JPH0235479A - Copying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow a layman to correctly obey the sequence of original density when he adjusts the density by sequentially displaying original densities necessary for measuring density and indicating them. CONSTITUTION:An operator lights a density display '5' in a copying density display part 711 and an original corresponding to a D5 is measured in terms of prescan AE. The AE-measured value is stored as the potential of the D5 in a memory. Then, a density '9' is lit in the display part 711 to perform the prescan AE measurement similarly. The AE-measured value is stored as the potential of D9 in a memory. Here, the D5 and D9 are compared in magnification, and when D5<D9, density indications '5' and '9' are lit in the display part 711 in two sec. On the other hand, when D5>D9, the density indications '1' to '9' are lit in the display part 711 in two sec to display abnormality.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION C. INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION FIELD The present invention relates to a copying apparatus having an automatic exposure or AE (automatic copy density adjustment) function.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, this type of apparatus has been configured to measure a plurality of originals with different densities in a predetermined order in an automatic adjustment mode to determine a reference value of the original density required for automatic exposure. There is.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, when an inexperienced person performs the adjustment, there is a problem in that the order of the predetermined original M4 densities is mistaken, and as a result, the automatic exposure function of the machine becomes abnormal.

The present invention aims to solve this problem.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a copying apparatus including the following components a and b.

a. A device that determines the reference value of document density required for automatic exposure by measuring the density of multiple documents with different densities.

b. In the automatic adjustment mode, means for sequentially displaying and instructing the document density necessary for the density measurement in the corresponding copy density on a copy density display section of the operation panel.

[Effect]

With the above configuration, the document density required for density measurement is indicated, thereby reducing errors.

〔Example〕

The present invention will be explained below with reference to Examples.

FIG. 6 is a mechanical diagram of a "copying apparatus" which is an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a layout diagram of an operation panel of the embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the embodiment. The explanation will start from the overall configuration, but the main parts are mainly shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.

In FIG. 6, 100 is a main body that has an image reading function and an image recording function, and 200 is a double-sided processing function that turns the recording medium (paper) over during double-sided recording, and performs multiple recordings on the same recording medium. 300 is a circulating document feeder (hereinafter referred to as RDF) that automatically feeds originals, 400 is a sorter, and each of these devices 200 to 400 is a main unit. l
Can be used in any combination with OO.

A1 main body (100) In the main body 100, reference numeral 101 is an original table glass on which an original is placed, 103 is an illumination lamp (exposure lamp) that illuminates the original, and 105, 107, and 109 are scanning units that change the optical path of reflected light from the original. reflective mirror (scanning mirror), 11
Reference numeral 1 indicates a lens having focusing and variable magnification functions, and reference numeral 113 indicates a fourth reflection mirror (scanning mirror) that changes the optical path. 1
15 is an optical system motor that drives the optical system, 117, 121
is the tip sensor and home sensor.

131 is a photosensitive drum, 133 is a main motor that drives the photosensitive drum 131, 135 is a high pressure unit, and 170 is a 2
．． A blank exposure unit has LEDs arranged at a pitch of 5 mm, 171 is a potential sensor for measuring the potential of the photosensitive drum 131, 172 is a color developer, and 173 is a black developer, both of which can be removed. 141 is a transfer charger, 1
43 is a separation charger, and 145 is a cleaning device.

176, 177, and 178 are document size detection sensors that detect the presence or absence of a document placed on the document platen glass;
9 is a sensor that detects just before the RDF or the pressure plate (not shown) closes.

151 is the upper cassette, 153 is the lower cassette, 155
157 is a paper feed roller, and 159 is a registration roller. Further, 161 is a conveyor belt that conveys the recording paper on which an image has been recorded to the fixing side, 163 is a fixing device that fixes the conveyed recording paper by thermocompression bonding, and 167 is a sensor used for double-sided recording.

The surface of the photosensitive drum 131 described above is made of a seamless photoconductor using a photoconductor and an electric conductor. The motor 133 starts rotating in the direction of the arrow shown. Next, when the predetermined rotational control and potential control processing (preprocessing) of the drum 131 are completed, the original placed on the original platen glass 101 is illuminated by the illumination lamp 103 that is integrated with the first scanning mirror 105. The reflected light from the original is transmitted to the first scanning mirror 105 and the second scanning mirror 105.
Scanning mirror 107, third scanning mirror 109, lens 11
1 and a fourth scanning mirror 113 to form an image on the drum 131.

The drum 131 is corona charged by a high pressure unit 135. After that, the image illuminated by the illumination lamp 103 (
The original image) is exposed to slit light, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the drum 131 using the known Carlson method.

Next, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 131 is transferred to a developing device 172.
Alternatively, it is developed by developing rollers 174 and 175 of 173 and visualized as a toner image, and the toner image is transferred onto transfer paper by a transfer charger 141 as described later.

The transfer paper in the upper cassette 151 or lower cassette 153 is fed into the main unit by a paper feed roller 155 or 157, and is sent toward the photosensitive drum 131 with precise timing by a registration roller 159, so that the leading edge of the latent image and the transfer paper Match the tip of the After that, the transfer band'
i? As the transfer paper passes between the drum 141 and the tram 131, the toner image on the drum 131 is transferred onto the transfer paper. After this transfer is completed, the transfer paper is separated from the drum 131 by a separation charger 143,
The image is guided to the fixing device 163 by the roller 163, where it is fixed by pressure and heat, and then discharged from the main body 100 by the discharge roller 165.

After the transfer, the tram 131 continues to rotate, and its surface is cleaned by a cleaning device 145 composed of a cleaning roller and an elastic blade.

B. Bedistal (200) The bedestal 200 can be separated from the main body 100 and includes a deck 201 capable of storing 2000 sheets of transfer paper and an intermediate tray 203 for double-sided copying. Also, the lifter 2 of the deck 201 that can store 2000 sheets.
05 rises according to the amount of transfer paper so that the transfer paper always comes into contact with the paper feed roller 207.

Further, 211 is a paper discharge flapper that switches the path between the double-sided recording side or multiplex recording side and the discharge side path, and 213, 2
Reference numeral 15 denotes a conveyance path of a conveyor belt, 217 denotes an intermediate tray weight for holding down the transfer paper, and the transfer paper that has passed through the paper ejection flapper 211 and the conveyance path 213° 215 is turned over and stored in the intermediate tray 203 for double-sided copying. Ru. 2!9 is a multiplex flapper that switches between double-sided recording and multiplex recording.
It is disposed between the conveyance paths 213 and 215, and guides the transfer paper to the multiplex recording conveyance path 221 by rotating upward. 2
Reference numeral 23 denotes a multiple paper discharge sensor that detects the end of the transfer paper passing through the multiple flapper 219. A paper feed roller 225 feeds the transfer paper to the drum 131 through a path 227.

229 is a discharge roller that discharges the transfer paper to the outside of the machine.

Both sides! ! (Double-sided copy) Time and multiple notes j! (multiple copying), first raise the paper ejection flapper 211 of the main body 100 and transfer the copied transfer paper to the conveyance path 200 of the bedicle 200.
13 and 215, and stored in the intermediate tray 203. At this time, the multiplex flapper 219 is lowered during double-sided recording, and the multiplex flapper 219 is raised during multiplex recording.

This intermediate tray 203 can store up to 99 sheets of transfer paper, for example. The transfer paper stored in the intermediate tray 203 is pressed down by an intermediate tray weight 217.

During the next back-side recording or multiplex recording, the transfer paper stored in the intermediate tray 203 is moved one by one from the bottom to the path 2 by the action of the paper feed roller 225 and the weight 217.
27 to the registration rollers 159 of the main body 100.

C, RDF (circulating document feeder) (300) RDF3
In 00, 301 is HI for setting the document bundle 302.
It is a Jit tray, and first of all, for single-sided originals, the half-moon roller 30
4 and a separation roller 303, the documents are separated one by one from the bottom of the document bundle, and then conveyed by a conveyance roller 305 and a full-surface belt 306.
The bus is moved to the exposure position of the platen glass 101 by
The conveyance is stopped via step (3), and the copying operation is started. After the copying is completed, the transport large roller 307
The document is then sent to the bus V, and roughly returned to the upper surface of the document bundle 302 by the discharge rollers 308. 309 is a recycle lever (which detects one cycle of the original)
At the start of document feeding, the document is placed on the top of the document bundle, and the document is fed one after another, and when the rear end of the final document passes through the recycle lever 309, it falls due to its own weight, thereby detecting one cycle of the document.

Next, in the case of double-sided originals, as described above, the original is first guided from path I and ■ to path m, where the rotatable switching flapper 310 is switched to guide the leading edge of the original to bus ■, and the transport roller 30
5, it passes through the bus (2) and is stopped on the platen glass 101 by the full-surface belt 306. In other words, large transport roller 3
07, the original is reversed in the route of ＼＼■～■～■. Alternatively, the number of originals can be counted by transporting the original bundle 302 one by one through 7~I~■~■~■~■ until one cycle is detected by the recycle lever 309.

D. Sorter (equipment for sorting) (400) The sorter (400) has a tray of 25 bins and performs sorting.

Copied sheets are sequentially ejected from the paper ejection roller 229 of the main body, enter the conveyance roller 401 of the sorter, and are transferred to the bus 403.
The paper is discharged from the discharge roller 405 to each bin 411 via the discharge roller 405 . For example, in the sorting mode, each time sheets are discharged into each bin, the bins are raised by a bin shift motor (not shown) and collated.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the arrangement of the operation panel provided on the main body 100 described above. The operation panel has a key group 600 and a display group 700 as described below.

E. Key group (600) In Fig. 7, 601 is an asterisk (*) key, which allows the operator (user) to select setting modes such as binding +, field setting, original eraser size setting, etc. sometimes used 606 is an all reset key, which is pressed to return to standard mode.

A preheating key 602 is pressed to preheat the machine of the main body 100 and to release the heated state. Also,
This key 602 is also pressed when returning from the auto-shutoff state to the standard mode.

605 is a copy start key (copy start key);
Press to start copying.

A clear/stop key 604 functions as a clear key during standby and as a stop key during copy recording. This clear key is pressed to cancel the set number of copies. It is also used to cancel * (asterisk) mode. Also, press the stop key to interrupt continuous copying. The copying operation stops after the copying at the time of pressing is completed.

Numeric keys 603 are pressed to set the number of copies. It is also used to set the * (asterisk) mode. Reference numeral 619 is a menu key in which the user can register frequently used modes.

Copy density keys 611 and 612 are pressed to manually adjust the copy density. 613 is A E
(Automatic Exposure) key, which is pressed to automatically adjust the copy density according to the density of the original, or to cancel AE (automatic copy density adjustment) and switch the density adjustment to manual. 6
07 is a cassette selection key, which selects upper cassettes 151,
Press this button to select the middle cassette 153 and the lower Bebatech 201. Reference numeral 627 is an automatic paper cassette selection key, which automatically selects a cassette corresponding to the document and the designated magnification ratio.

610 is the same size key, which is pressed when making a copy at the same size (original size), and 616 is the auto size change key, which automatically reduces the original image to fit the specified transfer paper size. Press to enlarge. 617 and 618 are zoom keys, which are pressed to specify any magnification between 50% and 200%.

608 and 609 are fixed size enlargement keys, which are pressed when specifying reduction or enlargement of a fixed size.

A double-sided key 626 is pressed to make a double-sided copy from a single-sided original, a double-sided copy from a double-sided original, or a single-sided copy from a double-sided original. 625 is a binding margin key, which can create a binding margin of a specified length on the left side of the transfer paper. 62
4 is a photo key, which is pressed when copying a photo original.

Reference numeral 623 is a multiple key, which is pressed when creating (combining) an image from two originals on the same side of transfer paper.

Reference numeral 620 denotes a document erase key, which the user presses when erasing the border of a standard size document.The size of the document at that time is set using the asterisk key 601. Reference numeral 621 is a sheet frame erase key, which is pressed to erase the frame of the document according to the cassette size.

622 is a page continuous copying key, which allows you to copy the left and right pages of a manuscript.
Press to make copies on separate sheets.

614 is the paper discharge method (stable, sort, group)
This is a selection key, and if a stapler is connected that can staple the paper after recording, it can select or cancel the stable mode and sort mode, and it can be used for sorting if a tray (sorter) is connected. can select or cancel sort mode and group mode.

Reference numeral 615 is a paper folding selection key that allows selection and cancellation of Z-folding, which folds recorded paper of A3 or B4 size into a Z-shaped cross section, or half-fold, which folds recorded paper of A3 or B4 size in half.

630 is a developer selection key, and each time the key is pressed, a black developer and a color developer are alternately selected.

F. Display group (700) In Fig. 7, 701 is an LCD (liquid crystal) type message display, for example, 5 x 7 dots form one character, a 40-character message and a fixed size variable key 6.
08,609, same size key 610, zoom key 617,6
The copy magnification set in step 18 can be displayed. This display 701 is a transflective liquid crystal display with two colors of backlight, and the green backlight is normally lit.
The orange backlight lights up when an error occurs or when copying is not possible.

Reference numeral 706 denotes an equal magnification display, which lights up when equal magnification is selected. Reference numeral 730 is a developer display device that displays the selected developer. A copy number display 702 displays the number of copies or a self-diagnosis code. Reference numeral 705 is a used cassette display, which displays which of the upper cassette 151, the middle cassette 153, and the lower deck 201 is selected.

704 is an AE display, and the AE key 613
Lights up when (Auto copy density adjustment) is selected. 7
09 is a preheating indicator, which lights up in the preheating state.

When in the auto shut-off state, this display 709
flashes. 707 is a ready/wait indicator;
It is a two-color LED of green and orange, and when ready (
When copying is possible), the green light is lit, and when there is a wait (copying is not possible), the orange light is lit.

Reference numeral 708 denotes a double-sided copy display, which lights up when either double-sided copying from a double-sided original or double-sided copying from a single-sided original is selected.

Note that when using the RDF300 in standard mode, the settings are 1 copy, automatic paper selection, same size, and 1-sided copying from a 1-sided original. In standard mode when RDF300 is not in use, the number of copies is 1, manual density mode, 1x,
The settings are for single-sided copying from a one-sided original. RDF30
The difference between when 0 is used and when it is not used is determined by whether or not a document is set in the RDF300.

A power lamp 710 lights up when a power switch 712 is turned on. 711 is a copy density display section.

G. Control Device (aOO) FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of the control device 800 of this embodiment. In the figure, 801 and 814 are a master CPU and a slave CPU. Reference numeral 803 is a read-only memory (ROM) in which a control procedure (control program) as shown in FIG. Control each component device. Reference numeral 805 denotes a random access memory (RAM) which is a main storage device used for storing input data and as a working storage area.

807 is an interface (Ilo) that outputs the CPU 801 control signal to a load such as the main motor 133; 809
inputs input signals from the image tip sensor 121, etc., and outputs the CPU 80.
An interface 811 is an interface for inputting/outputting the key group 600 and the display 700 11J7M. These interfaces 807, 809
゜811 is an example of NEC's input/output circuit board μPD82
55 is used.

The display group 700 is each display shown in FIG. 7, and uses LEDs and LCDs. Further, the key group 600 is each key shown in FIG. 7, and the CPU 801 can know which key has been pressed using a known key matrix.

813 is a dual port RAM that can read and write data from CPU 801 and CPU 814 to each other.
It is used for data communication between U801 and CPU814.

The CPU 814 controls the blank exposure unit 170 according to the blank data calculated by the CPU 801. Then, a potential sensor 171, a size detection 176.
The output signals of 177 and 178 are A/D converted, and the data is transferred to the CPUOT via the dual port RAM 813.

Reference numeral 812 denotes a watchdog circuit (control unit monitoring means) for monitoring an abnormality in the CPU SOT, and generates a reset signal for the CPU 801 and the CPU 814 when an abnormality is detected.

815 is a power supply to be supplied to this embodiment, and 816 is a 24V (ON), 10V (OFF
) is a circuit that converts C to 5V10V.
PU801 detects the opening of the electric I switch, generates a pseudo abnormal signal by the program, transmits this to the watchdog, resets it, and turns off all load drives.
do.

Next, the main parts of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

Fig. 1 is a flowchart showing the operation of this embodiment, Fig. 2 is an AE measurement mechanism diagram, Fig. 3 is an AE measurement timing chart, Fig. 4 is an AE sub-control characteristic diagram, and Fig. 5 is an AE measurement measurement diagram. It is a flowchart.

Measurement of document density during automatic exposure, ie, AE (automatic copy density adjustment) is performed by the mechanism shown in FIG. 2 according to the timing chart shown in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 2, 131 is a photosensitive drum, and 170 is an LED arranged in the axial direction along the surface of the photosensitive drum.
I, 2--- A blank exposure unit having a segmented exposure section consisting of bows 20.

171 is a potential sensor that measures the surface potential of the photosensitive drum; 999 is an image exposure; during AE measurement, only LEDs 5 to 9 corresponding to the detection area of the potential sensor 171 are turned off;

The operation will be explained using a timing chart during Briscan AE measurement shown in FIG.

After the optical system advances 100 mm from the image tip, it starts moving backward and performs AE measurement. After moving backward, only a portion of the LEDs of the blank exposure unit are turned off, as shown in FIG. Then, after a delay corresponding to the positional shift from the position of the image exposure 999 to the potential sensor 171, the surface potential corresponding to the document density is sampled by the potential sensor at a fixed cycle of AE measurement 1. ), and after the aforementioned delay time from the image tip timing that occurs after moving backward, AIJI setting is finished and the L of the blank exposure unit is set.
All ED lights up.

FIG. 4 shows an actual AE sub-control characteristic diagram.

The original density (surface potential) measured by AE measurement is D5 (ioov)
In the following cases, use the document illumination lamp (exposure lamp) C, F5 (
62V)? When the light is on and the voltage is D9 (400V) or higher, press F9.
(73V) lights up. D5 (100V) and D9
(400V).

Next, bliscan AE measurement performed with some of the LEDs of the blank exposure unit turned off will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

AE measurement started in 2000, all LEDs of the blank exposure unit were turned on in 2001, and the document illumination lamp was turned on at 62.
After turning on at V, the optical system moves forward. Check whether the image tip signal is generated in 2002, and after it is generated, check 10 in 2003.
Set a reversal timer to advance 0mm and reverse. After the time has elapsed, only a portion of the LEDs of the blank exposure unit corresponding to the detection area of the potential sensor is turned off in 2005, and the optical system moves backward. Then, a delay timer is set for the positional deviation between the image exposure position and the potential sensor.

In 2006, it is checked whether the delay timer has timed up, and after the time has expired, the AE measurement is started in 2007. In step 2007, preparations are made to accumulate and add surface potential values corresponding to document densities sampled at regular intervals. That is, the addition area is cleared, and the sample number area for counting the number of samples is also cleared. 10m5 in 2008
Add samples and count the number of samples for each ec.

(Actually, it is processed in a well-known interrupt routine.) In 2009, the image tip signal is checked when moving backward, and the image tip is set to 0.
Set the same delay timer as mentioned above in 2010 at the point where the problem occurred, check whether the time is up in 2011, and when the time is up, the AE measurement measurement stop + h in 2012.
L/, all LEDs of the blank exposure unit are lit.

In 2013, the average value of the document density is calculated, and this is used as the AE measurement value, and the process ends in 2014.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart for measuring document density (surface potential) corresponding to D5 and D9 shown in FIG.

At 2100, AE adjustment starts in the well-known serviceman mode or factory mode, and at 2101, the density display "5" is turned on in the copy density display section 711 shown in FIG. Instruct them to put it on. In step 2102, it is determined whether the copy key is used to start, and at the time of start, the bliscan AE measurement described above is performed in step 2103, and in step 2104, the AE measurement value at this time is stored in the memory as the potential of D5. Next, 21
At 05, the copy density display section 711 displays the density display "9".
” lights up, and place a D9 compatible original on the original platen glass 10.
Instruct to put it on 1. At step 2106, it is determined whether the copy key has been used to start, and at the time of start, prescan A E 1lt1 is similarly determined at step 2107, and at step 2108, the AE measurement value at this time is stored in the memory as the potential of D9. At 2109, compare the size of D5 and D9 and find that D5<D
9, the concentration display is “5” and “2110” indicating normal completion.
9'' is displayed on the copy density display section 711 for 2 seconds, and the process ends at 2112.

When D5>D9, the density display is “1” and “9” at 2111.
is lit for 2 seconds in the copy density display section 711 to indicate an abnormality, and the process returns to readjustment in 2101.

In this example, +i
7, in the copy density display section 711, "5" is displayed.
”, “9” are lit for 2 seconds, and “1” to “9” are lit for 2 seconds, but it goes without saying that instead of this display, normal and abnormal can be displayed directly. Nor.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, when determining the document density required for automatic exposure, the copy density display section of the operation panel sequentially displays and instructs the copy density corresponding to the required document density. There is no possibility that the automatic exposure function of the machine will become abnormal due to the wrong order of document density.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a flowchart showing the operation of an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an AE measurement mechanism diagram, Fig. 3 is an AE measurement timing chart, Fig. 4 is a characteristic diagram of AE control, and Fig. 5 is a diagram of the AE measurement mechanism. AE measurement flowchart, FIG. 6 is a mechanism diagram of the same embodiment, FIG. 7 is a layout diagram of the operation panel of the same embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the same embodiment. 170...Blank exposure unit 171-...
... Potential sensor 711 ... Copy density display section 801.814 ----- CPU

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A copying apparatus characterized by comprising the following components a and b. a. A device that determines the reference value of document density required for automatic exposure by measuring the density of multiple documents with different densities. b. In the automatic adjustment mode, means for sequentially displaying and instructing the document density necessary for the density measurement in the corresponding copy density on a copy density display section of the operation panel.