JPH02108077A - Copying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the need for stating and specifying a normal copying mode that does not require specification on a copying mode specifying paper and to improve operability by setting a mode after a copying mode specified by the copying mode specifying paper read by a reading means is temporarily set to the normal copying mode. CONSTITUTION:The side of a copying machine main body 4 transits a transmission permission signal to a reader 8, and waits for data read by the copying mode specifying paper 51. To set the copying mode specified by the copying mode specifying paper 51 read by the reader 8, it is not set directly, but temporarily to the normal copying mode. Then, the specified copying mode is set in terms of specified conditions. As a result, the need for stating and specifying the normal copying mode that does not require specification on the copying mode specifying paper is eliminated to improve operability.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying apparatus capable of specifying a copy mode using a copy mode specification sheet.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as copying apparatuses have become multifunctional, the number of keys and switches related to copy mode settings has increased, making operations more complex, and it is possible that a desired copy may not be obtained due to an operational error or the like. This is particularly inconvenient when the copy requester and the copy operator are different. For this reason, the copy requester writes copy mode selection information, such as information on the number of copies, on a copy mode specification sheet, and the copy operator inserts this sheet into an optical reader and reads it. A copying machine has been proposed that automatically sets a copy mode according to information and enables copying.

For example, according to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 53-131048, an information card with the number of copies programmed is set in an automatic document feeder (ADF) in the same way as a document, and when the document is transported in the same way as the document, the information on the information card is read. , it is described that the mode should be set so that the number of copies is achieved. However, such a copying machine has an information reading means provided inside the copying machine, which increases the overall cost of the copying machine. In particular, for users who do not need to set the copy mode using an information card and think that manually setting the normal keys on the operation panel is sufficient, even though such an information reading means is unnecessary, the built-in There are also problems such as not being able to remove it.

In this regard, for example, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 56-143455, if the information reading device is not built into the copying machine body but is an option separate from the copying machine body, only the necessary users can input the card. We will be able to provide a method.

By the way, when using a card that specifies such a copy mode, various copy conditions (each of which corresponds to a copy mode) are written on the card, but the user can always check all copy conditions. It is not always necessary to specify by filling in the field, but it is often left blank. For example, only the number of copies may be specified without specifying the magnification or the like.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In this regard, according to the conventional method, for copying conditions that have not been specified, the copying conditions set last time before the card was read remain as they are. In this way, even if there is no specific specification, if you leave the previously set conditions as they are, it does not necessarily mean that the conditions will be inconvenient for the current copy, and the copy will continue as is. In many cases, the expected copy cannot be obtained. For example, in a case where the magnification is not specified, the copying operation remains in the previous enlargement mode, which may cause problems such as image loss.

To avoid such inconvenience, it is possible to fill in all the copying conditions written on the card, but this is inconvenient.

Means for Solving the Problem A copy mode specification form for specifying a copy mode according to a prescribed format, a reading means for reading the copy mode specified by the copy mode specification form, and a copying method according to the copy mode read by the reading means. The copying apparatus has a copy mode setting means for setting a mode, and is provided with a control means for setting a copy mode designated by a copy mode designation sheet read by a reading means, after the copy mode is once set to a standard copy mode.

Effect copy mode setting The copy mode setting by specifying the paper is
Since this is performed after the standard copy mode has been set once, any copy mode that is not specifically designated on the copy mode designation sheet becomes the standard copy mode, and does not become the previous copy mode. As a result, there is no need to enter and specify on the copy mode designation form even if there is no need to specify a standard copy mode, and operability is improved.

Example An embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

First, FIG. 2 shows the overall external configuration, in which a copying machine main body 4 is provided, which has first and second paper feed trays 1 and 2, and further has a third paper feed tray 3 that can be additionally connected as an option. ing.

Furthermore, an ADF 5 is mounted on the top of the copying machine main body 4 to automatically transport a document (not shown). 6 is an operation section, and 7 is a paper output tray.

A reading device 8 serving as reading means for reading information on a copy mode designation sheet (described later) is attached to a part of the upper part of the copying machine main body 4.

This reading device 8 is formed with an insertion slot 9 into which paper designated for copying mode is inserted, and when a paper sensor detects that paper is inserted into the insertion slot 9, an internal transport motor is driven and the transport rollers are activated. (not shown), and the information (marks) written on this copy mode designation sheet is read by an optical reading sensor. After reading,
The paper is ejected from the insertion slot 9 again by the transport roller by reversing the transport motor. The reading device 8 transmits the reading mark information to the control system within the copying machine main body 4. Furthermore, an insertion prohibition indicator 10 and an insertion permission indicator 11 are provided on the upper surface of the reading device 8. The on/off of these indicators 10 and 11 is controlled by signals from the copying machine main body 4, and when the insertion prohibition indicator 10 is lit, the transport motor will not operate even if paper is inserted into the insertion slot 9. It does not rotate and paper is not conveyed. In addition, these indicators 10, 1
1 will not turn on or off at the same time.

Next, FIG. 3 shows the configuration of various keys, switches, and displays in the operation section 6. First, the key switches include the start key 12, numeric keypad 13, clear/stop key 14, interrupt key 15, stack key 16, sort key 17, mode clear key 18, preheat key 19,
Timer key 20, 5ADF key 21, ADF key 22
, an automatic density key 23, and a manual density key 24 are provided. Furthermore, paper selection key 25, same size key 26, variable size key 27, up/down/left/right control keys 28, special variable size key 29, duplex key 30, binding key 31, edit key 32
, an enter key 33, a program key 34, a timer set key 35, etc. are provided. Some of these keys have mode display LEDs that indicate the mode depending on the key operation.
36 (shown in black) is provided. Also,
A fixed pattern display section 37 using liquid crystal is provided to display paper size, number of copies, abnormality display, etc. moreover,
A liquid crystal full-dot display section 38 is also provided for displaying the mode when setting the mode mainly by key operation.

Furthermore, the block diagram configuration of the control system is shown in FIG.

First, the main control circuit of the copying machine main body 4 is the CPU 40, R
It consists of a microcomputer system consisting of OM41 and RAM42. Here, the RAM 42 that stores control flags and data is backed up by a battery 43, and even if the power of the copying machine is turned off, the RAM 42
The contents are stored in non-volatile memory so that they do not disappear. R
A program is written in OM4], and processing is performed according to this program. Further, a programmable clock 44 IC is connected to the CPU 40, and is configured to turn on or off the AC power source of the copying machine and various displays on the operation section 6 at predetermined times.

Serial interface 45 for this CPU 40
An operating section control circuit 46 for the operating section 6 is connected through the. This operation unit control circuit 46 includes various keys (for example, the start key 12, etc.) shown in FIG.
D36, fixed pattern display section 37 and full dot display section 38 are connected, and serial interface 45
It is possible to import operation key data into the CPU 40 or control the display state via the CPU 40.

Further, a reading device control circuit 48 for the reading device 8 is connected to the CPU 40 via a serial interface 47. In addition to the above-mentioned insertion prohibited indicator 10 and insertable indicator 11, the reader control circuit 48 includes a transport motor 49 that conveys the copy mode designation paper, and a reader that optically reads marks written on the copy mode designation paper. A sensor 50 is connected. This makes it possible to read mark data on copy mode designated paper.

Next, copy mode designation paper 51 used in this embodiment
is shown in Figure 5. This copy mode designation sheet 51 allows you to designate the main modes among various copy modes in a mark sheet format according to a predetermined format.Specifically, the copy number designation section 52, copy size designation section Section 53,
It consists of a copy magnification specifying section 54, a double-sided copy specifying section 55, a sorter mode specifying section 56, a program specifying section 57, and a preliminary specifying section 58. The black portion 59 at the right end is address information. In each designation area, by writing a dot mark or a - mark in the white square of the place you want to designate, the reading device 8 detects this mark and sends it to the copying machine main body. It is something. Areas where nothing is written or the mode part are ignored and the standard copy mode is used.

Furthermore, if a mode that cannot be incorporated, for example, a sort mode and a stack mode, is specified at the same time, it is determined that a reading error has occurred, and the copy mode specification sheet 51 is ejected from the insertion slot 9, invalidating the read data. do.

Here, a preliminary designation section 58 shown surrounded by a broken line is a designation section that is not limited to specific mode designations, and mode designations specific to various copying machines can be assigned to this section. When a mark is designated somewhere in this preliminary designation section 58, the reading device 8 simply transmits only a signal indicating the designated position to the copying machine main body 4 side. Therefore, which position in this preliminary designation section 58 corresponds to which mode is determined for each copying machine. The mode designation by the preliminary designation section 58 is used for modes not included in the specific mode for this paper, such as special magnification mode designation, color copy designation, and the like. An explanation will be added regarding this preliminary designation section 58. Generally, the copy mode designation sheet 51 and reading device 8 as in this embodiment are
It can be used not only with one model of copying machine but also with different models of copying machines (of course, on the copying machine main body 4 side, the hardware configuration as shown in FIG. 4, that is, the interface and (It is necessary to prepare the software configuration.) Under these circumstances, various types of copying machines have common functions, such as enlarging and reducing, and special functions that are provided only to certain models. Therefore, on the copy mode specification sheet 51, as for the number of copies and modes such as double-sided copying that are common to each model, these modes are printed in advance to make them common, as shown in FIG. The preliminary designation unit 58 is used to select a mode based on a special function that is lacking. For this reason,
Since the preliminary designation section 58 is not common to all models,
The mode name is not printed and is made known to the user in the user manual for each model of copier.

In other words, even if marks are written at the same location in the preliminary designation section 58, their meanings, ie, designation modes, will differ depending on the type of copying machine used. In a copying machine model that does not have functions other than the common function, this preliminary designation section 58 has no meaning, so whatever is read by the reading device 8 is ignored.

Here, the signals transmitted from the reading device 8 to the copying machine main body 4 will be explained. Data length is bits bO to b7, 8
The lower 4 bits (bO to b3) are address information for identifying data, and the upper 4 bits are marked data. Specifically, for the number of copies, the x1 column shown in FIG. 5 is the first data for the number of copies,
The o column represents the 10th data, and the X100 column represents the ioo data. The copy size is B5-A3, each bit B.
4 to b7. Copy magnification, double-sided copy mode, sort mode, and program mode also correspond to bits. Program mode I'Jo, 1 to 5 means the memory number that stores the mode set by the program mode, and if one of these is specified, the mode stored in that memory will be used. Set.

If these are shown in a table, it will look like Table 1. As the control data, a handshake signal is used in which the input cloth is FFn and the data end is OFH. Further, the logic of each bit is "1" which means that it is active and marked. Further, spare-1 to spare-3 in the preliminary designation section 58 indicate marked locations.

Also, the signals transmitted from the copying machine main body 4 side to the reading device 8 will be explained. This also has a data length of 8 bits,
The lower 4 bits are an address for identifying data, and the upper 4 bits are data.

All of these are control data and are allocated as shown in Table 2. Note that whether or not the input of the copy mode designation paper (sheet) is allowed/disabled is data such that FO is allowed, and OOH is data that is not allowed.

Based on the control data shown in Tables 1 and 2, transmission and reception operations are performed between the copying machine main body 4 and the reading device 8 according to the data input/output sequence shown in FIG.

In such a configuration, in this embodiment, the reading device 8
When setting the copy mode specified by the copy mode specification sheet 51 read by , the copy mode is not set directly, but the standard copy mode is first set, and then the specified copy mode is set for the specified conditions. It is. Such control is executed using a process according to a flowchart as shown in FIG. 1 as a control means.

Therefore, a more detailed explanation will be given with reference to FIG. When the main switch of the copying machine is turned on to turn on the power, the control circuit shown in FIG. 4 is turned on and the program stored in the ROM 41 is executed. First, a sheet input disable signal is sent to the reading device 8, and the copying machine checks whether there is a sheet input prohibition condition, and then checks whether the copying machine main body 4 side can accept the data on the copy mode specification form 51. . Here, sheet input prohibition conditions include jams, equipment abnormalities, open door covers, etc.
This is a condition that prevents the copy mode from being changed. If there is a sheet input prohibition condition, a sheet input prohibition signal is transmitted and it is constantly checked again whether there is a sheet input prohibition condition.

If there is no sheet input prohibition condition or no longer exists, the insertable indicator 11 lights up to send a sheet input enable signal to the reading device 8), and waits for the copy mode designation sheet 51 to be inserted. When the paper sensor detects that the copy mode designated paper 51 has been inserted, a sheet input presence signal is transmitted from the reading device 8 to the copying machine main body 4. In response, the copying machine main body 4 side transmits a transmission enable signal to the reading device 8 and waits for reception of data by reading the copy mode designation sheet 51.

Therefore, copy mode specification paper 5 as shown in Table 1
When all the data according to No. 1 has been received, in this embodiment, the standard copy mode is temporarily set before setting the designated copy mode. As a result, the standard mode will be set for modes that have not been specifically designated by the copy mode designation sheet 51, and will not be the previously set modes. For example, copy mode specification paper 5
In the case where the copy magnification is not specified in 1, the copy magnification mode is set as a standard mode, generally 100% of the same magnification.

The mode designated by entry on the copy mode designation form 51 is set according to the designation.

In general, it is often thought that the standard copy mode is sufficient for copy conditions that do not specify a mode;
Since there are many cases where a standard copy mode is sufficient and no particular mode is specified, the user can feel at ease if the standard copy mode is set as the unspecified copy mode.

Thereafter, the designated mode is set according to the mode information transmitted by reading the copy mode designation sheet 51. When the mode setting is completed, the process returns to the sheet input prohibition condition cheer=18 error.

Incidentally, the designation mode setting process is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 (this corresponds to the copy mode setting means). First, if there is data in the number of copies designation section 52, the value of that data is set on the number of copies display of the main body 4 of the copying machine. We can't do anything without data. Further, if there is data in the copy size designation section 53, the paper feed table 1, 2, or 3 on which paper of that size is set is searched and set. If there is no paper feed tray that matches the specified size data, a paper feed tray containing paper is selected. Priorities are set for paper feed trays 1, 2.3, and in this example, the order of priority is given to the paper feed trays 1, 2, and 3.
Examine in the order of paper feed tray 3 → first paper feed tray 1 → second paper feed tray 2.

This process will be described in detail later. Does nothing if there is no size data. If there is data in the copy magnification specifying section 54, the copy magnification is set. If there is no data, the standard 1x mode will be used. If there is data in the double-sided copy designation section 55, a double-sided copy mode is set; if not, nothing is done. If there is data in the sorter mode designation section 56,
Sets the sorter or stack mode according to the data, and does nothing if not specified. If there is data in the program specifying section 57, the memory No. specified by the data is called and set to the mode of the memory contents. Regarding the data in the preliminary designation section 58, if the copying machine is of a model whose mode has been specified in the preliminary designation section 58, the mode is set according to the data.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the present invention is provided with a control means for setting the copy mode designated by the copy mode designation paper read by the reading means, after the copy mode is set to the standard copy mode. Copying modes that are not specifically specified for specified paper become the standard copying mode, and the previous copying mode will not remain as is, ensuring at least the standard copying mode, reducing the probability of copy mistakes, and , there is no need to enter and specify on the copy mode specification form even if there is no need to specify and a standard copy mode can be used, resulting in improved operability.

Table 1 Table 2

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing characteristic processing of this embodiment, which constitutes a control means, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of the operating section. , 4th
The figure is a block diagram of the control system, Figure 5 is a plan view of the copy mode designated paper, Figure 6 is a sequence diagram showing the transmission and reception of signals between the copying machine main body side and the reading device side, and Figure 7 is the designated mode setting process. It is a flowchart which shows. 4... Copying machine main body, 8... Reading means, 51...
Copying mode designation form Applicant: Recogo Co., Ltd. Onizu procedure correction procedure (Method) 1. Indication of the matter\Sho 63 2621:39 No. 392゜Name of the invention Copying device 3. Name of the correction which relationship

Claims (1)

[Claims] A copy mode specification form for specifying a copy mode according to a prescribed format, a reading means for reading the copy mode specified by the copy mode specification form, and a copy mode setting for setting a copy mode according to the copy mode read by the reading means. A copying apparatus having a control means for setting a copy mode specified by a copy mode specification sheet read by a reading means after the copy mode is set to a standard copy mode. .