JPH1026905A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable an efficient process of interruption copying and a reduction in erroneous handling of original documents by providing a processing means which receives an interruption process, on the away of copying the original document, an instruction to do the interruption process, and performs the interruption process after continuing the copying operation and finishing a set number of copies. SOLUTION: When an interruption key is inputted, the copying operation is once suspended at a point of time that the copying of the first original document D is finished, and the original document D is ejected and also display indicating the receive of the interruption is caused to appear on a liquid crystal display part. In this case, the second original document D is held by an aligning roller 120 while kept prefed. Then, the interrupting original document is placed on an original document table 20, and the interruption copying process is performed. By canceling the interruption process by the re-depression of the interruption key after the interruption copying and by turning on a copy button, the second original document D is arranged in an exposure position and the copying operation for the second original document D is started.

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, and more particularly, to a copying apparatus capable of receiving an interruption copy.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus, an automatic document feeder (hereinafter, referred to as an ADF) for automatically feeding a plurality of originals one by one to a predetermined reading position, and feeding the original to the reading position by the ADF. 2. Description of the Related Art A copying apparatus including a reading unit that reads an image of a paper document and an image forming unit that forms an image by copying the read image on a recording sheet is known.

[0003] The ADF of the copying apparatus has a first-feed function of feeding the next original to a position immediately before the reading position (pre-feed) in a state where the previously fed original is fed to the reading position.
A plurality of originals can be fed at a high speed by first feeding the next original.

Some copying apparatuses of this type have an interrupt copy function for receiving an interrupt copy of another document during a copy operation of a document fed via the ADF. This interrupt copy is accepted by inputting the interrupt key on the operation panel during the copy operation of the original, and when the interrupt key is input, the copy operation is temporarily interrupted, and the original fed to the reading position and the first feed The original is ejected. Then, after the original fed at the reading position and the advance original are discharged, the interrupted original is arranged at the reading position and interrupted copying is performed.

[0005]

However, as described above, if the original being copied (the original fed to the reading position and the advance original) is ejected simultaneously with the input of the interrupt key, the interruption copy is terminated. When the copy operation before the interruption is restarted later, the operator needs to return the two discharged sheets to the document tray of the ADF.

As described above, according to the conventional copying apparatus, it takes time and effort to return to the original document copy operation after the end of the interrupt copy, and the processing time when the interrupt copy is accepted is prolonged, resulting in poor processing efficiency. There's a problem. Further, the operation by the operator after the end of the interrupt copy becomes complicated, and the order of returning the originals may be wrong. If the order of the originals is wrong in this manner, a copy error occurs, and a problem occurs that a large amount of copy paper is wasted.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its object is to enable efficient processing of interrupt copying.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing manuscript handling errors.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises a setting means for setting the number of copies of a document, and a feeding means for feeding the document to a predetermined reading position. Reading means for reading an image from a document fed to the reading position by the feeding means; and an image read by the reading means on a recording medium according to the number of copies set by the setting means. Output means for outputting, instructing means for instructing interrupt processing, and accepting interrupt processing when interrupt processing is instructed by the instructing means in the course of copying the original fed to the reading position. Processing means for continuing the copying operation and performing an interrupt process after copying of the number of copies set by the setting means is completed.

According to the above-described image forming apparatus, the copying operation of the original is not interrupted when the interruption processing is instructed.
An interrupt process is accepted when the copying operation of the original fed to the reading position is completed. This prevents the original at the reading position (“live original” for which the copying operation has not been completed) from being discharged when performing the interrupt processing, and it is necessary to return the discharged original to the reading position after the interrupt processing is completed. Disappears. Therefore, it is possible to reduce an error in handling the document by the operator, and it is possible to efficiently process the interruption copy.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention further comprises a setting means for setting the number of copies of the document, a feeding means for sequentially feeding a plurality of documents to a predetermined reading position, and Reading means for sequentially reading an image from a document fed to a position, output means for outputting the image read by the reading means on a recording medium in accordance with the number of copies set by the setting means, and interrupt processing Instruction means for instructing
During the copying operation of the original fed to the reading position, when an interrupt process is instructed by the instruction means, the interrupt process is accepted and the copy operation is continued,
After the copying for the number of copies set by the setting means is completed, the document fed to the reading position is discharged, interrupt processing is performed, and after the interrupt processing is completed, the next document is transferred to the reading position. Processing means for feeding and starting the copying operation of the next original.

Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has a setting means for setting the number of copies of a document, and sequentially feeds a plurality of documents to a predetermined reading position, and the first document is arranged at the reading position. Feeding means for feeding out a second document fed next to the first document up to immediately before the reading position; and sequentially feeding images from the document fed to the reading position by the feeding means. Reading means for reading an image, output means for outputting an image read by the reading means on a recording medium in accordance with the number of copies set by the setting means, instruction means for instructing interrupt processing, and reading position When interrupt processing is instructed by the instruction means during the copying operation of the first original fed to the printer, the interrupt processing is accepted and the copying operation of the first original is continued. The above setting means for the manuscript After the copying of the set number of copies is completed, the first document is discharged from the reading position, an interrupt process is performed, and after the interrupt process is completed, the advanced second document is moved to the reading position. And a processing means for starting the copying operation of the second document by feeding the document to the second document.

Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has a setting means for setting the number of copies of the document, a feeding means for feeding the document to a predetermined reading position, and a feeding means for feeding the document to the reading position. Reading means for reading an image from the sent original, output means for outputting the image read by the reading means on a recording medium corresponding to the number of copies set by the setting means, first and second Instructing means for instructing interrupt processing, and accepting the interrupt processing and executing the copying operation when the first interrupt processing is instructed by the instructing means during the copying operation of the original fed to the reading position. The process is continued and interrupt processing is performed after copying of the number of copies set by the setting means is completed. During the copying operation, when the second interrupt processing is instructed by the instructing means, the copying is performed. It comprises a processing means for performing immediate interrupted by interrupt processing operation, the.

According to the above-described image forming apparatus, when the second interrupt processing is instructed by the instruction means, the copying operation is immediately interrupted to perform the interrupt processing. Therefore, interrupt processing can be performed at a desired timing.

Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has a setting means for setting the number of copies of the original, a feeding means for sequentially feeding a plurality of originals to a predetermined reading position, and the reading means for feeding the original. Reading means for sequentially reading an image from a document fed to a position, output means for outputting the image read by the reading means on a recording medium in accordance with the number of copies set by the setting means, And instructing means for instructing the second interrupt processing, and accepting the interrupt processing when the first interrupt processing is instructed by the instructing means during the copying operation of the original fed to the reading position. The copying operation is continued, and after the copying for the number of copies set by the setting means is completed, the document fed to the reading position is discharged, interrupt processing is performed, and after the interrupt processing is completed, the next processing is performed. Nohara To the reading position to start the copying operation of the next original, and in the middle of the copying operation, when the second interrupt processing is instructed by the instruction means, the copying operation is immediately interrupted. Processing means for performing interrupt processing.

Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has a setting means for setting the number of copies of a document, and sequentially feeds a plurality of documents to a predetermined reading position, and the first document is arranged at the reading position. Feeding means for feeding out a second document fed next to the first document up to immediately before the reading position; and sequentially feeding images from the document fed to the reading position by the feeding means. Reading means for reading an image, output means for outputting an image read by the reading means on a recording medium in accordance with the number of copies set by the setting means, and an instruction for instructing first and second interrupt processing Means for receiving interrupt processing and copying the first original when the first interrupt processing is instructed by the instruction means during the copying operation of the first original fed to the reading position; The operation is continued, and the first After the copying for the number of copies set by the setting means is completed, the first document is ejected from the reading position, interrupt processing is performed, and after the interrupt processing is completed, the second original which has been advanced first is output. When the original is fed to the reading position and the copying operation of the second original is started, and when the second interrupt processing is instructed by the instruction means during the copying operation of the first original, Processing means for immediately interrupting the copying operation of the first document and performing an interrupt process.

Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has a setting means for setting the number of copies of a document, a feeding means for feeding the document to a predetermined reading position, and a feeding means for feeding the document to the reading position by the feeding means. Reversing means for reversing the fed document via a reversing unit adjacent to the reading position; reading means for reading an image from the document fed to the reading position by the feeding means; reading by the reading means Output means for outputting the set image on the recording medium in accordance with the number of copies set by the setting means, instruction means for instructing an interrupt process, and a process of copying the original fed to the reading position. Processing means for interrupting the copying operation when the interrupt processing is instructed by the instruction means, holding the original fed to the reading position in the reversing unit, and performing an interrupt processing. ing.

According to the above-described image forming apparatus, when an interruption process is instructed during the copying operation of the document, the document at the reading position is temporarily held in the reversing unit, and after the interruption process, the document held in the reversing unit is read again. To the original position, and the copying operation of the original is restarted. As a result, a live document is not discharged when performing the interruption process, and the operator does not need to handle the document during the interruption process. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the handling error of the document by the operator, and it is possible to efficiently process the interruption copy.

Further, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention has a setting means for setting the number of copies of the document, a feeding means for feeding the document to a predetermined reading position, and a feeding means for feeding the document to the reading position by the feeding means. Reversing means for reversing the fed document via a reversing unit adjacent to the reading position; reading means for reading an image from the document fed to the reading position by the feeding means; reading by the reading means Output means for outputting the set image on the recording medium in accordance with the number of copies set by the setting means, instruction means for instructing an interrupt process, and a process of copying the original fed to the reading position. When interrupt processing is instructed by the instruction means, the copying operation is interrupted and the original fed to the reading position is held by the reversing unit, interrupt processing is performed, and after the interrupt processing is completed, Retained at the reversing part Document back to the read position comprises a resuming processing unit the original copying operation, the.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a laser beam type digital copying apparatus 2 as an image forming apparatus.
(Hereinafter simply referred to as a copying apparatus). The copying apparatus 2 includes a copying apparatus main body 10 as an image forming unit that copies information corresponding to an image of a document onto recording paper. An automatic double-sided document feeder 100 (hereinafter, referred to as a document feeder) that feeds documents D to be copied onto a document table 20 described later one by one and reverses the fed documents D as necessary is provided on an upper portion of the copying apparatus main body 10. RADF100).

First, the copying apparatus main body 1 of the copying apparatus 2
0 will be described. The copying apparatus main body 10 includes a document reading unit 12 for reading image information of the document D, and a document reading unit 12.
Forming Unit 1 for Forming an Image Based on Image Data Read by Imager or Image Data Externally Provided
4. a sheet supply unit 16 for feeding a recording sheet holding an image formed by the image forming unit 14, and a sheet conveying unit 18 for conveying a sheet on which the image formed by the image forming unit 14 is transferred in a predetermined direction And so on.

In the upper part of the copying apparatus main body 10, the RAD
In a position of F100 which faces a transport belt described later,
A document D to be copied is placed, that is, a document table 20 for holding the document D is arranged.

At one end of the document table 20, when setting the document D, a document indicating plate (in the case of using the RADF 100, a RADF
For the purpose of stopping the leading edge of the original conveyed by the original 100, the original is referred to as an original stopper 22).

Below the original table 20, a first carriage 30 and a first carriage 30, which are arranged substantially parallel to the original table 20 and movably along the original table 20, take out information written on the original as light and dark. Carriage 30
And a second carriage 40 for transmitting information extracted by the first carriage 30 to an information recording medium described later.

The first carriage 30 has an illumination lamp 32 for illuminating the original D, a light from the illumination lamp 32 condensed on the original D, a reflector 34 for increasing illumination efficiency, and a reflected light from the original D for the second carriage 30. A first mirror 36 that reflects light toward the carriage 40 is provided.

The second carriage 40 has a first mirror 36
A second mirror 42 that turns back the reflected light reflected from the original 90 ° and a third mirror 44 that turns back the reflected light from the document D that has been turned back through the second mirror 42 further 90 ° are arranged.

Below the first carriage 30, and within a plane including the optical axis of the third mirror 44 of the second carriage 40, an imaging lens 46 for converging light reflected from the document D is provided. And a CCD sensor 48 for thresholding the reflected light from the document D at a predetermined threshold level and performing photoelectric conversion, that is, binarization with a predetermined threshold.

The image forming section 14 includes a drum-shaped photosensitive member as an image carrier, that is, a photosensitive drum 50, which is disposed substantially at the center of the copying apparatus main body 10. Around the photoconductor drum 50, a charging device 52 for charging the surface of the photoconductor drum 50 to a predetermined potential, and a toner (not shown) formed on an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 50 via a laser exposure device described later. Developing device 5 that develops a latent image by supplying
4, and a cleaning device 56 for removing the toner remaining on the photoconductor drum 50 and removing the electric charge remaining on the photoconductor drum 50 are arranged in order along the direction in which the photoconductor drum 50 is rotated. ing.

In the vicinity of the photosensitive drum 50 and upstream of the developing device 54 in the direction in which the photosensitive drum 50 is rotated, the photosensitive drum 50 charged to a predetermined potential by the charging device 52 is provided. On the other hand, an exposure position 58a (reading position) at which a laser beam is emitted from a laser exposure device 58 that exposes a latent image corresponding to image data is defined.

The developing device 54 and the cleaning device 5
A transfer device 60 for transferring a latent image, that is, a toner image, developed on the photosensitive drum 50 by the developing device 54 to a transfer material supplied from a cassette described later, for example, a recording sheet P, is disposed between the transfer device 60 and the transfer device 6. I have.

On the right side of the image forming section 14, the image forming section 1
Paper cassette 62a for accommodating recording paper P for holding the image formed by the paper cassette 4 and the paper cassette 62a
A bypass tray 62b formed integrally with the paper cassette 62a is disposed above the sheet tray 62a. In addition, cassette 6
Below the 2a, a large-capacity cassette (hereinafter, referred to as an LCC (Large Capacity Cassette)) 62c capable of accommodating, for example, 2000 recording sheets P is arranged.

Paper cassette 62a and LCC 62c
The upper paper feed roller 64a and the upper paper feed guide 66a that guide the recording paper P supplied from the cassette 62a toward the photoconductor drum 50, and the recording paper supplied from the LCC 62c A lower paper feed roller 64b and a lower paper feed guide 66b that guide P toward the photoconductor drum 50 are arranged, respectively. The bypass tray 62b is provided with a bypass feed roller 68 for guiding the recording paper P placed on the tray 62b to the upper paper feed roller 64a.

The inclination of the recording paper P is corrected by temporarily stopping the recording paper P fed from the cassette 62a or the bypass tray 62b and the LCC 62c between the paper feed guides 66a and 66b and the photosensitive drum 50. At the same time, a registration roller 70 that is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 50 and aligns the leading end position of the image, that is, the toner image and the recording paper P that is conveyed toward the transfer roller 60 with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 50 is arranged. I have.

On the left side of the image forming section 14, a transfer device 60
The fixing device 72 for fixing the toner image to the recording paper P on which the toner image has been transferred from the photosensitive drum 50 by the above-described method is disposed between the fixing device 72 and the transfer device 60. A conveying device 74 for sending out toward the fixing device 72; a branch gate 76 for guiding the recording paper P, on which the image has been fixed via the fixing device 72, to the outside of the copier main body 10 or to any of a paper reversing section described later; A discharge roller 78 for sending out the recording paper P guided to the outside of the copying apparatus main body 10 by the gate 76 to the outside of the copying apparatus main body 10 and a paper discharge tray 80 for holding the discharged recording paper P are arranged. .

Below the image forming section 14, a branch gate 7 is provided.
After turning over the recording paper P branched by 6, a paper reversing unit 90 for guiding the recording paper P to the registration roller 70 again is disposed.

The sheet reversing section 90 is provided with a reversing guide 91 for guiding the recording sheet P on which an image has already been copied on one side, and the reversing guide 91 is defined depending on a predetermined interval, that is, the size of the reversible recording sheet P. Roller 9, a reversing guide 91, and a storage area 9 for temporarily storing recording paper P guided by the roller 92.
3. A reversing paper feed roller 94 for transporting the recording paper P stored in the storage area 93 toward the registration roller 70, and guide the recording paper P pulled out from the rear end side by the reversal paper feeding roller 94. The sheet feeder includes a reversing sheet guide 95, an intermediate conveyance roller 96 that propels the recording sheet P passing through the inside of the reversing sheet guide 95 toward the registration roller 70, and the like.

In addition, at the front end of the upper surface of the copying apparatus main body 10,
An operation panel 3 as shown in FIG. 2 is provided. The operation panel 3 has a copy button 3a for outputting a copy start signal in response to an input from the user, and "0" to "0" to be used for setting the number of copies or the copy magnification in response to the input from the user. Numeral key-3b for the numeral "9", clear key-3c for interrupting the copying operation or outputting a signal for returning data being input to "0", and returning all inputs and operations to the initial state. And an interrupt key 3e for receiving an interrupt copy during a copy operation. In the vicinity of the interrupt key 3e, there is provided an LED 3f that is lit to confirm key input.

The operation panel 3 displays the inputted data.
Data (the number of copies or the copy magnification etc.)
In addition, the operation procedure of the copying apparatus 2, the recording paper P or the toner
There is provided a message display section for displaying the timing of supplying T, an error message, and the like, that is, a liquid crystal display section 3g.

Next, the RADF 100 of the copying apparatus 2 will be described. The RADF 100 includes a document feed tray 102 on which a document D to be fed is placed, and a document feed tray 102.
Document take-out section 10 for taking out documents D placed on the sheet one by one
3. The original D extracted through the original extracting unit 103 is
It includes a document feeder 104 for feeding a document to a predetermined exposure position on the document table 20 of the copying apparatus body 10, and a document discharge / reversal unit 105 for discharging or reversing the read document D.

The RADF 100 is fixed to the original table 20 via a fixing mechanism (not shown) at the upper rear end of the copying apparatus main body 10 so as to be openable and closable. Therefore, for example, when an interrupted document is manually fed onto the document table 20, the RADF 100 is opened to expose the document table 20.

The original feed tray 102 is provided with a gentle
For example, a predetermined number of originals D are formed so as to be placed thereon. The document feed tray 102 is provided with a document guide 106 that can move on the document feed tray 102, indicates a position where the document D is placed, and prevents a plurality of stacked documents D from shifting. Are located. still,
The document feed tray 102 is provided on a main body cover 107 that covers a document transport unit and a driving unit described later.

The document take-out unit 103 includes the document feed tray 1
A document feed path 110 for guiding the document D fed through the document feeder 02 to the end of the document table 20, and a pickup roller 1 for picking up the documents D placed on the document feed tray 102 one by one.
12. A weight 1 which is arranged so that the original D can be interposed between the pickup roller 112 and the original D, and presses the original toward the pickup roller 112 when the original D is interposed.
14 is included.

At the downstream side of the pickup roller 112 and at the entrance of the document feeding path 110, a pickup roller
A separating roller 116 for restricting the original D taken out through the roller 112 to one sheet and a separating pad 117 for pressing the original D against the separating roller 116 are arranged. The separating pad 117 is pressed against the separating roller 116 via a spring disposed on the side opposite to the separating roller 116.

A pair of aligning rollers 120 for correcting the inclination of the original D and adjusting the supply timing of the original D are arranged downstream of the original feeding path 110. On the upstream side of the aligning roller 120, an aligning sensor 118 for detecting the presence or absence of the document D and defining the timing for operating the aligning roller 120 is provided.
Is arranged.

The document take-out section 103 is covered by a cover 119 so that the user does not touch the rotating portion. Further, the cover 119 is formed to be openable in order to remove an obstacle such as a document jam. For this reason, in a state where the cover 119 is opened, the cover 119 is prevented from being energized by a drive motor described later.
A cover switch (not shown) for detecting that the cover is opened is arranged near the cover opening.

The original transport unit 104 covers the original mounting surface (upper surface) of the original table 20 and
3 has a transport belt 122 that transports the document D fed from the printer 3 along the document table 20. Document feeder 10
Reference numeral 4 is covered so that the user does not touch the main body cover 107 via the cover 107 described above.

The transport belt 122 is a seamless wide belt having a white outer surface and formed in an annular shape, and supports a first belt roller 124 supporting an end portion adjacent to the document take-out section 103 and a later-described belt. A second belt roller 126 supporting the other end adjacent to the document discharging / reversing unit 105
And rotated in both forward and reverse directions via a drive roller (not shown). On the back side of the inner peripheral portion of the transport belt 122, a plurality of belt pressing rollers 128 # for bringing the belt surface into close contact with the document table 20 are provided.
Is arranged.

The document discharging / reversing unit 105 is provided for the document conveying unit 1.
A document discharge tray 130 which is placed at a predetermined exposure position on the document table 20 via the document table 04 and in which the image information from which the image information has been read is stored, and a document discharge path for guiding the document D toward the document discharge tray 130 132, and a cover 134 that covers the original discharge path 132 and a driving unit described later.

The document discharge path 132 is a reversing roller 136 for propelling the document D, for which image information has already been read, in a direction away from the document conveying unit 104, and the document D is brought into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the reversing roller 136. Multiple pinch rollers 135
Contains. On the downstream side of the reversing roller 136, the document D
A paper discharge roller 138 for further pushing the paper toward the document discharge tray 130 is provided.

Between the reversing roller 136 and the paper discharging roller 138, the document D whose front and back are reversed with the rotation of the reversing roller 136 is advanced again toward the transport belt 122. Alternatively, a flapper 139 for propelling toward the document discharge tray 130 is provided. In the direction in which the document D directed toward the transport belt 122 via the flapper 139 travels, a reversed document path 137 for allowing the document D, which has been turned upside down, to enter between the transport belt 122 and the document table 20. Are formed.

Next, the copying apparatus 2 configured as described above
The control unit 200 that controls each unit will be described. FIG.
As shown in (1), the control unit 200 acting as a control unit of the copying apparatus 2 includes a CPU 210 as a main control unit. The CPU 210 moves the above-described operation panel 3 and many mechanisms or circuits constituting the copying apparatus main body 10, for example, a main motor (not shown) for rotating the photosensitive drum 50, and the first and second carriages 30 and 40. If a scanning motor (stepping motor) (not shown) and a developing motor for rotating the developing roller of the developing device are arranged independently of the main motor, a motor drive circuit 212 for rotating various motors including the developing motor, etc. A high voltage generating circuit 214 for supplying a charging voltage to the device 52, a transfer voltage generating circuit 216 for providing a transfer voltage to the transfer device 60, and a CPU that takes in output signals output from many sensors (not shown).
An input circuit 218 for notifying 210 and the like are connected.

The CPU 210 has the above-described RAD
Many mechanisms or circuits constituting the F100 are connected. For example, a pickup roller 112 that takes out the document D on the document feed tray 102, a paper feeding motor 202 that drives an aligning roller 120 that aligns the taken out document, and a first and a second belt around which a transport belt 122 is wound. Second belt rollers 124 and 126, reversing roller 13
6 and the paper discharge / reversal motor 204 for driving the paper discharge roller 138 are connected to the CP via the motor drive circuit 212.
Connected to U210. Further, a position at which the inverted document D is directed to the exposure position on the document table 20 (reversal) via the reversing roller 136, and a position at which the inverted document D is directed to the document discharge tray 130 (discharge). Flapper solenoid 2 for selectively switching flapper 139 between and
06 is the CPU 210 via the mechanical controller 208
It is connected to the.

Further, the CPU 210 has a memory unit 230 for storing predetermined initial data, adjustment data set when the copying apparatus 2 is assembled, variable data input from the operation panel 3, and the like. Is connected. The memory unit 230 includes a read-only memory (ROM) 232 in which predetermined numerical data or control data for operating the copying apparatus 2 are stored, copy condition data input from the operation panel 3, and a CCD. A random access memory (RAM) 234 in which an image of the document photoelectrically converted by the sensor 48, that is, image data, is stored;
A nonvolatile memory (NVM) 236 in which adjustment data input when the copying apparatus 2 is assembled, for example, a reference voltage for lighting the illumination lamp 32 and the like are stored.
Contains.

Next, the copying apparatus 2 configured as described above
Will be described. First, a copying operation performed by the copying apparatus main body 10 will be described. Prior to the copying operation, the original D to be copied is set at a predetermined exposure position on the original table 20. The document D is set at an exposure position manually by an operator or via the RADF 100, and is brought into close contact with the upper surface of the document table 20 by the transport belt 122 of the RADF 100.

The image of the original D closely attached to the original table 20 is reflected by the first carriage 3 as reflected light generated by being illuminated by the illumination lamp 32 and the reflector 34.
The first mirror 36, the second mirror 42 and the third mirror 44 of the second carriage 40, and the imaging lens 46 guide the CCD 40 to the CCD sensor 48. Prior to an instruction to start copying or reading from the operation panel 3, the imaging lens 46 is moved to a predetermined position corresponding to the input copying magnification.

The reflected light from the document D guided by the CCD sensor 48, that is, image information, is photoelectrically converted at a predetermined timing, and is temporarily stored in the RAM 234 of the memory unit 230.

Next, the intensity of the photosensitive drum 50 charged to a predetermined potential by the charging device 52 energized by the high voltage generating circuit 214 is modulated in accordance with the image data stored in the RAM 234. An electrostatic latent image is formed by the laser beam from the laser exposure device 58.

The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 50 is developed as a toner image by the toner supplied via the developing device 54, and then transferred to the recording paper P by the transfer device 60.

The recording paper P on which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to a fixing device 72 by a conveying device 74, and the fixing device 72
After the toner image, that is, the toner, is fixed to the recording paper P by the heat provided from the printer, the toner image is guided to the paper reversing unit 90 or the paper discharge tray 80 provided outside the copying apparatus 2.

The photosensitive drum 50 which has delivered the toner image to the recording paper P has the charge and toner remaining on the surface removed by the cleaning device 56, and is subsequently used for the next image formation.

When the number of copies is two or more or when the next original D is supplied, the above-described series of copying operations is repeated. Next, a document feeding operation by the RADF 100 will be described. First, a plurality of documents D to be copied are placed on the document feed tray 102 of the RADF 100. Then, copy conditions such as the number of copies are input by the operator via the operation panel 3, and the copy button 3a is input.
Is pressed, the paper feed motor 202 is driven, the pickup roller 112 is rotated, and the lowermost document D1 of the stacked documents D is taken out.

The first document D1 picked up by the pickup roller 112 is guided to the separation roller 116 with the rotation of the pickup roller 112, where the second and subsequent documents are separated. The document D1 that has passed through the separation roller 116 is conveyed toward the aligning roller 120. At this time, the leading end of the document D1 is
18 to be detected.

Since the aligning roller 120 has been stopped in advance, the original D1 conveyed by the thrust of the pickup roller 112 has its leading end abutted against the aligning roller 120 and the pickup roller 1
It is deflected by 12 thrusts. Then, the pickup roller 112 is stopped at a predetermined timing after the leading end of the document D1 has passed through the aligning sensor 118.
As a result, the document D1 is temporarily stopped, the inclination of the document D1 is corrected, and the position of the leading end of the document D1 as a reference for the timing of image formation is specified (aligned).

Subsequently, the discharge / reverse motor 204 is rotated at a predetermined timing, and the first and second belt rollers 124 and 126 are rotated. Thereby, the transport belt 122 starts running in the predetermined direction.

At a predetermined timing (for example, when the rotation of the conveyor belt 122 reaches a predetermined rotation) after the traveling of the conveyor belt 122 is started, the aligning roller 12
The document D1 is delivered from the aligning roller 120 to the conveyor belt 122. After this,
The document D1 is conveyed to a predetermined exposure position on the document table 20 of the copying machine main body 10 by rotating the conveyance belt 122 for a predetermined time by the discharge / reverse motor 204. The transport belt 122 is stopped after a lapse of a predetermined time from the rear end of the document D1 passing through the aligning sensor 120.

Subsequently, the next document after the document D 1 set on the document feed tray 102, that is, the second document D 2 currently positioned at the bottom of the document feed tray 102 is taken out by the pickup roller 112. Then, it is fed toward the aligning roller 120. The second document D2 is temporarily stopped by the aligning roller 120 similarly to the first document D1, and by rotating the aligning roller 120 for a predetermined time, the leading end of the document D2 is brought to just before the document table 20. Pre-feed (first out).
The pre-fed document D2 is held at this position until a document replacement instruction is input from the CPU 210.
In this manner, by pre-feeding the next document up to just before the document table 20, the feeding operation of the document D can be accelerated.

On the other hand, if it is confirmed that copying of the first document D1 currently positioned on the document table 20 has been completed, the CPU 210 sends the next document D2 to the RADF 100 (document replacement). ) Is required. CP
When the UDF requests the RADF 100 to replace the original, the driving of the discharge / reverse motor 204 is restarted, and the rotation of the transport belt 122 is restarted. Thus, the first document D1 currently set on the document table 20 is set.
Is conveyed toward the reversing roller 136. The document D1 conveyed toward the reversing roller 136 is
The document is discharged onto the document discharge tray 130 of the main body cover 134 via the discharge roller 9 and the paper discharge roller 138.

At the same time, the feed motor 2
02 is driven, the pickup roller 112 and the aligning roller 120 are rotated, and the pre-fed second document D2 is fed toward the transport belt 122. Thereafter, similarly to the first document D1, the second document D2 is set at a predetermined exposure position on the document table 20, and the copying process of the second document D2 is started.
Here, another document D3 is placed on the document feed tray 102.
Is set, then the third document D3 is pre-fed.

When the original D1 is a double-sided original and the duplex copy mode is set by the operation panel 3, the flapper 139 is switched to the reverse side, and one sheet is rotated by the reverse roller 136 which is continuously rotated. The original D1 is returned to the transport belt 122 and is pre-fed.
It goes without saying that the image on the back of the first document is copied prior to the feeding of the first document D2.

When the above-described original feeding operation and image forming operation are repeated and all the originals D set on the original feeding tray 102 are discharged onto the original discharging tray 130,
The copying operation of all the originals D is completed.

Next, a plurality of originals D are placed on the original feeding tray 1.
02, and while copying by a predetermined number of sheets,
The processing operation in the case where an interrupt copy process is performed by interrupting another document will be described. Here, RADF
A case will be described in which five originals D are fed one by one through the printer 100, and an interrupt copy of another original is accepted during a copying operation in which ten originals are copied each.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the interrupt copy processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, five documents D are set on the document feed tray 102 (step 1), and the copy magnification and the number of copies (1
0) is set (step 2), and the copy button 3a is set.
Is pressed (step 3), the first document D1 is taken out by the pickup roller 112. The document D1 picked up by the pickup roller 112 is transported to a predetermined exposure position on the document table 20 via a separating roller 116, an aligning roller 120, and a transport belt 122. In the state where the first document D1 is located at the exposure position, the second document D2 is pre-fed up to immediately before the document table 20.

When the first original D1 is placed at the exposure position, the copying operation of the original D1 is started (step 4). In this case, the original D1 is copied according to the number of copies set in step 2.

During the copying operation of the first original D1, it is determined whether or not the interrupt key 3e has been input (step 5).
If the interrupt key 3e is input during the copying operation of the document D1, interrupt copying is accepted at that time and the LED 3f is turned on (step 6).

On the other hand, if the interrupt key 3e is not input during the copying operation of the original D1, the copying operation of the first original D1 is continued as it is, and the copying operation of the original D1 is completed (step 7). . Even if the input of the interrupt key 3e is determined in step 5, the copy operation of the first original D1 is not interrupted until the predetermined number (10) of copies is completed (the original D1). Until is no longer a "live document", the copying operation is continued.

When the copying operation of the first original D1 is completed, it is determined whether or not the interrupt key 3e is input during the copying operation of the original D1 (step 8), and there is no input of the interrupt key 3e. In this case, the copying operation of the second original D2 is started (step 12).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 8 that the interrupt key 3e has been input, the copying operation is temporarily interrupted when the copying of the first original D1 is completed ten times, and the original D1 is discharged. At the same time, an indication that the interrupt has been accepted is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 3g (step 9). In this case, the second document D2 is held by the aligning roller 120 in a state of being pre-fed.

If the original D1 is a double-sided original, after each side of the original D1 has been copied by a predetermined number,
When the two-sided copy is completed, the copy operation is temporarily interrupted, the document D1 is discharged, and an interrupt process is accepted.

Then, the interruption document is placed on the document table 20 by the operator, and the interruption copy process is performed (step 10). After the interruption copy is completed, the interruption key 3e is pressed again to turn off the LED, the interruption processing is canceled, and the copy button 3a is turned on (step 11). The copying operation of the second original D2 is started (step 12).

When the copying operation of the second original D2 is started, the processing of steps 5 to 11 is performed similarly to the first original D1, and the third to tenth originals D3 to D10 are also processed. Similar processing is performed.

When the copy operation of the tenth original D10 is completed (step 13), it is determined whether or not the interrupt key 3e is input during the copy operation of the original D10, as shown in step 14. When the interrupt key 3e is input, the processing of steps 15 to 17 similar to steps 9 to 11 is performed. When the interrupt key 3e is not input, the copying operation of all the originals is terminated. You.

According to the interrupt copy process of the first embodiment, when the interrupt key 3e is input during the copy operation, the interrupt process is accepted by turning on the LED 3f, while the original being copied is determined to be a predetermined one. The copying operation is continued until the number of copies (10) has been completed, and the copying operation is temporarily interrupted at the timing of feeding the next document, and an interrupt process is accepted. In the interrupt processing, the previous document is discharged and the next document is held at the pre-feed position.

Therefore, the original on the original table and the advance original are not ejected when the interruption process is accepted as in the prior art, and after the interruption process, the operator ejects the originals and collects them on the original feed tray. There is no need to return, and the copying operation of the next original can be started immediately after the end of the interrupt processing. For this reason, it is possible to efficiently process the interruption copy, to eliminate an error in manipulating the document by the operator, and to prevent erroneous copying due to a mishandling of the document.

Next, an interrupt copy process according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, five originals D are set on the original feed tray 102 (step 201), the copy magnification and the number of copies (10) are set via the operation panel 3 (step 202), and the copy button 3a is pressed. (Step 203), the first document D1 is taken out by the pickup roller 112. The document D1 picked up by the pick-up roller 112 is supplied to the separation roller 11
6, aligning roller 120, and transport belt 12
The document is conveyed to a predetermined exposure position on the document table 20 via the document 2. The second document D2 is pre-fed immediately before the document table 20 in a state where the first document D1 is arranged at the exposure position.

When the first original D1 is placed at the exposure position, the copying operation of the original D1 is started (step 20).
4). At this time, the document D1 is copied according to the number of copies set in step 202.

When the copying operation of the original D1 is started, it is determined whether or not the interrupt key 3e has been input (step 20).
5) If the interrupt key 3e is input during the copying operation of the original D1, it is determined whether the interrupt key 3e is continuously input (step 206). That is,
In step 205 and step 206, the document D
It is determined how many times (once or twice) the interrupt key 3e has been pressed or not pressed during the first copy operation.

At steps 205 and 206, it is determined that the interrupt key 3e has been pressed only once (that is, at step 205, it is determined that the interrupt key has been pressed, and at step 206, the interrupt key is pressed. When it is determined that the button has not been pressed, the interrupt copy is accepted at that time and the LED 3f is turned on (step 207). That is, when the interrupt key 3e is pressed only once during the copying operation of the document D1, the same processing as that of the first embodiment is performed.

In step 205, the interrupt key 3
If the input of e is not determined, that is, if the interrupt key 3e is not pressed once during the copying operation of the original D1, the copying operation of the first original D1 is continued, and the predetermined number of originals D1 are copied. Thus, the copying operation of the original D1 is completed (step 208). Even if the interrupt key 3e is pressed once as described above and an interrupt copy is accepted as shown in step 207,
The copying operation is continued without interrupting the copying operation of the first original D1 until the predetermined number (10) of copying is completed.

Further, Step 205 and Step 20
If it is determined in step 6 that the interrupt key 3e has been pressed twice successively, the copying operation of the original D1 is immediately interrupted, and
The document D1 fed to the exposure position and the next document D2 pre-fed are discharged (step 20).
9), an indication that the interrupt has been accepted is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 3g (step 210). That is, when the interrupt key 3e is pressed twice, a process similar to the conventional interrupt process is performed.

Then, in this state, the interrupted document is placed on the document table 20 by the operator, and the interrupt copy process is performed (step 211). After the interruption copy is completed, the operator again operates the interruption key 3e.
Is pressed to turn off the LED and release the interrupt processing (step 212), the liquid crystal display unit 3g instructs to return the discharged document (step 21).
3).

In accordance with this instruction, the two discharged originals D
1 and D2 are set in the document feed tray 10 by the operator.
2 (step 214) and the copy button 3a
Is pressed (step 215), the original D1 is re-supplied to a predetermined exposure position on the original table 20, and the copy operation of the original D1 which has been interrupted is restarted (step 21).
6). For example, if the interrupt key 3e is pressed twice when two copies of the document D1 are made, when the copy operation of the document D1 is restarted in step 216, the copy of the document D1 is restarted from the third copy. .

As described above, when the first original D1 is copied ten times and the copy operation of the original D1 is completed (step 208), the interrupt key 3e is pressed only once during the copy operation of the original D1. It is determined whether or not the operation has been performed (step 217). If the interrupt key 3e has not been pressed once, the copying operation of the second original D2 is started (step 218).

On the other hand, at step 217, the interrupt key 3
If it is determined that e has been input only once, the copy operation is temporarily interrupted, the document D1 is discharged, and a display indicating that an interrupt has been accepted is made on the liquid crystal display unit 3g. (Step 219). In this case, the second original D2 is held by the aligning roller 120 in a state of being pre-fed.

Then, the interrupted document is placed on the document table 20 by the operator, and an interrupt copy process is performed (step 220). After the interruption copy,
When the interrupt key 3e is pressed again to cancel the interrupt processing (step 221) and the copy button 3a is turned on, the pre-feeded second original D2 is arranged at the exposure position and the second original D2 is placed. Is started (step 218).

As shown in FIG. 6, when the copying operation of the second original D2 is started, the processing of steps 205 to 221 is performed similarly to the first original D1, and the processing of 3 to 1 is performed.
Similar processing is performed for the zeroth original document D3 to D10.

When the copying operation of the tenth original D10 is completed (step 222), it is determined whether or not an interrupt key has been input during the copying operation of the original D10, as shown in step 223. When the key 3e is input, the processing of steps 224 to 226 similar to the steps 219 to 221 is performed.
If there is no input from the interrupt key 3e, the copying operation of all the originals is terminated.

According to the interrupt copy process of the second embodiment, when the interrupt key 3e is pressed once, the same interrupt process as in the first embodiment is performed, and the interrupt key 3e When the button is continuously pressed, interrupt processing similar to the conventional one is performed.

That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the processing of the above-described first embodiment, and to perform processing by forcibly interrupting an interrupt original at an arbitrary timing. it can. Therefore, when the number of copies for one document is relatively large,
By pressing the interrupt key 3e twice in succession without waiting for the copying operation of the original to end, the interrupt process can be accepted at that time.

Next, an interrupt copy process according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, five documents D are set on the document feed tray 102 (step 301), and the copy magnification and the number of copies (10) are set via the operation panel 3 (step 302). When the copy button 3a is pressed (step 303), the first original D1 is picked up by the pickup roller 112, and the separation roller 11 is released.
6, aligning roller 120, and transport belt 12
The document is conveyed to a predetermined exposure position on the document table 20 via the document 2. In the state where the first document D1 is located at the exposure position, the second document D2 is pre-fed up to immediately before the document table 20.

When the first document D1 is placed at the exposure position, the copying operation of the document D1 is started (step 30).
4). In this case, the original D1 is copied according to the number of copies set in step 302.

During the copying operation of the first original D1, it is determined whether or not the interrupt key 3e has been input (step 305).
If there is an input of e, the copying operation is interrupted at that time, the interruption copy is accepted, the LED 3f is turned on (step 306), and the original D1 placed at the exposure position is sent to the reversing unit 105 and held. (Step 307). In this case, the second document D2 is held in a pre-feed state.

When the first document D1 is held in the reversing unit 105, a display indicating that the interrupt has been accepted is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 3g (step 308). It is placed on the table 20 and interrupt copy processing is performed (step 30).
9).

After the interruption copy, the operator again presses the interruption key 3e to turn off the LED and cancel the interruption processing (step 310).
An indication is displayed via the liquid crystal display unit 3g that the copying operation of the original document is to be resumed (step 311).

When the copy button 3a is pressed according to this display (step 312), the original D1 held in the reversing unit 105 is re-supplied to a predetermined exposure position on the original table 20, and the interrupted original D1 Is resumed (step 313). For example, if the interrupt key 3e is pressed when two copies of the document D1 are made, when the copy operation of the document D1 is restarted in step 313, the copy of the document D1 is restarted from the third copy.

When the original held by the reversing unit 105 is to be placed again at the exposure position, the original held by the reversing unit 105 is once fed to the exposure position, and the original is again transferred to the reversing unit 105. And the document is turned over, the document is returned to the state before the copy operation was interrupted, and the document surface being copied is arranged so as to face the document table 20. In addition, if the interrupt process is accepted during the copying of the two-sided original and the interrupt key 3e is pressed at the timing of inverting the two-sided original, it is needless to say that the original need not be inverted twice as described above. Absent.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 305 that the interrupt key 3e has not been input during the copy operation, the copy operation of the first original D1 is continued, and the original D1 has a predetermined number (10 Copies) and the original D
The first copy operation is completed (step 314).

Subsequently, the pre-feeded second original D2 is replaced with the first original D1, and a copy operation of the second original D2 is started (step 315).
Steps 305 to 3 as in the case of the first document D1
Fourteen processes are performed. And the third to tenth originals D
The same processing is performed for 3 to D10, and a predetermined number of copies of the tenth original D10 are made (step 316), and the copy operation of all the originals is completed.

According to the interrupt copy processing of the third embodiment, when the interrupt key 3e is pressed during the copy operation of the original, the original being copied is temporarily fed to the reversing unit 105 at that time. This is held by the inversion unit 105, and interrupt processing is accepted. Then, when the interrupt processing is completed, the original in the middle of the copy operation held in the reversing unit 105 is fed again to the exposure position, and the copy operation is restarted.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even if the interrupt key 3e is input during the copy operation, the interrupt process can be performed immediately without discharging the original being copied as in the conventional process, and After the interruption processing, the copying operation can be automatically restarted without the operator handling the original. Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified within the scope of the present invention.

[0109]

As described above, since the image forming apparatus of the present invention has the above-described configuration and operation, it is possible to efficiently process an interrupted copy and reduce an error in handling a document.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a copying apparatus as an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary plan view showing an operation panel of the copying apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit of the copying apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an interrupt processing operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an interrupt processing operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an interrupt processing operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an interrupt processing operation according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference numeral 2 denotes a copying apparatus, 3 denotes an operation panel, 3e denotes an interrupt key, 3f denotes an LED, 3g denotes a display section, 10 denotes a copying apparatus body, 20 denotes a document table, 100 denotes a RADF, 102 denotes a document feeding tray, and 105 denotes a reversing section. Reference numeral 120: aligning roller 122: transport belt 139: flapper 200: control unit 210: CPU

Claims (8)

[Claims] A setting unit for setting the number of copies of the original; a feeding unit for feeding the original to a predetermined reading position; and an image reading unit for reading an image from the original fed to the reading position by the feeding unit. Reading means; output means for outputting an image read by the reading means on a recording medium in accordance with the number of copies set by the setting means; instruction means for instructing an interrupt process; When interrupt processing is instructed by the instruction means during the copying operation of the sent original, the interrupt processing is accepted and the copying operation is continued,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a processing unit configured to execute an interrupt process after copying of the number of copies set by the setting unit is completed. Setting means for setting the number of copies of the document; feeding means for sequentially feeding a plurality of documents to a predetermined reading position; Reading means for sequentially reading images; output means for outputting the images read by the reading means on a recording medium in accordance with the number of copies set by the setting means; instruction means for instructing an interrupt process; During the copying operation of the original fed to the reading position, when an interrupt process is instructed by the instruction means, the interrupt process is accepted and the copy operation is continued,
After the copying for the number of copies set by the setting means is completed, the document fed to the reading position is discharged, interrupt processing is performed, and after the interrupt processing is completed, the next document is transferred to the reading position. Processing means for feeding and starting a copying operation of the next original document. 3. A setting means for setting the number of copies of a document, a plurality of documents being sequentially fed to a predetermined reading position, and when the first document is arranged at the reading position, the first document is Feeding means for feeding a second document to be fed next to immediately before the reading position; reading means for sequentially reading an image from the document fed to the reading position by the feeding means; Output means for outputting the image read by the means on the recording medium in accordance with the number of copies set by the setting means; instruction means for instructing an interrupt process; and the first sheet fed to the reading position. When interrupt processing is instructed by the instructing means during the copying operation of the original, the interrupt processing is accepted and the copying operation of the first original is continued. Copies for the number of copies After There has been completed,
The first original is discharged from the reading position, an interruption process is performed, and after the interruption process, the advanced second original is fed to the reading position to execute a copying operation of the second original. An image forming apparatus, comprising: processing means for starting. Setting means for setting the number of copies of the document; feeding means for feeding the document to a predetermined reading position; and reading an image from the document fed to the reading position by the feeding means. Reading means, output means for outputting an image read by the reading means on a recording medium corresponding to the number of copies set by the setting means, and instructing means for instructing first and second interrupt processing; When the first interrupt processing is instructed by the instruction means during the copying operation of the original fed to the reading position, the interrupt processing is accepted and the copying operation is continued, and the setting operation is performed by the setting means. An interrupt process is performed after the set number of copies has been completed, and when the second interrupt process is instructed by the instruction means during the copy operation, the copy operation is immediately interrupted and interrupted. An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising a processing means for processing, the. 5. A setting device for setting the number of copies of a document, a feeding device for sequentially feeding a plurality of documents to a predetermined reading position; Reading means for sequentially reading images; output means for outputting the images read by the reading means on a recording medium according to the number of copies set by the setting means; and instructing first and second interrupt processing An interrupting means for receiving the interrupting process and continuing the copying operation when a first interrupting process is instructed by the instructing device during the copying operation of the original fed to the reading position; After the copying for the number of copies set by the setting means is completed, the original fed to the reading position is discharged, interrupt processing is performed, and after the interrupt processing is completed, the next original is fed to the reading position. Send next Start the original copying operation, in the course of the copying operation, the second by the instructing means
Processing means for immediately interrupting the copying operation and performing an interrupt process when the interrupt process is instructed. 6. A setting means for setting the number of copies of an original, a plurality of originals are sequentially fed to a predetermined reading position, and when the first original is located at the reading position, the first original is Feeding means for feeding a second document to be fed next to immediately before the reading position; reading means for sequentially reading an image from the document fed to the reading position by the feeding means; Output means for outputting the image read by the means on the recording medium in accordance with the number of copies set by the setting means; instruction means for instructing first and second interrupt processing; When the first interrupt processing is instructed by the instruction means during the copying operation of the sent first original, the interruption processing is accepted and the first original copying operation is continued, and the first interrupt processing is continued. Settings for the original document After the copying of the number of copies is completed, the first document is ejected from the reading position, an interrupt process is performed, and after the interrupt process is completed, the second document that has been advanced is fed to the reading position. The copying operation of the second document is started, and during the copying operation of the first document, when the second interrupt processing is instructed by the instruction means, the copying operation of the first document is performed. An image forming apparatus comprising: processing means for immediately interrupting and performing interrupt processing. 7. Setting means for setting the number of copies of a document, feeding means for feeding the document to a predetermined reading position, and setting the document fed to the reading position by the feeding means to the reading position. Reversing means for reversing via a reversing unit adjacent to the image forming apparatus, reading means for reading an image from a document fed to the reading position by the feeding means, and setting the image read by the reading means to the setting means. Output means for outputting on the recording medium in accordance with the number of copies set by the user, instruction means for instructing interrupt processing, and interruption processing by the instruction means during the copying operation of the original fed to the reading position. When the instruction is given, processing means for interrupting the copying operation and holding the original fed to the reading position in the reversing unit and performing an interruption process. Forming equipment. 8. A setting means for setting the number of copies of an original, a feeding means for feeding the original to a predetermined reading position, and a reading position for feeding the original fed to the reading position by the feeding means. Reversing means for reversing via a reversing unit adjacent to the image forming apparatus, reading means for reading an image from a document fed to the reading position by the feeding means, and setting the image read by the reading means to the setting means. Output means for outputting on the recording medium in accordance with the number of copies set by the user, instruction means for instructing interrupt processing, and interruption processing by the instruction means during the copying operation of the original fed to the reading position. When the instruction is given, the copying operation is interrupted, the original fed to the reading position is held in the reversing unit, an interrupt process is performed, and after the interrupt process is completed, the original held in the reversing unit is copied. Return to the above reading position And a processing means for restarting the copying operation of the original.