JPH03261966A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily and rapidly set a desired image forming mode by setting a set state in a previously set specified state in a reservation mode so that a standard mode which is often used at ordinary time may be obtained. CONSTITUTION:By performing input by a reservation key 602 after waiting for the input by the key 602, all the modes of reservation copying are set as a specified value previously stored in a RAM and the content is displayed on various kinds of display units of a control panel 500. Then, the various kinds of modes in the reservation copying are set by an operator by using various kinds of keys of the panel 500. When the input by a reservation setting key 603 is performed after waiting for input by the key 603, the reservation setting is finished. Thus, the device is set in the previously set specified state and a desired image forming mode is easily and rapidly set.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and various printers, and in particular to a so-called image forming mode in which a second image forming mode can be set during a first image forming operation. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that allows reservations.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, in this type of image forming apparatus with a reservation function, all image forming operation modes to be reserved are individually set. In other words, by inputting a specific key, you can transit to the reservation mode setting state, and then specify copy density, whether or not to erase borders, output paper size, copy magnification, number of copies, duplex, single-sided, multiplex, etc. was.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the conventional specification method as described above, in order to set the reservation mode, many of the settings described above had to be performed, which was very complicated. This is especially noticeable when you want to return each setting value to its standard value after repeating many settings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned points, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can set a reservation mode to a predetermined default state.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of setting a mode of a second image forming operation as a reservation mode during a first image forming operation. 2) An input means for indicating a transition to a mode setting state; and a mode setting means for first setting the reservation mode setting state to a predetermined state in response to a specified input from the input means. It is characterized by

Further, as another aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus in which the mode of the second image forming operation can be set as a reservation mode during the first image forming operation, a finger 2 is provided to shift to the setting state of the reservation mode. ) A first input means and an instruction to set the image forming operation mode to a predetermined mode state 2) A second input means and the second input after the input from the first input means; The present invention is characterized by comprising mode setting means for setting the setting state of the reservation mode to a predetermined state when there is an input from the means.

Moreover, as another form of the present invention, the second input means is a dedicated input means for reservation mode.

[Function] In the present invention, the setting state of the reservation mode is set to a predetermined state in response to the input of the reservation key, etc., so that the predetermined state can be changed to the commonly used standard mode. By making these settings, the desired image forming mode can be easily and quickly set.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show the configuration of an embodiment of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing the internal configuration of the entire copying machine, and FIG. The figure is an enlarged sectional view of the automatic document feeder portion of the copying machine, FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of the operation panel of the copying machine, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the control section of the copying machine. . Moreover, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the control section.

In FIG. 1, 100 is the main body of the copying machine, 200 is a bedistal having a double-sided processing function for turning over the recording medium (paper) during double-sided recording, and a multi-recording function for recording multiple times on the same recording medium; 300 is a circulating automatic document feeder that automatically feeds documents, and 400 is a sorter. These pedicle 200, automatic document feeder 300 (hereinafter referred to as RDF), and sorter 400 can be freely combined and used with respect to the main body 100.

A1 main body (100) In FIG. 1, 101 is a document table glass serving as a document placement table. Further, 102 is an optical system as an image reading means, and includes an original illumination lamp (exposure lamp) 103;
It is composed of a scanning mirror, a lens, a motor 104, etc., and the exposure lamp 1 is scanned by the motor 104.
03, the original is illuminated, and the light reflected from the original is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 105 by a scanning mirror and a lens.

A high pressure unit 1 is provided around the photoreceptor drum 105.
06, blank exposure unit 107, and developing device 109
, a transfer charger 110, a separation charger 111, and a cleaning device 112, and these photoreceptor drums 105 and the like constitute image recording means.

The photosensitive drum 105 is rotated by a main motor 113 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG.
6, and when reflected light from the original is irradiated from the optical system 102, an electrostatic latent image is formed. This electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing device 109 and visualized as a toner image. On the other hand, the transfer paper fed from the upper cassette 114 or the lower cassette 115 into the main body 100 by paper feed rollers 116 and 117 is timed so that the leading edge of the toner image and the leading edge of the transfer paper coincide with each other by the registration rollers 118. After being removed, the photoreceptor drum 105
The toner image is transferred by the transfer charger 110.

After this transfer, the transfer paper is separated from the photoreceptor drum 105 by a separation charger 111, guided to a fixing device 120 by a conveyor belt 119, and fixed by pressure and heating. is discharged.

Further, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 105 is cleaned by a cleaning device 112.

In addition, 122.123.124 in Fig. 1 is a sensor, 1
25 is a pedestal sensor used for double-sided printing, and 126 is a manual paper feed slot.

B. Bedistal (200) As shown in FIG. 1, the Bedistal 200 is equipped with a deck 201 that can store, for example, 2000 sheets of transfer paper, and an intermediate tray 202 for double-sided recording. deck 2
The lifter 203 of No. 01 is raised according to the amount of transfer paper so that the transfer paper always comes into contact with the paper feed roller 204. Also,
In FIG. 1, 205 is a paper ejection flapper, and the main body 1
00, and switches the path between the double-sided recording side or multiple recording side and the discharge side (sorter 400). The transfer paper sent out from the discharge roller 121 is switched to the double-sided recording side or the multiplex recording side by the paper discharge flapper 205.

Further, 206 and 207 are conveyor belts, which turn over the transfer paper sent out from the discharge roller 121 and transfer it to the intermediate tray 20.
02, and 208 is a weight that presses the transfer paper stored in the intermediate tray 202. A multiple flapper 209 switches the path between double-sided recording and multiplex recording, and is disposed between conveyance paths 206 and 207, and guides the transfer paper to the multiplex recording conveyance path 210 by rotating upward. Further, 211 is a multiple sensor that detects the end of the transfer paper passing through the multiple flapper 209. Further, 212 is a paper feed roller that feeds the transfer paper to the photosensitive drum 105 side through a path 213. A discharge roller 214 is disposed near the paper discharge flapper 205 and discharges the transfer paper switched to the discharge side by the paper discharge flapper 205 to the outside of the machine.

During double-sided recording (duplex copying) or multiple recording (multiple copying),
The paper discharge flapper 205 is raised upward, and the copied transfer paper is stored upside down in the intermediate tray 202 via the delivery paths 206 and 207. At this time, the multiplex flapper 209 is lowered during double-sided recording, and is raised during multiplex recording. The transfer paper stored in the intermediate tray 202 is held down by a weight 20g.

When recording on the next back side or multiplexing, the intermediate tray 20
The transfer sheets stored in the main body 2 are guided one by one from the bottom to the registration roller 11g of the main body via a path 213 by the action of the sheet feed roller 212 and the weight 208.

C, RDF (circulating automatic document feeder) (300) As shown in detail in FIG.
A stacking tray 31 serves as a first document mounting table on which a document is set.
0, and a stacking tray 320 serving as a second document mounting table on which a stack of documents SS is set.

Further, on the stacking tray 310 side (left side in FIG. 2), feeding means 330, which constitutes one part of the original feeding means, is provided. This feeding means 330 includes a half-moon roller 331
, separation conveyance roller 332 , separation belt 333 , separation motor 334 , registration roller 335 , full-surface belt 336 , belt motor 337 , and large conveyance roller 33
8, a conveyance motor 339, a paper ejection roller 340, a flapper 341, a recycle lever 342, a paper feed stopper 343, a registration sensor 344, and a paper ejection sensor 3.
It is composed of 45 mag.

Here, the half-moon roller 331, separation conveyance roller 332, and separation belt 333 are rotated by a separation motor 334 to separate the documents one by one from the bottom of the document bundle S on the stacking tray 310.

Further, the registration rollers 335 and the full-surface belt 336 are rotated by a belt motor 337 to convey the separated originals to the exposure position (pass m) on the original platen glass 101 via paths I and (2). Further, the large conveyance roller 338 is rotated by the conveyance motor 339 to convey the original on the document table glass 101 from the path (2) to the path (V). The document conveyed to this path V is transferred to the stacking tray 31 by the paper ejection roller 340.
0 is returned onto the original bundle S.

Further, the recycle lever 342 is used to detect one cycle of the original, and when the original is started to be fed, the recycle lever 342 is activated.
is placed on the top of the document bundle S, the documents are fed one after another, and when the rear end of the last document passes through the recycle lever 342, it falls due to its own weight, and one cycle of the document is detected.

In the upper second feeding means 330, when a double-sided document is used, the document is first guided from path I, n to m, and then the large conveyance roller 338 is rotated and the flapper 341 is switched to the position shown in the broken line in FIG. The leading edge is guided to path (2), then passed through path (2) by registration rollers 335, and then the document is conveyed onto document table glass 101 by full-surface belt 336 and stopped, thereby inverting the document. That is, the original is reversed along the paths ① to ② to ②.

In addition, pass the originals in the original bundle S one by one ■～■～m～■～
The number of originals can be counted by conveying them through (1) to (2) until one cycle is detected by the recycle lever 342.

Further, feeding means 350 constituting the other part of the document feeding means is also provided on the stacking tray 320 side (on the right side in FIG. 2). This feeding means 350 includes a half-moon roller 351, a separation conveyance roller 352, a separation belt 353, a registration roller 354, a conveyance motor 355, a separation clutch 356, a paper feed clutch 357, a recycle lever 358, and a feed mechanism. Paper stopper 359 and registration sensor 3
60, a document detection sensor 361, a paper discharge roller 362, and the like.

Here, when the conveyance motor 355 and the separation clutch 356 are turned on, the half-moon roller 351 and the separation conveyance roller 352 are turned on.
and the separation belt 353 rotate, and the loading tray 320
The originals are separated one by one from the bottom of the upper original bundle SS.

Also, the conveyance motor 355 and paper feed clutch 357 are turned on to rotate the registration roller 354, and the belt motor 3
37 is reversely turned on and the entire belt 336 is reversed,
The originals separated from the original bundle SS can be conveyed from bus cutting to m.

Note that the belt motor 337 is turned on in normal rotation to rotate the entire belt 3.
36 in the normal direction, the paper feed clutch 357 is turned on, the transport motor 355 is turned on in the reverse direction, and the paper ejection roller 362 is rotated in the reverse direction, so that the original on the document table glass 101 passes through the pass order from pass 3 to the upper cover 370. Paper can be ejected upward.

D. Sorter (sorting device) (400) The sorter 400, which is a sheet post-processing device for recording sheets such as transfer paper, is a first
As shown in the figure, it is constructed so that it can be sorted by holding a 25-pin tray.

The image-formed transfer paper is transferred to the paper ejection roller 214 of the main body 100.
The paper is sequentially ejected from the paper ejection roller 401 of the sorter 400
The sheet is then discharged to each bin 404 via a path 402 by a sheet discharge roller 403.

E. Operation Panel FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the operation panel 500 provided on the main body 100 described above.

In FIG. 3, 605 is an all reset key;
Press to return all of the various data that has been set to standard mode.

606 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, and the stop key is pressed to interrupt continuous copying. The copying operation stops after the copying at the time when the button is pressed is completed.

Numeric keys 615 are pressed to set the number of copies. A memory key 619 allows the user to register frequently used modes. Here M1 to M4
You can register in 4 ways:

Copy density keys 611 and 612 are pressed when manually adjusting the copy density. 613 is the AE key,
Press this button to automatically adjust the copy density according to the density of the original, or to cancel AE (automatic density adjustment) and switch the density adjustment to manual. Reference numeral 607 is a cassette selection key, which is pressed to select the cassette 114, interrupted cassette 115, or vapor deck 201. Also, when a document is placed on the stacking tray 300, this key 607 selects the APS (automatic paper selection) mode. can.

When the APS mode is selected, the smallest size transfer paper cassette that can copy the entire original image is automatically selected.

610 is the same size key, which is pressed when making a copy at the same size (original size); 616 is the auto size change key, which automatically reduces the original image to match the specified transfer paper size and original size. - 617 and 61g are zoom keys that are pressed to select the AMS (automatic magnification selection) mode for magnification, and are pressed to specify any magnification between 64 and 142%. 608 and 609 are fixed magnification keys,
Press to specify reduction/enlargement of standard size. 626
is a double-sided key, which 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.

A binding key 625 can create a binding margin of a specified length on the left side of the transfer paper. Reference numeral 624 is a photo key, which is pressed when copying a photo original. Reference numeral 623 is a multiple key, which is pressed when combining images from two originals onto the same side of transfer paper.

620 is a document frame erase key, which the user presses when erasing the frame of a standard size document.

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 the original.
Press this when making continuous copies on separate sheets of paper.

Reference numeral 614 is a paper discharge method (stable, sort, group) selection key, and if a staple is connected that can bind the printed sheets in a stable manner, the stable mode and sort mode can be selected or canceled. For sorting, if a tray (sorter) is connected, sort mode and group mode can be selected or canceled.

Reference numeral 601 is an interrupt key, and when pressed during copying, the copying is interrupted and a new copying (hereinafter referred to as interrupt copying) is enabled. Also, if pressed while setting the interrupt copy mode, the interrupt enabled state is canceled.

Reference numeral 602 is a reservation key, which allows registration and cancellation of reservation copying. When the reservation key 602 is pressed, the copy mode that has already been set remains stored and a different copy mode can be set. Here, set the copy mode you wish to register, and press the reservation setting key 603 to complete the setting. As a result, the set copy mode is stored on the RAM.

In Fig. 3, reference numeral 711 is an LCD (liquid crystal) type message display that displays information regarding copying (Table 2).For example, 5 x 7 dots form one character, and 40
Text messages and fixed size scaling keys 608, 609,
The copy magnification set using the same magnification key 610 and zoom keys 617 and 618 can be displayed. This display 711 is a semi-transparent water liquid crystal and uses two colors for the backlight.Normally, a green backlight is lit, and an orange backlight is lit when there is an abnormality or a state in which copying is not possible.

Reference numeral 706 denotes an equal magnification display, which lights up when equal magnification is selected. Reference numeral 703 is a color developer indicator, which lights up when a sepia developer is set. 712 is a copy number display, which indicates the number of copies or a self-diagnosis code (Table 2). 705
is the used cassette indicator, which indicates whether cassette 114, cassette 115, or deck 201 is selected (Table 2). 704 is an AE display, and AE key 613
Lights up when AE (automatic density adjustment) is selected.

A double-sided copy indicator 708 lights up when either double-sided copying from a double-sided original or double-sided copying from a single-sided original is selected.

When using RDF300 in standard mode, the number of copies is 1, density AE mode, automatic paper selection, 1x,
The setting changes from a one-sided original to a one-sided copy.

When the RDF300 is not in use, the standard mode is set to 1 copy, manual density mode, same size, and 1-sided copying from a 1-sided original. The difference between when RDFOO is used and when it is not used is determined by whether or not a document is set in RDF300.

Further, 710 is a power lamp, which lights up when the power switch is turned on.

Reference numeral 701 lights up when the cut-off copy mode is set on the interrupt display and during interrupt copying.

Reference numeral 702 denotes a reservation registration indicator, which lights up when reservation copying is registered.

If you wish to make a reservation for copying, proceed as follows.

Here, scheduled copying refers to a second copying mode that is different from the first copying mode in which the copying mode has already been set and is waiting to start copying, or is currently being copied, i.e., the copying density, the number of copies,
This refers to copying in a second copying mode that is executed after copying in the first copying mode is completed by setting desired copying mode data such as copying magnification and double-sided multiplexing using various keys on the operation panel 500.

First, when the reservation key 602 is pressed while waiting to start copying or during a copying operation, a reservation mode is entered, which is different from the already set first copy mode. At this time, the already set first copy mode is stored in the RAM 803 (see FIG. 4).

When the reservation mode is entered, the second copy mode can be set using various keys on the operation panel 500, regardless of whether copying is in progress or not. After inputting the second copy mode data, when the reservation setting key 603 is then pressed, the setting of the second copy mode is completed. At this time, the set second copy mode is stored in the RAM 803 (see FIG. 4).

The document bundle SS to be copied by reservation copying is set on the second stacking tray 320 with the front surface facing upward.

If a reservation copy is registered as described above while copying in single-sided mode with the document stack S set on the first stacking tray 310, the reservation Paper ejection processing is performed in preparation for copying.

That is, the document on the stacking tray 310 is placed on the upper cover 370.
Paper is ejected upward.

After this, the bottom document is separated one by one from the document stack SS on the stacking tray 320 (reserved separation processing), this document is fed from passes XI and XII to It is processed and fed onto the stacking tray 310.

When all the documents are fed from the stacking tray 320 onto the stacking tray 310, copying is performed in the copying mode set in the reserved copying.

F. Control device (800, 900) FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the control device 800, 900 of this embodiment. In the figure, 801 is a CPU that controls the entire copying machine. Further, 802 is a read-only memory (ROM) that stores the control procedure (control program) shown in the flowchart of FIG.

The CPU 801 controls each component device connected via the bus according to the control means stored in the ROM 802. Further, 803 is a random access memory (RAM) which is a main storage device used for storing input data and as a working storage area.

In addition, 804 is a load such as the main motor 113 and the CPU 8.
Interface (rlo) that outputs the control signal of 01
805 is an interface that inputs signals from the sensor 122 and the like and sends them to the CPU 801;
Reference numeral 6 denotes an interface for input/output control of the key groups 601, 602, 603, etc. and the display groups 701, 702, etc. These interfaces 804.805゜8
As the 06, for example, an input/output circuit board μPD8255 manufactured by NEC Corporation can be used.

Further, 900 is a control device of RDF300, and 900 is a control device of RDF300, and a ROM
.

It is mainly composed of a CPU 901, which is a one-chip microcomputer with a built-in RAM. That CPU
A registration sensor 344. Paper discharge sensor 345. Registration sensor 360. Original detection sensor 36
1° and recycle levers 342, 358, etc. are connected to the output boat, and a separation motor 334. Belt motor 337. Transport motor 3
39. Stopper solenoid 343a, flapper solenoid 341a, transport motor 3551 separation clutch 35
7, a stopper solenoid 3598, etc. are connected thereto.

The control device 800 and the control device 900 are connected via serial I/Fs (interfaces) 807 and 902, and control data is exchanged between the RDF 300 and the copying machine main body 100. The data sent from the RDF 300 to the copying machine main body 100 is a paper feeding completion signal indicating that the feeding of the original onto the document table glass 101 is complete.

G. Control Operation Next, FIG. 5 shows a control procedure for resetting the setting state of the reservation mode to a predetermined state.

Here, an example will be described in which the reservation mode setting state is set to a predetermined state (default value) by inputting (ON) the reservation key 602, which is an input means for shifting to the reservation mode setting state.

First, wait for the input of the reservation key 602 (step Sl),
When the reservation key 602 is input, all modes of reservation copying are set to default values stored in advance in the RAM 803 (step S2), and the contents are displayed on various displays of the operation panel 500 (Table 2).

Next, the operator sets various modes for reservation copying using various keys on the operation panel 500, and waits for the reservation setting key 603 to be input (step S3).
), when the reservation setting key 603 is input, the reservation setting ends.

1. Next, another embodiment of the present invention of the control procedure for setting the setting state of the reservation mode to a predetermined state will be described in the sixth embodiment.
As shown in the figure.

Here, an example will be described in which the setting state of the reservation mode is set to a predetermined state (default value) by using the reset key 605, which sets the first copy operation mode to a predetermined state during the first copy operation. .

First, wait for the input of the reservation key 602 (step 5ll)
, when the reservation key 602 is input, the contents of the reservation copy mode stored in the RAMP (13) are displayed on the operation panel 5 described above.
00's various displays (Table 2) (Step 5L2)
).

Next, it is determined whether or not the reset key 605 has been input (step 513), and if the reset key 605 has been input, all reserved copy modes are set to default values pre-stored in the RAM 803 (step 514). ).

Next, if there are various mode settings for reservation copying, set the modes using various keys on the operation panel 500, and determine whether or not the reservation setting key 603 has been input (step 515). If 603 has been input, the reservation setting is finished, otherwise, the above-mentioned step S13 determines whether the reset key 605 has been input.
Return to the determination routine and repeat the above operations.

11 Next, another embodiment of the present invention of a control procedure for setting the setting state of the reservation mode to a predetermined state will be described.

Here, an example will be described in which the setting state of the reservation mode is set to a predetermined state using a dedicated key.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the arrangement and configuration of another embodiment of the operation panel 500 provided on the main body 100 described above, and this operation panel 500 includes, in addition to the configuration of the operation panel shown in FIG. A dedicated reservation mode reset key 61 for setting the reservation mode setting state to a predetermined state.
5 is placed.

FIG. 8 shows the control procedure of this embodiment.

First, wait for the input of the reservation key 602 (step 521)
, when the reservation key 602 is input, the contents of the reservation copy mode stored in the RAM 803 are displayed on the operation panel 50 described above.
Table 2) (step 522).

Next, it is determined whether or not the reservation mode reset key 606 described above has been input (step 523). If the reservation mode reset key 615 has been input, all modes of reservation copying are set to default values prestored in the RAM 803. (step 524).

Next, if there are various mode settings for scheduled copying,
The mode is set using various keys on the operation panel 500, and it is determined whether or not the reservation setting key 603 has been input (step 525). If the reservation setting key 603 has been input, the reservation setting is terminated; otherwise, the reservation setting is completed. For example, the process returns to the routine for determining whether the reservation mode reset key 615 has been inputted or not, and repeats the above operations.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, the setting state of the reservation mode is set to a predetermined state in response to the input of the reservation key, etc. By setting the state to normal (the standard mode used), it is possible to easily and quickly set the desired image forming mode.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the entire copying machine embodying the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the automatic document feeder of the copying machine shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the control section of the copying machine shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the operation panel of the copying machine shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the operation panel of the copying machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the third embodiment of the present invention. 00 00 00 02 03 05 15 02 00 01 02 03 00 01 ... Copy machine body, ... RDF (circulating automatic document feeder), ... operation panel, ... reservation key ... reservation setting Key...Reset key...Reservation mode reset key...Reservation registration display, ...Control device, ...CPU. ...ROM. ...RAM. ...control device, ...CPU. Figure 5 Figure 6 580-

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) In an image forming apparatus capable of setting a mode of a second image forming operation as a reservation mode during a first image forming operation, an input means for instructing to shift to a setting state of the reservation mode. and a mode setting unit that first sets the setting state of the reservation mode to a predetermined state in response to a specified input from the input unit. 2) In an image forming apparatus capable of setting a mode of a second image forming operation as a reservation mode during a first image forming operation, a first input means for instructing to shift to the setting state of the reservation mode; a second input means for instructing to set the forming operation mode to a predetermined mode state; and when there is an input from the second input means after the input from the first input means, the reservation mode is set. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: mode setting means for setting a setting state of the image forming apparatus to a predetermined state. 3) The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second input means is an input means dedicated to reservation mode.