JPH03197982A - Copying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent copying mistake by allowing a start key for starting operations to discriminate whether copying is available, it is available on a reference condition, or it is available when a setting mode, etc., is changed, and to display a discriminated result. CONSTITUTION:When the copying start key 2 on an operation panel 1 being an operation part is depressed and contact points 3a and 3b come in contact with each other, a signal enters into a CPU and the copying is started. A lamp group 4 using green, red and yellow miniature lamps is arranged under the copying start key 2 in order to illuminate the copying start key 2 and is switched according to the condition of this device. Namely, whether the copying is unavailable, it is available on the reference condition, or it is available on a condition different from the reference condition such that the setting mode, etc., is changed is distinguished and the discriminated result is displayed. Thus, miscopying can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a display on an operating section of a copying apparatus, particularly an electrophotographic copying apparatus.

(Prior Art) Recent copying machines have a zoom function that allows you to select the copy magnification,
It has a trimming/masking function that allows you to copy or erase only a portion, and a variety of other functions, making it extremely convenient.

However, on the contrary, there is an increasing problem that a user may unknowingly and carelessly copy a code set arbitrarily by the user, resulting in a mistaken copy. For this reason, the mode set arbitrarily by the user is configured to return to the standard mode after a certain period of time has elapsed after the copying operation is completed.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in conventional copying machines, the fixed time is
For example, if it is set to less than 30 seconds, it becomes inconvenient to use when exchanging originals, etc., so it is usually set to about 1 minute, but it is sufficient to prevent troubles such as inadvertent copying as mentioned above. There was a problem that could not be resolved.

The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and the operation start key displays whether the copying device is in an operable or inoperable state, and the operable state is further changed from a standard state to a standard state. It is an object of the present invention to provide a copying apparatus that is easy to use and can prevent copy errors by being configured to display a special mode state or at least two distinct stages.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, in the copying apparatus of the present invention, an operation start key is set to be used when copying is not possible, such as during standby, when there is no paper or when a paper jam occurs, and when the operation start key is It is configured so that it can be displayed in at least three stages: when copying is possible in the current state, and when further copying is possible but the setting mode etc. has been changed by the previous user and the state has not returned to the standard state. .

(Function) In the copying apparatus of the present invention, as described above, the operation start key for operating the copying apparatus is set to indicate a state in which copying is not possible, a state in which copying is possible in the standard state, a state in which copying is possible but in a setting mode, etc. By making it possible to distinguish and display whether the state is different from the standard state in which the change has been made, it is possible to distinguish and display at least three stages depending on the state.

(Embodiment) A copying apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a copy start key which is an operation start key of a copying apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing the same copying apparatus, and FIG. It is a partial notch schematic plan view showing the device.

In the figure, C is the copying machine, 1 is the operation panel of this copying machine C, 2 is the copy start key on this operation panel 1, and R is the same reset key, which is a key for returning from a special mode state to the standard state. , S is a paper cassette for storing copy paper, D is a paper ejection section for storing copied paper, P is a platen for placing the original to be copied, and T is a part of the number pad. be.

When copying, store the specified paper in the paper cassette S, set it to the desired copying state by operating the keys on the operation panel L, place the original on the platen P, and press the platen P. Cover to block light from indoors,
Copying is started by pressing copy start key 2.

After a certain period of time after copying is completed, the printer returns to the standard state and is ready for the next use.

Next, the copy start key 2 of the operation panel 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be explained.

The copy start key 2 on the operation panel 1, which is an operation section, is normally pushed upward by a spring or the like (not shown) and the contacts 3a and 3b are in the open state, and when the copy start key 2 is pressed, the contacts 3a and 3b are in the open state. , 3b touch,
The signal enters the central processing unit (CPU) and starts the copying operation.

Further, a lamp group 4 using miniature lamps in three colors of green, red, and yellow is arranged below the copy start key 2 to illuminate the copy start key 2. It can be switched to three stages. The green lamp lights up when normal copying is possible, and the red lamp lights up when there is no paper or paper jam, where copying is not possible, or when the operation is in progress, and copying is possible but the copy mode settings etc. are in the standard state. When the condition is different from the above, a yellow lamp lights up. FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the lamp group 4 that illuminates the above-mentioned copy start key 2. A signal inputted by the user from the operation panel 1o is input to the CPU II, and is transmitted via the driver 12 to illuminate the copy start key. By driving the system 13, for example, a special mode state such as selecting a reduction mode different from the standard mode as a standard state, selecting a trimming copy which is a partial copy, or selecting two or more copies, etc. If the copy start key 2 is pressed, the lamp will be illuminated with green, once the operation has started, the lamp will be illuminated with red, and after the operation has finished, the lamp will be illuminated with yellow until the normal mode is returned or the reset button is pressed. It is designed to be illuminated with lamps.

The operation will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

Now, select the standard mode to make a full-size copy of the original, and not select a trimmed copy, which is a partial copy.
Assume that the number of copies is one. In the following explanation example, it is assumed that two originals of A4 size are to be copied at the same size, and the mode is not the standard mode but a mode different from the standard mode.

First, the copy start key 2 is illuminated with a green lamp in S1, the original is set on the platen P in S2, and the same size key is pressed in S3.

In S4, select the cassette containing A4 size paper, and in S5, press key 2 of the number T part to set the desired number of copies 2.

Up to this stage, the copy start key 2 has not been pressed and the copy operation has not started, so it is illuminated with a green lamp.

When the copy start key 2 is pressed in S6, the operation is started. When the operation starts, the green lamp goes out and the red lamp lights up.

The yellow lamp is illuminated until the standard mode is returned to after a predetermined period of time after the operation of continuously copying two originals at the same size is completed in S7. Since it is illuminated by a yellow lamp, it prevents the user from inadvertently copying and making mistakes before returning to the standard mode without knowing that the mode is not the standard mode set by the user. can do.

When two copies are made in S8, a yellow lamp lights up in S9, and after a certain period of time, for example 60 seconds, has elapsed in StO, the S
ll returns you to standard mode.

If the copy start key 2 is pressed within 60 seconds, the process returns to 86 and a copy operation is performed.

Also, only if the copy start key 2 is pressed again between the end of the copying operation and the return to the standard mode in a mode different from the standard mode as described above, a yellow lamp will be turned on to alert you. It may also be turned on. Furthermore, instead of turning on the yellow lamp, you can turn on both the green lamp and the red lamp, or because copying is possible, you can make the green lamp blink, etc. It goes without saying that it is sufficient to be able to distinguish the state of the device.

As explained above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the copy selection key on the operation panel 1 of the copying apparatus C is
2. The state of the copying apparatus itself is indicated by a group of lamps 4 illuminating the copy start key 2 to indicate whether it is operational or not; Furthermore, by configuring the display to be displayed in at least two stages as a standard state or a special mode state, it is possible to prevent copying mistakes and provide an easy-to-use copying apparatus.

(Other Examples) By using a touch panel type liquid crystal for the copy start key itself, O is displayed when copying is possible in the standard state, and × is displayed when copying is not possible, and when copying is possible but in the standard state. If not, △ may be displayed.

In addition, as in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6, if the copy start key is divided into two parts such as 20a and 20b and copying is possible in the normal standard state, copying will be performed no matter which button is pressed. starts, but if it is possible to copy or is not in the standard state (period), it can be made operational by pressing only the small start key 20a, or if both keys are not pressed, the start is not accepted. Of course, it is also possible to make it possible to recognize the state of the copying apparatus by notifying the user of the copying apparatus.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the copying apparatus of the present invention, the start key for starting the operation of the copying apparatus is used to indicate the state of the copying apparatus, that is, whether it is in a state in which copying is not possible or in a state in which copying is possible in the standard state. By configuring the system so that it can distinguish and display whether the state is different from the standard state in which copying is possible but the setting mode etc. have been changed, it is possible to provide a copying device that is easy to use and can prevent copying mistakes. play.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a copy start key of an operation unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing a copying apparatus of the same embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a schematic cutaway of the same part. 4 is a control block diagram of the copy start key illumination lamp group, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the copy start key according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is an operation panel, 2 is a copy start key, and 4 is a group of lamps that illuminate the copy start key. FIG. 2 is a schematic normal fI diagram showing a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (1)

[Claims] An operation start key on an operation unit of a copying machine or the like displays whether the copying machine itself is in an operable state or an inoperable state, and the operation start key indicates the operable state. A copying apparatus further characterized in that it is configured to be able to display a standard state or a special mode state in at least two distinct stages.