JPS5968756A - Copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To discriminate the condition of a copying machine even from a point far from the machine, by displaying the operating condition of the copying machine to the outside of the machine. CONSTITUTION:Outputs of each of output ports L3 and L4 of a control section CPU4 are inputted into LEDs of the abnormality display 22 of an external display 20 through an AND gate 26. Therefore, the display 22 lights when a jam occurs or toner is insufficient. Signal lines STAT and STP from a control section CPU1 to another CPU2 are also connected to the set input S and reset input R of an FF27, respectively. Also the inversion output Q' of the FF27 is inputted into an LED corresponding to ''copying'' display 21 of the display 20. Therefore, when copying is made, the ''copying'' display is made. When such an arrangement is made, the condition of a copying machine can be discriminated from a separate point.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a copying machine, and more particularly to a copying machine equipped with a display for displaying operating status.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In general, the installation position of a copying machine is determined to be the best position by taking into consideration the usage situation, installation space, and the like. However, if the office is large, some people work in a position where they cannot directly check the usage status of the copying machine. Such a person cannot judge whether or not the copying machine is in standby mode without going near the copying machine, and if it is not in standby mode, the operation itself is wasted. become.

Furthermore, the manager of the copying machine is not necessarily located near the installation location, and if an abnormality occurs in the machine, it may take time and effort to notify the manager using an in-house telephone.

Purpose The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a copying machine that allows even a person who is not near the copying machine to easily recognize the operating state of the copying machine.

The present invention will be further explained below using the drawings.

Example FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a document cover, which fixes the document to be copied. 2
is a cassette that stores a large number of copy materials cut to a predetermined size. Reference numeral 3 denotes a discharge tray from which the copy material after copying is discharged. 3 is a front cover that can be opened and closed, and is opened for maintenance and inspection. Reference numerals 4 to 6 are operation display units, and 4 is an operation panel through which copy start/stop commands and desired number of copies are set. 5 is the copy density set lever
Reference numeral 16 is a display device that displays the cabin status.

FIG. 2 is a detailed plan view of the operation display section of the copying machine shown in FIG. 1. 10 is a copy start key switch, 11 is a stop key switch for interrupting continuous copying, and a numeric keypad for storing a number in memory to set the number of 12-digit continuous copies.

13 is a clear key that clears the number of memories by 1; 14 is a copy density setting lever; 915 is a 7-segment display for the number of memories; 16 is a weight that is lit and displayed until the fixing roller reaches a fixing temperature; y77', 17 18 is a lamp that commonly indicates the cassette and the absence of a sheet in the cassette, and 18 is a lamp that indicates when the container for collecting used toner by the cleaner is full.

19 is displayed when the sheet is jammed. The clear key and numeric keypad do not work when there is a jam, but the numeric keypad and clear key can be used during a wait.

The weight indicator 16 blinks when the power switch 19 is turned on, but remains static if the temperature of the fixing roller has not fallen below the fixing temperature, that is, if the previous operator turned off the power switch 19 shortly. It lights up, but if the temperature is below the fixing temperature (wait), it will blink. It also lights up when the fixing roller rises to a fixable temperature and the wait time has elapsed. When the power switch is turned off, both the blinking and the lighting state disappear and the power off state is displayed.Furthermore, when the copy switch is turned on after waiting up, the blinking operation with a longer blinking interval than during the wait progresses to the post-rotation mode. In other words, one wait display can display four states: power-on state, copy-incapable wait state, copy-enabled state, and copy cycle in progress, which saves on display space and contributes to reducing device costs. be.

The overflow indicator I8 detects and displays an overflow state of the toner collection container, and also detects a shortage of toner in the developer container and lights up statically. In the former case, the lamp can be blinked, and in the latter case, it can be turned on statically. Further, the paper out indicator 17 can blink when there is no paper, and can be statically lit when there is no cassette.

Also, if a toner shortage or an overflow of the collection container is detected, if the number of copies set using the numeric keypad is being executed continuously, copying will continue until the set number of copies are completed, and subsequent copying will be prevented. It is something to do. In this case, a warning is displayed, but the copying operation is immediately interrupted to prevent a series of copying operations from being delayed and the actual copying speed from becoming worse. This is because even if there is a shortage of toner or an overflow occurs, the image will not suddenly deteriorate and the device will not be contaminated. If the transfer paper jams, immediately stop the movement of the device to ensure safety. In addition, when a stop key, paper out, or cassette out signal is pressed, the pressing is not interrupted, but the current process cycle is completed and the next cycle is prevented from starting.

FIG. 3 shows an external display 20 provided outside the copying machine, 21 is a copying display indicating that the copying machine is currently in the process of copying, and 22 is a copying display indicating that the toner collection container overflows and the developer This is an abnormality indicator that indicates an abnormal condition such as a lack of toner in the container or a sheet jam.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the vertical configuration of the control circuit of the copying machine shown in FIG. The CPUI and C'PU2 are control units each comprised of a well-known one-chip microcomputer.

In order to judge the states of the start key 10, stop key 11, and numeric keypad 12 in the management control unit CPUI, time-divided repeated pulses are output from KS1 to KS4. Each key is configured with its scan line and matrix, and the key status is dynamically read into memory by the CPU, copy start key 10, stop key 11, copy start key 10, stop key 11,
If you input the numeric key 12 or clear key 13, 7 segments) LEJ) You can display the display 15 or press the numeric key 1.
2, set the number of copy presets in the register in the CPUI (
The CPU 2 controls the start, stop, and movement of the control unit CPU2, which stores information in the memory (RAM) and controls process sequences. The display 15 converts the coded DISP signal, selects segments, selects digits, and dynamically displays the signals.

The control unit CPUI determines whether copying is in progress, and during copying, prevents the numeric keypad 12 from being read into memory, or receives a jam signal from the control unit CPU2, and at that time, the numeric keypad 12, copy start key 10, The stop key 11 and clear key 13 are not read into memory.

The control unit CPU 1 also includes a copy density set lever 14.
Setting signal, toner collection container overflow detector 2
3, a detection signal from the toner lid detector 24 in the developer container, etc. are input. 16 to 18 are light emitting diodes corresponding to each display provided in the second graphical operation display section, and 0CPU2, which operates to emit light when the output of the output boats L1 to L4 becomes a low logic level, is as described above. , a main motor M1 which is a control unit that controls the copying process sequence and which drives the photosensitive drum, optical system, paper conveyance system, etc. in the copying machine, an original exposure lamp L1, a paper feed clutch 1,
Controls the operation of process loads such as the high voltage source HV for charging. Reference numeral 25 denotes a paper detector for detecting recording paper on the conveyance path, which detects the occurrence of a jam in the recording paper within the apparatus. DCK is a clock generation source that forms a drum clock CL synchronized with the photosensitive drum, and the control unit CPU2 operates based on this clock CL. Sensors 81 to S4 detect the position of the document table, and detect the presence of the document table at the document table stop position, reversal position, sheet feeding position, and registration position, respectively.

The control unit CPUI and CPU2 are connected through a plurality of signal lines. Line JAMS is detected by the control unit CPU1 when the control unit CPU2 detects a jam by the paper detector 25.
In response to this signal, the control unit CPUI performs operations such as displaying the jam display 19 and correcting the counter.

The line BP is a signal indicating that the document table has reached the reverse position by the document table sensor S2. Upon receiving this signal, the control unit CPUI determines that one copy has been made.
Subtract 1 from the copy number preset in the register. The line 5TAT is used to inform the control unit 2 that the copy start key 10 has been pressed, and when the control unit 2 receives this signal, it starts the copy process operation.

The line STP is used to notify that the copying for the preset number of copies in the register has been completed, and when the control section 2 receives this signal, it stops the copying operation. Line END is output when the stop key 11 is pressed,
This signal causes the control section 2 to stop the copying operation.

20 is an external display device 20 shown in the third figure.

The outputs of the control unit CPU, i, L3 and L4 are also introduced into the AND gate 26.

The output of the AND gate 26 is input to the light emitting diode corresponding to the abnormality indicator 22 of the external indicator 2o. Therefore, when at least one of a jam, a toner shortage, and a toner overflow condition is detected in the copying machine, the indicator 22 is turned on.

Signal line 5TAT from control unit CPU1 to CPU2.

STP is also connected to flip-flops 270 set input S and reset input R, respectively.

In addition, the inverted output Q of the 7-lip flop 27 is displayed on the external display 2.
0 is input to the light emitting diode corresponding to the copying indicator 21. The flip 70 knob 27 is set during the copying operation and reset at the end of the copying. Therefore, during the copy operation, the inverted output Q of the flip-flop 27
is a low logic level, which causes the light emitting diode to light up and provide a copying indication.

In this way, it is possible to recognize from the external display that the copying machine is in a state in which copying is not possible and that copying is currently in progress at a location other than the location where the apparatus is installed.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention, in which the same numbers as in FIG. 4 have the same functions. The output of the AND gate 26 is modulated by a high frequency transmitter 28 and output. Reference numeral 29 denotes a high frequency receiving section connected to the external display 20, which lights up the light emitting diode 20 in response to the high frequency output from the transmitting section 28.

In this embodiment, the external display 20 can be easily moved to any position, and the external display 20 can be provided at a plurality of positions to display the operating status of the copying machine at each of the positions.

In the above explanation, abnormal status displays such as jam, temporary toner overflow, and toner shortage, as well as a display indicating that the copying machine is in operation, are displayed. It is also possible to display the empty state, lamp failure, etc., and also to know the currently running copy/remaining number by displaying the operating sheet number counter.

In addition to the above-mentioned wire connection and high frequency communication, methods such as optical communication can also be used for signal transmission between the copying machine and the external display.

Effects As explained above, since the present invention displays the operating status of the copying machine on the outside of the copying machine, the current status of the copying machine can be known even at a location far from the copying machine. Therefore, there is no need to go to the trouble of going near the copying machine to confirm whether or not the copying machine is available, which saves time.

Furthermore, if the display of ``Jin'' is used by a person in charge of maintaining the copying machine to monitor the machine, it will shorten the time it takes to process a problem.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied, Fig. 2 is a diagram of the operation display section of the copying machine shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is an external view of the external display, and Fig. 4 is a diagram of the control circuit. A block diagram showing one embodiment, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another embodiment, 4 is an operation panel, 6 is a display, 17 is a no-sheet display, 18 is a toner display, and 19 is a jam display. 20 is an external display. Applicant: Canon Corporation! Agent Gi Marushima −[ ε−2～. JP-A-59-6875G (5) ■Yu~

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A copying machine characterized by having a display outside the copying machine that displays the operating status of the copying machine main body. (2) A copying machine according to claim 11, wherein the display device operates to display information when an abnormality occurs and during a copying operation.