JPS61259277A - Electronic counter controlling system for copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent stepping due to malfunction of a counter by sending a check signal previous to a stepping signal, and outputting a counter stepping signal from the main body side to the counter side on receiving an answer signal corresponding to the check signal. CONSTITUTION:Before a stepping signal is sent out from the main body of a copying machine, a check signal pulse is supplied by the main body to a connector 23 of the counter side. It is observed whether an answer signal is given synchronizing with the check pulse or not, and if it is given, a count stepping signal is sent from the main body side to the counter side. If it is not given, a micro CPU 152 of power source of the copying machine controls a main relay RA and turns a relay switch SR off to stop supply of current to a driving power source circuit 151. Thus, copying operation is made impossible.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (Technical field) The present invention relates to an electronic counter control system for a copying machine.

(Prior Art) Maintenance service fees are paid not only when copying machines are rented or leased, but also when purchased. Therefore, since it is subject to billing, the operation of the counter is an important factor, and it is necessary to prevent unauthorized use.

Conventionally, a reed switch was wound around the coil of an electromagnetic counter or placed close to it, so that when the coil was energized by electricity, the switch was activated. Then, the switch signal is guided to the control μCPU of the copying machine, and the counter is activated by checking the timing at which the switch is turned off immediately before driving the counter, and the timing at which the switch is turned on immediately before turning off the power after driving. It has been determined that it is connected and operating normally.

The connection diagram is shown in Fig. 10.
10 (for example, LSI 8255 for I10). Then, the switch 3 is excited by the coil of the counter 1 and c p u I
/O is connected to the input 4 of the switch 3, and the operation state of this switch 3 is checked at the above-mentioned timing to control the operation or stop of the copying machine.

However, in such a conventional example, counter 1 in the figure
, switch 3 is removed and the load resistance R of transistor 2 is
1. If, instead of the signal from switch 3, the counter drive voltage 24V is divided to a switch signal level of 5V using resistors R2 and R3 and applied to input 4, the copying machine can operate even without counter 1, and the counter will continue to step. Unauthorized use is possible without permission.

In addition, this method has the problem that if voltage is applied to the counter by pressing the print button, the answer signal from the counter does not return to the main unit due to some malfunction (even if the counter continues to increment). Ta.

Furthermore, this type of counter returns to zero. If it is an endless counter, only the counter counts and returns to zero, making it impossible to count accurately.

It can also be used illegally.

On the other hand, since the time is counted only when the copier is copying, electronic counters with battery backup have the disadvantage that if they are kept running even when the copier is not in operation, the battery will be consumed significantly and the battery life will be shortened. .

(Purpose) The present invention eliminates the drawbacks of the conventional example and provides an electronic counter control method for a copying machine that can connect the electronic counter to the copying machine body and check its operation. The purpose is to provide.

(Structure) Therefore, the present invention outputs a check signal from the main body side to the counter side before the step signal, instead of an answer signal corresponding to the step signal, and outputs an answer signal synchronized with this check signal.
The present invention is characterized in that copy control is started based on the signal and that copy control is prohibited if the check signal and answer signal do not correspond.

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

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an electronic copy counter of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram thereof.

Symbol 12 is a one-chip μCPU that controls this counter and holds count data. For example, NEC
μPD75QIG is suitable. The μCpu 12 has 24 segment outputs that can directly drive the liquid crystal numeric display 13 (hereinafter referred to as LCD), 4 common outputs, and 24 individual output lines, a ROM that stores the control program for the flow shown in Figure 4, counters, operation flags, etc. This is a well-known CMOS one-chip μCPU consisting of RAM.

The LCD 13 has segment outputs SO to S of the μcpu 12.
23, is connected to the common outputs C0M0 to C0M2, and the timing pulse is generated by the oscillation circuit 14 using a well-known dynamic lighting method. Output terminal P of μcpu12
System from 60? When the 11 wire 15 is on and the CD 13 is off, the oscillation circuit 14 is controlled to stop, and the battery 16
consumption is reduced.

The battery 16 is a power source for holding the data of the counter 10 and driving all the circuits, and a lithium battery is suitable. According to experiments, it can maintain functionality for about 5 years with 3 V15QmA h in standby mode of #cpu12, which will be described later.

The switch 17 is a switch for setting the conditions of the answer signal of the counter, and is a switch for setting the conditions of the answer signal of the counter.
Each switch is connected to P43, and each switch has a pull-up resistor that activates the Low level, and depending on the model of copying machine, a check answer can be set by combining the switches.
Set conditions such as number of signals and length. The structure is such that it is sealed with a cover when installed in a copying machine.

The switch 18 is a display switch for displaying the LCD 13 only when necessary, and when this switch is activated, the LCD 13 is displayed for 30 seconds. This switch is connected to the input terminal pH of the μCPU 12, and a pull-up resistor makes the Low level active.

The switch 19 is a single reset switch,
Normally, the copy counter of a copier is zero at the time of delivery, minus 3.
It is set to a value between 000 and 5000. A rental contract or maintenance service contract becomes valid when the indicated value of the counter starts from zero, and a single reset function is required to set it to zero when the contract is established. That is, when the most significant digit changes from 9 to O, a flag for disabling the switch is stored in the RAM of the μcpu 12, and the flag is checked to enable or disable the function of the switch 19.

The switch 19 is connected to the input terminal P12 of the μCPU 12, and is activated at a LOW level by a pull-up resistor.

The photocoupler 20 is an interface circuit that receives and takes count-up signals from a PPC (plain paper copying machine).
It is electrically isolated from the PC.

The LED 20A is turned on by a signal from the PPC, the phototransistor 20B is switched by the light, and the output is taken into the input terminal P50 of the μCPU 12 and used as a count-up signal.

The photocoupler 21 is an interface for an answerback signal that detects the count-up signal and sends it back to the PPC, and drives the transistor 22 with the output signal from the output terminal P30 of the μCPU 12 to light up the LED 21A, and the phototransistor 21B. It is supplied to PPC via. This interface circuit is also electrically isolated from the PPC.

These signals are connected to the PPC via a connector 23.

In standby mode, the internal functions of the μCPU 12 are stopped to save power consumption. For example, NEC's μP
In the D7501G, when the 5TOP instruction is executed, the standby mode is entered, and by applying a signal to the interrupt terminal, the standby mode is canceled and the μCPU 12 is activated.

To cancel the standby mode, either the activation signal B of the count signal A1 display 5W1B or the activation signal C of the single reset 5W19 connected to the circuit shown in Fig. 2 is activated.
When the input of the AND gate 26 becomes low level, the NA
The output of the ND gate becomes Hl g h level, and μcp
u12 interrupt pin IN for canceling standby mode
TO is activated and released.

Next, the operation of this counter 10 will be explained using the flows shown in FIGS. 3 to 6.

Step 100: This is an initial setting routine that is executed only when power from the battery 16 is applied to this counter.

This routine is executed only once, and its contents are as follows: (1) Resets the RAM contents counter and flags of the μCPU 12;

■ Turn off the display and set each input/output setting condition, such as the I10 boat's human output setting, to the initial condition.

Step 101: This is a routine for setting the μCPU 12 to standby mode after each operation in order to minimize consumption of the battery 16.

Its execution is based on standby mode instructions such as the 5TOP instruction.

pP D7501G of μcpu12 in the example is 5TO
When the P command is executed, it enters standby mode.

It is released when each of the following external signals is active.

■ When the display switch 1 day is pressed, Step 102 ■ When the single reset switch 19 is pressed, Step 103 ■ When the counter up signal (CO) 200 is received from the copying machine Step 104 Step 10
2: When the display switch 18 is pressed, the potential at the input point C of the connected NAND gate 26 becomes LOW level, and the output becomes HIGH level, as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. Since the interrupt input for canceling the standby mode of μCPU 12 becomes active, the standby mode is canceled.

The process then proceeds to step 105 of the display processing routine.

Step 103: When the single reset switch 19 is pressed, as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 2, the potential at the input point B of the connected NAND gate 26 becomes LOW level, the output becomes HIGH level, and the connection is established. The interrupt input for canceling the standby mode of μCPU12 becomes active.
Standby mode is canceled.

The process then proceeds to step 106 of the single reset processing routine.

Step 104: As shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 2, a count signal (Co) 200 from the copying machine is applied to turn on the photocoupler 20A through the connector 23, and the phototransistor 20B is connected to ONL. The potential at the input point A of the NAND gate 26 becomes Low level, and the output becomes High.
When the level is reached, the interrupt input for canceling the standby mode of the connected μCPU12 becomes active,
Standby mode is canceled.

The process then proceeds to step 107 of the answerback countup processing routine.

Step 105: Display processing routine, the operation flow of which is shown in FIG.

When the display switch 18 is pressed, the standby mode is canceled in step 102, and a display time of 30 seconds is set and started using the built-in timer of the μCPU 12 (step 1).
05A).

The control line 15 is output to High level to start the oscillation of the display timing pulse oscillation circuit 14 (step 10).
5B).

The counter data stored in the RAM of the μcpu 12 is output to the LCD 13 and displayed (step 105C).
.

If a count-up signal arrives during display, it will not be possible to count, so this is checked (step 105D).

Next, the overtime of the 30 second timer is checked (step 105B), and if the timer is not over, the display continues, but if the timer is over, the display on the LCD 13 is turned off (step 105F), and the control lines 15 and 15 are lol
Oscillation circuit 14 for outputting and displaying timing pulses at the level
is stopped (step 105G).

The process returns to standby mode (step 102) and enters standby mode.

Step 106: Single reset processing routine, the operation flow of which is shown in FIG.

When the single reset switch 19 is pressed, step 102
The standby mode is released, and in the step 10 full routine, it is determined whether the counter contents are zero at each count up (step 107G), and when it becomes zero, a flag to disable the single reset function is stored in the RAM of the μcpu 12.
(Step 107H), first check whether this flag is set (Step 106A).
).

If it is not set, set it and reset the counter (step 106B).Of course, if it is set, this single reset function is invalid, so step 1
Proceed to 02.

Step 107: Answer back count up processing routine,
The operation flow is shown in FIG.

Count-up signal (CO) 20 from the copying machine in Figure 7
When 0 comes to the connector 23, the μCPU 12 detects the count signal via the interface circuit 20 of FIG.

The μcpu 12 first checks whether the counter has overflowed (meaning 9,999,999 in a 7-digit counter) (step 107A). If the counter has overflowed, it displays 9,999,999. It blinks for a certain period of time and ends without outputting an answer signal (steps 107B and 107C).

If the counter does not overflow, step 10
Proceed to 7D and send the answer signal (AK) 201 in Figure 7 to μ.
The CPU 12 connects to the copying machine, interface circuit 2 in Figure 2.
Output via 1.

In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the count-up signal (Co) 200 from the copying machine is 100 m5, and the answer signal (AK) 201 outputs two pulses of 10 ms each.

To explain the count-up signal 200 in more detail, it consists of a counter step signal 200a and a check signal 200b. In this example, two check signal pulses are output before the step-up signal 200a, and synchronized with the counter step signal 200a. Then, it is checked whether the answer signal 201 is issued, and if it is, the step signal 200a is held for the time indicated by the solid line.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a power supply circuit for controlling operation and non-operation of a copying machine.

The commercial power supply of AClooV is connected to the control power supply circuit 150 via the power switch, and then the relay switch (contact) S
Power is supplied to the driving power supply circuit 151 via R.

A control power supply circuit 150 supplies DC power to the μCPU 152 and various sensors, while a drive power supply circuit 151 supplies drive motors 153 . Exposure halogen lamp 154. AC power is supplied to the heater of the fixing bag W155, etc.

Main relay RA is controlled by μcpu152. When the energization is released, turn off the relay switch SR.
Then, the power to the drive power supply circuit 151 is cut off, and the copying machine becomes in a state in which copying is disabled.

The μCPU 152 of the copying machine first outputs the check signal 200b from the connector 23 in FIG.
Signals A and K are inputted, and the signals 10, 1, . . . in FIG. The values of both signals at the timing of are judged, and if both signals Go and AK are output as shown in the correspondence diagram shown in Fig. 9, it is judged to be normal and main relay R is
A remains on, and the counter increment signal 20
0a is maintained for the time indicated by the solid line in FIG.

If both signals Co and AK do not correspond to those shown in Fig. 9 (if they do, it will be 1:1), it is determined that there is an abnormality, and the main relay RA is turned off and the relay switch SR is turned off.
L. The copying is disabled and the count-up signal (Co) 200 is immediately turned off as shown by the dotted line in FIG.

In step 107D, check the count up signal and increment the counter by one (step 107E), and check in step 107 whether the initial set value has gone from minus to zero.
Make a determination with G and set the single reset flag.

Then, the process returns to step 102 and waits.

This check program is the control μCPU 152 of the copying machine.
is stored in.

(Effects) The present invention is as described above. According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use of a counter, and also to prevent a malfunction of a counter that does not involve copying, which is disadvantageous from the user's point of view. can be prevented.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an electronic counter according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram thereof, and FIGS. 3 and 4. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the control operation,
Fig. 7 is a timing chart of the count-up signal and answer signal, Fig. 8 is a power supply circuit diagram of the copying machine, Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the correspondence between each signal in Fig. 7 and the signal at a predetermined timing. FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of a conventional counter. 10...Electronic counter, 12...μc for counter
pu, 152...μcpu for copying machine. Figure 1 Horse Figure 9 Figure 8

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a copying machine controlled by a μCPU and equipped with an electronic counter for displaying the total number of copies, upon receiving a check signal from the main unit, the counter outputs an answer signal corresponding to this check signal, and also outputs this answer signal. An electronic counter control system for a copying machine, characterized in that a counter increment signal is output from the main body side, and copying operation is prohibited when a check signal and an answer signal do not correspond.