JPH01177560A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a copy with a desired copying magnification by controlling so that an original size signal output from a paper feeding cassette dedicated to automatic copying magnification setting (AMS) is not used when said cassette is loaded to and used in a copying machine possessing an automatic copying sheet selecting mode. CONSTITUTION:When the automatic copying sheet selecting mode is selected, an optimum size of a copying sheet is determined according to the optical size signal output from an original size detecting means and a specified copying magnification, and thereby a paper feeding cassette is selected out of the paper feeding cassettes 61-63 and the copying magnification is set. A control means is provided which controls so that the original size signal output from the selected paper feeding cassette out of the paper feeding cassettes 61-63 is not used for setting the copying magnification. Even if the paper feeding cassette 5 dedicated to AMS is selected, setting the copying magnification according to the original size signal output from the paper feeding cassette 5 dedicated to AMS and a copying sheet size signal is not carried out. Thus, a copy that an operator desired is obtained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that can automatically set a copy magnification based on a document size and a copy paper size.

[Conventional technology]

In copying work, there are cases where it is desired to determine the size of the copy, that is, the copy paper size, regardless of the original size, and set the copy magnification so that the copy size fits within this size.

In this case, it is troublesome for the copying machine user to decide whether to change the copying magnification, and the copied image may end up being too small in the center of the copy paper because he or she cannot determine the appropriate copying magnification. It often happens that the copied image protrudes from the copy paper, resulting in copying failure.

In order to prevent this and perform copying operations efficiently, it is necessary to install a document size detection mechanism in the copying machine itself, or to install an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) on the copying machine's document table. A copying machine has been developed that is equipped with a document size detection mechanism and has an automatic copy magnification setting mode (hereinafter referred to as AMS mode) in which the copy magnification is automatically set based on the specified copy paper size and the detected document size. There is.

In addition, in order to easily and automatically set the copy magnification, you can specify the original size in the paper cassette installed in the copying machine, and when copying, select the paper cassette that corresponds to the original size and insert it into the copying machine. By installing it, you can enter the copy paper size and original size at the same time and set the optimal copy magnification.
A copying machine (referred to as a paper feed cassette exclusively for MS) and a copying machine were previously proposed by the present applicant (see Japanese Patent Application No. 303834/1983).

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

ADF used in the copying machine itself or in conjunction with the copying machine
If the machine is equipped with a document size detection mechanism, in addition to the AMS mode described above, the optimal size copy paper will be automatically selected based on the detected document size and the copy magnification input from the key switch on the operation panel. A copying machine equipped with an automatic copy paper selection mode (hereinafter referred to as APS mode) has been developed, but a copying machine equipped with this type of function is configured to be used with the AMS-specific paper feed cassette mentioned above. If the APS mode is selected and the optimal size copy paper is selected, the AMS
A dedicated paper feed cassette will be selected. When the AMS-dedicated paper feed cassette is selected, the copy magnification is reset based on the original size signal and copy paper size signal output from this paper feed cassette, making it impossible to obtain a copy with the desired copy magnification. There will be no.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides that when APS mode is selected, copy paper of the selected optimum size is stored in an AMS-dedicated paper feed cassette, and
Even if the dedicated paper feed cassette is selected, the copy magnification setting is controlled so that the copy magnification signal input to the device side is used and the original size signal output from the AMS dedicated paper feed cassette is not used. , an automatic copy magnification setting mode that determines the optimum copy magnification based on a signal indicating the original size to be copied and a signal indicating the selected copy paper size, and a signal indicating the original size to be copied and a specified copying mode. In an image forming apparatus that is provided with an automatic copy paper selection mode that determines an optimal copy paper size based on a signal indicating a magnification, and that can be freely selected by a mode selection means,
A plurality of paper feed cassettes including a paper feed cassette having means for outputting a signal indicating a specific document size assigned to the paper feed cassette and a signal indicating the size of stored copy paper; and output from the paper feed cassette. a paper feed cassette mounting means including a detection means for detecting a document size signal and a copy paper size signal, and, when an automatic copy paper selection mode is selected, a document size detection means provided in the image forming apparatus itself or the image forming apparatus; The optimum copy paper size is determined based on the document size signal output from the document size detection means of the automatic document feeder used in conjunction with the specified copy magnification, and the paper feed cassette is selected and the copy magnification is determined. The present invention is characterized by comprising a control means for controlling the document size signal outputted from the selected paper feed cassette so as not to be used for setting the copy magnification.

[Function] When the APS mode is selected, the document size is detected by the document size detection means provided in the image forming device or the ADF linked thereto, and the document size is detected based on this signal and a copy magnification signal input separately. Select the optimal size copy paper.

At this time, even if the AMS-dedicated paper feed cassette is selected as the paper feed cassette, the copy magnification is set based on the previously input copy magnification signal, and the copy size signal output from the AMS-dedicated paper feed cassette and the copy Since the copy magnification setting process based on the paper size signal is not executed, there is no risk of creating a copy with an unexpected magnification.

〔Example〕

Examples of the present invention will be described below. This embodiment describes a case in which the automatic document feeder is provided with a document size detection means to detect the document size, but a case in which the document size detection means is provided in the main body of the copying machine is also explained. Needless to say, it can be applied.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing the structure of an electrophotographic copying machine to which the present invention is applied. In the figure, 1 is the main body of the copying machine, 2 is a table on which the copying machine is placed, and 3 is an automatic document feeder (ADF), which is used by being placed on the document table of the copying machine 1. In addition, the copying machine 1 is equipped with two paper feed ports for supplying copy paper, and the upper paper feed port has an AMS which will be explained later.
A dedicated paper feed cassette 5 is provided, and a three-stage paper feed unit is provided at the lower paper feed port.The structure of the copying machine main body 1 is similar to that of a known electrophotographic copying machine. That is, 11 is a photoreceptor drum provided with a photoreceptor layer on its surface, and a main eraser 12 is arranged around it.
, a sub charger 13, a sub eraser 14, a main charger 15, a developing unit 16, a transfer charger 17, a separation charger 18, a cleaner 19, etc. are arranged.

The optical system is arranged below the document table glass to scan the document image, and includes a light source 21, a first mirror 22, a second mirror 22, and a second mirror 22.
Mirror %, 3rd mirror u1 projection lens 5, 4th mirror 2
6, which forms an original image onto the photosensitive drum 11. The copy magnification is set by moving the projection lens 5 in the optical axis direction based on a copy magnification setting signal output from the control microprocessor. When the copy magnification is 1, light source 2
1 and the first mirror 22 move to the left at a speed of v/rL with respect to the rotation of the photoreceptor drum 11 at the peripheral speed V, and at the same time, the second mirror and the third mirror move at a speed of v/2n. to move to the left. Along with this movement, the original image is moved to the fourth mirror 2.
6, the photoreceptor drum 11 is exposed in the form of a slit.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a paper feed roller at the upper paper feed port, which feeds copy sheets stored in the paper feed cassette 5 one by one.

The copy paper is fed to a timing roller 35 via transport rollers 31 and 32. Reference numeral 34 denotes a paper feed roller at the lower paper feed port, which in this embodiment feeds the copy paper fed from the three-stage paper feed unit 6 to the timing roller 35.

The latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 11 by the optical system scanning the original image is developed by the developing device 16, and the timing roller 3
5 operates to feed the copy paper, and the developed photoreceptor 11
The upper toner image is transferred onto the copy sheet by transfer charger 17. The copy sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the photoreceptor drum 11 by a separation charger 18, and is conveyed by a conveyor belt 40 and sent to a fixing unit 41. The fixing unit 41 includes a pair of heat fixing rollers 42, and heats and presses the toner image onto the copy paper to fix it. Thereafter, the copy paper is discharged onto a discharge tray 45 via discharge rollers 43 and 44.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the operation panel, which includes a numeric keypad 70 for setting the number of copies, a clear/stop key 71, an interrupt key 72, a print key 73 for instructing to start printing, and an exposure step key 74 for setting the exposure amount. , a copy paper size selection key 75 for selecting the paper feed port or copy paper size, copy magnification setting keys 76 to 79 for setting the copy magnification, and an all clear key for resetting all setting conditions to standard conditions. 80, and a display section 81 for displaying copying conditions inputted from various keys and the status of the equipment.

Further, 82 is a display element when automatic magnification setting using an AMS-dedicated paper feed cassette is selected.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an AMS-dedicated paper feed cassette (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a paper feed cassette) that can automatically set the copying magnification, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view thereof. This is a universal cassette that can accommodate multiple sizes of copy paper.

51 and 52 are left and right guide plates, and 53 is a guide plate in the copy paper feeding direction.These guide plates 51, 52, and 53 set copy papers of different sizes at predetermined positions. Reference numeral 54 denotes a push-up plate, and when the paper feed cassette 5 is installed in the copying machine main body, this push-up plate 54 is pushed upward, and the copy paper stored on the push-up plate is pressed against the feed roller 30 of the copy machine. This makes it possible to transport the material.

A plurality of magnets 56a to 56c are provided on the back side of the paper cassette 5 to convey the size of the copy paper stored in the paper cassette 5 to the main body of the copying machine. According to the guide plate 51,
When 52 and 53 are adjusted, their positions are moved by known means such as a link or lever mechanism (not shown) to form a size code corresponding to the size of the copy paper. Since eight types of codes are formed by the combination of three magnets, it is possible to identify up to eight sizes of copy paper.

Furthermore, a plurality of magnets 58a to 58c are provided on the back side of the paper feed cassette 5 to identify the paper feed cassette, and these magnets also have eight types of identification codes formed by a combination of three magnets. It is possible to identify up to three paper feed cassettes.

This identification code corresponds to the size of the document. For example, in order to copy an A3 size document, you need to use an A3 size paper feed cassette (A3 size here is the size of the document, and (This is not the size of the copy paper stored in the cassette), and paper feed cassettes are prepared in the number corresponding to the size of the document. It is preferable to display the document size 55 on an easily visible area such as the end face of the paper feed cassette 5.

FIG. 5(a) shows an example of the arrangement of the magnet on the back side of the paper feed cassette and the reed switch on the copying machine side that detects this. Magnets 57a, 57b, and 57c are used to form paper size codes, and reed switches 57a, 57b, and 57c detect the magnets. Also 58a
.

58b, 58c are magnets for forming a size code of the original to be copied; 59a, 59. b, 59c is a reed switch that detects this magnet.

Further, FIG. 5(b) shows the ON state of reed switches 57a, 57b, and 57c for detecting the copy paper size and the size code formed by the magnet on the paper feed cassette.
This is an example showing the correspondence of 10FF, and here is an example of identifying copy paper sizes up to 6 sizes.

In addition, paper feed cassettes corresponding to the original size and identification code detection reed switches 59a, 59b, and 59c formed by magnets for identifying the paper feed cassettes 0N7O
The correspondence of FFs is also the same as before, so the explanation will be omitted.

The size of copy paper that can be stored in the cassette 5 is based on the copying magnification range based on the specifications of the copying machine, the range of copy paper sizes that can be handled (hereinafter referred to as paper passing size), the original size, and the original specified in the paper cassette. Depends on the size. For example, if the copy magnification range is ×0.5 to ×2.0, the paper feed size is A6 to A3, the maximum document size is A3, and the document size specified for the paper cassette is A4, the paper feed cassette is The sizes of copy sheets that can be stored range from A6, which is used when the minimum size is copy magnification x 0.5, to A3, which is the maximum paper passing size.

Returning to FIG. 1 and explaining the three-tier paper feed unit, the three-tier paper feed unit 6 is movably supported on rails 64, and has paper feed cassettes in three paper feed ports (upper, middle, and lower).
1, 62, and 63 are installed.

65, 66, 67 are paper feed rollers, 68, 69,
70 is a conveyance roller, and is a paper feed cassette) 61 , 6
When one of the rollers 2 and 63 is selected and paper feeding is instructed, the corresponding paper feeding roller and conveying roller are driven by a motor (not shown) to convey the copy sheet to the timing roller 35. The paper feed cassettes 61, 62, and 63 are provided with magnets that identify the size of the copy paper to be stored, and a reed switch that detects this magnet is provided on the three-stage paper feed unit 6 side to detect the size of the copy paper. This is configured to detect the AMS described earlier.
Magnet 56a attached to dedicated paper feed cassette 5
~56c and reed switches 57a~5 that detect this
Since it has the same configuration as 7c, illustration is omitted.

Next, the automatic document feeder (ADF) 3 will be explained based on FIG. 6. 101 is an original feeding unit, 102 is an original tray, 103 is a feeding roller, 104° and 105 are separation rollers that separate and feed originals one by one, and 107 is a timing when the leading and trailing edges of fed originals pass. A document detection sensor 108 detects the size of the document. Reference numeral 109 denotes a pinch roller, and 110 a conveyance belt for conveying the document, which is installed between a driving TB roller 111 and a tension roller 112. 113 is a roller that presses the conveyor belt against the document table. Reference numeral 114 denotes an ejected document feeding guide, 1.15 and 116 guide rollers, and 117 a paper ejection tray for receiving the exposed document.

FIG. 7 shows the details of the document feeding section 101 of the ADF shown in FIG. 6, in which 102 is a document tray, 120 is a guide plate in the width direction of the document, and 121 is an AMS mode and APS mode selection switch. Each time you press the button, the AMS mode changes.
Switches to APS mode alternately, AMS mode display element 1
22. One of the APS mode display elements lights up to display the selected mode.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view showing the vicinity of the pinch roller of the ADF shown in FIG. This sensor detects the width in the direction perpendicular to the direction f. Note that the sensor does not detect the exact width of the document, but rather distinguishes between standard sizes of the document, such as A4 landscape and B5 portrait. 12
5 is a conveyor belt drive motor; 126 is a pinch roller clutch; a driving mechanism for the drive shaft of the conveyor belt drive motor 125 and the pinch roller 109, such as pulleys 127, 12;
8 and a belt 129. It is interposed between the drive mechanism and transmits and interrupts power. Further, 130 is a pulse generation disk that generates pulses for timing, and 131 is a pulse detector.

Since the pulses generated by the pulse generation disk 130 are proportional to the amount of document conveyance, the document detection sensor 107 detects the number of pulses during the period in which the leading edge and trailing edge of the document pass. The length in the transport direction can be known, and the document size can be determined from the document center signal output from the document center sensor 108 and the document length signal output from the pulse detector 131.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the control circuit of the copying machine 10, in which the first CPU 200 for controlling the copying machine includes a display section 201 consisting of an LED, etc., and a scanning motor control section 2 that scans the optical system.
02, a magnification change control unit 203 for controlling the motor that changes the copying magnification, an exposure control unit 204 that controls the light amount of the exposure lamp to provide appropriate exposure, and a second control unit for controlling the ADF.
A connection bus 205 with the CPU 208, key switches on the operation panel, and a key matrix 206 for control sensors.
, magnet detection reed switches 207 and the like provided in the upper and lower paper feed ports and the paper feed cassette in the three-stage paper feed unit are connected.

In addition, a main motor, timing roller clutch, paper feed clutch, main eraser, sub charger, sub eraser, main charger, transfer charger, separation charger, etc. for controlling the operation of the copying machine are connected.

208 is a second CPU for controlling the ADF, and in addition to the conveyance belt drive motor control unit 209, AMS mode, APS mode selection switch 121, display elements 122 and 123 that display the selected mode, document detection sensor 107, document width sensor 108, a pinch roller clutch 126, a pulse detector 131, etc. are connected.

Next, the control of the copying machine and ADF executed by the first CPU 200 for controlling the copying machine and the second CPU 208 for controlling the ADF, especially the copy magnification setting process, will be explained in FIGS. 10 and 1.
This will be explained using the flowchart shown in FIG.

The flowchart in FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an outline of the control process. First, data such as flags, setting constants, copy paper size, copy magnification, etc. are initialized (step Sl), and the processing time for one routine is defined. The main timer is set to start measuring time (step 82). Processes input signals for the copy paper size, document size, other switches, sensors, and output signals to the drive mechanism and display section (step S3), and checks whether copy flag F is 0 or not (step 84). ). If the flag is O, the copying operation is not in progress but is in a standby state, so step S
5, the mode selected by the mode selection switch 121 of the ADF is checked. First, it is checked whether the mode is AMS mode or not, and if it is the AMS mode, a copying magnification setting process is performed according to the AMS mode (step S6). This will be explained in detail later.

Check whether the print key is ON (step S7), and
If N, set copy flag F to 1 in step 8.
8), the copying process begins (step S9). It is checked whether copying has been completed (step 510), and if it has been completed, the copy flag F is reset to O (step S1]), the main timer waits for the end of time counting (step 512), and step S
Return to 2.

If it is not the AMS mode in step S5, the process moves to step 513, and it is checked whether the mode is APS mode.

In APS mode, detect the original size using the ADF (step 514), set the copy magnification using the copy magnification signal entered manually using the key (step 515), and select the optimal size from the detected original size and the copy magnification entered manually using the key. Determine copy paper and select paper cassette (step 816)
. At this time, even if the AMS-dedicated paper cassette is selected,
Setting of copy magnification based on the output original size signal and copy paper size signal is not executed. Then, the process moves to step S7 and subsequent steps.

If the APS mode is not selected in step 813, the process moves to step S17, where the copy magnification is set to the copy magnification manually input using the key, and the paper feed cassette of the copy paper size input manually using the key is selected (steps S17, 818).

Then, the process moves to step S7 and subsequent steps.

If the copy flag F is not 0 in step S4, it means that the copying operation is in progress, and the process moves to step S9. Also,
When the print key is not ON in step S7,
If the copying is not completed in step SIO, the process moves to step S12, waits for the main timer to finish counting, and then returns to step S2 to move on to the next processing cycle.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart shown in FIG. 10, showing details of the copy magnification setting process in the AMS mode shown as step S6. First, it is checked whether the AMS-dedicated paper feed cassette is selected using the paper feed selection key or the like on the operation panel (step 521).

AM if the AMS-dedicated paper cassette is not selected.
Turn off the S-only cassette selection display, store the document size detected by the ADF in memory 1, and store the size of the copy paper stored in the paper cassette selected by the paper feed selection key on the operation panel, etc. 2 (steps S22, S23, S24).

Next, the process moves to step S51, and the copy magnification is set based on the contents of the memories 1 and 2.

As a result of the judgment in step S21, if the AMS-dedicated paper feed cassette is selected, the selection display is turned ON (step 826), the size of the document specified in the paper feed cassette is checked, and the document size is stored in memory 1. (steps 827-539). This is done by determining the document size based on the identification code formed by the paper feed cassette identification magnets 58a to 58c.

Next, the size of the copy paper stored in the AMS paper feed cassette 5 is checked, and the copy paper size is stored in the memory 2 (steps 840 to 550). This is done by determining the copy paper size based on the size code formed by copy paper size display magnets 56a to 56c.

The copy magnification is set based on the original size and copy paper size stored in memories 1 and 2, and the process is completed (step 5).
51). The copy magnification may be set by calculation by determining the long and short sides from the original size and copy paper size, or may be determined from a table calculated in advance.

In the above embodiment, the document size is specified for each AMS-dedicated paper feed cassette, and a magnet for identification is provided. It is also possible to detect the setting state of this switch. In this way, one AMS-dedicated paper feed cassette can accommodate a plurality of document sizes, and there is no need to prepare an AMS-dedicated paper feed cassette for each document size.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention provides an original size detection mechanism on the device main body side or the ADF side, and sets the automatic copy magnification setting mode (AMS mode) and the automatic copy paper selection mode (
This is an image forming apparatus equipped with an APS mode that can be equipped with an AMS paper cassette, so even if the AMS paper cassette is selected when APS mode is selected, output will not be output from the AMS paper cassette. Since the copy magnification setting process based on the original document size signal and copy paper size signal is not executed, it is possible to obtain a copy as intended by the operator.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the main structure of an image forming apparatus suitable for carrying out the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of the operation panel of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a paper feed cassette exclusively for AMS. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the AMS dedicated paper feed cassette, Figure 5 is a diagram showing the arrangement of magnets and detection reed switches for identifying copy paper size and original size, and examples of copy paper sizes that can be identified. A sectional view showing the main structure of the automatic document feeder, FIGS. 7 and 8 are partial detailed views of the automatic document feeder, and FIG. 9 is a control of the image forming apparatus and the automatic document feeder linked thereto. The circuit block diagrams of FIGS. 10 and 11 are control flowcharts of the image forming apparatus executed by the control CPU. 1: Image forming device, 3: Automatic document feeder, 5: AMS
Dedicated paper feed cassette, 6: Three-stage paper feed unit, 56a,
56b, 56c, 58a, 58b, 58c
: Magnet, 57a, 57b. 57c, 59a, 59b, 59c: Reed switch. Patent applicant Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. (a) (b) Figure 5

Claims (1)

[Claims of Claims] An automatic copy magnification setting mode that determines the optimum copy magnification based on a signal indicating the size of the original to be copied and a signal indicating the size of the selected copy paper, and a signal indicating the size of the original to be copied. An automatic copy paper selection mode is provided in which the optimum copy paper size is determined based on the specified copy magnification and a signal indicating a specified copy magnification. a plurality of paper feed cassettes including a paper feed cassette having means for outputting a signal indicating a specific original size stored in the paper feed cassette and a signal indicating the size of the stored copy paper; and a document size signal output from the paper feed cassette. and a paper feed cassette mounting means including a detection means for detecting a copy paper size signal, and when an automatic copy paper selection mode is selected, the paper feed cassette mounting means is used in conjunction with a document size detection means provided in the image forming apparatus itself or with the image forming apparatus. The optimum copy paper size is determined based on the document size signal outputted from the document size detection means of the automatic document feeder and the specified copy magnification, and the selected paper cassette is selected and the copy magnification is set. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: control means for controlling a document size signal outputted from a paper feed cassette so as not to be used for setting a copy magnification.