JPH0439226Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea]

"Field of Industrial Application" The present invention relates to a copying machine with an improved tray selection switching mechanism. "Prior Art" (Conventional Copying Apparatus) FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a conventionally well-known copying apparatus as seen from the front. This device has a structure in which, after placing an original 11 on a platen glass 12 and closing a platen cover 13, when a print start button on a control panel 14 is pressed, a copy is ejected onto an ejection tray 15. . This device includes, for example, three trays 16 so that the operator can select the appropriate copy paper depending on the size of the document 11.
₁ to ₁₆₃ are provided. Each tray 16 accommodates several types of copy paper, such as A4, B5, and B4, for example. Usually, each tray 16 is structured so that it can only accommodate copy sheets of a specific size. As a result, it is possible to easily determine which type of copy paper is stored in which tray in the main body of the copying apparatus, regardless of where the tray is attached. Therefore, when the operator selects a tray, the size of the copy paper is generally displayed as well. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of this device. This copying machine has three trays 16 ₁ to 16 _{3 .}
are mounted on the right and left sides, and paper feed rollers 17 ₁ to 17 ₃ are provided in front of each tray, respectively. For example, when "Tray 1" is selected, only the paper feed roller ₁₇₁ rotates and the copy paper is pulled out. Thereafter, the copy paper is sent directly below the photosensitive drum 19 by the register roller 18. At that time, the image is discharged onto the discharge tray 15 after undergoing a transfer process and a phenomenon process. The same goes for the other trays, and the copy sheets pulled out from these trays are guided by guides (not shown) to the registration rollers 18 as shown by the dashed arrows.
It is becoming more and more drawn out. ``Problem that the invention aims to solve'' As described above, a copying machine that allows the user to freely select the paper type or tray with a single key operation has the advantage of being able to respond to a wide variety of copying requests. There is. Here, for example, two or more types of copy paper are used, even if they are the same size, the company name is printed on them, the paper is of different colors, or the paper thickness is different. Sometimes. In such a case, the procedure is to remove a specific tray, store a predetermined copy sheet therein, select that tray, and then perform the copying operation. At this time, while looking at the paper size display on the control panel of the device, press the tray selection key and press this key repeatedly until the size of the paper stored in the tray you have just installed is displayed. This completes the tray selection. However, if, for example, two or more trays containing sheets of the same size are installed, this operation does not necessarily select a predetermined tray. In this case, it is necessary to directly select the required tray, or to search for the selected tray and replace it with the required tray. For example, there is a device that has a function of automatically selecting another specific tray and pulling out the copy paper from a specific tray when the copy paper stored in a specific tray runs out during a copying operation. In such a device, when there are two or more trays containing sheets of the same size, their priority is automatically determined, and the operator cannot select the other tray by pressing the tray selection key. Therefore, copying operations must be performed by removing a tray with a high priority and installing a necessary tray in its place. Of course, this problem could be solved by designing the paper size and tray selection independently, but this would complicate the control panel and increase costs. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to quickly select a desired paper feeder from among the paper feeders when paper of the same size is stored in a plurality of paper feeders at the time of starting printing. The purpose of this invention is to provide a copying device. "Means for solving the problem" The present invention includes a plurality of paper feeding means, a paper size detection means for detecting the paper sizes of these paper feeding means, and one of the paper sizes of the paper feeding means. In a copying apparatus that controls to select a paper size detecting means to be selected and a paper feeding means of the paper size selected by the paper size selecting means,
The same paper size determining means determines whether or not the paper size selected by the paper size detecting means is present in a plurality of paper feeding means based on the detection result of the paper size detecting means; A selection key that sequentially selects paper feeding means of the same paper size each time it is pressed when it is determined that there is a paper source, a print start instruction means that instructs to start printing, and a point at which the start of printing is instructed. The copying apparatus is provided with a print control means for selecting the paper feeding means selected in and printing. In other words, in the present invention, if paper of the paper size selected by the paper size selection means is present in multiple paper feeding means at the start of printing, these paper feeding means are sequentially selected each time the selection key is pressed. to be done. Then, printing is performed by selecting the paper source selected when the print start instruction means such as a print start button instructs to start printing, and selects the necessary paper from among the paper of the desired paper size. To achieve the above object by allowing paper to be quickly selected. ``Embodiment'' (Explanation of Block Diagram) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the main circuit parts of the copying apparatus of the present invention. This circuit is connected to the input side of the CPU module 62.
Print start button 69 and tray selection key 6
7, and seven paper size display lamps 68 and three tray display lamps 64 are provided on the output side. Each indicator lamp 64, 6
8 is the CPU module 62 via the driver 63
and are selectively turned on by the on signal. The print start button 69 is pressed by the operator to start copying, and is comprised of, for example, an on/off switch with one end grounded. The output terminal of this switch is held at TTL level by a pull-up resistor ₆₉₁ , and a high level "1" signal is input to the CPU module when the switch is off, and a low level "0" signal is input to the switch on.
The tray selection key 67 is a switch that allows the operator to sequentially change copy paper size and tray selection once by pressing it once, and its structure and function are exactly the same as the print start button described above. It is. Note that a light emitting diode or the like is used for each indicator lamp. (Control Panel) FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the control panel 14 provided in such a copying apparatus. In the center of the figure, seven display lamps 68 for displaying paper size are arranged in a vertical line.
The triangular button at the bottom is the tray selection key 67. On the right side, there are three tray indicator lamps 6.
4 are arranged in order from the top: tray 1, tray 2, and tray 3. Further, on the right side thereof, an illustrated guide display 70 is provided so that the operator can easily understand the currently selected tray, paper jam, etc. For example, when "Tray 1" is selected, the display lamp 7 showing tray 1
0 ₁ and the top tray indicator lamp 64 ₁ are lit, and if the copy paper stored in that tray is A4 size, the corresponding paper size indicator lamp 68 ₁ is lit. Each time the tray selection key 67 is pressed, the selection is sequentially switched. For example, if there is a paper jam, the circular lamp 7 in the guidance display 70
0 ₂ lights up to let you know the location. To the left of the paper size display lamp 68, keys are provided for enlarging/reducing copying. When the fixed magnification switching key 71 is pressed, the four magnification display lamps 72 provided above it light up in sequence.
Displays that one of the magnifications has been selected. The magnification is numerically displayed on the liquid crystal display 73. Two triangular keys 74 provided below
is a key for continuously changing the magnification and selecting an arbitrary magnification. In addition, the AUTO indicator lamp lights up when the size of the original is automatically detected and copy paper of the appropriate size is automatically selected. The corresponding indicator lamp also lights up at the same time. (Tray Identification) The three trays installed in this copying machine are each identified as follows. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the tray. This tray is dedicated to, for example, B5 size paper, and the paper 31 is stored in the center of the tray and is attached to the main body of the copying machine while being slid in the direction of arrow 32.
On the back side, one raised tray ₃₃₁ is provided for tray identification. A protrusion can also be provided in the portion 34 shown by the broken line. The combination of the arrangement of the protrusions is determined for each size of paper stored in the tray. This tray is for A3 size, so there is only one protrusion on one end. In FIG. 4, the
A perspective view of four switches S ₁ to _{S 4} that are pressed by the protrusion 33 of the tray 16 and other protrusions erected at the portion indicated by the broken line 34 is shown. These switches are mounted at positions such that when the tray 16 is completely installed in the main body of the copying machine, the protrusions are pressed to switch the circuits. the above
In the case of a tray for A3 size paper, pressing only this switch _S1 will change the connection state of the circuit connected to it. FIG. 5 is a specific wiring diagram of the tray identification circuit 36 including the four switches S ₁ to _{S 4} and the output circuit 37. These circuits are provided in the main body of the copying machine for each tray. Each of the switches S ₁ to _{S 4} is pressed by the projection 33, so that the connection of the input side terminal 35 ₀ is switched from the lower terminal 35 ₁ in the drawing to the upper terminal 35 ₂ . This upper terminal 35 ₂ has an output circuit 37
A reference DC voltage is applied from the side through the reference voltage terminal 38. This voltage is, for example, 3 [V]
is set to . Further, the lower terminals ₃₅₁ of each switch are collectively grounded through a ground terminal 39 on the output circuit 37 side. On the other hand, when _the reference value is R[Ω], one end of a resistor ₄₁ of 2R[Ω], which is twice the reference value, is connected to the input-side terminal ₃₅₀ of each of the switches S1 to S4. In addition, at each connection point where three resistors 42 with a resistance value R [Ω] and a resistor 43 with a resistance value of 2R [Ω] are connected in series, a 2R [Ω] resistor connected to the above-mentioned switches S ₁ to S ₄ is connected. The other ends of the resistor 41 are connected to each other. And 2R connected to the top switch S ₁
One end of the [Ω] resistor 41 is connected to the input terminal 44 ₁ of the comparison amplifier 44 of the output circuit 37 .
This differential amplifier 44 is a circuit that receives an input signal via an input resistor 46 and obtains a corresponding voltage output. For example, when the tray 16 for A3 size paper is installed in the main body of the copying machine, the top switch S ₁
connection can be switched. As a result, the DC resistance value seen from the reference voltage terminal 38 becomes 4R [Ω], and the DC resistance value of the tray identification circuit 36 seen from the input terminal 44 ₁ of the comparator amplifier 44 becomes 2R [Ω]. Input terminal 44 ₁ has 3 [V]
A DC voltage of 1.5 [V], which is one-half of the voltage, is applied.
An analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 47 is provided on the output side of the comparison amplifier to convert the output signal voltage into a digital signal. this,
The A/D converter 47 outputs, for example, an 8-bit digitized tray identification signal 48. Here, Table 1 shows the relationship among the on/off states of the switches _S1 to _S4 , the output voltage of the tray identification circuit 36, the digital output signal of the A/D converter 47, and the size of copy paper.

【table】

[Table] In this table, switch numbers _{1, 2, 3, and 4 correspond to S 1} , S ₂ , S ₃ , and S ₄ in the figure, and "0" indicates that the switch is located at the lower terminal 35 ₁ , i.e. This indicates that the switch is connected to the terminal on the ground side, and "1" indicates that the switch is connected to the terminal ₃₅₂ on the opposite side. Also, V _DC [V] is the tray identification circuit 36.
This shows the output voltage of 3 [V] when the reference voltage V _ref is 3 [V]
This is the value when . Also, A/D is A/D converter 4
This is a digitized tray identification signal 48 output from 7, which is expressed in hexadecimal notation. Note that each numerical value is subject to a certain amount of error, and only the intermediate values are shown in the table. For example, in the case of the 8th A3 paper tray from the top of Table 1, V _DC is in the range of 1.42 to 1.58 [V], and A/
If D is within the range of "76" to "85", these trays are all determined to be the same tray. On the other hand, a copy paper detection switch 51 is connected between the input terminal 44 ₁ of the comparison amplifier 44 and the reference voltage input terminal 38, which is turned on when there is no copy paper in the tray. When this switch 51 is turned on, the reference voltage V _ref is directly input to the output circuit 37 . In this case, V _DC is 3 [V]. Also, when the tray is not installed, the reference voltage
Since V _ref is not applied to each resistor 41 from any switch in the tray identification circuit 36, its output voltage V _DC is 0 [V]. By both of these,
It is also possible to simultaneously identify the presence or absence of a tray and the presence or absence of copy paper. Tray identification signals 48 from "0" to "F" (also expressed in hexadecimal) from the top of this table
Table 2 shows the correspondence between the size of the copy paper and the size of the copy paper. This table shows not only the specifications for Japan, but also the paper sizes used for specifications for Europe and the United States. Of course, one of these specifications is selected depending on the customer when manufacturing the device. Therefore, the size of the copy paper is uniquely determined by the tray identification signal.

[Table] (Processing of Tray Identification Signal) The tray identification circuit 36 and its output circuit 37 are provided one set for each tray, and each outputs a digitized tray identification signal 48. FIG. 6 is a wiring diagram of the main parts of the control means for processing this signal. In this embodiment, three trays are installed. Therefore, the fifth tray identification circuit 3
Three sets of the output circuit 6 and the output circuit 37 are provided. The A/D converters 47 in these three sets of output circuits 37 are shown in the figure (indicated as A/D). That is, the A/D converter 61 in the figure is the CPU module 6.
This element is configured to output one of the three types of tray identification signals 48 (fifth) to the bus line 61 ₁ in response to the scan signal 61 ₂ from the bus line 61 2 .
The CPU module sequentially selects these three types of tray identification signals and connects them to bus line 61 ₁ (8 in this example).
(for bits) and identifies the tray. (CPU module and its operation) The CPU module used for controlling this device has _an input interface (I/
F) 62 ₂ , an output interface 62 ₃ , a microprocessor (CPU) 62 ₄ , a read-only memory (ROM) element 62 ₅ , and a random access memory (RAM) element 62 ₆ in one This is a circuit built into a chip. this
By writing the program necessary for the operation of this device into the ROM element 62 ₅ , it will accept signals from sensors etc. via the input I/F 62 ₂ , judge and calculate the contents, and generate the necessary output signals. Output I/F6
2 Output from ₃ . Returning again to FIG. 6, _three tray indicator lamps 64 are connected to the output I/F 623 shown in FIG. 7 of the CPU module via six drivers 63.
and three sets of protection circuits 65 and clutches 66 are connected. For example, when a high level “1” signal is input from the CPU module 62 to the driver 63 connected to the indicator lamp of “Tray 1”,
The driver 63 is turned on and its indicator lamp 64 lights up. Further, the clutch 66 is attached to the drive shaft of a paper feed roller for pulling out copy paper from the tray. A protection circuit 65 is provided for absorbing surges when the switch is turned on. Each clutch 66 operates to begin rotation of the feed roller when driver 63 is turned on. Here, when the operator selects a desired tray using the tray selection key 67, the CPU module 62 lights only the display lamp 64 indicating the selected tray. This selection key 67 is a simple on/off switch, and each time it is pressed, the selection changes to the next tray. For example, when tray 1 is selected, an on signal is supplied from the CPU module 62 to the driver 63 connected to the indicator lamp 64 of tray 1. Then, when the print start button 69 is pressed thereafter, a paper feed roller for pulling out the copy paper from the tray 1 is operated. (Operation of Copying Apparatus) The actual operation of the copying apparatus of the present invention will be explained using the flowchart shown in FIG. When executing this program, a primary memory with the contents shown in Table 3 below is prepared, and the processing is performed while changing the values during execution. This primary memory is the CPU
stored within the module.

[Table] In this table, the contents of the items for trays 1 to 3 are numerical representations of the paper sizes stored in the trays.For example, in the order shown in Table 2, from top to bottom, Define the value in hexadecimal as "F".
In addition, the letter counter specifies the tray display lamp that should be lit next when the tray selection key is pressed.When the content is "1", the "tray 1" lamp, "2""time" means that the "Tray 2" lamp is turned on, and "3" means that the "Tray 3" lamp is turned on. The same cassette counter is a variable in which the number of trays containing copy sheets of the same size is first input, and then it is decremented in accordance with the tray indicator lamp to be lit. That is, in the copying apparatus of the present invention, the second
The operator presses the tray selection key 67 shown in the figure.
Each time you press the button, the paper size display lamp 68 lights up and switches in order from the top, but if there are two or more trays containing paper of the same size, the paper size display lamp 68 indicates that size.
8 lights up continuously, and the tray display lamps 64 are switched in order from the top. The operation will be explained in more detail with the flowchart shown in FIG. First, in the first half of the program (step ~),
Check the paper size of each tray and determine the value of the letter counter and the same cassette counter. and,
In the latter half of the program (step ~), selection switching operations are performed. Now, in step, it is checked whether the paper sizes of tray 1 and tray 2 are the same. Next, in a step, the paper sizes of tray 2 and tray 3 are compared. In the same way, compare the paper sizes and classify the cases. The result and
The value of each counter is determined based on the result of determining which tray indicator lamp is currently lit (steps, ,,,). The processing for each of these cases is shown in Table 4. Here, for example, Y indicates the case where the yes route is taken in the decision step. Further, the * marks shown in the sections for trays 1 to 3 indicate trays containing sheets of the same size. Similarly, 0
The mark points to the lit tray indicator lamp. In these cases, each counter has a value as shown in the table. For example, if you go through the YES route in step , , tray 1 is lit, the letter counter is set to 2, and the same cassette counter is set to 3.

[Table] The following processing is performed in the first half of the program. Then, when the tray selection key is pressed (step), if the same cassette counter is 1 (step), the paper size display lamp is switched to the next one, and if the same cassette counter is not 1 (step), the paper size display lamp is switched to the next one. is decremented (stepped), and the tray display lamp corresponding to the value of the letter counter is lit. Table 5 shows an example of how the tray indicator lamp's lighting location actually switches. For example, if all trays contain sheets of the same size, the tray indicator lamps will turn on in order from trays 1 to 3. However, if Tray 1 and Tray 3 contain paper of the same size, the indicator lamp for Tray 3 will light up after Tray 1, and the indicator lamp for Tray 2 will light up last, and so on. A switch is made. It goes without saying that when the display lamps are switched, the clutches and the like for conveying the paper are also switched at the same time.

[Table] If the selection is switched in this way, by repeatedly pressing one tray selection key, the selection of paper sizes is switched in order, and furthermore, the tray can be selected as desired. "Effects of the invention" As explained above, in this invention, if there are multiple paper feeding means for the selected paper size, those paper feeding means can be selected in sequence simply by pressing the selection key. This has the advantage that a desired paper feeding means can be quickly selected from paper of the same size.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the main parts of the copying apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the main parts of the control panel, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tray, and FIG.
The figure is a perspective view of the switch for tray identification, Figure 5 is a wiring diagram of the tray identification circuit including this switch and the output circuit, Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the main parts of the control circuit of the copying machine, and Figure 7 is FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the operation program of the copying apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the appearance of a conventional copying apparatus, and FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the main parts thereof. 16 ₁ to _{16 3} ... tray, 36 ... tray identification circuit, 62 ... control means, 67 ... tray selection key.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] A plurality of paper feeding means; Paper size detection means for detecting paper sizes of each of the paper feeding means; Paper size detection for selecting one of the paper sizes of the paper feeding means. and a copying apparatus that controls to select a paper feeding means for the paper size selected by the paper size detection means, wherein the paper size selected by the paper size selection means is selected by the paper size detection means. The same paper size determining means determines whether the same paper size is present in multiple paper feed means based on the detection result. When it is determined that the same paper size determination means is present in multiple paper feed means, the A selection key that sequentially selects the paper source of the size, a print start instruction device that instructs to start printing, and a print control that selects the selected paper source and prints when the start of printing is instructed. A copying apparatus comprising: means.