copying different originals N IN 1 and the lower three keys are for copying the same original N I
N 1 is the key to copy. Of these 6 keys, if you divide them into left, center, and right in the vertical column, the two keys in the left column are 4 IN on copy paper of the same size as the original size.
The keys in the center row are the keys for 2 IN 1 copy on the copy paper of the same size as the original size, and the keys in the right row are the keys for the half size of the original size. A key to copy 2 IN 1 onto copy paper.

In the N IN 1 mode, 4 IN
It is of course possible to copy more than one document on the same page, but if the document image becomes too small, it will be too far from the user's original request, and the reduction ratio will be large. In this digital copying machine, 4 IN 1
Up to.

Here, for example, when the key 25 for 2 IN 1 copying of different originals is selected, the number of remaining originals that can be copied becomes "2X". Also, if different manuscripts are 4 IN 1
When the copy key 27 is selected, the number of remaining copyable originals is "4X".

Further, in the present embodiment, the case of shifting to the sparing copy during the copying under the copying condition shown in the screen I of FIG. As each mode key of the thrifty copy,
N IN 1 mode key 20, image / paper reduction mode key 2
1, the image reduction mode key 22, the paper type change mode key, and the down color mode key have been mentioned, but the various mode keys displayed on this screen J are different from the number of originals that can be copied under the current copy conditions in view of the charge system. Also, the mode keys that increase the number of manuscripts that can be copied are selectably displayed, and are not limited to the above keys.

Therefore, for example, in this digital copying machine, since the N IN 1 mode key is not selectable on the normal condition setting screen (screen C in FIG. 8 etc.), N IN 1 mode key is already selected before the thrifty copy. Although 1 copy was never specified, if the N IN 1 mode is selected on the normal condition setting screen, the current copy condition is
If you are already in the 4 IN 1 mode, you will get the thrifty copy introduction screen J
Thus, the N IN 1 mode key 20 cannot be selected.

If the current copy condition is the 2 IN 1 mode, the N IN 1 mode key 20 can be selected on the sparing copy introduction screen J, but only the 4 IN 1 mode can be selected on the next screen K. IN 1 mode cannot be selected.

As another example of another mode, if the current copy condition is a single color, the down color key can be selected on the sparing copy introduction screen J, but the full color and the single color can be selected on the next screen. No, only black and white can be selected. If the current copy condition is black and white, the down color key cannot be selected on the thrifty copy introduction screen J.

On the screen K of FIG. 16 described above, the key 25 for copying 2 IN 1 of different originals onto the same size paper is operated,
When the OK key is operated, the screen L shown in FIG. 17 is displayed.
In this screen L, the color mode is "full color", the selected copy paper is "A4 plain paper", and the enlargement / reduction is "10".
This is the display when 2 IN 1 copy is selected when the copy condition of “0%” is set.

On this screen L, a sparing key 26 is displayed which indicates a sparing copy, and at the same time, screen K in FIG.
The content selected in is displayed as an image. Further, on this screen L, each condition key for changing the copy condition on the screen I of FIG. 14 becomes inoperable except for the copy density selection key, and the condition selected on the screen K of FIG. 16 becomes the condition key. Correspondingly, it is displayed in the display area of the setting contents.

On this screen, if the clear key 9 on the operation panel 5 (see FIG. 5) is operated, the screen returns to the spare copy introduction screen J of FIG. 1, and if the clear key 9 is further operated, another screen of the spare copy introduction screen J is displayed. The previous condition screen, that is,
Here, the screen I of FIG. 14 is returned to.

Subsequently, the control procedure of the pee operation by the central processing unit 44 of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

In S1 of FIG. 18, the color LCD is on standby.
6 displays the standby screen A of FIG. Then, while displaying the standby screen A, it is determined whether or not there is any abnormality (S
2). If it is determined that there is an abnormality, a predetermined abnormality process is performed (S3), and then the process returns to S1.

If there is no abnormality, the process waits for a coin to be inserted into the coin vendor 3 (S4). Here, the presence / absence of coin insertion is determined based on the amount information sent from the coin vendor 3. If it is determined that a coin has been inserted, the process proceeds to S5, the warning screen B of FIG. 7 is displayed, and the auto reset timer Ta is set (S6).

If the OK key is touched before the auto reset timer Ta times out, the process proceeds to S9 (S9).
7 ・ S8). If the time is up first, the process proceeds to S15, in which the remaining money, original, and copy removal messages are displayed in color L.
Display on CD6 and return to S1.

In S9 and S10, the screen C of FIG. 8, which is the default condition setting screen, is displayed. Also, this screen C
19 is displayed, the process proceeds to S11 of FIG. 19, and it is determined whether or not the coin return button of the coin vendor 3 is operated, whether or not a document is set, and whether the size is within the FADF allowable size (S11 to S13). Then, YES in S11, S12
If NO in S13 and S13, the process proceeds to S17, the paper in the double-sided tray is checked, and if there is a paper, the paper is ejected (S16), and then the process proceeds to S15 in FIG.

On the other hand, when it is determined in S11 that the coin return button is not operated, the process proceeds to S21 in FIG.
Set the auto reset timer Ta / Tb. Here, the timer Tb expires earlier.

In S22, it is determined whether or not the ten key 8 of the operation panel 5 has been operated. If there is an operation, S2
After performing a predetermined number setting process in which the number operated in 3 is used as the number of copies, the process proceeds to S26. On the other hand, if the numeric keypad 8 has not been operated, it is determined whether or not the clear key 9 has been operated (S24), and if there is, the copy number display is performed so as to clear the copy number previously set in S22. After performing the process of setting 1 in the area, the process proceeds to S26.

In S26, it is determined whether or not the timer Tb has timed out. If it is before the time is up, the process returns to S22. If it is up, in S29 the time-up of the other timer Ta is confirmed. Up to the auto reset notice display screen and the time until auto reset are displayed (S27 / S28). When the timer Ta times out, the timer Ta is automatically reset (S30), and the process proceeds to S15 of FIG.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S24 of FIG. 20 that the clear key 9 has not been operated, it is determined whether or not the condition key has been operated (S31). If it is determined that the condition key has been operated, S33 of FIG.
Proceed to to open the condition selection area and display the condition selection screen.

When the condition selection screen is displayed, the auto reset timer Ta is set (S34), and the timer T is set in S39.
The processes of S35 to S38 are repeated until the time up of a is confirmed. That is, it is determined whether or not it is a condition key operation (S35), and if so, the process returns to S10 of FIG. On the other hand, if not, it is determined whether or not the operation is in the condition selection area (S36), and if so, the selected key is actively displayed (S37), and it is determined again whether or not the condition key is operated (S36). S38), and if so, returns to S10. Even if the timer Ta is up in S39, S
Return to 10.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S31 of FIG. 20 that the condition key has not been operated, it is determined whether or not the start key 11 has been operated (S32). If it is also determined that there is no operation, the process proceeds to S26. On the other hand, if yes, go to S40 in FIG.
The copy condition is read, and the copy operation is controlled based on the copy condition (S41).

Thereafter, it is confirmed whether or not the clear key 9 is operated (S42). When the clear key 9 is operated, copying is interrupted (S43) and the process returns to S21 of FIG. On the other hand, whether or not the clear key 9 has been operated indicates that the paper is out (S4).
4) If the remaining amount of money is less than or equal to a predetermined amount (S45), and if neither out of paper nor insufficient remaining amount is confirmed, the set number of sheets is compared with the number of copies in S46, and the process proceeds to S41 until the number of copies reaches the set number of sheets. Go back and continue copying.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S44 that the paper is out, the process proceeds to S50 in FIG. In S50, a paper supply instruction screen for prompting the user to supply paper is displayed, and when the completion of paper supply is confirmed (S51), the process returns to S21 of FIG. The paper replenishment instruction screen is displayed on the color LCD 6 until the paper is replenished.

If it is confirmed in S45 that the remaining amount of money is equal to or less than the predetermined amount even if the paper is not out, the flow of FIG. 24 is entered.

When the flow of FIG. 24 is entered, copying is first interrupted (S60), and subsequently, the thrifty copy introduction screen J of FIG. 1 is displayed (S61). When the thrifty copy introduction screen J is displayed, it is determined whether or not the return key of the thrifty copy introduction screen J is operated. When the return key is operated (S62), it is determined that the thrifty copy introduction is rejected, and the copying is interrupted in S60. The screen before the operation is displayed, the interruption of the copy is canceled and the copy is continued (S63), and the process returns to S41 of FIG.

On the other hand, if the return key is not operated, OK
Go to check for key operation and save the thrifty copy introduction screen J
When it is determined that the OK key of No. 1 has been operated (S64),
Display the screen K of the selected sparing mode of 6 (S6
5). Then, when the OK key is further operated on the screen K, a selected and determined screen such as the screen L shown in FIG. 17 is displayed (S68), and the process returns to S40 of FIG. S66
If the operation of the OK key cannot be confirmed in step S67, the operation of the return key is confirmed in S67. When the return key is operated on the screen K, the process returns to S61 again and the thrifty copy introduction screen J is displayed.

By the way, in the above description, FIG.
In the determination at the time of shifting to the thrifty copy introduction screen J in S45, if the balance is equal to or less than a predetermined amount regardless of copy conditions, the thrifty copy introduction screen J is displayed. However, it is also possible to change the predetermined amount value of the remaining amount according to the copy condition. By adopting a configuration in which the predetermined amount value of the balance is changed, it is possible to shift to the thrifty copy introduction screen J at a more appropriate timing.

For example, the step of calculating the amount Ya of transfer to the savings mode as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 25 between the judgment of the paper run-out in S44 and the judgment in S45 as to whether or not the balance is equal to or less than the predetermined value in FIG. Insert (S47). Then, in the next step (S45), when the remaining amount becomes equal to or less than the amount Ya calculated in step 47, the process proceeds to the flow of FIG.

In calculating the transfer amount Ya to the saving mode, as shown in FIG. 26, the copy fee Yb for one original under the copy conditions currently being executed is calculated (S7).
0), the amount of money multiplied by a predetermined number k of originals (S7)
1).

In the calculation of the transfer amount Ya to the sparing mode, when the copying of one original is completed, the flow proceeds to the flow of FIG. 24 and the sparing copy introduction screen J is displayed. Therefore, when multiple copies are made for one original, a copy made under the copy conditions initially desired by the user and a copy made as a thrifty copy may be mixed for the same original. Does not happen.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 27, in the copy performed by the user who is currently using the service after paying the fee, 1
Obtain the maximum amount Yc of the copy fee for one sheet of manuscript (S7
2) Ya is the amount of money obtained by multiplying Yc by a predetermined number k of originals.
May be calculated (S73) to make a determination.

In the calculation of the transfer amount Ya to the thrifty mode as described above, in addition to the time when all the copying for one original document is completed, the current usage status of the user is generally viewed, Since it is possible to prompt the introduction to the thrifty copy at a timing according to the situation, it is possible to further reduce the possibility that the copy made under the copy condition initially desired by the user and the copy made by the thrifty copy are mixed in the same manuscript. As a result, the serviceability for users is further improved.

Further, as shown in FIG. 28, after the user who is currently using pays the fee, the fee Y in the copy condition which is most frequently used among the copy conditions for one original is Y.
It is also possible to determine d (S74), calculate the amount of money by multiplying Yd by a predetermined number k of originals (S75), and make a determination.

In the calculation of the amount of money Ya to be transferred to the saving mode as described above, priority is given to the generation of a copy under the copy condition initially desired by the user, and the same original is created under the copy condition initially desired by the user. It is possible to reduce the possibility that the created copy and the copy created by the thrifty copy are mixed.

Further, in the case of completely eliminating the mixture of the copy made under the copy condition initially desired by the user and the copy made by the thrifty copy for the same original, as shown in FIG. If the copying has not been completed, the flow Ya shown in FIG. 24 is not performed (S46), and after the copying of the same original document is completed, the transfer amount Ya to the sparing mode is calculated (S48), and then the balance is a predetermined value. Y
It may be determined whether or not it has become equal to or less than a (S49), and if the balance is equal to or less than the predetermined value Ya, the process may shift to the flow of FIG.

30 to 37 show copy examples by the sparing copy. It should be noted that, in this example, a detailed description will be made, including a mode of the thrifty copy with a fine charge system, which is not mounted on the present digital copying machine.

FIG. 30 shows a document when N IN 1 copy is performed. 31 to 35 show the finish of the copy when the sparing copy is performed in the N IN 1 mode.

FIGS. 31 (a) and 31 (b) show copying of a picture original and a character original in the N IN 1 mode, respectively.
32A and 32B show copying in the N IN 1 mode when the number of copies for the same text original differs. Further, FIGS. 33 (a) and 33 (b) show copying in the N IN 1 mode in which a plurality of copies are made for the same original document having a page order, and FIGS. 34 (a) and 34 (b) show N IN 1 to make one copy of the same original document with page order
35A and 35B show copying in the N IN 1 mode when a picture original and a character original are mixed in the same sheet.

Further, FIGS. 36A and 36B show copying with the image reduction mode key, and FIGS. 37A and 37B show copying with the image / paper reduction mode key.

The individual copies will be described in detail below. As shown in FIG. 31, in the case of 2 IN 1 copy,
A picture or text original is reduced by 70% on a copy paper of the original size currently being copied, and two originals are copied onto the same paper. In the order of the originals, the image corresponding to the original of the young page is copied to the left hand of the image top and bottom, and the image corresponding to the original of the next page is copied to the right hand side of the image top and bottom. Even when the picture original and the text original are copied on the same sheet, they are copied in the same manner.

As shown in FIGS. 32 (a) and 32 (b), N IN 1 copy is selected when a plurality of copies are made for a character original having the same copy condition before shifting to the thrifty copy. Then, if the number is the same as N in N IN 1 mode,
As shown in Fig. 32 (a), it fits exactly on the same sheet, so
There are no problems with fees.

However, when the number of copies for the same original is not the same as N, for example, when the number of copies for the same original is 3 and 4 IN 1 copy is selected as shown in FIG. Since one copy is not copied, if you do not add the charge that is not copied, you will have a more detailed and reasonable price structure.

This also applies when there is a next page original. If there is a manuscript for the next page, the page shown in FIG.
It is not necessary to provide a blank as in (b), and FIG.
As shown in (b), put the original on the next page in this empty space. By doing this, when copying a multi-page original, the number of sheets used can be reduced, and when the sheets to be copied are high-quality paper or OHP such as expensive paper,
You can lower the price.

FIGS. 34 (a) and 34 (b) show an example in which 4 IN 1 copy is selected when making one copy for the same original. In this case, since the manuscript has 6 pages, the charge system will be more reasonable unless the charges for the blank space on the second sheet are added as in the case of FIG. 32 (b) described above.

In FIGS. 33 to 34, the picture original and the character original are treated in the same manner. However, when the reduction ratio is the same, the character original is more difficult to see than the picture original, and both originals are difficult to see if the reduction ratio is below a certain level. In addition, since it differs greatly from the initial setting of the user, it is better to allow up to an appropriate reduction rate even if it has the copying ability.

For example, in the case of N IN 1 copy, up to 4 IN 1 (reduction ratio of 50%) for text originals and up to 8 IN 1 (reduction ratio of 35%) for picture originals. Alternatively, the text original may be up to 2 IN 1 (reduction ratio 70%), and the picture original may be up to 4 IN 1 (reduction ratio 50%).

When the picture original and the text original are mixed, the picture original and the text original are made NIN 1 copy on different sheets, so that the later rearrangement can be facilitated. A picture original and a text original can be distinguished by creating a density (AE) histogram for one scanned original data and determining whether the original is a picture original or a text original. Alternatively, the user may designate a picture original or a text original and copy the picture original or the text original separately.

In the case of copying in the N IN 1 mode, the text original and the picture original are mixed, and the designated text original and the picture original have different reduction rates, the text original is It is desirable to copy the and originals on different papers. This is because both the text original and the picture original have different sizes, and if they are copied on the same sheet as they are in the page order, it is difficult to arrange them and the price is increased. By copying on different papers, it is possible to arrange them more easily, to make many copies, to reduce the cost, and to separate the pictures and letters, so that the later arrangement becomes easier.

Further, the picture original and the text original are printed on the same sheet with NI.
In the case of N 1 copy, by making the reduction ratios of the text original and the picture original the same, the image sizes of the text original and the picture original are the same, so it is easy to arrange them in page order.

As shown in FIG. 35, when the picture original and the text original are arranged on the same sheet, the reduction ratio is made different between the picture original and the text original, so that the copying can be continued more efficiently. . In FIG. 35 (a), the text original is up to 2 IN 1 (reduction ratio 70%), and the picture original is 4 IN 1 (reduction ratio 50%).
That is the case. FIG. 35B shows a case where the text original is up to 4 IN 1 (reduction ratio of 50%) and the picture original is up to 8 IN 1 (reduction ratio of 35%).

FIG. 36 shows a copy of the original (FIG. 36 (a)) with the image reduction mode key 21 in the thrifty copy introduction screen J of FIG. 1 in which only the image is reduced. In this case, only the image is reduced, and the paper has the same paper size as the copy condition used by the user. By doing so, the paper size can be made the same as before the shift to the thrifty copy, which is convenient when making a file or the like.

As for the reduction ratio in this case, as in the case of N IN 1 copy, a predetermined lower limit reduction ratio is set, or a character manuscript and a picture manuscript are smaller than the character manuscript. The lower limit reduction rate may be set so that

FIG. 37 shows the thrifty copy introduction screen J of FIG. 1 in which the image and the paper size of the original (FIG. 37 (a)) are reduced.
The image / paper reduction mode key 22 in FIG. If you do this, the type of paper is
When copying using a lot of high-quality paper such as OHP or coated paper compared to plain paper, the price can be reduced,
More sheets can be copied.

Also in this case, similarly to the above case, a predetermined lower limit reduction rate is provided, or the lower limit reduction rate is set so that the picture original is reduced smaller than the character original between the text original and the picture original. You may set it.

Further, the above-described digital copying machine of the present embodiment can continue copying under the copy conditions that are currently set, but if the remaining money falls below a predetermined amount, more copies can be continued with the remaining money. The configuration was to display the thrifty copy introduction screen J for prompting the thrifty copy, but only when the copy cannot be performed under the currently set copy conditions, the copy condition for the alternative copy that can be performed with the remaining money is proposed. You can also do it. Further, the proposed method can also be configured such that the alternative copy is selected by the key lighting control instead of displaying the message together with the message on the color LCD 6 as in the above-mentioned digital copying machine.

A digital copying machine having such a configuration will be briefly described. In this digital copying machine, as shown in FIG. 38, a monochrome start key 11a and a color start key 11b are provided as start keys on the operation panel 5 ', and the color mode selection of the monochrome mode or the full color mode can be performed. The user operates either of the start keys 11a and 11b so that the copy operation is started at the same time. Therefore, the condition setting screen in this digital copying machine is not provided with a color selection key, unlike the screen C ′ in FIG.

The black-and-white start key 11a and the color start key 11b are turned on or off depending on the copy condition set on the condition setting screen C'in FIG. 39 and the remaining amount before the start of copying. Has been done.

More specifically, the balance before the start of copying, that is, before operating either the monochrome start key 11a or the color start key 11b, is a full-color copy or a monochrome copy under the currently set copy conditions. If both are possible, both the black-and-white start key 11a and the color start key 11b are lit to notify the user that copying is possible for either color condition.

On the other hand, before the start of copying
Full color copy is not possible under the current copy conditions,
When the amount of money allows black-and-white copying, the color start key 11b is turned off and only the black-and-white start key 11a is turned on.

When the copy operation is started, both of the black and white start key 11a and the color start key 11b are turned off to inform that the selection is not possible at present.

In the process of continuing full color copying,
When the remaining money is reduced and full color copying cannot be continued under the current copying conditions, but the remaining money is such that it can be continued with black and white copying, the copying is temporarily stopped, the color start key 11b is turned off, and the black and white start key 1
By turning on only 1a, it is notified that full color cannot be continued, but black and white copying can be continued.

In this state, the user selects the monochrome start key 1
When 1a is operated, a black and white copy, which is an alternative copy, is started, and the copy can be continued with the remaining money.

In the present embodiment, a case has been described where a coin vendor 3 is attached as a bill collection device for billing a copy, and the copy fee is paid in coins.
Instead of the coin vendor 3, other payment means such as a prepaid card for copying may be used.

[0201]

As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention charges the copying fee according to the copying conditions for copying within the range of the deposit, and deposits the deposit. In an image forming apparatus that prohibits copying due to lack of a balance, a balance management unit that manages the balance of the deposit during copying and detects that the balance is below a predetermined amount, and the balance is determined by the balance management unit. When it is detected that the amount of money is less than or equal to the amount of money, other copy conditions that allow more continuous copying than the currently set copy conditions are notified, and the user is notified of the change to the other copy conditions. This configuration is provided with an alternative copy introduction means for prompting.

As a result, during copying, when the balance management means detects that the balance becomes less than or equal to the predetermined amount, the alternative copy introducing means sets another copy condition that allows the user to continue copying. Since the notification is sent and the change to other notified copy conditions is prompted, even if the user has a small amount of money in hand and cannot add a deposit, this notification will be made from the currently set copy conditions. Effectively use the remaining balance by changing to the copy conditions that are set and performing alternative copy.
Copying can be continued as an emergency evacuation.

As a result, when the user does not pay much attention to the finished form of the copy, by performing the alternative copy, more copies can be made with the remaining money, which is convenient for the image forming apparatus that charges for the copy. The effect that it can improve is produced.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the first aspect, the other copy condition notified by the alternative copy introducing means is a plurality of originals. In multi-in-one copying in which images are combined and copied on one sheet, and when multi-in-one copying is currently set, a configuration in which a larger number of original images than the currently set number are combined Is.

Since the original images for a plurality of sheets are combined and copied on one sheet, the combined number of originals is copied as compared with the case where one original image is copied on one sheet. Is 1
You only have to pay the copying fee for one sheet, and you can use the remaining money effectively to make more copies with the remaining money.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the first aspect, the other copy condition notified by the alternative copy introducing means sets the copy magnification at present. The copy is configured to be smaller than the specified magnification.

By making the image smaller, such as when the full-color mode is set, the charge per copy can be effectively reduced, and the remaining money can be effectively used to make more copies with the remaining money.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the second or third aspect, the lower limit value is set in advance for the reduction rate, and excessive reduction is avoided. It is a configuration designed to do.

[0209] If the size is reduced too much, the size desired by the user will change too much, which will be unsatisfactory and the pictures and characters will be difficult to see. Therefore, an appropriate reduction ratio should be set in advance. Thus, the convenience of the alternative copying can be further improved.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the structure according to the fourth aspect, the lower limit of the reduction ratio is lower in the picture original than in the text original. It is a small structure.

Even with the same reduction ratio, a text original is more difficult to see than a picture original. Therefore, by making the lower limit of the reduction ratio smaller for a picture original than for a text original, the text original is difficult to see. It is possible to make the picture manuscript small enough to be recognizable and effectively use the remaining amount of money while making more copies with the remaining amount of money.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the first aspect, the other copy condition notified by the alternative copy introducing means is the size of the sheet. In this configuration, the copy is made smaller than the currently set size.

[0213] Since the paper size becomes smaller, it is possible to
When using high-cost paper such as HP and coated paper, the cost per copy can be effectively reduced, and the remaining money can be used effectively to make more copies with the remaining money. .

As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the first aspect, other copying conditions notified by the alternative copy introducing means are currently set. This is a configuration in which copying is performed in a color mode in which primary colors for image formation are smaller than in the color mode.

Since the unit price of full-color copy is 4 to 5 times the unit price of monochrome copy, compared with the case of reducing the paper size or copying a plurality of originals on one sheet. , The remaining money can be used effectively, and more copies can be made with the remaining money.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the first aspect, the balance management means stores the predetermined amount of money used for detection in the current user. The configuration is determined by the copy conditions after the start of copying.

Compared with the configuration in which the predetermined amount of money is fixed,
In addition to the effect according to claim 1, since it is possible to promote introduction to alternative copying at an appropriate timing suitable for each user,
This has the effect of further improving convenience.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the eighth aspect, the balance management means copies the currently executed predetermined amount of the predetermined amount used for detection. The copy fee for one original under the conditions is calculated and multiplied by a predetermined number of originals.

Since copying to one original is completed and introduction to alternative copying is prompted at the timing of shifting to copying of the next original, a plurality of copies are performed for one original, for example. In this case, the copy does not switch to the alternative copy in the middle, and there is no possibility that a copy created under the copy conditions originally desired by the user and a copy created by the alternative copy will coexist on the same original. .

As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the eighth aspect, the balance management means determines that the predetermined amount of money used for detection by the current user. It is configured such that the maximum amount of the copying fee for one original made after depositing the deposit is multiplied by a predetermined number of originals.

It is possible to further reduce the possibility that a copy created under the copy conditions initially desired by the user for the same original and a copy created by the alternative copy can be further reduced, and the serviceability for the user is further improved. .

As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the eighth aspect, the balance management means determines that the predetermined amount of money used for detection by the current user. This is a structure in which the charge under the most frequently used copying condition among the copying conditions for one original made after depositing the deposit is multiplied by a predetermined number of originals.

[0223] While giving priority to the generation of a copy under the copy condition initially desired by the user, a copy created under the copy condition initially desired by the user and a copy created by the alternative copy for the same original document are The possibility of mixture can be reduced.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the first aspect, the alternative copy introducing means prompts the notification and change of the other copy conditions. The operation is performed after the remaining amount management means detects that the remaining amount is less than or equal to a predetermined amount and when the copying of the same original document that is currently being performed is completed.

When a plurality of copies are made for the same original, if the user is prompted to perform an alternative copy during the copy, a copy of the condition desired by the user and an alternative copy will coexist on the same original. However, such a problem can be reliably avoided. As a result, in addition to the effect described in claim 1, there is an effect that the convenience can be further improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a thrifty copy introduction screen displayed on a color LCD when a remaining amount of money is equal to or less than a predetermined amount in a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front sectional view showing the structure of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing unit in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a configuration of an operation panel provided in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a standby screen displayed on the color LCD of the digital copying machine during standby.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a warning screen displayed on a color LCD of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a condition setting screen displayed on the color LCD of the digital copying machine and showing a default screen thereof.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper type and size selection screen displayed on the color LCD of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper type and size selection screen displayed on the color LCD of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a condition setting screen after changing the conditions of the type and size of paper displayed on the color LCD of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a color mode selection screen displayed on the color LCD of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a color mode selection screen displayed on the color LCD of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a condition setting screen after changing the color mode condition displayed on the color LCD of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an end screen displayed at the end of copying on the color LCD of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen displayed on the color LCD of the digital copying machine when the N IN 1 mode is selected as the sparing copy.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen displayed on the color LCD of the digital copying machine after the thrifty copy setting.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in the digital copying machine, which is a flowchart mainly showing a control procedure from standby to displaying a default condition setting screen.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in the digital copying machine, which is a flowchart mainly showing a control procedure when a coin return instruction is given.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in the digital copying machine, which is a flowchart mainly showing a control procedure until a start key is operated.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in the digital copying machine, which is a flowchart mainly showing a control procedure when a copy condition is changed.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in the digital copying machine, mainly showing a control procedure after starting a copy operation.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in the digital copying machine, which is a flowchart mainly showing a control procedure when a paper shortage is detected.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing a control procedure in the digital copying machine, which is a flow chart showing a control procedure at the time of mainly detecting that the balance is equal to or less than a predetermined amount and setting the saving copy.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in the digital copying machine, which is a flowchart mainly showing another control procedure after starting the copy operation.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in the digital copying machine, which is a flowchart mainly showing a control procedure for calculating the amount of money to be transferred to the savings copy introduction screen.

FIG. 27 is a flow chart showing a control procedure in the digital copying machine, and is a flow chart showing another control procedure mainly for calculating the amount of money to be transferred to the savings copy introduction screen.

FIG. 28 is a flow chart showing a control procedure in the digital copying machine, which is a flow chart showing still another control procedure mainly for calculating the amount of money to be transferred to the saving copy introduction screen.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in the digital copying machine, which is a flowchart mainly showing still another control procedure after starting the copy operation.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram of a document on which N IN 1 copy is performed.

31A is an explanatory diagram of copying a picture original in a 2 IN 1 mode, and FIG. 31B is an explanatory diagram of copying a text original in a 2 IN 1 mode.

32A and 32B are explanatory diagrams of copying in the N IN 1 mode when the number of copies for the same text original differs.

33 (a) and (b) are originals in which the originals are character originals having a page order, and a plurality of copies are made for the same original N.
It is explanatory drawing of the copy in IN1 mode.

FIGS. 34 (a) and 34 (b) are NIs in which an original is a character original having a page order and one copy is made to the same original.
It is explanatory drawing of the copy in N1 mode.

FIGS. 35 (a) and 35 (b) are explanatory views of copying in the N IN 1 mode when a picture original and a character original are mixed on the same sheet.

FIG. 36A is an explanatory diagram of a document, and FIG. 36B is an explanatory diagram of copying the document with an image reduction mode key.

37A is an explanatory diagram of a document, and FIG. 37B is an explanatory diagram of copying the document with an image / paper reduction mode key.

FIG. 38 is a plan view showing a configuration of an operation panel included in a digital copying machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 39 is a condition setting screen displayed on a color LCD of a digital copying machine according to another embodiment of the present invention,
It is an explanatory view showing the default screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Digital Copier (Image Forming Device) 3 Coin Bender (Remaining Balance Management Means) 5 Operation Panel (Through Copy Introducing Means) 5'Operation Panel (Through Copy Introducing Means) 6 Touch Panel Liquid Crystal Display (Through Copy Introducing Means) 44 Central Processing device (balance management means, thrifty copy introduction means)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Shinji Kato 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture Sharp Corporation (72) Inventor Kenichi Gomi 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Sharp Corporation (72) Inventor Koji Katamoto 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Sharp Corporation (56) Reference JP 10-28218 (JP, A) JP 6-4766 (JP, A) (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 21/02-21/04 G03G 21/00 370-540 G03G 15/36

Claims (12)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus which charges a copying fee according to copying conditions for copying within the range of deposit and prohibits copying due to lack of deposit, the balance of deposit during copying. And a balance management means for detecting that the balance is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, and when the balance management means detects that the balance is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, the copy conditions currently set. In addition to notifying other copying conditions that can continue copying more than
An image forming apparatus comprising: an alternative copy introducing unit that prompts a user to change to another notified copy condition. 2. Another copy condition notified by the alternative copy introducing means is a multi-in-one copy in which original images for a plurality of sheets are aggregated and copied on one sheet, and the multi-in-one copy is currently set. 2. If so, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a larger number of original images than the currently set number are combined. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the other copying condition notified by the alternative copying introducing means is copying in which the copying magnification is smaller than the magnification currently set. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a lower limit value is set in advance for the reduction rate so as to avoid excessive reduction. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the lower limit value of the reduction ratio is smaller for picture originals than for character originals. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the other copying condition notified by the alternative copying introducing means is copying in which the size of the paper is smaller than the currently set size. . 7. The other copying condition notified by the alternative copying introducing means is copying in a color mode with a smaller number of image forming primary colors than in the currently set color mode. The image forming apparatus according to item 1. 8. The image according to claim 1, wherein the balance management means is adapted to determine the predetermined amount of money to be used for detection according to copying conditions of the current user after the start of copying. Forming equipment. 9. The balance management means sets the predetermined amount of money used for detection to a value obtained by multiplying a predetermined number of originals by calculating a copy fee for one original under the currently executed copying conditions. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, which is characterized in that. 10. The balance management means multiplies the predetermined amount used for detection by the predetermined amount of copying for the maximum amount of copying fee for one document made by the current user after depositing a deposit. 9. The amount is set as
The image forming apparatus according to item 1. 11. The balance management means charges the predetermined amount of money used for detection under the most frequently used copying condition among the copying conditions for one original made by the current user after depositing a deposit. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the amount is multiplied by a predetermined number of originals. 12. The alternative copy introducing means performs an operation of notifying and changing the other copying conditions described above, when the balance management means detects that the balance is less than a predetermined amount, and The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is performed after completion of copying of the same original document currently being performed.