JPH0385554A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve operability by displaying the time required to completely form all images at the beginning of and during image formation, and the time required to form residual images when image formation is stopped halfway. CONSTITUTION:Setting means 33 and 35 - 41 set the number of sheets to be image-formed, the size of a medium to be image-formed, a cassette used, specific functions, etc., and a first instructing means 31 instructs the start of image formation. A main control means 71 calculates the time required till all images are formed on the medium to be image-formed after the first instructing means 31 is instructed, from conditions set by the setting means 33 and 35 - 41, displays the calculated time on a display means 34, and carries out a first operation that the time displayed on the displaying means 34 is substracted and displayed as the time passes. When a second instructing means 32 instructing the stop of image formation is instructed, the main control means 71 stops image formation, and carries out a second operation that the time displayed on the displaying means 34 is changed according to the number of residual sheets to be image-formed. Thus, operability is improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus applied to, for example, an electronic copying machine.

(Prior Art) As is well known, when copying an original image onto paper, a copying machine sets editing functions such as the number of copies, paper size, magnification, and masking before starting copying. It has become. However, such copying machines often perform a large amount of copying, and there is no indication of the time required for copying. In this case, an operator must be present from the start to the end of copying, or midway through the copying process, the user must confirm how many copies are left to complete, resulting in poor operability. Therefore, there is a need for something that can tell the time until the end of copying when it starts (Problem to be solved by the invention) As mentioned above, something that can know the time until the end of image formation when it starts It has been requested that it is possible to know the time until the end of image formation when it starts, and it is also possible to know the remaining time until the end of image formation even in the middle of image formation. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus with good operability, which allows the user to know the time until the end of image formation.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) An image forming apparatus of the present invention reads an image of a document on a document table, and according to the read image, prints an image to be imaged stored in one of a plurality of cassettes. In a device that forms an image on a forming medium, a setting means for setting the number of images to be formed, the size of the image forming medium, a cassette to be used, special functions, etc., a first instruction means for instructing the start of image formation, and this first instruction. Calculating means for calculating the time from when the means is instructed until images are formed on all the image forming media from the conditions set by the setting means, and a display means for displaying the time calculated by the calculating means. , a first processing means for subtracting and displaying the display by the display means over time; a second instruction means for instructing to stop image formation; and, when the second instruction means is instructed, stopping image formation. However, a second processing means is provided for changing the time displayed by the display means to a new time corresponding to the number of remaining images to be formed.

(Function) This invention displays the time until all image formation is completed at the start of image formation, and also displays the remaining time until all image formation is completed even in the middle of image formation. When the image forming operation is stopped midway, a new time for the remaining number of images to be formed is displayed.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 2 and 3 schematically show an image forming apparatus of the present invention, such as a copying machine. That is, 1 is a main body of a copying machine, and a document table (transparent glass) 2 is fixed to the upper surface of the main body 1 to support a document. Fixed scales 21 are provided at both ends of the document table 2 to serve as a reference for setting the document. Further, near the document table 2, a document cover 11 and a work table 12, which can be opened and closed, are provided.

The original placed on the original table 2 is moved by an optical system consisting of an exposure lamp 4 and mirrors 5, 6, 7 along the lower surface of the original table 2 in the directions of arrows a and b. Exposure scanning is performed during reciprocation. The light reflected from the original by the scanning of the optical system, that is, the light reflected from the original by the light irradiation of the exposure lamp 4 is reflected by the mirror 5.6.7.
After being reflected by the mirrors 91, 92, and 93 via the zoom lens 8, it is guided to the photoreceptor drum (image carrier) 10, and an image of the document is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 10. It has become so.

On the lower side of the document table 2, there is a well-known document size detector 9 that optically detects the size of the document placed on the document table 2.
0 is set. For example, A3 size, A4 size, B4 size, B5 size, and A5 size are detected.

The photoreceptor drum 10 rotates in the direction of arrow C in the figure, and the surface is first charged by the charger 11, and then an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface by slit exposure of the image. This electrostatic latent image is turned into a visible image by adhering the toner to the device 12r, 12□ while the toner is stored therein.

On the other hand, the paper (image forming medium) P is sent out from the selected upper paper feed cassette 13+, middle paper feed cassette 13□, or lower paper feed cassette 133 by the feed roller 141s.
142.143 and roller pair 151.152.153
The sheets are taken out one by one by the paper guide paths 161 and 162.
．． 163, and is guided to a pair of registration rollers 17, and guided to a transfer section by this pair of registration rollers 17. Here, the paper feed cassette 13111
32 and 133 are removably provided at the lower right end of the main body 1, and either one can be selected on the operation panel described later.

In addition, each of the above paper feed cassettes 131, 132, and 133 has a cassette size detection switch 6011, 602, and 60, respectively.
3, the cassette size is detected. This cassette size detection switch 601.602.603
is composed of a plurality of microswitches that are turned on and off according to the insertion of cassettes of different sizes.

The sheet P sent to the transfer section is brought into close contact with the surface of the photoreceptor drum 10 at the portion of the transfer charger (transfer means) 18, and the photoreceptor drum 10 is moved by the action of the charger 18.
The upper toner image is transferred.

The transferred paper P is electrostatically peeled off from the photoreceptor drum 10 by the action of the peeling charger 19 and placed on the conveyor belt 20.
The transferred image is conveyed by a fixing roller 21, which serves as a fixing device, provided at the end thereof, and the transferred image is fixed by passing therethrough. After fixing, the paper P is discharged to a tray 25 outside the main body 1 by a pair of delivery rollers 22. Further, the photosensitive drum 10 after the transfer is
The residual toner on the surface is removed by the cleaner 26, and the residual image is erased by the static elimination lamp 27, thereby returning to the initial state. Two cooling fans are used to prevent the temperature inside the main body 1 from rising.

FIG. 4 shows the operation panel 30 provided on the main body 1. This operation panel 30 includes a copy key (first instruction means) 31 for instructing to start copying, a clear key (second instruction means) 32 for instructing to stop copying, a numeric keypad 33 for setting the number of copies, etc., and a copy magnification. , copying time, number of copies,
Alternatively, there is a liquid crystal display section 34 that displays operation guidance, etc., a same-size key 35 that instructs copying at the same size, a magnification change key 36 that changes the copy magnification displayed on the display section 34 in 1% increments in the direction of reduction, and the above-mentioned a magnification change key 37 for changing the copy magnification displayed on the display unit 34 in 1% increments in the enlargement direction;
Page quick copy key 38 for instructing page quick copy (special function)
, a cassette selection key 39 that selects the paper feed cassettes 13□, 13□, and 133, a document size display section 40 that displays the size of the document placed on the document table 2, and a cassette selection key 39 that selects the paper feed cassette 13□, 13□, and 133; It is constituted by a paper size display section 41 that displays the size of paper P in the paper cassette. The copying magnification can be set between 50% and 200%.

The page snapshot key 38 and cassette selection key 39 are self-illuminated keys.

FIG. 5 shows the overall control circuit.

The main control unit 71 detects inputs from the operation panel 30 and various switches and sensors, such as the manual size detector 90, the cassette size detection switch 60z 602, 603, and other human-powered devices 75, and drives each of the chargers. The above-described copying operation is performed by controlling the high-voltage transformer 76, the static elimination lamp 27, the blade solenoid 26a of the cleaner 26, the heater 23a1 of the fixing roller pair 23, the exposure lamp 4, etc.

The exposure lamp 4 is controlled by the main control section 71 via the lamp regulator 81, and the heater 23a is controlled by the heater control section 8.
It is controlled by the main control section 71 via 2.

The main control section 71 also controls the display of the document size display section 40 in the operation panel 30 in accordance with the document size detected by the document size detector 90. For example, if the document size is rA4J, "A4" is displayed as lit.

The main control section 71 controls the display of the paper size display section 41 in the operation panel 30 in accordance with the paper size of the paper feed cassette selected by the cassette selection key 39. For example, if the lower paper feed cassette 133 is selected,
When A4 size paper is stored in the paper feed cassette 133, "A4" is lit and displayed.

In addition, the main control unit 71 determines the copy time (copy time), that is, the time until all the copies are completed and the last sheet P is ejected, according to the copy magnification, the number of copies, the continuous page copying, etc. The determined copy time is displayed on the display unit 34,
After starting the copying operation, the copying time on the display section 34 is set to "1" in accordance with the signal supplied from the timer 83 every second.
The value is subtracted and displayed in increments of "seconds".

Next, the copying operation of the present invention in the above configuration will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. For example, in standby mode, the copy magnification is set to 100% and the number of copies is set to 1, and this state is displayed on the display 34.
is displayed.

In this state, when an A4 size document is placed on the document table 2, the document size r detected by the document size detector 90
AJ size” is output to the main control unit 71. Main control section 7
1 lights up the "A4" portion of the document size display section 40. In addition, the main control unit 71 selects the lower paper feed cassette 133 that stores A4 size paper, lights up the “A4” part of the paper size display unit 41, and selects the “lower cassette” of the cassette selection key 39. The part is displayed by lighting. At this time, the main control unit 71 determines that the copying time is 10 seconds based on the copy magnification of 100%, the number of copies of 1, the original size rA4J, and the paper size "A4", and displays as shown in FIG. It is displayed in section 34.

The above copying time is determined to be "10 seconds" based on "first copy coefficient (8 seconds) + number of copies (1 sheet) x 2 seconds".

Thereafter, in response to input of the copy key 31, the main control unit 71
starts the above-mentioned copying operation, and during this copying operation, the copying time on the display unit 34 is displayed by subtracting 1 second j in response to the 1-second signal supplied from the timer 83.

Also, before the copy key 31 is turned on, the number of copies is set using the numeric keypad 33, the magnification is changed using the magnification change keys 36 and 37, and page rapid copying is instructed using the page continuous copy key 38. , the time corresponding to those conditions will be displayed in the same way as above. For example, after copying 15 sheets is set using the numeric keypad 33, the main i-control unit 71 determines that the copying time is "38" based on the copy magnification of 100%, the number of copies of 15, the original size rA4J, and the paper size "A4". seconds" and displays it on the display section 34 as shown in FIG. The above copying time is determined to be "38 seconds" based on "first copy coefficient (8 seconds) + number of copies (15 sheets) x 2 seconds".

Thereafter, in response to input of the copy key 31, the main control unit 71
starts the above-mentioned copying operation, and during this copying operation, the copying time on the display section 34 is displayed by subtracting "1 second" in response to the 1 second signal supplied from the timer 83.

For example, when the first copy is completed, the display section 34 displays the copy magnification of 100%, the remaining copy time of 28 seconds, and the number of remaining copies of 14, as shown in FIG.

Also, if the clear key is inserted during the above copying,
When the paper P currently being copied is discharged, the copying operation is stopped. Due to this cancellation, the remaining number of copies and the copying time corresponding to the number of copies are displayed on the display section 34. For example, if the remaining number of copies is 9, the main control unit 7
1, the copy magnification is 100%, the number of copies is 9, the original size is "A4", the paper size is "A4", and the copy time is "
26 seconds" and displays it on the display unit 34 as shown in FIG. The above copy time is "first copy coefficient (
8 seconds) x number of copies (9 sheets) x 2 seconds'' is determined to be 26 seconds.

Thereafter, in response to input of the copy key 31, the main control unit 71
resumes the copying operation described above.

In addition, in the above example, we explained the case where the paper size is set according to the original size, but this is not limited to this, and the same operation as above is now possible when the paper size is selected regardless of the original size. ing.

As described above, when copying starts, the time until all copies are completed is displayed, and even in the middle of copying, the remaining time until all copies are completed is displayed. In this way, if you know how long it will take to copy, you can complete other tasks during that time, and you can just pick up the copy after it's finished, so you don't have to check how many copies are left midway through. Excellent operability.

Furthermore, when the copying operation is stopped in the middle of copying, the new copying end time for the remaining number of copies is displayed, so it is possible to know the time until the end of the remaining copies.

In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which when a document is placed on the document table, the copy time determined by referring to the document size etc. is displayed, but the present invention is not limited to this.
The copying time determined by referring to a predetermined paper size or the like may be displayed during standby.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to know the time until the end of image formation when it starts, and furthermore, it is possible to know the remaining time until the end even in the middle of image formation. When the operation is stopped in the middle of image formation, it is possible to know the time until the end of the remaining image formation, and it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus with good operability.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a flowchart for explaining the main parts of the operation, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the external appearance of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus. 4 is a plan view showing the configuration of the operation panel, FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing the overall control circuit, and FIGS. 6 to 9 are diagrams of the operation panel for explaining display examples of the display section. FIG. 1...Main body, 2...Original table, 13. 132.13
3...Paper feed cassette, 30...Operation panel, 31.
...Copy key (first instruction means), 32...Clear key (second instruction means), 33...Numeric keypad 34...
・Display unit, 36.37...Magnification change key 38...Bage continuous copying key 39...Cassette selection key 40...
Original size display section 1.41...Paper size display section, 6
0.1 s 602.603...Cassette size detection switch, 71...Main control unit, 83...Timer, 9
0...Document size detector.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim] An image forming apparatus that reads an image of a document on a document table and forms an image on an image forming medium stored in one of a plurality of cassettes according to the read image, comprising: Image forming medium size, cassette used,
A setting means for setting special functions, etc., a first instruction means for instructing the start of image formation, and a time period from when the first instruction means is instructed until images are formed on all image forming media. a calculation means for calculating from the conditions set by the setting means, a display means for displaying the time calculated by the calculation means, and a first processing means for subtracting and displaying the display by the display means as time passes. and a second instruction means for instructing to stop image formation;
a second processing means for stopping image formation and changing the time displayed by the display means to a new time corresponding to the number of remaining images to be formed when the instruction means is instructed; image forming apparatus.