JPS60221771A - Copying machine having key counter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent an abuse by storing the number of sheets copied at every key counter, in a nonvolatile memory. CONSTITUTION:Whether a key counter 5 is inserted or not is discriminated by a CPU42 of an arithmetic unit 4, and when it is inserted, when a copying button is pushed after confirming copyable conditions, a bar code provided on the counter 5 is read, the size of copying paper is detected, and thereafter, a copying process is started. Subsequently, copying sheet number data is stored in a nonvolatile memory 45 of the unit 4 in accordance with its copying paper size at every counter 5, a count-up operation of an address in the memory 45 is executed while the copying is being continued, and when the copying operation is ended, if its stop is normal, the contents of the counter of its memory address are maintained as they are, and if the stop is abnormal, the contents of its counter are counted down by ''1''.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (A) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a copying machine having a key counter that prevents unauthorized use of the key counter.

(B) Prior art Currently, copying machines such as electrophotographic copying machines are widely used, and each copying machine is equipped with a counter to count the number of copies for the user's needs or maintenance management needs. .

On the other hand, in addition to □Tore, each department is equipped with a key counter in order to know the number of copies to be made in each department for management purposes, and copies are made only when this key counter is inserted into the designated position of the copying machine. Nowadays, key counter type copying machines are being used in which the number of copies is cumulatively counted each time one copy is made.

In this type of key counter type copying machine.

The timing at which the key counter counts the number of copies varies depending on the model, but for example, after the copying process
In a copying machine that counts up when a copy paper that has been copied is detected by a paper ejection sensor installed near the paper ejection slot.

If the key counter is removed before the paper ejection sensor detects paper ejection, an unreasonable situation arises in that copies can be made without being counted by the key counter.

In order to prevent this kind of unreasonableness from occurring, it would be possible to extract the key counter count-up signal at the early stage of the copying cycle, but then a paper jam (so-called jam) would occur. This is also unreasonable as it also counts cases.

As one way to solve this problem, the patent application No. 58-2
No. 40941, if the key is removed before the counter counts up, the copy cycle is stopped and the jam is cleared.
A method for displaying paper jams has been proposed. Although this method can prevent miscounts caused by unreasonable key counter removal, it not only gives the user a sense of discomfort since a jam is displayed even though there is no original jam, but it also causes unfixed state. The inside of the machine gets dirty with developer because the copy paper stays inside the machine.

When the copy paper is removed, the photoreceptor may be scratched or stained, and there is also the problem that the copy paper that has been correctly copied is wasted.

(c) Object and structure of the invention The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is a copying machine having a key counter. When the copying operation starts in a state where the copying operation is started, the number of copies stored by the user stored in the non-volatile memory is counted up by 1, and when the copying operation ends normally, the number of copies is maintained as it is, and when the copying operation does not end normally, the number of copies is kept unchanged. The configuration is such that the number of copies is counted down by one.

FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration diagram of the present invention.

A non-volatile storage means for storing the number of copies for each user is provided in the copying machine (indicated by a broken line), and when the copying operation is started with a key counter inserted into the copying machine, the number of copies configured by the microcomputer is stored. The number of copies stored in the storage means of the user identified by the user identification mark attached to the key counter is counted up by 1 by the number counting means, and when the copying operation is completed normally, the number of copies is maintained as it is. However, if the process is not completed normally, the number of copies is counted down by one.

) Example The present invention will be explained below based on the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows a control circuit of a copying machine with a key counter according to the present invention. #D and 1 are electrical and mechanical loads for carrying out the copying process, including a motor for driving the document table and a photosensitive drum;
Or a charged electrode.

For example, one transfer pole and one separation pole. 2 is a drive circuit that drives these loads, and 3 is a sensor that detects paper feed, paper ejection, or copy paper size.

4 is an arithmetic processing unit such as a microcomputer that controls the copying process.

Input/output (I/, 0') boat 41 and arithmetic processing CP
It is composed of U42, ROM43, RAM44, and non-volatile memory 45 for storing the count contents of hour counter 5, and counts the number of copies according to the present invention. Reference numeral 5 designates a key counter in the form of a card, which does not have a conventional storage section for storing the number of copies to be made, but instead is provided with a bar code or the like for identifying the department or user making copies with the key counter. The barcode may be of a magnetically readable type or may be of an optically readable type. Reference numeral 6 denotes an operation unit consisting of an operation unit for setting copying conditions, etc., and a display unit for displaying the number of copies, copy paper size, etc.
This is the display section.

Next, the operation of counting the number of copies according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3 among the copying operations of the copying machine having the above configuration.

Before starting a series of copying processes, it is necessary to determine whether or not the key counter 5 is inserted (F-1). Check whether there is paper or no jam (F-2), and if the copy button is turned on (F-3).

Afternoon - Five bar food items placed on the counter are read (F-
4) After the copy paper size is detected (F-5), the copying operation routine is entered and the copying process begins (F-6).
). In the copying process, the photosensitive drum starts rotating, charging, development, transfer, etc. are controlled, paper is fed, and the optical system starts scanning the original. While the optical system is scanning a document, when the registration switch placed at a predetermined position is turned on by the optical system cam that is moving forward (F-7)
, the copy paper that was once fed and stopped at a predetermined position is fed again.

By the way, the nonvolatile memory 45+ of the arithmetic processing unit 4:
4th fih? As shown, copy number data M is provided for each key counter corresponding to the copy paper size. o.

MOOI, . The count-up operation of the counter at this specific memory address is performed while copying continues (F-9).

When the copying operation is completed, the stop routine is executed (F
-10), if the stop is normal (for example, when the set number of copies have been completed or when there is no more copy paper), (F-11) the counter contents at that memory address in the non-volatile memory are maintained as they are, and the stop is stopped. is abnormal (jam, etc.)
If so, count down the counter contents at that memory address by 1 (F-12).

In this way, the number of copies made for each key counter is stored in the non-volatile memory 45, so once the copying operation has started, the number of copies made by each key counter is stored before the copying operation is completed (the copy sheet is not ejected). There is no problem even if the key counter is removed, and unauthorized use of the key counter can be completely avoided.

(E) Detailed Description of the Invention As described above, in the present invention, when a copying operation is started with a key counter inserted, the count value of a counter for counting the number of copies made of a non-volatile memory is counted up, and the number of copies is The count value of the counter is maintained when the operation is completed normally, and the count value of the counter is counted down when the copy operation stops abnormally, so even if the key counter is removed during the copy operation, the copy operation will continue. Since the count value of the counter for counting the number of sheets is stored correctly, unauthorized use can be prevented. On the other hand, the copying machine of the present invention has the advantage that the key counter can be removed before the copying operation is completed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a copying machine according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a control circuit of a copying machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a copy number counting operation of the copying machine according to the present invention. 4... Arithmetic processing unit 41... Input/output port 42...
・CPU 43...ROM 44...RAM45...Non-volatile memory 5...Key counter 6...Operation/display unit Patent applicant: Roku Konishi Photo Industry Co., Ltd. Attorney Hiroo Tsuchi Suzuki Figure 1 Procedural amendment dated April 24, 1980 Kazuo Wakasugi, Commissioner of the Patent Office, Patent application 2 filed on April 19, 1980, Copying machine with key counter 3, Name of invention Relationship with the case of the person making the amendment Patent applicant address: 1-26-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Name:
(127) Konishiroku Photo Industry Co., Ltd. 4, Agent address: 3-4-11-5 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Date of amendment order (voluntary) 6. Detailed explanation of the invention in the specification subject to amendment

Claims (1)

[Claims] Non-volatile storage means for storing the number of copies for each unit;
The copying operation is started with the key counter inserted in the predetermined position of the copy machine, and at eight o'clock, the number of copies stored in the non-volatile storage means of the user identified by the user identification mark attached to the key counter is reduced by one. Count up. A copying machine having a key counter, characterized in that the copying machine has a copy number counting means which maintains the number of copies as it is when the copying operation is completed normally, and counts down the number of copies by 1 when the copying operation is not completed normally. .