JPH0470675A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the diversification of the type of a storage means by providing a switching means capable of switching plural control programs corresponding to plural image forming devices of different kinds which are stored in a storage means and an instruction means for instructing a switching action. CONSTITUTION:The plural control programs (a) to (d) corresponding to the plural image forming devices A to D of different kinds which are stored in the storage means 101, the switching means 111 capable of switching the respective control programs (a) to (d), and the instruction means S1 for instructing the switching action of the means 111 are provided. The control program corresponding to the machine of desirable kind is selected out of the plural control programs (a) to (d) of the respective kinds of machines A to D which are stored in one storage means 101 by the means 111 which is allowed to act by the instruction means S1, and the image forming device is allowed to act in accordance with the selected control program. Thus, one storage means 101 is used in common in the plural image forming devices of different kinds and the diversification of the type of the storage means is prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, such as an electronic copying machine or a laser beam printer, which operates based on a control program.

(Prior Art) Such an image forming apparatus, such as an electronic copying machine, scans a document placed on a document table by shining light on it, and exposes a charged photoconductor with the reflected light. The image is obtained by forming a latent image, developing it, and transferring it to paper.The originals are stacked on the original tray and fed one by one to the original table, and the paper is placed in the paper cassette. The images are sequentially supplied one by one to the image forming section. Incidentally, in addition to the series of image forming operations described above, recent electronic copying machines have been equipped with various devices such as an automatic document feeder, automatic duplexing device, and same-sided copying device, and these devices are added depending on the model. Some have it, some don't, and it varies depending on the model. .

The operation of such electronic copying machines is performed according to a control program of a microcomputer, but this control program is stored in a dedicated ROM or mask ROM for each model of copying machine. installed in the copy machine.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, if a configuration is adopted in which each model is equipped with a ROM or mask ROM that stores a different control program for each model, the ROM or mask ROM will become diverse. , the quantity is dispersed, which increases the cost, and the assembly requires ROM and mask RO that should be installed in other models during work.
There is a risk of attaching M incorrectly. Furthermore, although there are naturally subroutines that are common parts in the control programs of various models, these subroutines need to be incorporated into individual control programs.

The present invention has been made in view of these conventional problems, and aims to prevent the diversification of storage means for storing different control programs for each model.

[Structure of the Invention (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a method for forming an image corresponding to a document on an image carrier according to a control program stored in a storage means. In the image forming apparatus, a plurality of control programs corresponding to a plurality of image forming apparatuses of different types stored in the storage means, a switching means capable of switching between the respective control programs, and a switching operation of the switching means are provided. The configuration includes an instruction means for giving an instruction.

(Operation) A control program corresponding to a desired model is selected from a plurality of control programs for each model stored in one storage means by a switching means operated by an instruction means,
The image forming apparatus operates according to the selected control program. In this way, the one storage means can be used in common for a plurality of image forming apparatuses of different types, and diversification of storage means is prevented.

(Example) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In an electronic copying machine as an image forming apparatus as shown in FIG.
A platen glass 5 for holding a document is attached on the top so that it can be opened and closed.

An image forming section 7 is provided inside the copying machine main body 1, and sheets P in a paper feed cassette 9 or a manual paper feed tray 11 arranged at the bottom of the copying machine main body 1 are supplied to the image forming section 7 one by one. A paper supply device 15 for discharging the paper P on which image formation has been completed to a paper discharge tray 13 is provided in the lower part of the copying machine main body 1.

The image forming section 7 includes a photoreceptor 17 that rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow.
, a charger 19 that charges the photoreceptor 17, and an exposure lamp 21.
The original image of the original document irradiated by the mirror 25 provided on the first carriage 23, the mirror 29, 31 provided on the second carriage 27, the lens 33 . Copy machine body 1
an exposure optical system 41 that is bent by mirrors 35, 36, and 37 attached to the mirrors to reach three exposure sections, and a developing device that attaches colored powder to the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 17 to form a visible image. 43, pre-transfer static elimination lamp 45, paper supply device 1
5 through the registration roller 47 and the photoreceptor 17
A transfer charger 4 that transfers colored powder to paper P that is in close contact with
9. A peeling charger 51 that peels the paper P from the photoreceptor 17
, a cleaning device 55 for scraping off colored powder remaining on the photoreceptor 17 with a cleaning blade 53, a static elimination lamp 57 for removing residual charge on the photoreceptor 17, and a cleaning device 55 for scraping off the colored powder remaining on the photoreceptor 17, and a removal lamp 57 for removing the colored powder on the paper P separated from the photoreceptor 17. It is composed of a fixing device 59 that heats and fixes the image.

The paper supply device 15 includes a takeout roller 63 that takes out the paper P one by one from the paper feed cassette 9, a separation conveyance roller 65 that sends the taken out paper P to the registration rollers 47, and a fixing device 59 that takes the paper P from below the photoreceptor 17. It is composed of a conveyor belt 67 that conveys the paper P from the fixing device 59 and a discharge roller 69 that discharges the paper P from the fixing device 59 to the paper discharge tray 13.

The developing device 43 is a developing roller that uses a two-component developer (colored powder) consisting of toner and carrier and conveys the developer to the sliding contact portion with the photoreceptor 17 by forming a magnetic brush of the developer on its surface. 71, an agitation conveyance roller 7 that agitates and conveys toner supplied from a toner replenishment section (not shown);
3. A stirring roller 75 for stirring the developer, and a magnetic sensor 77 for detecting the toner concentration in the developer as magnetic resistance.

FIG. 4 shows an operation panel 79 provided on the upper surface of the front side of the copying machine main body 1. This operation panel 79 includes a copy key 81, a numeric keypad 83 for setting the number of copies, etc., and a set value for the number of copies. A clear/stop key 85 for clearing the image and stopping the copying operation, a liquid crystal display section 87 for displaying the operating status of each part, the number of copies, etc., and an exposure amount setting section 89 for setting the amount of exposure are provided.

As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1, input keys 91 such as the copy key 81 are used in the image forming section 7, the paper supply device 15, etc. to detect the presence or absence of paper P and its passage. Various detectors 93 and magnetic sensor 77
The signals generated by the above are input to the microcomputer 99 via the input interface 95 and the A/D converter 97, respectively, and based on these input values and the control program stored in the ROM10I as a built-in storage means, The image forming section 7 and the paper supply device 15
The display unit 87 and the like provided on the operation panel 79 are controlled.

FIG. 5(a) shows the memory areas in the microcomputer 99, including the built-in ROM 101, the built-in R
AM103, built-in 110105, external memory 107
．． 109. FIG. 5(b) shows the data area in the built-in ROM I0I. This built-in ROM101 contains a control program a for controlling the operations of four types of copiers A, B, and CSD, each of which has different additional functions (for example, automatic document feeder, automatic duplexer, same-sided copying device, etc.). , b.

c and d are masked. Furthermore, this built-in ROM
These four control programs a.

A program selection area 111 as a switching means for selecting one control program necessary for copying machines A, B, C, and D equipped with built-in ROMI 01 from b, c, and d; , a common subroutine area 113 that can be used in common in programs necessary for controlling the CSD.

The selection of the control programs a, b, c, and d mentioned above is made through the input port of the microcomputer 99! . .

11, by determining the H level or L level voltage applied directly or via a switch. Input port■. For example, 5V as an H level or OV as an L level is applied to the input port I.
For example, 5V is applied to , through a resistor R3, which can be grounded through a switch S1, so that when the switch S1 is closed, the input port 11 is OV, and when the switch S1 is open, the input port 11 is OV. Resistor R1 is set so that 5V is applied. Above input port■. , 1 serves as an instruction means for instructing the operation of the switching means. And each input port ■. .

(2) For 1, the H level and L level are set in four ways based on the truth table shown in FIG. 6, and the control program is selected based on this.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of control program selection;
For example, a human-powered boat! . is at H level and input port I is at L level.
If the level is set, YES in step 201.
The process proceeds to Step 202, and since the answer is No, control program C is selected in Step 203. Input port I
. If both %I and %I are at L level, the result is NO in step 201, and the result in step 204 is also NO, so the result is in step 205.
program a is selected. Also, input port■. is L
If input port 11 is at H level, step 2
Program b is selected at 06, and input ports I0, I,
If both are at H level, program d is selected in step 207.

In this way, the input port ■ in the switching means. , 11 input levels, program selection area 1
11 according to the selection program written in the sixth
Programs a and b required for copying machines A, B, C, and D according to the flowchart in the figure.

A plurality of copying machines A and B each having different additional functions are selected.

The same built-in ROM 10I can be used in common for C and D.

This makes it possible to standardize and unify the ROMI O1, which has the functions necessary to control many types of copiers A, B, C, and D, into one type, thereby realizing fewer products and larger quantities, and lowering costs. This eliminates the danger of incorrectly installing a ROM that should be installed in another model during assembly work, and the assembly process is also effective in preventing mistakes and reducing inventory.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, these multiple copying machines A.

A common subroutine area 115 that can be used commonly by programs necessary for controlling B, C, and D is stored in the ROM 101 separately from each control program a, b, c, and d, so the storage capacity of the ROM 10I is reduced. This can contribute to cost reduction.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention, and shows an embodiment in which a nonvolatile memory 115 that retains data even when the power is turned off is connected to a microcomputer 99. .

FIG. 9 shows an area map in the non-volatile memory 115, in which data for selecting programs a, b, c, and d is stored in the program selection area 117. A conversion data 11
9. Adjustment value data 121° Display data 123. Count data 125 is formed. These various types of data in the nonvolatile memory 115 are common to all copying machines A, B, C, and D, and are independent of data for each model.

On the other hand, control programs a, b, and c are dedicated to each model.

d is stored in the ROMI 16 in a format similar to that shown in FIG.

The program selection area 117 includes data flags (DA
TA) to A for program a, program b
Set B for program C, set C for program d, and D for program d.

As a result, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, the data flag (DATA) in the program selection area 117 is read in step 211, and if DATA is A (step 212), program a is selected (step 21).
3) If DATA is B (step 214), program b is selected (step 215), if DATA is c (step 216), program C is selected (step 217), and if DATA is D, program d is selected. (step 218).

This embodiment also has the same effect as the previous embodiment, that is, a control program a necessary for controlling various types of copying machines A, B, C, and D.
ROM116 storing +b+C+d
It is possible to standardize the ROM into one type, thereby reducing the number of products, increasing the number of products, and reducing costs.In addition, the ROM has the effect of preventing incorrect installation of inappropriate ROM during assembly work. Further, according to this embodiment, data for program selection as well as D/A
Conversion data 119, adjustment value data 121. Since the display data 123 and count data 125 are stored in the nonvolatile memory 115 outside the microcomputer 99, the capacity of the ROMI 16 can be reduced.

FIG. 11 shows a configuration block diagram showing still another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, analog input port A of a microcomputer 99 is used. Control programs a, b, c, and d are selected depending on the voltage level input to the control program. Here, the configuration is such that a voltage of 5V is divided by voltage dividing resistors R2 and R3 and input to the analog port A0. As shown in Figure m12, this human power voltage E is applied to the control programs a, b, c, and d required for copying machines A, B, C, and D, respectively, for example, up to 1■, exceeding IV to 2■ Determine the resistance values of the voltage dividing resistors R2 and Rs for each copying machine A, B, C, and D so that there are four types of values: 2V to 3V, and 3V to 4V. do.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of control program selection in this embodiment, for example analog port A. If the input voltage E of is set to 2.5v, step 221
If the answer is No, the answer will be NO in step 222, and step 2
In step 23, the answer is YES, and in step 224, program C is selected. If the input voltage of the analog port Ao is, for example, 0°5, the answer is YES in step 221, and program a is selected in step 225.

Also, analog port A. For example, the input voltage of
If so, step 222 becomes YES and step 2
26 selects program b, and analog port A
. For example, if the input terminal of
0, and program d is selected in step 227.

This embodiment also has the same effect as the previous embodiments, that is, only one type of ROM10I stores control programs a, b, c, and d necessary for controlling various types of copying machines A, B, C, and D. It can be standardized to reduce the number of products, increase in quantity, and reduce costs, and has the effect of preventing incorrect installation of ROMs during assembly work.

Although not shown, the ROMI 01.116 in each of the above embodiments is a built-in ROMI of the microcomputer 99.
There is no problem in configuring it with external memory instead of OM.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, one storage means can be used in common for a plurality of image forming apparatuses of different types, so that the storage means used for these plurality of image forming apparatuses can be unified. This makes it possible to reduce the number of products. This makes it possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the storage means and the image forming apparatus, and also prevent problems such as incorrect attachment of other types of storage means during assembly.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1, 8, and 11 are block diagrams of each embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an overall view of the copying machine. 4 is a plan view of the operation panel of the copying machine, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the memory, FIG. 6 is a truth table for the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the nonvolatile memory in the embodiment of FIG. 8, FIG. 10 is a program selection flowchart of the embodiment of FIG. 8, and FIG.
The program selection table of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 is a program selection flowchart of the embodiment of FIG. 11. 17... Photoreceptor (image carrier) 99... Microcomputer 101.116... ROM (storage means) D... Original P... Paper

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image corresponding to a document on an image carrier according to a control program stored in a storage means, a plurality of image forming apparatuses of mutually different types are stored in the storage means. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of control programs corresponding to a plurality of control programs; a switching means capable of switching between the respective control programs; and an instruction means for instructing a switching operation of the switching means. (2) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein common portions of the control programs of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are excluded from switching targets of the switching means and shared.