JPS61235862A - Copy controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform copying operation successively after the last user while a copying machine is reset to a specific standard mode by detecting whether an operator is present at a position opposite an operation part and switching the copy mode to the specific standard mode. CONSTITUTION:The operator on an operator detecting means 5 placed on a floor surface 6 nearby the operation part 2 of the copying machine 1 inputs and sets a desired copy mode by keying the operation part, and performs copying operation. The operator opens a pressure plat 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. The copying machine is switched to the standard mode with the signal detecting the operator leaving 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 page copying (reducing a 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, 1x magnification, 9 image density, and 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,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a copying control device that can perform a copying operation in a state where it has returned to a predetermined standard mode even when a copying operation is performed following (immediately after) a previous user (operator).

〔composition〕

To this end, the present invention is characterized in that the copying mode is switched to a predetermined standard mode by detecting whether or not there is an operator at a position facing the operating section of the copying machine.

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 copy paper, 11 is an original feeder (ADF), 12 13 is a document exposure section; 14 is a document discharge section; 15 is a display means; 16
1 is a control circuit, 17 is a document detection means, 1 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, 4o 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 apparatus 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 operator detection means 5-H.

At this time, an end signal for the copy mode set by the operator and a signal for detecting that the operator has left the copying apparatus are generated by the operator detection 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 with 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 off signal (or on signal) is used to switch to the standard mode. The content of the standard mode is displayed.

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 10 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 or not there is an operator.

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 various key inputs. During this flow, as shown in the standard mode setting step, you can set one or all of the modes (including modes other than those shown here), or in short, any mode can be set as the standard mode. It looks like this.

As the operator detection means, a pressure sensor 5 as shown in FIG.
, in addition to the infrared sensor (optical sensor) 10 as shown in FIG.
An ultrasonic sensor or the like may be considered, but from the viewpoints of allowing people walking around the copying machine to clearly grasp the detection range of the operator detection means, and reducing the risk of falsely detecting people passing by, it is recommended to use an ultrasonic sensor as shown in Figure 2. A floor-standing type pressure sensor is optimal.

When the next operator 7 approaches the copying machine 1 and stands on the operator detection 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. Perform copying work. When the copying operation is completed and the operator 7 leaves the operator detecting means 5,
It 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. That is, the display of the contents of the standard mode when switching to the copy mode or the standard mode after the main switch is turned on is visually appealing, and the copy mode set by the operator is notified 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 16. 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. I would like to switch from a mode other than the standard mode to the standard mode, but it would be troublesome to change settings one by one for copy density, copy magnification, copy size, etc. However, I would like to switch from a mode other than the standard mode to the standard mode. That is, it is troublesome to switch to the standard mode by once leaving the vicinity of the operation unit.

In such a case, it is sufficient to provide a means for switching to the standard mode with a single touch without leaving the vicinity of the operation unit, regardless of the detection signal of the presence or absence of the operator. 2 may be provided with a standard mode key, and by pressing this key, the mode can be switched 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 in the original placing section 11, 13, 14, etc. and the copy placing section 8, etc., and these detection signals, a copy end signal, and an operator absence detection signal are detected. With the AND signal, it is also possible to notify the operator of the misplacement of the original and the copy paper using a display means such as voice.

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 161
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 copying machine after copying is completed, this is detected and the mode is returned to the frequently used standard mode. Therefore, it would be unthinkable 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 related to the eighth control operation, and FIG. 20 is the same flowchart. 5.10... Operator detection means, 16... Copying mode switching means, copying end prompting 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. , i-m=”ko;,] Fuji Agent Patent Attorney Take Kenjibe-1-3・(ri- Fig. 2 Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Fig. 9 Fig. 20

Claims (1)

[Claims] A copying control device characterized in that means for detecting presence/absence of an operator is provided on the front side of the operating section, and the copying mode is switched to a predetermined standard mode in response to a signal from the detecting means.