JPS63121856A - Controller for copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the operability in password mode by enabling copying operation when a code inputted with a ten-key matches with a code registered previously in a memory device while a switch is on. CONSTITUTION:When a start key 4 is turned on, a guidance display device 10 clears a one-minute timer. When this start key 4 is pressed, a specific copying process routine is run. A copy quantity counter repeats the copying process routine until the contents of a set quantity counter unless the password mode is entered, and then returns to the original state. In the password mode, on the other hand, RAM data corresponding to the password code is increased, sheet by sheet. This RAM is backed up by a battery and its contents are held even when a power switch is turned off. A return to A is made after the end of copying operation and a one-minute time-up wait routine is repeated; and another mode selection key 7 is turned on and then another copy can be taken again. Thus, the operability is improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Technical Field) The present invention relates to a control device for a copying machine, and particularly to a password mode control device.

(Prior Art) Currently, key counters or key card systems are used to centrally manage copying machines and to restrict users. By attaching both the key counter and the key card to the copying machine, copying becomes possible and the number of copies made at that time is counted. It is equipped with a totalizing counter.

One of the purposes is to reduce costs. For example, by storing key counters and key cards for each department, the number of copies for each department can be checked, making costs clearer and reducing unnecessary copies. The goal is to limit the Another purpose is that by having the key counter and key card in the possession of a dedicated operator, they are always used in the correct manner, making it possible to maintain copy quality.

However, both the key counter and the key card are expensive.For example, the key counter incorporates an electromagnetic force counter and a switch, and further requires an adapter to receive the key counter. When it comes to key cards, for example, magnetic cards are used, so writing and reading devices and memory devices are required.

Apart from the above-mentioned background, in recent years, as copying machines have become more sophisticated, it has become easier to memorize copying conditions and other information, and to facilitate maintenance by memorizing, for example, the location of failures and the number of times they have occurred. An increasing number of copying machines are equipped with a storage device used for a so-called data logger that can be read by the user.

Due to the above-mentioned background, various simple management devices using storage devices have been developed.

However, although there are generally few users who require the management device itself, the operation panel, which is the user operation area, has operation keys and displays from the beginning, which can be rather cumbersome for users who do not use it, and it can be added as an option later. It is inefficient to do so.

Furthermore, in the case of such a simple management device, a code is generally keyed in to make the copier ready for use, but the timing for turning the copying machine back on is often after the copying process has finished. , When the same user copies multiple types of originals, it is necessary to key in the code again, which is inconvenient.

(Purpose) The present invention has been made in view of this background, and an object of the present invention is to improve the operability of the password mode of a copying machine.

(composition) Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the copying machine and the operation panel 1, including a 10 key 2 for setting the number of copies, a same (clear (C/S)) key 3, a start key 4 for starting copying, and a mode for initializing various modes. It has a clear key 5, an enter key 6 for recognition when inputting numerical values in special mode, and a mode selection key group 7 for selecting various other modes (paper selection, variable magnification, image density, etc.).

The display unit 8 is composed of a liquid crystal (hereinafter referred to as LCD), and has a fixed pattern (display) that displays the mode status such as the number of copies.
9 and a character (dot) display section 10 of 5×10 dots and 40 characters.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a copying machine control block.

A CPU (2111) controls the operation panel 1, and includes the various key switches 12 described above, a DIP mill switch 1 set by a service person, and a well-known matrix circuit 1.
4 as an input signal, and from that information controls the display of the LCD (display section) 8 and controls communication with the CPU (1) 15 to control the copy mode.
Information from 115 is displayed and controlled.

The LCD 8 has a fixed display section 9 and a rear panel as described above.

driver X, ~X.

is a fixed part, and drivers X and -X4 drive the dot parts in a matrix with driver Y, respectively. ROMf
2116 stores the data of the fixed display section 9 and character display section 10, and the RAM 17 is backed up by the battery 18 to enable various programs for the operator. CPU (1) 15 is the CPU (1) as mentioned above.
It receives the information of 2111, controls the operation of each part (not shown) of the copying machine, and executes a copying operation.

That is, various signals 19 are transmitted from the I10 boat 20 to the CPU(t
)15, and the CPU (1115 to I10
It is output to various loads 22 via the boat 21.

Hereinafter, the control operation of the present invention will be explained according to a flowchart.

Figures 3A and 3B are the main flowcharts, Figure 4,
FIG. 5 is a subflow chart. First, the main flow will be explained.

When the power is turned on, the CPU (1115 and CPU
111, the input signal is read. In response to this read signal, each part mechanism is initialized. For example, this is an operation to return the document exposure device to a predetermined position. Next, it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality, and if there is an abnormality, an abnormality is displayed on the guidance display (character display section) 10 and the process does not proceed to the next step.

If there is no abnormality, read the input again and determine whether it is in the password counter check mode. This is the Dip mill switch 1 in the switch matrix 14, which is an input device to the cPuf 2111 in FIG.
This is a switch set by a service person or key operator, so it is not located on the operation panel. If this determination is Yes, it will be described later, and the password counter check mode will also be described later.

Next, check whether the password mode is set. This mode also has a Dip mill switch 1 similar to that described above, which is set by a service person or key operator. If this switch is also not set, guidance display 1
If the mode selection key 7 on the operation panel 1 is not pressed, the mode display section (LCD fixed display section) 9 is set to the standard value (for example, the number of sheets set is 1).
゜Copy number off, magnification 100%, copy density A/E
etc.). If the mode selection key 7 is pressed, the corresponding display and mechanism are set to a predetermined mode. While the guidance display 10 is "Omachi kudasai", it is not described in detail, but well-known controls such as warming up the fuser heater and moving the variable magnification lens to a predetermined position are executed. Copying is not possible until the predetermined value is reached. Therefore, the above routine is repeatedly executed until copying becomes possible, and the process waits until copying becomes possible.

Here, we will go back and explain the case where the password mode was set. If set, subroutine 5U
Execute BI. 5UBI is shown in FIG.

When entering 5UBI, the guidance display 10 will display "Code wo key in" and other displays (
Mode display section...---- Fixed LCD section) All 9 are set to O.
FF.

Next, input is read, but here 10 keys 2. No receivers are attached to keys other than enter key 6 and clear key 3. 1
When the 0 key 2 is input and the enter key 6 is pressed, it is checked whether the code is registered in the nonvolatile RAM. If it is not registered, the guidance display 10 will display “Code Fumeidesu C/S key wo ON”.
"Shitekudasai" is displayed. C/S (clear key)
If 3 is not pressed, the display continues.

If you press the button, you will be asked to enter the code again. If the code you entered is registered, you will exit this subroutine and proceed to the step of the guidance display "Omachikudasai" mentioned above, allowing you to copy. Therefore, only operators who know the correct code can perform copying operations.

Next, a description will be given of when the "Omachikudasai" display changes to allow copying.

When copying is possible, the guidance display 10 displays "Mode Kakuningo Start Shitekudasai", and then 1
Clear/start the minute timer. Then, wait until the copy start key 4 is turned on. Also, other keys are O
Wait for N.

If none of the start key 4, mode clear key 5, and mode selection key 7 are turned on, the 1-minute timer is checked, and if the time is not up, the 1-minute timer is incremented, and the screen returns to C. During this time, no keys are pressed. While checking, measure with a 1-minute timer. After one minute has elapsed, it is checked whether the password mode is set, and if it is not, the mechanism is initialized and the fixed display section 9
is also set to the standard value and returns to A. If the password mode is set, 6B jumps to B and executes the subroutine 5UBI described above, so the guidance displays "Code key in" and turns off other displays.
F, so you will be waiting for the code input again. If the mode selection key 7 is turned on while the key is waiting for human power, the 1-minute timer is cleared and the predetermined mode and display are set.
The minute timer can be canceled once.

Further, when the mode clear key 5 is turned on, after initializing the mechanism and initializing the display on the operating section, it is checked whether the password mode is set, and if it is not set, the process returns to A. Returning to A now clears/starts the 1-minute timer again. If set to PIN mode, the 3 second timer will be cleared/started here. 3
It is checked whether the second timer has timed up, and if not, it is incremented. Next, if the mode clear key 5 continues to be pressed, the mode clear key 5 is not OFF, so the 3 second timer is continued to be checked. If the mode clear key 5 is turned off before time-up, the 3-second timer is cleared and the process returns to A. When the 3 second timer times out, the process returns to B and waits for code input as described above.

To summarize so far, as a method of disabling copying, the copying machine can be returned to the code input waiting state after one minute has elapsed without being used, and when the mode clear key 5 is held down for three seconds. This is valid even after the copy operation, which will be described later, and can be disabled (code input mode) when a specific operator leaves it alone after copying is complete or by continuing to press the mode clear key 5. You can prevent other operators from copying the code.

Next, a description will be given of when the copy start key 4 is turned on.

When the start key 4 is turned on, the guidance display 10
displays "death while copying" and clears the 1 minute tie.

When the start key 4 is pressed, a predetermined copy processing routine, which will not be described in detail, is executed.

Next, check if you are in PIN code mode,
If not, the copy counter of the operation unit is incremented, and the copy processing routine is repeated until the copy number counter matches the set number counter. If they match, after copying, a process (not described in detail) is executed and the process returns to step 8. If it is in the password mode, the RAM data corresponding to the password is incremented for each copy. As mentioned above, this RAM 17 is backed up by a battery as shown in FIG. 2, and retains its contents even when the power switch is turned off. After copying is complete, return to A.
It is also possible to obtain a copy again by repeating the routine of waiting for the one-minute timer to expire as described above and pressing the other mode selection key 7 ONI.

Next, the PIN counter check mode in Figure 3A is set to Yes.
Let me go back and explain. This mode is a mode in which a key operator of the copying machine or the like checks the copy counter in the password mode. If Yes, subroutine 5UB2 shown in FIG. 5 is executed.

5UB2 first executes 5UBI. As mentioned above, 5UB1 is in the code input waiting state, and first inputs the code that you want to check. When the code is entered, the guidance display will display “Code number ××××, copy counter ×
×××” is displayed.

This copy counter XXXX reads out and displays the contents of the RAM counted up during the above-described copying operation, and it is possible to check the copy counter for each so-called department (for each code). After this check, it is checked whether the DIP switch 13 for this mode is turned off, and if it is turned off, the check is completed, so the process goes to RET and returns to the input reading routine shown in FIG. 3A. If this switch is not turned off,
Next, check whether clear key 3 is turned on. If the enter key 6 is not turned on, the enter key 6 is checked to be on, and if the enter key 6 is not turned on either, the above display continues, and when the enter key 6 is turned on, the screen returns to 5UBI and waits for the next code input.

If the clear key 3 is turned on, the contents of the RAM corresponding to the aforementioned code are cleared, and the guidance display 10 displays "Code x x x x, copy count 0".

Next, by turning on the enter key 6, the screen returns to 5UBI and waits for a code input. In the password mode or password check mode, only the 10 key 2, clear key 3, and enter key 6 are checked.

In other words, since the other keys are not activated (the other mode selection key 7 and start key 4 are not activated during the password mode), the copy operation can be prohibited. Of course, if the code input is correct, the copy operation is possible.

(Effects) The present invention is as described above, and according to the present invention, operability is good because it is possible to select whether to use the 11 password mode.

(In addition, since the password mode switch is placed in a location that is difficult for general users to operate, it is possible to prevent a user who does not know the code from illegally releasing the switch and performing a copy operation.

It has the following effects.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the operation panel according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a control block diagram thereof, FIGS. 3A and 3B are main flow charts, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are flow charts showing subroutines. Figure 4 Figure 5

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a copying machine that has a 10 key for inputting the number of copies, a switch for setting a password mode, a memory device, and a control device for controlling these, when the switch is on, an input is made using the 10 key. A control device for a copying machine, characterized in that a copying operation is enabled when a code registered in a memory device matches a code registered in advance in a memory device. (2) The on/offset of the switch is located in the operation area of a service person or a key operator, and when the switch is off, the copying operation is enabled without inputting the code. A control device for the copying machine described above.