JPH026451Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus, and particularly to an image recording mode operation system.

Conventionally, the operation section of a copying machine has many operations fixed on the copying machine body, such as variable magnification mode, developer density, paper size, number of copies, sorter and DF distributor, selection mode, duplex mode, interrupt mode, finishing device, etc. The mode is hot. Therefore, when many people made copies in succession, the mode used by the previous person remained and the next person had to reset the mode button, which was time consuming and troublesome. This was especially noticeable when operated by someone unfamiliar with the operation.

According to the present invention, at least one key means for specifying an image recording mode, such as a numeric keypad or a key for specifying a magnification ratio, which is removable from the main body of the apparatus, and image recording specified by the key means are provided. a mode setting means provided with a rewritable storage means for storing the mode; a connecting means for connecting the mode setting means to the main body of the device;
By providing a reading means for reading an image recording mode from the storage means and a recording means for recording an image based on the image recording mode read by the reading means, before the mode setting means is connected to the main body of the apparatus, The key means enables the recording means to record an image based on an image recording mode previously stored in the storage means.

The present invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings. 1st
The figure is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 indicates the main body of the copying machine, which has a platen section 2 where the original is placed, a copy mode display section 3 (details are omitted as they are well known), a copy start key 5, and a copy emergency stop key 6 on the top surface. ing.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a socket provided on the other side of the copying machine body, which can be connected to the socket of the operating section 4, which is detachable from the copying machine body. Details of this operating section 4 are shown in FIG. This will be explained with reference to this top view. The operation unit 4 includes keys 8 from 0 to 9 for specifying the copy multiple (for continuous use) and its display _8.
and the density adjustment key 8 and its display 9 ₁ , the magnification change key (same size, enlargement, reduction) 10 and its display 10 ₁ ,
Automatic document feed (sorter) use key 11 and its display 11 ₁ , Distributor (DF) use key 14 and its display 14 ₁ , paper size specification keys A and B and their display 15, memory clear and overall A key 13 that also serves to stop the device, a copy start key 12, a power key 17 that powers the operating section 4, and a display 16 that displays errors within the device are provided. This operation section 4 is connected to the main body 1 and is used for a calculator to send a preset reservation mode signal to the main body 1. It is more preferable to provide one or more other parts such as the operating part 4 so as to match the socket 7 or other sockets.

At this point, you are waiting for your turn to copy, and before the previous person's operation is finished, you insert the operation panel 4 into the socket 7, the copy mode of which you had previously set while waiting for the copy.
When the copy mode is inserted, the set copy mode is automatically set in place of the previous mode, and copying can be performed efficiently by pressing the copy start key 12 on the operation section. Since the copying machine has a plurality of copy operation sections 4 in this way, reservation copying becomes possible.

As a specific example of realizing this operation, a configuration as shown in FIG. 3 can be considered as a typical example.

A known copying machine control microcomputer section 18 is provided within the copying machine main body 1 as a central function for image formation. Inside the main body 1 is a 1/0 port 19 connected to the microcomputer section and further connected to the copy mode display section 3 and means ₃₁ for forming an image according to the copy mode of the copy mode display section.
It also has a 1/0 port ₁₉₁ for receiving signals from the operating section 4 from the socket 7.

On the operation section 4 side, there is an error display (LCD) 16 such as a jam on the main body 1 of the operation section 4, and an error display (LCD) 16 such as a jam on the main body 1 of the operation section 4, and an overall display 8 ₁ to 11 ₁ , 14 ₁ , 15, etc. of the operation section 4 shown in FIG. Input latch section 20 of display section N and operation section 4
, an output latch section 21 of the operating section 4, and a key matrix section M of the keys 8 to 14 of the operating section 4.
In this configuration, the control microcomputer 18 has 1/0 port 1
9 The data of ₁ is constantly read out at regular intervals.
At this time, when the operating section 4 is not set in the socket 7, certain data (for example, operation stop data) is input by pull-down or pull-up. Next, when the operating section 4 is set, a signal indicating that the operating section 4 has been set (for example, a connection signal with the socket 7, etc.) is given to the microcomputer 18, which then decodes the signal given from the operating section 4 and operates the copying machine. It controls each section and sets the image forming mode according to the setting mode of the operation section 4. Note that the previous image forming mode (in the device) is cleared. This operation is repeated until just before the copy start signal is applied, and when the signal is applied from the copy start key 5, the input operation is stopped and the copy operation is performed.
If a problem such as a jam occurs, an error signal is generated and displayed on the display 16.

Since the above-mentioned operation section 4 can be easily configured using conventional technology such as a calculator with a memory function, the functions of the operation section 4 can be configured in any manner.

It is preferable that the operation unit 4 in the above embodiment has the following configuration.

an input/output interface circuit 20 that is detachable from the image recording device and capable of inputting and outputting a power source (battery) and signals for controlling the copying device;
21 etc., means M etc. for manually programming control signals, display means N etc. for displaying the contents of the programmed control signals, and means (known in the art) for detecting whether or not the operation section is set on the copying machine side. (micro switch, etc.)
A means for reading control signals from the operating unit side is also required.

Furthermore, it is a further preferred embodiment to prevent the main body of the copying machine from operating when the above-mentioned operation section is not set (operation section that also serves as a key counter).

If the sockets for the operation parts described above are installed in different positions on the left and right sides of the main unit, it is possible to make them visible from the original operation position when the original operation position is difficult to operate due to the installation location, or when looking at a copy that has come out. This is useful when things are difficult.

Also auto document feeder (ADF)
If you make it possible to program the copy machine and program sorter in conjunction with each other, you can program it on the spot when creating a manuscript without having to go to the place where the copier itself is installed, and it will also be possible for many people to use different programs. Efficiency is particularly improved when copying because separate operation sections can be used. In this case, it is sufficient to add a memo to the operating section 4 and store the program, and then load the program on the main body side. To name a few other simple application examples, the first one to consider is interrupt copying. In this case, interrupt copying can be performed by simply replacing the operation section with another operation section in the same way as when waiting for copying. In this case, the operating section 4
Interrupts with the signal when the is pulled out. Count data before the interrupt may be stored on the operating side using known means. In this way, the operation section 4
By storing it in , any number of people can interrupt. (Multiple Warning) Next, application to managing the number of copies by multiple departments can be considered. In this case, the operation section 4 may be provided with a key counter function and a lock function using a secret code as shown in FIG. 4, and the operation section may be managed for each department.

Next, when using the disconnection operation section 4 in an optional format, it is necessary to determine the priority order between the operation section fixed to the main body and the external operation section 4, or to provide a priority order changeover switch so that data can be transmitted from either side. All you have to do is decide whether to load it with priority.

Next, an application to reservation copying can be considered. In this case, this can be done by providing a plurality of operation section insertion sockets in the image forming apparatus or the like, attaching a plurality of operation sections, and controlling the main body, ADF, sorter, etc. At this time, in order to prevent the copy control data from being read from the same operating section more than once, the operating section 4 may be set to a disable state in response to the copy completion signal. This state is reset by pulling out the operating section 4.

As explained above, by providing a separate operation unit from the copier main body, it is possible to easily manage interrupt copying and the number of copies waiting for copying, thereby improving copying efficiency and shortening waiting time. Now I can do it.

As described in detail based on the embodiments, if you try to use an image recording device implementing the present invention and another operator is already using it, you will have to change the mode settings from the device itself. It becomes possible to remove the means and store the image recording mode using the key means while waiting until another operator finishes using the means. That is, according to the present invention, it becomes possible to set the image recording mode by effectively utilizing the waiting time until another operator finishes using the image recording apparatus implementing the present invention.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the operating section 4, Figure 3 is a block diagram of the main parts of the embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 4 is when used as a key counter. This is a flowchart for performing a lock operation using a dark crystal code. 1 is the main body of the copying machine, 4 is the operation section, and 7 is the socket.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] At least one key means for designating an image recording mode, such as a numeric keypad or a key for designating a magnification ratio, which is removable from the main body of the device, and a key means designated by the key means. a mode setting means provided with a rewritable storage means for storing the image recording mode; a connecting means for connecting the mode setting means to the main body of the apparatus; a reading means for reading the image recording mode from the storage means; By providing a recording means for recording an image based on the image recording mode read by the reading means, the image can be stored in advance in the storage means by the key means before the mode setting means is connected to the main body of the apparatus. An image recording device characterized in that the recording means records an image based on a recording mode.