JPH01246570A - Device for setting operational condition of business instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate setting the operation condition of a business instrument by setting the operation condition of the business instrument based on information read by means of a sheet reading means and automatically starting the recording operation of the business instrument when setting the operation condition is finished. CONSTITUTION:A menu sheet 3 which is provided with an information specifying column of which the style is in advance defined and the sheet reading means 2 which reads information in the information specifying column of the menu sheet 3 are provided. Besides, an operation mode setting means which sets the operation condition of the business instrument based on the information read by means of the sheet reading means 2, and automatically starts the recording operation of the business instrument when setting the operation condition is finished is provided. Therefore, visible information is written in the information specifying column of the menu sheet 3, for example by a pen, the operation condition of the business instrument can be specified. Then, when setting the operation condition of the business instrument is finished, the business instrument automatically starts operation in the set operation condition. Thus, trouble to operate a switch can be eliminated, and the operation is facilitated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to office equipment such as copiers, printers, facsimile machines, etc., and more particularly to setting operating conditions for various devices.

[Prior Art] Recently, office equipment, especially copying machines, are often equipped with an extremely large number of functions. Therefore, the operation panel of this type of device is equipped with a large number of key switches and various indicators in order to set the operating conditions of the device regarding these various functions, that is, the rod settings. Therefore, an operator who operates a copier, etc. must memorize all the functions of the various key switches on the operation panel, and must read all the various displays on the operation panel every time he uses the % position. hand,
You must confirm that the mode you desire is set, and even when using the pure operation mode, very troublesome operations are required.

Further, even when a dedicated operator operates the copying machine, it is difficult for the person requesting the copying work to accurately inform the operator of the operating mode in which the copy will be made.

Therefore, it has been proposed to use an IC card to set this type of operating condition. However, it is difficult to write various mode designation information onto an IC card, and in order to check the written contents, a special display device must be prepared, which is difficult.

[Object of the Invention] An object of the present invention is to facilitate setting of operating conditions for office equipment having various functions.

[Structure of the Invention] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides menu sheets 1 to 1 which are provided with an information designation field in a predetermined format; a sheet reading means for reading information in the information designation field of the menu sheet; and the sheet. An operation mode setting means is provided which sets the operating conditions of the office equipment based on the information read by the reading means and automatically starts the recording operation of the office equipment when the setting of the operating conditions is completed.

According to this, the operating conditions of the office equipment can be specified by writing visible information, for example, with a pen, in the information specification column of the menu sheet. Furthermore, once the menu sheet has been read and the operating conditions of the office equipment have been set, the office equipment will automatically start operating under the set operating conditions, eliminating the hassle of operating switches. It is simple. Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment FIG. 2a shows the configuration of one type of copying machine in which the present invention is implemented. This will be explained with reference to FIG. 2a. Briefly speaking, this copying machine consists of a copying machine body and an ADF (automatic document feeder).
60. Sorter 70. It is composed of a group of optional units such as an automatic double-sided processing unit 80. The paper feed system that supplies recording sheets has five stages. That is, the first paper feeding system and the second paper feeding system are provided in the main body of the copying machine, and the second paper feeding unit 170, which is the third paper feeding system, and the third paper feeding system, which includes the fourth paper feeding system and the fifth paper feeding system, A third paper feeding unit 18o is connected to the main body of the copying machine. 21, 22, 23 and 24 are cassettes provided in the first paper feeding system, second paper feeding system, third paper feeding system and fourth paper feeding system, respectively, and 25 is a tray of the fifth paper feeding system. be.

A contact glass 1 on which a document is placed is provided at the top of the main body of the copying machine, and an optical scanning system 30 is provided below the contact glass 1. The optical scanning system 3o includes an exposure lamp 31. First mirror 32. Third mirror 33° Fourth mirror 34. lens 3
5. A fifth mirror is provided with a 36° slit 37, etc. When performing document reading scanning, a first carriage carrying an exposure lamp 31 and a first mirror 32 and a second carriage carrying a third mirror 33 and a fourth mirror 34 are arranged in two positions so that the optical path length does not change. Mechanically scan-driven at a relative speed of 1. The lens 35 is a zoom lens, and its magnification can be changed by driving a motor.

Therefore, the light emitted from the exposure lamp 31 is transmitted to the first mirror 32.
．． Third mirror 33. Fourth mirror 34. Lens 35. Fifth
Through the mirror 36 and the slit 37, the photosensitive drum 2
Be imaged above.

Around the photoreceptor drum 2, there are a main charger 3 and an eraser 4. Developing device5. Pre-transfer static elimination lamp 6, transfer charger 7, separation charger 8. It is equipped with a dangling unit 9, etc.

The image reproduction process will be briefly explained. The surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is uniformly charged to a predetermined high potential by the discharge of the main charger 3. The charge in the portion not used for image reproduction is erased by the eraser 4. When the charged surface of the photoreceptor drum 2 is irradiated with reflected light from the original, the potential of that part changes (decreases) depending on the intensity of the irradiated light.
do. The photosensitive drum 2 rotates in the direction shown by the arrow in the figure.
In synchronization with this, the optical scanning system 30 sequentially scans the document surface, so that a potential distribution corresponding to the density (light reflectance) distribution of the document image, that is, an electrostatic latent image, is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 2. Ru.

When the portion on which the electrostatic ffi latent image is formed passes near the developing device 5, the toner in the developing device 5 is attracted to the surface of the photoconductor 2 according to the potential distribution, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image. A visible image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoreceptor drum 2.

On the other hand, in synchronization with the progress of the copying process, recording sheets are supplied from one of the five paper feeding systems selected. This recording sheet is fed through the registration rollers 27 at a predetermined timing so as to overlap the surface of the photosensitive drum 2.

Then, the transfer charger 7 transfers the visible image (toner image) on the photoreceptor drum 2 to the recording sheet side, and the separation charger 8 separates the recording sheet to which the visible image has been transferred from the photoreceptor drum 2. do. The separated recording sheets are transported to a fixing device 12 by a transport belt 11. After passing through the fixing device 12, the toner image on the recording sheet is fixed onto the recording sheet by heat within the fixing device 12. The recording sheet that has been fixed is discharged to the sorter 70 or the automatic duplex unit 80 through a predetermined paper discharge path.

A menu sheet reader is connected to the copying machine shown in FIG. 2a for reading the contents of a menu sheet in which settings for various operation modes of the copying machine are entered. Figures 3a and 3
Figure b shows the configuration of the menu sheet reader 2. FIG. 3a is a longitudinal sectional view, and FIG. 3b is a right side view of FIG. 3a.

Referring to each figure, a guide member 44 is located at the right end of the device. The menu sheet 3 is attached to this guide member 44.
It is guided at the top and inserted into the entrance of the device in the direction of the arrow. Conveying rollers 41 and 40 are arranged at a position close to the inlet and a position close to the outlet, respectively. These conveyance rollers are driven by an electric motor M1, which will be described later, and convey the menu sheet 3 from the entrance to the exit. The menu sheet 3 is conveyed through the conveyance guide plates 42. After the menu sheet 1 has been conveyed to the exit, the sheet is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 45.

A population sensor 51 is provided at a position slightly upstream of the conveyance roller 41 to identify whether or not the menu sheet 3 is inserted. Further, an exit sensor 52 is provided at a position slightly upstream of the conveyance roller 40 on the exit side to determine whether or not a menu sheet is being ejected. Furthermore, three sheet reading sensors 53a, 53b, and 53c are installed near the middle between the conveyance roller 41 on the entrance side and the conveyance roller 40 on the exit side.
They are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the menu sheet 3. 55 is a display formed in the shape of an arrow, and has a built-in light emitting diode LED to be described later. 5
6 is a power switch of the menu sheet reader 2.

This menu sheet reader 2 reads the information written on the menu sheet 3 and transmits the information to the main body of the copying machine. The copying machine main body performs various mode settings based on the information transmitted by the menu sheet reader 3.

An example of the menu sheet 3 is shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b. Figures 5a and 5b show the front and back sides of the menu sheet 3, respectively.

First, referring to FIG. 5a, on the right side of the surface of the menu sheet 30, there are rectangular marks 61 and 62 having the same shape.
are formed in large numbers at equal intervals.

The timing mark 61 located on the rightmost side is completely filled in as desired. The data mark 62 located to the left of the timing mark 61 includes one with only a square frame and one with a black frame.

In the initial state of the menu sheet, all data marks 62 are only square frames. In order to set a copy mode, a person using the copying machine fills in a square frame corresponding to the mode with black, and thereby writes information on the menu sheet 3.

In this example, the data mark 62 on the menu sheet 3 is the copy number setting section 72. Copy size setting section 73. Copy magnification setting section 74. It is divided into five blocks: an optional equipment setting section 75 and an identity setting section 76. The number of copies setting section 72 includes the ones digits 0 to 9.
There are 10 marks for specifying numerical values and 10 marks for specifying numerical values from 0 to 9 of the tens digit. Therefore, this setting section should be able to express information on the number of copies from 0 to 99. In FIG. 5a, 15 sheets are set.

The copy size setting section 73 includes A3. A4. B4 and B
Marks corresponding to four types of recording paper sizes (5) are provided. In the example of FIG. 5a, the A4 size mark is filled in black, so A4 is designated. Similarly, the copy magnification setting section 74 includes 1 equal magnification (100%),
Marks of 1.41x and 0.71x are provided, and 1x is specified.

In addition, the optional equipment setting section 75 has one mark for specifying on/off of the single-sided copy function, two marks for specifying the sorter function mode, two marks for specifying the stapler function mode, and four spare marks. It has two marks.

A total of ten marks are provided in the identity setting section 76. This setting section is a mark representing code information for identifying whether or not the owner of the menu sheet, that is, the user of the copying machine, is a person who has been authorized in advance. In this example, a 10-bit identification code can be expressed.

At the bottom left of the menu sheet 3, two filled marks 82 are provided. This mark is used by the menu sheet reader 2 to automatically identify the insertion direction of the menu sheet 3. That is, when this menu sheet 3 is read by the menu sheet reader 2, the menu sheet 3 is placed in the direction of the arrow mark formed in the center of FIG. 5a.
It is necessary to insert it into the insertion slot, but there is a possibility that the operator may accidentally insert it in the wrong direction.

In this example, when the orientation of the menu sheet 3 is rotated by 180 degrees, the direction identification mark 82a is arranged at a position that coincides with the position of the timing mark at the upper right corner of FIG. 5a. Furthermore, the pitch and pitch of the two direction identification marks 82a and 82b are set to be exactly twice the pitch of the timing marks 61. The control device of the menu sheet reader 2 identifies the timing mark 61 and the direction identification mark 82 by checking the appearance pitch of the signal obtained at the position of the timing mark, as will be described later.

Furthermore, in this example, front and back identification marks 83 and 84 are provided on the back of the menu sheet 3, as shown in FIG. 5b, so that the back and front of the menu sheet 3 can be automatically identified. These marks correspond to the positions of the timing mark 61 and the direction identification mark 82 on the front side when the menu sheet 3 is turned over. In this example, the arrangement pitch of the two front and back identification marks 83 and 84 is set to be exactly three times that of the timing mark 61.

Therefore, the control device can also identify whether the menu sheet 3 is inserted in the wrong direction or whether the menu sheet 3 is inserted in the right or wrong direction.

FIG. 2b shows the appearance of the operation board provided in the main body of the copying machine shown in FIG. 2a. Referring to Figure 2b.

This operation board is provided with many key switches and many indicators. That is, the key switches include a sorter mode key K1, an ADF/5ADF mode key, and 2. 3. 4a for the binding margin adjustment key, 4b for the binding margin adjustment key.

5. Dimension magnification key. 6a for the zoom magnification key, 6b for the zoom key.

7 on the duplex mode key. 8 on the original size key. Copy magnification adjustment keys 9a, 9b, 9c, numeric keypad KIO, paper selection (paper feed system switching) key Kll.

12a to density key, 12b to density key, clear key KC.

A print start key KS, interrupt key KI, etc. are provided. Further, the display section is provided with various indicators including a message display D6.

Therefore, when operating the copying machine without using the menu sheet 3 and menu sheet reader 2, it is necessary to operate various key switches and numerous displays on the operation board, as shown in FIG. 2b. It is easy to make mistakes in operation if you are not used to it.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the entire electric circuit of this copying machine. Referring to FIG. 1, a main control unit 101 including a microcomputer includes an optical system control unit 102. Operation board 8. Paper feed control 22 bits 108. Temperature control unit 111. Lamp control unit 114. High voltage power supply unit 116. ADF (automatic document feeder@) unit 60. Sensor unit 128. Driver 121. A sorter unit 70, an automatic duplex unit 80, and a menu sheet reader 2 are connected.

Briefly, the optical system control unit 102 is connected to an electric motor 103 for reciprocating scanning driving of the optical scanning system, an electric motor 104 for adjusting the copy magnification, and an eraser 105. A display 106 and a key switch 107 are connected, and the paper feed control unit 1
08 is connected to an electric motor 109 and a paper feed clutch 110 for driving the paper feed system, and a fixing heater 112 and a drum heater 113 are connected to the temperature control unit 111.
An exposure lamp 115 is connected to the lamp control unit 114, and a charger 1 is connected to the high voltage power supply unit 116.
17. A transfer charger 118, a separation charger 119 and a developing sleeve 120 are connected.

Note that the ADF unit 60 is configured to transfer the original document to the reading surface of the copying machine (
It has a function to read the size of the document when it is conveyed onto the contact glass.

The sensor unit 128 includes a timing pulse generator,
It is equipped with a registration sensor, a paper discharge sensor, a recording paper size sensor, a density detection sensor, a separation sensor, a toner sensor, an overrun sensor, a paper end sensor, etc. A recording paper size sensor is provided in each of the five paper feeding systems, and detects the size of the recording paper in the cassette set in each paper feeding system.

The driver 121 includes a main motor 122 . Various clutches 123. Various solenoids 124. A static elimination lamp 125 and a fan 126 are connected.

Switches swi, sW2 . connected to the main control unit.
SW3 and SW4 are provided inside the copying machine,
It is operated to switch various modes according to the user's wishes. The functions of these switches will be explained later.

FIG. 3c shows the configuration of the electric circuit of the menu sheet reader 2. Referring to FIG. 3C, a microcomputer 200 is provided as a control device. Five transmission type optical sensors SEi, SEo, STa, STb, and STc are connected to the input port of the microcomputer 200. These optical sensors SE i, SEo, STa
, STb and S T c are the sensors 51, 52, 53a, 53b and 53c shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, respectively.

In addition, the output port of the microcomputer 200 has
An electric motor M1 for driving the transport roller is connected via a motor driver. By controlling the two signal lines CW (clockwise) and CCV (counterclockwise) connected to the output port of the microcomputer 200, it is possible to turn on/off the energization of the electric motor M1 and switch the direction of the energization. . In other words, the microcomputer 200 can control on/off and driving direction of the electric motor M1. In addition, the microcomputer 20
A light emitting diode LED for display is connected to the output port 0 via an inverter.

The microcomputer 200 has a built-in serial communication (data transmission) function, and its data transmission terminal and data reception terminal are connected to the serial communication terminal of the main control unit 101 shown in FIG. 1 via a buffer. There is. Therefore, the menu sheet reader 2 and the main control unit 1
01, data can be sent and received between each other.

Data transmission between the main control unit (copying machine) and the menu sheet reader is schematically shown in FIG. That is, when the copying machine first becomes ready, a ``readable'' signal is sent to the menu sheet reader. In response to this signal, the menu sheet reader 2 turns on the sheet insertion permission indicator (65: LED). Then, when the menu sheet is inserted, after reading it, the sheet insertion possible display (65: LED) is turned off.

The menu sheet reader then sends a "data present" signal to the copying machine. If the copying machine is in the ready state, it transmits a "sendable" signal to the menu sheet reader 2. In response to this signal, the menu sheet reader 2 sequentially transmits the data group read from the menu sheet to the copying machine. In other words, every time data is transmitted, the copying machine sends a "sendable" signal to the menu sheet reader, and in response, the menu sheet reader sends 1 byte of data to the copying machine for all data. and execute it repeatedly in sequence. When the transmission of all data is completed, the menu sheet reader 2 transmits a data completion'' signal to the copying machine.

Upon receiving the "end of data" signal, the copying machine executes a predetermined mode setting process and again sends a "readable" signal to the menu sheet reader. Here, if a menu sheet is inserted into the menu sheet reader 2 again, the same operation as described above will be repeated. Note that if the mode setting process is performed multiple times, the mode set in the later process will be set in the copying machine. Further, if there is a key input from the operation board 8 of the copying machine after the mode is set by the menu sheet reader, the mode setting is updated in accordance with the input. Conversely, when the copying machine is set to a mode that corresponds to key input from the operation board 8, if data is input from the menu sheet reader, the mode is updated in accordance with that data.

Note that, for example, a configuration may be adopted in which priority is given to mode setting by manual key input from the operation board 8 and mode setting by data input from the menu sheet reader 2, and the priority order can be changed by a switch.

That is, if priority is given to manual key power, mode setting from the menu sheet reader is prohibited when the copier is in a mode other than the standard mode, and if priority is given to the menu sheet reader, mode setting is performed by the menu sheet reader. After that, all keys on the operation board other than the all clear key and the print start switch may be prohibited from being manually operated.

When the print start switch KS is pressed, the copying machine sends a "read not possible" signal to the menu sheet reader 2 and starts copying according to the set operation mode. In this case, the sheet insertable display on the menu sheet reader is turned off. When the copying operation is completed, the copying machine again sends a "readable" signal to the menu sheet reader 2.

In this embodiment, the copying machine sends three types of signals to the menu sheet reader 2: "readable", "readable", and "sendable". "Readable" and "readable" are ,
labeled DIOK, respectively, IOH and OOH
It supports 8-bit code. Further, "sendable" is represented by a DSOK label.

It corresponds to the 8-bit code of FFI.

A list of signals sent by the menu sheet reader 2 to the copying machine is shown in Table 1 below. These signals are basically configured such that the lower 4 bits represent the identity of the data, and the higher 4 bits represent the content of the data.

Table 1 Referring to Table 1, the 1's digit and 10's digit of the number of copies are represented by labels DCPI and DCP2, respectively, and the BCD codes included therein represent numerical values from 0 to 9, respectively. The recording paper size is indicated by the label BSZ, and is B5. A4. 4′ of B4 and A3! @ type is encoded. Note that in this example, 1'' is active, and the same applies to other codes.In addition to the original copy magnification, the copy machine has three types of enlargement (1, 15, 1, 22,
1,41), 5 types of reduction (0,93,0,87,0,82
, 0, 71, 0, 64), but in this example, the specification from the menu sheet is 1.41 . Only one of each of 0.71 can be specified as the reduction. DM for label
It is N. The duplex function is represented by the label DDC, and the fixed code F4H (H indicates hexadecimal representation; the same applies hereinafter).The sorter function is represented by the label DST, and the data includes bits that specify the sort mode and stack mode. Each one is equipped.

The data represented by the DED label pertains to error indications. That is, bit 4 is a flag indicating whether there is a jam, bit 5 is a flag indicating whether there is an error in the menu sheet insertion direction, and bit 6 is a flag indicating whether or not the identity code is recorded. In this embodiment, 16 types of identity codes are registered in advance, and 16 users (departments) can be identified.

A signal containing 4-bit data indicating the distinction of the identified user is user management data represented by the label DUK. This data can be used by the copying machine to manage the number of copies, etc. The signal represented by the label DEND indicates that all data transmission has been completed, and is indicated by DIN.
indicates that a menu sheet has been inserted or a control code has occurred.

Next, the specific operation of the menu sheet reader 2 will be explained. 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d and 6e show the menu sheet reader 2, ie the 3c
The contents of various processes of the microcomputer 200 shown in the figure are shown. These processes are sequentially and repeatedly executed.

First, the motor drive control subroutine shown in FIG. 6a will be explained.

In step 1, it is determined whether a falling edge of the signal level of the signal SGi has been detected. When a menu sheet is inserted into the entrance of the menu sheet reader, SGi switches from high level H to low level L. At this point, proceed to step 2. Otherwise, proceed to step 11.

In step 2, the state of the jam flag Fjm is checked. When the jam flag Fjm is 1, it is cleared to 0 in step 3.

In step 4, the state of the insertion direction error flag Fdr is checked. When the insertion direction error flag Fdr is 1, the process proceeds to step 5, where it is cleared to 0.

In step 6, it is determined whether the copying machine has sent a "readable" signal. When "readable" is received, proceed to step 7.

In step 7, the driving electric motor M1 is rotated in the forward rotation direction (
CW: Starts driving clockwise). As a result, the menu sheet 3 is conveyed from the entrance to the exit of the menu sheet reader. In step 8, the light emitting diode LED is turned off.

As a result, the display on the display 55 disappears. Step 9
and IO turn on timers TJM and TTS, respectively.

In step 11, it is determined whether a rising edge of the signal SGo has been detected, that is, whether a menu sheet has been ejected.

Immediately after the menu sheet conveyance starts, step 1
Proceed to step 2.

Immediately after the menu sheet conveyance starts, the signal SGo
Since this is the high level I-1, the process proceeds to step 13 after step 12. In step 13, the contents of the jam timer 9 are checked. Normally, the sensor S on the inlet side
Since the sensor SEo (52) on the exit side detects the tips of menu sheets 1 to 1 within a predetermined time after E i (51) detects the tips of the menu sheets, step 13
Step 12 before timer TJM times out in
Then, SGo becomes L, and the process proceeds to step 20.

If a jam occurs due to the menu sheet getting caught, etc., and the menu sheet gets stuck inside the menu sheet reader, the exit side sensor S
Since Eo (52) cannot detect the leading edge of the menu sheet, in that case, timer TJM exceeds the tie by 11 in step 13. In this case, proceed to step 14 next.

In step 14, the controller 11 flag Fjm is set to 1 and the controller 1 is set to 1.
Yes, proceed to the next step 15.

In step I5, the electric motor Ml for conveying the menu sheet is stopped, and in step 16, the electric motor M1 is started to be driven in the reverse direction (CCV: counterclockwise direction), and in step 17
Now turn on timer TJ2.

In step 18, the blinking operation of one light emitting diode LED is started.

That is, when the jam flag Fjm is detected, the jam flag Fjm is set to 1, the conveyance direction of the menu sheet is reversed, and the menu sheet is returned to the insertion position 1 side.

In this case, the process proceeds through steps 12-20-21, and when the timer TJ2 times out, step 22 is executed to stop driving the electric motor M1.

Further, in step 20, if the flag Fdr is 1, the process proceeds to step 15, and the menu sheet is returned to the insertion slot side in the same manner as above.

In step 11, when the rising edge of SGo, that is, sensor SEo (52) detects the ejection of the menu sheet, the process proceeds to step 19, and the drive of motor M1 is stopped.
Turn off the timer.

Please refer to FIG. 7, which shows an example of the operation timing when the menu sheet is conveyed normally and when a jam occurs.

Next, the orientation/direction identification routine shown in FIG. 6b will be described.

In step 31, the state of the flag FssL is checked. This flag is cleared to 0 immediately after starting reading the menu sheet, and the process then proceeds to step 32.

In step 32, it is determined whether or not the rising edge of the timing mark reading signal SGa from L to H has been detected. Identify whether or not it has been detected. However, sheet reading sensor 5Ta (
53a) is actually the timing mark 61.
It is not known at this step 32 whether it is the mark or another mark (82, 83, 84).

If the sheet reading sensor 5Ta (53a) detects a mark in step 32, then step 3
Proceed to step 3. In step 33, the first flag F f
Check the status of st;. Initially, the flag F fs
Since t is 0, steps 39 and 40 are executed to clear the timer TTS and set the flag Ffsj to 1.

When the flag F fst is set to 1, that is, when the second timing mark is detected,
After step 33, the process proceeds to step 34.

In this case, the flag Ffst is cleared to 0 in step 34, and the process proceeds to step 35.

In step 35, the contents of the timer TTS are compared with a predetermined time 2To. To is set to a value slightly smaller than the time required for the menu sheet 3 to travel a distance corresponding to the arrangement pitch of the timing marks 61. Sheet reading sensor 5Ta (53a) is timing mark 6
1, the timer T is activated each time it is detected.
Since TS is cleared, the value of TTS is approximately T at its maximum.
It becomes o.

However, when the menu sheet 3 is inserted in the opposite direction and the sheet reading sensor S Ta (53a) detects the mark 82, or when the menu sheet 3 is inserted upside down and the sheet reading sensor 5Ta (53a) detects mark 83 or 84, the content of timer TTS is 2.
It's going to be more than T. Therefore, if the TTS becomes 2To or more, it is considered that the menu sheet is in the wrong direction (or turned upside down).

In that case, step 36 is executed and the direction error flag F
Set dr to 1.

In step 37, timer TTS is cleared, and in step 3
In step 8, the end flag F sst is set to 1.

When the end flag Fss becomes 1, the above processing is skipped and not executed.

If the detection period of the black mark is longer than the predetermined time Tm, it may be considered that the menu sheet 3 is incorrectly positioned in the horizontal direction, and this is regarded as an error. Specifically, in step 41, the content of timer TTS is checked, and if it is greater than or equal to Tm, step 42 is executed.
and sets the direction error flag Fdr to 1.

It should be noted that when the timing mark is detected for the third time or later, that is, when the flag F sst is 1, the timer TTS may be used to detect a conveyance failure due to a jam or the like.

Next, the contents of the mark reading subroutine shown in FIGS. 6c and 6d will be explained.

Roughly speaking, in this process, the contents of the data marks 62 on the menu sheet 3 are read to generate internal data as shown in Table 1 above.

In step 51, it is checked whether a rising edge of the signal SGa has been detected. If it is detected, the process proceeds to step 52. That is, the sheet reading sensor S Ta (53a
) detects the timing mark (black mark) 61, the process from step 52 onwards is executed.

In step 52, the contents of counter CTM are incremented. Note that the contents of this counter CTM are cleared to 0 when reading of the menu sheet 3 is started.

When the value of CTM is within the range of OOH and OA I-1,
The process advances from step 53 to step 54. That is, when reading the data area for the number of copies, the process proceeds to step 54 and subsequent steps. When each of the sheet reading sensors 5Tb (s3b) and 5Tc (53c) is in a detection state, that is, detecting the affected filled-in portion, the counter C at that time
Data is set in DCPI and DCP2, respectively, depending on the contents of the TM.

Similarly, when the counter CTM is in the range 0BH-OE)I, the data area of the copy size (recording paper size) is being read, so when SGb is from ■ to ■, the value ( f (CTM) indicates a function of CTM) is set to DCZ. Also, counter CTM is 0F.
If it is in the range H-11H, the data area of the copy magnification is being read, so when SGb is set to I, a value corresponding to the contents of CTM is set in DMN.

For other data areas, the 6th
Processing is performed as shown in Figures C and 6a to obtain the data shown in Table 1 above.

When the reading of data from the menu sheet is completed through the above process, the ID code identification process shown in FIG. 6e is executed.

In step 92, the 10-bit ID code DAC formed in the identity area on the menu sheet 3 is
is compared with 16 types of registration codes COD (0 to 15) registered in advance in the menu sheet reader. If the detected ID code matches any one of the registered codes, step 97 is executed after step 92, and the copy prohibition flag Fcpr is cleared to O. Detected I
If the D code does not match any registration code,
Execute step 95 and set the copy prohibition flag Fcpr to 1.
Sera 1~.

When the identification of the ID code is completed, that is, after step 95 or 97 is executed, the process proceeds to step 96, in which the data read from the menu sheet, ie, the data shown in the first table, is read according to the procedure described above.

Send to copier.

Next, the operation of the main control unit 101 shown in FIG. 1 will be explained. FIG. 4a shows an outline of the overall operation. The basic content of the process shown in FIG. 4a is the same as that of a general copying machine, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

When the copying machine is in standby state, step SA3゜SA
4 and SA5 are repeatedly executed. At this time, data is transmitted and received between the menu sheet 1 and the reader 2. Steps SA3° SA4 in FIG. 4a. A part of the processing included in SA5 is shown in Figures 4b, 4c, 4d,
This is shown in Figures 4e, 4f and 4g.

First, the contents of the specified abnormality identification subroutine shown in FIG. 4b will be explained. In step S1, the presence or absence of an abnormality in the data DSZ (see Table 1) transmitted from the menu sheet reader 2 is determined. That is, this data DSZ is related to the recording paper size, and normally it is Δ3. r34
．． Either A4 or B5 is selected. but,
Due to human error when writing marks on the menu sheet, multiple black marks may be written in the recording paper size column on the menu sheet. If this type of duplicate designation is detected, the process advances to step S2.

Mode switch SW connected to main control unit 101
When I is set in LIPID (priority order designation), step S3 is executed. That is, data is modified according to a predetermined priority order. For example, if a mark specifying A3 size and a mark specifying A4 size exist on the menu sheet at the same time, Δ3. B4. If the priority order of A4 and B5 is 4, 3.1 and 2, respectively,
Since A4 has a higher priority than A3, A4 size is selected.

Further, when the mode switch SWl is set to LIDIr (abnormality display), step S5 is executed.

That is, the message display D6 on the operation board displays "Data error" and the error flag F er
Set r to 1.

When the mode switch SWI is set to LINH (standard mode), the process advances to step S6. That is, the recording paper size selection mode is set to a predetermined standard state (the state immediately after power-on and immediately after all-clear).

In step S7, the menu sheet reader 2 sends (I)
The presence or absence of an abnormality in the data DMN (see Table 1) is identified. That is, this data DMN relates to the copy magnification, and normally one of the following is selected: equal magnification, 0.71, or 1.41.

However, there is a possibility that duplicate specifications may occur in this case as well. Therefore, if duplicate designation of DMN is detected, the process advances to step S8.

In this case as well, depending on the state of the mode switch SWI, t
If r P rr, select the copy magnification in order of priority, r
If r D is 11, an abnormality is displayed, and if 11 N 1g, the copy magnification is set to the standard state.

Similarly, if duplicate designation of DST is detected in step SL3, the process proceeds to step S14 and subsequent steps. That is, if the mode switch SWl is rr P n, the sorter function is selected according to the priority order, if it is II D II, an abnormality is displayed, and if it is 11 N 11, the sorter function is set to the standard mode.

Next, the "error processing" shown in FIG. 4C will be explained.

In steps 321 and S23, an error on the menu sheet reader side is checked by referring to the received data DED.In other words, in step S21, it is determined whether DED is 198 or not, that is, if the jam flag Fjm of bit 4 is set. Jam flag Fjm
is set, execute step S22,
The message display D6 on the operation board displays ``Menu sheet wo cycerati shitecudasai''.

Further, in step S23, DED is 291 (or not,
That is, it is determined whether the direction error flag Fdr of bit 5 is set. When the flag is set, step S24 is executed, and the message display D6 on the operation board displays ``Menu Sheet''.

In step S25, it is determined whether a mode has been specified for a function that cannot be specified. For example, even though a stapler is not connected to the copying machine, a data area specifying the stapler mode on the menu sheet is marked, and it is determined whether data is set in DYBl.

If such a specification is made, the next step S
Proceed to step 26.

That is, if the mode switch SW3 connected to the main control unit 101 is off, the data is ignored, and if the mode switch SW3 is on, the process proceeds to step s27. In step S27, the message display D6 on the operation board displays "STABLE KINOHA SHODEKIMASEN" and the error flag F err is set to 1.

Next, the "designation omission process" shown in FIG. 4d will be explained. Generally, when adjusting the magnification of images on originals and recording paper,
The recording paper size must be selected to match the recorded image size. If you make a mistake or forget your choice,
The recorded image may not fit on the recording paper, or a large blank area may be formed on the recording paper. The process shown in FIG. 4d eliminates this inconvenience.

In step S31, refer to the data DSZ.

Check whether the recording paper size is specified. If any recording paper size has been designated, the process advances to step S32, and the data DMN is further referred to to check whether a copy magnification has been designated. There is a recording paper size specification,
Moreover, if the copy magnification is not specified, the AMS mode is set.

When the AMS mode is set, the copying machine automatically sets the copy magnification according to the original size and recording paper size before performing a copying operation.

The document size is detected by an automatic document feeder (ADF) 60. The width size is detected by a number of optical sensors, and the feed direction size is measured by the time it takes for the sheet to pass through the sensors that detect the presence or absence of the sheet. Therefore, even if the user forgets to specify the copy magnification on the menu sheet, the appropriate magnification is automatically set.

Furthermore, if DSZ (recording paper size) is not specified in step S31, the process advances to step S34, and the copy magnification (
DMN) is specified.

If the copy magnification is specified but the recording paper size is not specified, the process advances to step S35, and the APS is set in the copying machine.
Set the mode. When APS mode is set,
The copying machine detects the original size at vq when performing a copying operation, and depending on the original size and the specified copy magnification,
Identify the appropriate paper size and record the paper size @
To automatically select a paper feed system in which a paper feed cassette containing paper is installed.

If both DSZ and DMN are not specified, the process proceeds to step 336, and the standard mode (for example, Δ4 size, same size) is set for each of the recording paper size and copy magnification.

Next, the automatic start subroutine shown in FIG. 4e will be described.

In normal operation, the copying machine starts a copying operation by pressing (turning on) a print start switch KS on the operation board. However, in this embodiment, when the mode setting based on the data from the menu sheet reader is completed, the print start switch KS is not operated.
It is possible to start the copy operation automatically.

This will be explained with reference to FIG. 4e. In step S41, the menu sheet reader 2 finishes transmitting all data,
゛'Identifies whether or not the end-of-data signal has been transmitted. When the main control unit 101 receives "end of data", the process proceeds to step S42, and mode setting is executed according to the content of the received data.

In the next step S43, the flag F_cpr is checked. If the flag Fcpr is 0, the process advances to step S44; otherwise, if the ID code on the menu sheet is not a registered code, the process advances to step S47, where a copy prohibition flag is set.

In step S44, the state of the mode switch SW2 connected to the main control unit 101 is checked. If the mode switch SW2 is on, the process advances to step S45. In step S45, the error flag F_err is checked, and if it is 0, that is, if there is no error, the process proceeds to step S46, and a copy start flag is set.

In other words, if the mode setting is completed using the data from the menu sheet reader, there is no ID code mismatch, mode switch SW2 is turned on, and there are no other errors, copying can be performed without operating the print start switch KS. The start flag is set and the copy operation is started.

Next, the contents of the user management subroutine will be explained with reference to FIG. 4f.

In step S51, a user number USER is generated based on the data DUK sent from the menu sheet reader. In other words, since the upper 4 bits of DUK indicate the number of one of 16 types of users,
Store in.

In step S52, a designated value for the number of copies is generated as a function of DCPI and DCP2, and is stored in n.

In step S53, the one (MM (USER)) allocated to the identified user among the used sheet cumulative memory MM allocated to each user is accessed,
The specified value n of the number of copies specified this time is added to it.

In step S54, the contents of the memory updated in step S53 are compared with the maximum allowable number of sheets MXI allocated in advance to each user. Note that K in step S54 is U.
It shows the same thing as SER. MM (K)>MX
When the value is 1, the process proceeds to the next step S56, where the message display D6 displays ``I have no idea what to do'' and the error flag Ferr is set to 1.

In step S55, the currently specified number of copies n is compared with the maximum permissible number of copies MX2 assigned in advance to each user, and if n > MX2, the process proceeds to step S56, where an error message is displayed and an error flag is set. Set F err.

Next, the management information output subroutine shown in FIG. 4g will be explained.

In step S61, the state of mode switch SW4 connected to main control unit 101 is checked. When the switch SW4 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S62 and subsequent steps.

That is, in step S62, the counter N is cleared to O, and in step S63, the contents of the usage number accumulation memory MM (N) allocated to the user corresponding to the counter N are read. In step S64, the value of the counter N and the numerical value read in step S63 are simultaneously displayed on the display on the operation board 8.

In step S65, the process waits for a predetermined time required for the operator to recognize the display.

Then, in step S66, the counter N is incremented, and the above process is repeatedly executed until N>15, that is, until the display of the data of 16 users is completed.

That is, by turning on the switch SW4, each of the 16 users can display how many copies they have made so far.

[Effects] As described above, according to the present invention, the mode can be set according to the contents of the menu sheet simply by making a simple entry on the menu sheet and having the menu sheet reader read it.

Extremely easy to operate.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of one type of copying machine embodying the present invention. FIG. 2a is a front view showing the structure of the mechanism of the copying machine of the embodiment, and FIG. 2b is a plan view showing the appearance of the operation board of the copying machine. FIG. 3a is a vertical sectional view of the menu sheet reader 2 seen from the front, and FIG. 3b is a right side view of FIG. 3a. FIG. 3c is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electric circuit included in the menu sheet reader of FIG. 3a. Figure 4a, Figure 4b, Figure 4C, Figure 4d, Figure 4e,
4f and 4g show the main control unit 10 of FIG.
1 is a flowchart showing part of the operation of No. 1; 5a and 5b are front views showing the appearance of the front and back sides of one menu sheet 3, respectively. 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and 6e are flowcharts showing the operation of the microcomputer 200 shown in FIG. 3c. FIG. 7 is a time chart showing an example of the sheet conveyance operation of the menu sheet reader. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the procedure of data transmission between the main control unit 101 and the menu sheet reader. 2: Menu sheet reader 3: Menu sheet 8: Operation board 40.41:
Conveyance roller 42: Wi feed guide plate 44 Ni guide member
45: Paper discharge 1-ray 51 (SEi): Entrance sensor 52 (SEo): Exit sensor 53a, 53b, 53c: Sheet reading sensor 55: Display 56: Power switch 60: ADF unit 61: Timing mark 62: Data mark 70: Sorter unit 72: Copy number setting section 73: Copy size setting section 74: Copy magnification setting section 75 Nibition device setting section 76: Identity setting section 82a, 82b, 82: Direction identification mark 83. 84: Front and back identification Mark 101: Main control unit 102: Optical system control unit 108: Paper feed control unit 200: Microcomputer D6: Message display KS Niblint start key SWI~SW4: Mode switch M1: Electric motor 3 engineering drawing? z Yato 3 Tozu No. 40 Kasumi no.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A menu sheet having an information designation field in a predetermined format; a sheet reading means for reading information in the information designation field of the menu sheet; and setting operating conditions for office equipment based on the information read by the sheet reading means. An operating condition setting device for office equipment, further comprising: an operating mode setting means for automatically starting a recording operation of the office equipment when setting of operating conditions is completed. (2) When the information read by the sheet reading means includes information that cannot be set, the operation mode setting means:
The operating condition setting device for office equipment according to claim 1, which ignores this and automatically starts the recording operation of the office equipment when the setting of operating conditions regarding other information is completed. (3) When the information read by the sheet reading means includes information that cannot be set, the operation mode setting means:
An operating condition setting device for office equipment according to claim 1, which notifies an abnormality and prohibits a recording operation of the office equipment.