JPH03118538A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate run-out of forms during continuous copying by comparing the residual of a light- and pressure-sensitive recording medium determined by a residual determining means with the expected consumption of the recording medium and giving a warning if the expected number is larger than the residual. CONSTITUTION:Ten keys 2 setting the number of copies, a paper size selecting key 3 selecting the size of form to be copied and a nonvolatile memory 4 cumulatively storing the number of copies for each paper size so far are connected to a CPU 1. When an operator sets the number of copies to the number of forms to be outputted setting means, the estimated consumption of the light- and pressure-sensitive recording medium is calculated. The residual determining means determines the residual of the light- and pressure-sensitive recording medium. If the residual of the recording medium is less than the estimated consumption, a warning (ringing a buzzer) is rised to the operator because the light- and pressure-sensitive recording material runs out during copying.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that exposes an image onto a photosensitive pressure sensitive recording medium and performs predetermined processing after exposure to obtain a copy image.

[Conventional technology]

Recently, as a color copying machine (image forming device), the image of the original is exposed to light and pressure sensitive recording media (microcapsule paper), and after this exposure, a color developer is applied to the microcapsule paper and a support such as plain paper. The color image of the exposed microcapsule paper is transferred onto the developer paper by the pressure developer, and the color image after pressure development is sent to the heat fixing device and transferred onto the developer paper. A type of camera that can obtain color images has appeared.

The detailed configuration of such a color copying machine will be explained with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, a movable original platen glass 52 and an original platen cover 53 are provided on the top plate of the copying machine 51, and an original 54 is placed on the original platen glass 52 with the original surface facing downward. It is set with the camera facing the camera. A light source 55 made of a halogen lamp or the like is disposed above the copying machine 51. The light emitted from the light source 55 irradiates the light in a line toward the document table glass 52 through a slit hole provided on the top surface of the machine body, and the irradiated light is directed to the document table glass 52 which is transparent.
2 is made to pass through. That is, the light emitted from the light source 55 is reflected by the original 54 set on the original platen glass 52. By moving the document platen glass 52, exposure scanning of the document 54 is performed. Manuscript 54
The light reflected from the mirror passes through a filter 56 for adjusting the color tone of the copied image and enters a projection lens 57, and the light projected by this lens 57 passes through a pair of reflection mirrors 58.
Microcapsule paper 61 is a roll-shaped recording medium whose direction is changed by 59 and is conveyed along an exposure table 60.
The image is formed on the exposed surface of The reflecting mirror 58.5 is attached to a mirror mounting plate, and the optical path length and focus are adjusted by finely adjusting the mounting position of the mirror mounting plate.

On the other hand, the microcapsule paper 61 is
The microcapsule paper 61 is housed in a removable cartridge 62A in the main body of the apparatus in a state where it is wound around the microcapsule paper 61.
One end of the rollers 64 a, 64 bs 6
4c, pressure developing device 63, and separation mechanism 64 (via i,
It reaches the winding shaft 65.

That is, the microcapsule paper 61 coming out from the lower part of the cartridge 62A is transferred to the feed roller 64a1 and the guide roller 64b.
After passing through the lower surface of the exposure table 60, the microcapsule paper 61 is supplied to a pressure developing device 63, and the microcapsule paper 61 that has passed through this pressure developing device 63 is guided to a separation mechanism 64d and a meandering adjustment roller 64e. , is wound up on the winding shaft 65.

Note that the unexposed microcapsule paper 61 after leaving the cartridge 62A is maintained in an unexposed state by the light shielding cover. Moreover, the conveyance speed of the microcapsule paper 61 is
Since the speed is controlled to be constant and matched to the moving speed of the document table glass 52, latent images of predetermined lines of the document 54 are sequentially formed on the microcapsule paper 61 as it passes through the exposure table 60. Ru.

A paper feed cassette 67 constituting a paper feed device is detachably installed below the pressure developing device 63. Developing paper 66 is stored near the paper feeding cassette 67, and a suction cup type paper feeding mechanism 68 that sucks the paper using negative pressure suction is provided. The color developer paper 66 is taken out one by one by the paper feed mechanism 68 and conveyed by the feed roller 69a1 and the pinch roller 69b.After the leading edge is aligned by the color developer paper rollers 69c, 69d and the registration gate 69e, the color developer paper 66 is taken out one by one by the paper feeding mechanism 68, and then transferred to the pressure developing device 63. will be transported to. Thus, the pressure developing device 6
3, the microcapsule paper 61 and the color developer paper 66 are supplied in an integral state in close contact with each other, and the microcapsule surface of the microcapsule paper 61 on which the latent image is formed and the color developer coated surface of the color developer paper 66 are connected inside. While in contact with each other, they are sandwiched between the small diameter roller 63a and the backup roller 63b, and pressure is applied thereto. This pressure destroys the unexposed microcapsules and forms a color image on the color developing paper 66.

After the microcapsule paper 61 and the color developer paper 66 that have come out of the pressure developing device 63 are separated by a separation mechanism 64d, the color development of the color developer paper 66 is promoted by the heat roller 70a of the heat fixing device 70 to form an image. After that, the paper is delivered to a paper ejection tray 71 by a paper ejection roller. Note that the separated microcapsule paper 61 is wound up on a winding shaft 65 via a meandering adjustment roller 64e.

In a copying machine having such a configuration, the remaining amount of microcapsule paper 61 is detected by an appropriate means and the remaining amount is displayed. After confirming this remaining capacity display, the operator started copying.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the conventional copying machine, during continuous copying, the operator often leaves the place after setting the number of copies. Therefore, the user may not notice that the microcapsule paper has run out during copying, and the copying machine may remain stopped. Therefore, the operator does not realize that the microcapsule paper is used up until he returns to the spot after anticipating the completion of copying.

Therefore, it is necessary to load new microcapsule paper and copy again, resulting in a waste of time.

Additionally, in some cases, this may cause a serious delay in not being able to meet the specified copy deadline.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that allows an operator to leave the place without worry even when making continuous copies, for example.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve this objective, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes:
In an image forming apparatus, an image formed based on a document is sequentially exposed on an exposure surface of the photosensitive pressure sensitive recording medium while sequentially pulling out a photosensitive pressure sensitive recording medium, and a predetermined process is performed after exposure to obtain a copy image. , an output number setting means for setting a planned output number of copy images, a remaining amount determining means for detecting the remaining amount of the photosensitive pressure sensitive recording medium, and a schedule for the photosensitive pressure sensitive recording medium set by the output number setting means. means for comparing the number of sheets to be used and the remaining amount of the photosensitive pressure sensitive recording medium determined by the remaining amount determining means; and a warning if the planned number of sheets to be used is greater than the remaining amount as a result of the comparison by the comparing means; The invention is characterized by comprising a warning means for generating.

[Effect]

When the operator sets the number of copies to the output number setting means, the planned usage amount of the photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording medium is calculated.

On the other hand, the remaining amount of the photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording medium is determined by the remaining amount determining means. If the remaining amount of the photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording medium is less than the scheduled usage amount, the photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording medium will run out during copying, so a warning (buzzer sounds) is issued to notify the operator of this fact. On the other hand, if the remaining amount is greater than the planned usage amount, there is no need to issue a warning because copying can be performed without any problem.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The mechanical construction of the image forming apparatus is the same as that shown in FIG. 6, except for the remaining amount display/warning section of the photosensitive pressure sensitive recording medium, which will be described below, and therefore illustration thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a remaining amount display/warning section of a photosensitive pressure sensitive recording medium used in an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown in Figure 11, the CPU includes a numeric keypad 2 for setting the number of copies, a paper size selection key 3 for selecting the size of paper to be copied, and cumulative storage of the number of copies for each paper size up to now. non-volatile memory 4
is connected. Furthermore, connected to the CPU are a 7-segment LED 5 that displays the number of sheets to be copied, an LED 6 that displays the paper size selected by the operator, and a buzzer 7 that issues a warning.

Next, the operation will be explained based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

The operator inputs the number of copies (e.g. 80) using the numeric keypad 2.
(step SL), and set the paper size (for example, A4) to the paper size selection key 3 (step SL).
Step S2). Based on these input data CPUI
calculates the planned usage amount of the photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording medium (step S3). Next, calculate the remaining amount of the photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording medium (
Step 84). The calculation is performed as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the nonvolatile memory 4 stores the cumulative number of copies for each paper size up to now. For example, the number of A4 copies is "10" at address 0, and the number of A3 copies is stored at address 1. The number of sheets is ``
5 pieces'', B4 is ``3 pieces'' at address 2, and B5 is at address 3.
is "2". Based on these data, CP
When the UI calculates the following equation, it can be seen that the photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording media equivalent to 27 sheets of A4 paper have been used.

On the other hand, since it is known in advance that the total amount of photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording media is equivalent to 100 sheets of A4 paper, rl OO-2
7=73J, the remaining amount equivalent to 73 sheets is calculated.

Next, the planned usage amount (80 sheets) and the remaining amount (73 sheets) are compared (step S5). As soon as the buzzer 7 sounds (step S6
) "73" and "80" are displayed blinking alternately on the LED 5 (step 87). The operator visually confirms this flashing display and knows that the number of sheets is insufficient for the planned number of sheets, so he replaces it with a new photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording medium (100 sheets in A4 size).
Step S8). After the replacement, if the number of copies is set again (step SL), the operator leaves the area and returns to the copying machine after a certain period of time and the number of copies (80) is as expected. has been completed.

In addition, if the remaining amount is larger than the planned usage amount in step S5, it means that there are 80 or more sheets remaining, so copying is started immediately (step S9) and the set amount (
80 sheets) is completed (step 510).
.

In this example, in step S8, the recording medium was replaced with a new photosensitive pressure sensitive recording medium. However, for example, after the alternate display (step S7), only "73 sheets" are copied, and the remaining "7 sheets" are automatically copied the next time a new photosensitive pressure sensitive recording medium is loaded. You can.

Further, in the above embodiment, the planned usage amount was calculated by ignoring the loss between adjacent copy images, but if there is a loss, the expected usage amount can be calculated by taking the loss into consideration. good.

Furthermore, the calculation of planned usage does not necessarily depend on the actual usage dimensions (
It is not necessary to calculate based on the paper size ratio (actual amount used).
It is better to calculate using an integer value depending on the CPU
It is easy to process in name calculations. For example, as shown in the following formula, B5 size is "6", A4 size is "7", B4 size is r12j, and A3 size is "14".
When calculated as follows, the total amount of cumulative usage is ``rl 88'', while the total amount of photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording media is 100 sheets in terms of A4 size, so ``7Xioo=700''.

Therefore, r700-188=512'', and the remaining amount for A4 size is 512÷7=73, equivalent to IJ sheets.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where the A4 size is used "horizontally" (210 mm) has been described, but when it is used "vertically", it may be calculated as 297M.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the detailed description above, according to the present invention,
Only when the remaining amount of the photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording medium is small, an alarm is issued to prompt an operator who has made a large number of copies to take appropriate measures, and an alarm is not issued to an operator who has made a small number of copies. Therefore, the operator can leave the area with peace of mind without having to worry about not knowing when the photosensitive pressure sensitive recording medium will be used or not, and it is possible to eliminate waste during continuous copying.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the remaining amount display/warning unit used in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a non-volatile FIG. 4 is a side view showing the mechanical configuration of a conventional image forming apparatus. 1... CPU (comparison means) 2... Numeric keypad (output number setting means) 3... Paper size selection key (output number setting means) 4... Non-volatile memory (remaining amount determining means) 5...・LED 7...Buzzer (warning means)

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] While the photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording media are sequentially pulled out, images formed based on the original are sequentially exposed onto the exposure surface of the photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording media, and after exposure, predetermined processing is performed to create a copy image. An image forming apparatus that obtains an image forming apparatus, comprising: an output number setting means for setting a planned output number of copy images; a remaining amount determining means for detecting a remaining amount of the photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording medium; and a photosensitive pressure sensitive recording medium set by the output number setting means. a means for comparing the planned number of sheets of the pressure-sensitive recording medium to be used and the remaining amount of the photosensitive pressure-sensitive recording medium determined by the remaining amount determining means; An image forming apparatus comprising: a warning means for issuing a warning when the amount exceeds the amount.