JPH0670720B2 - How to display the number of sets in a copying machine - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a set number display method in a copying machine having a copy mode in which the number of sheets that can be continuously copied such as double-sided copy, multiplex copy, or sort copy is limited.

2. Description of the Related Art A double-sided copy function in which copy paper that has been copied once is stored in an intermediate tray in the machine and is also copied to the back side of the copy paper. Similarly, another original is placed on the same side of copy paper that has been copied once. Although there are copiers that have the multiple copy function for copying, since the intermediate tray is used in all of these copy modes, the number of sheets that can be continuously copied depends on the capacity of the intermediate tray.
The number is limited to less than 50 sheets (for example, 50 sheets).

Further, there is a copying machine having a sorting function in which a sorter (collating device) having a large number of sheet storage bins is connected and a series of copies discharged from the copying machine main body are distributed to separate bins one by one. In this sort copy mode, the number of sheets that can be continuously copied is limited to, for example, 20 sheets depending on the number of bins of the sorter.

Therefore, in such a copying machine, when double-sided copying, multiplex copying, or sort copying is specified, even if the number of copies exceeds the limit, copying cannot be performed. In such a case, the set number is automatically displayed. The number of sheets is changed to the limit number, and it is displayed that it is the limit number.

However, with such a display method, even if the copy mode with the limited number of sheets is released thereafter, the set number of sheets is still displayed, so a normal copy may be used, so the copy of the first set number of sheets may be performed. When you want to take
The set number of sheets had to be cleared and entered again, and the operation was troublesome.

The present invention was made in view of the above problems, and a copy mode having a limit on the number of sheets that can be continuously copied as described above is specified, and a set number of sheets larger than the limit number is input. Even if you make a mistake, the purpose is to eliminate the need to enter the set number again when the copy mode with the limited number is released after that, so that the set number that was input first is displayed as the set number. To do.

According to the present invention, means for inputting the number of sets to be continuously copied, set number storage means for storing the number of sets input by the means, and set number display for displaying the number of sets stored in the means In order to achieve the above object, in a copying machine having a copy mode in which the number of sheets that can be continuously copied is limited as described above, there is a limit to the input of the set number of sheets and the number of sheets that can be continuously copied. When the copy mode is specified, check whether the set number of sheets stored in the set number storing means exceeds the limit number of the specified copy mode, and if it exceeds, store it in the set number storing means. The set number of sheets stored is saved in the storing means for saving, and the set number of sheets in the set number storing means is automatically changed to the above limit number. Then, the set number is displayed on the set number display means, and when the copy mode with the limited number is released, the set number saved in the save storing means is returned to the set number storing means, and the input before the change is made. There is provided a method for displaying the number of sets, wherein the set number display means displays the set number of sets.

When the method for displaying the set number of sheets in the copying machine according to the present invention is carried out, the number of sheets to be set is input after designating a copy mode in which the number of sheets to be continuously copied is limited, or after inputting the number of sheets to set the number of sheets to be continuously copied. When a copy mode with a limit is specified, it is checked whether the number of sets input and stored in the number-of-sets storing means exceeds the specified copy mode limit, and the copy mode must be exceeded. For example, the set number is displayed on the set number display means as it is, but if it exceeds the set number, the input set number is saved in the storing means for saving, and the set number is automatically changed to the above limit number and displayed. .

Therefore, when the copy mode with the limited number of sheets is released, the set number of sheets saved in the storing means for saving is returned to the set number of storing means, and the set number before input is restored and displayed on the set number display means. Therefore, it is not necessary to input the number of sets again.

Embodiments Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, an example of a copying machine embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the outline of the mechanical section. This copying machine includes an automatic document feeder (hereinafter abbreviated as “ADF device”) 1, a copying machine main body 2, a sorter (collecting device) 3, It is composed by.

The ADF device 1 includes a transport unit 4, a paper feed unit 5, a document set unit 6, and a document discharge unit 7.

The copying machine body 2 includes a contact glass 10 and a halogen lamp 1.
An illuminator 11, which includes a mirror 11a and a mirror 11b, moves back and forth along the lower surface of the contact glass 10 as shown by an arrow, mirrors 12a, 1a.
An exposure optical system including 2b and 12c and a through lens 13, a photosensitive drum 14, a charger 15, an eraser 16, a developing device 17, a pre-transfer static eliminator 18, a transfer device 19, and a separating claw arranged along the periphery of the photosensitive drum 14. 2
0, pre-cleaning static eliminator 21, cleaning unit 22, intermediate tray 23, upper sheet feeding tray (for 1000 sheets) 24, lower sheet feeding tray (for 500 sheets) 25, sheet feeding transport device 26, registration rollers 27, The fixing device 28 includes a reversing unit 29 and the like.

The sorter 3 includes a copy conveyance belt 31, a discharge switching guide claw 32, a copy delivery / distributor 33, a discharge tray 34, and 20 stages of bins 35 that form an upper bin block 34A and a lower bin block 35B each having 10 stages. Photoelectric bin sheet detectors 36A, 36 for detecting bin sheets in bin blocks 35A, 35B
B, and a jam cover feeding port 37 and the like are provided.

It should be noted that the power supply unit, the drive motor, the drive force transmission mechanism, various sensors, the control unit, etc. are not shown.

This copying machine has multiple functions, but in the normal copy mode, the ADF device 1 is used to make one copy on the contact glass 10.
The originals conveyed one by one are scanned by the movement of the illuminator 11 and the mirrors 12a and 12b, and the reflected light thereof scans the through lens 13
The surface of the photosensitive drum 14 charged by the charger 15 is exposed with the light imaged by the charger 15 to form an electrostatic latent image. The sheet is transported by a sheet transporting device 26 from a tray selected from the trays 25 and 25, and is transferred by the registration roller 27 to the photosensitive drum 14 and the transfer device.
It is transferred to a copy sheet (conveyance path is indicated by a broken line) which is fed at a predetermined timing between the sheet and the sheet.

Then, it is heated and fixed through the fixing device 28, passed through the reversing unit 29 as it is, sent to the sorter 3, and discharged to the discharge tray 34 by the conveyor belt 31 and the guide claw 32.

In the magnification change mode, the lens is adjusted according to the specified magnification change.
This is the same as the case of the above-mentioned normal copy mode except that the positions of 13 and the mirror 12c are moved to enlarge or reduce the exposure image.

In the double-sided copy mode, when copying the first side, the same process as the above-described normal copy mode is performed until fixing. However, after fixing, the copy sheet is reversed by the reversing device 29 so that the image surface is placed in the intermediate tray 23. And stack. Then, at the time of copying the second side, the copy paper copied on one side is fed from the intermediate tray 23, the original image is transferred to the other side and sent to the sorter 3.

In the multiple copy mode, the copy paper copied for the first time is not inverted and is stacked on the intermediate tray with the image side facing down.
At the time of the second copy, the copy paper copied on one side is supplied from the intermediate tray 23 so that another original can be overlapped and copied on the same side.

In the back side paper discharge mode, the transferred and fixed copy paper is reversed by the reversing device 29 and turned inside out to be fed to the sorter 3, and the copies discharged onto the paper discharge tray 34 or each bin 35 are stacked in page order. To do so.

In the sort copy mode, the copy machine main body 2 side continuously copies the same number of set sheets (within the number of sorter bins) and sequentially feeds them to the sorter 3 side. The guide claws for each bin 35 (not shown) are rotated to sequentially eject one copy from the upper bin.

In the stack copy mode, as in the sort copy mode, the copy machine main body 2 side continuously copies the set number of sheets (in this case, no limit number of sheets) and sends the copy sheets sequentially to the sorter 3 side. On the sorter 3 side, a fixed number of sheets (for example, 50 sheets) are stored from the uppermost bin 35.

These sort or stack copies can be
Even if all 20 bins of the above are not empty, each bin of either the above bin block 35A or the lower bin block 35B
Bin sheet detector 36A or 36B that all 35 are empty
If so, only 10 bins of one block can be used, in which case it is called dual mode.

In addition, it also has a binding margin adjusting function capable of arbitrarily setting the left or right binding margin.

Next, various keys and a display section on the operation panel provided on the front side of the upper surface of the copying machine body 2 will be described with reference to FIG. Although the operation panel 40 is integrally formed, it is shown as being divided into two for convenience of illustration.

Each key is an electronic touch switch key,
A print start key 41 for starting copying, a light key 42 and a dark key 43 for adjusting the copy density, and a ten key 44 consisting of 10 keys 0 to 9 for setting the number of copies,
Clear stop key 45 for resetting the number of sets to 0, interrupt key 46 for interrupt copying during continuous copying, paper feed selection key 47 for selecting one of the paper feed trays 24 and 25, 65% ~ Up to 115% Magnification specification key group 48 consisting of 6 keys for 6 kinds of magnification specification (100% is equal magnification), 2-sided copy key 49 for specifying double-sided copy with double-sided original, double-sided copy with single-sided original Duplex copy key 50, Stack key 51 to specify stack copy,
A sort key 52 for specifying sort copy, a reverse discharge key 53 for specifying reverse discharge, a multiple copy key 54 for specifying multiple copies, a front binding margin specifying key 55 for specifying front and back binding margins, and a back binding margin specifying key 56. , And a mode clear key 57 for returning all selection designated states by these keys to the initial state.

The print start key 41 is illuminated in red while the copy is prohibited and is ineffective even when pressed, and when it becomes possible to copy, it changes to green and becomes effective.

The copy density can be adjusted in steps (7 steps in this example) with the light key 42 and the dark key 43.
Each time it is pressed, it becomes one level lighter, and each time the dark key 43 is pressed, it becomes one level darker. The density step is the copy density display
Displayed at 59.

Interrupt key 46, magnification designation key group 48, double-sided copy key 49, 5
0, stack key 51, sort key 52, reverse discharge key 53,
The multi-copy key 54 has a light-emitting portion (LED is shown as L in the interrupt key 46, but other keys are the same) by LEDs or the like, and is switched between valid and invalid each time it is pressed. ,
The light-emitting part lights up when enabled.

The mode clear key 57 also has a light emitting part, but this is effective only when pressed and lights up.

Further, the operation panel 40 is provided with first, second, and third display parts 60A, 60B, 60C for performing various displays, and all of these displays are only necessary parts when necessary. It is in a display state (by a light spot tube, LED, LCD, etc.) and is always in a black state and invisible.

On the first display section 60A, the number of set sheets (desired number of continuous copies of the same document) input by the ten keys 44 is
2-digit set number display 61 that can display up to 99, 2-digit count number display 62 that displays the count value of the actual continuous copy number, upper feed tray 24 and lower feed tray
Copy paper remaining amount display 63, 64 that displays the remaining amount of copy paper in 25, and the size of the copy paper set in each paper feed tray 24, 25 is also displayed, for example, A4, B5 Paper size indicators 65 and 66 are provided.

Furthermore, when the number of set sheets exceeds the limit of 50 sheets in the double-sided or multiple copy mode and 20 or 10 sheets in the sort mode (when only one bin block is empty), the set sheet number display 61 displays that number. The maximum number is displayed, but
MAX display 67 indicating that it is the limit number of sheets, document forgetting display 68, interrupt copy display 69, copy paper end display 7
0, a paper size check display 71 indicating that the copy paper selected in the double-sided copy mode is too small to perform double-sided copying, and a second-side copy display 72 for double-sided copying are also provided.

Wait display 7 indicating that the warm-up is being performed is displayed on the second display section 60B.
3, Ready display 74 showing warm-up completion, copy machine body
Door closing display 75 showing that the door of 20 is open, key counter installation display 76, jam display 77, sorter confirmation display 78 showing that copy paper remains on the sorter 3, and toner shortage A toner end display 79 shown, an oil addition display 80 showing a shortage of fixing oil, a serviceman call display 81 showing a failure occurrence, and a failure code display 82 showing a failure type by a code number are provided.

The third display unit 60C is a display unit that shows the binding margin designation state by the binding margin designation keys 55 and 56, and displays the left binding margin display 83, the right binding margin display 84, and the size of the left or right binding margin on the surface. The front binding margin display 85 is shown, and the back binding margin display 86 showing the size of the left or right binding margin on the back side is shown.

Each of these display units 60A, 60B, and 60C normally displays only the necessary portions according to the state of the copier or the input state,
For example, if you press a combination of preset keys such as clear stop key 45 and numeric keypad 44 "0" and "1" keys at the same time, all the displays will be in the display state. It is also possible to make it convenient for explaining the display contents to the user.

And clear / stop key 45 or mode clear key
It suffices to automatically return to the normal display state by the auto reset function when only 57 is pressed or when a certain time has elapsed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control of each unit in the copying machine of this embodiment is performed by the microcomputer 201 in the copying machine main body 2.
And a micro computer 301 in the sorter 3.

The microcomputer 201 is a copying unit (typically designated by a symbol 20
The various keys (indicated by 2) shown in FIG.
(Indicated by (4)), control is performed according to the instructions, abnormalities are monitored, etc., and various displays are displayed on various display units (represented by reference numeral 204) shown in FIG.

The operation of the ADF device 1 is also controlled in association with the copying unit 202.

The micro-computer 301 controls the sorting mechanism section of the sorter 3 (representatively indicated by reference numeral 302) to perform a sorting or stacking operation, and the bin sheet detectors 36A, 36A.
By inputting the detection signal of B, it is judged whether the mode is the all-bin use mode or the dual mode (mode in which only one of the bin blocks 35A or 35B is used).

Data is also transmitted and received between the microcomputers 201 and 301, and various controls in the sort copy mode and the stack copy mode are performed in cooperation with each other.

Further, the display control of the number of sets according to the present invention is also performed by the two microcomputers 201 and 301 according to the operation flow described later.

These microcomputers 201 and 301 are, as shown in FIG. 4, a central processing unit (CPU) and a read only memory (ROM) for storing operation programs and fixed data.
, A random access memory (RAM) for input / output and storage of operation data, an input / output device (I / O), etc.

Next, display control of the number of sets according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 5 shows R constituting the above-mentioned microcomputer 201.
It is a map diagram showing a part of the area in AM, CSET is the second
Number of sets (replacement) entered using the numeric keypad 44 in the figure
And a register for storing the number of set sheets for display, CSETB is a buffer for saving when the number of set sheets exceeds the limit number, and DMAX indicates that the number of sheets in the double-sided copy mode (50 sheets in this embodiment) is exceeded. The flag for indicating the flag and SMAX indicate the flag for indicating that the number of sheets in the sort copy mode (20 or 10 in this embodiment) is exceeded.

FIGS. 6, 8 and 9 are operation flow charts of routines for double-sided check, sorter check and MAX display by the micro computer 201 on the copying machine side, and FIG. 7 is a sorter side micro computer 301. FIG. 8 is an operation flow chart of a CSET check routine according to.

First, the outline of the method for displaying the number of sets according to this embodiment will be described.

When the number of sets is set with the numeric keypad 44 in Fig. 2, the mode is specified with the double-sided copy key 49 or 50, and the sort key 52, check to see if the number of sets in CSET has exceeded the limit. The set number of sheets is saved to another buffer CSETB, the set number of CSET is changed to the limited number, and the set number display 61 is displayed. At the same time, MAX display 67 showing that it is the limit number
Blink.

When the clear stop key 45 or the print start key 51 is pressed, the contents of the buffer CSETB are erased and MAX
Display 67 is also turned off.

When the double-sided copy keys 49, 50 or the sort key 52 is switched (pressed again), check whether the limit number has been released and whether there are other limits, and if there is not, check the contents of buffer CSETB. The value is read out and returned to the register CSET, the input set number is restored and displayed on the set number display 61, and the MAX display is also turned off.

If there are other restrictions, leave the buffer contents as they are and store the new restricted number in register CSET.
It is displayed on the set number display 61.

For example, if you enter "99" and specify double-sided copy mode, the display will be "MAX 50", and if you specify sort copy mode, it will be "MAX 20". When the sort copy mode is released, the display returns to "MAX 50", and when the duplex copy mode is released, it returns to "99".

In this way, the limit with the smaller number of sheets is given priority.

Next, details of the set number display operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

When the double-sided copy key 49 or 50 shown in FIG. 2 is pressed, the micro-computer 201 on the copying machine side executes the double-sided check routine shown in FIG.

First, whether the duplex copy mode is selected (duplex copy key 49 or
Every time 50 is pressed, the double-sided copy mode set and reset are alternated).

In the double-sided copy mode, next check whether SMAX is 1 or not. If YES, the set number of sheets that have been input exceeds the sort copy limit, so the number of sheets saved in CSETB next. Check if is over "50", and if NO, end this routine and YES
If so, the number of input sheets has exceeded the limit for double-sided copying, so DMAX is set to 1 and this routine ends.

If SMAX = 1 check and NO, check whether the number of sets stored in CSET exceeds "50". If NO, end it as it is, and if YES, go to CSETB.
Save the contents of CSET, store "50" in CSET, change the set number display to "50", and set DMAX to 1.

Then, the contents of this CSET are sent to the sorter, and this routine ends.

Next, copy this CSE from the micro computer 201 on the copy machine side.
Microcomputer 3 on the sorter side that received the contents of T
The CSET check routine by 01 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, check whether the sorter is in the dual mode, if it is the dual mode, then check whether the content of CSET exceeds "10", and if it exceeds, CSOVER (the microcomputer side of the sorter 301 (One bit in RAM)
Set to 1 and set the command to "10 over".

If CSET does not exceed "10", check whether CSOVER is 1 or not. If it is 1, set CSOVER to 0 and set the command to "overclear".

If CSOVER is not 1, set the command to "ready".

If you are in the dual mode check and not in the dual mode, then check whether the CSET contents exceed "20". If so, set CSOVER to 1 and set the command to "20".
"Over".

If the content of CSET does not exceed "20", check whether CSOVER is 1 or not. If it is 1, set CSOVER to 0 and set the command to "overclear".

If CSOVER is not 1, the command is "ready" as it is.
To

In this way, the routine is completed according to the set command according to the microcomputer 201 on the copying machine side.

Next, the operation of the sort check routine by the micro computer 201 on the copying machine side will be described with reference to FIG.

First, when the sort key 52 is pressed, it is checked whether or not it is in the sort mode. If it is in the sort mode, the contents of the command received from the sorter-side microcomputer 301 are then determined.

If the command content is "20 over", DM
Check if AX is 1, and if not 1, save the number of sets in CSET to CSETB and store "20" in CSET. 1
If so, only store “20” in CSET.

In either case, next, SMAX is set to 1 to prohibit copying, the contents of CSET are sent to the microcomputer computer 301 on the sorter side, and this routine is ended.

If the command content is "10 over", then DMAX
Check whether or not is 1, and if it is not 1, save the number of sets in CSET to CSETB and store "10" in CSET. If not 1, only “10” is stored in CSET.

In either case, SMAX is set to 1 to prohibit copying as described above, the contents of CSET are sent to the microcomputer computer 301 on the sorter side, and this routine ends.

When the content of the command is "over clear", the copy prohibition is released and this routine ends.

When the content of the command is "ready", the next step is to check whether SMAX is 1 or not. If it is not 1, the copy prohibition is released and this routine ends.

If SMAX is 1, check that SMAX is 0, then check if DMAX is 1 or not. If 1 is set, store "50" in CSET. If not 1, set number saved in CSETB. The CSE
Return to T and send the contents of these CSETs to the microcomputer computer 301 on the sorter side.

Then, the copy prohibition is released and this routine ends.

In this way, the sorter side micro computer 301
The CSET check routine (Fig. 7) and the sorter check routine (Fig. 8) by the micro-computer 201 on the copying machine side are alternately performed in a very short time, thereby controlling the display of the number of sets as described above. It

Finally, the MAX by the micro computer 201 on the copier side
The display routine will be described with reference to FIG.

That is, check whether DMAX is 1 or not, and if it is not 1, then check whether SMAX is 1 or not, and if either is 1, blink the MAX display 67.

If neither DMAX nor SMAX is 1, MAX display 67
To turn off.

Although description has been omitted for the case of the multiple copy mode, the intermediate tray is used in this case as well, so that the number of continuous copies is limited to 50 as in the case of the double-sided copy mode.

Therefore, even when the multi-copy key 54 is pressed, the multi-check routine similar to the double-sided check routine of FIG. 6 is executed to control the display of the set number as in the double-sided copy mode. You can

Effects As described above with reference to the embodiments, if the set number display method in the copying machine according to the present invention is applied,
In the copy mode, which has a limit on the number of sheets that can be continuously copied,
Alternatively, if you have already entered the number of sets, the display of the set number is automatically changed to that limit number, but when the limited copy mode is released, the previously entered set number is automatically restored and displayed. Therefore, it is not necessary to input the number of sets again.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a mechanical section showing an example of a copying machine embodying the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the arrangement of various keys and a display section on the operation panel, and FIG. , A block diagram of control by the microcomputers of the copying machine side and the sorter side, FIG. 4 shows a block configuration diagram of the microcomputers of the copying machine side, and FIG. 5 shows a set number display in the RAM of the copying machine side microcomputer. FIGS. 6 to 9 are map diagrams showing a part of the area to be used, and FIGS. 6 to 9 are flow charts showing the operations relating to the display of the set number of sheets by the micro computers on the copying machine side and the sorter side, respectively. 1 ... Automatic document feeder, 2 ... Copier body 3 ... Sorter, 40 ... Operation panel 41 ... Print start key 44 ... Numeric keypad, 45 ... Clear stop key 49,50 ... Duplex copy key 52 ...... Sort key, 54 ...... Multiple copy key 60A …… First display, 61 …… Set number display 62 …… Count number display 67 …… MAX display

Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-55-140854 (JP, A) JP-A-57-186763 (JP, A) JP-A-57-186762 (JP, A) JP-A-56-121063 (JP , A) JP-A-56-158344 (JP, A) JP-A-53-44031 (JP, A) Actually developed JP-A-55-77234 (JP, U)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A means for inputting the number of sets to be continuously copied, a set number storage means for storing the number of sets input by the means, and a set number display means for displaying the number of sets stored in the means. In a copying machine having a copy mode in which the number of sheets that can be continuously copied is limited, when the number of set sheets is input and the copy mode in which the number of sheets that can be continuously copied is limited is specified, the set sheet number storage means Check whether the set number of sheets stored in the set number exceeds the specified copy mode limit number, and if the set number is exceeded, save the set number stored in the set number storing means to the save storing means, The set number of sheets in the set number storing means is automatically changed to the set number, and the set number is displayed on the set number display means. When the copy mode with a certain number is released, the set number of sheets saved in the save storing means is returned to the set number storing means, and the input set number before change is displayed on the set number displaying means. How to display the number of sets.