JPS61235855A - Copy controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform copying operation successively after the last operator while a copying machine is reset to its standard mode by resetting the copying machine to the standard mode once an operator leaves the copying machine or once an original or copying paper is removed. CONSTITUTION:The operator on an operator detecting means 5 placed on a floor surface 6 close to the operation part 2 of the copying machine 1 inputs and sets a desired copy mode through the operation part 2, and performs copying operation. The operator opens a pressure plate 3 after the copying operation to remove the copy original, takes copies 9 out of a paper discharge tray 8, and leaves the position on the operator detecting means 5. At this time, the end signal of the copy mode set by the operator is generated and a signal for detecting the operator leaving the copying machine is also generated by the operator detecting means 5. This end signal is obtained by comparing the counted value of the detection signal of an optical lighting system detecting means 8 or copying paper conveyance detecting means 19 with the reserved quantity of copies. The copying machine is switched to the standard mode with the detection signal indicating that the operator leaves the copying machine.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a copy control device, and particularly to a copy mode control device.

[Prior art]

Copying machines can be set to various modes. This mode includes image density, number of copies, variable magnification (9 equal magnification,
In addition to [small], page continuous copying (copying a double-page spread book onto two sheets of paper in one copying operation), ADF (automatic document feed), sorting, double-sided copying, etc.

In this way, various modes can be set manually using the keys, but if you want to make a copy in a mode different from the mode set by the previous user, you will need to operate the keys again. However, it is easy to forget this operation, and if this happens, there is a problem that an undesired copy may be made.

In order to solve this problem, an auto mode clear method is generally adopted in which the mode is reset to the standard mode (for example, A4 paper is used, magnification is equal magnification, and image density is an intermediate value) after a predetermined period of time.

However, in this case, since the timer returns to the standard mode after a certain period of time has elapsed, if the next person makes a copy before returning, there is a risk that the same copying error as described above will occur.

〔the purpose〕

The present invention was made based on this background,
Even when copying is to be performed immediately after the previous user (operator), it is possible to do so after returning to the standard mode, and the operator does not have to leave the original or copy paper behind after completing the copying operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a copy control device that can prevent such problems.

〔composition〕

To this end, the present invention detects whether or not there is an operator in a position facing the operation section of the copying machine, and performs copying using the AND condition of this signal, a copy end signal, and a document present or copy present signal. The feature is that the mode can be switched.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

First, FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the input/output relationship of hardware and signals of a copying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is a copying device, 2 is an operating section, and 3 is a pressure plate (AD
F), 4 is a lead wire, 5 is an operator detection means (pressure sensor), 6 is a floor, 7 is an operator, 8 is a paper output tray, 9 is a copy paper, 11 is an original feeder (ADF), 12 is the manuscript, 13
1 is an original exposure section, 14 is an original discharge section, 15 is a display means, 1
6 is a control circuit, 17 is a document detection means, 18 is an illumination optical system detection means, 19 is a copy paper conveyance detection means, and 20 is a copy paper detection means.

The control circuit 16 includes a storage device 16-1. Central processing unit 1
6-2. It consists of an input/output signal processing circuit 16-3, each of which exchanges signals with the central processing unit.

In addition, the input/output signal processing circuit includes a pressure sensor 5. Original detection means 17. Illumination optical system detection means 18. A signal from the copy paper conveyance detection means 19 is inputted, and a status display signal is outputted from the input/output signal processing circuit 16-3 to the display means 15. Also, various signals for mode setting are outputted to required sections as appropriate.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the copying machine with an operator 7 riding on the mat-like pressure sensor 5. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, an infrared sensor 10 may be provided in place of the pressure sensor 5 on the front side of the copying apparatus 1 to serve as a detection means for the operator.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the operating section 2.

In the figure, 30 is a preheat key, 31 is a preheat display, 32 is a print key, 33 is a blue erase key, 34 is a blue erase display, 35 is a clear stop key, 36 is a numeric keypad, 37 is a stack key, 38 is a stack display, 3
9 is a sort key, 40 is a sort display, 41 is a binding margin adjustment key, 42 is a binding margin adjustment display, 43 is a zoom magnification key,
44 is a page continuous copy display, 45 is a page continuous copy key, 46 is a magnification selection key, 47 is an original size selection key, 48 is a paper feed selection key, 49 is a density adjustment key, 50 is an interrupt key, and 51 is a display panel. , 52 is a standard mode entry key, 153 is a standard mode call key, and 54 is a standard mode clear key.

Next, the control operation will be explained.

The operator 7 operates a key to select a desired copy mode from the operating section 2 at a position above the operator detecting means 5 (in the case of the first embodiment) placed on the floor 6 near the operating section 2 of the copying machine 1. etc., and perform the copying operation.

When the copying operation is completed, the pressure 3 is released, the original to be copied (not shown) is taken out, the copy 9 is taken from the output tray 8,
The operator leaves the detection means 5.

At this time, an end signal for the copying mode set by the operator and a signal for detecting that the operator has left the copying apparatus are generated by the operator detecting means 5. Here, the end signal is obtained by comparing the count number of the detection signal of the illumination optical system detection means 18 or the copy paper conveyance detection means 19 and the number of reserved copies. A signal detecting that the operator has left the copying machine causes a switch to the standard mode.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of this operation, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart thereof. The copy mode switching means 16a is a functional representation of the control circuit 16. As is clear from the flowchart, when the operator leaves the copying machine after starting copying work, that is, leaves the pressure sensor 5, the switch to the standard mode is performed using the off signal (or on signal). This is to display the standard mode contents.

Furthermore, if the copying mode of the copying apparatus 1 is switched to a predetermined standard mode by an AND signal of the signal from the operator detection means 5 or IO and the signal from the copy end detection means 16b, the copying mode of the copying apparatus 1 can be switched to a predetermined standard mode. Even after the operator leaves the copier and returns to replenish the copying machine due to running out of transfer paper or toner or for some other reason, the copying mode remains on hold and copying can continue. At this time, the signal for detecting the arrival of the operator and the signal for completing the copying operation can be used to notify the arriving operator by voice or the like that the copying operation has not been completed or that the mode is not in standard mode. I can do it.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of this operation, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart thereof.

The copy end detection means 16b is a functional representation of the control circuit 16. As shown in the flowchart of Fig. 8, in this control operation, after the copying operation, there is a step to determine whether the copying operation is complete.
After that, it is determined whether an operator is present.

The functions covered by the above standard mode are usually
is an item to be set on the operation unit 2, and as described above, is at least one of copy density, copy magnification, number of copies, copy size, etc. The standard mode can be arbitrarily set by the operator in advance. The standard mode is not limited to one type, and multiple patterns can also be set.

This control operation is shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 9 and the flowchart of FIG. 10.

Standard mode storage means 16d is a functional representation of control circuit 16. Further, the standard mode setting means is manually operated by various keys. During this flow, as shown in the standard mode setting step -
In addition, it is possible to set one or all of the modes (including modes other than those shown here) as the standard mode.In short, any mode can be set as the standard mode.

As the operator detection means, a pressure sensor 5 as shown in FIG.
In addition to the infrared sensor (optical sensor) 10 shown in Fig. 3, an ultrasonic sensor may be used, but it is important that people walking around the copying machine can clearly grasp the detection range of the operator detection means, The second option is that there is less risk of false positive detection, etc.
A floor-standing pressure sensor like the one shown in the figure is optimal.

When the next operator 7 approaches the copying machine 1 and stands on the operator detecting means 5 in the state that the standard mode has been restored, a detection signal indicating the presence of the operator 7 causes the copying mode to change to the preset standard mode. It is also possible to notify the operator 7 of a certain fact by visual or audio display.

At this time, if the desired copying mode is the standard mode, the operator 7 continues copying, and if the operator 7 wishes to copy in another mode, he or she manually adjusts the mode using the keys on the operating unit 2. When the operator 7 moves away from the operator detecting means 5 after completing the copying operation,
Detects the absence and returns to standard mode as described above.

This control operation is shown in the functional block diagram of Fig. 11 and the flowchart of Fig. 12. In other words, the display of the contents of the standard mode by switching to the copy mode or standard mode after turning on the main switch is visually appealing, and the setting by the operator The copy mode is announced by voice.

In the above explanation, the "absence detection signal" by the operator detection means 5 is used as the signal used for switching to the standard mode.
However, the same effect can be obtained by using a "presence detection signal (arrival signal)".

Even with the above-mentioned methods, some problems may occur in the following cases. In other words, during one-to-one copying (making one copy from one original), when multiple originals 12 are set in the ADF II shown in Figure 1 and the copying magnification is set to a value other than the standard mode, ,paper.

This is a case where the toner or the like runs out and the operator 7 leaves the place to replenish the toner, returns, replenishes the toner, and resumes the copying work.

At this time, the copy mode has returned to the standard mode, and even though this is displayed by voice or the like, it is troublesome to set the copy magnification etc. to the desired mode again.

In such a case, the original feeding section 11. original exposure section 13;
A document detection means 17 is provided in at least one of the document discharge sections 14, and the copy mode is prevented from returning to a predetermined standard mode while the document is being detected, regardless of the operator's presence/absence detection signal. Just do it.

FIG. 13 shows a functional block diagram of the control, and FIG. 14 shows a flowchart thereof.

The copy unfinished detection means 16g is a functional expression of the control circuit 160. As shown in this flow, when the next operator arrives before the copying operation is completed, it is notified that the previous operator's copying operation is not completed.

The functional block diagram in FIG. 15 and the flowchart in FIG. 16 are for preventing the copy mode from returning to a predetermined standard mode while the aforementioned document is being detected.

In addition, the following is also assumed. In other words, this is a case where the operator 7 performs a copying operation in a mode other than the standard mode, and then wants to continue copying a document in the standard mode without leaving the location. Modes other than standard mode
I want to switch from mode to standard mode, but the copy density,
It is troublesome to have to change settings one by one for copy magnification, copy size, etc. On the other hand, it is also troublesome to switch to the standard mode by using the operator detecting means 5 or 10, that is, by once leaving the vicinity of the operating section.

In such a case, it is sufficient to provide means for switching to the standard mode with a single touch, without leaving the vicinity of the operating section, regardless of the detection signal of the presence or absence of the operator. Specifically, for example, a standard mode key may be provided on the operation unit 2, and pressing this key may switch to the standard mode.

This control is shown in the functional block diagram in Figure 17 and in Figure 1.
8 is a flowchart of FIG.

First copy mode switching means 52-1. The second copy mode switching means 52-2 are both provided on the operating section 2 shown in FIG. Original and copy paper detecting means 17, 20 are provided on the original placing section 11, 13, 14, etc., and on the copy section 11, 8, etc.
A three-way AND signal of these detection signals, a copying end signal, and an operator's absence detection signal is used to notify the operator of the misplacement of the original and the copy paper using a display means such as voice. You can also do that.

This control operation is shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 19 and the flow chart of FIG. 20.

Original forgetting determining means 16b and copy paper forgetting determining means 16i
is a functional representation of the control circuit 16.

〔effect〕

The present invention is as described above, and according to the present invention, when the operator leaves the front of the copying machine and removes the original or copy paper after copying is completed, this is detected and the mode is changed to the standard mode. Since it is designed to restore the settings, there is no need for the next operator to accidentally copy the mode set by the previous person.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a copying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state in which it is coupled with the hardware of a control section, FIG. 2 is a side view of the copying apparatus in a state of use, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view of the operation unit, FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram related to the first control operation,
Figure 6 is the same. Flowchart, FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram related to the second control operation, FIG. 8 is the same flowchart, and FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram related to the second control operation.
10 is the same, a flowchart, FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram related to the fourth control operation, FIG. 12 is the same, a flowchart, and FIG. 13 is the same, a flowchart. 14 is a flowchart, FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram related to the sixth control operation, FIG. 16 is a flowchart, and FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram related to the seventh control operation. , Figure 18 is the same,
Flowchart, FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram relating to the eighth control operation, and FIG. 20 is the same flowchart. 5.10...Operator detection means, 16...Copy mode switching means, copy end detection means, standard mode storage means. A control circuit having a copy mode detection means, a copy mode display signal generation means, a copy unfinished detection means, a forgotten original determining means, a forgotten copy paper determining means, and the like. Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 9 Figure 20

Claims (1)

[Claims] The apparatus includes at least one of a means for detecting the presence or absence of a document on the document placement section, a means for detecting the presence or absence of copy paper on the copy paper placement section, and a means for detecting the presence or absence of an operator near the operation section. , an AND signal of at least one of the document presence detection signal and the copy paper presence detection signal, the copy end signal, and the operator absence detection signal is used to notify the operator of the document by a display means such as voice. , a copying control device characterized by notifying that copy paper has been left behind.