JPH01147559A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To effectively utilize an entire recording device and to prevent recording from being performed on an unintended condition by comparing a recording requesting condition read out from a recording medium with a recording-enabled condition and performing the display of warning to the recording requesting condition which can not be satisfied. CONSTITUTION:A copying machine has the constitution of a comparatively high level system provided with an IC card device 22, a DADF 24, a sorter 38, a console panel 28, second-fifth supply trays 31-2-31-5 and an intermediate tray 3 in a base machine 21. An owner of the highest level IC card can actuate the copying machine in a state where the IC card is set in the device 22 and he can improve efficiency in business by freely using the DADF 24, the sorter 38, the trays 31-2-31-5 and the tray 33. A person who does not need the sorting of copying paper can save a cost by setting the IC card which omits a program about the sorting and using the uppermost bin of the sorter 38 as a paper ejection tray.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention "Field of Industrial Application" The present invention relates to devices having a function of recording image information, such as copying machines, facsimile machines, and printers, and particularly to devices that have functions required by different models. The present invention relates to a recording device that is adjusted during execution.

"Prior Art" Taking a copying machine as an example, in recent years, products with advanced functions have been actively developed. For example, when looking at the copying magnification of originals, in addition to copiers that only make copies at the same size, there are also copiers that allow you to select from several different magnifications, and even more that can continuously change the magnification. ing. Regarding development, in addition to copying machines that use one type of toner to reproduce images in so-called black and white, there are also copying machines that use two or more types of toner to perform multicolor recording or select colors for recording. has appeared.

Looking at the handling of manuscripts, we have seen the emergence of copying machines equipped with devices that automatically replace manuscripts, and copying machines that copy a two-page spread of a bound manuscript one page at a time without moving the manuscript itself. It is appearing.

Furthermore, many of these copying machines can be equipped with various additional devices in accordance with customer requests. Typical examples of such additional equipment include:
There are sorters that sort copies and ADFs (automatic document feeders) that automatically feed originals.

As copiers have become equipped with many functions and have been able to select from many additional devices, operators have been able to make full use of the functions provided in the copier itself or the functions provided by the additional devices. , you will be able to obtain the copy that best meets your needs. However, on the other hand, the next time you try to make a copy under the same conditions, you will have to read the memo to set the same conditions as before, or read the instructions on the console panel for various copy conditions, and then set the copy conditions in detail. I needed to set it up. Performing such careful or patient work does not necessarily contribute to office efficiency.

Therefore, recently, copying machines have appeared that can store copying conditions in relation to the work performed by the operator. Such a copying machine includes, for example, a nonvolatile memory in the main body of the copying machine, in which various copying conditions are stored. It has also been proposed that copying conditions are stored in an external storage medium such as a magnetic card, and the copying conditions are read into the main body of the copying machine to set the copying conditions.

"Problems to be Solved by the Invention" By the way, when an external storage medium is used, it becomes possible in principle to use this external storage medium in another copying machine and set the same copying conditions.

In other words, if the copying machine you always use is in use, you can set the same copying conditions by taking a magnetic card with the copying conditions stored in it and setting it in the copying machine. becomes possible.

However, this requires the assumption that both copying machines have exactly the same functions. That is, for example, even if a magnetic card that has been instructed to be collated by a sorter is set in a copying machine that does not have a sorter, the sorting operation will not be performed.

As described above, in conventional copying machines, when copying conditions are set in advance, the application of these conditions is restricted to exactly the same model. Therefore, even if each person has an external storage medium for setting copy conditions, one storage medium can only be applied to a dedicated model, and as the number of models increases, the external storage medium As a large number of them were required, their management became complicated.

Although the copying machine has been described above, similar problems arise when attempting to set recording conditions for other recording apparatuses such as facsimile machines and printers in order to simplify their operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus that can set recording conditions for recording apparatuses of different formats without causing any particular inconvenience.

"Means for Solving the Problems" The present invention, as shown in principle in FIG. The recording condition comparison means 12 compares the recording requirement read out by the requirement reading means 11 with the recordable conditions that can be executed on this apparatus side, and as a result of the comparison between the recording condition comparison means 12 and the record that is not satisfied. The recording apparatus is equipped with a warning display means 13 for issuing a warning regarding the required conditions.

Here, the recording device may be configured to cancel a recording request condition that is not satisfied and perform recording. Further, the warning display means 13 does not need to issue a warning for all of the recording requirements that are not met, and may issue a warning display only for predetermined ones. This can prevent the complication of frequent warning displays.

The recording requirement reading means 11 reads the external record 1. It may be a reading device that reads data representing recording requirements from the α medium, or it may be an internal data reading means that reads recording requirements stored in a memory located in the main body of the recording device. good.

The warning display means 13 may display the warning using letters or symbols, or may display the warning by lighting a lamp. It is also effective to use the buzzer sound.

As a result of the comparison by the recording condition comparison means 12, it is effective to perform recording by replacing a recording requirement condition that is not satisfied with a condition that is close to that condition (1d L).For example, when partial extraction of an image is requested. Although it is not permissible not to do this, when a magnification of 140% is specified, it is more effective for factories to replace it with a magnification of 141%, which is close to this.

When recording in two colors, red and black, is requested, if only blue and black developers are available on the recording device side, it is also possible to perform recording using these two colors rather than canceling the recording. is also often effective.

When the recording device is a copying machine, the recording requirements are copying conditions that define various conditions such as whether or not double-sided copying is required and whether collation is required.

Note that the recording requirement conditions may be common conditions for all devices that record image information, such as copying machines, facsimile machines, and printers. In other words, when the external storage medium that requested collation is set in a copying machine, the copying machine collates the copy paper, and when the same external storage medium is set in a printer, the copy paper is recorded on this printer. The recording requirement conditions, such as the collation of sheets, are not limited to the same type of apparatus, but may be commonly applied to similar apparatuses or the first half of the recording apparatus.

As described above, according to the present invention, the recording requirement reading means 11
Since I decided to compare the recording requirement conditions read from the ``recordable conditions'' with the recordable conditions, even if I ported the conditions from a recording device other than the one I am trying to use, I can set these as my own conditions without causing any inconvenience. be able to. Of course, in response to warning displays, etc., or by referring to the recording conditions displayed on the console panel, etc., the operator can modify the initially or automatically set recording conditions as necessary, and adjust the recording conditions to his or her own device. It can be optimized.

"Example" The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to Examples.

In this embodiment, a copying machine will be described as an example of a recording device. Further, in this embodiment, an example will be described in which an IC card is used as an external storage medium and a memory for storing copying conditions is arranged inside the copying machine. Prior to the explanation, a table of contents regarding this embodiment will be displayed.

(1) Copier system configuration (2) Software configuration (2-1) Advantages of software combinations (2-2)
Example of differentiation (3) An example of the configuration of the device (4) Circuit configuration of the device (5) Specific circuit configuration of the copying machine (5-1) Surroundings of the photoreceptor drum (5-2) Switching mechanism of the developing device (5-3>Optical system (5-4) Fixing device (5-5) Console control (5-6) Pilling counter (5-7) Power supply (5-8N general feed system (5-9) DADF (5 -10>Sorter (5-11) Intermediate tray (5-12) Editor pad (5-13>Large capacity tray (6) Control of copying machine using IC card C6-1) Memory contents of IC card (6-2> Data processing using IC card (6-3) IC
Details of Card Device (6-4) Writing Data to IC Card (1) Stem Configuration of Copying Machine FIG. 2 shows the system configuration of a copying machine in one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in this figure, the copying machine that can use an IC card in this embodiment has a base machine 21, which has the most basic configuration, and can be enhanced in functionality by attaching desired additional devices. It has become. Here, the base machine is a device that is equipped with a single-stage supply tray and a tray for manual feeding, and can make copies by manually setting originals on a platen glass. The following additional devices can be attached to this base machine.

(1) rc card device 22: The IC card device 22 is a device used to supply necessary data to the base machine 21 using an IC card, or to write data from the base machine 21 to an IC card. When manually editing data (coordinate data) using an editor pad, which will be described later, the editor pad is connected to the IC card device 22 and the manual operation is performed. Note that the IC card device 22 of this embodiment is configured to selectively control the IC card and the editor pad, and it is not possible to use both at the same time to input data.

The IC card used in the IC card device 22 of this embodiment has an Is○ type interface and has a memory capacity of 2 kilobytes. By using an IC card, complex data can be stored on the card.
It can fully cope with the automation and multifunctionalization of copying machines. For example, by preparing IC cards for each type of industry or customer, it is possible to realize an operating method that suits each owner, even for copiers with complex functions, and anyone can use them easily and without error. Be able to operate a copy machine.

(2) ADF 23 and DADF 24; ADF 23 is commonly referred to as an automatic document feeder, and feeds the documents one by one onto the platen glass of the base machine 21.
After the exposure is completed, it is discharged. Exposure of the document is performed only on one predetermined side. On the other hand, the DADF 24 is an automatic document feeder for duplex, ie, double-sided copying.

In the DADF 24, the original is exposed for the first time with one side facing the platen glass (normally fed).Then, when the original after exposure is returned to the tray of the DADF 24, its front and back sides are reversed. As a result, when this document is sent out again, the opposite side of the previously exposed side will be exposed.The base machine 21 uses an additional device to be described later to separate the front and back sides of the copy paper. It is now possible to make copies.

In the copying machine of this embodiment, ADF23 and DA'DF24
By enabling the use of , it is possible to automatically perform copying operations using various combinations such as double-sided originals and double-sided copying.

Note that the ADF 23 has basically the same structure as the automatic document feeder conventionally used in copying machines, but in the case of the device of this embodiment, the direction in which the document is inserted is from the left side when facing the base machine. It is shaped so that it does not protrude from 21.

(3) Ordinary platen 25 and platen 26 with editor pad; The platen 26 with editor pad has a structure in which a coordinate input device called an editor pad is arranged on the platen for editing a document. A normal platen 25 does not have such a mechanism.

(4) Console panel; There are two types of console panels: a 27-type console panel and a 28-type console panel with a message display.

Here, the battalit type console panel 27 is
A display board on which a message is fixed at a predetermined position is selectively illuminated from behind with a lamp or the like so that the message can be read.

The console panel 28 with a message display used in the copying machine of this embodiment is composed of a liquid crystal display element, and has the advantage of being able to display various messages at any time without increasing the display area. . Which console panel to adopt is determined for each copying machine, taking into consideration the complexity of the system configuration and operability of the copying machine.

(5) Addition of supply tray; This has the following typical forms. That is, this embodiment does not simply add a large capacity tray as proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-77140, but also realizes a combination of supply trays that better meets the needs of the customer. Such a combination of supply trays is also disclosed in detail in, for example, ``Multi-stage Sheet Feeding Copying Machine'' in U.S. Pat. No. 61-081016 filed by the present applicant.

(a) Second and third supply trays 31-2.31-3
; By adding these two supply trays, up to 3
Copy paper of various sizes can be fed to the base machine 21.

(b) Second and third supply trays 31-2.31-3
and intermediate tray 33 Here, the intermediate tray 33 is a tray that temporarily stores the copied paper when copying is performed multiple times on one side of the paper or when copying is performed alternately on two sides. be.

(c) Second and third supply trays 31-2, 31-3, intermediate tray 33, and fourth and fifth supply trays 31-4.
31-5° (d) Second and third supply trays 31-2.31-3
and an intermediate tray 33 and a large capacity tray.

Here, the high-capacity tray is a supply tray that can accommodate several dozen sheets of copy paper.

(5) A storage device for ejected copy paper.

Copy paper is normally stored in a discharge tray 37, but this system is equipped with a 10-pin sorter 38 and a 20-bin sorter 39. Therefore, by setting one of these sorters, copies can be sorted into a maximum of 10 or 20 distribution destinations.

As mentioned above, in this copier system, the base machine 21
Since various additional devices can be selectively attached to the copying machine, it is possible to provide the copying machine that best suits the user.

Moreover, the functions of the copying machine can be improved in response to changes in the customer's business style.

For example, customers who do not need to enlarge or reduce the original to make copies, or customers who only make a small amount of copies, may use the base machine 21.
It is often appropriate to purchase separately. On the other hand, for customers who make a large number of copies or require complicated copying operations, an intermediate tray 33 or a large-capacity tray is often required. As a means of realizing these various demands, this copying machine system has a structure that allows each additional device to be easily attached and removed.
In addition, independent CPUs (central processing units) are prepared for some of the additional devices, and distributed control is performed by a plurality of CPUs. This not only has the advantage that customers can easily obtain the products they want;
The possibility of installing new additional equipment offers customers new possibilities for copying tasks, making the purchase of this copier system very attractive in terms of driving the evolution of office processing. will give.

Incidentally, the system configuration of the copying machine described above can also be explained as a combination of software of the copying machine of this embodiment. In other words, since this copying machine can be equipped with various additional devices, the software is designed so that a system configuration compatible with each of these additional devices can be adopted.

One of the reasons for adopting such a configuration is (i) If the temporary base machine 21 were to prepare operation control programs for all of these additional devices, the memory capacity required for this would be enormous. By becoming. Also,
(ii) If a new additional device is developed in the future or the current additional device is improved, the R in the base machine 21
This is to make it possible to utilize these additional devices without replacing or expanding the OM (Read Only Memory).

For this reason, the base machine 21 has a basic storage area for controlling the basic parts of the copying machine and an additional storage area for storing the program loaded from the IC card together with the functional information of the present invention. Additional storage area includes ADF23
control program, DADF 240 control program,
Various programs such as a control program for the console panel 28 are stored therein. Then, when an IC card is set in the IC card device 22 with a predetermined additional device attached to the base machine 21, the program necessary for the coffee operation is read out and loaded into the additional storage device. This loaded program controls the copying operation in cooperation with the program written in the basic storage area, or has a priority position over this program.

(2-2) Example of differentiation As described above, in the copying machine of this embodiment, the functions of the copying machine can be influenced by the program stored in the IC card.

Therefore, by changing the program stored in the IC card on a card-by-card basis, it becomes possible to differentiate the use of the copying machine. This will be explained using some easy-to-understand examples.

The first example is when a multi-tenant building is equipped with a copy machine that is shared by multiple companies, or even within a single company or factory, there are copy machines that are shared between different departments. Explain the case. The latter joint use is necessary for budget management, and conventionally, devices such as copy risers have been used to manage usage in each department.

This copying machine has an IC installed in the base machine 21 shown in FIG.
Card device 22, DADF 24, sorter 38, console panel 28, second to fifth supply trays 31-2 to 3
1-5 and an intermediate tray 33, the copying machine has a relatively advanced system configuration. Some users or departments within the community may require a DADF 24 or sorter 38, while others may not require any additional equipment.

If these multiple people or departments with different usage patterns try to decide the cost burden of the copying machine based only on their own copy volumes, there will be a large number of people or departments that make only low-volume copies! However, the introduction of copying machines equipped with various additional devices is opposed, making it difficult to coordinate with large departments or departments that want to make advanced use of copying machines.

In such a case, IC cards should be prepared according to the usage pattern of each person or each department, and the person or department who wants advanced functions will have to pay more of the basic costs and have many functions. All you have to do is make it available for use. For example, the owner of the most advanced IC card can set the IC card in the IC card device 22 and operate the copying machine to transfer the information to the DADF 24, the sorter 38, and the second to fifth supply trays 31-2 to 31. -5 and the intermediate tray 33 can be used freely, and office efficiency can also be improved. On the other hand, people who do not need to sort copy paper do not have a sorting program.
Costs can be saved by using the top bin of the paper as an output tray.

As a second example, a case will be explained in which a copying business operates a self-copying service shop using an IC card.

A plurality of copying machines are arranged inside the store, each of which is equipped with an IC card device.

The customer requests an IC card according to the type of service, sets it in the copier of his/her choice, and makes a self-service copy. Customers who are unfamiliar with copying machines can request an IC card that is programmed with a function to display operating instructions, and by setting this card, various operating information can be displayed on the console panel 28, making it possible to copy without making mistakes. can be executed. Whether or not the DADF 24 can be used and whether multi-color recording can be performed can be determined by the lent IC card, and it is also possible to restrict the types of devices that can be used, making it possible to manage customers according to the price. Furthermore, the actual status of the copying work, such as the number of copies and the size of the copy paper used, is recorded using the IC.
Since it can be written on the card, billing becomes easier and detailed services such as discounts on copying charges for regular customers are also possible.

As a third example, a service using an IC card storing a program for a specific user will be described. For example, in patent offices, when considering patent publications that have been reduced by photolithography, it is necessary to make copies of the original size.
I have a job where I have to make copies at a relatively large enlargement rate of 0.00%. Furthermore, when creating drawings to be submitted to government offices, the original drawings are reduced or enlarged in small increments in order to meet the requests. In addition, departments that make copies of resident records, such as city halls or ward offices, remove information about people who are not eligible for claims and areas that should be kept confidential to protect individual privacy. or create an excerpt.

As described above, some users have a demand for using copying machines in special ways. If the functions of the copying machine were set to satisfy all of these requirements, the console panel would become complicated and the ROM inside the copying machine would become large. Therefore, by preparing an IC card for each specific user and having the IC card set therein, it is possible to realize a copying machine having functions most suitable for that user.

For example, in the case of a patent office, by purchasing a dedicated IC card, it becomes possible to easily select a fixed magnification of 200% in addition to the usual several types of magnification. Furthermore, it becomes possible to set the reduction ratio in steps of, for example, 1% within a range that requires fine adjustment. In addition, the residence certificate issuing department,
At the gate, by operating keys such as a numeric keypad, it is now possible to instruct the type of residence card and the fields and items to be deleted on the display such as the liquid crystal display.After this, by pressing the start button, the original Only a desired range can be copied, or only a necessary part can be recorded.

(3) Example of an apparatus configuration FIG. 3 is an external view showing an example of the system configuration of the copying machine according to the embodiment described above.

In the copying machine of this embodiment, the DA is mounted on the base machine 21.
DF24 is installed, and an IC is installed at the rear of the top surface.
A card device 22 is arranged.

A console panel 28 with a message display is arranged in front of the top surface of the base machine 21.

Although not shown in the figure, a manual feed tray 41 is attached to the right side of the device, and a 10-bin sorter 38 is attached to the left side. The manual feed tray 41 is for manual feeding, but it is designed so that a plurality of sheets can be set at the same time and fed sequentially.

It has already been explained that the base machine 21 is equipped with the first supply tray 31-1 as its basic configuration. In the copying machine of this embodiment, the second and third
supply trays 31-2 and 31-3 are arranged, and fourth and fifth supply trays 31 are arranged with an intermediate tray 33 in between.
-4.31-5 is arranged. These supply trays 3
1-1 to 31-4 and the intermediate tray 33 can both be pulled out to the front, improving operability and saving space for the copying machine.

In addition, the copying machine has a clean design with no protruding ADF (automatic document feeder) or paper feed tray.

FIG. 4 shows an outline of this copying machine. A photosensitive drum 51 is arranged inside the base machine 21 . The photosensitive drum 51 is a charge corotron (charger) 5
2, so that it is uniformly charged. The photosensitive drum 51 rotates at a constant speed in the direction of an arrow 53 in the figure, and the charged drum surface is exposed at an exposure point 54. Here, a light image of a document (not shown) placed on a platen glass 55 placed on the top surface of the base machine 21 is incident on the exposure portion 54 . For this purpose, an exposure lamp 56 and a plurality of mirrors 57 and optical lenses 58 that transmit reflected light from the surface of the original illuminated by the exposure lamp 56 are arranged. It is now possible to do so.

Now, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the original is formed on the photoreceptor drum 51 by the image information exposed in the slit shape at the exposure location 54. This electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing device 59 to create a toner image. The toner image moves as the photosensitive drum 51 rotates and passes near a transfer corotron (transfer device) 50.

On the other hand, the copy paper 60 stored in the first supply tray 31-1 disposed in the base machine 21 or the copy paper 60 manually fed along the manual feed tray 41 is fed by the feed roll 61-1 or 63. It is sent out, guided by a conveyance roll 69, and passes between the photosensitive drum 51 and the transfer corotron 50. At this time, the toner image will be transferred onto the copy paper 58. The copy paper 60 after transfer is transferred to a heat roll 66
and a pressure roll 67 to be thermally fixed. Then, it passes between the transport rolls 68 and 680 and is discharged onto a discharge tray (not shown).

In addition, in the copying machine of this embodiment, the base machine 21 has a DA.
DF 24 is installed. Therefore, it is also possible to place both sides of the original on the platen glass 55 one after another. In this case, one side of the documents stacked in the document storage section of the DADF 24 is set on the upper surface of the platen glass 55. Then, when the copying is completed, the original is reset into the original storage unit with the front and back sides reversed, and then fed onto the platen glass 55 again.

Furthermore, in the copying machine of this embodiment, five trays 31-2 to 31-5.33 are installed under the base machine 21, but instead of this, a cabinet may simply be placed to store consumables, etc. . Furthermore, it is also possible to place this copying machine on a desk as a desktop copying machine with the configuration of the base machine 21 unchanged. Of course, it is also possible to attach only the second supply tray 31-2 below the first supply tray 31-1 and place the copying machine with this configuration on a desk in the same way.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the console panel of this copying machine. The details of the display control technology described below by the present applicant are disclosed in detail in "Display device" of Utility Application No. 130320/1980 and "Character display device" of Utility Application No. 61-066170. . For example, Jitsugan Sho 61-13032
No. 0 discloses that a copying machine is provided with a graphic display area in the form of a dot pattern, and suggests that various displays can be performed using this graphic display area. For example, in a copier that can copy parts of a document or move or delete images, an image sensor reads the image of the target area while the document is placed on a platen, and its outline etc. is displayed in a graphic display area. It has been suggested that this should be displayed on the screen, and it is said that this can prevent errors in area settings and operational errors.

The console panel can take a plurality of forms, but as described above, the copier of this embodiment uses the console panel 28 with a message display.

Now, a menu display board 71 is arranged on the upper part of the console panel 28, and each panel part 74
The contents of ~79 are displayed in text. Among these, one switch 81 and two display lamps 82 are arranged on the sorter panel 74, so that it is possible to select a sorting mode when a sorter is connected. The sorting mode includes a stack mode for stacking copy sheets in order and a collation mode for sorting copy sheets into bins of the sorter.

The next function selection panel 75 includes (i) switches 83A, 83B, (
ii) switch 84 for storing in job memory;
(iii) A switch 85 for making various other forms of copying, (iv) A switch 86 for making double-sided copies, and a display lamp 82 for indicating whether or not these switches are selected are arranged. here,(
i) iJm collection is a function for inputting data for horizontal construction using an editor, etc., and correction/confirmation is the function of displaying input data on the liquid crystal display section (described later) and confirming it, or replacing data. It refers to the function that performs. and (ii) the memory used here is a non-volatile memory consisting of random access memory backed up by a battery. Of course, other storage media such as IC cards, magnetic cards, floppy disks, etc. can also be used as nonvolatile memory. In order to reduce the burden on the operator when operating the console panel 28, this copying machine allows settings such as image density and magnification to be preset, and these preset values are stored in non-volatile memory. It is supposed to be done. (iii
) When the switch 85 is pressed, text information is displayed on the display panel 79 of the console panel 28, and a desired function can be selected from among the "other" functions.

The "other" functions here include, for example, (a) a quick page copy function, (b) a margin erase function, and (c) a margin function. Among these, (a) page speed copying function is a function that divides a two-page spread document, such as a bound document, into two pages each and copies them one after another. Also(
The border erasing function is a function that does not copy the image information around the edges of the document, but makes it appear as if a "frame" has been set around the image information. (c) The binding margin function is a function that sets a "binding margin" at the right or left edge of the copy.The binding margin can be set to the desired length.
The numerical value can be entered from the numeric keypad 80 or displayed on the display panel 7.
9 can be selected from the values displayed at this point.

(iv) Finally, double-sided copying is a function that makes copies on both sides of copy paper. When making double-sided copies,
The copy paper 60 on which the first side has been copied is first stored in the intermediate tray 33 shown in FIG. Next, the copy paper 60 is sent out again from this intermediate tray 33, and a copy is made on the side on which no copy was made. Note that this copying machine performs two copies on one side in the case of monochromatic color copying, which will be explained next. In this case, an arrangement is made so that the front and back sides of the copy paper stored in the intermediate tray 33 are reversed from those in the case of double-sided copying.

A display lamp indicating the type (color) of color developer is provided at the top of the monochrome color enhancement panel 76 provided below the portion of the menu display board 71 shown in FIG. Four 87's are arranged. In this copying machine, the color developer can be set in one or more colors out of four colors such as red and blue, so the lamp corresponding to the currently set color is turned on.

The remaining part of the monochromatic color emphasis panel 76 includes four switches 88 to 91 and an indicator lamp 82 for indicating which of these switches 88 to 91 is set.
is located. Among these, (1) marking color switch 88 is a switch used when performing marking color.

When this switch 88 is pressed to designate an area to be marked, for example, recording is performed with a light color superimposed on that area, making it possible to obtain an effect as if marking had been performed.

(11) The quick-shot color composition switch 90 is used when recording one color in a predetermined area of a copy. For example, if a figure to be expressed in color is placed on the right side of the platen glass 55 (see Figure 4) and an original is placed on the left side and a copy is made, the image information of the original is copied in black, and then a single color image is printed on top of it. The shape will be drawn. At this time, if the specified figure is formed by halftone dots, the color figure adjusted to a predetermined density by reproduction of the halftone dots is recorded in a predetermined area of the copy paper. Another method is to place the name and pattern of the product on one side of the platen glass 55, and place a sheet of paper with the sale price of the product on the other side to simply display the current price.

(iii) When the 8-minute color conversion switch 89 is selected, only the designated area is copied in one color, and the remaining area is copied in black.

On the other hand, if (iv) the single color switch 91 is selected, the original will be copied in one color.

A copy density panel 77 provided below the portion where "copy density" is displayed on the menu display board 71 has a display lamp 8 indicating which of the five copy density levels has been selected.
2 and shift keys 94 and 95 for selecting one of these copy densities are arranged. When the upper shift key 94 is pressed, density setting is performed in the direction of decreasing the copy density, and when the lower shift key 95 is pressed, the density setting is performed in the direction of increasing the copy density. The copy density can be adjusted by changing the developing bias of the developing device 59 shown in FIG. It can be adjusted by changing the amount. In this embodiment, for example, the developing bias is set to 1.
It can be adjusted in 6 stages.

An automatic density adjustment switch 9 is located below the coffee density panel 77.
7 is placed. When the automatic density adjustment switch 97 is pressed, the automatic density display lamp 98 lights up to enter automatic density adjustment mode. In this automatic density adjustment mode, when the document is being scanned, the photoreceptor drum 5 is exposed to light that is reflected from the document.
A part of the light that reaches the developing device 59 is extracted by a half mirror or the like, and the potential of the developing electrode in the developing device 59 is set according to the amount of light.

The magnification/paper selection panel 78 provided below the portion where "arbitrary magnification" etc. is displayed on the menu display board 71 includes the following:
A section for setting and displaying magnification is arranged on the left side, and a section for selecting paper is arranged on the right side.

The part where the magnification is set and displayed includes a magnification display section 99.
is provided. This copying machine can arbitrarily set the magnification (linear magnification) in 1% increments from 50% to 200%, and the set magnification is displayed on a magnification display section 99. To display the magnification, shift key 101.102
There are two types of methods: a method of setting an arbitrary magnification by an operation, and a method of selecting a predetermined fixed magnification.

To set an arbitrary magnification, press shift key 101.1.
Perform operation 02. When the upper shift key 101 is pressed, the magnification increases by 1%, and when the lower shift key 102 is pressed, the magnification decreases by 1%. Shift key 101.
If you keep pressing 102, the magnification will change continuously by 1% during that time.

The fixed magnification is selected by pressing the fixed magnification key 103. The fixed magnifications are displayed on the magnification display board 104, and in this example, they are 141.4%, 86.5%, and 81.6%.
%, 70.7%. In addition, 100% as the same size
can be selected. Which magnification has been selected can be determined by which of the display lamps 82 arranged to the left of the magnification is lit.

In the area for selecting copy paper, there are eight types of display boards 105 displaying paper sizes or paper types, and a shift key 106.10 for selecting one of these.
7 is placed. On the left side of the eight types of display boards 105, a display lamp 82 is arranged to indicate which paper size or paper has been selected. In this embodiment, the following display is displayed on the display board 105.

(b) Bypass tray display; Select this when using the manual feed tray 41 (FIG. 4).

Since this type of conventional manual feed tray manually feeds sheets one by one, it is only necessary to feed the copy paper preferentially from the manual feed tray when manual feed is performed, and there is no need for the operator to select the manual feed tray itself. In contrast, the manual feed tray 41 of this embodiment can set a plurality of copy sheets at the same time. Therefore, if copy sheets are set and fed from the manual feed tray 41, there is a possibility that the feeding will start when a plurality of copy sheets are set. In order to prevent such a situation, the manual feed tray 41 is made to be selected.

(b) A3 paper display: Select this when using a tray for feeding A3 size copy paper in the longitudinal direction.

(c) B4 paper display: Select this when using a tray for feeding B4 size copy paper in the longitudinal direction.

(d) A4 paper display: Select this when using a tray for feeding A4 size copy paper in the longitudinal direction.

(e) B5 paper display; Select this when using a tray for feeding B5 size copy paper in the longitudinal direction.

(F) A4 landscape paper display; Select this when using a tray for feeding A4 size copy paper in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

()) B5 horizontal paper display; Select this when using a tray for feeding B5 size copy paper in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

(H) Standard outer circumference paper display: Select this when using copy paper of a size other than the above.

An automatic paper/magnification selection switch 109 is arranged below the magnification/paper selection panel 78.

When this switch 109 is pressed, the automatic paper/magnification selection switch 109 is selected and a preset combination of magnification and paper size is selected. The operator can know whether a desired combination has been selected from the lighting state of the display lamp 82 on the magnification/paper selection panel 78. If it is not the desired combination, automatic paper/
By further pressing the magnification selection switch 109, the combination is changed.

On the right side of the magnification/paper selection panel 78 is a display panel 79.
is located. A pattern 111 of this copying machine and a liquid crystal display section 112 are arranged on the display panel 79. The pattern 111 is designed to indicate the selected state of the supply tray, the location where a paper jam has occurred, etc. by lighting a lamp. The liquid crystal display section 112 of this embodiment can display sentences including Chinese characters.

The example shown in FIG. 5 indicates that the copying operation can be started and that the set number of copies is one. Further, the liquid crystal display section 112 of this embodiment uses a liquid crystal for color display, so that each designated area is displayed in a designated color.

The following keys or buttons are arranged below the display panel 79.

(a) All clear button 114: This is a button for returning the copying machine to the basic state, that is, the priority mode initially set such as selection of copy paper 60.

(b) Numeric keypad 80: Used to input numerical values for setting the number of copies, specifying the diagnosis content when diagnosing the copying machine, etc.

(c) Interrupt button 115: Used when continuous copying is in progress and it is necessary to make another emergency copy. It is also used to cancel the interrupt to return to the original copying operation when the interrupt processing is completed.

(d) Stop clear button 116: Acts as a clear button when stopping the copying process, setting the number of copies, and setting the sorter bin.

(E) Start button 117; This is the key to start the copy operation.

Selection key 118: This is a key for moving a cursor to a displayed message, that is, a cursor key.

(g) Setting key 119: This is a key (return key) for setting the location specified by the cursor.

As explained above, the console panel of this embodiment is arranged so that the area for basic operations such as paper selection and copy density settings is completely separated from the area for advanced operations such as function selection and monochromatic color enhancement. . In addition, by displaying sentences containing kanji and kana on the liquid crystal display section 112 to assist in advanced operations, the occurrence of mistakes in panel operations is reduced as much as possible.

(4) Circuit configuration of the apparatus FIG. 6 shows an outline of the circuit configuration of this copying machine (FIG. 2).

As shown in the figure, the Nk CP Ll architecture using serial communication centered on the main CPU 121 is adopted. This is to enable optimal placement of the controller and provide optimal cost performance. Furthermore, from the perspective of product development for copying machines, modular design can be expected to shorten and improve the efficiency of software development, simplify wiring harnesses, lower costs, and facilitate troubleshooting.

In addition, processing efficiency is improved by distributing processing using multiple CPUs, so for example, instead of using an expensive 16-bit CPU, you can use an inexpensive 8-bit CPU to reduce complex and high-speed processing. It becomes possible to process various programs.

Furthermore, such decentralization of processing facilitates model expansion. In other words, even when developing a new input/output device, it may not be necessary to modify the program on the main unit side (main CPLI side), and even if changes are necessary, they will be kept to a minimum. .

Also, if you look at the printed circuit board on the main body side, CPLj
This distribution eliminates the need for unnecessary I10 ports and program storage. Therefore, the cost of the printed circuit board can be reduced, and the degree of freedom in the arrangement space can be improved.

This copying machine uses the main CPU in its base machine 21.
(Central processing unit 121 and inter-image wrap CP
The base machine 21 is controlled by the U 122. Here, the inter-image lamp CPU 122 is a CPU that exclusively controls the inter-image lamp.

The interimage lamp refers to the photoreceptor drum 5 after exposure.
It is used for irradiating light onto the photosensitive material 1 to erase a portion of an electrostatic latent image before development. Conventionally, for example, when copying an 85-size original at the same size, light was irradiated onto an area other than the 85-size area on the photoreceptor drum 51 to prevent toner images from being wasted outside the area. . The copying machine of this embodiment has a function of editing images, etc., as will be explained later. Therefore, it may be necessary to limit the formation of an electrostatic latent image to, for example, a predetermined rectangular or polygonal area, and in order to perform such processing, it may be necessary to partially delete the electrostatic latent image. do. Interimage lamps are also used for this purpose. In this way, in the copying machine of this embodiment, the inter-image lamp is used in a more highly controlled manner than in the past, and for this purpose the main CPU 121
In addition, we decided to use an independent CPU.

Xerox is one of the manufacturers that has introduced such a distributed processing system as a control method for copying machines. and related cited documents are disclosed in detail.

However, the communication method adopted in the present invention is not the "Ethernet method" aimed at high-speed processing adopted in the above-mentioned publication, but a 4800 baud current loop method, which achieves the same effect. There is.

In addition, the applicant has developed CPU 1 for inter-image lamps.
No. 22 is disclosed in detail in ``Image Copying Apparatus'' in Utility Application No. 152591/1980 and ``Image Erasing Device for Copying Machine j'' in Japanese Patent Application No. 62-023392.

In addition to the above, the copying machine of this embodiment is provided with the following CPUs, which are connected to communication lines 123 and 124. The main CPtJ 121 also plays the role of controlling these CPUs and the CPLj l 22 for the intermediate lamp.

(a) CPL 1125 for document feeding; CPtJ 125 for document feeding is the DAD shown in FIG.
This is the CPU that controls the F24.

If ADF 23 (FIG. 2) is used instead of DADF 24, the CPLI provided in ADF 23 will be connected to communication lines 123 and 124.

(b) The sorter CPU 126 is a 10-bin sorter 3
The CPU is located at 8. A dedicated CPLI is also arranged in the 20-bin sorter 39. Main CPU21
will know which sorter 38, 39 is connected and will control sorting accordingly.

(C) Display CPL 1127; The display cPLI 127 is used to display various information in kanji on the liquid crystal display section 112 attached to the console panel 28, and to display an area for editing. It is a CPU. In the case of the console panel 27 (FIG. 2) of the Battalit type 27, there is no need to perform complicated display control, so a dedicated CPU is not used. Note that when the liquid crystal display section 112 is not used, the designation of a figure that should not be edited is performed using the numeric keypad.

(D) Tray control CPLJ128; Tray system (B CPU 128 controls the fourth and fifth supply trays 31-4, 31-5, large capacity trays, and intermediate trays among the trays added to the base machine 21. 3
This is a CPLI for controlling 3.

This CPU is arranged at the rear side of the tray cabinet housing each tray, and controls these according to the trays to be connected.

Among these trays, the intermediate tray 33 is independently equipped with a motor for conveying copy paper, and the copy paper stored in this tray requires complicated control such that the storage position differs depending on the size of the copy paper.

The manner in which each tray is controlled by the tray control CPL 128 is as follows.

(1) Control of both or one of the fourth and fifth supply trays 31-4 and 31-5 and the intermediate tray 33.

(11) Control of large capacity tray and intermediate tray 33.

(iii) Independent control of the intermediate tray 33.

(iv) Fourth and fifth supply trays 31-4.31-5
Control over only one or both of these.

(v) Independent control of large capacity trays.

(E) Card CPU 129; The card CPtJ 129 is used to read the IC card 131 that stores function information and additional control information of the copying machine, and to specify the coordinates of the original.
This is the part that performs reading and writing when using the C card 131.

Further, although the card CPU 129 is not used in this embodiment, it can also control the editor pad 132. The editor pad 132 is used for inputting coordinates, and will be explained in detail later.

FIG. 7 shows in more detail the circuit configuration centered around the main CPU which plays a central role in the copying machine of this embodiment.

In addition, Xerox's SIKANDAR3HEIKH is capable of controlling a copying machine with a control device such as a CPU or a so-called microcomputer.
IEEE paper rA Programmable by
eDigital Control System f
Or Copying! Jachines JIEE
E Trans, Com, Vol IεCl-21,N
o, 1. Feb, 1974 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 50-6
It is well known from papers and publications starting from Publication No. 2644, ``Electrophotographic Copying Method and Apparatus Therefor''. Other CPU
The module is also a one-chip CPU like the main CPU.
U, ROM.

Needless to say, it has a configuration consisting of RAM, Ilo, etc.

(a) The main CPU 121 is connected to the following units through serial communication lines 123 and 124, as partially explained in FIG.

(i) DADF 24° (ii) Sorter 38° (iii) Liquid crystal display section 112° (iv) IC card/editor pad interface (I-E interface) 130; IC card device 22
This is an interface circuit placed in the IC card 1.
31 and editor pad 132 are connected to the main body of the copying machine, data is exchanged between them and the main CPU 121 side.

(V) Interimage lamp controller 157° (vi) Fourth and fifth supply trays 31-4, 31-5,
Tray control unit 133° (b) that controls the intermediate tray 33 and the like.The main CPU 121 also has a built-in A/D converter, and is connected to the following units through an analog data line 134. Examples of such CPUs include μPD7810CW and μP manufactured by NEC Corporation.
Examples include 8-bit one-chip CPUs such as the D7811CW and the MB89713X manufactured by Fujitsu Limited.

(1) Light amount sensor 135: This is a sensor used to detect and control the amount of light from the exposure lamp 56 (FIG. 4).

(ii) Temperature sensor group 136; sensors such as a soft touch sensor for controlling fixing temperature, which will be described later.

(iii) Paper size sensor group 137; supply tray 3
This is a sensor that detects the size of paper stored in the first category. According to the system configuration of the copying machine of this embodiment, copy paper 60 can be sent out from a maximum of five types of trays. Therefore, one supply tray has four
If two sensors are arranged and digital data is used for this processing, it will be necessary to send 4-bit digital data from one tray to the main CPU 121, and a total of up to 20 input ports will be required. Not only that, but the number of connectors and the number of cables that make up the harness increase. This is undesirable from the viewpoints of cost, miniaturization, and reliability.

Therefore, in the copying machine of this embodiment, the state specified by the states of the four sensors for each tray is sent out as analog data. The main CPU 121 side converts the sent analog data into digital data and outputs the copy paper 6 stored in each tray.
Up to 16 types of 0 sizes are to be determined.

(c) Furthermore, the main CPU 121 is reset by a reset circuit 138 at the time of runaway or initialization, and is also connected to the following parts via a pass line 121A.

(i) Keyboard/display LSI (Large Scale Integrated Circuit) 121B: This is a circuit that mediates data between the keyboard and display LSI (Large Scale Integrated Circuit) 121B.

(ii) Timer/counter LS1121C: This is a circuit that controls the driving of the main motor 164 and carriage motor 171.

(iii) ROM 121D: This is a read-only memory having a capacity of 56 bytes and storing basic control information of the copying machine, a conversion table of functional information between copying machines, etc.

(iv) RAMI 21E; Random access memory for data storage with a capacity of 6 bytes. This RAM 121E has the above-mentioned non-volatile memory I.
J (NVM) 121F is connected so that necessary data can be saved even when the copier is turned off.

Non-volatile note here! Necessary data stored in the J (NVM) 121F includes, for example, (a) copy paper 6;
Setup values for adjusting the 0 registration, (b) the amount of extinction of the leading edge of the image by the inter-image lamp, which will be explained in detail later, and (c) the vertical and Fine adjustment value of horizontal magnification, (d) One shift adjustment of each parameter performed on the copying machine production line, such as the amount of binding margin when copying with a blank space for binding, and (e) Data for understanding the usage status of the copying machine, such as actual usage values of feed counters such as the supply tray 31, etc., can be cited. Also(
f) Depending on the device, a conversion table of functional information between copying machines may be written in a non-volatile memory. In this case, there is an advantage that the table for conversion can be rewritten as appropriate using external information such as an IC card.

(v) First I10 controller 121G: This is an input/output controller that inputs various data via the filter circuit 121H and drives various parts via the driver circuit 1211. Here, various switches and sensors are connected to the filter circuit 121H, for example. Further, the driver circuit 121■ is connected to a solenoid such as a debenlenoid, which will be described later, and a clutch 233, which will also be described later, in the supply trays 31-1 to 31-5.

(vi) This is an input/output controller that inputs various data to the second I10 controller 121 via the filter circuit 121K and drives each component via the driver circuit 121L. Here, in the filter circuit 121K,
For example, various switches and sensors are connected. Further, the driver circuit 121L is equipped with a well-known D/A (analog-digital) converter and a PWM (pulse width converter), and according to the processing of the program, it can set the developing bias of the developing device 59, which will be explained later, and the charge roller. Tron 5
The current value of the second grade is set.

(5) Specific circuit configuration of the copying machine Next, the circuit configuration of the copying machine of this embodiment will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 8 to 13.

(5-1> Surroundings of Photoreceptor Drum FIG. 8 shows the surroundings of the photoreceptor drum 51.

A charge corotron 52 is arranged around the photoreceptor drum 51.
, inter-image lamp 141.4m type sub-developing devices 59S1 to 59S4, main developing device 59M, ) transfer corotron 50, pig corotron 147, pre-clean corotron 148, cleaning device 149
and an erase lamp 155 for static elimination are arranged in this order. Here, the first sub-developing device 59S1 is a developing device that performs development with red toner, and the second sub-developing device @59S2 is a developing device that performs development with blue toner. The third sub-developing device 59S3 is a developing device that performs development with green toner, and the fourth sub-developing device 59S4 is a developing device that performs development with brown toner.

Interimage lamps 141 are 12 arranged in a row.
It consists of eight light emitting diodes and one plastic lens placed in front of them in parallel with the light emitting diodes. The plastic lens (not shown) has an aspherical convex portion at a position corresponding to each light emitting diode, and even when adjacent portions of the light emitting diodes emit light, the plastic lens (not shown) remains on the photoreceptor drum 51. Care has been taken to prevent the light from becoming uneven in intensity in the boundary areas. Also, the focus of the plastic lens is on the photosensitive drum 51.
The upper part is moderately blurred. For this reason, even if, for example, triangular shape processing (extraction or deletion of a shape) is performed using the inter-image lamp 141, the difference in level that occurs for each unit of light emitting diode at the boundary of the processing is considerably reduced. will be done.

The inter-image lamp controller 157 performs on/off control of the light emitting diodes of the inter-image lamp 141, which are divided into 128 segments. The cleaning device 149 includes a doctor blade 150 and is configured to scrape off the toner that has been neutralized by the pre-clean corotron 148 from the photoreceptor drum 51.

By the way, in the copying machine of this embodiment, the doctor blade 15
0 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 5I, the driving of the main motor 164 is started when 0.2 seconds have elapsed. Furthermore, even when the main motor 164 stops, the doctor blade 150 does not immediately separate from the photoreceptor drum 51, but instead separates after 5 seconds have passed. This is because the toner is scattered due to the suction action of the vacuum.
This is a device to prevent situations such as contamination of the inside of the copying machine.

Each of the sub-developing devices 59S1 to 59S4 includes the following parts.

(a) Color sensor: This is a sensor for determining which developing device uses which color developer is set in each of the sub developing devices 59S1 to 59S4. Even if the sub-developing device 59S is configured with the above-mentioned combination of red, blue, green, and non-stripe plates, the sub-developing devices 59S1 to 59 are controlled by this sensor.
The color type can be detected every S4. The detection output is manually inputted to the developer color detection circuit 230 and transmitted to the main board 230.

(b) Toner sensor; This is a sensor for determining whether or not toner needs to be replenished.

(c) Dispensmoke: This is a motor for stirring and replenishing the toner in the toner box.

The main developing device 59M is for performing black development and includes a toner sensor, a disk, and a pen smoke. The increase switch 159 is a switch that the operator presses when he wants to increase the amount of toner. When the increase switch 159 is pressed while one of the sub-developing devices 5981 to 59S4 is selected, the amount of toner in the corresponding sub-developing device is increased.

When the main developing device 59M is pressed while being selected, the amount of black toner is increased.

The developer (developing device) selection/solenoid 161 has a total of 5 main developing devices 59M and sub developing devices 59S1 to 59S4.
This is a solenoid for selectively switching between two developing devices. This switching operation will be explained in the next section.

A high-voltage power supply device (HVPS) 162 is used to create a parallel electric field inside the main and sub developing devices 59M and 5951 to 59S4 and improve the reproducibility of solid parts (solid black parts) of the original. . The full toner sensor 163 is a sensor that detects whether or not enough toner has been collected in the toner collection container. The main motor 164 is used to drive the conveyance system from the time of alignment (registration) of the conveyance timing of the photosensitive drum 51, the heat roll 66, or the copy paper 60 to the time of discharge.

(5-2) Developing Device Switching Mechanism FIG. 9 is a waveform diagram showing switching timing between the main developing device and the sub developing device in this embodiment. This figure shows an example in which red color development is performed in the first sub-developing device 59 S 1 in the first time, and monochrome development is performed in the main development device in the second time. When the start button 117 (FIG. 5) of the copying machine is pressed to start copying, the main motor 164 is driven from time t1 as shown in FIG. 5A. The main motor 164 is driven by
Time 1 when the copying work is completed in both of the two developing devices 59S1 and 59M. is carried out continuously until.

The figure shows the drive timing of the development selection solenoid 161. Dev selection solenoid 161
is excited until the red copying operation by the first sub-developing device 59S1 is completed.

In this device, the lever is brought into contact with the peripheral surface of a clutch (not shown) by energizing the development selection solenoid 161. The clutch receives driving force from the main motor 164 and starts rotation of five sets of cams (not shown) each having one protrusion at 72 degrees. When one of these protrusions is attached to the first sub-developing device 59S1, this causes the first sub-developing device 59S1 to
is pressed toward the photoreceptor drum 5I. At this time, the protruding portions of the remaining cams are at the farthest positions from the main developing device 59M and the other sub developing devices 59S2 to 59S4, and in this state, the main developing device 59M and the other sub developing devices 59S2 to 59S4 are connected to the photosensitive drums. It is located far away from 51.

Projections are arranged at five locations on the circumferential surface of the clutch, and when the lever abuts against the corresponding projection, the corresponding projection of one cam is most strongly pressed against the first sub-developing device 59S1. do. Then, development is performed at this position using the corresponding red color toner. However, in this device, the main developing device 59M is arranged close to the photosensitive drum 51 in the initial state, so the development of colors such as red occurs at time t1.
Instead of starting immediately, the operation waits for one second. At this time, the above-mentioned cam is connected to the first sub-developing device 5951 (instead of the main developing device 59M).
Alternatively, other sub-developing devices 59S2 to 59S4) are set on the photosensitive drum 51.

When the copying operation by the first sub-developing device 59S1 is completed, the five cams mentioned above move for one second from time t2, and when the protrusion of the monochrome cam is positioned by the lever, the main developing device 59M is set on the photosensitive drum 51. After this, monochrome development will be performed.

Note that the above is a case where marking is performed with one color, red, but when marking is performed with multiple colors, the sub-developing devices 59S1 to 59S4 are used in a predetermined order.
Applicable ones are selected in order, and monochrome development is performed after these are completed.

In contrast, FIG. 10 shows, for reference, a case in which monochrome development is first performed and red color development is performed later. Figure a shows the operation of the main motor 164.
The diagram also shows the operation of the selector selection solenoid 161. In the case of FIG. 10, development is first performed by the main developing device 59M, so there is no need to wait for one second at this point. However, once the monochrome development is completed as the second development, it is necessary to take one second to set the main development device 59M relative to the photosensitive drum 51 again.

(5-3) Optical system Next, the relationship between the optical systems will be explained using FIG. 11.

A carriage (not shown) on which lenses, mirrors, etc. are arranged is reciprocated by a carriage motor 171. This carriage motor 171 is constituted by a step motor. Position control when the carriage returns to the home position is performed by the registration sensor 172.

The registration sensor 172 is also used for timing the optical system and the conveyance of the copy paper 60.

That is, an actuator for blocking the transmission of light is disposed on the carriage, and when the carriage moves, the registration sensor 172 detects the temporary blocking of the light beam due to the light blocking by this actuator.

This detection signal is used to determine the position or timing for performing registration, or to determine the home position when the carriage returns.

The density control sensor 173 is a sensor that controls the copy density of the original. As described above, the copying machine of this embodiment controls the copy density by simultaneously adjusting the amount of charge applied to the photosensitive drum 51, the amount of image exposure, and the bias of the developing electrode.

The lens/mirror sensor 174 is a sensor that controls the movement of the optical lens 58, mirror 57 (Fig. 4), etc.
It is composed of one detection element.

The lens/mirror motor 175 has also been changed from a conventional copying machine in which the lens 64, mirror 57, etc. are driven separately to a type in which they can be driven in common.

The exposure lamp 56 has been described above. Optical system fan 1
77 is a fan for cooling the optical system and removing heat from the platen glass 55. The document sensor 178 is a sensor provided to detect the size of the document.

(5-4) Fixing Device Next, the relationship of the fixing device will be explained. The fixing device is the first
This is shown in Figure 2.

The base machine 21 of this embodiment is inside the heat roll 66! Two types of fuser lamps, a main fuser lamp 181 and a sub-fuuser lamp 182, are arranged. The sub fuser lamp 182 is the main fuser lamp 181
The main fuser lamp 181 is shorter than the main fuser lamp 181 and is located at a position slightly offset from one end of the main fuser lamp 181. The copying machine of this embodiment employs a so-called corner registration method in which the copy paper 60 is positioned along one side of the platen glass 55, so the size of the copy paper 60 used is The required amount of thermal energy in the axial direction of the heat roll 66 differs depending on the location. In order to correct the resulting deviation in temperature distribution in the axial direction, the sub fuser lamp 182 is controlled to be energized according to the size of the copy paper 60.

By employing the sub fuser lamp 182, it is possible to sufficiently prevent temperature fluctuations in the fixing device.

The fixing device includes a user exit sensor 184 and a 5-T-3
(soft touch sensor) 185 are both connected. Here, the user exit sensor 184 is used to detect whether the copy paper that has passed between the heat roll 66 and the pressure roll 67 is ejected onto the paper ejection tray without being accidentally caught in both rolls 66 and 67. belongs to. S-T-3165 is Fuuser lamp 181
．． 182 temperature sensor.

(5-5) Control of the console Next, referring back to FIG. 11, the control relationship of the console will be explained.

The console 1llll191 is equipped with a message ROM 192 for displaying messages in Chinese characters. In addition, the IC card 131 (FIG. 6) is connected via the interface port 193 in the console control unit 191.
It is possible to connect an IC card device (IC card league writer) 22 for reading and writing and connecting an editor pad 132 (FIG. 6). As already explained, this IC card device 22 uses the card CPU 12.
9 (FIG. 6). The console control section 191 is connected to the main board 201. The main CPU 121 described above is mounted on the main board 201.

(5-6) Pilling Counter Next, the pilling counter used for collecting copying fees will be explained with reference to FIG.

Since the base machine 21 of this embodiment can take five colors of codes, it is equipped with two types of pilling counters. Among these, the main pilling counter 211 is black and white,
To count the number of copies made regardless of color. The count value of the main pilling counter 211 is also used as data for counting control when an accessory 212 such as a coin kit or key counter is attached to the copying machine. The sub-pilling counter 213 is used to count the total number of colors used in each copy when color copies are made.

(5-7) Power supply Next, the power supply relationship will be explained with reference to FIG. 12.

The base machine 21 is connected to a 100V (volt) commercial power source. Also 115V60 for overseas use
It is also compatible with Hz and 220V50Hz power supplies. The power supplied from the outlet 221 is 15
It reaches the main switch 224 via an ampere circuit breaker 222 and a noise filter 223. The output side of the main switch 224 is connected to an AC driver 226 and a fixing control element 22 via an interlock switch 225.
7 and a DC power supply 228 as power. Furthermore, the power is also supplied to the DADF 24 and the intermediate tray 33.

The AC driver 226 supplies power to the following components at predetermined timings.

(a) Erase lamp 155 for static elimination (Fig. 8) (b) Exposure lamp 56 and optical system fan 177 (Fig. 11) (c) Main fuser lamp 181 and sub-fuser lamp 182 (Fig. 12) DC power supply 228 supplies power to the following components at predetermined timings.

(a) Interlock switch 225 (Fig. 12) (b) AC driver 226 (Fig. 12) (c) High voltage power supply device 162 (Fig. 8) (d) Sorter 38 (Fig. 12) (e) F , 1-Output sensor 184 (Fig. 12) (to)
Fixing control element 227 (Fig. 12) (g) Accessory 2
12 (FIG. 12); Here, the accessories include, for example, a coin kit that allows copies to be made using coins, and key counters and key coders for managing copies in each department.

(H) Main pilling counter 211 and sub pilling counter 213 (Figure 12) (S) X-port fan 192 (Figure 12); This is a vacuum fan for suction.

(nu) Interimage lamp controller 157 (
(Fig. 8) (l) Carriage motor 171 (Fig. 11) (w) Registration sensor 172, density control sensor 173, lens/mirror/
Sensor 174 and lens/mirror/motor 175 (Fig. 11) (W) Original sensor 178 (Fig. 1'1) (Force) Increase switch 159, sub-developing devices 59S1 to 59S4
and a toner empty detection sensor of the main developing device 59M;
and developer selection solenoid 161 (FIG. 8) (Y) Main board 201 (FIG. 8, etc.) (5-8) Conveyance system Next, the copy paper conveyance system will be described with reference to FIG.

The first to fifth supply trays 31-1 to 31-5 have no paper sensors 231. A size sensor 232 and a clutch 233 are each provided. Here, the no-paper sensor 231 is a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of copy paper in the supply trays 31-1 to 31-5. This copier can load copy paper of the same size into multiple supply trays, and in this case, when one supply tray runs out of copy paper, the same size copy paper is automatically loaded from the other supply trays. It is now possible to send it to The size sensor 232 is a sensor for determining the size of copy paper stored in the tray. Further, the clutch 233 is connected to each feed roll 61.
-1.61-2, . . . are parts for controlling on/off of the drive.

Copy paper is fed by a dedicated feed motor 2.
It is done by 35. A step motor is used as the feed motor 235. A feed sensor 236 detects whether copy paper is being fed normally. The gate solenoid 237 is a registration solenoid for aligning the leading edge of the copy paper that has been sent out. This gate solenoid 23
7 is different from a normal solenoid of this type, and performs control such that when energized, the gate opens to allow copy paper to pass through.

That is, in a standby state where copy paper does not arrive, power is not supplied to the gate solenoid 237 and the gate remains open. Just before the copy paper arrives, gate solenoid 237 is energized and the gate closes to prevent passage. Then, when the conveyance of the copy paper is resumed at a predetermined timing, the energization is stopped and the gate is opened. By performing such control, there will be less fluctuation in the gate position when the leading edge of the copy paper is blocked from passing, and even if the copy paper is pressed against the gate with a relatively strong force, its position will be maintained. Can be done accurately.

The manual feed switching solenoid 238 is connected to the first feed tray 31
This is a solenoid for switching the drive between the conveyance roller for the copy paper sent out from the manual feed tray 41 and the conveyance roller for the copy paper fed manually from the manual feed tray 41. The manual tray sensor 239 is connected to the manual tray 41
This sensor is used to detect the presence or absence of copy paper when sending multiple sheets of copy paper. Tray interlock 2
Reference numeral 41 denotes an in-go lock switch attached to a mechanism that is opened and closed to remove a copy paper jam when it occurs. The tray path sensor 242 is
This sensor detects the copy paper 61 sent from the second and third supply trays 31-2, 31-3, and is located near the joint between the base machine 21 and these supply trays 31-2, 31-3. There is.

(5-9) DADF The DADF 24 will be specifically explained with reference to FIG.

DADF 24 is the platen glass 5 of the base machine 21
It is installed on top of 5. The DADF 24 is equipped with a document tray 252 on which a document 251 is placed. The original 251 is placed on the original tray 252 with the first side to be copied facing downward.

A tart pad 254 and a feed paddle 255 are arranged on the document feed side of the document tray 252, and the documents 251 are fed one by one by these. The sent out document 251 is moved by a driving roller 256 and a driven roller 25.
7, it passes through the S-shaped conveyance section 258 and is pressed against a branch guide 261 arranged at the intersection of this S-shaped conveyance section 258 and the vertical conveyance section 259. Branch guide 2
61 is thereby released, and the document 251 is transferred to the reversing conveyance section 2.
62 side.

When the rear end of the document 251 passes through the branch guide 261, the branch guide 261 is closed toward the S-shaped conveyance section 258 by the action of a spring (not shown).

At this time, passage of the original 251 is detected by a sensor (not shown) arranged near the branch guide 261. The output of this detection signal causes the document reversing drive roller 264 to rotate in the reverse direction. As a result, the conveyance direction of the document 251 is reversed, and the conveyance direction is changed to a direction substantially perpendicular to the platen glass 55.

Thereafter, the original 251 is conveyed while being positioned by the oblique slip paddle 265 with one side of the original 251 abutting against a side positioning guide (not shown). Then, it is transported to a correct position on the platen glass 55 by the endless transport belt 266. In this way, the copying operation for the first side of the original 251 is performed.

After the exposure of the first side is completed, the original 251 is transported in the direction of arrow 267 by the endless transport belt 266. Then, by the action of the exit side guide 268, when copying only this first side is performed, the vertical conveyance section 268
9 is selected, and the original 251 is stored in the original receiving section 271.

On the other hand, if a copy is to be made on the second side opposite to the first side, the horizontal conveyance section 272 is selected. The document 251 sent to the horizontal conveyance section 272 is conveyed in the direction opposite to the arrow 267 by the conveyance roller 273, and is transferred to the S-shaped stripping section 2 by the driving roller 256 and the driven roller 257.
58 is transported. At this time, the lower surface of the document 251 is the second surface, which is opposite to when it was stored in the document tray 252. Therefore, in a state in which the original 251 is fed onto the platen glass 55 using the same transport procedure as described above, a copying operation is performed on the second side.

After the exposure of the second side is completed, the original 251 is moved to the exit side guide 268.
The document is sent to the vertical conveyance section 269 by the action of the original document receiver, and is discharged to the document receiving section 271.

(5-10) Sorter The 10-bin sorter 38 will be specifically explained with reference to FIG.

FIG. 15 shows the appearance of the sorter.

The 10-bin sorter 38 is configured such that the 10 bins 281 can be moved up and down as one unit. The sorter main body 282 includes a drive source (bin motor) for performing this lifting and lowering, and ■
A cam and a cam switch for controlling the movement position of each bin, and a down limit switch (both not shown) for detecting that the bin 281 has reached the lower limit position are arranged.

The copy paper 60 is transported by conveyor rolls 68 and 68 shown in FIG.
It advances in the direction of arrow 284 and is fed into the sorter main body 282. Then, at that point, it is discharged to the bin facing the conveyance path. Note that depending on the sorter, the discharge path may be switched by not raising and lowering the bins 281 but by raising and lowering the sorter body 282 instead.

Mode selection for the sorter 38 is performed by operating a sorter panel 74 shown in FIG.

(5-11) Intermediate tray Next, the intermediate tray 33 will be explained.

FIG. 16 shows a conveyance system centered on the intermediate tray 33.

The copy paper 60 thermally fixed by the heat roll 66 in the pace machine 21 is controlled by a duplex gate solenoid 351 also arranged in the pace machine 21 to output it to the output tray side or feed it to the intermediate tray 33 side. be exposed. A first duplex path sensor 352 is located on the pace machine 21 side, and a second duplex path sensor 353 is located on the second supply tray 31 side.
Paper jams are detected for the copy paper 60 before it reaches the intermediate tray 33.

By the way, the intermediate tray 33 does not have a feed roll for feeding the leading edge of the copy paper 60 to the leading edge of the tray. Depending on the size of the copy paper 60 sent there, it is conveyed to a desired position and "dropped" into the tray.
3 duplex solenoid gates for 35
5 to 357 are arranged. These duplex solenoid gates 355 to 357 are configured to selectively operate the solenoids depending on the size of the paper to be fed, thereby opening and closing the corresponding gates. The skew roll solenoid gate 358 controls one corner of the leading edge of this "falling" copy paper 60 to hit the leading corner of the intermediate tray 33, and separates each sheet of the copy paper 60 that is fed. This is a gate that aligns the tips. The main pilling counter 21 is
A count up of 1 is performed.

As already explained, the intermediate tray 33 has tray control C.
It is controlled by the PU 128, and conveys the copy paper under the control of the duplex motor 361 (FIG. 8). The duplex no-paper sensor 362 is a sensor that detects the presence or absence of the copy paper 60 in the intermediate tray 33. Duplex/
The feed clutch 363 is a mechanism for performing on/off control of a drive source for feeding the copy paper 60.

The inverter gate solenoid 364 is a solenoid that switches between making double-sided copies, marking the same side in multiple colors, and making composite copies. That is, when the inverter gate solenoid 364 is positioned in the direction shown in FIG. After falling, it is then transported upward by transport rolls 367 and 368. And the inverter
The general feeding direction is changed to the right in the figure before the gate solenoid 364, and the paper is stored in the intermediate tray 33 with its front and back reversed. If conveyance is restarted in this state, a double-sided copy will be made.

In contrast, the copy paper 60 that has been conveyed downward
When the transport direction is changed to the right in the figure before the inverter gate solenoid 3640, the paper is stored with the original front side facing upward again. If conveyance is resumed in this latter state, a copy will be made again on the same side. - When marking a combination in N types of colors, one sheet of copy paper 60 is stored in the intermediate tray 33 N times, and then developed in monochrome and then discharged.

The duplex feed sensor 369 is a sensor for detecting whether copy paper fed from the intermediate tray 33 is jammed.

(5-12) Editor Pad The editor pad 132 will be specifically explained with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18.

Of these, FIG. 17 shows the system configuration of a copying machine equipped with an editor pad. That is, in the configuration of the copying machine shown in FIG. 3 as an embodiment of the present invention, the DA
Since the DF 24 is mounted on the platen glass 55, the editor pad-equipped platen 26 cannot be mounted on top of the platen glass 55.

In the copying machine shown in FIG. 17, the first supply tray 31-
A platen 26 with an editor pad is attached to the upper part of a base machine 21 equipped with an editor 1. The square part in the figure is the editor pad 132. Note that this copying machine is equipped with a backlift type console panel.

Furthermore, a cabinet 401 in which only the second and third supply trays 31-2 and 31-3 are accommodated is arranged below the base machine 21. The base machine 21 is not equipped with a sorter, but is equipped with a discharge tray 37 for storing copy sheets to be discharged.

An IC card device 22A is arranged near the left end of the panel surface on which the console panel 27 is arranged, and an IC card 131 can be set on the upper part of the IC card device 22A. I with a built-in liquid crystal display board on the top
The C card can also function as a display board when it is incorporated into the IC card device 22A, allowing a display function to be added to a copier or a display function to a copier without a display function. .

For the general configuration of the copying machine, please refer to FIG. 2, which has been explained above. Note that the editor pad 132
is very convenient for inputting coordinates, and can be used alone in a copying machine configured as in this embodiment shown in FIG. In this case, the editor pad 132 is placed on a desk or the like, and the IC card device 22 (
(See Figure 3) or directly connect to the IC card 1.
31, and send this to the IC card device 2.
It will be used by attaching it to 2.

FIG. 18 shows the configuration of the editor pad. The editor pad 132 is 307 mm long, yI4
A rectangular coordinate input pad 405 of 32 mm is provided. An area with a width of IQmm on the near side of this pad serves as an editor panel 406, which will be described next. The editor pad 132 including the editor panel 406 includes a first rubber pad on which a resistance line for specifying a position on the X-axis is arranged;
It has a structure in which a second rubber pad with a resistance wire that specifies the position on the Y-axis is overlapped via a spacer, and the position where pressure is applied by an operator's finger or a sharp pen is overlapped. It can be sensed as a value on the X and Y coordinates. A display panel 407 for displaying various information is arranged in front of the editor panel 406. In addition, a board for processing coordinate data and a board 408 for an interface circuit are disposed at the inner rear part of the editor pad 132.

FIG. 19 shows the main parts of the editor panel and display panel described in FIG. 18. The following buttons are arranged on the editor panel 406.

(a) Special function button 411; This button is used when using special functions.

(b) Dimension scaling button 412: This button is used to specify a distance and a reduction ratio.

(c) Extract button 413; This button is for extracting a specified area, and is used for monochrome (black and white) recording.

(d) Delete button 414; This button is for deleting a specified area, and is also used for monochrome (black and white) recording.

(e) Quick-shot color composition button 415: This is a function button used to specify the quick-shot color composition function.

(v) Marking color button 416: This is a function button used when specifying a marking color function.

(G) Partial color conversion button 417: This button is used to specify the partial color conversion function.

(H) Color inversion button 418: This button is used to change a color specified area to black or to convert a black specified area to color. A quick-shot color composition button 415, a marking color button 416, a partial color conversion button 417, and a color inversion button 418 are function buttons for color recording.

(2) Designation method button 419; This button is used to select whether to designate an area using the coordinate values of two points at both ends of the diagonal of a rectangle or the coordinate values of each point of a polygon.

(nu) Area/color specification button 421; This button is used when setting the area.

(l) Area clear button 422: This button is used to cancel the area designation.

(w) Setting end button 423: This button is used when the designation of one or more areas is completed.

Display lamps 425 are attached to portions of the display panel 407 corresponding to the first eight buttons 411 to 418, respectively, to indicate whether or not those buttons are selected. Regarding the specification method button 419, depending on the specification method, a diagonal specification lamp 426 or a polygon specification lamp 4 is selected.
27 is lit.

(W) Normal marking button 431: This is a button for specifying a normal marking form in which the area is marked uniformly.

(Power) Frame marking button 432: This button is used, for example, when setting and marking a frame-shaped area surrounding a specific area.

(Y) Line marking button 433: This button is used, for example, to set and mark a thick underlined area.

(i) Color designation buttons 434 to 437: Since the marking color can be set independently for each area, these buttons are used to designate the color in relation to the area to be marked. Here, the color designation button 434 designates red, and the color designation button 435 designates blue. The color designation button 436 is used to designate green, and the color designation button 437 is used to designate brown. As already explained, the copying machine of this embodiment can also be equipped with a developing device for a color other than the above. I'll have to replace it with something else. (wa) ~
Each button 431 to 4 dedicated to marking explained in (ri)
An indicator lamp 438 is arranged at each of the 37,
The display now shows which lamp has been selected.

(5-13) Large-capacity tray By the way, a large-capacity tray 471 can be set in this copying machine instead of the fourth and fifth supply trays 31-4 and 31-5. Although the configuration is different from that of this embodiment, this will also be briefly explained.

FIG. 20 shows an outline of the circuit configuration of this large capacity tray.

1,000 to 2,000 sheets of copy paper can be set on the large-capacity tray 471 at one time, and a large number of copies can be made without interruption.

The large capacity tray 471 is equipped with the following circuit components. The large-capacity tray 471 receives AC power from the output side of the noise filter 223 shown in FIG. 8, and also receives DC power from the DC power supply 228 via the main board 201 shown in FIG. These circuit components are made to operate based on the received signals.

(B) Stop sensor 472: This is a sensor for detecting the lower limit position of the large-capacity tray 471 equipped with an elevator mechanism for raising and lowering the copy paper 60.

(b) Interlock switch 473; Large capacity tray 4
This is an interlock switch for detecting opening/closing of the front panel of 71.

(c) No-vapor sensor 474: This is a sensor for detecting when the stored copy paper 60 is running low.

(d) Size sensor 475; This is a sensor for determining the size of the coffee paper 60.

(E) Large-capacity tray motor 476; This is a motor for driving the elevator mechanism of the large-capacity tray 471 and raising and lowering the storage portion of the copy paper 60.

(f) Set sensor 477: This is a sensor for detecting the upper limit position of the large capacity tray 471 equipped with the elevator mechanism described above.

(g) Large capacity tray clutch 478; copy paper 60
This is a clutch for controlling the delivery of the

(H) Feed sensor 479: This is a sensor for detecting a paper jam in the copy paper 60 fed out from the large capacity tray 471.

The following Figure 21 illustrates the main part of the storage area of the IC card. The storage areas of the IC card 131 applied to the copying machine of this embodiment are (a) editing function code registration area 501. (b) Yokozuki coordinate data registration area 502, (c)
It includes a function registration area 503 and (d) a function setting area 504.

Here, (a) li collection function code registration area 501 refers to whether editing is performed only with the numeric keypad 80 or the editor pad 13.
2 is done using editor pad flag 5
This is an area where 01F is registered.

(b) In the editing coordinate data registration area 502, various types of coordinate data as editing results are registered.

By registering such coordinate data in the IC card 131, it can be used in common with other copying machines, etc.
Also, the coordinate data used in special departments is IC card 1.
By registering with 31, that department can manage it independently.

(c) Function registration area 503 is an area for registering various functions as copy conditions. Various flags indicating the presence or absence of these functions are registered here. Examples of this include:

(i) Double-sided document flag 503-1: This flag requests that the automatic document feeder reverse the document and place it on the platen glass. If the DADF 24 is installed, double-sided originals can be handled, but if the ADF 23 is installed, a semi-automatic document feeder is installed, or if these document feeders are not installed at all. cannot handle double-sided originals.

(11) Double-sided copy flag 503-2; This is a flag requesting double-sided copying. If the intermediate tray 33 is not prepared, double-sided copies cannot be made except by manual operation of manual feeding.

(iii) Collation flag 503-3: This flag requests collation of copy sheets in sorter mode.

Therefore, this copying machine must be equipped with a sorter (for example, the one shown in Figure 2).
The first requirement for meeting this requirement is that a 0 bin sorter 38 or a 20 bin sorter 39) be installed. The second requirement is that the sorter be set to collation mode.

(iv) Stack flag 503-4: This flag requests stacking of copy sheets in sorter mode.

The requirements for meeting this requirement are that the copying machine is equipped with a sorter and that it can be set to stack mode. Note that in the copying machine of this embodiment, the number of sorter bins is not required as a copying condition in the sorter mode. Therefore, a copying machine equipped with a 10-bin sorter 38 may be required to sort 18 copies at a time, for example. In such a case, the copying machine displays a message saying "The number of sheets set for the sorter has been exceeded," and first copies 10 sheets at a time and performs sorting. Thereafter, the copying machine waits for the operator to make eight more copies.

(V) Single color flag 503-5. This flag requests color recording color (one color) in addition to black and white recording color. In the copying machine of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, in addition to the main developing device 59M, there are four types of sub-developing devices 59S1 to 59.
S4 can be placed. Therefore, in addition to being able to perform black and white development with the main developing device 59M, it is also possible to perform four color development with the sub developing devices 59S1 to 59S4. Therefore, if at least one of the sub-developing devices 59S1 to 59S4 is arranged in the base machine 21, this requirement can be met. Although it is possible to specify even the recording color depending on the apparatus, this requirement will be satisfied if only one color can be used in the copying machine of this embodiment.

(vi) Right binding margin flag 503-6: This flag requests a binding margin on the right side of the manuscript.

(vj) Left binding margin flag 503-7; This flag requests a binding margin on the left side of the manuscript.

(d) Function setting area 504 is an area for setting various copy conditions. The desired contents of these setting conditions are registered here. This includes, for example, the reduction ratio 504-1
In addition to the copy density 504-2, there are settings such as the number of copies, paper size, etc.

(6-2) Data processing by IC card Figure 22 shows I
This figure shows the control of the copying machine when an IC card is set in the C card device. When the IC card 131 is set in the IC card device 22 of the copying machine, data is read if it is a legitimate card (step 2). The read data is transferred to the main CPU 121 side by large-capacity transfer, which will be described later (step 2). The main CPU 121 decodes this data and sets various codes and flags for setting copy conditions (step 2).

Thereafter, functions are set for the copying machine, and even if the functions are requested, they are cleared if they are not particularly necessary (step ①).

In this state, the main CPU 121 determines whether the copying operation can be started (step 2). For example, if a two-color copying operation is requested but only one color developing device is set, the copying operation cannot be started.

In such a case (N), a warning is displayed on the liquid crystal display section 112 (step 2).

In response to this, the operator can take two methods. The first method is to compromise the copying conditions themselves. In the case of the above example, the user gives up on adding one color recording and specifies on the console panel 28 to record everything in black and white. The second method is to add missing functions in accordance with the warning on the liquid crystal display section 112. In this example, a copying operation can be started by setting a developing device for color recording in the copying machine.

If it becomes possible to start the copying operation in step (2), or if it is already possible (Y), a message "Copying ready" is displayed on the liquid crystal display section 112. In this case, the operator can immediately start the copying operation by pressing the start button 117. Of course, since the copying conditions set by the IC card 131 are displayed on the console panel 28 in this state, the operator can press the start button 117 after correcting them as appropriate.

FIG. 23 specifically shows the processing procedure for the various flags registered in the function registration area 503 of FIG. 21, of the work shown in step (2) of FIG. 22.

First, the main CPU 121 determines whether the double-sided document flag 503-1 is set (step ■).
. When copying both sides of a document onto corresponding sides of copy paper 60, or copying both sides of a document onto two sheets of copy paper 60,
When copying each side of a document separately, or when combining both sides of a document and copying them onto one side of a single sheet of copy paper, the double-sided document flag 503-1 is set. If the double-sided document flag 503-1 is set, this means that automatic feeding of a double-sided document is requested as a recording request condition. Therefore, the double-sided original flag 503
If -1 is set (Y), it is determined whether the copying machine that is about to perform the copying operation is equipped with a DAD and F24 (step 2).

If DADF 24 is not equipped (N), DA
Clear the request to use DF (step ■)
. Then move on to the next step. On the other hand, if the double-sided document flag 503-1 is not set in step ■ (N), or if the DADF 24
If the copying machine is equipped with the copying machine (Y), the process immediately proceeds to step (2).

In step (2), it is determined whether the double-sided copy flag 503-2 is set, that is, whether the flag requesting use of the intermediate tray 33 in this embodiment is set. The duplex copy flag 503-2 is set when making a double-sided copy from a document in which image information that should be copied on one side is recorded, when making a double-sided copy from both sides of the document, and when performing various types of editing. become. Here, various types of editing refer to, for example, editing that involves repeating the copying process multiple times to make a multicolor copy, or editing that deletes a certain area and inserts an area extracted from another manuscript into this area. . If the flag requesting the use of the intermediate tray 33 is set (Y), it is determined whether the intermediate tray 33 is installed in the copying machine (step ■).

If the intermediate tray 33 is not installed (N), the intermediate tray use function is cleared (step ■).

This means that it may be possible to achieve a similar function with other methods, such as manual feeding, and that it is better to be able to make a copy even if this function cannot be achieved than to have the copy rejected. It is based on judgment. If the use of the intermediate tray 33 is not requested in step ■ (N),
If it is determined in step (2) that the intermediate tray 33 is installed (Y), the process proceeds to the next step (2) without going through the process described above.

In step ■, the collation flag 503-3 in the sorter
A determination is made as to whether fi< is set. If the collation flag 503-3 is set, it is determined whether the copying machine has a collation mode (
Step ■). If collation mode does not exist (N)
, the function of using collation mode is cleared (step ■). If the collation flag 503-3 is not set in step ■ (N), or if the copying machine is equipped with a collation mode in step ■ (Y), step ■We will proceed to the following.

In the next steps (2) to (2), processing is performed regarding the stack flag, but its display is omitted here. In steps 0 to (2), the monochromatic color flag 503-5, that is, the color usage function is checked. If the single color flag 503-5 is set (step @;
Y), it is determined whether any of the four types of sub-developing devices 59S1 to 59S4 is set in the copying machine (step (2)). Which sub-developing device 59S1~
If 59S4 is also not set (N), a flag indicating that copying cannot be started is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 121E (FIG. 7) (step 2). When the copy start impossible flag is set in this way, it is determined in step (2) in FIG. 22 that the copy operation cannot be started, and a warning is displayed (step (2) in the figure).

If the monochromatic color flag 503-5 is not set in step 0 of FIG. (Y), step ■
You will proceed to the next step. In this way, the various flags 503-1, 503-2, and the like shown in FIG.
... will be processed.

In FIG. 23 described above, if a predetermined function is not realized, the function is cleared without displaying any warning. As a result, the operator can omit the work of checking functions that are not considered to be very important, even if these cannot be realized, and is freed from complicated work and can improve office efficiency. However, on the other hand, this poses a risk that the operator may start copying without knowing that part of the copying conditions is missing.

FIG. 24 shows a modification of FIG. 22 in which the operator is given some kind of warning in such a case.

In this FIG. 24, the operations from step (2) to step (2) are the same as in FIG. 22. If it is determined in step (2) that the copying work can be started, the process proceeds to step (2), where it is determined whether or not clearing of the function has been executed. For example, if a function that uses collation mode is cleared when collation mode does not exist, the cleared function is displayed on the liquid crystal display section 112 for T seconds, and a warning message is displayed to call attention to the function. An electronic sound will be output for a short time (step ■).

FIG. 25 shows the display contents of the liquid crystal display section 112 in this case. The liquid crystal display unit 112 displays a message that says "Copying will be performed with collation mode disabled." This display is performed for only 5 seconds, for example. After this,
The display on the liquid crystal display section 112 is changed to the usual message "Copy possible" (step ■). On the contrary,
If it is determined in step (2) that clearing the function has not been executed (N), a message "Copy ready" will be immediately displayed on the liquid crystal display section 112 (step (2)).

Note that, depending on the copying machine, the content displayed on the liquid crystal display section 112 changes depending on whether the function has been cleared or not, so that the copying operation can be started immediately by pressing the start button 117 in either case. You can.

FIG. 26 shows the operation in such an example. In step 2, the function is cleared, a copy-enabled display and an alarm sound are output, and in step 2, a copy-enabled display is displayed according to the desired copying conditions. be exposed. FIG. 27 shows an example of the display on the liquid crystal display section 112 in step (2) in this modification, and FIG. 28 shows an example of the display in step (2). In addition, in FIG. 27, a note is displayed on the liquid crystal display section 112 saying, "You can also change the function and copy it on the console panel," indicating that it is possible to take the next best measure for clearing processing on the device side. It is shown. In FIG. 28, the message ``Copying can be performed using the desired function'' is displayed to indicate to the operator that the copying conditions have not been changed, giving the operator a sense of security when pressing the start button 117. It has become.

Now, we have explained the processing for the data stored in the function registration area 503 (FIG. 21).
If data is stored in the function setting area 504 of No. 1, processing for this will also be performed. This will be explained next using copy density as an example.

Now, the IC card 131 set in this copier is set to copy density DA as copy density 504-2 (Fig. 21).
shall be assumed to have been instructed. Let DB be the copy density set depending on the model of the copying machine in this embodiment. It is assumed that the IC card 131 and the copying machine of model B have copy densities defined as shown in Table 1 below. In this case, copy density DA to copy density D
Conversion to i is performed using a table as shown in Table 2.

Table 1 (blank below) Table 2 Therefore, for example, if the copy density DA specified by the IC card 131 is "5", the main CPLI 1
21 converts this into a copy density "2" using the table shown in Table 2. Note that these tables are stored in the ROM 121D shown in Part 7, but depending on the device, the above conversion may be performed in the IC card device 22. In this case, the table in the IC card device 22 R.O.
This means that the table is stored in M.

When the copy density on the copier side is converted in this way,
The corresponding display lamp 82 of the copy density panel 77 shown in FIG. 5 is lit to display the copy density. Second
The other copying conditions stored in the function setting area 504 shown in FIG. Of course, the operator can further change the copying conditions set in this way depending on the condition of the document at that time.

(6-3) Details of IC Card Device FIG. 29 shows the main parts of the IC card device described above. The IC card device 22 includes a card CPU 129 as shown in FIG. The card CPU 129 is a RAM with a storage capacity of 249 bytes.
(Random Access Memo! J) 511 and 4K (
It is equipped with a ROM (read only memory) 512 with a storage capacity of 1 kilobyte. Here ROM512
is a memory that stores a program for controlling the IC card device 22, and a RAM 511 is a working memory that temporarily stores various data.

The CPU 129 for the car) is connected to two serial-to-parallel converters 513 and 514. The first serial-parallel converter 513 sends and receives serial data to and from the IC card set in the IC card device 22,
Parallel data is sent and received with the card CPU 129. The second serial-parallel converter 514 transmits and receives serial data to and from the base machine 21, performs serial-to-parallel conversion or parallel-to-serial conversion, and transmits and receives parallel data to and from the card CPU 129. Two clock generation circuits 515 and 516 are prepared in the IC card device 22, and the first clock generation circuit 515 is a 10MHz clock generation circuit.
A clock signal is supplied to the IC card. Further, the second clock generation circuit 516 supplies a 20 MHz clock signal to the card CPU 129.

The card CPU 129 is connected to the I
Voltage ■ on C card. and VPP, and also supplies a reset signal R5T. Further, an insert signal INS and a card presence signal CARD are supplied from the IC card via the manual port 519.

FIG. 30 corresponds to FIG. 7, and the IC card 131
This figure shows the flow of data when the IC card is set in the IC card device 22. When the IC card 131 is set in the IC card device 22, the base machine 21 detects this and starts reading data at a predetermined timing. At this time, data is transferred from the IC card 131 to the IC card device 22 at a transfer rate of 19200 BPS (bits/second). The IC card device 22 converts this to a speed of 9600 BPS, and transfers a large amount of data to the main CPU 121 as serial data. Here, large-capacity transfer means that the main CPU 121 temporarily suspends data exchange with each additional device while not performing copy control on the base machine 21 side, and transfers data between the main CPU 121 and the IC card device 22. It means to concentrate on data transfer.

Data such as functional information of the IC card 131 sent to the main CPU 121 is stored in the RAM 121E.

Then, the copying machine is set to predetermined copying conditions or becomes ready to perform copying operations based on a newly input program.

(6-4) Writing data to an IC card FIG. 31 is for explaining the operation of writing data to an IC card. Data can be written to the IC card 131 when the copying conditions of the copying machine in which the IC card 131 is set are to be realized in another copying machine, or when writing data to the IC card 131.
This is effective when writing data written to one IC card 131 to another IC card 131.

When the copying machine main body is powered on, the model name and machine number are transmitted from the main CPU 121 to the IC card/editor pad interface 130 (FIG. 7) (step 2). The IC card editor pad interface 130 checks these data and stores them in the RAM 511 under the card CPU 129. When the IC card 131 is inserted into the IC card device 22 in this state, the IC card editor pad ink face 130 detects this and sends an IC card insertion detection signal to the main body of the copying machine. Main CPL1121 is IC
When the card insertion detection signal arrives (step ■: Y),
When the copying machine main body is set to the data write mode (step 2; N1 2; Y), it is determined what kind of data is to be written to the IC card 131.

If writing of copy conditions is specified (step 2; Y), the main CPU sends these data to the IC card/editor pad interface 130 (step 2). The IC card/editor pad interface 130 stores the sent copying conditions in the function registration area 503 and function setting area 504 shown in FIG. 21, respectively. At this time, in the function registration area 503,
Various functions requested by the copying machine in which the IC card 131 is currently set are stored as they are in the form of flags on and off. This is because, as described above, the copying machine into which the IC card 131 is newly set takes care of these functions, so there is no need to perform any conversion when writing data.

On the other hand, other copying conditions such as reduction ratio and copy density are converted into unified data when writing to the IC card 131 side, and when the IC card 131 is set in the copying machine, The data will be converted to the correct data.

The following Table 3 shows an example of the conversion work performed under the involvement of the main CPU 121 regarding the above-mentioned copy density.

Assume now that the above-mentioned copying machine of model B has been instructed to set the copy density. In this case, the conversion from the copy density Dll to the copy density DA, which can be called a unified standard, is performed using a table as shown in Table 3.

(The following is a margin) Table 3 Therefore, for example, if the copy density specified by copying machine B is "2", the main CPL 1121 is
According to the table shown in Table 3 stored in 121D, the copy density is converted to "4" and sent to the IC card 131 side.

Note that the copying conditions sent in step (2) in FIG. There are copy conditions etc. stored in Figure 7). The operator can select which of these to write on the IC card 131. By writing the copying conditions already stored in the copying machine into the IC card 131 as functional information, for example, the copying conditions of the copying machine already in use can be easily set for a newly installed copying machine. . Also, on the contrary, write a non-volatile memo of the copying conditions from the IC card 131! ]12
By writing in the 1F, the copying machine can be set to various copying conditions without using the IC card 131.

Instead of writing the copying conditions described above, other predetermined information can also be written into the IC card 131.

For example, if writing of coordinate information is specified (3rd
1 step ■; Y), a write request and coordinate information are sent (step ■).

When writing of data to the IC card 131 is completed, the IC card 131 is automatically ejected from the IC card device 22 at a predetermined timing, and a series of operations for writing data is completed (step 2).

In the embodiment described above, a copying machine using an IC card)C
However, instead of an IC card, a magnetic card provided with a magnetic stripe may be used, or the recording requirements may be stored in the memory built into the recording device. In particular, when only storing copying conditions, a relatively small capacity storage medium such as a magnetic card can function satisfactorily. Further, the recording device is not limited to a copying machine, but may be another image processing device such as a facsimile device or a printer, or may be a complex system that utilizes these devices in common. In the latter case, by using a storage medium such as an IC card, it becomes possible to perform desired sorting or two-color recording with a printer, for example.

Further, although the above-described embodiments have mainly been described with reference to copying work, there is an advantage in that other work such as maintenance and inspection can also be performed reliably and quickly without being concerned about the model.

"Effects of the Invention" In this way, the present invention compares the recording requirements stored in the external storage medium or the internal storage medium of the recording device with the recordable conditions that can be executed by the actual device, and determines the recording conditions. As a result, the recording conditions can be easily transferred even from a recording device with a different attached device or a completely different type of device, thereby making efficient use of the entire recording device and increasing office efficiency. be able to. Furthermore, since the warning display means can issue a warning for conditions that are not met, it is possible to effectively prevent recording from being performed under recording conditions that are contrary to the operator's wishes.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of the present invention, Figures 2 to 3
Figure 1 is for explaining an embodiment and a modification of the recording device of the present invention, of which Figure 2 is a system configuration diagram showing the system configuration of a copying machine, and Figure 3 is a system configuration diagram of this copying machine. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an outline of this copying machine, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the console panel of this copying machine, and FIG. 6 is an outline of the circuit configuration of this copying machine. Figure 7 is a circuit diagram that shows the main CPU, and Figure 8 is a block diagram that further expands Figure 6, centering on the main CPU.
The figure is a block diagram specifically showing the circuit configuration around the photosensitive drum of a copying machine, and Figure 9 shows the main motor when the sub-developing device performs the first development and the main development device performs the second development. Figure 10 is a timing diagram showing the operation of the developer solenoid. Figure 11 is a block diagram specifically showing the exposure system and console control section of the copying machine, Figure 12 is a block diagram specifically showing the copying machine's power supply, fixing device, etc., and Figure 13 is a copy paper Fig. 14 is a schematic block diagram of the DADF, Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the sorter, and Fig. 16 is an overview of the transport system centered on the intermediate tray. 17 is a perspective view showing the system configuration of a copying machine equipped with an editor pad; FIG. 18 is a plan view of the editor pad; FIG. 19 is a plan view showing the editor panel and display panel; FIG. Figure 21 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the large capacity tray, Figure 21 is an area layout diagram showing the storage area of the IC card, and Figure 22 shows the control of the copying machine when an IC card is set in the IC card device. The flowchart shown in FIG. 23 is a flowchart specifically representing the processing procedure for the various flags registered in the function registration area of FIG. 21 among the work shown in step ■ in FIG. 22, and FIG. FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing a modified example of the control shown in FIG. 22, FIG.
Flow chart showing still another modification to the control in FIG.
Figure 7 shows the steps in the modification shown in Figure 26.
FIG. 28 is a plan view showing the display state of the liquid crystal display section at step (3), FIG. 29 is a plan view showing the display state of the liquid crystal display section at step (2), and FIG. A block diagram showing the main parts, Figure 30 is I
FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of data read from the C card to the base machine, and FIG. 31 is a flow chart showing the operation of writing data to the IC card. 11... Recording requirement reading means, 12...
... Recording condition comparison means, 13 ... Warning display means, 29 ... IC card device, 82 ... Display lamp, 121 ... Main CPU. 121D, 512...ROM, 121E, 51
1...RAM. 121F...Nonvolatile memory, 129...
...Card CP [J. 131...IC card. Applicant Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Agent
Patent Attorney Umeo Yamauchi Figure 1, Figure 2, A, Figure 8, 1-,,,,-,-Z, 2.01: Main board: Figure 9, Figure 10, Figure 1, 1'L+← Figure 12, Figure 16 Figure 17 Kasumi Figure 20 ＼ 471 Figure 22 Figure 24 Figure 26 Figure 29 Figure 31

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Recording requirement reading means for reading recording requirement conditions as various requests related to recording from a predetermined storage medium; Recording requirement conditions read by the recording requirement reading means and this apparatus side. The present invention is characterized by comprising: a recording condition comparing means for comparing recordable conditions that can be executed; and a warning display means for issuing a warning for recording requirement conditions that are not satisfied as a result of the comparison of the recording condition comparing means. Recording device. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if a recording request condition is not satisfied, the recording is performed by canceling the condition. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the warning display means displays a warning only for predetermined recording requirements that are not satisfied. 4. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the recording requirement reading means is a reading device that reads data from an external storage medium. 5. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the recording requirement reading means is an internal data reading means for reading out the recording requirement conditions stored in a memory arranged in the recording device main body. . 6. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the warning display means displays the warning using characters or symbols. 7. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the warning display means displays the warning by lighting a lamp. 8. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the warning display means displays the warning by sounding a buzzer. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein recording is performed by replacing an unsatisfied recording requirement with a condition that approximates the condition. 10. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the recording requirement condition is a copying condition that defines whether double-sided copying is performed, whether collation is performed, etc. for the copying machine. 11. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the recording requirement conditions are conditions for all devices that record image information, such as copying machines, facsimile machines, and printers. 12. Claim 1, characterized in that among the recording requirement conditions read from the recording requirement reading means, the recording conditions that can be executed by the apparatus are displayed on a display section of the recording apparatus main body. recording device.