JPH01177055A - Copying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate a useless size detecting action by providing a pressure plate sensor, detecting the opening and closing actions of a pressure plate, permitting an initial size detection action when the pressure plate is not opened and inhibiting the subsequent actions. CONSTITUTION:To copy repeatedly, the same original is used. Namely, after the original 2 is placed on a contact glass 1 and the pressure plate 74 is closed to start copying, the plate 74 is not opened until the number of repeated copies is completed. Therefore, the pressure plate sensor 94 is not turned off, neither an original detecting flag is reset but it remains set at '1'. After the first copy is completed, a printing key is pressed, and the original detecting flat stands at '1' as it is even in an APS mode. Therefore, an original detecting action is not performed, but operation is shifted to an actual copying action. At that time, original size data is read out of a RAM storing it and is used. Thus, the useless 2nd and subsequent detecting actions can be evaded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Technical field The present invention relates to a copying apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years, some copying apparatuses have been equipped with a document size detection function, making it possible to make copies of appropriate sizes and magnifications without having to select paper.

Here, the document size is detected by pre-scanning prior to actual exposure scanning for copying using, for example, an exposure lamp and an optical sensor installed in the exposure optical system. Such a document size detection operation is always performed as pre-scanning every time the exposure optical system performs an exposure operation, for example, when the document size detection mode is set.

However, even when used in a copy mode where the same original is used continuously, such as during repeat copying, if the original size detection mode is set as described above, the original size will be the same, that is, the original size will be the same. Even if detection is not required, the size detection operation by pre-scanning is executed. As a result, the copying time tends to become longer than necessary.

Purpose The present invention has been made in view of these points, and although it has a document size detection function, it can eliminate unnecessary document size detection operations that are meaningless, and improve copying efficiency by reducing loss time. The purpose is to obtain a copying device.

Structure In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a document size detection means for detecting the size of a document set on a contact glass, a means for setting a document size detection mode, and a storage means for storing the detected document size. a pressure plate sensor that detects the opening and closing of the pressure plate; and a control means that detects the document size when setting the document size detection mode and then prohibits subsequent document size detection operations until the pressure plate sensor detects that the pressure plate is opened. It is characterized by:

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. The general structure and operation of a copying machine capable of double-sided copying and composite copying will be explained with reference to FIG. The original 2 set on the contact glass 1 is exposed by the exposure lamp 3, and the reflected light from the original 2 is transmitted to the first to third mirrors 4, 5, 8, the imaging lens 7, and the fourth to sixth lenses 8, 9, 10. Dustproof glass 11
The image is formed on the photoreceptor 12 via the . Here, the exposure lamp 3 and the first mirror 4 constitute a first scanner, which reciprocates in the left-right direction at a predetermined speed on the lower surface of the contact glass 1. On the other hand, the second 3-mirrors 5 and 6 constitute a second scanner and move in the same direction at half the speed of the first scanner. Further, these mirrors or imaging lenses 7 can be moved to predetermined magnification positions according to the reduction/enlargement magnification by a magnification stepping motor 13.

Here, the photoreceptor 12 is uniformly charged by the charger 14, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoreceptor 12 by being irradiated with the original image as described above. This electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing device 15 to become a visible image.

On the other hand, the transfer paper 1G is fed from one of the upper and lower cassettes 17 by paper feed rollers 18 or 19, and is conveyed via conveyance rollers 20 to a registration roller 21 position. It is transported toward the transfer position No. 12. At the transfer position, transfer charger 2
2, the visible image on the photoreceptor 12 is transferred onto the transfer paper 16. After the transfer, the transfer paper 16 is separated from the photoreceptor 12 by a separation claw 23 and is conveyed to a fixing roller 25 via a conveyance means 24. The transfer paper 16 fixed by the fixing roller 25 passes through a conveyance roller 26 and heads to an ejection system such as an ejection roller 27 . On the other hand, the surface of the photoreceptor 12 after the transfer is cleaned by a cleaning device 28.

Secondly, this copying machine can perform double-sided copying and composite copying in which images are superimposed on the same transfer paper 16, and the transfer paper 16 on which the image has been formed is transferred again to the image forming section centered on the photoreceptor 12. A circulation path 29 is formed for conveyance and introduction. First, a conveying roller 30 is provided at a position in front of the ejecting roller 27, and a transfer roller 30 is provided at a position in front of the ejecting roller 27.
A reversing guide 31 for reversing 6 is provided. Switching between the discharge side and the reversal side or circulation side is performed by a branch pawl that is switched by a branch solenoid. The circulation path 29 includes a relay roller 33 and a discharge roller 34.
is provided, and is configured to discharge the transfer paper 16 onto the relay tray 35.

This relay tray 35 is equipped with a jogger fence 36 that moves in the tray left and right directions (front and back of the paper surface), and the left and right widths of the ejected transfer sheets 16 are aligned.

Further, a roller 37 made of a sponge or the like that can move up and down is provided on the relay tray 35, and is configured to align the leading edge of the ejected transfer paper 16 by abutting it against a leading edge aligning surface 38. This leading edge alignment surface 38 is set to be upwardly displaced by a tray lift solenoid (not shown) during paper refeeding. Refeeding of paper from the relay tray 35 is performed by a refeeding roller 39. Such paper alignment processing for refeeding the transfer paper 16 is one of the functions included in a copying machine equipped with functions such as multiple copying and double-sided copying. The re-fed transfer paper 16 passes through the front of the cassette 17 and is conveyed to the registration rollers 21 by the conveyance rollers 20. Then, the registration rollers 21 convey the sheet to the transfer position again at a predetermined timing, and the sheet is used for double-sided copying or overlapping copying.

Here, in the circulation path 29, sensors for detecting and outputting signals for timing control etc. are provided, specifically, a fixing sheet discharge sensor 40, a discharge sensor 41, a relay sensor 42, a registration sensor 43, etc. . 44 is a main motor.

Next, FIG. 3 shows a control system block diagram of the copying machine of this embodiment. First, a main control section 50 is provided which serves as a control means and controls the entire system. This main control section 50 includes a RAM 51 as a storage means, as well as various solenoids 52.
and various sensors 53 are connected. Further, an optical system control section 57 is connected to the main control section 5o, which transmits and receives data and controls the stepping motor 13, the scanner motor 54, a length sensor 55 for detecting document size, a width sensor 56, etc., which will be described later. ing. Furthermore, A that controls the exposure lamp 3, fixing heater 58, main motor 44, developing motor 59, transport motor 60, paper ejection motor 61, etc.
A C control section 62 is connected to the main control section 50. On the other hand, a display section 63 composed of an LED or an LCD and a switch section 64 composed of keys are connected to the main control section 50 via an operation control section 65.

Next, a document size detection method required in this embodiment will be explained. The copying machine of this embodiment is equipped with an automatic document detection function (ASP mode) that allows the length and width of the document 2 to be read by optical sensors 55 and 56, and copies can be made without paper selection.

First, the means for detecting the length of the document 2 will be explained with reference to FIG. The length of the document 2 is detected as a document size detection mode by pre-scanning of the exposure optical system before actual image exposure.

First, when the exposure lamp 3 is turned on and the first scanner comes to the rear end of the contact glass l, it illuminates the reset mark seal 72 provided on the back (lower surface) of the upper cover 71 at that end. The reflected light from 72 is transmitted to the length sensor 55 integrally mounted on the first scanner.
The light is received by The signal from this length sensor 55 is taken into the electric circuit system via the optical fiber 73, and the minimum value of the reflected light from the reset mark seal 72 is reset. This reset mark sticker 72 is at home position H
It is formed at a position of 473 mm from P. Further, the pressure plate around the reset mark seal 72 is yellow.

Then, when the first scanner starts the return operation toward the home position, the length sensor 55 (optical fiber 7
3) receives the reflected light from the pressure plate 74 and sets a reference voltage for document detection. As shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 4, when the first scanner, and therefore the length sensor 55, reaches the rear end position of the document 2, the reflected light is received from the background portion of the document 2 instead of being received from the pressure plate 74. The reflected light will be received, and the light receiving output will increase. As a result, the main control unit 50 side calculates the reflected light ratio at any time, and determines that the document has moved from the return start position to the trailing edge position of the document when it becomes larger than the reference ratio. Therefore, the length of the document 2 is determined by reading and calculating the output of the encoder pulses output from the scanner drive motor 54 from the position indicated by the virtual line until reaching the home position. In addition, when the pressure plate 74 detects the length of the document, it outputs a dark part compared to the document.
The photoreceptor 12 should preferably have spectral sensitivity characteristics that provide white output. On the other hand, the width of the document 2 is detected by a width sensor 56. Although this width sensor 56 is not particularly shown, it is located at the same position as the length sensor 55 in the optical system scanning direction, and is placed at a position 95 mm from the reference point (center of the document), and detects whether or not the document 2 is present at the detection position. By detecting and sending it to the main control unit 50 as width data,
The main control unit 5o specifies the document size based on the relationship with the document length data. In addition, the transfer paper 16
The size (length) used is a standard size, and is automatically determined according to the selected paper feed cassette 17.

As a result, as mentioned above, if the length of the document 2 is detected,
It is possible to compare the length of the selected transfer paper 16, and if the original length is shorter than the copy paper length, the difference X is calculated and stored in the memory as registration shift data.

Further, the operation panel 80 is provided with various switches and keys (corresponding to the switch section 64) as shown in FIG. First, on the right side, there is a print key 81, a numeric keypad 82,
A C/S key 83 and an interrupt key 84 are provided, and to the left thereof, for example, an automatic paper selection key 85 and a paper selection key 86 are provided as document size detection mode setting means.

Further, on the left side, there are provided magnification ratio setting keys such as a constant magnification key 87, an enlargement key 88, and a reduction key 89. Furthermore, on the left are a page continuous copy mode key 90, a double-sided copy mode key 91,
A mode setting key called a sort/stack mode key 92 is provided.

As for the pressure plate 74, as shown in FIG. 1, a pressure plate sensor 94 having a reed switch configuration is provided in front of the contact glass 1 to detect whether the pressure plate 74 is opened or closed with respect to the contact glass 1 using a magnet 93 on the pressure plate 74 side. There is. That is, when the pressure plate 74 is closed and the magnet 93 approaches the pressure plate sensor 94, the pressure plate sensor 94 is turned on and the pressure plate 7
4 is opened upward, it is turned off, and the opening/closing of the pressure plate 74 is detected by the on/off state of the pressure plate sensor 94. Signals related to opening and closing of the pressure plate from the pressure plate sensor 94 are taken into the main control unit 50 via the operation control unit 65.

In such a configuration, the operation control centered on the document size detection operation according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7.

First, when the print key 81 is pressed to execute a copy operation, it is checked whether the ASP mode (FX document size detection mode) is set prior to the copy operation. The ASP mode is set, for example, by pressing the automatic paper selection key 65 on the operation panel 80. If the ASP mode is not set, the normal copy operation is executed as is, and this processing routine is exited.

On the other hand, when the ASP mode is set, the process does not immediately proceed to the execution of the document size detection operation by pre-scanning, but instead checks whether the document detection flag is set (=1). If this is the first copy, this flag is not set, so the document size detection operation is performed by pre-scanning as described with reference to FIG. 4 and the like. When the document size is determined by the main control unit 50,
The original size data is written and stored in the RAM 51. When such a document size detection operation is completed, the document detection flag is set (=1), which means that the size of the document 2 to be copied has been detected, and the actual copying operation begins.

Such a document detection flag is detected by the pressure plate 7 as shown in FIG.
4 is opened and the pressure plate switch 94 is reset every time the pressure plate switch 94 is turned off.

Therefore, if each document 2 is to be copied one by one, the pressure plate 74 is opened and closed in order to replace and set the document 2 every time copying is completed, so the document detection flag is also reset and set repeatedly. , a size detection operation is performed for each document 2.

On the other hand, consider a case of repeat copying.

In this case, the same original is used. That is, generally, after the original 2 is set on the contact glass 1 and the pressure plate 74 is closed to start copying, the pressure plate 74 is not opened until copying for the number of repeat sheets is completed. That is, the pressure plate sensor 94 is not turned off, the document detection flag is not reset, and the document detection flag remains at 1. Therefore, when copying the second and subsequent sheets, the print key 81 is pressed, and
Even in the ASP mode, since the original detection flag remains 1, the actual copying operation starts without performing the original size detection operation. The original size data at this time is used by reading out the original size data stored in the RAM 51. Therefore, when copying the same original document continuously, the size detection operation is only performed at the beginning, and no meaningless detection operation is performed for the second and subsequent sheets, reducing the time lost due to pre-scanning. This makes it possible to improve copy processing efficiency.

Effects As described above, the present invention provides a pressure plate sensor to detect the opening/closing operation of the pressure plate, thereby determining whether or not to replace the M (paper), and under conditions where the pressure plate is not opened, only the first size detection operation is performed. Since this detection operation is not performed, meaningless size detection operations for documents whose size has not changed are not repeated, and loss time can be eliminated and copying efficiency can be improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view, Fig. 2 is a side view showing the schematic configuration, Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the control system, and Fig. 4 is a document length detection system. A side view showing the system,
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the operation panel, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are flowcharts. ■...Contact glass, 2...Manuscript, 50...
Control means, 51... Storage means, 55.56... Document size detection means, 65... Setting means, 74... Pressure plate, 94... Pressure plate sensor 17

Claims (1)

[Claims] a document size detection means for detecting the size of the document set on the contact glass; a means for setting a document size detection mode; a storage means for storing the detected document size; a pressure plate sensor for detecting opening/closing of the pressure plate; A copying apparatus comprising: a control means for detecting a document size when setting a document size detection mode and then prohibiting subsequent document size detection operations until opening of the pressure plate is detected by a pressure plate sensor.