JPH0562987B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Technical Field> The present invention relates to a copying machine having an automatic copy start mode that detects that a document has been set and automatically starts copying.

<Prior art and its drawbacks> Conventionally, a copying machine has been proposed that has a function of automatically starting the copying operation by detecting that a document is set by opening or closing the document cover, etc. A special key was required to set the automatic copy start mode.

The operation panel of the copying machine is provided with a key operation section including a number key, a print key, a paper size selection key, a copy magnification selection key, an original size setting key, and other function keys. Such an operation panel improves the functions of the copying machine and increases the number of keys that must be used, but as a result, key operations tend to become complicated.

<Object of the Invention> An object of the invention is to provide a copying machine that can effectively use the automatic copy start function and other copy functions without providing a dedicated key for setting the automatic copy start mode. be.

<Structure and Effects of the Invention> To summarize, the present invention detects the operation of a function key, which is not used when repeatedly performing single copying, in single copy mode, and switches to automatic copy start mode based on the detection. It is characterized in that it can be set.

In other words, the repeat key that is valid in multi-copy mode, that is, the function key that sets the repeat copy mode that repeatedly copies the set number of copies for each document, cannot be operated in any mode other than the multi-copy mode that sets the number of copies. By operating the repeat key in the single copy mode, the automatic copy start mode is set. This automatic copy start mode is maintained even if the multi-copy mode is set by operating the postfix number key. Also,
When repeat copy mode is set, automatic copy start mode is canceled.

According to this invention, the automatic copy start function in single copy mode can be used by also using the repeat key without providing a dedicated key for setting the automatic injection start mode, and the automatic copy start function can also be used in multi copy mode. A start function can be used. Furthermore, since the automatic copy start function is canceled when the repeat copy mode is set, it prevents the next operator from accidentally executing the repeat copy mode with the automatic copy start function when the operator changes. It has the advantage of being able to

<Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a copying machine which is an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes an operation panel, which includes a key operation section consisting of a number key, a print key, a repeat key, a clear key, and other function keys, a display section that displays the contents of the set number, and modes such as repeat mode and automatic copy start mode. It consists of a display section etc. that performs display.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a light emitting element unit, and infrared rays output from this unit pass through the document table 4 and are reflected by the reflecting plate 31.
guided by. The light-emitting element unit and the receiving element unit are composed of a plurality of light-emitting elements and light-receiving elements, and can detect the size of a document placed on the document table 4 by blocking infrared rays. Note that the open/closed state of the document cover 2 is also detected by the light emitting element and the light receiving element.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the light emitting element and the light receiving element, and as is clear from the figure, the light emitting element 32a
The infrared rays emitted from the reflector plate 31 reflect the infrared rays and enter the light receiving element. The reflection plate 31 has a mechanism that swings as the document cover 2 is opened and closed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the entire control section of the copying machine.

IF1 is an interface circuit between various sensors and the CPU, and the document size and document cover opening/closing sensor 3 corresponds to the light emitting element unit and light receiving element unit. Detects opening and closing of the cover. Other sensors include a sensor for detecting cassette size and a sensor for detecting paper size.

IF2 is an interface circuit between each drive circuit and the CPU, and the drive circuits include a copy lamp circuit, a mirror motor circuit, a main motor circuit, and a heater circuit.

The KEY 11 and the display section 12 are provided on the operation panel 1, and are controlled by a key control circuit and a display control circuit, respectively, and the CPU determines the operated key based on the output signal of the key control circuit. The display is also performed by outputting the content to be displayed to the display control circuit.

ROM is a memory that stores CPU control programs in advance.

RAM is a memory used as a working area when executing the control program.

FIG. 4 shows a specific circuit of the document size and document cover opening/closing sensor 3. As shown in FIG.

LD1 to LD7 are light emitting elements made of light emitting diodes, and PD1 to PD7 are light receiving elements made of photodiodes.
1 and Tr2, and the signal received by the light receiving element is amplified by an image amplifier AMP,
It is compared with a reference voltage by a comparator and the result is latched by a latch circuit.

This latch circuit latches at the timing of the output of the frequency divider, and latches the signal at the timing at which the light emitting element emits light. The light receiving elements PD2 to PD7 are for detecting the document size, and PD1 is for detecting the open/closed state of the document cover. The output signal CHM of the latch circuit is a signal representing the open/closed state of the document cover, and the signals CH1 to CH6 via the delay circuit.
are signals corresponding to the document size, and each of these signals is output to the interface circuit IF1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the control program stored in advance in the ROM.

First, when the power is turned on, step n10 (hereinafter step ni will simply be referred to as ni) occurs. At this point, initial operations such as initializing the mirror unit, warming up the fixing roller, and clearing the memory are performed.

When the fixing roller has been warmed up and is ready for copying, various sensor and key inputs are read in n11. If any input is received at n12, the corresponding processing is performed as follows. If there is no input, display control and other processing are performed in n13, and n1
Return to 1.

(a) Single copy mode First, set the original on the original table and close the original cover. This is determined in n14, and n15
The document size set in is memorized. Furthermore, a flag Fx indicating the set state of the original is set. Numeral n16 is a flag indicating that the automatic copy start mode is in effect, and in this state it is in a reset state.

Next, by operating the print key
This is determined in step 17, and the copying process is performed in step n18. This process is a normal copying process, in which a mirror unit scans a document placed on a document table to make one copy. n
19 determines the state of the flag Fm representing the multi-copy mode, but in this state Fm is in the reset state, and the process returns to n11 (n19→n41).
→n11).

A normal single copy is performed as described above.

(b) Automatic copy start mode In the single copy mode, the automatic copy start mode is set by operating the repeat key, that is, the function key for setting the repeat copy mode in the multi-copy mode.

When the repeat key is pressed, this is determined at n20, and the flag Fm representing the multi-copy mode is determined at n21, but in this state it is in the reset state, and the flag Fa representing the automatic copy start mode is determined at n22. conduct. At this point Fa
Since it is in the reset state, the flag is set at n23.
Set Fa and set automatic copy start mode. In this way, by operating the repeat key while Fm is in the reset state, that is, in the single copy mode, the automatic copy start mode is set.

If Fx is still in the reset state, that is, the document has not been set, the process returns to n11. In this state, if you set the original on the original table and close the original cover, this will be determined at n14, and n15
Stores the original size in , flags in n16
Determine the state of Fa. At this time, since Fa is in the set state, the process advances to n18 and copy processing is performed.
That is, copying is automatically started by setting the original on the original table and closing the original cover.

In the above example, the original is set after setting the automatic copy start mode, but if you operate the repeat key after setting the original and set the automatic copy start mode, the original is set. Therefore, since the FX enters the set state at n15, the state is determined at n24 and copying of the original is started (n24→→n
18). As for the original to be transferred to the second sheet, copying will start automatically just by setting the original.
Incidentally, n14 is a process for returning to a state in which no original is set.

(c) Multi-copy mode Multi-copy mode is a mode in which multiple copies of the same document are transferred.If you enter the number of copies to be made, this will be determined in n25.
At n26, the flag Fr indicating the repeat mode is determined, but since Fr is in the reset state at this time, the value corresponding to the operated key is placed in the buffer register N at n27. n2
8, determine whether the value is 2 or more,
If it is 2 or more, flag Fm is set at n30. This sets the multi-copy mode. If the number content is 1 or 0, n29
Reset flag Fm and do not set multi-copy mode. Note that when the flag Fr is in the set state, that is, in the repeat mode, operating the replacement key has no effect. (n26 → n11) After setting the number of copies to be made in this way, if the print key is operated, the copying process will be performed in n18, but then in n19 it will be determined that Fm is in the set state, and the process will proceed to n31. to determine whether the number of copies to be made has been completed.
This copying process is repeated until completion. When the number of copies to be made is completed, the flag Fr is set at n32.
is determined, and if Fr is in the reset state, n
At step 33, the flag Fm is reset and the mode returns to single copy mode.

In the above example, the state of flag Fa does not change even if multi-copy mode is set, so if multi-copy mode is set in automatic copy start mode, the automatic Copying will start automatically.

(d) Repeat copy mode After setting the number of copies to be made, operate the repeat key to set the repeat copy mode.

In other words, if you set the number of copies of 2 or more, n30
Since the flag Fm is set at , when the repeat key is operated after that, n21
This is determined at step n36, and flag Fr is set at n36. If the print key is operated in this state, the set number of copies will be processed, and then, at n32, it is determined that Fr is in the set state, and at n34, the number of copies is automatically reset. Therefore, the next time the print key is operated, the same number of copies will be made.

As described above, the automatic copy start mode and other modes can be set by operating the repeat key. However, when Fa is in the set state, that is, in the automatic copy start mode, operating the repeat key will set n22. This is determined and the flag Fa is reset at n38. In addition, if you operate the repeat key in single copy mode and not in automatic copy start mode, flag Fa will be displayed in n23.
Setting is as described above. That is, each time the repeat key is operated, the automatic copy start mode setting and cancellation are reversed. Also, if you operate the repeat key in multi-copy mode,
As mentioned above, the repeat copy mode is activated, but if the repeat key is operated again in the repeat copy mode, this is determined at n35, and n
At 37, the flag Fr is reset. That is,
In the multi-copy mode, each time the repeat key is operated, the setting and cancellation of the copy mode are repeatedly reversed.

If the clear key is operated, this is determined at n39, and each of the flags is reset at n40, and other setting contents are cleared.

As described above, the repeat key can be made to function as a setting key for the repeat copy mode in the multi-copy mode, and as a setting key for the automatic copy start mode in the single copy mode.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a copying machine that is an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view showing the arrangement of sensors for detecting paper size and opening/closing of the document cover, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control unit. , FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the document size and document cover opening/closing sensor, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the CPU.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A single copy mode, which includes a number key and a print key for instructing the start of a copying operation, and performs a copying operation for one sheet of a document; a multi-copy mode that is set when a plurality of numbers of sheets are input using the number keys, and performs a copying operation of the plurality of copies input using the number keys for one original document; by being operated in the multi-copy mode; a repeat key for switching between a mode in which the input number of sheets is reset after copying a plurality of sheets inputted with the number key, and a repeat copy mode in which the input number of sheets is held as is without being reset; and each of the above modes. The copier has an automatic copy start mode which is set separately and automatically starts the copying operation upon detecting that a document has been set, and when the repeat key operation is detected in the single copy mode, the automatic means for setting a copy start mode and maintaining that state even if the number key is operated and the mode is shifted to a multi-copy mode; means for canceling the automatic copy start mode when the repeat copy mode is set; A copying machine equipped with