JPS6255144B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

The present invention relates to a copying machine controlled by a microcomputer, in which a serviceman call display is used to notify the user when a failure occurs, and the details of the failure are displayed when the serviceman inspects the copying machine. . Conventionally, the control circuits of electronic copying machines have consisted entirely of hard-wired logic circuits.
As copying machines become faster and more multi-functional, monitoring of ambient conditions during operation and sequence control of the copying process have inevitably become complex and large-scale. On the other hand, with the remarkable progress in semiconductor manufacturing technology in recent years, central processing units (hereinafter referred to as
read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM) for storing processing programs; random access memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM) for storing data;
), microcomputers consisting of several chips or one chip of LSI equipped with input/output interfaces, etc. were developed and became available on the market at low cost. Therefore, by installing such a microcomputer in an electronic copying machine and using an appropriate combination of software and hardware, it can check the ambient conditions during operation, copy sequences such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing, and perform various other operations. A copying machine controlled by a microcomputer has been realized. By the way, in this type of conventional copying machine,
When a paper out, toner shortage, developer shortage in the case of a wet type, paper jam, etc. occur, display means are installed to display and warn the user and prompt the user to take necessary action. If a malfunction occurs that requires repair, there is no display to notify you, so you can determine whether it is a malfunction, whether consumables need to be replenished, or whether it is a simple problem such as a paper jam. It took a lot of time. Furthermore, when service personnel performed repairs, they had to carry out all inspections according to a set procedure in order to determine whether it was a simple problem or, in the case of a breakdown, where the failure occurred. It often took time. This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and provides a display member for a serviceman call in a position visible from the outside of the copying machine, so that when a failure occurs, the display member indicates that a serviceman call is required. This display member determines whether or not there is a malfunction and, if necessary, displays it using this display member to prompt a call for service personnel. non-volatile RAM
The details of the failure are determined by a microcomputer, and the details of the failure are transferred to the non-volatile memory.
The memory is stored in the RAM, and one of the display elements for each failure type installed in a position visible during inspection inside the aircraft is lit according to the memory contents, and when it is determined that the failure type requires shutting off the power, the copying section is turned on. Even if the drive power is cut off to ensure safety and the power switch is then turned off, the memory contents are retained, and when a service technician turns on the power switch when making repairs, the details of the failure are immediately displayed. The purpose of this project is to provide a copying machine with Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a copying machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing its operating section. In FIG. 1, numeral 1 is a CPU that has arithmetic and judgment functions, and has a built-in address counter and read/write timing clock generator. 2 is a ROM that stores the control program of this system;
3 is a non-volatile RAM that is used as a copy counter, memory for failure details, CPU working register, etc. The memory can update its contents while the power is on, and retains its stored contents even when the power is turned off. For example, Toshiba's T _MM142 is used. 4,
5 and 6 are input/output interfaces, 7 is an address bus, 8 is a data bus, and 9 is a control bus.
It consists of Reference numeral 11 denotes a copying section in the copying machine, which includes a photosensitive drum, an exposure lamp, a charger, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device, a paper feed/discharge device, etc. Signals from micro switches, photo sensors, temperature/humidity sensors, etc. are fetched, and various solenoids, motors, exposure lamps, etc.
Commands are given to control circuits such as the charger to monitor ambient conditions, check for abnormalities, and perform safety checks, as well as sequence control of the copying process. Reference numeral 12 denotes an operation section, which includes a keyboard 13a for inputting various types of information into the microcomputer 10 via the input/output interface 5 through operator operations, and various types of information are displayed via the input/output interface 5. The display section 13b is shown in detail in FIG. Reference numeral 14 denotes an LED lighting control circuit that controls lighting of an LED group 15 consisting of light emitting diodes (LEDs) A to F, which are fault display elements, in response to signals from the microcomputer 10 via the input/output interface 6. The LED group 15 is provided at a position where it can be seen during inspection inside the aircraft. In Figure 2, 16 is a numeric keypad consisting of numeric keys 0 to 9, 17 is a clear key, 18, 19
is the paper feed select key, 18 is the upper cassette select key, 19 is the lower cassette select key, 20
1 is a print start switch, which constitutes the keyboard 13a in FIG. 21 is a data display device, 7 with LED
Segment two-digit numerical display 21a, 21
b, 21c. Reference numerals 22 and 23 are paper size display displays, in which 22 the paper size of the paper cassette mounted on the upper stage, and 23 the paper size of the paper cassette mounted on the lower stage, respectively, detected by information marks etc. from the paper cassettes. Is displayed. Reference numerals 24 and 25 indicate paper feed selection indicator lamps 24 for indicating upper cassette selection, and 25 for indicating lower cassette selection.
26 is a warning display, which includes a toner shortage display 26a, a paper jam display 26b, an upper cassette paper out display 26c, a lower cassette paper out display 26d,
It consists of a fixing stability waiting display 26e and the like. 27 is a display for a serviceman call according to the present invention.
By each of these display devices 21 to 27, the first
It constitutes the display section 13b in the figure. 28 is a power switch. In this embodiment configured as described above, when the operator turns on the power switch 28, the fixing stability wait display 26e remains lit until the fixing heater is heated and reaches a predetermined temperature. By pressing the paper feed select key 18 or 19, the upper or lower paper cassette is selected, and the selected paper feed select lamp 24 or 25 lights up. The copy size is thereby determined. Next, input the required number of copies (hereinafter referred to as "set data") using the numeric keypad 16.
Two-digit numerical display 21 of data display device 21
The set data is displayed on a and the RAM
It is stored in 3. Then, the fixing stability wait display 26e
After the light goes out, press the print start switch 20 to start the copying process.
"1" is displayed on the digit display 21c,
Thereafter, each time a copy is made, the number of copies incremented by "+1" (this is referred to as "counter data") is displayed. At the same time, this counter data is accumulated and stored in the total counter or size-specific counter of the RAM 3. When the counter data matches the set data, the copying process is completed and the machine enters a standby state. After a predetermined period of time, the set data and
The counter data also disappears and "1" is displayed on the two-digit numerical display 21a. If you make a mistake in the set data, press the clear key 17 to clear it. This clear key 17 also serves as a copy end function. For example, if you set 10 sheets and finish copying 5 sheets, pressing the clear key 17 on the 5th sheet will stop the copying process when the copy is completed. ends. Next, the operation of this copying process will be explained with reference to FIG. When printing is started, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 31, which is rotationally driven by the motor 30, is uniformly charged by the charger 32, and the halogen lamp 33a and mirror 33b are charged.
A scanner 33 integrated with the scanner 33 moves along the document table 34 in the direction of arrow A, sequentially irradiates the document 35, and the reflected light is transmitted to the mirrors 33b, 36, and the lens 3.
7. The photosensitive drum 31 is exposed to light through the mirrors 38a and 38b, and a latent image is formed on its surface. This latent image is brought into contact with the toner adhered to the carrier by the developing device 39 and visualized, thereby forming a toner image. On the other hand, the paper 41 housed in the paper cassette 40 is fed out, the paper is supplied to the photoreceptor drum 31 at a predetermined timing by the registration roller 42, and the toner image on the photoreceptor drum 31 is transferred to the paper by the transfer charger 43. 41. Thereafter, the paper 41 is separated from the photosensitive drum 31 by a separating device 44, subjected to a fixing process by a fixing device 45, and then discharged to a copy receiver 46. The photosensitive drum 31 is cleaned by a cleaning device 47 after the transfer and is used again. In order to time the operations of each part in such a copying process, a timing system is constructed of a slit disk 48 that rotates integrally with the motor 30, and a light emitting element and a light receiving element (not shown) placed on both sides of the slit. A pulse generator is provided, and a timing pulse generated by the pulse generator is waveform-shaped by a waveform-shaping amplifier 49 and taken into an interrupt control section of a microcomputer (only CPU 1 is shown as a representative). Normally, the CPU 1 sequentially increments the program counter to read the main program from the ROM 2 shown in FIG. settings etc. On the other hand, as the photoreceptor drum 31 rotates, timing pulses are generated at regular time intervals and are input as interrupt signals. Each time this interrupt signal arrives, CPU1 interrupts the execution of the main program and interrupts ROM2.
The interrupt program is then read out, each part of the copying section 11 is operated at a predetermined timing, and the above-described copy sequence operation is executed. When the main program checks, the CPU 1
When it is determined, one of the displays 26a to 26e of the warning display 26 in FIG. 2 is lit to display it. Furthermore, when it is determined that a failure that requires a serviceman to be repaired, that is, a failure that requires a serviceman call, lights up the serviceman call display 27 in FIG. At the same time, the contents of the failure are determined and the data corresponding to the contents of the failure is stored in the RAM 3 shown in Fig. 1, and the LED is activated according to the stored contents.
A signal is sent to the lighting control circuit 14 to display the LEDs A to F of the failure details display element consisting of the LED group 15.
Lights up the LED indicating the nature of the failure. RAM3
is non-volatile, so even if you turn off the power, the LED corresponding to the fault will light up again when the power is turned on when a service person comes, so you can immediately know where the fault is. , repairs can be made quickly. The following table shows an example of the details of the failure, the LED that lights up, and whether or not the main relay (described later) should be turned off.

[Table] Timing pulse error means that the timing pulses generated by the timing pulse generator as the photoreceptor drum rotates are not generated at predetermined time intervals, for example, every 5 m sec. When the contents of the timing pulse counter change, the contents are stored in the timing memory, and if the contents of the timing pulse counter remain the same as the contents of the timing memory even after a certain period of time (for example, 10 m sec) has passed, an interrupt occurs. It is assumed that this was not done and it is determined to be an error. In this case, there is a failure in the motor 30 or its driving force transmission mechanism. A scanner error is an abnormality in the scanner that moves the halogen lamp 33a and mirror 33b.
The check time is determined by the timing pulse, and the determination is made based on whether a paper feed signal is generated during forward movement, and whether the return switch is turned off during return. In the case of a method in which the document is moved, the moving device corresponds to the scanner.
In this case, there is a possibility that the scanner does not operate normally due to a failure of the scanner's drive device, such as a scanner wire breakage or malfunction of the drive clutch. A halogen lamp error is a case where the halogen lamp 33a, which is the light source for exposure, turns on abnormally or does not turn on.The former is checked in the main routine during standby, and the latter is checked during print operation, the check time is determined by a timing pulse. . In this case, there may be a failure or disconnection of the halogen lamp lighting circuit. Agent deterioration refers to the deterioration of the carrier that carries toner, and the RAM 3 stores the total number of copies, and when the value reaches, for example, 40,000 copies, it is displayed as agent deterioration. In this case, just replace the carrier. The thermistor disconnection is a disconnection of the thermistor for detecting the temperature inside the fixing device 45, and is determined based on input data from the thermistor. The disconnection of the fixing heater is similarly determined based on input data from the thermistor. Next, the main relay will be explained. As shown in FIG. 4, the power supply circuit of this copying machine includes a control power supply circuit 50 for supplying power to a microcomputer (representatively, only the CPU 1 is shown), and a motor 3.
0, a driving power supply circuit 5 for supplying power to the copying section such as the halogen lamp 33a and the heater of the fixing device 45;
1, and the control power supply circuit 50 includes
Power is supplied from a 200 V AC commercial power supply via a power switch 28, and power is further supplied to the driving power supply circuit 51 via a relay contact 52. This relay contact is the main relay RA controlled by CPU1.
When ON, the contact is closed; when OFF, the contact is open. Therefore, as shown in the table above, in the case of other failures, excluding the case of agent deterioration, the main relay RA is turned off by the CPU 1 and its relay contact 52 is turned off.
to ensure safety by opening the door and stopping the operation of the copying section. Turns off main relay RA in case of agent deterioration
The reason why this is not done is that although the copy density becomes lighter, it is not in a state where copying is impossible. In addition, in this embodiment, since the set data is always greater than or equal to "1", the 0 key should not be pressed at the first digit of the numeric keypad 16 when inputting the set data, so using this, When the 0 key is pressed at the first digit, the entire data display device 21 is used to display the total number of copies up to 6 digits,
Alternatively, the number of copies by size, etc. can be displayed in accordance with the second digit key, and furthermore, only a predetermined part of the copying machine can be operated by a combination of a serviceman switch (not shown) and the numeric keypad 16. It is also possible to provide it for convenience at the time of service. Further, as the display member for a serviceman call, various types can be selected, such as a simple lamp, a display displaying characters such as "Please call a serviceman", and a display member with a sound such as a buzzer. It goes without saying that the display elements for each failure type are not limited to LEDs, and lamps, ELs, etc. may also be used. As described above, according to the copying machine of the present invention, it is possible to clearly distinguish whether there is a shortage of consumables, a simple problem that the user can handle by himself, or a failure that requires calling a service person. ,
In the case of a failure that requires the power to be shut off, the power supply for driving the copying unit is shut off, ensuring safety.Furthermore, in the case of a failure that requires a serviceman call, the failure is non-volatile. It is stored in the memory of the device, and the display elements for each failure type are lit so that the service person can immediately check them.Even if the power switch is turned off, it will be lit again when the power switch is turned on again, so that the service person can easily identify the failure location. Not only is it easy to estimate, but when you report a malfunction over the phone, you can check which display elements in the aircraft are lit, so you can know the nature of the malfunction, and if it is assumed that parts need to be replaced. , by preparing it and visiting the service, you can obtain excellent effects such as enabling prompt repairs, minimizing loss time, and improving service.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing an overview of the copying machine according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing its operation section, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the copying process, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram showing the configuration of a power supply circuit. 1... Central processing unit (CPU), 2... Read only memory (ROM), 3... Random access memory (RAM), 4, 5, 6... Input/output interface, 10... Microcomputer, 11
... Copying section, 12 ... Operation section, 14 ... LED lighting control circuit, 15 ... LED for displaying failure details
Group, 16...numeric keypad, 26...warning display, 27...serviceman call display,
31...Photosensitive drum, RA...Main relay.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a copying machine controlled by a microcomputer, a display member for calling a service man is provided in a position that can be seen from outside the machine, and display elements for each failure type are provided in a position that can be seen during inspection inside the machine. , a means for incorporating a non-volatile random access memory as the memory of the microcomputer, and determining whether or not a failure requires a serviceman call when a failure occurs; When it is determined that there is a malfunction, the display member for the serviceman call is displayed, the content of the malfunction is determined and stored in the random access memory, and the content of the malfunction is classified according to the stored content. A copying machine capable of displaying the details of a failure, characterized in that the copying machine is provided with a means for turning on one of the display elements and cutting off the power source for driving the copying section when it is determined that the failure content requires cutting off the power supply. .