JPH0230974B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a paper feeding device that feeds paper stored in a plurality of storage means according to scheduled priority or selection. Technical Background of the Invention In paper feeding devices used in copying machines, facsimile machines, etc., paper to be fed is stored in a storage means such as a cassette in advance, and the paper is transferred from the storage means to a paper feeding means such as a paper feed roller. There is something that feeds paper by twisting it. In this case, paper of different sizes is stored in the storage means, and the operator of the copying machine or facsimile machine selects the paper from the selected storage means according to the size or copying magnification of the document to be copied. Paper is fed. By the way, there are two types of control methods based on the above-mentioned selection operation as follows. That is, the first method is that when one of the storage means is selected by a selection operation, the paper feeding from the selected storage means is not switched to the other storage means. This is a control method that will continue for as long as possible. The second method is that it is possible to select a storage means by a selection operation, but after a certain period of time has passed after a storage means is selected, a specific storage means that is a predetermined standard is automatically selected. This is a control method. According to this second control method, by using a storage means that stores the most frequently used paper as the above-mentioned specific storage means, it is possible to control has the effect of making it easier to operate. In other words, the paper size most often used in copying machines is usually fixed, and even if paper of a special size is used in rare cases, the second control method described above will control the size of the paper that is The operator using the machine does not need to confirm what the selected storage means is. Problems with the Background Art In the first control method described above, the copying machine,
There is an operability problem in that the facsimile operator must always check which storage means is currently selected prior to use. Further, although the second control method described above has the above-mentioned advantages, it also has the following disadvantages. In other words, although a paper regulating member is normally provided within the storage means to allow storage of only a certain size of paper, the storage means are compatible with each other, and a certain storage means teeth,
It can be attached to the paper feeding device in place of other storage means. Moreover, copier operators do not pay attention to which storage means are standard in their copier. Therefore, if the standard storage means is not reliably attached to the paper feeder at a predetermined position, the second control method described above will cause operational inconvenience. This is because even if a standard storage means is not installed at a designated position of the paper feeder and some other storage means is installed, the copying machine will treat the other storage means as standard. This is because paper of the size required by the operator will not be fed. Purpose of the Invention The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and unless paper feeding operation from another storage means is selected, paper is always fed from a storage means according to a predetermined standard or priority order. It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper feeding device that can eliminate all the disadvantages of the prior art by feeding paper. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention detects that a storage means according to a predetermined standard or priority order is installed and selects a storage means. , the paper is fed from the standard storage means to ensure that the paper of the most frequently used size is fed. Embodiment of the Invention The present invention will be described below with reference to an illustrated embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire copying machine 100. As shown in FIG. Here, the copying machine 100 as a whole has a main body 2.
00, and a paper ejection means 300. The main body 200 includes an operation section 101 as an operation means constituting a part of an input means for inputting necessary operation commands to the main body 200, a document table 102 on which an original such as a document is placed as an original, and this document table. A cover 103 that can be opened and closed to press the original placed on the document sheet 102; a paper feeder 104 that stores a sheet as an indicator on which an image is formed and supplies the sheet one by one during image formation; It has cassettes 105 and 106 as storage means that constitute a part of the paper device 104. Reference numeral 107 is a document holder on which a copy of the original that has been copied or is to be copied is temporarily placed, 108 is a container for small items such as paper clips, and 109 is a power switch that turns on and off the power of the entire apparatus. On the other hand, the paper ejection means 300 is connected to the ejection section 301 of the main body 200, and is provided with a tray 302 for collecting copy sheets ejected from the main body 200. Next, the internal configuration will be explained with reference to a diagram showing the inside of the copying machine 100 in FIG. Inside the main body 200, an optical system 201 and a developing section 20 are installed.
2, charging section 203, photoreceptor 204, transfer section 20
5. Peeling section 206, fixing section 207, cleaning section 208
In addition, the above-mentioned paper feeding device 104 is provided, and these constitute a copying mechanism 209. The optical system 201 includes a lamp 210 that illuminates the original.
When an original is illuminated by this lamp 210, the reflected light is used as an image of the original and is reflected on a mirror.
The image is formed on the photoreceptor 204 via M ₁ , M ₂ , M ₃ and the in-mirror lens 211 . The mirror _M1 moves to the left in the figure together with the lamp 210,
Mirror _M2 also moves to the left, each with a speed ratio of 1:1/2. This performs optical scanning of the document. Note that the in-mirror lens 211 moves perpendicularly to the plane of the paper in FIG. 2, so that the reduction in-mirror lens is positioned in the optical path. At this time, the mirror _M3 moves to the right in FIG. 2 to correct the optical path length. This allows you to create a reduced copy. The photoreceptor 204 is, for example, an aluminum drum provided with a photosensitive layer containing a photoconductive substance such as selenium on the surface thereof, and is uniformly charged by a charging unit 203 such as a corona charger. The photoreceptor 204 is rotatably supported and sequentially rotates in the direction of the arrow. The developing section 202 has, for example, a fixedly supported magnet roller and a rotatable aluminum sleeve surrounding the magnet roller, and develops while depositing a developer, which is a mixture of toner and carrier, onto the sleeve. This is a well-known porcelain brush developing device. The transfer unit 205 has a corona jet and transfers the image formed on the photoreceptor 204 onto a sheet. A peeling unit 206 peels the sheet from the photoreceptor 204 and transports it to a fixing unit 207 . The fixing unit 207 includes, for example, a heat roller 212.
It heats and fixes the toner image formed on the sheet. The cleaning unit 208 erases the charge remaining on the photoreceptor 204 and removes the toner that has accumulated in the photoreceptor 204, thereby making it possible to reuse the photoreceptor 204. In addition to the cassettes 105 and 106 as storage means described above, the paper feeding device 104 also has a cassette 10.
Sheet P, which is the paper stored in 5,106
paper feed rollers 110, 111 as paper feeding means for feeding one sheet at a time;
1 and a guide section 112 that sends the sheet P fed by the transfer section 205 to the transfer section 205. Further, on the back side of each of the cassettes 105 and 106, a micro switch 113 is installed as a detection means.
a, 113b are provided. The switches 113a and 113b act as a detector for the upper cassette and a detector for the lower cassette, respectively. Note that behind the fixing unit 207, there is a paper ejection roller 2.
13 and the sheet P on which the copy was created are in the main body 20.
Paper ejection switch 2 detects that paper is ejected from 0
14 are provided respectively. To explain the operation of the main body 200 configured in this way, first, the cover 103 is opened, a document (not shown) is set on the document table 102, and then the cover 103 is closed. The operator then operates the operation unit 101 to input copy creation conditions. This causes the copying mechanism 209 to start operating. First, the photoreceptor 204 is uniformly charged by the charging unit 203, and then an original image is formed on the photoreceptor 204 by the optical system 201. A latent image will be formed. As the photoreceptor 204 rotates in the direction of the arrow, the latent image forming portion faces the developing section 202, so toner adheres to this portion and development is performed. The photoconductor 204 further rotates and transfers to the transfer section 205.
However, on the other hand, the paper feed roller 1 of the paper feed device 104
10 or 111 is operated to feed the sheet P from the cassette 105 or 106. This fed sheet P passes through the guide section 112 to the transfer section 20.
5. Here, the developed portion of the photoreceptor 204 and the sheet P are polymerized, and the developed image on the photoreceptor 204 is transferred to the sheet P. The photoreceptor 204 and the sheet P continue to rotate and reach the peeling section 206, where only the sheet P is peeled off and sent to the fixing section 207. The photoreceptor 204 further rotates and faces the cleaning section 208, where the cleaning action described above is performed, and the photoreceptor is subjected to the next image forming process. On the other hand, the image is fixed on the sheet P sent to the fixing section 207, and the sheet P is sent to the main body 200 from the discharge section 301.
It is discharged outside and accumulated on a tray 302. Discharge from the discharge section 301 is detected by the switch 214. The main body 200 also includes an operation section 1 as described above.
01 is provided, and details of this operating section 101 are shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows various manually operable keys and display means. That is, 114 is a copy button, and this copy button 11
By pressing down 4, the image forming operation by the copying mechanism 209 is started. Also, 11
5 is a clear key, which clears the contents entered with the numeric keypad 116. Numeric keypad 1
Reference numeral 16 designates the number of copy sheets P to be created. That is, by instructing the creation of a plurality of copy sheets P using the numeric keypad 116, the main body 200 operates in the multi-copy mode. Further, numerals 117 and 118 are indicators for displaying the number of copies, respectively. The display 117 displays the number of copy sheets P set by the numeric keypad 116, and the display 118 displays the number of copies made by the copying mechanism 209. The number of copy sheets P thus created is displayed. Therefore, the contents of display 117 remain unchanged until one copy operation is completed;
The display contents of 18 are incremented each time one copy sheet P is created. 119 is an interrupt key for specifying an interrupt copy mode, and 120 is a reduction key for specifying a reduction copy mode. These keys 1
Reference numerals 19 and 120 are both self-illuminated button switches, and when each is pressed once, a signal is output to designate interrupt copy mode or reduced copy mode, and when pressed again, these designations are canceled. It's getting old. 121 and 122 are either cassettes 105 or 1
This is a self-illuminated cassette key as a selection means for specifying whether to feed sheets P from 06 onwards.For example, when key 121 is pressed, cassette 105 containing B5 size sheets P is selected, and key 122 is pressed. When pressed down, the cassette 106 containing A4 size sheets P is selected, and the selected key is illuminated. The sizes of the sheets P stored in the cassettes 105 and 106 are displayed on the display 12, respectively.
3,124. Display device 123,1
24 are variable indicators using light emitting diodes. FIG. 4 shows the aforementioned cassette 106, and the cassette 105 is constructed similarly to the cassette 106. First, there is a protrusion 1 on the rear end surface of the cassette 106.
25 are provided. Four protrusions 125 can be attached at the positions shown. In FIG. 4, three protrusions 125 are attached corresponding to a sheet size of A4. Therefore, the cassette 106 can be identified by determining how many and in which positions the protrusions 125 are attached, and thereby the correspondence with the sheets P stored in the cassette 106 can be established. As mentioned above, since a maximum of four protrusions 125 can be attached, there are 16 ways to attach the protrusions 125, and therefore, there are 16 ways to attach the protrusions 125.
This means that there are 16 different sizes. Now, the aforementioned switches 113a and 113b are installed in one cassette 105 or 106 on the main body 200 side.
Four switches 113a, 113b are provided corresponding to each switch, and each switch 113a, 113b is pressed by the aforementioned protrusion 125. Therefore, the following table shows the correspondence between the pressing states of the switches 113a and 113b and the sizes of the sheets P stored in the cassettes 105 and 106. Here, each of the four switches 113b facing one cassette 106 is set to 113.
Assume that b ₁ , 113b ₂ , 113b ₃ , and 113b ₄ are used, and the state in which each switch 113 is pressed is represented by "0", and the state in which it is not pressed is represented by "1".

[Table] Note that 126 in FIG. 4 is a label indicating the size of the sheet P stored in the cassette 106. Now, the above-mentioned copying machine 100 is controlled by a control device 400 as a control means shown in FIG. The control device mainly includes a main control section 401, a timer 402, and a program switch 403. The main control unit 401 consists of an input controller (abbreviated as I/O) 404, a microcomputer (abbreviated as CPU) 405, a read-only memory (abbreviated as ROM) 406, and a random access memory (abbreviated as RAM) 407. has been done. The I/O 404 controls data exchange between the main control unit 401 and various keys, switches, displays, and copying mechanism 209 connected thereto. CPU405 is ROM406 and RAM4
Copying mechanism 209 and display devices 117, 11 according to the data or program stored in 07.
8, 123, 134, etc. The ROM 406 stores a sequence program for controlling the operation of the copying mechanism 209. The RAM 407 temporarily stores data required during control by the CPU 405. The timer 402 starts timer operation in response to a copy end signal from the main control unit 401,
This is a retriggerable timer that outputs a timeout signal after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. As described later, the program switch 403 is connected to the cassette 10.
5 and 106 as the standard storage means, and also specifies the priority order, and functions as a specifying means. Specifically, four switches are used. The data output from this program switch 403 has a 4-bit configuration, and the data output from the aforementioned switches 113a and 11b also have a 4-bit configuration.
It has a bit structure. Therefore, these switches 113a, 113
b, output data from 403 and cassette 105,
The correspondence relationship with the size of the sheet P stored in 106 is shown in FIG. This figure schematically represents the conversion table stored in the ROM 406. The switches 113a and 113b feed the cassettes 105 and 106 installed in the paper feeder 104.
Since a code corresponding to the size of the sheet P stored in is outputted, this code is shown in FIG. 6 corresponding to the sheet size. For example, for B5 size (JIS standard), the code is ``0000'', and for A4 size, the code is ``0001'', each consisting of 4 bits. Also, from the program switch 403, the name 0,
Since 4-bit data specifying 16 combinations named name 1, ... name 15 is output, the series of data waiting for each name is 0, 1, 2 ... F in Figure 6. is shown in hexadecimal format. Here, data 0 for each name,
1, 2...F represents the priority order, and the smaller the number, the higher the priority order. For example, in name 0, A4 size has the highest priority, followed by B5 size, name 0,
1, . . . , 15 is designated by the program switch 403. For example, when name 0 is designated, the A4 size sheet is handled as having the highest priority. Next, FIG. 7 shows a memory map of the RAM 407. In Figure 7, HR and LR are each RAM4
This shows the contents of the upper 4 bits and lower 4 bits of the address counter (included in the CPU 405 and not shown) that specifies the address of 07, and is shown in hexadecimal notation in the figure. There is. In this figure 7, it is indicated by address 09.
Four bits of data D ₀ , D ₁ , D ₂ , and D ₃ can be stored in the RAM area, of which the first bit D ₀ is used as the cassette designation flag X. When data "1" is set to this cassette designation flag The sheet P stored in the lower cassette 106 is fed to the apparatus 104. The cassettes 105 and 106 are compatible with each other, and the cassettes 105 and 106 can be installed in either the upper or lower tier, and cassettes of other sizes can also be installed. Therefore, in this description, the terms "upper stage" and "lower stage" refer to the position where the cassette is mounted opposite the paper feed roller 111 or the position where the cassette is mounted opposite the paper feed roller 110 in FIG. 2, respectively. Furthermore, the aforementioned CPU 405 has a 4-bit data structure and an 8-bit address structure. Now, in FIG. 7, a 4-bit code representing the size of the sheet P stored in the upper cassette 105 is stored in the RAM area represented by address 0A, and a 4-bit code representing the size of the sheet P stored in the upper cassette 105 is stored in the RAM area represented by address 1A. Name data (0, 1...F) given to the cassette 106 is stored as 4-bit data. Similarly, the address
A code indicating the sheet size of the lower cassette 106 is stored in the RAM area 0B, and a code indicating the sheet size of the lower cassette 106 is stored in the RAM area 0B.
The names of the lower cassettes 106 are stored in each area. To add a little bit to the memory map in Figure 7, the memory area where data is stored is the overlapping area of the columns designated by the HR and LR numbers (0, 1, 2...F). It is shown as a part, exactly the upper digits (4 bits) of the address HR
and the lower digit (4 bits) LR are displayed as a matrix. Also, both HR and LR have 16 different contents, respectively 0, 1, 2...F.
The RAM areas where the upper and lower cassette names are stored are indicated by Y and Z. Now, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, the operation of the control device 400 will be mainly explained. First, the paper feeding device 104 has cassettes 105 and 1.
06 is installed as shown in Fig. 2, and the cassette 105
It is assumed that B5 size sheets P are stored in the cassette 106, and A4 size sheets P are stored in the cassette 106. Therefore, from each switch 113a, 113b,
As shown in the conversion table of FIG. 6, data corresponding to the codes "0000" and "0001" are output. Also, program switch 4
Data of "0000" is output from 03, and
is selected. However, when the power switch 109 is turned on,
The main control section 401 first reads codes corresponding to the cassettes 105 and 106 installed in the paper feeder 104. Here, as shown in Figure 7,
"0000" is stored in the area of address 0A in the RAM area, and "0001" is stored in the area of address 0B. Next, the main control unit 401
Uses B conversion table with name 0 specified by program switch 403, address
The name "1" corresponding to the size B5 of the sheet P stored in the upper cassette 105 is stored in the RAM area of 1A as a 4-bit code, and the name "1" corresponding to the size B5 of the sheet P stored in the upper cassette 105 is stored in the RAM area of address 1B.
This name corresponds to the A4 size sheet P stored in the . Store "0" as a 4-bit code. Next, the main control unit 401 enters a loop waiting for a key-in operation. Here, for example, 10 copies are input as the number of copies using the numeric keypad 116,
Assume that the copy button 114 is pressed without any other key input. At this time, although not shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, the third
As shown in the figure, "B5" and "A4" are displayed respectively, and the display 116 also displays the numeric keypad 11.
The numerical value "10" preset by 6 is displayed. Therefore, the key-in data is stored in a predetermined area of RAM 407 (here, addresses 09, 0A, 0B, 1A,
(an area other than 1B is used), a determination is made whether a size selection has been made. Here, cassette keys 121, 122
Since none of these are operated, proceed to “NO”. Next, the main control unit 401 calls each cassette name from addresses 1A and 1B of the RAM 407, and
The difference between the contents of Y and the contents of Z is calculated, and it is determined whether the result is greater than "0". Here, Y-1Z=1-00, so proceed to "YES".
Then, according to this result, the main control unit 401
The first bit Do (flag X) of address 09 of RAM 407 is set to "0". At the same time, the cassette key 122 is verified. After such a state is reached, the copying operation is started. Incidentally, if the cassette key 121 or 122 is pressed down to select a size, a flag X is set corresponding to the selection.
For example, if the cassette key 121 is pressed, the flag
If 2 is pressed, flag X is set to "0" and the corresponding key 121 or 122 is illuminated. Further, when the result of the Y-Z calculation is less than "0", the flag X is set to "1" and the cassette key 121 is illuminated. Further explaining the case where the copying routine is started under the above conditions, since the sheet P can be fed from the lower cassette 106, the paper feed roller 110 rotates. A4 size sheet P is fed. A copying operation is performed in this manner, and the copy sheet is discharged onto the tray 302 by the action of the copying mechanism 209 described above. The discharge of the copy sheet is detected by the switch 214, and the detection result is sent to the CPU 405 through the I/O 404.
Then, the CPU 405 causes the display 118 to display the number of copies. After repeating this copying routine until the required number of copies, 10, is obtained, it is determined whether the final copy has been ejected. This means that all the data displayed on the displays 117 and 118 are
Since the data is stored in the RAM 407, each time a signal indicating copy sheet ejection is output from the switch 214, the CPU 405 reads the data from the RAM 407 and performs a predetermined calculation, thereby making it possible to determine whether the final copy is complete. become. However, when the final copy is completed, CPU4
05 sets the timer 402. Then, it waits for a timeout signal from timer 402. When the timeout signal is output from the timer 402, the CPU 405 determines whether a key-in operation has been performed. If the key-in operation is performed,
Repeat the sequence flow from storing the key-in data again. If no key-in operation is performed, the standard state is set. This is, first of all,
Call the names Y and Z from RAM407 and enter Y-Z
According to the result, if Y-Z0, flag X is set to "0", and if Y-Z<0, flag
4 is reset to the standard state. Furthermore, the display contents of the displays 117 and 118 are both reset to "0" and
RAM40 where the display contents of 118 were stored
7 memory area is cleared. Furthermore,
If keys 119 and 120 are operated,
In both cases, the lights are turned off and the contents of the corresponding RAM area are cleared. When the reset is completed in this manner, the execution of the program for the copying operation is completed. In the above embodiment, the position of the cassette 105, 106 is determined depending on which cassette mounting position (upper or lower) the cassettes 105 and 106 are mounted.
Rather than detecting the size of the sheets P stored in the cassettes 105 and 106, the sheet size is determined by detecting which size cassette is installed in which position.
The sheet size can be reliably detected no matter where the 106 is attached. Furthermore, which of the cassettes 105 and 106 that store the sheets P to be fed from the paper feeding device 104 is to be the standard cassette depends on where the cassettes 105 and 106 are installed. The mounting position of the cassettes 105 and 106 is arbitrary, similar to the above, because it is not determined but depends on which sheet size is used as the standard. Furthermore, the determination of the standard sheet size is not made based on a single predetermined size, but in accordance with a predetermined priority order, so if the sheet size corresponding to the highest priority If the size cassette is not installed, the next priority cassette becomes the standard cassette. Therefore, when the copying machine is reset to the standard state, it is ready to feed sheets of at least relatively frequently used (though not the most frequently used) sizes, saving you the trouble of selecting sheet sizes, etc. It can be reduced. In this case, the program switch allows prioritization depending on the copying machine, which significantly improves operability and versatility. Furthermore, when selecting a name to determine the priority order, it is possible to take into consideration whether the copy mode is the same size mode or the reduced mode. Specifically, among the names shown in FIG.
The contents of the name according to Name 1 may be stored in the memory areas of addresses 1A and 1B of the RAM 407. Such changes can be made by slightly changing the program stored in the ROM 406. Effects of the Invention As explained above, according to the present invention, it is detected that a storage means of a predetermined standard size is attached, and in response to this detection result, unless a storage means is selected. Since paper is fed from the standard storage means, the degree of freedom in mounting the storage means is increased and the operation of the paper feeding device is significantly simplified. Additionally, standard storage options are selected according to pre-programmed priorities, allowing paper to be fed from the next storage option even if a higher priority storage option is not installed, improving operability. do.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a copying machine showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing the internal configuration of the same example,
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the operating section of the main part of the same example, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the cassette of the main part of the same example, Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the control device of the same example, and Figs. The figure is an explanatory diagram for explaining the memory area of the same example, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the same example. 104... Paper feeding device, 105, 106... Cassette (storage means), 110, 111... Paper feeding roller (feeding means), 113a, 113b... Switch (detection means), 120, 121... Cassette key (selection means), 400... control device (control means), 403... program switch (designation means), P... sheet (paper).

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A plurality of removable storage means 105, 106 in which paper is stored, and paper is fed from the selected storage means by paper feed means 110, 111. Selection means 121, 12 for selecting the storage means;
2, detecting means 113a and 113b for detecting the size of paper stored in the storing means when the storing means is in the attached state; and specifying a priority order of the storing means based on the detection result of the detecting means. , a control means 401 for selecting paper feeding from the storage means according to the priority order unless a selection is made by the selection means;
A paper feeding device comprising: and.