JPH04211280A - Copying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To save the time and labor required for an operator to set the copying conditions and prevent copying mistake by allowing a client to first set the copying conditions by himself and to ask the operator to take a copy. CONSTITUTION:In a copying device equipped with an automatic original carrying device having an original setting tray 3, the original setting tray 3 is provided to the automatic original carrying device so that it can be loaded and unloaded. Further, a copying condition setting means 5 is provided to the original setting tray 3, so that the copying conditions, etc., can be inputted with the original setting tray 3 removed from the copying device body.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to tray control of a copying machine equipped with an automatic document feeder having a document set tray.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional copying machine having an automatic document feeder, the document set tray is fixed to the automatic document feeder and is not removable. Therefore, copy conditions such as the number of copies, single-sided copying, double-sided copying, group mode, sort mode, etc. are all set by operating keys on an operating section provided on the main body of the copying apparatus.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In conventional copying machines, when a copying request is made to a copying operator, the copying conditions such as the number of copies, single-sided or double-sided copying, whether or not to be sorted, etc. are communicated verbally or in a memo, and the operator makes copies. The requested copy conditions were set by operating the keys on the operation panel of the device. Therefore, it is not possible to input settings remotely from the copying machine, which is time-consuming and troublesome. In addition, copy errors may occur due to operators' miscommunication, setting errors, and the like.

0004

[Means for Solving the Problems] A first means of the present invention is as follows:
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 of the embodiment, in a copying apparatus 1 equipped with an automatic document feeder 2 having a document set tray 3, the document set tray 3 is removably provided on the automatic document feeder 2. The present invention is characterized by comprising a copy condition setting means 5 provided on the document set tray 3, and a signal deriving means for deriving signals such as copy conditions from the document set tray 3. Further, the second means of the present invention is as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 of the embodiment,
In the first means, the tray attachment detection means 10 detects whether or not the document set tray 3 is attached to the automatic document feeder 2, and the document set tray 3 is attached to the automatic document feeder. At times, the switching means 18 selects whether or not signals such as copy conditions set on the original set tray 3 side are input to the main body of the copying machine, and When it is selected to input signals such as set copy conditions to the copying machine main body side, settings from the operation section of the copying machine main body side are prohibited, and the copy conditions set on the document set tray 3 side are prohibited. The present invention is characterized by comprising means 20a for setting and storing the settings and the like on the main body side of the copying apparatus.

Further, a third means of the present invention is that, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 of the embodiment, in the first and second means, the document set tray 3 is connected to the automatic document feeder 2. Tray attachment/detachment detection means 7, 1 for detecting whether or not the document set tray 3 is attached or detached after being attached.
0, the tray attachment/detachment determining means 20b determines whether attachment/detachment has occurred based on signals from the tray attachment/detachment detection means 7, 10, and the conditions set by the copy condition setting means 5 of the document setting tray 3 are as described above. The present invention is characterized in that it includes a setting condition comparison and determination means 20c that compares and determines whether or not they match before and after the document set tray 3 is attached and detached.

[0006]Furthermore, a fourth means of the present invention is provided when, in the third means, the conditions set on the document set tray 3 side by the setting condition comparison/determination means 20c do not match before and after the tray 3 is attached/detached. The apparatus is characterized in that it is equipped with a display means 21 that displays two pieces of data before and after attachment and detachment that are inconsistent, and also displays a warning message.

Furthermore, a fifth means of the present invention is a case where, in the third means, the conditions set on the document set tray 3 side by the setting condition comparison and determination means 22 do not match before and after the attachment and detachment of the tray 3. The present invention is characterized in that a condition selection means 19 is provided for selecting a condition before or after attachment/detachment.

[0008]

[Operation] According to the first means, after the copy requester sets the original to be copied on the original setting tray 3,
The user only needs to set the copy conditions such as the desired number of copies, single-sided copy or double-sided copy, etc. using the copy condition setting means 5 provided on the document set tray 3, and then request the copy operator to make a copy. There is no need to convey copy conditions. In addition, requested copy operators simply load the original set tray (with originals and copy conditions set) given by the client into the copying machine, and then set the copy conditions by operating the keys on the main unit's operation panel. There is no need to do so.

According to the second means, in addition to the above-mentioned effects, the original setting tray 3 can be used as a normal original setting tray in which copy conditions and the like are inputted from the operation section of the main body of the copying apparatus. , trays can be used effectively.

According to the third means, in addition to the above-mentioned effects, when the original set tray, on which copy conditions etc. are set, is attached or detached after it has been attached to the automatic document feeder, the attachment/detachment is performed. Since it is possible to determine whether or not the previous and subsequent setting conditions match and copy based on the result, it is possible to prevent copying under incorrect conditions.

Further, according to the fourth means, in addition to the above-mentioned effect, a warning can be displayed together with the discrepancy data before and after attaching and detaching the original set tray, so that the operator can easily recognize the discrepancy. becomes.

Furthermore, according to the fifth means, it is possible to easily select either the conditions before or after attaching and detaching the document set tray.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a document setting tray of an automatic document feeder according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of essential parts of the copy condition setting means of the document setting tray and the input switching means from the document setting tray shown in FIG. 3 are schematic diagrams showing a copying apparatus equipped with a document set tray according to the present invention, FIGS. 4 and 5 are control flowcharts according to the present invention, and FIGS. 6 to 9 are explanatory diagrams of document size detection.

The document set tray 3 is removably installed on one side of the automatic document feeder 2 provided at the top of the copying apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the document set tray 3 has a rectangular document placement section 4, and a copy condition setting means 5 is provided on one side of the document placement section 4. A signal deriving means 6 and a protrusion 7 are provided on the leading edge surface of the document conveyance direction of the unit 4, and document guides 8, 8 for adjusting the document size and a document size detection switch (document length Sensors 9a and 9b and a document width sensor (not shown) are provided.

In FIG. 2, 5a is a knob for setting the number of copies. Also, 5b is a knob for setting the copy mode,
It is possible to set the following modes: single-sided copy from a single-sided original, double-sided copy from a single-sided original, double-sided copy from a double-sided original, and single-sided copy from a double-sided copy. 5c is a knob for setting modes such as sorting and group stipple. Further, the copy condition setting means 5 includes a switching means 18 for determining whether or not to input the copy conditions set on the original set tray 3 side to the main body side, and the original set tray 3, and settings can be made before and after the switching means 18. A selection knob 19 is provided for selecting which data to select if the data are different. The signal deriving means 6 is for transmitting signals such as copy conditions set by the copy condition setting means 5 to the main body control section via the automatic document feeder 2, and is connected to the copy condition setting means 5. It is composed of electrically connected connectors and the like.

The protrusion 7 is an operating part of a sensor 10 which is tray attachment detection means for detecting whether or not the document set tray 3 is attached to the automatic document feeder 2. For example, when the document set tray detection sensor 10 provided in the document conveying device 2 is a microswitch, the protrusion 7 serves to press the actuator portion of the microswitch. Further, when the detection sensor 10 is a transmission type photosensor in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are disposed facing each other, the projection 7 serves to block light emitted from the light emitting element.

The protrusion 7 and the document set tray detection sensor 10 also serve as tray attachment/detachment detection means for detecting whether or not the document tray 3 has been attached or detached after being attached.

The document guides 8, 8 are slidably provided on the document placement section 4, and are slidably adjusted in accordance with the set document.

The size of the original placed on the original setting tray 3 is determined by the original length sensors 9a and 9b as shown in FIG.
, detected by document width sensors 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d. That is, in the main body of the copying apparatus 1, when a document is placed on the document set tray 3 when the paper/copy magnification selection is in automatic mode, the length of the document is detected by the document length sensors 9a and 9b, and the length of the document is detected by the document width sensors 11a and 11b. 11b・1
1c and 11d to detect the document width, determine the document size, and operate the paper/copy magnification automatic selection function for the document size. When originals of different sizes are mixed and set on the original setting tray 3, the maximum size original is detected. The document size and the status of each sensor are shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b).

When originals of different sizes are set one on top of the other, the original size detection by the original setting tray 3 alone is insufficient, so the automatic original transport device 2 also performs original size detection.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show examples of document size detection by the document width sensor 12 provided in the paper feed section of the automatic document feeder. The document size detection by the document width sensor 12 is performed in the speed-up mode and the paper/copy magnification selection in the automatic mode, when documents of different sizes are stacked on the document set tray 3, A4, A4,
B5 (landscape set), 11 inches x 8.5 inches, 5.
Only for 5 inch x 8.5 inch (landscape set) size documents, after the document is fed to the paper feed section, the document size can be detected by the document width sensor 12 in front of the registration rollers.

Therefore, A4 and A5 (landscape set) or
When 11 inch x 8.5 inch and 5.5 inch x 8.5 inch (landscape setting) originals are stacked and placed on the original set tray 3, the automatic Priority is given to the detection result by the document width sensor 12 provided in the paper feeding section of the document conveyance device 2.

When A4 and B5 (landscape set) or 11 inches x 8.5 inches and 5.5 inches x 8.5 inches (landscape set) are set on the original set tray 3, Since the document length sensors 9a and 9b are not turned on, by detecting the document width with the document width sensor 12, the size of the document can be changed from A4 to B5, 11 inches x 8.5 inches, or 5.5 inches x 8.5 inches. It becomes possible.

The document size is detected by the automatic document feeder 2 by the document width sensor 12 and the document length by the paper feed motor rotation sensor as shown in FIG. 8 at the same time. That is, the paper feed motor and the slit disc are operated from the time when the registration roller 15 starts rotating and the document 17 starts to be fed from the paper feed section 13 to the transport section 14 until the paper feed sensor 16 detects the trailing edge of the document. The document length is determined by counting the rotation pulses of the paper feed motor rotation sensor.

The control unit 20 of the copying machine main body is configured to control operations on the copying machine main body when it is selected to input signals such as copy conditions set on the original set tray 3 side to the copying machine main body. Means 20a for prohibiting settings from the copying machine and for setting and storing copy conditions etc. set on the original set tray 3 side in the control section 20 on the main body side of the copying apparatus.
is provided.

Furthermore, the control section 20 includes a tray attachment/detachment determination means 20b for determining whether or not the tray attachment/detachment detection means 7, 10 has been attached or not, and a tray attachment/detachment determining means 20b for determining whether or not the tray attachment/detachment detection means 7, 10 has been attached or detached. , a set condition determining means 20c is provided for comparing and determining whether or not the conditions set before and after the set conditions match.

Furthermore, if the setting condition comparison and determination means 20c determines that the data before and after the attachment and detachment of the document set tray 3 do not match, the operation panel section of the main body of the copying apparatus displays the two data before and after the attachment and detachment that are inconsistent. A display means 21 is provided, which includes a display section that displays a message indicating a mismatch, and a display section that displays a message warning that there is a discrepancy. These are to prevent copying with incorrect data if the original set is inserted or removed, the data is messed up by accidentally touching the condition setting knob, or the data is changed. It is something. In order to prevent the operation knob from moving due to carelessness or the like, for example, means for regulating the movement of the setting knob of the document set tray 3 may be provided.

A copying operation using the document set tray 3 configured as described above will be explained. First, the case where copy conditions are set on the document set tray 3 side will be described. A copy requester sets the original to be copied on the original setting tray 3. Next, the slide knobs 5a, 5b, 5c of the copy condition setting means 5 are operated to set the number of copies, copy mode, editing mode, etc. Then, the tray 3 is handed over to the copy operator. Since the copy conditions etc. have already been set at this time, there is no need to inform the operator again.

The operator who has been requested to make a copy attaches the tray 3 to the document set tray attachment section on the side of the automatic document feeder 2 of the copying apparatus 1. Here, in step S1 of the flowchart of FIG. 4, it is determined whether the document set tray is attached. Then, in step S2, when the operator operates the copy condition input changeover switch 18 to the input side (the selection of the switching means can be made even before installation on the main body), in step S3, setting of conditions from the main body operation section is prohibited, In step S4, the copy conditions set by the requester on the document set tray 3 are transmitted and input to the setting storage means 20a of the main body side control section 20 of the copying apparatus 1. At the same time,
The paper/copy magnification automatic selection function for the original size operates on the main body side. The input signal is sent via the signal deriving means 6 of the document set tray 3. The fact that the copy conditions have been input from the document set tray 3 side to the main body side means that
It may be configured to be displayed on the main body operation panel as necessary.

Next, in step S6 of the flowchart of FIG. 5, the tray attachment/detachment determining means 20b determines whether or not the tray 3 has been attached or detached after the document set tray 3 has been attached, based on the signals from the tray attachment/detachment detection means 7, 10. Judgment is made by If there is attachment/detachment, then in step S8, the setting condition comparison/determination means 20c compares and determines whether the conditions set before and after the document set tray 3 is attached/detached match.

If the document set tray 3 is not attached or detached and the data match before and after attaching and detaching, the process advances to step S7, and a state becomes possible without copying under the conditions before attaching and detaching.

On the other hand, when the original set tray 3 is attached and detached,
Moreover, if the setting data before and after attachment/detachment do not match, the process advances to step 9, where it is determined whether or not the JOB has ended, and the process returns to step S2. If not finished, step S
Proceeding to step 10, the two discrepant data before and after the attachment and detachment of the document set tray 3 are displayed on the display means 21, and a message warning that the data are discrepant is displayed. This may be a warning means such as an alarm.

[0034] Next, the process advances to step S11. Here, by operating the selection knob 19 provided on the document set tray 3, it is possible to select whether to copy under the conditions before attachment/detachment or to copy under the conditions after attachment/detachment. Then, in step S12, a state becomes available for copying under the conditions selected in step 11.

When the copy start button is pressed in the states of step 7 and step 12, copying is executed. Further, if it is determined in step S1 that the document set tray is not installed, or if the switching means 18 is switched to a position where setting data is not input from the document set tray 3 to the main body side in step S2, step Proceeding to S5, it becomes possible to set conditions from the main body operation section.

[0036] With the above configuration, it is possible to set copy conditions at a location away from the copying machine.
To eliminate the need for a copy requester to inform the operator and the copy conditions, and also to eliminate the need for the operator to enter the requested copy conditions on the operation unit of the copying machine main body, thereby preventing copy errors due to misunderstandings, setting errors, etc. I can do it.

[0037] Here, a case will be described in which the document set tray 3 is used as a normal tray. The operator attaches an empty document set tray 3 to the copying apparatus 1, and switches the input switching means 18 on the tray 3 to the non-input side. Now, input from the document set tray side to the main body is prohibited, and input from the main body operation section becomes possible. Therefore, the operator only has to perform the usual operations of setting the original on the tray 3, setting and inputting the copy conditions using the main body operation section, and pressing the copy start button.

By preparing a plurality of the original document set trays 3, copying work can be made more efficient. Also,
By providing the input switching means, settings can be made from the main body of the copying machine, allowing effective use of the tray.

In the above embodiment, the input switching means 18
is a dedicated switch, but this means is also used as a means for setting the number of copies, for example, a setting point of 0 is provided, and when this point is set, it is assumed that non-input has been selected and no input is made to the main unit. may be configured.

[0040]Furthermore, the configuration may be such that when input from the document set tray 3 to the main body side is selected, copying is started without pressing the copy start button.

In this embodiment, the conditions that can be set on the document set tray are limited to the number of copies, double-sided/single-sided, and sort mode; however, the conditions are not limited to these;
The configuration may be such that other modes such as reduction can be set.

[0042]

[Effect] According to claim 1 of the present invention, it is possible to set copy conditions at a location away from the copying machine, and the copy requester only has to set the conditions and pass them to the operator, and when copying, the copying conditions can be set again on the copying machine main body. This saves you the trouble of configuring the settings, and prevents copy errors.

According to claim 2, since an input switching means is further provided from the document set tray to the main body side, the tray can be used as a normal tray for setting copy conditions on the main body side of the copying apparatus. , trays can be used effectively.

According to claim 3, it is possible to prevent copying under erroneous conditions when the document set tray is attached or detached and the setting conditions are different before and after the attachment or detachment.

Further, according to claim 4, by displaying a warning message together with the discrepancy data before and after attaching and removing the document set tray, the operator can easily recognize the discrepancy and also easily determine which data is correct. Since the information can be checked, it is possible to more reliably prevent copying under incorrect conditions.

Further, according to claim 5, it is possible to easily select the conditions before and after attaching and detaching the document set tray.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a document set tray of an automatic document feeder according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of main parts of a copy condition setting means of a document set tray and an input switching means from the document set tray according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a copying machine equipped with a document set tray according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is the first half of a control flowchart according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is the second half of the control flowchart according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of document detection in the document set tray according to the present invention, (a) is a configuration diagram thereof, and (b) is an explanatory diagram thereof.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of document detection of AB type paper by the document width sensor in the automatic document feeder section according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of document detection of inch paper by a document width sensor in the automatic document feeder section according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of document length detection in the automatic document feeder unit according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 Original set tray 5 Copy condition setting means 6 Signal derivation means 18 Switching means 19 Condition selection means 20a Setting storage means 20b Tray attachment/detachment determination means 20c Setting condition comparison judgment means 21 Display means

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A copying apparatus equipped with an automatic document feeder having a document set tray, comprising: a document set tray removably provided on the automatic document feeder, and copy condition setting means provided on the document set tray. and a signal deriving means for deriving signals such as copy conditions from the document set tray. 2. Tray attachment detection means for detecting whether or not the document set tray is attached to the automatic document feeder; a switching means for selecting whether or not to input signals such as copy conditions set on the document set tray side to the copying machine main body; When input on the main body side is selected, settings from the operation panel on the copying machine main body side are prohibited, and the copy conditions etc. set on the original set tray side are set and stored on the copying machine main body side. 2. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means. 3. Tray attachment/detachment detection means for detecting whether or not the document set tray is attached or detached after the document set tray is attached to the automatic document feeder, based on a signal from the tray attachment/detachment detection means. a tray attachment/detachment determining means for determining whether or not the original setting tray has been attached or detached, and a setting for comparing and determining whether conditions set by the copy condition setting means for the document setting tray match before and after the document setting tray is attached or detached; 2. Condition comparison and determination means, and control is performed to select one of the conditions before and after tray attachment/detachment based on the comparison and determination result by the setting condition comparison and determination means. copying equipment. 4. If the conditions set on the document set tray side do not match before and after the tray is attached and detached by the setting condition comparison and determination means, the two data before and after attachment and detachment that are inconsistent are displayed; 4. The copying apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising display means for displaying a warning message. 5. Condition selection means for selecting one of the conditions before and after attachment/detachment of the tray when the conditions set on the document set tray side by the setting condition comparison/determination means do not match before and after attachment/detachment of the tray. 4. A copying apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a copying apparatus.