JPH02199476A - Copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To confirm copying mode data even after all copying actions are finished by continuing copying mode data display while copying paper resides on a having been copied paper containing tray even in such a copying machine which switches to time display upon the completion of copying actions. CONSTITUTION:The copying machine has not only a timing means, a copying action completion detecting means, but also a control means switching to a mode where time data is displayed instead of copying mode data that has been displayed unless copying actions continue. Switching is inhibited by the paper detecting sensors 502 and 503 of an ejected paper containing means 501 while paper resides. Consequently, even if all copying actions are completed when an operator comes back to the copying machine after he starts copying actions and then moves away, he can confirm copying mode data. Moreover, the switching of the copying mode display and the time display is controlled by the paper detection of the sensor, and no other keying-in is required.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention provides a time display and a copy mode display (e.g. magnification display).
This relates to a copying machine that can selectively display the following information on the same display unit.

[Conventional technology]

Data regarding copy mode such as copy magnification and number of copies,
A copying machine has been proposed that can switch between current time data and display it on the same display unit.

For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-78563, the current time is usually displayed on the numerical display section, and the numerical keypad for human input or
A copying machine is disclosed that switches a current time display to a copy number data display when input of a copy start key is detected.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

In general, display of data related to copy mode, such as copy magnification and number of copies, is required when an operator performs an operation. This is because the operator operates the copying machine while checking the currently set copying mode on the display.

Therefore, the display of time data is generally performed when the copying machine is not in operation.

For this reason, control has been proposed in which the display mode is switched to the time data display mode when a so-called O)IJ upper set operation is performed after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the copying operation is completed.

By the way, with the spread of automatic document feeders (ADF) and automatic sorters for copied sheets, the number of cases in which an operator leaves the copying machine after the copying operation has started is increasing.

In such a case, when the operator returns, all the copying operations have been completed, the auto reset has been activated, and the display has switched to the "time display", indicating whether or not the copying operation was performed in the set copying mode. In many cases, it is not possible to confirm whether

The present invention is intended to solve these problems.

[Means and effects for solving the problems] The present invention provides: a timekeeping means for measuring time; a copying operation end detection means for detecting whether or not the copying operation is continued; and when the copying operation is not continued, the copying operation is stopped. A switching control means for switching the mode data display mode to a time data display mode, a display means for selectively displaying time data or copy mode data according to the set display mode, and discharging after forming a copy image. ejected paper presence/absence detection means for detecting whether or not there is paper in the ejected paper accommodating means for accommodating copy paper to be stored; This is a copying machine having means.

According to the above configuration, all commanded copying operations are completed,
Furthermore, if the start of the next copying operation is not commanded within a predetermined period of time, the display is switched to the "time display" in principle.

However, if there is any remaining copy paper in the tray (or sorter bin) used to store copied paper ejected from the copying machine, copy mode data such as copy magnification and number of copies will continue to be displayed. Ru.

Therefore, when the operator leaves the copying machine and returns after starting the copying operation, even if all the copying operations have already been completed, the operator can check the copying mode data.

Moreover, an extra key switch for switching between time display and copy mode display is not required.

〔Example〕

The present invention will be explained in detail below.

Explanation of the mechanism of this copying machine.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a copying machine according to an embodiment.

The illustrated copying machine has an automatic document feeder (ADF) 300 arranged on the main body of the copying machine, and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 300 on the right side of the main body for sorting and storing copy sheets discharged from the main body. It has a configuration in which ivy 500 is arranged.

The ADF 300 has the same function as a normal document cover.
It can be opened upward from the front side of the figure, so it is also possible to manually set the original. In addition, ADF
By opening 300 as described above, document cover open detection switch 355 is turned on.

Furthermore, this copying machine is configured such that copying operations can be performed by setting a key counter (a counter that counts the number of times each operator uses the key). It is detected by the counter set detection sensor 92.

1> Copy machine body.

The main body of the copying machine consists of a scanning optical system, an image forming system, and a paper processing system.

Scanning optical system> The scanning optical system exposes and scans the original set on the original platen glass 8 using the exposure lamp L, and uses the reflected light from the original surface through the reflecting mirrors 51, 52, 53, and the lens 55. , reflecting mirror 54
is guided to the photoreceptor drum 61 of the image forming system, and an image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 61 to form an electrostatic latent image.

Imaging System> The imaging system executes image formation by a so-called electrophotographic process.

First, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 61 is exposed to the erase lamp 62
．． 64 and chargers 63 and 65, it is charged in a negative manner.

Next, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the negatively charged surface as described above.

The electrostatic latent image is developed with toner by the developing device 66 and is visualized.

The visualized toner image is transferred onto a sheet of paper fed at a predetermined timing between the photoreceptor drum 61 and the transfer charger 67.

The paper to which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 by a separation charger 68 .

Further, toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 is removed by a cleaning device 69 in preparation for the next image forming process.

<Paper Processing System> The paper processing system first pulls out the paper from the paper storage case y) 71 using the paper feed roller 711, then transfers the paper to the roller pair 712.
713 or the like to the timing roller 73.

Note that the paper may be pulled out from the paper storage cassette 72 by the paper feed roller 721 and conveyed to the timing roller pair 73, or may be manually fed. Also, 81.
Reference numeral 82 indicates a paper size detection sensor, and 80 indicates a paper detection sensor in front of the timing roller.

The paper that has reached the timing roller pair 73 waits for a predetermined timing signal from the scanning optical system, and when the timing signal is detected, the paper is moved from the photoreceptor drum 61 to the transfer charger 67.
sent out in between. As a result, the transfer operation is performed.

The paper onto which the toner image has been transferred as described above and separated from the photoreceptor drum 61 is transferred to the fixing device 7 by a conveyor belt 74.
5, is subjected to a fixing process by thermocompression bonding, and is then discharged to the outside of the machine by a pair of discharge rollers 76.

<2> ADF 300° The ADF 300 has a document placement section 301 and a document transport section 30.
2, and a document reversing unit 303.

The document placement section 301 includes a document tray 313, a document feed roller 311, a drive motor m3 for the roller 311, and a document presence detection sensor 350 that detects the presence or absence of a document on the tray 313.

The document transport section 302 sets the document fed from the loading section 301 at a predetermined position on the document table glass 8 and also discharges the document. Further, a document discharge tray 321 is installed at the top. Furthermore, 351
355 is a document feed detection sensor, and a document cover open detection switch.

The document reversing section 303 reverses the front and back sides of the double-sided document sent from the document transport section 302 and sends it back to the transport section 302 again.
5 drive motor m3. Note that the document may be ejected from the transport section 302 to the paper ejection tray 321 or
Switching between feeding the original document to the reversing section is performed by a switching lever 323 operated by a solenoid, and feeding to the reversing section is detected by a document passage detection sensor 352.

<3> Sorter 500 The sorter 500 sorts and stores the sheets discharged from the copying machine main body by the pair of discharge rollers 76.

The sorter has a plurality of trays 501 called "bins" for respectively accommodating sorted sheets.

Further, in order to detect the presence or absence of paper on the bin 501, a paper detection sensor consisting of a light emitting element 503 and a light receiving element 502 is arranged. This utilizes the fact that when paper remains in any bin 501, the optical path between the light emitting element 503 and the light receiving element 502 is blocked.

*Description of the operation panel FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of the operation panel of the copying machine. Moreover, FIGS. 3 and 4 are explanatory views of the display section on the operation panel.

On the operation panel 400, there are a start key 421.1 to 9.0 for commanding a copy start, a group of numeric keys 401 to 410 for inputting numerical values manually, and a group of numeric keys 401 to 410 for commanding the setting/cancellation of interrupt copy mode. , an interrupt key 412 for instructing to initialize the mode and a clear/stop key 411 for instructing to stop copying, a display section 430 for making various displays, and the like are arranged.

The display unit 430 also includes a 4-digit segment display 431 for displaying the time or copy magnification, a 2-digit segment display 432 for displaying the number of copies, and a light to indicate that the interrupt mode is set. An interrupt mode display 435 for displaying, an exposure level display 433 for lighting and displaying the exposure amount level, and an AUT for lighting and displaying that the exposure amount automatic adjustment mode is set.
○ display 434, etc. are displayed.

In the 4-digit segment display 431, when displaying the copy magnification (when the copy mode display is set), "x" and (decimal point) are lit as shown in Figure 3, and the hours and minutes are displayed. Separating ′:゛′ is turned off.

On the other hand, when displaying the time (when the time display mode is set), contrary to the above, as shown in Figure 4, ":" is lit to separate hours and minutes, and “×
" , (decimal point)" is turned off.

Description of the present control circuit FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit of the copying machine.

This control circuit includes a main body control CPU 2 that controls the copying machine main body.
01, has an ADF control CPU 205 that controls the ADF, a sorter control CPU 20a that controls the sorter, and other CPU group 209 collectively indicating CPUs other than the above,
These perform various controls while communicating.

The main body control CPU 201 processes reception of various key manual inputs on the operation panel 400, drives various display elements on the operation panel 400, processes drive control of various groups of actuating parts such as the main motor M1 arranged in the main body, and processes the main body. It performs processes such as receiving signals from various sensors such as the key counter set detection sensor 92 placed at various locations within the computer.

The main body control CPU 201 also includes a battery-backed RAM 203 and a battery-backed clock IC 2.
08 is connected, and data is sent and received.

The ADF control CPU 2' 05 receives signals from various sensors such as the document set detection sensor 350 and document cover open detection switch 355 arranged in the ADF 300, and processes various operating parts such as the document feed motor m3. Performs drive control processing.

The sorter control CPU 207 performs processing for accepting signals from sensors such as the copy paper presence/absence detection sensor 502 disposed within the sorter 500 and processing for driving control of various operating units such as the sorter drive motor.

*Description of processing by CPU 201 The operation of the apparatus of this embodiment will be described below in accordance with the processing by main body control CPU 201.

<Main Routine> FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the main routine of the processing of the CPU 20'1.

In step S1, initial settings are performed.

In step S3, signal input processing is performed from the keys on the operation panel 400 and the sensors (for example, the key counter set detection sensor 92, etc.) arranged in the main body.

In step S5, time counting processing is executed.

Details of this processing will be described later.

In step S7, auto-reset processing is executed. Details of this processing will be described later.

In step S9, interrupt mode processing is executed. Details of this processing will be described later.

In step Sit, display switching processing is executed. Details of this processing will be described later.

In step S13, the copy operation process is controlled at a predetermined timing to execute a copy operation process for copying an image. This process is well known and is not directly related to the gist of the present invention, so details will be omitted.

In step S15, display processing for displaying various types of information on the operation panel 400 is executed. Since the display processing itself is well known, the details will be omitted.

Step S17 is a process other than the above process, and is executed by the CPU.
2 (This is a step that collectively shows the processing executed in step 11.

After waiting for the end of the processing time of one routine in step S19, the process returns to step S3 and the above-described process is repeated.

Time Counting Process> FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the process at step S5 in FIG.

In this process, time data is updated according to a pulse signal input from the clock IC 208 every minute.

First, in step 5101, it is determined whether the pulse signal was generated manually.

As a result, if the pulse signal is manually generated (S101:
YES) increments the numerical data in the "minute count area" of the memory that stores time data (S
103). Further, the process advances to step 5105, and it is determined whether the data value has become "60".

If the result is “60” (5105: YES)
is "60 minutes - 1 hour", so the numerical data in the "minute count area" is reset to "0" (S107), and the numerical data in the "hour count area" of the memory that stores time data is reset to "0" (S107). Increment the data (
5109).

Further, the process advances to step 5111, and the data value is “
24" is determined.

If the result is "24" (SillYES), since "24 hours = 1 day", the numerical data in the "hour count area" is reset to "0" (S113
).

In this way, the time data is updated every minute.

Auto-reset Process> FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the process at step S7 in FIG.

In this process, the process of resetting the auto-reset timer is repeated under predetermined conditions.

First, in step 5201, it is determined whether the auto-reset timer has timed up.

As a result, if there is no time up (,5201:
If NO), it is determined whether to reset the auto-reset timer or continue counting the timer (S205.3209°3211).

As a result of the determination, if the copy operation is in progress (S205: Y
ES), or if copy paper remains in any bin of the sorter 500 (S209: YES), or
If any key on the operation panel 400 is operated (211: YES), the process advances to step 5207 and an auto-reset timer is set. Therefore, for example,
The auto-reset timer will not time up unless the copy paper discharged into the bin of the sorter 500 is removed.

On the other hand, if the results of the determinations in steps 5205, 5209, and 5211 are all “No”, step 5
Proceeding to step 213, the timer count of the auto-reset timer is executed.

In addition, if it is determined in step 5201 that the auto-reset timer has timed up (S201: YES)
The process proceeds to step 5203 and initializes the moto. However, the numerical data to be displayed on the four-digit numerical display section 431 is not processed in step 8203, but is processed in steps 5307 and 5311 (FIG. 10), which will be described later.

In this way, auto-reset processing is executed.

<Interruption Mode Processing> FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing at step S9 in FIG. 6.

In this process, the interrupt mode is set or canceled according to the keystroke of the interrupt key 412.

That is, when the ON edge of the interrupt key 412 is detected (
S401: YES), if interrupt mode is set (S403: YES), cancel the mode.
405), and conversely, if interrupt mode is canceled (S
403: No), the corresponding moto is set (S407).

Display Switching Process> FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the process at step Sll in FIG.

In this process, the display of the 4-digit segment display 431 is changed to “
"Time display" or "Copy mode display (magnification display)"
Switch between

In other words, "If the time display mode is not set (S301: NO), and if the auto-reset timer times up (8303: YES), the interrupt mode is not set (S305).
:No), "Set the time display mode (S307)."

On the other hand, if the "time display mode" is set (S301: YES) and some operation by the operator is detected, the process proceeds to step 5311, and the "copy mode display (magnification display) mode is set". .

Here, in this embodiment, the above-mentioned "some operation by the operator" means that the ADF 300, which is the document cover, is opened (S309: YES), and that the document is placed in the ADF 30.
0 in the original tray 313 (S313
:YES), the key counter 91 is set (
S315: YES) and some key manual operation on the operation panel 400 (S317: YES)
). Although omitted in this embodiment, operations other than those described above can be processed in the same way as long as they correspond to "operator operations."

In addition, in step 5305, the reason for not switching to time display mode when the interrupt mode is set is that the operation is continued by the interrupted operator and the interrupting operator, and that both , you may want to check the copy settings you have set, etc.

In this way, the process of switching the data to be displayed is performed.

In the above embodiment, as a means to prohibit switching to the time display mode when copy sheets remain in the sorter 500, control is adopted to prohibit the auto-reset timer from time-up. , but is not limited to such control.

For example, after the auto-reset timer times up, it may be determined whether there is any remaining copy paper, and depending on the result, it may be determined whether or not to switch the display mode.

Furthermore, whether or not the display mode can be switched may be made independent of auto-reset.

For example, if copy paper remains in the output tray,
The control may also be such that the copy mode data display mode is set without determining other conditions.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, the present invention has a clocking means, a copying operation end detecting means, a switching control means for switching to a time data display mode when the copying operation is not continued, and a means for selectively displaying time data or copying mode data depending on the display mode. The copying machine includes a display means, a means for detecting the presence or absence of paper in the discharge paper storage means, and a means for prohibiting setting of a time data display mode when there is paper in the discharge paper storage means.

As described in the embodiment, according to the present invention, even if the copying machine basically switches to the time display after the copying operation is completed, the copy paper is stored in the tray (or sorter bin) for storing the copied paper. If there remains, the copy mode data continues to be displayed.

Therefore, when the operator leaves the copying machine and returns after starting the copying operation, even if all the copying operations have already been completed, the operator can check the copying mode data.

Moreover, an extra key switch for switching between time display and copy mode display is not required.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the mechanism of the copying machine according to the embodiment, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the operation panel of the copying machine, and FIGS.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of display on the display section of the operation panel, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit of the copying machine,
6 is a flowchart showing the main routine of the processing in the control CPU 201 in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing in step S5 in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing in step S7 in FIG. 6. 9 is a flowchart showing the process in step S9 of FIG. 6, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the process in step S11 of FIG. 350...Document detection sensor 355...Document cover open detection switch 92...Key counter set detection switch 502.503...Copy paper presence/absence detection sensor/sorter 300...4-digit numerical display section/ADF

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) Timekeeping means for counting the time; copying operation end detection means for detecting whether the copying operation is to be continued; and a switch for switching the copy mode data display mode to the time data display mode when the copying operation is not to be continued. a control means; a display means for selectively displaying time data or copy mode data according to a set display mode; and a discharge paper storage means for storing copy paper discharged after copy image formation. A copying machine comprising: a discharged paper presence/absence detection means for detecting whether or not there is paper; and a prohibition means for prohibiting setting of a time data display mode when there is paper in the discharged paper storage means. (2) In claim 1, the ejected paper storage means is a sorter that sorts and stores ejected copy sheets, and the ejected paper presence/absence detecting means detects when there is copy paper in any bin of the sorter. , a copying machine that determines that there is paper.