JPH05107852A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a convenient image forming device with sufficient time for an operator to confirm the finished state of a copy during copying process of a multiple number of pieces. CONSTITUTION:When finishing process for a first piece of a copying sheet is ended starting of copying operation is stopped until a copying start key is turned ON. Here, the first piece of the copied sheet is checked by the operator. If a processing mode is changed when the copying start key is turned ON, a processing change flag is set to '1', and the copying process is started again with the former placed number (number of copies).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and more particularly, a sheet processing unit for performing sheet processing such as binding a sheet discharged from the apparatus main body with a stapler or punching with a punch. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the field of copying machines, in response to automation and diversification of sheet handling, copied sheets are stacked on a processing tray, and staple processing, punching processing, stamp processing, and paste processing are performed. Various sheet processing units for performing the above are provided.

However, in a copying machine equipped with this type of sheet processing unit, when a plurality of copies are continuously made for one original, the operator is in the middle of finishing the copy (images). If you are dissatisfied with the density or the form of sheet processing), after forcibly stopping the copying operation, changing the operation mode of the copying machine (for example, image density) and performing the operation to restore the number of copies However, it was necessary to restart the copying operation, which was extremely complicated.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, the object of the present invention is to
An object of the present invention is to provide a user-friendly image forming apparatus having a margin to allow the operator to confirm the finished state of image formation during the image forming process of a plurality of copies. In order to achieve the above object, the copying apparatus according to the present invention temporarily stops the image forming operation when the image forming / processing processing for the first copy is completed when the image forming processing for a plurality of copies is set. When the operation mode of the forming apparatus is changed, the image forming operation is restarted while maintaining the original set value as the number of image forming copies based on the input of the start signal of the image forming operation.

That is, in the present invention, when the image forming process for a plurality of sets is started, an image is formed on the sheet of the first set and the selected processing process (eg, stapling process or punching process) is completed. , Temporarily stop the image forming operation. Here, the operator checks the finish state of the finished first sheet. If the finished state is not satisfactory, the operator changes the operation mode of the image forming apparatus (for example, image density, sheet size in some cases, sheet processing mode) and inputs a start signal. Here, the image forming operation is restarted while the original number of image forming copies is automatically maintained.

On the other hand, if the finished state is satisfactory, the operator may simply input the start signal. Thus, the image forming operation for the remaining number of copies is restarted.

[0007]

Embodiments of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiment, the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic copying machine, and the copying machine main body is provided with an optional circulating automatic document feeder and a finisher unit capable of stapling and punching. [First Embodiment, See FIGS. 1 to 23] First, an outline of a copying apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

The copying machine body 1 has an optical system 3, a charging charger 4, a developing device 5, a transfer charger 6, a sheet separating charger 7, and a residual toner cleaner centering on a photosensitive drum 2 which can be driven to rotate in the direction of arrow a. 8. An eraser lamp 9 for residual charge is provided. Since these image forming elements and the copying process are well known, the description thereof will be omitted.

The sheets are contained in the automatic paper feeding cassettes 10 and 11, and are selectively fed one by one from any one of the cassettes 10 and 11, and are formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 by the timing roller 15. The toner image is conveyed to the transfer portion in synchronization with the toner image. After the transfer, the sheet is sent to the fixing device 17 via the conveyance belt 16 to fix the toner, and is passed to the finisher unit 50 via the conveyance roller 18 and the discharge roller 19. Discharge roller 19
A sensor SE1 is installed immediately before, and detects a sheet that is being discharged.

A sheet reversing mechanism 20 is installed in the copying machine main body 1. The sheet reversing mechanism 20 includes a sheet passing direction switching claw 21, a reversing roller 22, a sheet detection sensor SE2, and a sheet guide plate (not shown). The switching claw 21 is normally set at a position slightly rotated in the direction of arrow b from the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, and guides the sheet to the conveyance roller 18 by its upper surface (face-up sheet ejection). On the other hand, when the reverse mode is selected, the switching claw 21 is set to the solid line position in FIG. At this time, the sheet is guided downward by the left side surface of the switching claw 21, and the reversing roller 2
It is conveyed downward by the forward rotation of 2. When the rear end of the sheet is detected by the sensor SE2, the reversing roller 22 rotates in the reverse direction, and the sheet is sent back upward. Here, the sheet is guided by the right side surface of the switching claw 21 while being guided by the transport roller 1.
8 is conveyed to the finisher unit 50 from the ejection roller 19 (face-down ejection).

A circulating automatic document feeder 30 (hereinafter referred to as RD
H) denotes a document tray 31, a paper feed roller 32, a conveyance belt 33, conveyance rollers 34 and 35, a discharge roller 36,
It is composed of a circulation tray 37 and a re-feeding roller 38. The originals are set on the original tray 31 with the single-sided original turned upside down, fed one by one from the last page by the paper feed roller 32, and conveyed and stopped by the conveyor belt 33 to a predetermined position on the original table glass 29. It When the scanning of the original image by the optical system 3 is completed, the original is conveyed to the left from the original table glass 29 based on the rotation of the conveying roller 33, passes through the conveying rollers 34 and 35, and then the discharging roller 36 to the circulation tray 37. Stacked on. In this way, a group of documents is transferred from the document tray 31 to the circulation tray 37.
Moved up.

When the staple mode and / or the punch mode, which will be described below, is selected as the finish mode in the finisher unit 50, a group of originals is fed from the original tray 31 as described above during the copying operation of the first copy. Papers are stacked on the circulation tray 37 each time one image scan is completed. During the copying operation for the second and subsequent copies, the originals are re-fed one by one on the original table glass 29 from the last page located in the lowermost layer by the re-feeding roller 38. That is, the number of copies (hereinafter referred to as the number of copies)
When "5" is set, the original document circulates between the tray 37 and the original platen glass 29 four times when copying the second to fifth copies.

By the way, in the RDH 30 of this type, an original document to be fed on the circulation tray 37 is distinguished from an original document returned after the image scanning, and the final original document (first page) is fed. Sensor SE6 to detect paper
And a recycling lever 41 are installed. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the recycle lever 41 has a cover 43.
Is rotatably attached to the pin 42 as a fulcrum. The cover 43 is installed so as to be capable of reciprocating in a groove portion 37a formed on one side of the circulation tray 37, and is reciprocally moved by a drive lever 44 protruding from below.

When a document is fed from the document tray 31, the cover 43 and the recycle lever 41 are shown in FIG.
The recycle lever 41 waits at the position shown in (1), and the tip end of the recycle lever 41 has fallen into the groove 37 a of the circulation tray 37 due to its own weight.
In this state, the document D that has been image-scanned is the circulation tray 3
7 is loaded on top. When all the documents D are stacked on the circulation tray 37, the drive lever 44 moves in the direction of arrow e,
Along with this, the recycle lever 41 rotates upward, and the cover 43 moves in the direction of arrow e to a position near one side of the document D [see FIG. 2 (b)]. Here, when the drive lever 44 moves in the groove 43a of the cover 43 in the direction opposite to the arrow e, the recycling lever 4 of the drive lever 44 is moved.
The contact with the rear end portion of 1 is released. As a result, the recycle lever 41 rotates downward, and the leading end contacts the original D [see FIG. 2 (c)].

In this state, the original D is re-fed in order from the original of the last page located in the lowermost layer. Document D ₂ having been subjected to scanning, circulation tray 37 on at the non-paper feeding original D ₁
It is loaded with the recycle lever 41 in between [Fig. 3
See (d)]. Then, when the final document (first page) is fed, the recycle lever 41 falls into the groove portion 37a of the circulation tray 37 [see FIG. 3 (e)]. After that, the drive lever 44 moves in the direction opposite to the arrow e, and the cover 43 and the recycle lever 41 also move accordingly.
It returns to the state shown in (a). Further, when the drive lever 44 moves to the position shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the tip of the recycle lever 41 comes into contact with the document D.

The recycle sensor SE6 shown in FIG.
The rear end of the recycle lever 41 is shown in FIGS.
In the state shown in (e), an off signal is output, and it is detected by this off signal that the document D has been circulated.
Further, the RDH 30 has a sensor S for detecting a document.
In addition to E6, sensors SE3, SE4 and SE5 are installed. The sensor SE3 detects the presence / absence of a document on the document tray 31, the sensor SE4 detects a document fed to count the number of documents, and the sensor SE5 detects a document discharged to the circulation tray 37.

Here, one cycle of the image copying process is performed while all the originals set on the original tray 31 or all the originals set on the circulation tray 37 are returned to the tray 37 by one cycle. Defined as copy processing. next,
The configuration and operation of the finisher unit 50 will be described. The finisher unit 50 includes the receiving roller 5
1, a sheet passing direction switching claw 52, a conveying roller 53, a discharge roller 54, a lifting / shifting tray 55, a containing roller 56, an alignment tray 57, a stapler 60, a punch 61, a take-out roller 65, a discharge roller 66, and a stacker 67. Has been done.

In the non-staple mode, the switching claw 52 is set to a position slightly rotated in the direction of arrow c from the solid line position in FIG. 1, and guides the sheet discharged from the copying machine main body by its upper surface. The sheet is the conveyance roller 53
Through the discharge rollers 54, the sheets are stacked and housed on the up / down / shift tray 55. The tray 55 can be lowered stepwise according to the stacking amount of sheets, and can be reciprocally moved in the horizontal direction. After the completion of one cycle of the copying process, the tray 55 is moved by a fixed amount in the horizontal direction, and the first group is moved. Sort the copy sheets of.

On the other hand, when the staple mode and / or the punch mode is selected, the switching claw 52 is set to the solid line position in FIG. At this time, the sheets are guided downward by the left side surface of the switching claw 52, and are stacked and stored from the storage roller 56 onto the alignment tray 57. The stapler 60 has a well-known mechanism for automatically binding a sheet bundle with staples. The punch 61 has a known mechanism for punching the sheet bundle at a predetermined position with a punch rod. The punch 61 has a two-hole specification and a three-hole specification, and one of them is incorporated in the finisher unit 50.

The alignment tray 57 is composed of a base plate 57a and an alignment plate 57b, and the alignment plate 57b is rotatable about a support shaft 57c as a fulcrum between a solid line position and a one-dot chain line position in FIG. The aligning plate 57b is normally set to the position indicated by the solid line, and in this state, the sheets are accommodated, aligned, stapled or / and
And punching is performed. When the necessary processing is completed, the aligning plate 57b is rotated to the position indicated by the alternate long and short dash line, and the processed sheet bundle is slid from the aligning tray 57 by its own weight, and is stacked and stored in the stacker 67 from the take-out roller 65 through the discharge roller 66. The sensor SE7 is provided just before the discharge roller 66.
Is installed and detects the bundle of sheets being discharged.

Next, the operation panel will be described. The operation panel includes a main body operation panel 70 (see FIG. 4) provided in the copying machine main body 1 and a finisher operation panel 90 (see FIG. 5) provided in the finisher unit 50. The following keys and built-in switches are installed on the main body operation panel 70.

Copy start key 71: Starts the copy operation. Interrupt key 72: Temporarily suspends the multi-copy operation. Clear / stop key 73: Stops the copy operation, cancels the number of copies, and the operation mode. Numeric keypad 74: Sets a numeral. It corresponds to the numbers 1 to 9 and 0.

Display unit 75: Displays the set number of copies and the state of the copying machine. Density up key 76, density down key 77: Sets the image density. Display LED 78: Displays the image density set by the keys 76 and 77. Paper selection key 81: Selects the sheet size to be copied. Display LED 82: Displays the sheet size selected by the key 81.

Magnification selection key 83: Selects a preset copy magnification. Display LED 84: Displays the copy magnification selected by the key 83. On the other hand, the finisher operation panel 90 has a finish mode selection key 91 and a non-staple mode display LE.
A D92, a staple mode display LED 93, a staple / punch mode display LED 94, and a punch mode display LED 95 are provided. When the power is turned on, the LED 92 is turned on and the non-staple mode is initialized, and each time the mode selection key 91 is turned on, the staple mode, the staple / punch mode, the punch mode, and the non-staple mode are switched in this order. ,
The corresponding LEDs 93, 94, 95, 92 are sequentially turned on. Note that the staple / punch mode refers to a case where the staple mode and the punch mode are simultaneously selected.

FIG. 6 shows the control circuit of the copying apparatus of the first embodiment. This control circuit is a CPU that controls the main body 1 of the copying machine.
101, a CPU 102 that controls the RDH 30, a CPU 103 that controls the finisher unit 50, and an optical system 3.
And a CPU (not shown) that controls the
1 can communicate necessary signals with other CPUs.

Image forming elements such as the charging charger 4, the transfer charger 6 and various LEDs and keys on the operation panel 70 are connected to the input / output port of the CPU 101, and detection signals from the sensors SE1 and SE2 are input. .. C
The PU 102 includes a paper feed motor, a conveyance motor, a recycle lever drive motor, and LEDs 92 to 9 on the operation panel 90.
5, the key 91 is connected, and the detection signals from the sensors SE3 to SE6 are input. The CPU 103 is connected to a conveyance motor, a stapler drive motor, a punch drive motor, a shift tray lifting motor, a shift motor, etc., and a detection signal from the sensor SE7 is input.

Next, the control procedure of the copying apparatus by the control circuit will be described in detail. By the way, in the following description, the on-edge means that the switch, the sensor, the signal, etc. are switched from the off state to the on state, and the off-edge is the switch, the sensor, the signal, etc. are switched from the on state to the off state. means. In addition, contact sensor SE
1 to SE5 and SE7 are turned on when detecting a document or a sheet, and a recycle sensor SE which is a non-contact photo sensor.
6 is turned off when the optical axis is blocked at the rear end of the recycle lever 41.

FIG. 7 shows a CPU 10 for controlling the main body 1 of the copying machine.
The main routine of No. 1 is shown. Power is turned on, CPU1
When the 01 program starts, first, step S
In step 1, the RAM is cleared, various registers are initialized, and various devices are initialized to set the initial mode. Next, in step S2, the internal timer is started. The internal timer determines the time required for one routine in this main routine, and its value is set in advance in step S1.

Next, the subroutines of steps S3 to S8 are sequentially called, and in step S9, the end of the internal timer is awaited and the process returns to step S2. In step S3, a copy mode and a finish mode are set. In step S4, the number of copies (the number of copies) is set. In step S5, the permissible number of sheets is set according to the selected finish mode. In step S6, communication with another CPU is performed. In step S7, it is determined whether or not the sheet should be fed, and the sheet feeding operation is processed. In step S8, copy processing is performed in the copying machine main body 1.

Each of the above subroutines will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 shows a mode setting subroutine executed in step S3. First, in step S301, it is determined whether the copy flag is "0". The copy flag is set to "1" when the copy start key 71 is turned on (see step S704), and is set to "0" when the finish processing for the first copy sheet is completed and when the finish processing in the final copy cycle is completed. Is reset (steps S603, S71
7). If the copy flag is set to "1", this subroutine is immediately terminated, and when it is reset to "0", the following processing is executed.

That is, in step S302, it is determined whether or not the finish mode selection key 91 is on edge. Determine whether or not. In the initial setting, the non-staple flag is set to "1" and the other flags are reset to "0". Therefore, if the non-staple flag is set to "1" when the mode selection key 91 is turned on, step S
In step 304, the staple flag is set to "1" and the non-staple flag is reset to "0". If the staple flag is set to "1", the staple / punch flag is set to "1" and the staple flag is reset to "0" in step S306. If the staple / punch flag is set to "1", step S30
At 8, the punch flag is set to "1" and the staple / punch flag is reset to "0". Further, if the punch flag is set to "1", the non-staple flag is set to "1" and the punch flag is reset to "0" in step S309.

Next, in step S310, the sheet size is selected and the image density is set, and the process returns to the main routine. FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show a subroutine for setting a numerical value executed in step S4. First, in step S401, it is determined whether or not the copy flag is "0". If the copy flag is reset to "0", that is, if the copy process and the finish process are not in progress, the numeric keypad 74 is used to input the number in step S402. It is determined whether or not. If it is input, the numbers are stored in the counters P and Q in step S403. The counter Q indicates the input copy number, and the counter P indicates the remaining copy number.

Next, in step S404, it is determined whether the one-cycle end flag is "1". The 1-cycle end flag is set to "1" when the final document (first page) is fed from the tray 31 or 37 (step S1706).
When the finish process for the sheet of one cycle is completed, it is reset to "0" (step S6).
04). If this flag is set to "1", it is determined in step S405 whether the numerical values of the counters P and Q are equal. If they are equal, it means that the copy process of the first copy is finished at present, so the copy process is temporarily stopped. At this time, the operator will judge the quality of the copy image or the suitability of the finish process. If the copy image is satisfactory and the selection of the finish processing is appropriate, by turning on the copy start key 71,
The copy processing is restarted the number of times (remaining number of copies) corresponding to the number of remaining copies. At this time, if the copy image is not satisfactory or the finish processing is not properly selected, the operator operates the density up key 76, the down key 77, etc. to change the copy processing mode, and then the copy start key. Turn on 71. When the copy processing mode is changed in this way, the copy processing is restarted the number of times set initially.

That is, it is determined in step S406 whether the process change flag is "0". The process change flag is set to "1" when the change of the copy process mode is confirmed when the copy start key 71 is turned on after the completion of the copy process of the first copy and the finish process (see step S417). Therefore, if the process change flag is reset to "0", the first copy end flag is set to "1" in step S407, and it is determined in step S408 whether the copy start key 71 is on edge or not. If not, this subroutine ends. If the key 71 is on edge, the first copy end flag is reset to "0" in step S409, and it is determined in step S410 whether the copy processing mode has been changed. If the processing mode has not been changed, the operator has determined that the copy process and finish process for the first copy should be satisfied, so the counter P is decremented by "1" in step S412, and the remaining number is displayed. Succeedingly, in a step S413, it is determined whether or not the numerical value of the counter P is "0", and if it is "0", a final recycle flag is set to "1" in a step S414, and a counter Q is "0" in a step S415. Reset to.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S410 that the copy processing mode has been changed, in this case, the processing change flag is set to "1" in step S417 without subtracting the counter P, and the process returns to the main routine. Therefore,
The copy cycle of the first copy is started with the original number as it is,
At the end of this copy cycle, NO is determined in step S406, and the process change flag is set to "0" in step S411.
After resetting to, the counter P is decremented in step S412. Therefore, when the copy processing mode is changed,
For example, if the copy density of the first copy is insufficient and the copy density is set high again, the copy processing of the number of copies corresponding to the original copy number is performed again. In this case, the copy process is not stopped even after the process of the first copy is completed.

The 1-cycle end flag is reset to "0" when the finishing process is completed for one copy (see step S604). In this case, NO is determined in step S404, and 1 is determined in step S416.
Check the copy end flag, and this flag is already "1"
Since it is set to, the process waits for the copy start key 71 to be turned on in step S408.

11 and 12 show a subroutine for setting the allowable number of sheets, which is executed in step S5. Here, the finish mode currently selected in steps S501, S503, and S507 is determined, and the allowable number of sheets is set accordingly. In step S501, it is determined whether the staple flag is "1", and if YES, step S50
In step 2, the allowable number x of staple processing is stored as the allowable number X.

In step S503, it is determined whether the punch flag is "1", and if YES, step S5
In 04, it is determined whether or not it is a 2-hole specification. The punch 61 has a two-hole specification and a three-hole specification, and one of them is set in the finisher unit 50. Thus, memory to y ₁ is the allowable number acceptable number if 2 holes specification in step S505. On the other hand, in the case of the 3-hole specification, the allowable number y ₂ is stored as the allowable number Y in step S506.

In step S507, staple /
Punch flag determines whether "1", then the memory the permissible number x of the staple processing is performed in step S508 if YES as X, the allowable number y ₁ or y ₂ in punching process in step S510 or S511 as Y To memory. Subsequently, in step S512, the allowable number of sheets X and Y are compared, and if Y is smaller than X, in step S523, the alignment tray 57
Y is stored as the allowable number of sheets. On the other hand, if X is equal to or smaller than Y, X is stored as the allowable number of sheets of the alignment tray 57 in step S517. That is, when X and Y are different, a smaller value is set as the allowable number of sheets in the staple / punch mode.

The permissible numbers x, y ₁ and y ₂ in each finish mode are stored in the ROM of the CPU 101. Next, in step S514 or S518, it is determined whether the capacity over flag is "1". The capacity over flag is set to "1" when the number of fed documents reaches the allowable number Y or X when counting the number of documents in the RDH 30 (see step S1405). Therefore, the allowable number of sheets Y or X stored in the memory is the number of fed originals.
Is reached in step S514 or S518, the routine ends. On the other hand, when the allowable number of sheets is reached, YES is determined in step S514 or S518, and when the allowable number of punch processing is smaller,
In step S515, the staple flag is set to "1", the staple / punch flag is reset to "0", and the capacity over flag is reset to "0". Further, in step S516, the document number counter N
The value of (see step S1402) is reset to "0". If the allowable number of sheets for stapling is smaller, the punch flag is set to "1" and the staple / punch flag is reset to "0" and the capacity over flag is reset to "0" in step S519. To do. Further, in step S520, the value of the document number counter N is reset to "0".

In the above control, when the staple mode and the punch mode are selected at the same time, the allowable number of sheets is set to a smaller allowable number in either mode, and the number of sheets accommodated in the alignment tray 57 becomes the allowable number. When it reaches the limit, it automatically switches to the finish mode with the larger allowable number. After that, the allowable number of sheets is reset to the allowable number of sheets in the switched finish mode (see steps S502, S505, S506).

FIG. 13 shows another C executed in step S6.
The subroutine of communication with PU is shown. First, step S
At 601, it is determined whether the finish completion flag is "1". The finish completion flag is "1" when one sheet bundle having the finish processing is discharged to the stacker 67.
Is set (see step S2803). If the finish completion flag is reset to "0", the copy flag is reset to "0" in step S603 after confirming that the first copy end flag is set to "1" in step S602.

Next, in step S604, the 1-cycle end flag, the capacity over flag, the finish completion flag, and the final recycle flag are reset to "0". In step S605, other communication is processed. Figure 1
4 and 15 show a paper feed determination subroutine executed in step S7.

Here, first, in step S701, it is determined whether the paper feed prohibition flag is "0". The paper feed prohibition flag is set to "1" when the number of fed originals reaches the allowable number X or Y (see step S711). Therefore, if the paper feed prohibition flag is set to "1", it is determined in step S705 whether the capacity over flag is "0", and if it is set to "1", the process proceeds to step S713. If the paper feed prohibition flag is reset to "0", it is determined in step S702 whether the copy flag is "0". If the copy flag is reset to "0", that is, if neither the copy process nor the finish process is in progress, it is determined in step S703 whether the copy start key 71 is on edge. If it is determined NO in step S702 or S703, that is, if the copy process or the finish process is in progress, or if the copy start key 71 is not turned on otherwise, step S70.
Move to 7.

Next, when the on-edge of the copy start key 71 is confirmed in step S703, step S70
In step 4, the copy flag is set to "1", and step S70
At 8, it is determined whether the count flag is "1". The count flag is set to "1" when the leading edge of the fed document is detected by the sensor SE4 (see step S1403), and is reset to "0" when the trailing edge of the document is detected by the sensor SE4. (See step S1407).
If the count flag is set to "1", the capacity over flag is checked in step S709, and if it is reset to "0", the sheet feeding operation is started in step S712. If the capacity over flag is set to "1", the sheet feeding operation is started in step S710, and the sheet feeding prohibition flag is set to "1" in step S711.

That is, when the number of fed originals reaches the allowable number, the copy process for the originals is performed and the subsequent feeding of sheets is prohibited. On the other hand, if the capacity over flag is reset to "0" even after the paper feed prohibition flag is set to "1" (Y in step S705).
ES), and reset the paper feed prohibition flag to "0" in step S706. After that, in step S707, it is confirmed that the paper feed drive is turned on, and the process proceeds to step S713.

Next, in step S713, it is determined whether or not the count flag is "0", and if it is reset to "0", the paper feed drive is stopped in step S714. Then, in step S715, the final recycle flag is "1".
Or not. If it is set to "1", that is, if the copy process corresponding to the last number is in progress (see step S414), after confirming that the finish completion flag is set to "1" in step S716. ,
In step S717, the copy flag and the final recycle flag are reset to "0".

FIG. 16 illustrates the copy processing subroutine executed in step S8. Here, step S
In step 801, it is determined whether the copy flag is "1", and only when the flag is set to "1", step S80
In step 2, the copy process is executed. Copying process is performed by the copier body 1
This is a series of image forming / sheet conveying steps performed in the inside, and the details thereof are omitted because it is a well-known control.

FIG. 17 shows a CPU 10 for controlling the RDH 30.
2 shows the main routine of FIG. Power is turned on, CPU1
When the 02 program starts, first, step S
At 11, the RAM is cleared, various registers are initialized, and various devices are initialized to set the initial mode. Next, in step S12, the internal timer is started. The internal timer determines the time required for one routine in this main routine, and its value is set in advance in step S11.

Next, the subroutines of steps S13 to S17 are sequentially called, and in step S18, the end of the internal timer is awaited and the process returns to step S12. In step S13, the originals are fed one by one from the original tray 31 or the circulation tray 37. In step S14, the number of fed documents is counted. In step S15, the fed document is set at a predetermined position on the platen glass 29. In step S16, the document is placed on the platen glass 29 from the circulation tray 3
Discharge up to 7. In step S17, the recycle lever 41 is set for sorting the originals and detecting the feeding of the final original. Each of the above subroutines will be described with reference to FIGS. However, steps S15 and S1
No. 6 has no relevance to the present invention, so its explanation is omitted.

Further, the CPU 10 for controlling the copying machine main body 1
If there is an interrupt request from 1, C will be sent at any time in step S21.
Communicates with the PU 101. FIG. 18 shows a document feeding subroutine executed in step S13. First, in step S1301, it is determined whether the copy start key 71 is on edge, and if it is on edge, step S130.
At 7, the original is fed. Here, in the case of the copy process for the first copy, the document of the last page is fed from the document tray 31. If the copy start key 71 is turned on for the second copy process after the copy process of the first copy is stopped and the copy process is temporarily stopped, the document of the last page is placed on the circulation tray 37. Is fed from.

If the copy start key 71 is not on edge, it is determined in step S1302 whether the scan end flag is "1". The scan end flag is set to "1" when the CPU (not shown) that controls the optical system 3 completes the scanning by the optical system 3 for one document, and the state is set to the CPU 10 via the CPU 101.
Make communication to 2. Therefore, the scan end flag is "0".
If it is reset to 1, the subroutine is ended because scanning is in progress, and if it is set to "1", it is determined whether or not the recycle sensor SE6 is off. The recycle lever SE of the recycle sensor SE6 is shown in FIG.
Alternatively, it is turned off in the state of FIG. That is, if the scan is completed and the recycle sensor SE6 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S1307, and the document is fed from the circulation tray 37.

If the recycle sensor SE6 is off, the final original (first page) has been fed,
If YES is determined in the following steps S1304, S1305, and S1306, the document is fed from the circulation tray 37 in step S1307. That is, it is determined in step S1304 that the first copy end flag has been reset to "0", it is determined in step S1305 that the final recycle flag has been reset to "0", and step S13
When it is determined that the finish completion flag is set to "1" in 06, the document is fed. If the first copy end flag is set (NO in step S1304),
The process returns to the main routine to wait for the copy start key 71 to be turned on. If the final recycle flag is set to "1" (NO in step S1305), the process returns to the main routine because the final copy of the final copy has been fed. If the finish completion flag is reset to "0" (NO in step S1306), the process returns to the main routine to wait for the completion of the finish process and to feed the original document in the next copy cycle.

FIG. 19 shows an original count subroutine executed in step S14. Here, first, in step S1401, it is determined whether the sensor SE4 is on edge. If it is on-edge, that is, if the leading edge of the fed document is detected by the sensor SE4, step S140.
The counter N is incremented by 2 and step S140
At 3, the count flag is set to "1". Subsequently, in step S1404, it is determined whether or not the value of the counter N is equal to the permissible number in the finish mode set at that time. If the permissible number is not reached, the process returns to the main routine. If the allowable number is reached, the capacity over flag is set to "1" in step S1405.

On the other hand, if the sensor SE4 is not on edge, it is determined at step S1406 whether or not the sensor SE4 is off edge. If it is not off edge, the process returns to the main routine. If it is off edge, that is, when the trailing edge of the document is detected by the sensor SE4, the count flag is reset to "0" at step S1407. FIG. 20 shows step S
17 shows a recycle lever set subroutine executed in 17.

First, when it is confirmed in step S1701 that the copy start key 71 is on edge, it is determined in step S1702 whether the sensor SE3 is off.
If the sensor SE3 is off, all the documents are fed from the document tray 31 and stored on the circulation tray 37, and therefore the recycle lever 41 is set in step S1703. That is, the tip of the recycle lever 41 is brought into contact with the document.

Next, in steps S1704 and S1705, it is determined whether the sensors SE2 and SE6 are off. If both are off, the 1-cycle copy process has been completed, so the 1-cycle end flag is set to "1" in step S1706. Then, step S170
7, it is determined whether the finish completion flag is "1", the final recycling flag is "0" in step S1708, and the first copy end flag is "0" in step S1709. If all are YES, that is, if the finish processing for one copy sheet is completed, the copy processing for the number of copies still remains, and if the copy processing for the first copy is not finished, recycling is performed in step S1710. Lever 4
Set 1 on the original.

FIG. 21 shows the main routine of the CPU 103 for controlling the finisher unit 50. When the power is turned on and the program of the CPU 103 starts, first, in step 21, RAM is cleared, various registers are initialized, and various devices are initialized to set the initial mode. Next, in step S22, the internal timer is started. The internal timer is 1 in this main routine.
It determines the time required for the routine, and its value is set in advance in step S21.

Next, the subroutines of steps S23 to S28 are sequentially called, and in step S29, the end of the internal timer is awaited and the process returns to step S22. In step S23, in order to store the sheet discharged from the copying machine main body 1 in the finisher unit 50, the sheet conveying system is driven. In step S24, the number of sheets sent to the finisher unit 50 is counted. Step S2
In No. 5, sheets are accommodated in the up / down / shift tray 55 in the non-staple mode, and at the same time, the up / down and shift operations of the tray 55 are processed. In step S26, first, the sheets are aligned in the tray 5 in the staple mode and / or the punch mode.
Store in 7 and align one by one. In step S27, the finish process is performed in the finish mode set for the sheets on the alignment tray 57. In step S28, the sheet bundle is discharged from the alignment tray 57 and is stored in the stacker 67.

Step S2 of the above subroutines
7, S28 will be described with reference to FIGS. Since other subroutines are not related to the present invention, their explanations are omitted. FIG. 22 shows the step S27.
Shows a subroutine of finish processing executed in.

Here, first, in step S2701, it is determined whether the matching completion flag is "1". The alignment completion flag is set to "1" when the alignment of the sheets is completed in the sheet alignment process executed in step S26 of the main routine. Therefore, when the matching flag is reset to "0", the process immediately returns to the main routine. If the matching flag is set to "1", step S270
At 2, it is determined whether the capacity over flag is "1". If the capacity over flag is reset to "0", it is determined in step S2704 whether the punch flag is "1" and in step S2706 whether the staple flag is "1". If the punch mode is currently set (YES in step S2704), punch processing is performed on the sheet on the alignment tray 57 in step S2705. If the staple mode is installed (step S
If YES in step 2706), the staple process is performed on the sheet in step S2707. Alternatively, staple /
If the punch mode is set (step S270)
4, NO in S2706), and staple processing and punching processing are performed on the sheet in step S2708.

On the other hand, even if the capacity over flag is set to "1", if the punch mode is set (YES in steps S2702 and S2703), step S
At 2705, punching processing is performed on the sheet. Figure 23
Shows a sheet discharge subroutine executed in step S28. First, the sheet bundle finished in step S2801 is discharged downward from the alignment tray 57. Here, the sheet bundle is stored in the stacker 67. If it is determined in step S2802 that the sensor SE7 is off-edge during the storage, that is, if the rear end of the sheet bundle stored in the stacker 67 is detected by the sensor SE7, the finish completion flag is set to "1" in step S2803. To do. [Second Embodiment, see FIGS. 24 to 28] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 24 to 28.
In the second embodiment, the copying machine main body 1, the RDH 30 and the finisher unit 50 shown in FIG. 1 are used as a copying machine, and the original number counting process and the allowable sheet number setting process at the finish process are performed in the first embodiment. Different from the example.

That is, in the first embodiment, the number of originals is counted in parallel with the copy processing at the time of the copy processing of the first copy, but in the second embodiment, the originals are copied without performing the copy processing. 1 from 31 to circulation tray 37
The number of originals is counted and the operator is warned if the number of originals exceeds the allowable number. Specifically, first, when the staple mode or the punch mode is selected, if the number of documents is equal to or less than the allowable number in the staple mode or the punch mode, the copy process and the finish process are performed. If the number of originals is larger than the permissible number, a warning indicating that the staple mode or punch mode cannot be processed is displayed.

When the staple / punch mode is selected, in this case, the allowable number of sheets is set to the smaller allowable number of the modes, and if the number of originals is less than the allowable number of sheets, the copy process and the finish process are performed. Transition. If the number of originals is larger than the allowable number, the larger one of the staple mode and the punch mode is compared with the number of originals. If the number of originals is less than the allowable number, the finish corresponding to the larger allowable number Display a warning that processing is possible. If the number of originals is larger than the allowable number, a warning that the finish processing is impossible in any mode is displayed.

Tables 1 and 2 show the control of the number of documents and the permission / prohibition of processing for each finish mode. Table 1 shows the case where the allowable number of sheets in the staple mode is larger than that in the punch mode, and Table 2 shows the opposite case.

[0066]

[Table 1]

[0067]

[Table 2]

The control means is basically as shown in FIGS.
3 is executed according to the flow chart shown in FIG.
In the control of U101, the subroutine for setting the allowable number of sheets is replaced by the subroutine of step S5 'shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, and in the control of the CPU 102, it is replaced by the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

24 and 25 show a subroutine of step S5 'which is replaced by the allowable number setting subroutine (step S5) shown in FIGS. This subroutine is based on the premise that the RDH 30 counts the number of documents as a preprocessing of the copy processing.
The steps denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 12 perform the same processing.

Here, the allowable number of sheets is set based on the finish mode selected by the operator at the start of the copying process (steps S501 to S51).
1). When the staple / punch mode is selected, the smaller allowable number is set as in the first embodiment. When the staple mode or the punch mode is selected (YES in step S501 or S503)
S), the capacity over flag is "1" in step S521.
If it is reset to "0", the process returns to the main routine, and if it is set to "1", a warning is displayed in step S522. The warning display here causes the LED 92 or 93 shown in FIG. 5 to blink.

On the other hand, when the staple / punch mode is selected (YES in step S507), step S5
14 or S518, when it is determined that the capacity over flag is set to “1”, if there are more allowable technologies in the staple mode (YES in step S512).
S) In step S531, the number N of originals is compared with the allowable number X in the staple mode. If N> X, a warning is displayed in step S539, and the value of the original number counter N is set to "0" in step S540. Reset. The warning display in step S539 is the LED 94 shown in FIG.
Blink. If N ≦ X, in step S532 it is displayed that the staple mode alone can be processed (for example, the LED 94 blinks quickly and the LED 92 blinks slowly), and the paper feed prohibition flag is set to “1” in step S533. ”. Further, in step S534, the value of the document number counter N is reset to "0". If the allowable number of sheets in the punch mode is larger (step S5
If NO in step S535, the number N of originals is compared with the allowable number Y in the punch mode in step S535. If N> Y, the warning display and the counter N in steps S539 and S540.
Reset. If N ≦ Y, step S536
Indicates that processing in the punch mode alone is possible (for example, LED94 blinks rapidly and LED93 blinks slowly), and the paper feed prohibition flag is set to "1" in step S537. Further, step S538
The document number counter N is reset to "0".

FIG. 26 shows the CPU 10 which controls the RDH 30.
2 shows the main routine of FIG. In this main routine, steps S12, S15, S16, S17, S18, S2
1 is the same as the control procedure shown in the first embodiment, the original count subroutine in step S14 is replaced with the subroutine of step S14 'shown in FIG. 27, and the original feed subroutine in step S13 is executed. Is omitted, and a subroutine for feeding the second document is newly inserted as step S19.

FIG. 27 shows the original count subroutine executed in step S14 '. First, step S1
If the copy flag is "1" in 431, step S14
At 32, it is determined whether the sensor SE3 is on. If the copy start key 71 is not turned on or the document is not placed on the document tray 31, this subroutine is immediately ended. Steps S1431 and S14
If YES in 32, that is, if the copy process is in the start state and the document is placed on the document tray 31, the first document is fed in step S1433. In this process, one document is fed from the document tray 31, passed through the document table glass 29, and discharged onto the circulation tray 37. Then, the following processing is performed while the document passes the detection point of SE4.

In step S1434, it is determined whether the sensor SE4 is on edge. If it is on edge, that is,
When the leading edge of the fed document is detected by the sensor SE4,
In step S1435, the counter N is incremented,
In step S1436, the count flag is set to "1". Subsequently, in step S1437, it is determined whether or not the sensor SE3 is off, and if it is on, the process temporarily returns to the main routine to feed the next document. If the sensor SE3 is off, the final original has been fed, so step S143.
In step 8, the value of the counter N is compared with the permissible number of sheets in the finish mode set at that time. If the number of originals exceeds the permissible number, the capacity over flag is set to "1" in step S1439. If the number of documents is equal to or smaller than the allowable number, the second paper feed start flag is set to "1" in step S1440.
Set to. This flag is set to "1" in step S1440 when the number of documents is equal to or smaller than the allowable number, and the process of feeding documents from the circulation tray 37 for copy processing (second document feeding) is started.

On the other hand, if the sensor SE4 is not on edge, it is determined at step S1441 whether or not the sensor SE4 is off edge. If it is not off edge, the process returns to the main routine. If it is off edge, that is, when the trailing edge of the document is detected by the sensor SE4, the count flag is reset to "0" at step S1442. 28. Step S
19 shows a second document feeding subroutine executed in 19.

First, in step S1901, it is determined whether or not the second paper feed start flag is "0". If it is set to "1", the flag is reset to "0" in step S1908, and in step S1909. The second document is fed. In this process, one document is fed from the circulation tray 37. After that, the document is stopped at a predetermined position on the platen glass 29, and after the image is scanned, it is returned to the circulation tray 37 again.

If the second paper feed start flag is reset to "0", it is determined in step S1902 whether or not the copy start key 71 is on-edge. If it is on-edge, the process proceeds to step S1909 described above to copy the original. Paper is fed from the circulation tray 37. If the copy start key is not on edge, that is, when feeding the second and subsequent documents,
If it is determined in step S1903 that the scan end flag is set to "1" and it is determined in step S1904 that the recycle sensor SE6 is on, the process proceeds to step S1909 and the next original on the circulation tray 37 is read. Feed it.

If the recycle sensor SE6 is turned off, Y is returned in steps S1905, S1906, and S1907.
If it is determined to be ES, the document is fed from the circulation tray 37 in step S1909 for the next one-cycle copy process. That is, when the recycle sensor SE6 is off (when the original has completed one cycle), not when the first copy is finished,
The document is fed not after the final recycling but after the finishing process is completed. [Other Embodiments] It should be noted that the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but can be variously modified within the scope of the gist thereof.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the copying machine main body 1 is shown as one using a scanning optical system for manuscript images by visible light, but the manuscript images are read digitally,
The read image information may be exposed on the photoconductor with a laser beam, or the image information transferred from the host computer may be exposed on the photoconductor with a laser beam. The RDH 30 is not necessary for a printer in which image information is transferred from another device.

As the sheet processing processing in the finisher unit, various processing such as paste processing and stamp processing can be adopted in addition to staple processing and punch processing. Further, the finisher unit may have a sorter function of aligning pages of sheets.

[0081]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, when the image forming process for a plurality of sets is set,
When the image forming / processing of the first copy is completed, the image forming operation is temporarily stopped, and when the operation mode of the image forming apparatus is changed, based on the input of the start signal of the image forming operation,
Since the image forming operation is restarted after maintaining the original setting value as the number of image forming copies, the operator can have a margin to confirm the finish of the image forming, and the wasteful image forming process of the second and subsequent copies can be performed. It can be avoided. Moreover, if the operation mode is changed and a start signal is input, the image forming operation is automatically restarted with the original number of copies, and the usability is good.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 to 6 show a copying apparatus which is a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copying apparatus.

FIG. 2 is an operation explanatory view of a recycle lever installed on a circulation tray of RDH.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the recycle lever installed on the circulation tray of the RDH and shows a continuation of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an operation panel on the main body of the copying machine.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an operation panel on the finisher unit.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control circuit. 7 to 23 show the control procedure in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a main routine of a CPU that controls the main body of the copying machine.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a mode setting subroutine executed in step S3.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the first half of a subroutine for setting a numerical value executed in step S4.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the latter half of a subroutine for setting a numerical value executed in step S4.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the first half of a subroutine for setting an allowable number of sheets, which is executed in step S5.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the latter half of the allowable number setting subroutine executed in step S5.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of communication with another CPU executed in step S6.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the first half of the paper feed determination subroutine executed in step S7.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the latter half of the paper feed determination subroutine executed in step S7.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of copy processing executed in step S8.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a main routine of a CPU that controls RDH.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a document feeding subroutine executed in step S13.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a document counting subroutine executed in step S14.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a recycle lever setting subroutine executed in step S17.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the CPU that controls the finisher unit.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of finish processing executed in step S27.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a sheet discharge subroutine executed in step S28. 24 to 28 show the control procedure in the second embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the first half of the allowable number setting subroutine executed in step S5 ′ of the main routine of the CPU controlling the copying machine main body.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing the latter half of the allowable number setting subroutine executed in step S5 ′.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a main routine of a CPU that controls RDH.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a document count subroutine executed in step S14 ′.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a second document feeding subroutine executed in step S19.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Copier main body 30 ... Recycling type automatic document feeder (RDH) 50 ... Finisher unit 57 ... Alignment tray 60 ... Stapler 61 ... Punch 71 ... Copy start key 74 ... Numeric keys 76, 77 ... Density up / down key 91 ... Finish Mode selection keys 101, 102, 103 ... CPU

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification number Office reference number FI technical display location B65H 37/04 D 9037-3F G03G 15/00 114 7369-2H

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus including a processing unit for receiving a sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus main body, stacking the received sheet on a processing tray, and performing a sheet processing process, for starting the image forming apparatus. Input unit, a copy number setting unit for setting the number of image forming copies, a mode setting unit for setting the operation mode of the image forming apparatus, and a first copy when the image forming process with a plurality of copies is set. When the image forming / processing process is finished, the image forming operation is temporarily stopped, and when the operation mode of the image forming apparatus is changed, the original setting value as the number of image forming copies is set based on the input of the start signal from the input means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that restarts the image forming operation while maintaining the above.