JPS63161463A - Electrophotographic copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent misoperation by providing a copy control means which starts copying operation in response to depression of a first key only when a prescribed key of second keys is preliminarily depressed. CONSTITUTION:The first key to select the copy mode and plural second keys to set modes related to copy conditions are provided, and the copy control means is provided which starts the copying operation in response to depression of the first key only when at least one of prescribed keys of second keys is preliminarily depressed. Consequently, the copying operation is not started unless a prescribed mode (paper size, magnification, copy number, softer mode switching, mode switching of an automatic original carrying device, or the like) related to at least one copy condition is preliminarily set at the time of use start. Since this setting operation is the essential condition, a user has an opportunity to confirm whether his desired copy mode is set at present or not by himself. Thus, copying is an erroneous mode is prevented.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention relates to an electrophotographic copying machine.

(Prior art) The operation panel of an electrophotographic copying machine displays paper size, magnification,
keys for setting modes related to copy conditions such as the number of copies,
A print key is provided to initiate a copy operation.

When copying, after selecting the paper size etc., press the print key to start the copying operation.

(Problems to be solved by the invention) The operation panel of a copying machine is usually equipped with a paper size display. However, if you start the copy operation carelessly, the paper settings may be incorrect and the copy may not be made on the desired copy paper, resulting in a copy error. For example, if the paper size is small compared to the original, A part of it is missing. Therefore, the copy must be made again, which increases the working time and increases the copy cost. The same applies if other copy conditions are incorrectly set.

Additionally, copying machines are usually equipped with an auto-reset function. That is, the copying conditions are automatically set to a predetermined meeting mode when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the last copy by the user.

The purpose of auto-reset is to always set the same mode before the user operates, so that the operation procedure etc. can always be the same, and to prevent copying in the wrong mode.

However, even if there is an auto-reset function, if the user carelessly starts a copy operation without checking whether auto-reset is enabled, a copy may be made by mistake. For example, if the user attempts to make one copy assuming auto-reset is on, but the auto-reset is not yet set and the number of copies is set to 4, then 4 copies will be made.

Note that even in the interrupt copy mode, there are copying machines that copy by using the conditions set in interrupt+iij unless new copy conditions (such as the number of copies per page size and 1 magnification) are set.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic copying machine that can prevent operational errors.

(Means for Solving the Problem) An electrophotographic copying machine according to the present invention includes a first key for selecting a copy mode, and one or more second keys for setting a mode related to copying conditions. The apparatus is characterized by comprising a copy control means that starts a copying operation when a first key is pressed only when at least one predetermined key among the keys has been pressed in advance.

(Function) A predetermined mode (
The copying operation will not start unless the settings (paper size, magnification, number of sheets, sorter mode switching, automatic document feeder mode switching, etc.) are set.

By making this setting operation a necessary condition, the user is given an opportunity to confirm whether or not the mode he or she wishes to copy is currently set. This prevents copying in the wrong mode.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(a) Structure of Copying Machine FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of an electrophotographic copying machine according to the present invention.

The copying mechanism of this electrophotographic copying machine is similar to that of conventional electrophotographic copying machines. A photoreceptor drum 1 that can be rotated in a counterclockwise direction is arranged in the center of the copying machine. A charger 7, a separation charger 8, a cleaner device 9, etc. are arranged in this order.

The photoreceptor drum l is a drum provided with a photoreceptor (for example, selenium) on its surface, and an eraser lamp 2 is used for each copy.
It is irradiated with light, charged by passing through the charging charger 3, and then subjected to image exposure from an optical system, which will be described next.

The optical system 10 is installed below the document table glass 16 so that it can scan the document image. Optical system! 0 is composed of a light source I7, a first mirror 11, a second mirror I2, a third mirror 13, a projection lens I4, and a fourth mirror I5. The original image is displayed on each mirror 11, 12, 1 as shown by gA18.
3.15, it reaches the photosensitive drum l. The fixed position switch 50 is provided to detect whether the optical system is at a predetermined position during scanning. The magnification is set by moving the projection lens 14 in the optical axis direction. When the copying magnification is n, the light source 17 and the first mirror II are rotated by the motor M3 (v/ r+), and at the same time, the second mirror I2 and the third mirror 13 move to the left at a speed of (r+).
move to the left at a speed of v/2 n). Along with this movement, the image is transferred from the fourth mirror 15 to the photoreceptor drums I and I.
A slit is exposed at the top.

On the left side of the copying machine, automatic paper feed cassettes 20 and 22 are installed at one upper paper feed port and one lower paper feed port, respectively. The size of each cassette 1, 20° 22 is detected by a single paper type switch (not shown).

The paper in the automatic paper feed cassette 20.22 is placed in the optical system 1.
Between image formation on the drum due to movement of 0 &? ? The paper is selectively supplied into the copying machine through the respective paper feed ports 2+ and 23 in synchronization with the paper feed slots, and is transported through a pair of transport rollers 24 to the timing roller 26 which is in a pressed state, where it is temporarily put on hold. do.

At the time of transfer, the paper fed by the timing roller 26 is transferred to the photoreceptor drum in the transfer section! Retoner by corona discharge of transfer charger 7! ii image is transferred, and then the photoreceptor drum is transferred due to the corona discharge of the separation charger 8 and the stiffness of the transfer paper itself! Be separated from above.

Subsequently, the paper is sucked onto a conveyor belt 27 equipped with an air suction means (not shown), while being sucked onto this belt 27.
It is conveyed to the right according to the clockwise rotation of 7.

Next, the toner image is fused and fixed by passing through a fixing device 28 . Then, it passes through a pair of discharge rollers 29, and then passes through a tray 30 outside the copying machine main body I or a T (not shown).
It is discharged into a combined machine, etc. After the photosensitive drum 1 has been transferred, residual toner is removed by a cleaner 9, residual charge is removed by an eraser lamp 2, and the photosensitive drum 1 proceeds to the next copying step.

The copying machine that operates as described above repeats the above-described copying operation corresponding to the number of copies set by the operator prior to the copying operation Z, and then stops after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

The operation fAII of the copying machine including this stopping operation is performed by, for example, a microcomputer 201 as shown in FIG.

(b) Operation panel FIG. 3 shows the operation panel. The operation panel is provided with keys indicated by the reference numbers below.

50: Print key to start copying.

51: Number display LED for displaying the number of copies per copy 052: Paper empty display.

53: Exposure up key. 54: Exposure down key.

Numeric keypad for setting the number of copies to be printed on the GO-6.

7 Interrupt key for interrupt copying.

71: Functions as a stop key to stop multi-copying and a dual-purpose key to clear the set number.

75: Cassette selection key.

7G-79: A3. B4, A4,
r35 selection display.

80: Reduction magnification selection key from A3 to A4 (A4-Δ5.B4→[35).

81: Reduction magnification selection key from A3 to 84 (84→135).

82: A4 to A 3 (A 5 → A4. B5 → 134
) magnification selection key.

83: [Enlargement magnification selection key from 14 to A 3 (B 5 → A4).

84; Same size selection key.

85-88: Selection display of select keys 80-83, respectively.

89: Same size selection display.

(C) Structure of the control unit of the copying machine FIG. 4 shows the CPU 1 (20
+) input/output +1 indicates completion. The input terminals include various signals shown in the figure (main motor, developing motor, timing roller clutch, main paper feed clutch, lower paper feed latch, charging, transfer), various sensors, keys, etc. (50, 53, 54,
60-71, 75, 8O-84) switch matrices 204 are connected. A four-digit numeric display 51 and an LED matrix (76-79, 85-88) are connected to the output terminal, and are driven by the CPU via a decoder 207. Further, the paper empty display 52 and the same magnification display 89 are connected. The bus 2!4 is a communication line for connecting to a CPU 2 (not shown) that controls the optical system.

(d) Flow of Copy Control FIG. 5 shows the flow of the main motor of copy control. After turning on the power, first, set the initial state of the microphone [1 computer 201, set #S1S2O copy number to ■, return the scanning system to the starting position, and initialize all control objects (step St ).

Next, a timer used in the control routine is set (step S2).

Next, the cassette is selected by the cassette selection switch 75)20.
22 upper and lower selection processing (step S3), and printing 1111 start processing by the print switch 50 (step -
84). These subroutines will be explained later. After that, in response to human input signals from the keys on the operation panel, for example, the number of copies is set and displayed, and the overall copying operation is controlled (step S5).
.

After completing the above processing, check the count contents of the previously set timer (step S6), and when the timer reaches a predetermined count value (for a certain period of time), set the internal timer again (step S2). ) and repeat this.

Although not shown, auto-reset processing is also performed using another timer.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process for selecting which of the paper feed cassettes 20 and 22 is to be used. First, it is determined whether the paper feed cassette selection switch 75 is pressed (step S31). When it is pressed, processing from step S32 onwards is performed. At the timing when the print start switch 50 changes from the OFF state to the ON state, if the edge is ON (step 532), then the process of switching the selected cassette is performed. When the upper cassette 20 is currently selected (step 533), the lower cassette 22 is set to the selected state (step 534), and since the lower cassette 22 has been newly selected, the paper size set in the lower cassette 22 is The paper size is detected and the display 7G-79 corresponding to the detected paper size is turned on (step 535).
. When the lower cassette 22 is currently selected, the same process is performed on the upper cassette 20 (step S3
5,936).

Finally, set the flag F-OASET to 1 (step 53
7). This flag F-CASF,T is a flag indicating whether or not the cassette selection switch 75 is operated. As will be explained later in FIG. 1, only when this flag is checked and set to I at the start of printing, the
It is possible to start printing only when the cassette selection switch 75 is operated in lif. nazai j1 flag F -O
A S E T is set to 01 at the time of auto-reset and at the start of printing (step St).

FIG. 1 shows the print start acceptance process (step S4).
This shows the flow for doing this. The conditions for starting printing are that the copying operation is not currently in progress, that the printer is not in a standby state, and that the cassette selection switch 75 is operated before the print switch 50 is pressed.

That is, when the print switch 50 is pressed (step 541), the flag P indicating that copying is in progress is activated.
-COP Y /7 (0 (step 542), indicating that the fixed tube device is in a standby state such as until the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, and the flag F-WAIT is 0 (step 5).
43), and 1i when the print switch 50 is pressed
The flag F-CASE1' does not indicate that the cassette selection switch 75 has been operated on ij! Only when (step 544), the next process is performed. However, the flag F-CΔSET should be reset (step 545),
To start printing, flag F indicating the copying status
- Set COPY to 1 (step 846). The copying machine performs a copy operation when this flag F-COPYh (I).

The difference from the conventional method is that the cassette selection switch 75 is operated before the print start switch 50 is pressed (F-C
ASE'l''=1) is made a necessary condition.

(Q) Modification In addition, in this modification, as a mode regarding copying conditions that the user should confirm before pressing the print key 50, it is decided that the paper size, which requires the most operation, should be set.

However, it is also possible to select other modes (for example, number of sheets, magnification, sorter mode switching, automatic document carrier mode switching, etc.), or to combine copying modes. In this case, these mode setting processes are performed before the print start process (step S4).

Alternatively, the mode setting may be required only during multi-copying.

(Effect of the invention) Careless copying without checking the copy mode is eliminated. This prevents copy mistakes and saves an hour of copying time.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart for starting printing, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the copying machine. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the operation panel. FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the copying machine control system. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of copy control. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of cassette selection. 50... Print key, 75... Cassette selection key, 201... CPUI. Patent applicant Representative of Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. Patent attorney Previous article 28 stories of idiots 5! ! ! Figure 1

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A case in which a first key for selecting a copy mode and one or more second keys for setting a mode related to copy conditions is provided, and at least one of the predetermined keys among the second keys is pressed in advance. An electrophotographic copying machine characterized by comprising a copy control means for starting a copying operation only when a first key is pressed.