JPH0430179A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent delay in image formation of a second document by feeding a new document from an automatic document feeding means to an automatic document exchanging means by inputting a detection signal. CONSTITUTION:The first bundle of documents S is placed on a loading tray 310 and the second bundle of documents SS is placed on a loading tray 320. The document is automatically set by the feeding means 330 and the copying is started. When a stop key 604 is pushed, the copying operation of the first bundle S is stopped by a control device and all documents of the bundle S are returned to the tray 310 and the copying operation is completed. When no document is detected on the tray 310, the operation is proceeded to f8, and the automatic feeding of the bundle SS of the tray 320 is started. When all of the bundle SS is finished to be fed to the tray 310, the automatic document exchange of the bundle SS is started and copying is carried out. Thus, the delay in image formation of the second document can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that sequentially forms images on each of a plurality of bundles of originals.

[Prior Art] An automatic document exchanger automatically exchanges originals and forms images on them, and after image formation on this bundle of originals is completed, another bundle of originals is automatically exchanged with an automatic document feeder. An image forming apparatus is known that has a so-called reservation function that sends a batch of documents to an automatic document exchanger and repeats image formation on a new batch of documents.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] In such an apparatus, when a user issues a stop instruction to stop image formation on a certain stack of originals, the user carefully removes the stopped stack of originals. However, there were times when the user was not aware of the next set of reserved documents and forgot to continue image formation from the next batch.

For this reason, someone else may not be aware of the resumption of image formation on the next batch of documents, resulting in a situation where the completion of image formation is significantly delayed.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that solves the above problems.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides automatic document exchange means that automatically exchanges the document on the image reading position; automatic document feeding means for feeding the original on the first document placing table to the automatic document changing means; and temporarily stopping the image forming operation of the document from the first document placing table by the automatic document changing means. a stopping means; a detecting means for detecting that there is no original on the first document mounting table after the image forming operation is temporarily stopped by the stopping means; The present invention is characterized by comprising means for feeding a new original from the feeding means to the automatic original exchanging means to start image formation.

[Function] According to the present invention, for example, after image formation on the first document bundle is stopped by the above configuration, it is detected that the first document bundle is taken away by the user, and the second document bundle is removed. Therefore, there is no need to worry about forgetting to restart image formation on the second batch of originals, and there is no delay in completing image formation on the second original.

[Embodiments] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 to 5 show a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the control section of this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of this embodiment, and FIG. 3 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the automatic document exchanger and automatic document feeder, FIG. 4 is a layout diagram of the operation panel, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control details.

In FIG. 2, 100 is the main body of the copying machine, 200 is a bedistal having a double-sided processing function for turning over the recording medium (paper) during double-sided recording, and a multi-recording function for recording multiple times on the same recording medium; Reference numeral 300 denotes a circulating automatic document feeder that automatically feeds documents, and 400 a sorter, which is a sorter. They can be used in any combination.

Control Device (800, 900) FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the control device 800, 900 of this embodiment. In the figure, 801 is C20 which controls the entire copying machine. Further, 802 is a read-only memory (ROM) that stores the control procedure (control program) shown in the flowchart of FIG. Control the device. Further, 803 is a random access memory (RAM) which is a main storage device used for storing input data and as a working storage area.
It is.

In addition, 804 is a load such as the main motor 113 and the CPU 8.
01 is an interface (Ilo) that outputs a control signal, and 805 is an interface (Ilo) that inputs signals from the sensor 122, etc.
It is an interface to send to PUJIOI, and also 80
Reference numeral 6 denotes an interface for input/output control of the key groups 601, 612, 603, etc. and the display groups 701, 702, etc.

In addition, 900 is a control device for RDF300, which includes ROM,
It is mainly composed of a CPU 901 consisting of a one-chip microcomputer with a built-in RAM, and a registration sensor 344. Paper discharge sensor 345. Registration sensor 360. Original detection sensor 361. Recycle levers 342, 358, etc. are connected to the output boats, and separation motors 334. Belt motor 337. Conveyance motor 339. Stopper solenoid 343a, flapper solenoid 341a, transport motor 355° separation clock 356. Paper feed clutch 357
．． A stopper solenoid 359a and the like are connected.

The control device 800 and the control device 900 are serial I/F 80
7.902, and exchanges control data between the RDF 300 and the copying machine main body 100. The data sent from the RDF 300 to the copying machine main body 100 is a paper feeding completion signal indicating that the feeding of the original onto the original table glass 101 is complete.

A9 main body (100) In FIG. 2, 101 is a document table glass serving as a document placement table. Further, 102 is an optical system as an image reading means, and includes an original illumination lamp (exposure lamp) 103;
It is composed of a scanning mirror, a lens, a motor 104, etc., and the exposure lamp 10 is scanned by the motor 104.
3, the original is illuminated, and the light reflected from the original is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 105 by a scanning mirror and a lens.

A high pressure unit 10 is installed around the photoreceptor drum 105.
6, blank exposure unit 107, and potential sensor 10
8, a developing device 109, a transfer charger 110, a separation charger 111, and a cleaning device 112, and these photosensitive drums 105 and the like constitute an image recording means.

The photosensitive drum 105 is rotated by a main motor 113 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG.
6, and when reflected light from the original is irradiated from the optical system 102, an electrostatic latent image is formed. This electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing device 109 and visualized as a toner image.

On the other hand, the transfer paper fed into the main body 100 from the upper cassette 114 or the lower cassette 115 by paper feed rollers 116 and 117 is timed by the registration roller 11g so that the leading edge of the toner image and the leading edge of the transfer paper coincide. After that, the toner image is fed to the photoreceptor drum 105, and the toner image is transferred by the transfer charger 110. After this transfer, the transfer paper is separated from the photoreceptor drum 105 by a separation charger 111, guided to a fixing device 120 by a conveyor belt 119, and fixed by pressure and heat.
is discharged to the outside of the main body 1i00. Further, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 105 is cleaned by a cleaning device 112.

In addition, in Fig. 2, 122.123.124 are sensors, 1
25 is a bed sensor used for double-sided recording, and 126 is a manual paper feed slot.

B. Bedestal (200) As shown in FIG. 2, the pedestal 200 is equipped with a deck 201 that can store, for example, 2000 sheets of transfer paper, and an intermediate tray 202 for double-sided recording. deck 2
The lifter 203 of No. 01 is raised according to the amount of transfer paper so that the transfer paper always comes into contact with the paper feed roller 204.

Further, in FIG. 2, 205 is a paper ejection flapper;
It is placed outside the main body 100 and switches the path between the double-sided recording side or multiplex recording side and the discharge side (sorter 400). The transfer paper sent out from the discharge roller 121 is switched to the double-sided recording side or the multiplex recording side by the paper discharge flapper 205. Further, reference numerals 206 and 207 are conveyor belts, which turn over the transfer paper sent out from the discharge roller 121 and guide it to the intermediate tray 202 (.
This is a weight that presses the transfer paper stored in 02. A multiple flapper 209 switches the path between double-sided recording and multiplex recording, and is disposed between conveyance paths 206 and 207, and guides the transfer paper to the multiplex recording conveyance path 210 by rotating upward. In addition, 211 is a multiple flapper 209
This is a multi-sensor system that detects the end of the transfer paper as it passes through. Further, 212 transfers the transfer paper to the photosensitive drum 1 through a path 213.
This is a paper feed roller that feeds paper to the 05 side.

A discharge roller 214 is disposed near the paper discharge flapper 205 and discharges the transfer paper switched to the discharge side by the paper discharge flapper 205 to the outside of the machine.

During double-sided recording (duplex copying) or multiple recording (multiple copying),
The paper discharge flapper 205 is raised upward, and the copied transfer paper is stored upside down in the intermediate tray 202 via the transport paths 206 and 207. At this time, the multiplex flapper 209 is lowered during double-sided recording, and is raised during multiplex recording. The transfer paper stored in the intermediate tray 202 is held down by a weight 208. During the next back side recording or multiplex recording, the intermediate tray 202
The transfer sheets stored in the main body are guided one by one from the bottom to the registration roller 11g of the main body via a path 213 by the action of the sheet feed roller 212 and the weight 208.

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

Further, on the stacking tray 310 side (left side in FIG. 3), feeding means 330, which constitutes one part of the document feeding means, is provided. The feeding means 330 includes a half-moon roller 331, a separation conveyance roller 332, a separation belt 333, a separation motor 334, a registration roller 335, a full-surface belt 336, a belt motor 337, and a large conveyance roller 338.
, a conveyance motor 339, a paper ejection roller 340, a flapper 341, a recycle lever 342, an overlapping paper stopper 343, a registration sensor 344, a document detection sensor 349, a paper ejection sensor 345, and the like.

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

Furthermore, the registration rollers 335 and the full-surface belt 336 are rotated by a belt motor 337 to transport the separated originals to the exposure position (pass 2) on the document table glass 101 via paths I and 3.

Further, the conveyance large roller 338 is rotated by the conveyance motor 339 to move the original on the document table glass 101 from pass ■ to pass ■.
Transport to. The originals conveyed in this pass (2) are returned onto the original bundle S on the stacking tray 310 by a paper ejection roller 340.

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

In the case of a double-sided document, the feeding means 330 first guides the document from path I and ■ to ■, then rotates the large transport roller 338 and switches the flapper 341 to the dotted line position shown in FIG. Then, the registration roller 335 passes the path ■, and then the entire belt 3
At 36, the original is conveyed onto the original platen glass 101 and stopped, thereby inverting the original. In other words, pass the original
It is reversed along the route ~■~■.

ft O, pass the originals in the document stack S one by one 1~■~■~■
The number of original sheets can be counted by conveying the documents through .about.V.about.■ until one cycle is detected by the recycle lever 342.

Also, a feeding means 350 constituting the other part of the original feeding means is provided on the stacking tray 320 side (on the right side in FIG. 3). (20) The feeding means 350 includes a half-moon roller 351;
Separation conveyance roller 352, separation belt 353, registration roller 354, conveyance motor 355, separation clutch 356, paper feed clutch 357, recycle lever 3
58, paper feed stopper 359, and registration sensor 36
0, a document detection sensor 361, a paper discharge roller 362, and the like.

Here, when the conveyance motor 355 and the separation clutch 356 are turned on, the half-moon roller 351, the separation conveyance roller 352, and the separation belt 353 rotate, and the documents are separated one by one from the bottom of the document stack SS on the stacking tray 320. To separate.

Also, the conveyance motor 355 and paper feed clutch 357 are turned on to rotate the registration roller 354, and the belt motor 3
37 is reversely turned on and the entire belt 336 is reversed,
The original separated from the original bundle SS can be conveyed from paths xr and xn to path (2).

Note that the belt motor 337 is turned on in normal rotation to rotate the entire belt 3.
36 in the forward direction, the paper feed clutch 357 is turned on, the transport motor 355 is turned on in the reverse direction, and the paper ejection roller 362 is rotated in the reverse direction, thereby moving the original on the document table glass 101 from pass ■ to pass ■.
The paper can be discharged onto the upper cover 370 through the.

D. Sorter (sorting device) (400) The sorter 400, which is a sheet post-processing device for recording sheets such as transfer paper, is a second
As shown in the figure, it is configured to hold and sort a 25-bin tray.

The image-formed transfer paper is transferred to the paper ejection roller 214 of the main body 100.
The transport roller 401 of the soak 400
The paper enters the container and is discharged into each bin 404 by a discharge roller 403 via a path 402 .

E. Operation Panel FIG. 4 shows an example of the arrangement and configuration of the operation panel 500 provided on the main body 100 described above, and this operation panel 500 includes:
In addition to a copy start key, a numeric keypad, etc., an interrupt key 601, a reservation key 602, a reservation setting key 603, a clear/stop key 604, etc. are arranged.

In addition to the message display, the operation panel 500 also has an interrupt display 701 and a reservation registration display 702.
etc. are arranged.

Here, when the interrupt key 601 is pressed during a copying operation, the copying operation is interrupted and a new copying (interruption copying) is possible. If pressed while the 1-interrupt copy mode is set, the interrupt copy mode will be canceled.

Further, the reservation key 602 is used to register and cancel reservation copying. When this reservation key 602 is pressed, it becomes possible to set a copy mode different from the copy mode that has already been set. At this time, when the reservation setting key 603 is pressed after setting the copy mode to be registered, the set copy mode is stored in the RAM of the control unit, which will be described later.

Further, the interrupt indicator 701 lights up when the interrupt copy mode is set and during interrupt copying.

Further, the reservation registration display 702 lights up when a reservation for copying is registered.

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

Here, scheduled copying refers to a process that has already been set, is waiting for the start of copying, or is being executed after copying in the first copying mode is set, which is different from the first copying mode. means copying in the second copy mode.

First, the reservation key 60 is pressed while waiting to start copying or during copying operation.
When 2 is pressed, a reservation mode that is different from the first copy mode that has already been set is entered. At this time, the first copy mode that has already been set is stored in the RAM 803 (see FIG. 1).

When the reservation mode is entered, the second copy mode can be set regardless of whether a copy operation is in progress or not.

Next, when the reservation setting key 603 is pressed, the setting of the second copy mode is completed. At this time, the set second copy mode is stored in the RAM 803 (see FIG. 1).

A stack of originals SS to be copied by reservation copying is set on the stacking tray 320 with the front side facing upward.

If a reservation for copying is registered as described above while copying in single-sided mode with a stack of originals S set on the stacking tray 310,
When the final document is ejected through normal copying operations, ejection processing for preparing for reserved copying is performed. That is, the document on the stacking tray 310 is discharged onto the upper cover 370. After this, the bottom document is separated one by one from the document stack SS on the stacking tray 320 (reserved portion separation processing), this document is passed from the bus After processing and ejecting the paper, load it onto the loading tray 3.
Feeding on 10. From the loading tray 320 to the loading tray 3
When all originals are fed onto the copying machine 10, copying is performed in the copying mode set in the reserved copying.

Next, the main parts of this embodiment will be explained in detail.

The feeding means 330 constitutes automatic document exchange means, the feeding means 350 and the full-surface belt 336 constitute automatic document feeding means, and the document detection sensor 349 constitutes document detection means on the first document placement table. The clear/stop key 604 and the control devices 800 and 900 constitute a temporary stop means.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained based on the flowchart of FIG.

The reservation mode is set from the operation section using fl, and the first document bundle S is placed on the stacking tray 310, and the second document bundle SS is placed on the stacking tray 320.

Then, when the copy start button is pressed at f2, the original is automatically set in the feeding means 330 and copying is started.

At f3, the originals are automatically exchanged and the originals in the first original bundle S are copied.

At f4, it is checked whether the stop key 604 has been pressed on the operation panel, and if it has not been pressed, the process advances to f5.

At f5, it is checked whether all the first document bundles S have been copied.
If the process is not completed, the process returns to f3 to continue copying; if it is completed, the process proceeds to f8.

On the other hand, when the stop key 604 is pressed at f4, f
In step 6, the control device stops the copying operation for the first document bundle S. As a result, all the originals of the first original bundle S are returned to the stacking tray 310, and the process ends.

After copying is stopped at f6, it is determined at fl whether or not the first document bundle S has been removed from the stacking tray 310. If it is detected that the originals of the original bundle S remain on the stacking tray 310, the process returns to fl and the determination is repeated.

When it is detected at fl that there is no document, the process advances to f8 and starts automatic feeding of the second document bundle SS on the stacking tray 320.

When all the documents in the second document bundle SS have been fed to the stacking tray 310, the process advances to f9, where automatic document exchange for the second document bundle SS is started and copies are made. The process ends when all of the second document bundle SS has been copied.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, for example, after image formation on the first document bundle is stopped, it is detected that the first document bundle has been taken away by the user, and the second document bundle is removed. Copying can be started for the second set of originals, there is no need to worry about forgetting to restart image formation for the second set of originals, and there is no delay in completing image formation for the second set of originals.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the control unit, Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing the internal structure, Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the automatic document changer and automatic document feeder, and Fig. 4 is a layout diagram of the operation panel. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control details. 310... Automatic document exchange device, 320... Automatic document feeder, 100... Main body.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) automatic document exchange means for automatically exchanging the document on the image reading position; automatic document feeding means for feeding the document to the exchange means; stopping means for temporarily stopping the image forming operation of the document from the first document mounting table by the automatic document changing means; and image forming operation by the stopping means. a detecting means for detecting that there is no original on the first document placing table after the temporary stop of the document; What is claimed is: 1. An image forming apparatus comprising means for feeding a document and starting image formation.