JPH04198960A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To quickly recognize the necessary time for copying by simultaneously displaying the number of consecutive copying sheets on a digital display and on a analogue display, operating a driving means so that marks for which a pointing means corresponds are decreased at every image formation while maintaining the contents of the display of a digital display means and displaying the set number of times when the copying is finished. CONSTITUTION:The number of times of the consecutive formation of images to an original image set by a setting means 76 is displayed on the so-called the analogue display provided with a dial 100 and the instruction means 101 which can freely move around the dial and simultaneously displayed on the digital display means 102. Then, a control means 140 operates the driving means 110 so that marks for which the pointing means 101 corresponds are decreased while maintaining the contents of the display means 102. When the image formation is carried out the number of times set by the setting means 76, the display contents of the instruction means 101 by the driving means 110 are made to be the number of times set by the setting means 76. Thus, the set value of the number of consecutive copy sheets, etc. can be easily recognized in sense and the 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 that can continuously form images a predetermined number of times.

(Prior Art) In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as electrophotographic copying machines have a so-called continuous copying function that allows an operator to set a desired number of copies and perform a copying operation continuously for the number of times set. Copy machines have become extremely common.

However, in a copier with such a continuous copying function, the number of continuous copies is simply displayed on a digital display, and the display is configured to subtract the displayed content each time a copying operation is executed. Not only can you not intuitively grasp the number of copies you have set, but you can also have a sense of how much the number of copies already has compared to the set number, or in other words, how much time it will take. For example, when a large number of copies are being made, it is difficult for other operators to pass by and know how much time it will take. There has been a strong desire for an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine that can more easily and intuitively grasp such numerical values and is, in a sense, highly operable.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, in conventional image forming apparatuses, not only is it impossible to intuitively grasp the set value for the number of continuous copies, but also it is difficult to grasp the set value for the number of continuous copies. This method has a disadvantage in that it is not possible to quickly and intuitively grasp how much the number of copies has been compared to the set number, that is, approximately how much time it will take.

In order to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, the present invention aims to provide an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine that allows the user to more easily and intuitively grasp the set value of the number of continuous copies, etc., and which has high operability in a sense. purpose.

[Structure of the Invention (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an image forming means for forming an image on an image carrier according to an original image, and a method using the image forming means. a setting means for setting the number of times an image is continuously formed on the image carrier; a scale board having a scale engraved in advance to indicate the number of times set by the setting means; a movably provided instruction means; a driving means for moving the instruction means based on the settings made by the setting means; a display means for displaying the settings made by the setting means in digital numbers; Each time the image forming operation is performed by the means, the driving means is operated to decrease the scale corresponding to the indicating means while maintaining the display contents of the display means, and the image forming operation is performed the number of times set by the setting means. There is provided an image forming apparatus characterized in that the image forming apparatus is provided with a control means for causing the display content of the instruction means by the drive means to be displayed a set number of times by the setting means when the instruction is completed.

(Function) The number of consecutive image formations for the original image set by the setting means is displayed on a so-called analog display equipped with a dial and an indicating means movable along the dial, and at the same time is displayed on a digital display means, The control means operates the driving means so that the corresponding scale of the indicating means decreases while maintaining the display content of the display means, and when the image forming operation is completed the number of times set by the setting means,
The display content of the instruction means by the driving means is set to the display state of the set number of times by the setting means.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail using the drawings.

FIG. 1 schematically shows an electrophotographic copying machine as an embodiment of the present invention.

A copying machine (hereinafter abbreviated as a copying machine) 2 has an original platen 10 on which an object to be read, such as a document plate, is placed on the upper part thereof, and a document platen 10, which is arranged at one end of this table, on which the document plate is placed. It is provided with a size plate 11 such as a scale indicating a reference position to be taken, and a document presser 12 which is formed to be openable and closable and which brings the document sheet into close contact with the mounting table 10. The document placed on the document table 10 is exposed and scanned by an image scanning section, which will be described later, and an image is formed by an image forming section, which will be described later.

The copying machine 2 also has information for operating the copying machine 2 itself and a copy start signal on the top surface for the user (operator).
The control panel 13 is provided with an operation panel 13 for receiving input from the computer. This operation panel 13 will be explained in detail later. Copy machine 2
Further, paper cassettes 14a and 14 are configured to be able to switch between an upper stage and a lower stage, and supply transfer materials P1, such as paper, postcards, OHP sheets, etc., to an image forming section to be described later.
b to the lower part of the apparatus (in this copying machine 2, the lower right side), and the output tray 16, which stores the paper P on which the image is output and is ejected, to the left side of the apparatus (generally, the transfer material P is the lower right side of the copying machine). (supplied from one end of the machine 2 and discharged from the opposite end).

In FIG. 2, the exterior of the copying machine 2 shown in FIG. 1 is omitted,
A schematic view of the device from the rear is shown.

The copying machine 2 can rotate at at least two speeds (for example, a first speed used for normal copying, and a second speed lower than the first speed used for copying colors other than black). , while rotating the photoreceptor shown in FIG.
A first motor 60 is provided for driving a device that feeds a copying material P, such as a paper feeding device shown in the figure. Also, copy machine 2
A second motor 62 is driven at a constant speed and drives a first N2 developing device, a cooling fan, etc., which will be described later, and a second motor 62 is formed to be able to continuously vary its speed and which will be described later.
and a third motor 64 (not shown) for driving the second carriage at a speed corresponding to a desired image copying magnification. The second motor 62 has a clutch mechanism (not shown), and simultaneously operates the first and second developing devices and the cooling fan.
Alternatively, only the cooling fan is selectively driven.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 2 when viewed from the front.

The copying machine 2 has legs 5 (base rubber, lock bolts, spacer bolts, etc.) that support the copying machine 2, an image forming section 4 having each unit or device described below, and a fulcrum of the image forming section 4. An image scanning section 8 which is rotatably arranged around a rotation center 6 and has various units or devices described below inside, and an image scanning section 8 (not shown) that drives the scanning section 8 and the forming section 4, that is, each unit or device forming the device 2. It is provided with a drive device or an electric circuit, and a control section that controls the drive device or the electric circuit, which will be described later.

The image scanning unit 8 includes an original placing table, that is, a glass plate 1o, on which a document is placed, and a size plate 11, which is arranged at one end of this placing table 10 and indicates a reference position when the original is placed.
, a document presser 12 that brings the document into close contact with the glass plate 1o, and an operation panel 13 (shown in FIG. 1) through which the operator inputs information necessary for operating the copying machine 2 and a copy start signal. We are prepared. Further, the image scanning unit 8 is located inside the glass plate (i.e., below in FIG. 2).
A lamp 21 that illuminates the original, a reflector 22 that focuses illumination light generated from the lamp 21 onto the original, and a second carriage that reflects a portion of the reflected light from the original toward a second carriage 26, which will be described later. 1 mirror 24, and is provided with a first carriage 20 which is movably arranged parallel to the glass plate by a pulse motor (not shown) via a toothed belt (not shown) or the like. The image scanning unit 8 is also arranged at right angles to each other behind the first carriage 20 in the moving direction (that is, on the left side in FIG. 2), and is configured to detect light reflected from the original document by the first carriage, which will be described later. It has second and third mirrors 27 and 28 that reflect the light toward the body, and is driven by the first carriage 20 via a toothed belt (not shown) that drives the first carriage 20. The second carriage 26 is moved at 1/2 the speed of the first carriage 2o, and the upper two ramps 2
A cooling fan 29 is provided for discharging the heat generated by the heat source. The image scanning unit 8 is further movable within the city via a drive mechanism (not shown) below the glass plate 10, that is, the first carriage 20, and including the optical axis of the light from the second carriage 26. is arranged to provide convergence to the reflected light from the second carriage 26, and
The imaging devices, that is, lenses 31, which move to form an image at a desired magnification, are arranged at right angles to each other, and reflect this reflected light again.
1, fourth and fifth mirrors 33, 34 are movable along the optical axis by a drive mechanism (not shown), and the light guided to the fifth mirror 34. The image forming device 30 includes a sixth mirror 35 that reflects the light toward a predetermined position on the photoreceptor, that is, an image forming position, which will be described later.

On the other hand, the image forming section 4 is rotatably formed at at least two speeds by the drive device shown in FIG. 2, and the light L guided by the image scanning section 8 is formed into an electrostatic latent image. A photoconductor 42 on which an image of a document is formed via a developing device (described later), a charging device 41 that charges the photoconductor 42 with a predetermined charge, and a charge distribution pattern formed on the photoconductor 42, that is, an image A first developing device 43 that develops an electrostatic latent image using a first developer, that is, a toner other than black, Tn, etc.;
1 is supplied to the second developing device 44, a transfer material P such as paper, etc.
AC voltage application device 46 to separate the photoconductor 42 from the photoconductor 42
A transfer device 45 which integrally includes a transfer device 45 that transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 42 onto a transfer material P such as paper or an OHP sheet, and a transfer device 45 that removes the charge distribution on the photoreceptor 42 and removes residual toner. The imaging unit 40 includes a cleaning device 47 for scraping off, and a charge removal lamp 48 for returning the charged state of the photoreceptor 42 to the initial state. Note that the first developing device 43 and the second developing device 44 are formed to be interchangeable with developing devices of the same type, and can be used to store toner T of different colors.
It is possible to copy a desired color by replacing the developing device that accommodates n, or by replacing the toner in the developing device. This image forming section 4 is located at a position corresponding to the upstream side in the rotational direction of the photoreceptor 42 (in FIG. 2,
First and second cassettes 14a and 14b are arranged on the right side of the image forming section 40 and supply transfer materials P of various sizes.
, and is assembled integrally with the lid of this cassette 14a and has a size different from that of the transfer material P accommodated in the first and second cassettes (paper of the same size, one side of which is recorded). The apparatus is equipped with a manual paper feed tray 15 which can manually feed a transfer material P (which may be a finished paper or simply of the same size). The image forming section 4 further receives one transfer material P from the cassette or manual paper feed tray 15.
First and second pickup rollers 51a that pull out sheets one by one
, 51b and the third pickup roller 52 are formed as a pair, and the transfer material P is transferred to the photoreceptor 4.
The first and second transport rollers 53a, 53b feed the paper P while separating the sheets one by one toward the photoreceptor 42 from these transport rollers 53a, 53b. a pair of guide plates 54 each forming a channel;
a, 54 b, and the tip of the image on the photoreceptor 42 of the read document which will be described later by correcting the inclination of the transfer material P;
A pair of registration rollers 55 are provided that align the leading end of the transfer material P and feed the transfer material P at the same speed as the rotational speed of the photoreceptor 42. In addition, the image forming section 4 includes a conveyance device 56 that conveys the transfer material P on which the toner image is transferred from the photoreceptor 42 and toner T is electrostatically adhered thereto.
, which accommodates a heater lamp 57L as a heat source and is driven by the drive device shown in FIG. 2 at an outer peripheral movement speed that is the same as the movement speed of the surface of the photoreceptor 42, and the toner T transferred onto the transfer material P. a heat roller 57 that melts and fixes the toner T; a pressure roller 58 that is in rolling contact with the heat roller 57 and cooperates with the heat roller 57 to sandwich the transfer material P and melt and fix the toner T; a pair of ejection rollers 59 for ejecting the paper P on which has been fixed to the outside of the copying machine 2;
The transfer material P is pinched and conveyed by the ejection rollers 59, and is provided with a paper ejection switch 59a for detecting ejection to the outside of the copying machine 2, and an ejection tray 16 for stocking the ejected transfer material P. .

By the way, this copying machine 2 uses toner T having different colors.
By using n, for example, it is possible to copy images in different colors for each original depending on the type of original or the user's preference. In general, a developer such as toner is a fine powder, and the characteristics (development characteristics) of this toner change depending on changes in temperature, humidity, the number of rotations of the roller included in the developing device, or the inclination of the device. This indicates that the usage conditions, ie, development conditions, for toners Tn having different colors must be changed depending on the physical properties of each toner. For this reason, the first and second document devices 43 and 44 that supply toner to the photoreceptor 42 are always driven at a constant speed so as not to cause significant fluctuations in the development characteristics. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, this copying machine 2 uses a drive device having at least two predefined speeds, i.e., the rotation speed of the photoreceptor 42, that is, the moving speed of the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor 42. , the first carriage 2 corresponding to the conveying speed of the transfer material P fed in synchronization with the rotation of this photoreceptor 42, and the speed of the second photoreceptor 42 and defined by a desired magnification.
The moving speeds of the zero and second carriages 26 are selected depending on the type of toner. In this case, for example, in this copying machine 2, red toner T2 is supplied to the first developing device 43, and black toner T1 is supplied to the second developing device 44. The copying machine 2 is fed in synchronization with the drive of the photoreceptor 42 and the rotation of the photoreceptor 42. The first motor 60 (shown in FIG. 2) that conveys the transfer material P is
When red toner T2 is used, black toner T1
It is driven at a lower speed (the above-mentioned second speed) than when it is used.

Here, FIG. 4 shows developing conditions related to the moving speed of the first and second developing devices 43, 44 and the first motor 60, that is, the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor 42. This FIG.
and the density (I) of the image developed by the second developing device 43,44.

It is a graph showing D,). For example, image density when red toner T2 is used (by first developing device 43)
In (), the image density when black toner T1 is used (
(by the second developing device 44). Also,
When the red toner T2 is used and the photoconductor 42 is driven at the same speed as the black toner (that is, the balance between the charge amount defined by the rotational speed of the photoconductor 42 and the charge possessed by the red toner T2 is lost, and the developing area (Image density decreases due to deterioration of developing conditions) is shown in (■). In this case, if red toner T2 or a color other than black is used, the first motor 60 described above
, that is, the moving speed of the outer circumferential surface of the photoreceptor 43 is switched to a low speed (the above-mentioned second speed), the image density (1
, D, ) are maintained at a predetermined reference value, ie, ■.

Next, the configuration of the above-mentioned operation panel 13 will be explained with reference to FIG. 5.

At the right end of the figure is a copy key 70 that starts the operation of the image forming section 4, image scanning section 8, etc. and starts the copying operation, although the copying machine 2 will not start the copying operation for a long time. A preheating key 71 is used to set and cancel a so-called power save mode, which is used when the power is not turned off for a long time, and when the copying machine 2 is in a continuous copying state, the state is temporarily interrupted. Interrupt key 72 for setting and canceling the so-called interrupt copy mode for copying
are provided for each. To the left of each of these keys, in order, there are a numeric keypad 73 for setting the number of copies etc., a clear key 74 for canceling the setting state, and a copy number display meter 75 for displaying the number of copies set with the numeric keypad 73. Copy number setting section consisting of 76.5096 to 200%
An enlargement key 78a1 and a same-size key 78b for setting the copy magnification up to.

and a reduction key 78c, and a copy magnification display meter 79 that displays the copy magnification set by the magnification setting key 78, and a speed setting key 82 that switches between high speed copy mode and low speed copy mode. A copying speed setting section 84 is provided which includes a copying speed display meter 83 that displays the copying speed set by the speed setting key 82.

Further to the left of these, there is a cassette selection key 86 for selectively setting either one of the paper pressurizers 14a and 14b containing the transfer material P for the copying operation, and a cassette selection key 86 for selectively setting either one of the paper pressurizers 14a and 14b containing the transfer material P, and a cassette selection key 86 for transporting the transfer material P. If a defect occurs, a display section 87 is provided to display the location where the defect has occurred, and on the leftmost side there is a density setting lever 89 for setting the density of the image to be transferred to the transfer material P, and an automatic An automatic exposure setting key 90 for setting the exposure state is provided respectively. In such an operation panel 13, the copy number display meter 75 of the copy number setting section 76, the copy magnification setting section 80, and the copy speed setting section 8
4 will be further explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

Copy number display meter 7 as shown in Figures 6 and 7
Reference numeral 5 is composed of a disc-shaped scale plate 100, an indicating means 101, a digital display means 102, and a driving means 103 for operating the above-mentioned indicating means 101.

The scale board 100 has a scale from 0 to 10 indicating the number of sheets.
A value up to 0 is provided. Further, these scales have a fine scale part 104 with one scale per scale from scale 0 to scale 40, and a coarse scale part 105 with five scales per scale from scale 40 to scale 100.

The indicating means 101 consists of a pointer 106, which is a pin 10 rotatably provided at the center of the scale plate 100.
7, and its tip moves along each scale by rotation.

The digital display means 102 consists of a 7-segment x 3 digital display 108 and a display driver 109 (not shown) which is connected to a control means to be described later and drives each segment of the digital display 108 to light up. and
The same content as the instruction content of the pointer 106 is displayed in numbers.

The drive means 103 includes a pulse motor 1 as a drive motor.
10, and this output shaft constitutes the pin 107 mentioned above.

Furthermore, the drive means 103 is provided with a position detection body 111, which causes an actuator 112 attached to the pin 107 to enter the detection gap of the position detection body 111 and emit a detection signal by blocking the detection light. This signal is input to a control means to be described later, and the pulse motor 110 is stopped. With such an actuator 112, the position detecting body 1
The position where the pointer 11 outputs the detection signal is set to the position corresponding to the 0 position of the pointer 106 or the scale.

If the pulse motor 110 is given, for example, 5n steps each time one is set on the numeric keypad 73 in the fine scale section 104 described above, then n steps are given between the coarse scale sections 105.

Next, the copy magnification setting section 80 will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 6, the copy magnification setting section 80 has an enlargement key 78a, a same-size key 78b, and a reduction key 78c, which are respectively connected to control means described later. Each time the enlargement key 78a or the reduction key 78c is pressed, the display of a copy magnification display meter 79, which will be described later, is moved by one scale via the control means. Further, by pressing the same-size key 78b, the display returns to the same-size display immediately.

The copying magnification display meter 79 is an analog display meter, which has a circular scale plate 120 with a scale whose minimum one scale is 2% (movement is 1%), and which causes the indicating means 121 to operate. It has a driving means 123 (not shown). This scale plate 120 has 100% (same size)
Centering on the scale, move clockwise to 110%, 120%, etc.
...There is a scale with a large scale engraved at the 140% position, and in the counterclockwise direction, 90%, 8096, etc.
A similar scale is also engraved at the 60% position.

The indicating means 121 includes a pointer 124 rotatably supported concentrically with the scale plate 120, similar to the copy number display meter 75a pointer 106, and is configured to be movable along the scale.

A driving means 123 provided on the back side of the scale plate 120 moves the pointer 1 similarly to the driving means 103 of the copy number setting section 76.
Pulse motor 125 as a drive motor holding 24
, position detection body 126 (not shown) and actuator 1
27 (not shown).

Then, the pointer 124 is rotated by the pulse motor 125, and the actuator 127 enters the detection gap to detect the position detector 126 and hold the pointer 124 at its reference position 10096 (same size). do.

Furthermore, seven LEs are placed along the outer periphery of the scale plate 120.
Seven light emitters consisting of D are provided. these are,
Magnification when copying from a specific size original to paper of a specific size, for example, magnification when copying from an A4 size original to 85 size paper, etc. Specific magnification ratio 71%, 82%
, 86%.

10'05'ci, 115%, 122% and 141
Display bodies N1, N2, . . . , N7 are provided at the % positions and indicate the respective variable magnification sizes by lighting the light emitters.
Or is provided. These seven light emitters are connected to control means, which will be described later.
DL2, ... DL7 (not shown), and when the indicated position of the pointer 124 corresponds to any of the above specific magnification ratios, the corresponding light emitting element or the light emitting element driver The light is emitted by the control means to indicate that the specific magnification ratio position is reached.

Further, the digital display means 122 includes a three-digit digital display 128 and a display driver 129 (not shown) that connects this to a control means described later, and displays the input magnification ratio in numbers. matches the display content of the pointer 124.

Next, the copying speed setting section 84 will be explained.

This includes a disc-shaped scale plate 130 and a driving means 131 (
(not shown) and an indicating means 132 driven by this driving means 131.

The scale plate 130 has a scale O1 scale 20 and a scale 30.
are written in a clockwise direction, with scale 0 indicating that image formation is stopped, and scale 20 indicating that images are being formed at a low speed of 20 sheets per minute (optimum image forming speed 20 CPM) on A4 size paper, for example. For example, the scale 30 is A
High speed of 30 sheets per minute (30CPM) for 4 paper sizes
) indicates that image formation is in progress.

In this embodiment, when the speed setting key 82 is turned on, the
When CP M is set, the use of the first developing device 43 is simultaneously set, and conversely, when 20 CP M is set, use of the second developing device 44 is set. However, in the present invention, the settings of the developing device and the speed settings do not necessarily have to match, and may be set individually. The driving means 131 is the driving means 1 of the copy number setting section 76.
Similar to 03, it consists of a pulse motor 133 (not shown), a position detector 134, and an actuator 135 (not shown).The pulse motor 133 rotates a predetermined amount by a pulse signal from a control means to be described later, and the actuator 1
35 enters the detection gap of the position detection body 134 and stops, and this becomes the reference stop position. The indicating means 132 is a pointer 13 whose one end is fixed to the rotating shaft of the pulse smoke 133.
6, and the position of scale 0 indicated by the pointer 136 is the reference stop position described above.

The pointer 136 points to 0 before the start of image formation, points to the selected image forming speed at the same time as the start of image formation, and returns to 0 at the same time as the end of image formation. Even if you are copying multiple sheets, the pointer 136 will be set to 0 once each time you copy one sheet.
Return to

Next, referring to FIG. 8, the configuration of the above-mentioned control means will be mainly explained in relation to the present invention.

At the center of the control means is a main processor 14 that performs arithmetic control on the copying operations of the copying machine 2 according to various programs.
It is set to 0. Various input keys arranged on the operation panel 13 are connected to the input terminal of the main processor 140 via a human interface circuit 141, and a paper ejection switch 59a1 position detector 1111 is also connected to the input terminal of the main processor 140.
The position detection body 126, the position detection body 134, etc. are connected.

Further, on the output side of the main processor 140, an image forming section 4, an image scanning section 8, a pulse motor 110, a display driver 108,
Pulse motor 125, display driver 129, display drive units DLI, DL2, . . . DL7. and pulse motor 1
33 are connected.

Next, various operations related to the present invention by such a control means will be explained with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 9(a) to 9(d).

First, from the standby state in which the copying machine 2 is ready to perform a copying operation as shown in FIG. 9(a), in step S1, the numeric keypad 7 is pressed.
3, it is determined whether or not the number of copies has been set. If the number of copies has been set, the process advances to step S2; if the number of copies has not been set, the process advances to step S.
Proceed to step 3.

In step S2, a signal corresponding to the set number of sheets set on the numeric keypad 73, for example, the "2" key followed by the "5' key, is input to the pulse motor 110 and the display. output to the device driver 109, and the 10th
The display state is set as shown in the figure, and the process advances to step S3. In step S3, the enlargement key 78a1 and the same size key 78 for setting the magnification are
b and the reduction key 78c are pressed, it is determined whether or not the magnification has been set. If the magnification has been set, the process advances to step S4; if the magnification has not been set, the process advances to step S5. In step S4, for example, the reduction key 78
When 71% is set by turning on c 29 times or continuously for a predetermined time, a signal corresponding to the setting is output to the pulse motor 125 and the display driver 129, and the signal corresponds to the specific magnification. If so, the display drive unit DLI
The display body N1 is displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. 11, and the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, it is determined whether or not the speed setting key 82 has been pressed. If the speed setting key 82 has not been pressed (or has been pressed an even number of times), the process proceeds to step S6, and if the speed setting key 82 has been pressed (odd number of times).
If it has been inserted, the process advances to step S7. In step S6, the pointer 136 of the copying speed display meter 83 is
The operating amount of the pulse motor 133 is set so that the pulse motor 133 rotates by an angle corresponding to 30 CPM display, and in step S7, the pointer 136 of the copying speed display meter 83 rotates by an angle corresponding to 30 CPM display during copying operation. After setting the amount of operation of the pulse motor 133, the process proceeds to step S8. In this state, the copying conditions have been set. In step S8, it is determined whether the copy key 70 has been inserted. If it is determined that the copy key 70 has been inserted, the process proceeds to step S9, and if it is determined that the copy key 70 has not been inserted, the process proceeds to step SIO.

In step SIO, a predetermined period of time, for example, 30
It is determined whether or not seconds have elapsed, and if 30 seconds have not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S1, and if 30 seconds have elapsed, in step Sll, steps S1, S3 and 85 are performed.
Cancel the settings for the number of sheets, magnification and speed, etc., and initialize (
For example, number of sheets - 1, magnification - 10096, speed - 20CP
M), then proceed to step S1.

When the process proceeds from step S8 to step S9, in step S9, an operation signal is output to the image forming section 4, image scanning section 8, and pulse motor 133 according to the setting conditions, and the copying operation described above is performed. Proceed to S12. In step S12, the paper discharge switch 59a is activated when the transfer material P subjected to the copying operation in step S9 passes.
It is determined whether or not a detection signal has been received, and the paper ejection switch 5 is
If it is determined that the detection signal 9a has been received, step 8
If it is determined that the detection signal has not been received, the process advances to step S14. In step S14, it is determined whether a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed since the start of the copying operation in step S9. If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S12, and if the predetermined time has elapsed. If it is determined that there is a jam, in step S15, it is determined that there is a jam, and signal output to the image forming section 4, image scanning section 8, and pulse motor 133 is stopped;
The reception of various keys is prohibited and a jam processing standby state is established.

When the process proceeds from step S12 to step 313, in step 813, a signal is output to the pulse motor 133 to rotate the pointer 136 by an angle corresponding to the 0 position display, and the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the value obtained by subtracting 1 from the set number of sheets n is replaced with n, and in step S17, it is determined whether this n is 0 or not.

If it is determined that the number of copies is n - O, this indicates that the set number of copies has been completed, and the process proceeds to step S18, where the pulse motor 110 is rotated to the position where the pointer 106 indicates the set number of copies, which is 25. After supplying enough pulse signals to move the device, the process returns to step S1. In addition to this example,
In step S18, the pulse motor 110 is supplied with the number of pulses corresponding to the one-sheet reduction display, and a signal is supplied to the display driver 109 so that the digital display 108 displays 0, thereby controlling the copying operation. It may also be possible to control the end so as to give a more powerful impression.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S17 that n is not 0, this means that the set number of copies has not been completed, and therefore, in step 519, the pointer 106 or a one-sheet reduction display is displayed on the pulse smoke 110. A pulse signal (5 pulses) corresponding to rotation to the position is output, and step S20
Proceed to.

At this time, the display status of the digital display is 2 of the set number of sheets.
In order to maintain the state where 5 is displayed, the set number of sheets can be checked at all times. Therefore, in order to obtain the effect of always being able to confirm, in addition to this method, step S2
In step S8, when the copy key 70 is turned on, the pointer 1 is displayed only on the digital display 108 without outputting a signal to the pulse motor 110.
06 or 0, and in step S19, outputs a pulse signal to the pulse motor 110 corresponding to the rotation of the pointer 106 to the position indicating the addition of 1 copy, each time a copying operation is executed. It is also possible to increase the display of the pointer 106. In such a case, step 818 indicates that the set number of copies has been completed, so it is necessary to supply enough pulse signals to the pulse motor 110 to rotate the pointer 106 to the zero position.

Returning to the present embodiment, in step 519, when the control for decreasing the display of the pointer 106 is performed, step 5
Proceed to step 20. In step 520, it is determined whether or not the interrupt key 72 has been pressed in. If it is determined that the interrupt key 72 has not been pressed in, the process proceeds to step S9 and the copying operation is continued. If it is determined, an interrupt copying state is entered in which characteristic display operation control is performed.

Next, interrupt copying set as described above will be explained with particular reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 9(C) and 9(d). First, when the interrupt key 72 is pressed, in step 530, the copy number setting unit 76
An initialization signal for initializing the display contents is output to the display driver 109 of the digital display 109 and the display driver 129 of the copy magnification setting section 80, and the display contents of the digital display 108 are changed to 1.
(sheets), and the display content on the digital display 128 is 100.
(9o) and proceeds to step 531. Step 53
1, it is determined whether or not the number of copies has been set by pressing the numeric keypad 73, as in step S1 of FIG. 9(a), and if the number of copies has been set, the process proceeds to step S3.
Proceed to step 2, and if the number of copies has been set, proceed to step 3
Proceed to 33.

In step S32, when the set number of sheets set on the numeric keypad 73, for example, the key for "5" is pressed, a signal corresponding to the set number of sheets n-5 is output to the display driver 109, and the digital display 108 5, which is the set number of sheets, is displayed, and the process advances to step 333.

Incidentally, when the number 5 is displayed on the digital display 108 in step S32, the pointer 1 is displayed as shown in FIG.
Since 06 is maintained to indicate the number of remaining copies before the interruption, for example the position of J7, it is possible to easily check whether the current copy is being made or the status of the original copy at the same time. Extremely convenient.

In step 533, similarly to step S3, an enlargement key 78a, a same-size key 78b, and a reduction key 78c are used for setting the magnification.
It is determined whether the magnification has been set or not by inputting the
If the magnification has been set, the process advances to step S34; if the magnification has not been set, the process advances to step S35. In step S34, for example, the enlargement key 78a is pressed 10 times,
Alternatively, when the angle is set to 1100° by continuous input for a predetermined period of time, a signal corresponding to the setting is output to the display driver 129 to display the set magnification of 110 on the digital display 128, and step S35 Proceed to. Incidentally, when the number 110 is displayed on the dental display 128 in step S34, the pointer 124 and the display N1 are maintained in a state indicating 7196, which is the set copying magnification before the interruption, as shown in FIG. , currently there is an interrupt copy,
This is extremely convenient as it allows you to easily check the status of the original copy at the same time.

In step S35, similarly to step S5, it is determined whether or not the speed setting key 82 has been pressed, and the speed setting key 82 is pressed.
If 2 is not inserted (or it is inserted an even number of times),
The process proceeds to step S36, and if the speed setting key 82 has been pressed an odd number of times, the process proceeds to step S37. In step S36, the operating amount of the pulse motor 133 is set so that the pointer 136 of the copy speed display meter 83 rotates by an angle corresponding to 20 CPM display during the copying operation, while the step S37
Then, the pointer 136 of the copying speed display meter 83 during copying operation.
Step 5
Proceed to 38. In this state, the copying conditions have been set. In step S38, it is determined whether or not the copy key 70 has been inserted. If it is determined that the copy key 70 has been inserted, the process proceeds to step S39; if it is determined that the copy key 70 has not been inserted, the process proceeds to step S40. move on. Step S40 is the step S31 and S33 mentioned above.
Then, it is determined whether a predetermined period of time, for example, 30 seconds has elapsed since the setting of copying conditions in S35 or the like. If 30 seconds have not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S31. If 30 seconds have elapsed, in step S41, a process (not shown) is performed. The display driver 10 sends a signal to display 17 on the digital display 108 so as to display 71 on the digital display 128 so that the interrupt key 72 stored in the memory is in the state when the interrupt key 72 is inserted.
A predetermined signal is supplied to each of the display driver 9 and the display driver 128.

When proceeding from step 838 to step S39,
In step S39, similarly to step S9, an operation signal is output to the image forming section 4, image scanning section 8, and pulse motor 133 according to the setting conditions, and a copying operation is performed.
The process advances to step S42. In step S42, similarly to step S12, it is determined whether or not a detection signal from the paper ejection switch 59a, which is generated when the transfer material P subjected to the copying operation passes, has been received. If it is determined that the above detection signal has not been received, the process advances to step S44. In step S44, it is determined whether a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed since the start of the copying operation in step S39. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, step S42
If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined that a jam condition has occurred in step S45, and signal output to the image forming section 4, image scanning section 8, and pulse motor 133 is stopped, and the various keys are pressed. The reception is stopped at 7 and placed in a jam processing standby state.

When the process advances from step S42 to step 543, in step 543, similarly to step 813, a signal is output to the pulse motor 133 to rotate the pointer 136 by an angle corresponding to the 0 position display, and in step S46
Proceed to. In step S46, the value obtained by subtracting 1 from the set number of sheets n is replaced with n, and in step S47, it is determined whether this n is 0 or not. If it is determined that the number is n-0, this indicates that the set number of copies have been completed, and the process advances to step S30. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S47 that n is not O, then the set number of copies has not been completed, so in step 848 the display driver is set so that the display content on the digital display 108 is subtracted by 1. A predetermined signal is output to 109, and step S4
Proceed to 9.

In step S49, it is determined whether or not the interrupt key 72 has been pressed in. If it is determined that the interrupt key 72 has not been pressed in, the process proceeds to step S39, where the copying operation is continued and the interrupt key 72 is pressed. If it is determined that the key 72 has been pressed, this means that an instruction has been given to cancel interrupt copying, so the process proceeds to step 841, and then proceeds to step S8 to return to the original copyable state. It is.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the number of continuous copies is displayed in a so-called analog manner by a copy number display meter, and at the same time is also displayed by a digital display means, and the image forming apparatus is displayed by a control means. For each forming operation, the driving means is operated so that the corresponding scale of the indicating means decreases while maintaining the display contents of the digital display means, and when the number of copying operations set by the setting means has been completed, the driving means is operated. Since the display content of the instruction means is set to display the number of copies set by the setting means, it is possible to intuitively know how many copies have been made compared to the set number of copies, that is, approximately how much time it will take. It is easy to recognize the end of a copying operation, and in a sense, it can improve operability.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the entire electrophotographic copying machine as an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a drive for driving each device and developing device incorporated in the electrophotographic copying machine shown in FIG. 1. 3 is a sectional view of the electrophotographic copying machine shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a graph showing development characteristics during copying at different copying speeds, and FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of the operation panel shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of the copy number display meter, and FIG. A block diagram of the control means according to the present invention of the electrophotographic copying machine shown in FIG. 11 is a front view showing the display state of the display meter. FIG. 12 is a front view showing the display state of the copy number display meter during interrupt copying.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing the display state of the copy magnification display meter at the time of interruption. 2... Electrophotographic copying machine, 4... Image forming section, 8. Image scanning section, 13... Operation panel, 59a... Paper ejection switch, 70... Copy key, 72... Frame key, 7
3...Numeric keypad, 75...Copy number display meter, 7
6...-Copy number setting section, 78a... Enlargement key, 78
b...Full size key, 78c...Reduction key, 79...
Copy magnification display meter, 80... Copy magnification setting section, 82
... Speed setting key, 83 ... Copying speed display meter, 8
4... Copying speed setting section, 106... Pointer, 108...
...Digital display, 109...Display device driver, 1
10...Pulse motor, 124...Pointer, 125.
...Pulse motor, 128...Digital display, 129
...-Display driver, 133...Pulse motor, 13
6... Pointer, 140... Main processor. Agent Patent Attorney Noriyuki Chika Figure 7/, 3 74'0 Figure 8 Figure 9 (0-) Figure 9 (b) 0 Go 1 Figure 9 (d-) Figure 10 10a Figure 12

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] An image forming means for forming an image on an image carrier according to a document image; a setting means for setting the number of times the image forming means continuously forms an image on the image carrier; and this setting. a scale board having a scale engraved in advance to indicate the number of times to be set by the means; an indicating means provided movably along the scale of the scale board; a display means for displaying the settings set by the setting means in digital numbers; and a display means for displaying the settings set by the setting means in digital numbers; The means is operated so that the corresponding scale of the indicating means decreases, and when the number of image forming operations set by the setting means is completed, the display content of the indicating means by the driving means is changed to the number of times set by the setting means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control means for setting a display state.