JPH07157140A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enhance the operability and safety and reduce the down time by lifting or lowering a device body according to its position automatically to a position where paper jamming or alarm is eliminated most easily when paper jamming or alarm are produced in an image forming device which is made considering that physically disabled persons may be used. CONSTITUTION:An image forming device is provided with a paper feed detection means to detect paper jamming, a lifting device 100 to lift and lower a device body 1, a CPU50 to control the lifting device 100, lifting switch 9 to move the lifting device 100 manually, a lowering switch 11, etc. The CPU50 judges, when paper jamming is detected, where paper is jammed and the sensor output, and drives the lifting device 100 according to its position to lift or lower the device body 1 to a position where the paper jamming is considered to be eliminated most easily by an operator. After that, the device warns and displays the operator of paper jamming.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser printer, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus which is intended for use by a physically handicapped person.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an OA (office automation) device such as a copying machine, the proper height is considered to be about 900 mm to 1000 mm above the ground from the viewpoint of operability for a healthy person. This is because it is designed so that a person with a height of about 150 cm or more can easily set a document and operate the operation keys while standing.

[0003] However, the height is extremely poor for an operator having special restrictions, such as people who use wheelchairs to carry out their daily lives due to injury or illness of their limbs. That is, aside from desktop type personal machines, the type of machines that are installed on the floor of the office and used in common has a height that considers only the operability of healthy people, so its operation is extremely difficult. there were.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 25, by providing an elevating device for elevating the main body of a copying machine or the like by button operation, the height of the main body of the copying machine can be made variable, and even a healthy person can use a wheelchair. An image forming apparatus has been proposed which has good operability for people with different operating conditions such as people with physical disabilities who are using it.

[0005]

However, in the conventional example as described above, the operation panel is manually moved up and down to the fixed position of the apparatus body such as the copying machine by the button operation. The operation was difficult because it was too expensive.

Further, particularly in the case of handling a paper jam, the height of the operation differs depending on the location of the paper jam, and therefore raising and lowering to a fixed position makes the operation of the processing very difficult. There was a flaw.

Further, if a paper jam occurs while the operator manually moves the button up or down, the operator has a disadvantage that the operator moves to a position not intended by the operator.

Further, if the operator manually raises and lowers the paper jam while detecting the paper jam and the elevator is moving, the operability of the paper jam processing is deteriorated. Further, depending on the degree of obstacle of the operator, there is a risk of automatic lifting when a paper jam occurs.

Further, in the case of processing an alarm such as the absence of paper, the height of the operation differs depending on the location of the alarm. Therefore, if it is moved up and down to a fixed position, the operation during processing is very difficult. There was a drawback that became.

Further, if the operator manually raises or lowers by operating a button while the elevator is moving by detecting an alarm, there is a drawback that the operability of alarm processing is deteriorated. Furthermore, there is a risk of automatic lifting at the time of alarm depending on the degree of operator's obstacle.

Further, referring to the drawings, FIG.
The conventional apparatus shown in FIG. 5 is roughly divided into an apparatus body 1 that moves up and down and an elevating device that supports the apparatus body. Therefore, it is difficult for a physically handicapped person to operate the paper feeding operation. Further, the paper is replenished to the paper cassette 12 by pulling the paper cassette toward the front side regardless of the vertical position of the apparatus body. It has been difficult for a physically handicapped person, such as an operator, to replenish paper in the cassette 12a or to clear a paper jam near the cassette.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a position where it is easy to handle a paper jam according to the position where the paper jam occurs in the case of a paper jam.
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of automatically raising and lowering a copying apparatus main body.

A second object of the present invention is to operate the lifting device automatically to move the height of the device main body to a predetermined position when a paper jam occurs. Prohibition of operation, or prohibition of automatic movement of the lifting device even if a paper jam occurs while the operator is operating the lifting device, improves operability and safety. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of selecting whether or not the copying apparatus main body is automatically moved up and down depending on the position of the paper jam depending on the degree of the obstacle.

A second object of the present invention is to set priorities for automatic paper jam control and manual elevating operation by the operator, and control the operation of the elevating device according to the set priority. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of changing the control of the lifting operation of the copying apparatus main body when a paper jam occurs.

A third object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which automatically raises and lowers the copying apparatus main body to a position where it is easy to process without a paper in accordance with the position where the alarm occurs in the case of an alarm. It is in.

A fourth object of the present invention is to automatically operate the lifting device to move the height of the device main body to a predetermined position when an alarm occurs. Prohibition of movement, or prohibition of automatic movement of the lifting device even if an alarm occurs while the operator is operating the lifting device, improves operability and safety. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of selecting whether or not to raise / lower the copying apparatus main body automatically in the case of an alarm depending on the degree of trouble of an operator in the case of an alarm.

A fourth object of the present invention is to set priorities for automatic alarm control and manual lifting / lowering operation by an operator, and control the operation of the lifting / lowering device according to the set priorities. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of changing the control of the raising / lowering operation of the copying apparatus main body at the time of alarm.

A fifth object of the present invention is to separate the part for accommodating paper from the upper part of the main body of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine equipped with a device for elevating and lowering the main body so that the height of the paper cassette can be set to a healthy person. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus with good operability, which is located at a position convenient for people with different operating conditions such as a physically disabled person using a wheelchair.

[0019]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an elevating means capable of raising or lowering a main body of an apparatus, a paper jam detecting means for detecting a paper jam, and the paper jam detecting means. Control means for driving and controlling the elevating means so as to move the height of the apparatus main body to a predetermined position in accordance with the output of.

The present invention preferably further comprises, as one form thereof, a paper jam position detecting means for detecting the position of the paper jam based on the output of the paper jam detecting means, and the control means detects the paper jam position. It is possible to make the height of the apparatus main body variable by operating the elevating means according to the paper jam position detected by the means.

Further, as one aspect of the present invention, preferably, when the paper jam position detecting means detects a plurality of paper jam positions, a priority order of which paper jam position is preferentially treated is set in advance. When the paper jam position detecting means detects a plurality of paper jam positions, the control means further includes a priority setting means, and the control means sets the height of the apparatus main body in accordance with the priority order set by the priority setting means. Can be controlled variably.

Further, preferably, in one form thereof, the present invention further comprises position setting means for presetting an ascending / descending position of the ascending / descending means when the height of the apparatus main body is changed when a paper jam occurs. can do.

Further, preferably, in one form of the present invention, there is further provided warning means for warning the operator that the lifting means is operating during the automatic lifting of the lifting means by the control means. Can be characterized.

Further, the invention is preferably in one form thereof, during the automatic elevating and lowering of the elevating means by the control means,
It can be characterized by further comprising a prohibition unit for prohibiting issuing a warning that the paper is a paper jam.

Further, preferably, in one form thereof, the present invention is characterized by further comprising warning means for warning the operator of a paper jam after the automatic elevating of the elevating means by the control means is completed. be able to.

Further, as one aspect of the present invention, preferably, an operation switch for operating the elevating means to freely move the height of the apparatus main body, and the control means are automatically operated in response to occurrence of a paper jam. In addition, it is possible to further include a prohibiting means for prohibiting the operation acceptance of the operation switch by the operator while the elevation means is operated to move the height of the apparatus main body.

Further, preferably, in one form thereof, the present invention further has a selection switch for selecting in advance which of the automatic lifting control by the control means and the operation of the operation switch to be effective when a paper jam occurs. When the selection switch selects the operation of the operation switch, the control means stops the automatic raising / lowering control of the elevating means, and the operator is immediately notified of the paper jam when the paper jam detection means detects the paper jam. It can be characterized in that control is performed to give a warning to that effect through a warning means.

Further, as one aspect of the present invention, during the operation of the elevating means by the operation of the operation switch by the operator, the automatic elevating control by the control is prohibited even if a paper jam occurs. It can be characterized by further comprising means.

Further, preferably, in one form thereof, the present invention can further be characterized by further comprising setting means for setting in advance whether the operation acceptance prohibition of the operation switch by the prohibiting means is valid or invalid.

Further, according to the present invention, ascending / descending means capable of raising or lowering the apparatus main body, alarm detecting means for detecting an image forming operation start impossible alarm, and the apparatus main body according to the output of the alarm detecting means. And a control means for driving and controlling the elevating means so as to move the height to a predetermined position.

Further, preferably, in one form of the present invention, the image formation operation start impossible alarm indicates that there is no paper,
At least one of toner-less, card-less, and door-opening can be featured.

Further, as one aspect of the present invention, preferably, an automatic document feeder for automatically feeding a plurality of originals placed on an original placing table to an image reading position of the apparatus main body is provided, and the image forming operation is performed. The unstartable alarm can be characterized by at least one of the fact that no document is placed on the automatic document feeder and the cover open of the automatic document feeder.

Further, the present invention preferably comprises, as one form thereof, a sheet post-processing device for post-processing post-image-formed sheets such as collating, and the image forming operation start failure alarm is issued by the sheet post-processing device. Can be characterized in that they are not connected.

Further, the present invention preferably further comprises an alarm position detecting means for detecting the position of the alarm based on the output of the alarm detecting means, and the control means detects the alarm position detecting means. It is possible to make the height of the apparatus main body variable by operating the elevating means according to the alarm position.

Further, as one form of the present invention, preferably, when the alarm position detecting means detects a plurality of alarm positions, a priority setting for presetting which alarm position is preferentially handled is set in advance. The control means further has means, and when the alarm position detection means detects a plurality of alarm positions, the control means variably controls the height of the apparatus main body in accordance with the priority order set by the priority order setting means. Can be characterized.

Further, preferably, in one form thereof, the present invention further comprises a position setting means for presetting an ascending / descending position of the ascending / descending means when the height of the apparatus main body is changed when an alarm occurs. can do.

Further, preferably, as one form thereof, the present invention further comprises a warning means for giving a warning to the operator that the lifting means is operating during the automatic lifting of the lifting means by the control means. Can be characterized.

Further, the invention is preferably in one form thereof, during the automatic elevating and lowering of the elevating means by the control means,
It can be characterized by further comprising a prohibition unit for prohibiting the warning that the alarm is issued.

Further, preferably, in one form thereof, the present invention is characterized by further comprising warning means for warning the operator of an alarm after completion of automatic raising / lowering of said raising / lowering means by said control means. be able to.

Further, the present invention preferably, as one form thereof, an operation switch for operating the elevating means to freely move the height of the apparatus main body, and the control means automatically in response to an alarm occurrence. It can be characterized by further comprising a prohibition means for prohibiting an operator from accepting the operation of the operation switch while the elevation means is operated to move the height of the apparatus main body.

The present invention preferably further comprises, as one form thereof, a selection switch for preliminarily selecting which one of the automatic lifting control by the control means and the operation of the operation switch to be effective when an alarm is generated, The control means suspends the automatic lifting control of the lifting means when the selection switch selects the operation of the operation switch, and immediately warns the operator of the alarm according to the alarm detection of the alarm detection means. It can be characterized in that control is performed to issue a warning through the means.

Further, as one form of the present invention, preferably, during the operation of the elevating means by the operation of the operation switch by the operator, even if an alarm is generated, prohibition of the automatic elevating control by the control is prohibited. It can be characterized by further comprising means.

The present invention may preferably be characterized by further comprising setting means for making a setting for enabling or disabling the operation acceptance prohibition of the operation switch by the prohibiting means in advance.

The present invention further includes a first elevating means capable of raising or lowering the entire apparatus body, a second elevating means capable of raising or lowering only an upper portion of the apparatus body, An operation panel for operating the operations of the first elevating means and the second elevating means, and a control means for driving and controlling the first elevating means and the second elevating means in response to an operation input of the operation panel. And can be provided.

Further, preferably, in one form of the present invention, an object outside the main body of the apparatus is moved during the vertical movement of the entire apparatus main body or an upper portion of the apparatus main body by the operation of the first elevating means or the second elevating means. It can further be characterized by further comprising: detection means for detecting contact or proximity of the device, and stop control means for safely stopping the ascending / descending operation of the apparatus main body based on a detection signal of the detection means.

Further, as one aspect of the present invention, preferably, a paper jam detecting means for detecting a paper jam, and an upper portion of the apparatus main body are automatically operated via the second elevating means according to an output of the paper jam detecting means. Further, it can be characterized by further comprising a control means for moving up and down to a predetermined position.

Further, the present invention preferably has, as one form thereof, a paper cassette configured such that the front surface of the paper cassette mounted in the apparatus main body can be opened to the front surface of the apparatus main body. You can

[0048]

The present invention has the following functions.

In the case of a paper jam, the copying apparatus main body is automatically moved up and down to a position where it is easy to deal with the paper jam according to the position of the paper jam, so that the time for handling the paper jam by the operator is shortened.

When a paper jam occurs, the elevating device is automatically operated to move the height of the apparatus main body to a predetermined position. During the movement, the operation of the elevating device is prohibited by the operator, and Even if a paper jam occurs during the operation of the lifting device, the automatic moving operation of the lifting device is prohibited, so that the operability and safety are improved.

In the case of a paper jam depending on the degree of obstacle of the operator, it is possible to automatically select whether to raise or lower the copying apparatus main body according to the position of the paper jam, so that depending on the degree of obstacle of the operator. It is possible to set up and down movements, which facilitates handling of paper jams.

During the movement of moving the height of the apparatus main body to a predetermined position by automatically operating the elevating device when an alarm indicating that the image forming operation cannot be started due to lack of paper is generated.
Since the operation of the lifting device is prohibited by the operator, and the automatic operation of the lifting device is prohibited even if an alarm occurs during the operation of the lifting device by the operator, operability and safety are improved.

In the case of an alarm, depending on the degree of the operator's obstacle, it is possible to automatically select whether to raise or lower the copying apparatus main body according to the position of the alarm. Therefore, depending on the degree of the operator's obstacle. The vertical movement can be set, and alarm handling becomes easier.

The position of the alarm that the image forming operation cannot be started due to the absence of paper is detected, and in the case of an alarm, the copying apparatus main body is automatically moved up and down to a position where it is easy to process the alarm according to the position of the alarm. Person's alarm processing time is reduced.

Since an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine provided with an elevating device is additionally provided with an elevating device for elevating only the upper part of the device, it is possible to improve the operability of paper feeding and the operability at the time of paper jam. Becomes

The operability is further improved by making the front side of the paper cassette openable. Further, by providing the safety device, it is possible to prevent accidents when the operator in the wheelchair operates it.

[0057]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the external appearance of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, 1 is an apparatus main body, and 13 is an elevating device 10 for elevating the apparatus main body.
It is a pedestal with zero. Reference numeral 2 denotes an operation panel on which the number of copies, copy magnification, copy paper, etc. can be selected and operated. The operation panel 2 will be described later in detail. Reference numeral 3 denotes an original pressing plate for pressing the original, which is openable and closable. Further, it is configured so that a document feeding device described later can be mounted instead of the document pressure plate 3. The paper discharge cover 4 and the front cover 5 are opening / closing doors for the operator to deal with a paper jam when a paper jam occurs.

Reference numeral 8 denotes an elevating operation panel for an operator to manually operate the elevating device 100. On the elevating operation panel 8, an elevating switch 9 for elevating the elevating table and a lowering switch 11 for lowering the elevating table. A standard position movement switch 10 for moving to the standard position is provided.
ON-OFF signals of these switches are sent to an internal CPU 50 (not shown), and the CPU 50 controls the apparatus main body 1. Further, 12 is a paper cassette for stocking paper. Reference numeral 16 is a pressure-sensitive sensor, which detects when another object comes into contact therewith, and the detection signal is C
It is sent to the PU 50.

Next, the lifting device 100 will be described in more detail. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged detailed view of the lifting device 100. Reference numeral 101 denotes a base portion fixed to the pedestal in the elevating mechanism. 102 is an elevating part of the elevating table,
It moves up and down integrally with the device body 1. The internal structure of the elevating device 100 is an existing technique, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted, but in the present embodiment, an electric device is used. Of course, it can be configured by using any of a hydraulic type and an air type.

The elevating device 100 is provided with a detection mechanism for detecting the height of the elevating table. Reference numeral 103 denotes a slide volume for height detection, which is fixed to the base 101. The output of the slide volume 103 is connected to the CPU 50 of the apparatus body 1. The slide volume 103 has a protrusion 104, and the resistance value of the slide volume 103 is changed by moving the protrusion 104. The protrusion 104 is engaged with the engaging portion 105 provided on the elevating part 102, the resistance value of the slide volume 103 changes according to the elevating operation of the elevating part 102, and the signal is sent to the CPU 50 of the apparatus body 1. Reportedly. The height of the apparatus body 1 is detected by the signal, and the apparatus body can be controlled to an arbitrary height.

FIG. 3 shows the internal construction of an embodiment of the copying apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 3, 1 is an apparatus main body having an image reading function and an image recording function, and 13 is the above-mentioned lifting device 1
A pedestal equipped with 00, 200 is a circulation type document feeder (hereinafter, referred to as RDF) for automatically feeding documents, 3
Reference numeral 00 is a collating device with staples (hereinafter referred to as staple sorter), and each of these devices 100 to 300 can be freely combined and used with the device main body 1.

A. Device Main Body (1) In the device main body 1, 20 is a document reading unit composed of an optical system and a document illumination lamp, 21 is a lens arranged on a movable stage, 22 is a fixing device for fixing the developed toner, Reference numeral 23 is a registration roller for adjusting the timing of the paper and the optical system, 24 is a developing device that stores toner and develops a latent image, 25 is a photosensitive drum that forms a latent image, 26 is a charging roller that charges the photosensitive drum 25, 27 Is a transfer roller for transferring the image developed on the photosensitive drum onto a sheet, 28 is a conveying section for conveying the transferred output sheet to the fixing device 22, 29
Is an upper cassette, 30 is a lower cassette, 31 is a multi-manual paper feed port, 40 is an upper paper feed sensor, 41 is a lower paper feed sensor, 42 is a pre-registration sensor, and 43 is a post-fixing sensor.

The surface of the above-mentioned photosensitive drum 25 is composed of a photoconductor and a seamless photoconductor using a conductor, and the drum 25 is rotatably supported and responds to the depression of a copy start key described later. The rotation is started by the main motor 32 (not shown) that operates. Next, when the predetermined rotation control of the drum 25 and the preprocessing are completed, the document placed on the document table glass 7 is illuminated by the document reading unit 20 and an image is formed on the drum 25.

The drum 25 is charged by the charging roller 26. After that, the image (document image) irradiated by the document reading unit 20 is slit-exposed, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the drum 25 by the known Carlson process.

Next, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 25 is developed by the developing roller of the developing device 24 and visualized as a toner image, and the toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper by the transfer charger 27 as described later. To be done.

That is, the transfer paper set in the upper deck cassette 29, the lower cassette 30, or the multi-manual paper feed port 31 is sent into the main body apparatus and the registration rollers 2
By 3, the leading edge of the latent image and the leading edge of the transfer paper are aligned. After that, the transfer paper passes between the transfer roller 27 and the drum 25 and is discharged to the outside of the main body 1. At that time, the upper-stage paper feed sensor 40, the lower-stage paper feed sensor 41, the pre-registration sensor 42, and the post-fixing sensor 43 perform delay detection and retention detection of the paper jam, and in the case of the paper jam, the position of the paper jam is stored. It is configured.

After the transfer, the drum 25 continues to rotate, and its surface is cleaned by the cleaning device 32 including a cleaning roller and an elastic blade.

Reference numeral 44 indicates the presence of upper cassette paper, 4
Reference numeral 5 is a lower cassette paper presence detection, and 46 is a multi-manual paper presence detection, which detects the presence or absence of paper in each paper feed stage.

B. RDF (Recycled Document Feeder) (20
0) In the RDF 200, 201 is a stacking tray on which a stack of documents 202 is set. The stacking tray is provided with a width direction restricting plate for restricting the width direction of the document in the document feeding direction so that the document does not skew when feeding the document, and slides vertically in the document feeding direction. Thereby, the width of the document can be detected.

First, in the case of a one-sided original, the half-moon roller 203
And the separating roller 204 separates the originals one by one from the lowermost part of the original stack 202, and the separated originals are fed by the conveying roller 2
05 and the entire surface belt 206, platen glass 10
The conveyance is stopped to the exposure position 1 and then the copying operation is started. After the copying is completed, the original on the platen glass 101 is returned to the uppermost surface of the original bundle 202 again by the large conveyance roller 207 and the paper discharge roller 208.

Reference numeral 209 denotes a recycle lever for detecting the circulation of one original, which is placed on the upper portion of the original bundle when the original feeding is started, and the originals are sequentially fed so that the rear end of the final original is the recycling lever. When the document exits from 209, it falls on the stacking tray 201 by its own weight to detect the circulation of the document.

Next, in the case of a double-sided original, the original is once guided from the paths I and II to the path III as described above, and after the copying is completed, the rotatable switching flapper 210 is switched to guide the leading edge of the original to the path and convey it. Pass by roller 205
The conveyance of the original on the platen glass 7 is stopped by the entire surface belt 206 through II. That is, the rotation of the large conveyance roller 207 causes the document to be reversed on the route of paths III to IV to II.

Further, the original stack 202 is passed through the paths I to II one by one.
It is also possible to count the number of documents by conveying the sheets through III to IV to V to VI until one cycle is detected by the recycle lever 209.

When a small-sized sheet of one-sided original is discharged after copying, the original on the platen glass 7 is returned to the uppermost surface of the original bundle 202 again by the full-face belt 206 and the discharge roller 211.

C. Staple Sorter (Collecting Device with Staple) (300) The staple sorter 300 has a fixed non-sort tray 311 of 20 bins and performs collation.

In the sort mode, the copied sheets are sequentially ejected from the paper ejection roller 134 of the main body, enter the conveyance roller 301 of the sorter 300, pass the conveyance path 303, and are ejected from the ejection roller 305 to each bin of the tray 312. Each time the paper is discharged, each bin is moved up and down by a bin shift motor (not shown) to perform collation. When the staple mode is selected and a staple signal is input from the main body 100, the staple device 320 staples the sheets in each bin while moving the bin shift motor one bin at a time.

FIG. 4 shows an arrangement configuration example of the operation panel provided in the main body 100 described above. The operation panel has a key group 600 and a display group 700 as described below.

D. Operation Panel (2) In FIG. 4, reference numeral 601 denotes a preheat key for setting a preheat mode in which unnecessary display is erased when the copying apparatus is not used and power consumption is suppressed. 602 is an interrupt key,
Pressing during the copying operation interrupts the operation and enables the copying operation of other users. After use by another user, this key 6
Pressing 02 again restores the interrupted copying operation.
Reference numeral 603 denotes a secret code key. When the secret code is set, the secret key is pressed before and after the copying operation to prohibit the copying operation by a user other than the authorized user. Furthermore, the secret code key is used when registering the secret code number. A numeric keypad 604 is a key for inputting the number of copies, the magnification, the personal identification number, the numerical value when the mode is set, and the like. Reference numeral 605 is a clear key, which resets the number of copies, a personal identification number, a numerical value when the mode is set, and the like to initial values.

Reference numeral 606 denotes a start key, which is pressed to start the copying operation. A stop key 607 is pressed during the copying operation to stop the copying operation. 6
Reference numeral 08 is an OK key for confirming the setting data at the time of mode setting. Reference numerals 609 and 610 are collectively referred to as up and down keys, and are used when setting the magnification and setting the mode. The up and down keys are composed of an up arrow key 609 and a down arrow key 610. A reset key 611 functions as a stop key during the copying operation and returns the mode to the initial setting value when not operating.

Reference numeral 612 denotes a paper selection key, which is an automatic paper selection (APS) mode for selecting a plurality of paper cassettes, multi-manual paper feed, or a paper cassette in which optimum paper is determined based on the document size, magnification and setting mode. Use when selecting. Reference numeral 613 denotes a unity magnification key, which sets the magnification to the same size (actual size). An enlargement / reduction key 614 is pressed when performing enlargement or reduction. The scaling factor selected at this time is a scaling factor from a standard document to a standard sheet.

An automatic density adjustment (AE) key 615 sets a mode for automatically determining the density. When the automatic density adjustment mode is selected, the light emitting diode arranged inside the automatic density adjustment key lights up. 616
Is a manual density adjustment key, and the density can be set manually. When the density is selected by the manual density adjustment key, the above-mentioned automatic density adjustment mode is canceled and the light emitting diode arranged inside the automatic density adjustment key is turned off. Reference numeral 617 is a concentration indicator composed of nine light emitting diodes. The light emitting diode in the center indicates the standard concentration, and when the concentration higher than the standard concentration is selected, the light emitting diode on the right side lights up and the light concentration is selected. If so, the left light-emitting diode lights up. The degree of thinness increases from the center to the outside.

Reference numeral 618 denotes a paper discharge method selection key for selecting a staple sort, sort, and group discharge method. When any mode is set, a light emitting diode arranged inside the paper discharge method selection key Lights up. 63
Reference numeral 5 denotes an LCD (liquid crystal) type message display for displaying information about the device, which displays characters and figures with 96 × 192 dots. For example, the number of copies set with the numeric keypad 604, a standard variable magnification key 614, a normal magnification key 613.
A message indicating the magnification set in step 3, the sheet size selected by the sheet selection key 612, the copy mode, the state of the copying apparatus, and the like are displayed.

619 to 632 are collectively referred to as applied operation keys,
It is a key related to applied operations such as an automatic double-sided function, and is covered by an openable / closable cover (not shown). 619
Is a double-sided key, and it is possible to select a mode in which two single-sided originals are output on one sheet in both sides and a mode in which one double-sided original is output on one sheet in both sides. A page continuous shooting key 620 is a page continuous shooting mode in which the left and right sides of a single-sided original are divided into two and output to two single-sided sheets, and a page in which the front and back sides of a single double-sided original are output to separate sheets on one side. Continuous shooting double-sided mode can be selected. Further, in the page continuous shooting mode, it is possible to select which side of the left and right documents is to be ejected upward, and this can be switched by pressing the page continuous shooting key and then pressing the user mode key 632 described later. A multiplex key 621 is a multiplex mode in which two originals are multiplexed (combined) and output on the same side of one sheet, and the left and right sides of one single-sided original are divided into two, and the two are divided on the same side of one sheet. It is possible to select the page continuous shooting multiplex mode in which multiplex (composite) output is performed.

A cover key 622 is used to select a cover mode in which the sheets set in the multi-bypass are used as the front cover and the back cover at the beginning and the end of the output sheet bundle. In the cover mode, it is possible to select whether to attach only the front cover or to attach the front cover and the back cover, and whether to output to the front cover or the front cover and the back cover.

Reference numeral 623 denotes a zoom key, which is a ten-key pad 60.
Set the magnification in the range that can be set in step 4. Further, by pressing the zoom key and then a user mode key 632, which will be described later, the manuscript size and the output size are displayed on the ten key 604.
It is possible to select the zoom program mode for calculating and setting the optimum magnification by inputting. 62
Reference numeral 4 is a reduction layout key, which is used for RDF2 copy of two originals.
2 in 1 single-sided mode to output on one side of one sheet by continuously sending to the original table 7 by 00, two originals are continuously sent to the original table by RDF and output to the upper half of the sheet. In the same manner, by outputting to the lower half of the sheet, four originals are output to one side of one sheet of paper, 4 in 1 single sided mode, 2 in 1 single sided mode is performed for both sides of one output sheet. It is possible to select a 2-in-1 double-sided mode in which one document is output on the front and back sides of one sheet, and a 2-in-1 multiplex mode in which two documents are output on one side of one sheet and above and below.

Reference numeral 625 denotes a binding margin key, which can be selected from the upper, lower, left, and right sides to set a binding margin of a designated length at a designated position. During the binding margin setting, the width of the binding margin, the side to which the binding margin is applied, and by pressing the user mode key 632 described later, it is possible to select whether or not to apply the binding margin to the back surface during double-sided output. 62
Reference numeral 6 denotes an OHP middle-pointing key, which can be set to a mode in which a middle insertion sheet is sandwiched between OHP (overhead projector) sheets when outputting to an OHP (overhead projector) sheet. Further, in the OHP insertion mode, it is possible to select whether or not to copy the insertion sheet. Reference numeral 627 denotes an automatic scaling key, which is pressed when the optimum magnification is selected from the document size and the paper size.

Reference numeral 628 denotes an enlargement layout key, which is a 1t for dividing a single-sided original sheet into two and outputting the single-sided sheets on two sheets.
o2 single-sided mode, 1-sided single-sided mode in which one single-sided original is divided into four and output on one side on four sheets of paper 1-to-two-sided mode in which one sided original is divided into two and output on both sides of one sheet 1-to-4 duplex mode, which divides a single-sided original into 4 and outputs both sides to 2 sheets, 1-to-2 double-sided mode, which outputs 1-sided original into 2 sides and outputs 1 side to 4 sheets, 1-sided It is possible to select a 1 to 2 both mode in which the original is divided into two, the front and back sides, and both sides are output on two sheets.

A frame erasing key 629 is pressed to select sheet frame erasing, document frame erasing, and book frame erasing. 6
A mode memory key 30 can store and call up to three modes. Reference numeral 631 denotes a document mixed loading key, which is effective only when the RDF 200 is mounted, and is pressed when loading documents of different sizes having the same width size on the RDF 200.

Numeral 632 is a user mode key, which is used to set the mode in each of the applied operation keys as described above, and also sets the time of auto clear for resetting the mode after a certain period of time in the copy enabled state, and the copy is possible. In this state, the power is turned off after a certain period of time, the power is turned off, the automatic cassette change is performed to feed paper from another paper cassette of the same size when paper runs out during copying, and paper is set in the multi-bypass. O of multi-bypass input to specify the paper size for multi-bypass
This button is pressed when setting the mode such as N / OFF, cleaning the RDF paper feed roller, and finely adjusting the output density and magnification.

A power key 633 turns on / off the power of the entire copying apparatus. 6 when the power is on
The pilot lamp 34 lights up.

F. Operation Example Next, with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 5 to 19, regarding operation examples of the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention when the present invention is applied to the copying apparatus described in FIGS. explain. Here, the symbols starting with S such as S101 to S115, S201 ... Represent each processing step.

(First Embodiment) FIGS. 5 to 7 show a first embodiment of the present invention.
An operation procedure of the embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 shows an operation procedure executed by the CPU 50 particularly when moving the elevating table according to the position of the paper jam. First, a paper jam (hereafter called a jam)
Is determined (S101), and if NO (negative determination), the determination is repeated. If the determination in S101 is YES (affirmative determination), it is determined whether or not the jam position is the upper sheet feeding jam (S102), and this determination is Y.
In the case of ES, the movement of the elevator (elevator) 102 is started (S103). After that, it is determined whether or not the elevator has reached the upper sheet feeding jam processing position (S104), and in the case of NO, the process returns to S103 and the movement of the elevator is repeated.

If NO in S102, it is determined whether or not the jam position is the lower sheet feeding jam (S10).
5) If the result of the determination is YES, the movement of the elevator is started (S106). After that, it is determined whether or not the elevator has reached the lower sheet feeding jam processing position (S107). If NO, the process returns to S106 to repeat the movement of the elevator.

If NO in the determination in S105,
It is judged whether the jam position is the jam before the registration roller or the fixing jam (S108), and if the judgment is YES, the movement of the elevator is started (S109). Then, it is determined whether or not the elevator has reached the jam processing position of the registration roller front jam or the fixing jam (S110). If the determination is NO, the process returns to S109 to repeat the movement of the elevator.

If NO in the determination in S108,
It is determined whether the jam position is the feeder jam (S11
1) If YES, start moving the elevator (S1)
12). After that, it is determined whether or not the elevator has reached the feeder jam processing position (S113), and in the case of NO,
The process returns to S112 and the movement of the lifting platform is repeated. If NO in the determination in S111, the process proceeds to S109.

S104, S107, S110 and S1
If the result of the determination in 13 is YES, the elevator is stopped (S1
14) and displays a paper jam warning to the operator (S11
5) The process is completed.

(Modification of First Embodiment) Next, the operation of the modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. In this example, the height of the main body of the apparatus is controlled by the setting means for setting the priority order of the paper jam.

First, with reference to FIG. 6, a method of setting the position of the lifting table in the processing of paper jam will be described. It is determined whether the user mode key 632 has been pressed (S201),
If NO, the judgment is repeated. If YES in the determination in S201, the up arrow key 609 or the down arrow key 61
It is determined whether 0 has been pressed (S202), and if NO, the determination is repeated. If YES in the determination in S202, it is determined whether or not the item for setting the position of the paper jam is selected from various user mode settings (S203), and if NO, the process returns to the determination in (S202). .

If the determination in S203 is YES, then OK
It is determined whether the key 608 is pressed (S204),
In the case of NO in this determination, the process returns to the determination in S202. S
If YES in the determination in 204, it is determined whether or not the ten-key 604 is pressed (S205), and in this determination YES
In the case of, the position where the lifting table moves when the paper is jammed is buffered in a memory (not shown) according to the ten key 604 (S206). After that, it is determined whether or not the OK key 608 is pressed (S207), and if NO, S20.
Return to 5. If YES in the determination in S207, S20
The position of the paper jam buffered in the process of 6 is determined (S208).

Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the control of the lift table based on the position of the lift table at the time of the paper jam determined in the paper jam position setting processing routine will be described. It is determined whether a paper jam has been detected (S209), and if NO, the determination is repeated. If the determination in S209 is YES,
It is determined whether or not the position of the lift table at the time of paper jam determined in the paper jam position setting processing routine of FIG. 6 is higher than the current position (S210).

If the result of the determination in S210 is YES, the raising of the platform is started (S211), and if the result of S210 is NO, the platform is lowered (S212). Then, it is determined whether or not the elevating table has reached the elevating position of the paper jam (S213), and if this determination is NO, the determination is repeated. If the determination in S213 is YES, the movement of the lifting platform is stopped (S214), and a paper jam is displayed to the operator as a warning (S215).

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and shows an operation procedure of a prohibition operation of a lifting operation key when the present invention is applied to a copying apparatus, particularly during movement of a lifting table.

First, it is judged whether or not a paper jam is detected (S301), and if NO, the judgment is repeated. S
In the case of YES in the determination in 301, the keys of the lifting operation panel 8 other than the emergency stop key (not shown) are prohibited (S302). That is, even if the keys 9, 10, 11 other than the emergency stop key on the lifting operation panel 8 are pressed, the lifting operation is not performed. After that, a warning is displayed on the LCD (liquid crystal) type message display 635 indicating that the elevator is moving up and down (S
303), and the lift is moved (S304).

After that, it is judged whether or not the elevating table has reached a predetermined paper jam processing position (S30).
5) If NO, the process returns to S304.

If the determination in S305 is YES, the elevator is stopped (S306). At the same time, all the keys on the lifting operation panel 8 can be accepted (S307). After that, the fact that the paper is jammed is displayed on the LCD (liquid crystal) type message display 635 as a warning (S308), and this processing is ended.

(Modification of Second Embodiment) Next, referring to FIG. 9, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with respect to the lifting operation by the lifting operation key when the automatic movement of the lifting platform is prohibited when a paper jam occurs. A modified example will be described.

First, it is determined whether or not a paper jam is detected (S401), and if NO, the determination is repeated. S
In the case of YES in the determination in 401, automatic lifting of the lifting platform is prohibited (S402), and a message display 635 is used to display a warning to the operator that the paper is jammed (S40).
3).

After that, it is judged whether or not the raising switch 9 is pushed down by the operator (S404), and if YES, the raising of the lift table is started (S405). If the determination in S404 is NO, it is determined whether or not the lowering switch 11 has been pressed (S406). If the determination is NO, the process returns to the determination in S404. If the result of the determination in S406 is YES, the elevating table starts to descend.

After starting the movement of the elevating table 102 in S405 and S407, it is judged whether or not the stop key 607 is pressed by the operator (S408), and if NO, the judgment is repeated. If YES in the determination in S408, the elevator is stopped (S409), and finally S40
The automatic lifting prohibition of the lifting platform in the process of 2 is released (S41
0).

As a matter of course, even if the elevator reaches a certain position while the elevator is moving by the operator,
If the stop key 607 in S408 is not pressed, the process is forcibly moved to S409, and the lifting platform is stopped.

(Third Embodiment) Next, an operation example of the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, with reference to FIG. 10, a description will be given of the operation of prohibiting the raising / lowering operation key during movement of the raising / lowering table.

First, it is judged whether or not an alarm is detected (S501), and if NO, the judgment is repeated. S
If YES in the determination of 501, it is determined whether or not the automatic lifting permission is set by the means described later (S50
9), in the case of NO in the determination, the process proceeds to S508.

If YES in S509, all keys other than the emergency stop key (not shown) among the keys of the lifting operation panel 8 are prohibited (S502). That is, the lifting operation panel 8
Even if any key other than the emergency stop key is pressed, the lifting operation is not performed. After that, a warning is displayed on the LCD (liquid crystal) type message display 635 that the elevator is moving up and down (S50
3) The elevator is moved (S504). After that, it is determined whether or not the lift has reached a predetermined alarm processing position (S505), and if NO, S50.
Return to the process of 4.

If the determination in S505 is YES, the elevator is stopped (S506). At the same time, all the keys of the lifting operation panel 8 can be accepted (S507). After that, a warning indicating that it is an alarm is displayed on the LCD (liquid crystal) type message display 635 (S508), and this processing ends.

Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the procedure of automatic lifting permission setting will be described. First, user mode key 6
It is determined whether 32 has been pressed (S601), and if NO, the determination is repeated. YES in the determination of S601
In the case of, it is determined whether the up arrow key 609 or the down arrow key 610 is pressed (S602), and in the case of NO, the determination is repeated. In the case of YES in S602, it is determined whether or not the item of the automatic automatic lifting permission setting of the alarm is selected from among various user mode settings (S603), and in the case of NO, it is determined in S602. Return. If YES in the determination in S603, OK key 6
It is determined whether 08 is pressed (S604), and if NO, the process returns to the determination of S602.

If YES in the determination in S604, it is determined whether or not the ten-key 604 has been pressed (S605), and if YES in this determination, it is determined whether or not automatic lifting / lowering permission at the time of the current alarm generation is permitted. (S605), YE in this judgment
In the case of S, it is determined whether the down arrow key 610 has been pressed (S606). If YES in S606, it is determined whether the up arrow key 609 is pressed (S60).
8). If YES in S608, the process proceeds to S607.

If NO in the determination in S606, S60
In step 7, it is determined whether or not the OK key has been pressed. If NO, the process returns to step S606. In the case of YES in the determination of S607, the automatic lifting is set to be permitted, and the process exits to the exit. If NO in the determination in S608, it is determined whether or not the OK key has been pressed (S609). If NO in this determination, the process returns to the determination in S608. If YES in the determination of S609, the automatic lifting is prohibited and the exit is made.

Although the contents of the alarm are not described in the present embodiment, the contents of the present embodiment are performed for each alarm. The alarm indicating that copying is not possible includes no lower paper, no upper paper, no card, no feeder originals, no toner, the copier or feeder cover is open, and the sorter is not connected to the main body. .

Further, in the present embodiment, the automatic lifting permission is set from the operation section, but it can be set in the same manner by providing a dedicated hardware switch or the like.

(Modification of Third Embodiment) FIGS. 12 and 1
3 shows an operation procedure of a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention.

Next, with reference to FIG. 12, the alarm generation during the lifting operation will be described.

First, it is judged whether or not an alarm is detected (S701), and if NO, the judgment is repeated. S
In the case of YES in the determination of 701, it is determined whether or not the up / down movement flag by the operation key described below is set (S702), and in the case of YES, the process proceeds to S707.

If NO in the determination in S702, a warning indicating that the elevator is moving is displayed on the LCD (liquid crystal) type message display 635 (S703), and the elevator is moved (S704). After that, it is determined whether or not the lift has reached a predetermined alarm processing position (S
705), if NO, returns to the process of S704.

If the determination in S705 is YES, the elevator is stopped (S706). After that, a warning indicating that it is an alarm is displayed on the LCD (liquid crystal) type message display 635 (S707), and this processing ends.

Next, referring to FIG. 13, a lifting operation using the operation keys will be described.

The process of FIG. 13 is a process called at regular time intervals or as needed. The operator determines whether or not the raising switch 9 has been pressed (S801),
If YES, the ascending / descending platform starts to be raised (S80).
3). In the case of NO in the determination of S801, it is determined whether or not the down switch 11 has been pressed (S802), and in the case of NO, the process returns to the determination of S801. Y in the judgment of S803
In case of ES, the descending of the elevator is started.

After the movement of the elevator is started in S803 and S804, it is judged whether or not the stop key 607 is pressed by the operator (S805), and if NO, the judgment is repeated. If the result of the determination in S805 is YES, the elevator is stopped (S806), and the process returns to the determination in S801.

As a matter of course, when the elevator is moving by the operator, even if the elevator reaches a certain position,
If the stop key 607 in S805 is not pressed, the process is forcibly moved to S806, and the lifting platform is stopped.

(Fourth Embodiment) The flowcharts of FIGS. 14 to 19 show the operation procedure of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

First, with reference to FIG. 14, a case will be described in which the lift is moved in response to each alarm.

First, it is judged whether or not an alarm is detected (S901), and if NO, the judgment is repeated. S
If YES in the determination of 901, it is determined whether or not the cause of the alarm is that there is no lower feed sheet (S902).
In the case of S, the movement of the elevator is started (S903). After that, it is determined whether or not the elevator has reached the paper replenishing position for the absence of the lower fed sheet (S904). If NO, the process returns to S903 to repeat the movement of the elevator.

If NO in the determination in S902,
It is determined whether the cause of the alarm is that there is no upper feed paper (S
905), in the case of YES, the movement of the lifting platform is started (S906). After that, it is determined whether or not the elevator has reached the upper sheet feeding paper supply processing position (S907), and in the case of NO, the process returns to S906 and the movement of the elevator is repeated.

If NO in the determination in S905,
It is judged whether or not the cause of the alarm is the absence of the copy number management card (S908), and if the judgment is YES, the movement of the elevator is started (S909). Here, a copy number management card (not shown) can be copied by inserting the card into a card slot (not shown) of the copying machine main body. After that, it is determined whether or not the lift has reached the card insertion position (S910). If NO, the process returns to S909 to repeat the movement of the lift.

If NO in the determination in S908,
It is determined whether or not the cause of the alarm is the absence of a document in the document feeder 200 (hereinafter referred to as a feeder) (S911), and YES.
In the case of, the movement of the lifting platform is started (S912). Here, depending on the copy operation mode, there is a case where the document feeding operation in the feeder 200 is always necessary. For example, double-sided continuous shooting mode that copies two-sided originals into two single-sided copies,
For example, a mixed original mode. In this case, when there is no original document in the feeder, an alarm is issued that the copy cannot be started. After that, it is determined whether or not the elevator has reached the feeder document setting position (S913). If NO, the process returns to S912 and the movement of the elevator is repeated.

If NO in the determination in S911,
Then, the process proceeds to S906.

S904, S907, S910 and S9
If the result of the determination in 13 is YES, the elevator is stopped (S9
14), a warning display is displayed on the message display 635 indicating the content of the alarm that the operator has moved the lifting platform (S9).
15) and this process ends.

Further, in the present embodiment, control is performed so that it is in the same elevation position as that without upper paper, except for alarms such as no lower paper, no upper paper, no card, and no feeder original. The elevation position may be changed individually according to the alarm content. For alarms that prevent copying,
In addition, there is no toner, the cover of the copying machine or the feeder is open, and the sorter is not connected to the main body.

(Modification 1 of Fourth Embodiment) Next, referring to FIG. 15, a control operation for controlling the height of the apparatus main body by a setting procedure for setting the ascending / descending position when an alarm occurs will be described.

First, the procedure for setting the position of the lifting table for alarm processing will be described. It is determined whether the user mode key 632 has been pressed (S1001), and if NO, the determination is repeated. If the determination in S1001 is YES, it is determined whether the up arrow key 609 or the down arrow key 610 has been pressed (S1002). If the determination is NO, the determination is repeated. In the case of YES in S1002, it is determined whether or not the item of alarm position setting is selected from among various user mode settings (S1003), and in the case of NO, the process returns to S1002. If YES in the determination in S1003, it is determined whether the OK key 608 is pressed (S1004),
If NO, the process returns to the determination of S1002. S1004
If the determination is YES, it is determined whether or not the ten key 604 is pressed (S1005), and if the determination is YES, the position moved when an alarm occurs according to the ten key is buffered in the internal memory (S1006).

Thereafter, it is judged whether or not the OK key 608 is pressed (S1007), and in the case of NO, S100.
Return to 5. If the result of the determination in S1007 is YES, the position at the time of the alarm occurrence buffered in the process of S1006 is confirmed (S1008).

Next, with reference to FIG. 16, the control of the lifting platform based on the position of the lifting platform at the time of alarm occurrence determined in the alarm position setting processing routine of FIG. 15 will be described. It is determined whether or not an alarm is detected (S100
9), in the case of NO, the judgment is repeated. S1009
If the determination is YES, it is determined whether or not the position of the lifting platform at the time of alarm occurrence, which is determined in the alarm position setting processing routine (S1008), is higher than the current position (S1010). If the result of the determination in S1010 is YES, the raising of the platform is started (S1011), and S1010 is started.
If the determination is NO, the descent of the elevator is started (S1).
012).

Then, it is judged whether or not the lifting platform has reached the alarm lifting position (S1013), and if NO, the judgment is repeated. If the determination in S1013 is YES, the movement of the lifting platform is stopped (S1014), and an alarm is displayed to the operator using the message display 635 (S1015).

Although the contents of the alarm are not described in the present embodiment, the contents of the present embodiment are applied to each alarm.

Further, in the present embodiment, when an alarm is generated, the alarm is displayed to the operator after moving the raising / lowering position of the lifting platform to the set position. However, when an alarm is generated, the alarm is displayed to the operator, The elevating position of the elevating table may be moved.
A flowchart in that case is shown in FIG. First, it is determined whether or not an alarm is detected (S1101), and NON
If O, the judgment is repeated. Y in the judgment of S1101
In the case of ES, an alarm is displayed to the operator via the message display 635 (S1102). Then, it is determined whether or not the position of the lifting platform at the time of alarm occurrence, which is determined by the alarm position setting processing routine, is higher than the current position (S1010). This transition S1104
Since S1107 to S1107 are the same as S1011 to S1014 in FIG. 16, description thereof will be omitted.

(Modification 2 of Fourth Embodiment) Next, referring to FIG.
With reference to FIG. 19, a control operation for controlling the height of the apparatus main body by setting the priority order when an alarm is generated and setting the ascending / descending position will be described.

First, the priority order setting procedure when a plurality of alarms occur will be described. User mode key 63
It is determined whether 2 has been pressed (S1201), and if NO, the determination is repeated. YE at the judgment of S1201
In the case of S, it is determined whether the up arrow key 609 or the down arrow key 610 has been pressed (S1202), and in the case of NO in this determination, the determination is repeated. In the case of YES in S1202, it is determined whether or not the item of alarm priority setting is selected from various user mode settings (S1203), and in the case of NO in this determination, S1202 Return to judgment. If YES in the determination in S1203, it is determined whether the OK key 608 has been pressed (S1204). If NO in this determination,
Returning to the determination of S1202. If YES in the determination in S1204, it is determined whether the down arrow key 610 has been pressed (S1205), if NO, it is determined whether the numeric keypad 604 has been pressed (S1206), and if YES. The priority order when a paper out alarm is generated is buffered in the internal memory according to the ten-key (S1207).

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the OK key 608 is pressed (S1208), and if NO, S120
Return to 6. If YES in S1205, the up arrow key 6
It is determined whether or not 09 is pressed (S1209), and YE
In the case of S, the process proceeds to S1206. NO in S1209
In the case of, it is determined whether or not the down arrow key 610 has been pressed (S1210), and in the case of NO in this determination, the ten-key 6
It is determined whether 04 is pressed or not (S1211). If the result of this determination is YES, the priority order when the no card alarm is generated is buffered in the internal memory according to the ten key (S1212).

Thereafter, it is judged whether or not the OK key 608 is pressed (S1213), and in the case of NO, S120
Return to 9.

If YES in S1210, it is determined whether or not the up arrow key 609 has been pressed (S1214), and if YES in this determination, the process proceeds to S1211. S1
If the determination of 214 is NO, it is determined whether or not the ten key 604 is pressed (S1215), and this determination is YES.
In the case of, the priority order at the time of the alarm of no original in the feeder is buffered according to the ten keys (S12).
16). Then, it is determined whether or not the OK key 608 is pressed (S1217), and if NO, the process returns to S1209.

S1208, S1213 and S1217
If YES, the priority order of each alarm buffered in S1207, S1212 and S1216 is determined (S1218). Here, it is assumed that the priority order is set by numbers 1 to 3.

Next, with reference to FIG. 19, a case where the elevator is moved in response to an alarm will be described.

First, it is judged whether or not an alarm is detected (S1301), and if NO, the judgment is repeated.
If YES in the determination of S1301, the internal counter for determining the priority is set to 1 (S130
2) Next, it is determined whether the counter is greater than 3 (S1303). In the case of NO in the determination of S1303, it is determined whether or not the above-described paperless priority set by the method is the value of the counter (S1304). If YES in the determination in S1304, it is determined whether or not there is no paper in the alarm that has occurred (S1308), and YE is determined in this determination.
In the case of S, the movement of the elevator is started (S1308).

After that, it is judged whether or not the elevator has reached the paper supply position for paper empty (S1310). If NO, the process returns to S1310 to repeat the movement of the elevator. Also,
If NO in the determination of S1308, or S130
In the case of NO in the determination of 4, it is determined whether or not the priority order of no card is the value of the counter (S1305).

If YES in the determination in S1305, it is determined whether or not there is a card out of the alarms that have occurred (S1311), and if YES in this determination, the movement of the elevator is started (S1312). ).

After that, it is judged whether or not the lift has reached the card insertion position (S1313), and if NO, S
Returning to 1313, the movement of the lifting platform is repeated. In addition, S13
In the case of NO in the determination of 11 or in the determination of S1305 in the case of NO, it is determined whether or not the priority order of no feeder document is the value of the counter (S1306). S130
If the result of judgment in step 6 is YES, among the alarms that have occurred,
It is determined whether there is no feeder original (S131
4) If the result of this determination is YES, the movement of the elevator is started (S1315).

Thereafter, it is judged whether or not the elevator has reached the feeder document setting position (S1316). If NO, the process returns to S1316 to repeat the movement of the elevator.

Further, S1310, S1313 and S1
In the case of YES in 316, the movement of the elevator is stopped (S1317), a warning display of the content of the alarm indicating that the elevator has been moved is displayed to the operator (S1318), and this processing is ended.

If NO in the determination in S1314,
Alternatively, if the determination in S1306 is NO, the counter is incremented by 1 (S1307), and the process returns to S1303. Less than,
Until the counter exceeds 3, or S1308, S1
The processing is repeated until the determinations at 311 and S1314 are YES, and when the counter exceeds 3, the same processing as the alarm for no paper is performed.

As described above, the priority of each alarm is set, and when an alarm occurs, the alarm having the priority of 1 set among the alarms is searched and the alarm having the priority of 1 is searched. If there is, it is determined whether the alarm that has occurred is that alarm. This judgment is prioritized by 2, 3
By repeating the above, when a plurality of alarms occur, the elevator is operated according to the set priority.

Further, in this embodiment, except for the alarms of no paper, no card, and no feeder original, the control is performed so that the elevator is in the same lift position as when there is no paper. You can change it.

Further, in the present embodiment, the priority order is set to three steps, but it is also possible to set the priority order to more steps.

(Fifth Embodiment) Next, with reference to FIGS. 20 to 24, a fifth embodiment of the present invention for the case of an operator on a wheelchair will be specifically described.

FIG. 20 shows the appearance of the entire copying apparatus. Reference numeral 1 denotes a main body of the apparatus, 17 of which is an upper portion of the main body, and 18 is a lower portion of the main body. Reference numeral 13 is a pedestal provided with a lifting device 100 for lifting the device body. An operation panel 2 is used to select the number of copies, copy magnification, copy paper, and the like. Reference numeral 7 denotes a platen glass on which a document is placed, and 6 denotes a document set on the platen glass 7. Further, the original pressure plate 3 is for pressing the original set on the platen glass 7,
It can be opened and closed. The paper discharge cover 4 and the front cover 5 are opening / closing doors for the operator to perform a jam (paper jam) process when a paper jam occurs.

Reference numeral 8 denotes an elevating operation panel for operating the elevating device 100. On the elevating operation panel 8, an elevating switch 9 for elevating the elevating table, a lowering switch 11 for lowering, and moving to a standard position. There is provided a standard position movement switch 10 for Further, there are provided a paper feed raising switch 124 for raising only the upper body 17 at the time of feeding and a body lowering switch 125 for returning the upper body 17 to the original position after the completion of feeding. ON-OFF signals of these switches are sent to a CPU 50 (not shown), and the CPU 50 controls the apparatus main body 1. Further, 12 is a paper cassette for stocking paper. Reference numeral 16 denotes a pressure sensor mounting range, which detects when another object comes into contact therewith, and a detection signal is sent to the CPU 50.

Details of the lifting device 100 are the same as those in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 20, the lifting device 100 is C
It operates according to a command issued from the PU 50, and its height is the optimum height for both a healthy person and a physically handicapped person in a wheelchair with respect to the height of the operation panel and the setting of the original on the platen glass 7. The device body can be moved up and down so that 150
When the operator uses a wheelchair in the height range of cm to 190 cm, the height of the main body of about 800 mm is relatively easy to operate. That is, the standard height of the main body is 95
When it is set to 0 mm, it is about 15
A state of moving downward by 0 mm is an appropriate height for persons with disabilities. Therefore, in the embodiment, the lifting device 100 is set so that the height of the operation panel 2 can be moved from 800 mm to 1100 mm. That is, FIG.
The height of the operation panel 2 is set to slightly exceed 800 mm and 1100 mm when the protrusions 104 of the slide volume 103 are moved to the upper end and the lower end of the slide volume.

A specific description will be given of the case of operating a wheelchair by operating the lift switch 9 on the lift operation panel 8.
When the operator presses, the apparatus body 1 can be raised, and when the operator presses the lowering switch 11, the apparatus body 1 can be lowered. Therefore, when the operator presses the lowering switch 11 so that the operator in the wheelchair can easily operate, the elevating device 100 starts the lowering operation and the slide volume 103 is 800 mm (suitable for the operator in the wheelchair). When the height of the main body) is detected, the lifting device 100 stops.

Reference numerals 19a to 19d (representative number 19) are on the paper feeding elevating section and are located at four positions on the upper portion 17 of the main body. Reference numerals 120a to 120d (representative number 120) are under the sheet feeding elevating section and are combined with the sheet feeding elevating sections 19a to 19d. FIG. 21 shows a sectional structure of the copying apparatus of this embodiment. Paper feed elevating part upper 19 and paper feed elevating part lower 1
The slider devices 121a, 12a
1b (representative number 121) and slider device lower 122
a and 122b (representative number 122), the slider device upper 121 is moved upward by receiving a rising signal for feeding from the CPU 50. The drive of the slider device 121 is assumed to be an electric drive in this embodiment, but it is of course possible to use any drive such as a hydraulic drive or an air drive.

When the upper part 17 of the main body rises, the upper part 17 of the main body
The upper part 19 of the paper feed lifting part, which is a part of the above, also rises. The lower part 18 of the main body accommodating the paper cassette continues to maintain the position at that time regardless of the rise of the upper part 17 of the main body, and as a result, a space indicated by A in FIG. . Since the sheet storage section 12 of the sheet cassette is opened to the front side of the apparatus by the space of the A section, the operator on the wheelchair uses the A section space to move the sheet cassette to the front side of the apparatus as shown in FIG. Paper storage unit 12 without pulling out
It is possible to set the paper on.

After the sheets are stored in the sheet cassette 12, the operator pushes the sheet feeding lowering switch 125 to move the slider device upper 121 so that the upper portion 17 of the main body moves downward and a predetermined amount. Hold the position and stop. After the CPU 50 receives a confirmation signal from the sensor (not shown) indicating that it has stopped at a predetermined position, the CPU 50 outputs a copy enable signal to the apparatus main body and returns to the copy enable state.

At the time of this paper feeding, the raising switch 124
Can also be used for paper jams near the paper cassette. C for the paper jam signal near the paper cassette
When the PU 50 receives the signal, the operator pushes the paper feed raising switch 124, or the CPU 50 directly outputs a raising signal of the slider device upper portion 121 to raise the main body upper portion 17 to form an opening of the portion A. As a result, it becomes possible to easily take out the paper jammed in the vicinity of the paper cassette 12 from the opening of the portion A.

The lifting device for the entire main body is the lifting device 1.
A safety function is provided in order to prevent the danger associated with the lifting and lowering operation of 00, and the pressure-sensitive sensor 16 prevents the pressure when the operator's limbs or the like are sandwiched between the apparatus main body 1 and another object. The detection signal is detected and transmitted to the CPU 50. Upper body 17 and lower body 18 in this embodiment
Is also provided with a pressure sensitive sensor 126.
Reference numeral 26 transmits this detection signal to the CPU 50 when an abnormal pressure is detected when the upper part 17 of the main body is moved up and down.
It is possible to stop the lifting and lowering of.

(Modification of Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a paper cassette showing a modification of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. 127 is a cassette container. Reference numeral 129 is a front side of the sheet regulation plate, and 130 is a rear side of the sheet regulation plate. The front of the paper regulation plate 129 and the back of the paper regulation plate 130 are for regulating the position of the paper stored in the cassette at right angles to the paper feeding direction, and can be moved in the B direction depending on the size of the paper. ing. Further, reference numeral 128 denotes an intermediate plate, which is for holding the sheet obliquely upward so that the sheet is fed to the apparatus main body 1. 129 before the paper regulation plate
Has a configuration that can be tilted in the C direction in addition to the B direction.

Reference numeral 132 denotes a cassette front cover, which is in a position (132) indicated by a broken line in a normal state where a copying operation is performed.
Although it is located at a), the cassette front cover 132 is configured to be tiltable in the C direction around the rotation center 131 as an axis.

Further, in conjunction with tilting the cassette front cover 132 in the C direction, the front of the paper regulating plate 129 is also tilted in the C direction by a coupling mechanism (not shown).

FIG. 24 is an overall external view of the paper cassette of FIG. 23 combined with a device for raising the upper portion 17 of the main body of FIG. Wheelchair operator raises switch 1 when feeding
By pressing 24, the main body upper part 17 rises and a space A is created between the main body upper part 17 and the main body lower part 18. When the operator tilts the cassette front cover 132 in the C direction, the space A is expanded by the cassette front cover 132. As a result, the cassette paper storage unit 1
It becomes easier to store paper in 2a.

(Other Embodiments) It goes without saying that the above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other as necessary.

Further, it is obvious that the present invention can be applied not only to the copying machine but also to various printers such as an ink jet printer, a facsimile machine or an information processing apparatus with a built-in printer.

Further, the device of the present invention is a device that can be easily handled by not only physically handicapped persons but also short children, and can be expected for school education.

[0182]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The following effects can be obtained.

(1) In the case of a paper jam, the copying apparatus main body is automatically moved up and down to a position where it is easy to handle the paper jam according to the position of the paper jam, so that the processing time of the paper jam for the operator is shortened, and eventually the image formation is performed. Equipment downtime is reduced.

(2) When the paper jam occurs, the elevating device is automatically operated to move the height of the apparatus main body to a predetermined position. During the movement, the operation of the elevating device is prohibited by the operator, and During operation of the lifting device by the operator,
Even if a paper jam occurs, the automatic moving operation of the lifting device is prohibited, so the operability and safety are improved. In addition, depending on the degree of the operator's obstacle, in the case of a paper jam, it is possible to select whether or not the copying apparatus main body is automatically moved up and down according to the position of the paper jam, so that it can be adjusted according to the degree of the operator's obstacle. The raising / lowering operation can be set, the paper jam processing is facilitated, and the downtime of the image forming apparatus is reduced.

(3) When an image formation operation start impossible alarm such as no paper is generated, the elevating device is automatically operated to move the height of the apparatus main body to a predetermined position. The operation of the lifting device is prohibited, and the automatic operation of the lifting device is prohibited even if an alarm occurs during the operation of the lifting device by the operator, so that operability and safety are improved. Also, in the case of an alarm, depending on the degree of the operator's obstacle, it is possible to select whether to raise or lower the copying apparatus main body according to the position of the alarm. The raising / lowering operation can be set, alarm processing is facilitated, and this leads to reduction in downtime of the image forming apparatus.

(4) Detecting the position of the image forming operation incapable of starting the image forming operation such as no paper, and in the case of an alarm, the copying machine main body is automatically moved up and down to a position where it is easy to process the alarm according to the position of the alarm. Therefore, the alarm processing time of the operator is shortened, and the downtime of the image forming apparatus is reduced.

(5) Since an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine provided with an elevating device is additionally provided with an elevating device for elevating only the upper part of the apparatus, the operability in paper feeding and in the case of paper jam is improved. It becomes possible. In addition, the operability is further improved by making the manual side of the paper cassette openable. Further, by providing the safety device, it is possible to prevent accidents when the operator in the wheelchair operates it.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the external appearance of the entire apparatus of first to fourth embodiments of the present invention in which the present invention is applied to a copying apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the lifting device of FIG. 1 in detail.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an internal configuration of an embodiment of a copying apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an arrangement configuration example of an operation panel provided on the main body of FIGS. 1 and 3.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a modified example of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a modified example of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a modified example of the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a modified example of the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a modified example of the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of modification 1 of the fourth example of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of modification 1 of the fourth example of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of modification 1 of the fourth example of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of modification 2 of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of modification 2 of the fourth example of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the outer appearance of the entire copying apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

21 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the copying apparatus shown in FIG.

22 is a perspective view showing an example of a usage state of the copying apparatus of FIG. 20. FIG.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a paper cassette showing a modification of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

24 is a perspective view showing an example of a usage state of the apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention in which the paper cassette of FIG. 23 is incorporated.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing an example of a usage state of a conventional device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Device Main Body 2 Operation Panel 4 Paper Ejection Cover 5 Front Cover 8 Elevating Operation Panel 9 Elevating Switch 10 Standard Position Moving Switch 11 Lowering Switch 12 Paper Cassette 13 Pedestal 17 Upper Body 18 Lower Body 19a-19d Upper Paper Feeding Unit 50 CPU 100 Lifting device 101 Base part 102 Lifting part 103 Slide volume 104 Protrusions 120a to 120d Paper feeding lifting part lower 121a, 121b Slider device upper 124 Paper feeding up switch 125 Paper feeding down switch 126 Pressure sensor 129 Paper regulating plate Front 132 Cassette front cover 200 Circular document feeder (RDF) 300 Collapsing collator (stipple sorter) 635 Message display

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display location G03G 21/00 370 386 520

Claims (29)

[Claims] 1. An elevating means capable of raising or lowering the apparatus main body, a paper jam detecting means for detecting a paper jam, and a height of the apparatus main body at a predetermined position according to an output of the paper jam detecting means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that drives and controls the elevating unit so as to move. 2. A paper jam position detecting means for detecting the position of the paper jam based on the output of the paper jam detecting means, wherein the control means is responsive to the paper jam position detected by the paper jam position detecting means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the height of the apparatus main body is made variable by operating the elevating means. 3. The paper jam position detection means further comprises priority order setting means for presetting a priority order of which paper jam position is preferentially treated when the plurality of paper jam positions are detected. When the paper jam position detecting means detects a plurality of paper jam positions, the control means variably controls the height of the apparatus main body according to the priority order set by the priority order setting means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising position setting means for presetting an ascending / descending position of the ascending / descending means when the height of the apparatus body is changed when a paper jam occurs. The image forming apparatus described. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising warning means for warning an operator that the lifting means is in operation while the lifting means is being automatically lifted and lowered by the control means. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a prohibiting unit that prohibits issuing a warning that the paper is jammed while the control unit automatically raises and lowers the elevating unit. 7. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a warning unit for warning the operator of a paper jam after the control unit completes the automatic lifting of the lifting unit. Image forming device. 8. An operation switch for operating the elevating means to freely move the height of the apparatus main body, and the control means automatically operating the elevating means in response to occurrence of a paper jam, and the apparatus main body. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a prohibition unit that prohibits an operation acceptance of the operation switch by an operator during the movement of the height. 9. When a paper jam occurs, the control means further includes a selection switch for selecting in advance which of the automatic lifting control by the control means and the operation of the operation switch to be effective. When the operation of the switch is selected, the control for suspending the automatic raising / lowering control of the elevating means and promptly warning the operator of the paper jam through the warning means in response to the detection of the paper jam of the paper jam detecting means 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: 10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a prohibiting unit for prohibiting the automatic raising / lowering control by the control even when a paper jam occurs during the operation of the raising / lowering unit by the operation of the operation switch by the operator. Item 8. The image forming apparatus according to item 8. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a setting unit that sets in advance whether the operation acceptance prohibition of the operation switch by the prohibiting unit is enabled or disabled. 12. An elevating means capable of raising or lowering the apparatus body, an alarm detecting means for detecting an image forming operation unstartable alarm, and a predetermined height of the apparatus body according to an output of the alarm detecting means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that drives and controls the elevating unit so as to move to the position. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the alarm that the image forming operation cannot be started is at least one of no paper, no toner, no card, and a door open. 14. An automatic document feeder for automatically feeding a plurality of originals placed on a document table to an image reading position of the apparatus main body, wherein the image forming operation start impossible alarm is the automatic document feeder. 14. At least one of the fact that no original is placed on the cover and the cover of the automatic document feeder is open.
The image forming apparatus according to item 1. 15. A sheet post-processing device for post-processing post-image-formed sheets such as collating, wherein the image forming operation start failure alarm is that the sheet post-processing device is not connected. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 14, which is characterized in that. 16. The apparatus further comprises alarm position detection means for detecting the position of an alarm based on the output of the alarm detection means, and the control means controls the elevating means according to the alarm position detected by the alarm position detection means. 12. The height of the apparatus main body is made variable by operating the apparatus main body.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of 5 above. 17. When the alarm position detecting means detects a plurality of alarm positions, the alarm position detecting means further comprises priority order setting means for setting a priority order of which alarm position is preferentially treated, and the control means. 17. The height of the apparatus main body is variably controlled according to the priority order set by the priority order setting means when the alarm position detection means detects a plurality of alarm positions. Image forming device. 18. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising position setting means for presetting an ascending / descending position of the ascending / descending means when the height of the apparatus main body is changed when an alarm occurs. The image forming apparatus described. 19. The method according to claim 12, further comprising warning means for warning an operator that the lifting means is in operation while the lifting means is being automatically lifted and lowered by the control means. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1. 20. The apparatus further comprises prohibiting means for prohibiting a warning that the alarm is an alarm during the automatic elevating and lowering of the elevating means by the control means.
9. The image forming apparatus according to item 9. 21. The apparatus further comprises warning means for warning the operator of an alarm after completion of the automatic raising / lowering of the raising / lowering means by the control means.
21. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 2 to 20. 22. An operation switch for operating the elevating means to freely move the height of the apparatus main body, and the control means automatically operating the elevating means in response to the occurrence of an alarm. The device further comprises a prohibition unit for prohibiting an operation acceptance of the operation switch by an operator while moving the height.
1. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1. 23. When an alarm is generated, the control means further comprises a selection switch for selecting in advance which of the automatic raising / lowering control by the control means and the operation of the operation switch to be effective, and the control means has the selection switch as the operation switch. If the above operation is selected, the automatic raising / lowering control of the raising / lowering means is stopped, and the operator is immediately warned of the alarm via the warning means in response to the alarm detection by the alarm detection means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein: 24. When the lifting / lowering means is operated by an operator operating the operation switch, a prohibiting means for prohibiting the automatic lifting / lowering control by the control even if an alarm is generated is further provided. Item 23. The image forming apparatus according to Item 22. 25. The image forming apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising a setting unit that performs a setting for enabling or disabling the operation acceptance prohibition of the operation switch by the prohibiting unit in advance. 26. A first elevating means capable of raising or lowering the entire apparatus body, a second elevating means capable of raising or lowering only an upper portion of the apparatus body, and the first elevating means. And an operation panel for operating the operation of the second elevating means, the first elevating means in response to an operation input on the operation panel,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that drives and controls the second elevating unit. 27. A detecting means for detecting contact or proximity to an object outside the apparatus body during the ascending / descending operation of the entire apparatus body or the upper portion of the apparatus body by the operation of the first raising / lowering means or the second raising / lowering means. 27. The image forming apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising: stop control means for safely stopping the ascending / descending operation of the apparatus main body based on a detection signal of the detection means. 28. A paper jam detecting means for detecting a paper jam, and a control means for automatically elevating and lowering an upper part of the apparatus main body to a predetermined position via the second elevating means according to an output of the paper jam detecting means. 3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:
The image forming apparatus according to 6 or 27. 29. The paper cassette according to claim 26, further comprising a paper cassette configured so that a front surface of the paper cassette mounted in the apparatus main body can be opened to the front surface of the apparatus main body. Image forming apparatus.