JPS63267966A - Display method for multicolor image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To add the function of two-color copy to one shot to a multicolor copying machine without changing a mechanical constitution by turning on display parts corresponding to selected developing devices at the time of using at least two developing devices out of plural developing devices to form a multicolor image. CONSTITUTION:In case of the black copy mode or the color copy mode, a black toner indicator LED 126 or a corresponding color toner indicator LED 127 is lit; and in case of the multicolor image mode (the 1s2c copy mode or the two-color composite color mode) where a black toner and a color toner are used, LEDs 126 and 127 are lit together to display all of selected developing devices. Thus, the function of two-color copy to one shot is added without additionally providing a mechanical constitution in a multicolor copying machine only by changing a control circuit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a display method for a multicolor image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, and particularly to a display method for a selected developing device.

(Background of the Invention) Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus, a plurality of developing devices each containing a different color of developer are arranged around a photoreceptor drum, and one of the developing devices is selectively used. A multi-color copying machine is provided which can make either a black copy or a color copy, and this machine is provided with an indicator lamp corresponding to each color to indicate whether it is a black copy or a color copy. , the developed color is displayed.

By the way, when using the above-mentioned multicolor copying machine, during one scanning operation, a developing device, which is a hole, is driven for each divided designated area in the scan direction of the exposure lamp or the movable original platen, and the multicolor copying machine is used. A so-called 1-shot 2-color copy (hereinafter referred to as ``1s2c copy'') for obtaining copies has been proposed by the present applicant in Japanese Patent Application No. 1983-015572, and this 1-shot 2-color copying method is different from the conventional This can be added to a multicolor copying machine by simply changing the control circuit without adding any new mechanical structure.

However, when a 1s2c copy function is added to the multicolor copying machine, when the 1s2c copy mode is selected, it is necessary to display to the user that the state is set, but the 1s2c copy mode is not displayed. If a new lamp is installed, it will be necessary to change the mechanical configuration. Further, if only a lamp indicating the l52c copy mode is provided, there is a problem that the developed color cannot be determined and the resulting copied image cannot be imagined.

(Means for solving the problems) The present invention has been made to solve the problems mentioned above.
In the multicolor image forming apparatus including the plurality of developing devices and a display section for each developing device, when forming a multicolor image using at least two of the plurality of developing devices, a selected one of the plurality of developing devices is selected. All the display sections corresponding to the developed developing devices are turned on.

That is, referring to the drawing of FIG. 1O showing one embodiment, in the case of black copy mode or color copy mode, the black toner display LED (126) or the corresponding color toner display LED (127) If you are using a multicolor image mode (Is2c copy mode or two-color composite copy mode) that uses black toner and color toner, turn on the L
Both EDs (126) and (127) are turned on to display all the selected developing devices.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(1) Configuration First, the configuration of the copying machine will be explained.

i. Overall configuration The copying machine (1) has the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and the photosensitive drum (2) is approximately located in the middle and can be rotated counterclockwise by a main motor (not shown). Around it, at intervals in the rotational direction, a charger (3), an inter-image eraser (4), a first developer (5), and a second developer are arranged in order.
Developing device (6), transfer charger (7), separation belt (8)
), a cleaner device (9), and a main motor (10) are arranged, and an optical system (0) and a movable document table (20) are arranged above the photoreceptor drum (2) and the peripheral equipment, and on the left side. is the paper feed system (30), on the right side is the fixing device (41), and the paper ejection unit (
42) are provided respectively. Note that three or more developing devices may be provided.

ii. Optical system (0) The optical system (0) includes a slit AT type light source (11),
Consisting of mirrors (+2), ~, (15) and a lens (16), each of which is fixed as shown in the figure,
The reflected light irradiated from the light source (jl) onto the document table (20) passes through the path shown by the dashed line and reaches the photoreceptor drum (2).
A charger (3) and an eraser lamp (4) are placed on the surface of the
) so that it is exposed to light from between.

The document table (20) is composed of a document table glass (2o) and a document holding plate (22) that can be opened and closed on its surface, and is configured to scan in the direction of the arrow. The moving speed: V is the circumferential speed of the photoreceptor drum (2). , if the copying magnification is m, it is set to V = Vo / m.

On the operation side of the document table (20), as shown in FIG. 2, on the side of the document table glass (21), there are a start point mark (A), point marks (IP) to O
P) are marked at 30 mm intervals. These marks (A
), (IP) to (OP) are for specifying the development color switching point in the 1s2c copy-1 mode. Note that (B) is a reference point for determining the position of the original (G) when actually copying.

A position value switch (23) and a registration switch (24) are provided below the document table (20), and the document table (20) touches the position value switch (23) when not scanning (when stopped). At the same time, when the document table glass (21) has scanned a predetermined distance, the registration switch (24) is touched to output a localization value signal to the first CPU (200), which will be described later. In addition, l5 is used for operating a timing roller (35), which will be described later.
For 2c copying, turn off developer units (5) and (6).
) to output a registration signal for performing the change.

iv. Paper feeding system (30) The paper feeding system (30) includes a manual paper feeding section (31), a first cassette paper feeding section (hereinafter referred to as 32X, simply referred to as the first paper feeding section (32)), and The second cassette paper feed section (33) (hereinafter simply referred to as the second paper feed section (33)) is 14L, and the copy paper inserted from the manual paper feed section (31) is transferred to the intermediate roller (34L).
) to the timing roller (35), and the first and second paper feed sections (32).

Cassettes (32a) and (33a) attached to (33)
The copy paper inside is conveyed to a timing roller (35) via a first paper feed roller (32b) and an intermediate roller (34), or a second paper feed roller (33b), respectively.

Menkidani rollers (32b), (33b), (34), (3
5) are detachably connected to the drive system by the main motor via clutches (not shown), and by turning on the clutch of each roller, the roller is connected to the drive system and driven by the main motor. Rotationally driven. In addition,
In the vicinity of each cassette (32a), (33a), size detection sensors (36a), (3
7a) and each cassette (32a).

A cassette empty sensor (3B) detects when the copy paper in (33a) is completely consumed.

(39) is installed.

V, Operation Panel At the top of the copying machine (1), there is an operation panel (1) shown in Fig. 3.
00), and the operation panel (100) is equipped with a print switch (+02) for instructing the start of copying, an interrupt key (103), and a print switch (+02) for instructing the start of copying. Copying is stopped midway through (continuous copying), and the copy number display section (1
04) Clear the number of copies set in “Pregnancy Mode”
Clear/stop key to return to B (c/s key X105)
, numeric keys (lO6) to (115) for setting the number of copies in the copy number display section (+04), and the light source (!1)
A switch (1) that selectively selects between the exposure volume (VR), which manually increases or decreases the exposure amount, and the automatic exposure mode, which automatically provides the optimal exposure amount for the original.
17), a paper feed section selection key (not shown) for selecting the first or second paper feed section (32) or (33), and displaying the size of copy paper fed from the selected paper feed section. Size display LE
D (not shown), the first developing device (5) or the second developing device (
6) and a color selection key (121) for selecting the developer device (5) or (6), and an LED (121) for displaying the selected developer (5) or (6).
27), (126), and an LED that indicates when the toner supply bolt (81) or (91) attached to the selected developing device (5) or (6) is empty. (132), Book division mode selection key (12
2) An LED (+28) is provided to indicate when the book division mode is selected. Furthermore, although not shown, it has a drum dryer and a drum dryer for starting forced toner replenishment.

vi, Developing device Developing devices (5) and (6) are 2 consisting of toner and carrier.
First, with reference to FIG. 4.5, the second developing device (6), which is a powder developing type developing device that uses component developers and is located on the downstream side with respect to the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum (2). I will explain. Note that the symbols in parentheses correspond to the first developing device (5).

(a) Structure of the second developing device (6) In the second developing device (6), a developing sleeve (61) is provided at the front of the casing (60) and is rotatably driven opposite the photosensitive drum (2). The developing sleeve (
61), a developing bias (-150V) is applied. The magnetic roller (62) is fixed inside the developing sleeve (61) and has a magnetic pole (S) in the axial direction.

A plurality of magnets with the same polarity (S, A magnetized portion (Z) is formed.

Conveyance paths (63) and (6) are located behind the developing sleeve (61).
4) are formed, each having a packet roller (65),
A conveyance roller (66) is rotatably provided.

In addition, the conveyance paths (63) and (64) are the casing (60)
It is partitioned by a partition wall (67) with a part of the partition wall (67) extending upward, and is connected via a passageway (not shown) formed by cutting out the back and front sides of the partition wall (67). .

Further, at the bottom of the rear conveyance path (64), there is a toner concentration detection sensor (hereinafter referred to as "rATDC sensor" XAS2) that detects the toner concentration in the two-component developer consisting of toner and carrier as a change in magnetic permeability. , is attached so that its sensor surface is in contact with the developer in the transport path (64), and the output signal is sent to the first CPU (2) of the control circuit, which will be described later.
00).

By the way, like the copying machine (1) according to the present invention, there are a plurality of developing devices (5), (6) around the photoreceptor drum (2).
When developing using the first developing device (5), the developer in the second developing device (6) is transferred to the photoreceptor drum (2).
, the toner image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum (2) by the first developing device (5) is disturbed. Furthermore, when developing using the second developer (6), if the developing agent in the first developer (5) is in contact with the photoreceptor drum (2), the electrostatic charge on the photoreceptor drum (2) The latent image is first developed by the first developing device (5) to mix colors.

Therefore, as a first means to prevent color mixing, the second developing device (6) includes a developing sleeve (61) and a packet roller (
A ear-cutting shutter (71) is provided between the ear-cutting shutter (71) and the first developing device (5).
1) is used to remove the developer held on the surface of the developing sleeve (second developing sleeve X61) of the second developing device (6), and the ear cutting shutter (71)
The switching means (70) shown in the figure allows switching between the states shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

(b) Switching means (70) In the switching means (70) shown in FIG.
) is rotatably attached to the casing (60), and a lever (73) is fixed to one of the support shafts (72). A spring (74) whose one end is locked to the casing (60) is locked to the tip of the lever (73), and while the lever (73) is always biased in the direction of arrow (a), the solenoid (75) ) is rotatably connected to maintain a stable state. In addition,
(77) is a stopper.

Therefore, the ear cutter shutter (7I) is connected to the solenoid (7I).
5) is in the off state, it is biased by the spring (74) and set to the state shown in FIG. 4 (off state),
When the solenoid (75) turns on and rotates in the direction of the arrow (ao) against the spring (74) until the lever (73) contacts the stopper (77), it is set to the state shown in Figure 5 (on state). be done.

(c) No. ■Developer (5) No.! The developing device (5) has almost the same configuration as the second developing device (6), and its configuration and components are the same as those of the second developing device (6).
In the figure, the symbols in parentheses indicate the second developing unit (
6), the casing (50) has a conveyance path (53).
, (54) are formed with the partition wall (57) as a boundary, and a developing sleeve (51), a magnetic roller (52), and a packet roller (
55) and a conveyance roller (56) are housed as shown in the figure, and an ATDC sensor (55) is housed in the conveyance path (54).
ASI) is fixed.

However, the first developing device (5) is not equipped with a cutting shutter (71), and as a second means for preventing color mixture, the developing bias voltage applied to the first developing sleeve (5) is
1st development bias) (not shown) in 2 stages (-150V
The difference is that it can be switched to 1-300v). Therefore, the switching means (70) for the ear cutting shutter (71) shown in FIG. 7 is not provided.

Also, 1st. Although the second developing devices (5) and (6) are driven and connected to a main motor (not shown), either one of the developing devices (5) or (6) is controlled by a sleeve solenoid (not shown).
This is a configuration in which drive is selectively transmitted only to.

That is, when it is drivingly connected to the first developing sleeve (5I), the driving force is not transmitted to the second developing sleeve (61), and conversely, when it is drivingly connected to the second developing sleeve (61). The first developing sleeve (51) has a structure in which no drive is transmitted.

(d) Toner supply mechanism and toner color detection mechanism 1st.
FIG. 6 shows a toner replenishment mechanism for replenishing toner to the second developing devices (5) and (6). In addition, the code in parentheses in the figure is the second
It corresponds to the developing device (6), and the reference numeral outside parentheses corresponds to the first developing device (5), and the reference numeral of the first developing device (5) will be used in the description of the configuration.

A bracket (80) is attached to one longitudinal end of the developing units (5), (6), and the rear conveyance path (54) in the developing units (5), (6) is attached to the bracket (80). A toner replenishment bottle (81) for replenishing toner is removably attached to the container, and is rotated by a replenishment motor (not shown) to replenish toner.

A bottle presence/absence detection sensor (82) is provided near the toner supply bottle (81), and it is determined whether the bottle (81) is attached based on the on/off signal of this bottle presence/absence detection sensor (82). That's what I do.

The toner replenishment bottle (81) has a replenishment port in the toner replenishment bottle (81).
) is provided with a toner empty detection sensor (83) for detecting the presence or absence of toner within the range.

At the top of the developing units (5) and (6), there are respective casings (
Magnets (84) and (85) are attached adjacent to each other in order to determine the color of the toner contained in the toners 50) and (60).

On the other hand, the main body of the copying machine includes the developing device (5).

(6) is attached, the magnets (84), (
85) facing the first. Second reed switch (86).

(87) is provided, and as shown in the table below, the first
．． The color of the toner contained in the developing units (5), (6) is determined based on the combination of on/off signals of the second reed switches (86), (87).

Incidentally, in this embodiment, the second developing device (6) is fixed exclusively for use with black toner, and only the first developing device (5) can be replaced.

Therefore, when the second developing device (6) is attached, the reed switches (96) and (97) both output ON signals. Further, for example, if the first developing device (5) contains red toner, only the magnet (84) corresponding to the first reed switch (86) is attached to the developing device (5), and the lead switch (86) is attached to the developing device (5). A magnet (85) corresponding to the switch (87) is not attached, and only the first reed switch (86) is turned on.

(e) In the developing devices (5) and (6) having the above-described configuration, a two-component developer consisting of toner and carrier is contained in the casing (70), and the first developing device (5) Color toner is stored in the second developing device (6), and black toner is stored in the second developing device (6).

The developer is transferred to the transport path (5) based on the rotation of the transport rollers (56), (66) and the packet rollers (55), (65).
4), (53), (64), (63),
At this time, the toner and carrier are mixed to prepare a two-component developer having a uniform density, and the toner is charged by frictional contact between the two.

In addition, some of the developer is removed from the developing sleeve (5) during the conveyance process.
1), (61), and the magnetic roller (52)
, (62) are held in a magnetic brush state along the lines of magnetic force generated from them.

The developer held on the surfaces of the developing sleeves (51), (61) is conveyed in the direction of the arrow in a magnetic brush state based on the rotation of the developing sleeves (51), (61), and is transferred to the photoreceptor drum (2). The magnetic brush slides on the surface of the photoreceptor drum (2) at the opposing portion, and the voltage between the surface potential of the photoreceptor drum (2) and the developing bias applied to the developing sleeves (51) and (61) is increased. Based on the difference, the photoreceptor drum (
2) is transferred to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface and made into a visible image.

The developer that has passed the opposite side +1< to the photosensitive drum (2) is then conveyed in the direction of the arrow based on the rotation of the developing sleeves (51) and (61), and is transported to the packet roller (55),
When reaching the part facing the developing sleeve (65), the developing sleeve (51
), (61), and the transport path (53), (
63).

By the way, in the second developing device (6), the hokiri shutter (71)
When the developing device (6) is driven with this ear-cutting shutter (71) in the "off state" shown in FIG. 4, the packet is released from the packet roller (65) toward the developing sleeve (61). The developed developer is guided by the spike shutter (71), advances in the arrow (X) direction, and reaches the developing sleeve (61).
At the same time, the developer released from the developing sleeve (6I) passes under the ear cutter (71) and follows the arrow (
Y) is collected in the conveyance path (63).

However, when the ear-cutting shutter (71) is in the "on state" as shown in FIG. The developer is blocked by the spike shutter (71) and returns in the direction of the arrow (X゛), and reaches the developing sleeve (61).
) is not supplied to the surface. Further, the developer held on the surface of the developing sleeve (6I) is collected into the conveyance path (63) in the same manner as described above, and the developer held on the surface of the developing sleeve (6I) is
) is said to have almost no developer on it. Therefore, even if development is performed using the first developing device (5) in this state, the toner image formed by the first developing device (5) will not be disturbed.

In this way, the developing operations are repeatedly executed in the developing devices (5) and (6), so that the developing devices (5) and (6) are repeatedly executed.
The toner in 6) is gradually consumed and the toner concentration decreases.

The ATDC sensors (A S 1 ) and (A S2 ) indicate that the toner concentration has become below a predetermined control level.
) is output to the microcomputer, which will be described in detail later.When detected, the toner supply bottle (81) of the toner supply mechanism is
, (91) to the conveyance paths (54), (64), and this newly replenished toner is transferred to the conveyance roller (54).
6), (6G) and the transport paths (54), (53), (64) based on the transport action of the packet rollers (55), (65).
), (63), and is mixed with a carrier to prepare a two-component developer.

vii. Circuit Configuration The copying machine (1) has a built-in microcomputer (not shown), and the microcomputer has a circuit configuration as shown in FIG.

In the figure, the microcomputer includes first and second CPUs (200) and (300), of which the first
The CPU (200) has various keys on the operation panel (+00), 1st. Second presence sensor (83), (93), first presence sensor (83), (93), first presence sensor (83), (93), first presence sensor (83), (93);
Second bolt empty sensor (82).

(92), reed switch (84) that detects toner color
, (85), (94), (95), etc. are arranged vertically and horizontally.
), (AS2), position value switch (23), and registration switch (24) are connected, and the aforementioned main motor, various roller clutches, etc. are connected to the first CPU (200) based on the operation of each key or the operation of sensors. At the same time, various LEDs such as the copy number display section (+04) ((104a), (104b)) are turned on and off via the decoder (133).

On the other hand, the second CPU (300) is connected to the localization value switch (23), the registration switch (24), etc., and this 20th PU (300) mainly operates and controls the optical system (0). The first CPU (200) and the second CPU
(300) are connected to each other for mutual synchronization.

■,■ Shot 2 color copy (Is2c copy) Next, I-shot reproduces two areas divided in the scan direction in different colors in one scanning operation using the copying machine (1) having the above configuration. The operation when performing two-color copy (Is2c copy) will be explained.

Ru.

As shown in FIG.
) to match the starting point mark (A) and set the desired color switching point (PO).

For example, color the area (R1) to the right of the dotted line,
When developing the left side area (R2) in black, set "4P" corresponding to the dotted line as the switching point (Po), and use the color selection switch (121), numeric keypad (lO6), ~ , (115) to input.

Next, the original (G) is turned upside down so that the image surface is facing down, and the left end of the original (G) is set to match the base point (B), as shown by the dashed line on the left side of the figure.

ii. Copying operation With the original (G) set as described above and the copying machine (1) set to the 1s2c copy mode in a manner to be described in detail later, 1s2c copying is performed as shown in FIG. Executed according to timing chart.

In addition, in the initial state of the copying machine (1), the Hokiri shutter (7
The switching means (70) of I) is set to the OFF state as shown in FIG. 4, and the drive of the main motor is set to the black copy mode in which the drive can be transmitted only to the second developing device (6).

First, the print switch (102) is turned on and when the print switch (102) is detected, the main motor starts driving and the photosensitive drum (2) starts rotating in the direction of the arrow, and at a predetermined timing, the charger (3) ), transfer charger (7), light source (11), etc. are turned on.

Then, an inter-image eraser (4) is used to erase the area between the images of the photoreceptor drum (2), that is, between the original platen glass (21) and the original holding plate (22).
) on the photoreceptor drum (2) with the charger (3), on the premise that the charge in the area corresponding to before the edge in the scanning direction and after the rear edge in the scanning direction of the document (G) set between the The area corresponding to the original (G) on the front side is covered with a weight.

On the other hand, when the print switch is turned on, the ear cutting shutter on delay timer (Tsh-A) is set, and when the ear cutting shutter on delay timer (Tsh-A) ends, the second ear cutting shutter on delay timer (Tsh-A) is set.
Solenoid (75) of switching means (7o) of developing device (6)
is turned on, the ear-cutting operation (7) is switched to the on state shown in FIG. 5, and the ear-cutting operation for removing the developer on the surface of the second developing sleeve (61) is started. , the timer (Tsh-A
) The reason why the time is delayed is that the ear cutting operation is started when the rotation of the second developing sleeve (61) has sufficiently started.

When the head cutter (71) is turned on, the sleeve rotation black toner removal timer (Tsh-B) is then set, and after waiting for its completion, the drive of the main motor is switched to the first developing unit (5) by the sleeve solenoid. color copy mode is set, and the first developing device (5) starts driving, while the driving of the second developing device (6) is cut off, and the first developing device (5) starts driving.
The developing bias of 5) is switched from the black level (-300V) to the color level (-150V), and the first developing device (
5) is set to a state where development is possible.

When the peripheral devices for the photosensitive drum (2) are set as described above, the light source (2) is turned on and the document (G) is scanned while moving the document table (20) by a scanning motor (not shown). As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the original image is formed on the photoreceptor drum (2).

When this electrostatic latent image reaches a portion facing the first developing sleeve (51) based on the rotation of the photoreceptor drum (2), the electrostatic latent image is formed on the first developing sleeve (51).
A magnetic brush of color toner formed on the surface of the developing sleeve (5) is rubbed and visualized.

This color toner image is then transferred to the second developing sleeve (61
), but within the time of the timer (Tsh-B) before the scanning operation is started,
Since the developer containing black toner on the surface of the second developing sleeve (61) has been almost completely removed, even if the color toner image passes through the portion facing the second developing sleeve (61), the toner remains The image does not come into contact with the magnetic brush of black developer and the image is not disturbed.

Next, while scanning the document table (20), press the registration switch (24) to turn it on, and the timer ('r
sc-A) is set. This timer (Tsc-A)
varies depending on the distance from the leading edge of the document to the color switching point (Po), and is automatically determined by the internal microcomputer from the switching point (Po) data entered by operating the keys on the operation panel (100). After calculation and setting, when the timer (Tsc-A) times up,
One point of the electrostatic latent image corresponding to the switching point (PO) between regions (R1) and (R2) of the original (G) is about to pass through the portion facing the first developing sleeve (51). It is set to be in the state. The timer ('I'
The value of 5c-A) will be explained later.

Note that the output signal from the registration switch (24) is sent to a timing roller (
35) determines the start timing.

When the registration switch (24) is turned on, the timing roller (35) starts driving, and the copy paper that had been waiting in front of the timing roller (35) moves to the transfer area [
The photoreceptor drum (2) and the transfer charger (7) are conveyed to a facing section].

When the Di timer (Tsc-A) ends, that is, when one point of the electrostatic latent image corresponding to the switching point (Po) passes through the part facing the first developing sleeve (51), the main motor is disconnected by the sleeve solenoid. The drive of the first developing device (5) is switched from the second developing device (6) to the second developing device (6).
6) starts driving, and switches the bias voltage of the first developing device (5) from -150V to -300V. Also,
The timer (Tsc-B) is set, and when the timer is finished, the ear-cutting shutter (71) of the second developing device (6) is set to the OFF state again. Note that the value of the timer (Tsc-B) will be explained later. 2 In this way, the reason why the switching operation of the ear cutter (71) 3 is delayed by the time of the timer (Tsc-B) is because the color switching point (Po) is at the part facing the first phenomenon device (5). At the time of passing, the rear end of the color toner image developed by the first developing device (5) has not yet reached the part facing the second developing sleeve (61), and the sleeve solenoid and the first developing device This is because if the spike shutter (71) is turned off at the same time as the bias is switched, the color toner image will be disturbed by the magnetic brush formed on the second developing sleeve (61).

Due to the off operation of the ear cutter (61), the area (R2)
Black toner is supplied from the second developing device (6) to the electrostatic latent image corresponding to the region (R2), and the timer (T
sc-C) starts.

Note that the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum (2) passes through a portion facing the first developing sleeve (5I) before reaching a portion facing the second developing sleeve (61). However, the drive of the first developing device (5) is cut off, and the first developing bias is set to (-+5) during color development.
0V) is higher than (-300V) to increase the binding force on the color toner on the first developing sleeve (5I), so even if the color developer comes into contact with the electrostatic latent image, the color No toner transfers to the electrostatic latent image.

When the timer (Tsc-C) counts up, the area (
When the developing operation for R2) is completed, the electrostatic latent image of the document (G) corresponding to the region (R1) and the region (R2) is developed with color toner and black toner, respectively. The image is transferred to the sort conveyed from the paper feed system (30) to a portion facing the transfer charger (7).

The copy paper on which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the surface of the photoreceptor drum (2) by a separation belt (8), and then transported to a fixing device (41) by a transport roller (43), where the toner image is transferred to a fixing device (41). The image is fused and fixed and is discharged to a paper discharge section (42).

On the other hand, the residual toner on the surface of the photoreceptor drum (2) is removed by the cleaner device (9) and collected into the cleaner device (9), and the residual charge on the surface of the photoreceptor drum (2) is removed while the main motor is driving. The main motor (1
0) is removed.

iii, timer (Tsc-A) The value of the timer (Tsc-A) will be explained.

In the copying machine (1), as shown in FIG. 9, the distances from the transfer charger (7) to the timing roller (35) and the first phenomenon sleeve (51) are determined by
, (L,), and the relationship I7+ > L t is now established, when the registration switch (23) is turned on, the latent image tip (Ps') corresponding to the image tip (Ps)
is located on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the photoreceptor drum (2) (along Ll-L) from the opposing portion of the first developing sleeve (51).

Therefore, if the distance from the leading edge of the document (Ps) on the scanning start side to the color switching point (PQ) is (e), then one point (Po") of the electrostatic latent image corresponding to the color switching point (Po)
is (
c-(t,-Lt)) is located where it went. Therefore, from the time when the registration switch (23) is turned on, one point (Po) of the electrostatic latent image corresponding to the color switching point (Po)
') passes through the facing portion of the first developing sleeve (51), that is, the timer (Tsc-A) is as follows.

Tsc-A-14-(L, -Lt)]/V.

vo: Peripheral speed of photoreceptor drum (2) Here, specific numerical values are listed: L, = 8111M, L, -55xx, Vo = 111
Under the condition of y/sec, the settings are as shown in the following table.

Note that the unit of the timer (Tsc-A) is (msec).

iv.Thailand? (TSC-13) The timer (Tsc-B) measures the time 2'F1 for one point on the photosensitive drum (2) to reach from the first developing device (5) to the second developing device (6), and the developing sleeve ( 76) The time from one point of the ear cutting (71) to the part facing the photoreceptor drum (2): T4, the time from the ear cutting (71) to the off state to the off state: T5. Toto, T.S.
CB"'T3 T4 Ts.

(2) Control The control procedure for the copying machine (1) will be explained below with reference to the attached flowchart.

1. Main Routine (See Figure 13) In the main routine, when the power is turned on and the microcomputer starts, each parameter is set in step (M + ).

In step (M2), an internal timer is started.

This internal timer has been reset in the step (M I ), and the processing time (3
Each timer, which will be explained in the following subroutine, determines the end of the set time based on the count number of this internal timer for each routine.

Next, the subroutines of each step (M3), . . . Return to

Note that steps (M3) to (M6) are subroutines that process signals input from various keys on the operation panel (+00), and step (M3) is a subroutine that processes input/output signals. Step (M4) is a subroutine that processes the signal from the color selection key (12+), and step (M5) is the numeric keypad (+06), ~, (+15).
Step (M6) is a subroutine for processing signals input from the subroutine for processing other switch processing.

Steps (M7) to (M9) include the operation panel (10
0) is controlled in the subroutine, step (M
7) Click l on the display section (+04) of the operation panel (100).
52c A subroutine for displaying the copy mode switching point (Po) and the number of copies, step (M8) is a subroutine for displaying the developer used according to the copy mode, and step (M9) is a toner empty display processing subroutine. .

Steps (MIO), ~, (MI3) are the developing device (5),
This is a subroutine that controls the operation of step (6).
lo) is a subroutine that performs processing such as the hokiri shutter (7), step (Mll) is a subroutine that switches the drive of the developing devices (5) and (6) in the 1s2c copy-1 mode, and steps (Ml 2) and (Ml 3) is the phenomenon organ (
This is a subroutine for controlling the toner density in 5) and (6).

Step (Ml4) is a subroutine that controls the conveyance of copy paper such as the paper feed system (30), step (Ml5) is a subroutine that controls peripheral equipment of the photoreceptor drum (2), and step (Ml6) is a subroutine that controls other devices. This is a subroutine that performs processing.

11. Detailed Description Among the subroutines mentioned above, the color selection switch processing routine [step (M4)], the numeric keypad processing routine [step (M5)], and the sheet number display section display processing routine [step (M4)] are related to the operation and display of the operation panel (100). Step (M7)), selected developing device display processing subroutine [Step (M8)], and toner empty display processing subroutine [Step (M9)] will be explained in detail in order.

Note that the copy mode flags (FCOLOR, F2C0LOR) and copy modes (black copy mode, color copy mode, l
52c copy mode) has the relationship shown in the table below, and when the copier (+) is turned on, FCOLOR is set in the initial value setting routine (Ml) of the main routine described in
=0, I? 2 COL 0R=O is set to set the black copy mode, and the color selection switch (121) can be sequentially changed as shown below.

(See FIG. 14) The color copy selection switch processing routine is a subroutine that detects the on-edge of the color selection switch (121) and changes the values of the face copy flags FCOLOR and F'2COLOR.

First, select the selection switch (12+) in step (SSOO)
Step (SS)
Step (SSO2)
It is determined whether the color selection switch (121) is turned on or not, and if both are YES, the process proceeds to step (SSO3), and if any one is No, the process returns.

Next, in steps (S S 03) and (S S 04), the FCOLOR and F2C0LOR flags are set to “BI” or “0”, respectively.
”, and step (
S S O5), (S S 20), (S S 30)
Proceed to.

Then, before the selection switch (121) is turned on, the black copy mode (FCOLOR=0, F2C0LOR
= 0), SS30
), and if the color (first) developer (5) is installed here, F COL OR in step (SS31).
is set to “B”. F2C0LOR remains “0”.

That is, in the state of black copy mode, press the selection switch (121)
Press once to set FCOLOR= l, F2C0T, OR
= O, and the color mode is set.

Also, before the selection switch (121) is turned on, the color mode (FCOLOR=I, F2C0LOR=O
), the process proceeds to step (SS20), where it is checked whether the color developer (5) is installed or not, and then, in step (SS21), it is determined whether or not book division mode is selected. , if book split mode is not selected, proceed to step (SSO6) and select F.
Set 2C0LOR to “B”. FcO, LOR is “
It remains as B.

In other words, in the state of color mode mode, press the selection switch (+2
1) Press once to set the l52c copy mode.

Furthermore, Is2. c copy mode (PCOLOR=1,
When the color selection switch (+21) is turned on while F2C0LO1=1) is set, the step (S
Proceed to SO5) and determine here whether or not the selection switch (+21) is turned on for the first time after the copying is completed. If it is pressed for the first time, the process advances to step (SSO6) and F2C0LOR2I is set.

That is, even if the selection switch (+21) is turned on for the first time after copying in the 1s2c copy mode, the 152c copy mode is maintained as it is. This is done once after changing the color switching point after l52c copying is completed.
This is done in consideration of convenience in obtaining 2c copies.

On the other hand, after copying is complete, press the color selection switch (+) twice in a row.
21) is turned on, step (SSIO).

Proceed to (SS11), r'cOLOR, F2C0LOR
Set both to "0" and change to black copy mode.

However, after the l52c copy is completed, the color selection switch (
+21) Even if you turn it on once, the 1s2c copy mode will be maintained.

In this way, in this copying machine (1), the selection switch (12
By pressing 1), the copy mode is changed in a rotary manner as described below.

Note that if it is determined in steps (SS 20) and (SS 30) that the color phenomenon device (5) is not attached, the process proceeds to steps (SS 1 O) and (SS I 1) to switch to the black copy mode. is set unconditionally.

*Means the same.

b. Numeric keypad processing routine (see Figure 15) In the numeric keypad processing subroutine (step: M11), input is made from the numeric keys (+06), ~, (115) depending on the operation status of the copy mode and color selection switch (12+). This is a subroutine that processes the data according to each mode.

First, in step (SKOO), it is determined whether the clear stop key (c/c key Xl05) is on or off, and if it is off, it is determined in step (SKOI) whether or not copying is in progress,
If copying is not in progress, proceed to step (SKO2), determine whether any of the numeric keys (105), ~, (115) is turned on, and if YES, proceed to step (SKO3)
Proceed to. Note that if the determination is No in any of steps (SKoo) to (SKO2), the process returns.

In step (SKO3), whether F2C0LOR=1 or not,
That is, it is determined whether the mode is 152c or not, and if it is the 1s2c copy mode, it is determined at step (SKO4) whether or not the color selection switch (121) remains pressed. If the color selection switch (+21) is still pressed, input of manual data for the switching point (Po) is permitted in step (SKO5), and the numeric keypad (+
06), ~, (+15), receive a human-powered signal.

On the other hand, if F 2 COL OR is “0”, also ■
? Even if 2COLOR=1, the color selection switch (+
If 21) is not kept pressed, the process advances to step (SKIO), and manual effort for one copy is permitted.

Then, in step (SKIO), it is determined whether or not it is the input timing for the I digit, and if YES, step (SKII) is performed.
Determine whether the key pressed is not “0” and set it to “0”.
If so, return, if other than “0”, step (SKI
2) Manually input the numerical value of the key pressed on the numeric keypad and return. Also, if it is determined in step (SKIO) that it is not the first digit manual timing, step (SK20)
It is determined whether it is the second digit manual timing or not. and,
If YES, set the first digit to 1 in step (SK2+)
Add 1 to the 0th digit data, and add step (SK12
), the newly input numerical value is stored as the first digit data.

In this way, in the numeric keypad processing routine, if the l52c copy mode is in progress and the color selection switch (12
1) is pressed, the numeric keypad (106
) to (I15) to accept the input of switching point (1) 0), and in other cases only one copy can be made manually.

08 Sheet count display section display processing subroutine (see Figure 16) The sheet count display processing routine is a subroutine that displays the l52c copy switching point (Po) or the number of copies on the display section 104 (104a, 104b) of the operation panel (100). It is.

First, in steps (SHOO) and (SHOI), F'
After determining whether 2COLOR=1, that is, whether or not the 1s2c copy mode is in effect, it is determined whether the color selection switch (+21) remains pressed in the same way as before. If the 1s2c copy mode is selected and the color selection switch (121) is pressed, the display section (
Display the switching point data in step 104a) and proceed to step (
9MO3), "P" is displayed on the display section (104b).

That is, the color switching point (Po) is displayed as "4P".

Otherwise, step (SMI O), (SMI
l) displays the data for the 10th and 1st place in terms of number of copies, respectively. That is, if the number of copies is 25, "25" is displayed.

(See FIG. 17) The selected developer display processing subroutine is a subroutine that displays the developer selected according to the copy mode.

First, step (s'roo Q), (STD 10)
The selected copy mode is determined by detecting the value of the FCOLOR flag.

Then, as shown in FIG. 10, in the case of l52c copy mode (F2COLOR-1, FCOLOR=1), the process proceeds to steps (STDO+) and (STDO2), and the black toner display LED (126) and color toner display LED (1
27) are lit together.

Black copy mode (〇 to F2COLO+, FCOL011
=O), steps (STD20), (STD21
), the black toner display LED (126) is turned on, and the color toner display LED (127) is turned off.

Color copy mode (F2COLOR=0.FCOLO
R=1), steps (STD 11), (STD
12), the black toner display LED (126) is turned off and the color toner display LED (+27) is turned on.

In the above description, the operation panel (100) displays the black toner display LED (+26) and the color toner display LED (100).
27).
As shown in FIG. 1, when the operation panel (100) is provided with a plurality of display LEDs (150) to (154) corresponding to the toner color, the LED corresponding to the selected toner color
The light may be turned on.

e. Toner empty display processing subroutine (first
(See Figure 8) The toner empty display processing subroutine
), (6) In the toner replenishment mechanism attached to
This is a subroutine that performs display processing when the toner in the toner supply bottles (81) and (91) is empty.

The copy mode is determined in steps (SEDOO) and (SED I O), and if it is 1s2c copy mode, the toner supply bottle (91) of the black (second) developing device (6) is empty in step (SEDOO). Determine whether it exists or not, and if it is empty, step (SEDO2)
to turn on the toner empty display LED (+32).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (SEDOI) that the toner has not yet decreased to the empty state, step (SEDOI)
SEDll) to determine whether the toner supply bottle (81) of the color (first) developing device (5) is empty;
If the toner is empty, the toner empty display LED (132) is turned on in step (SEDO2).

That is, with the l52c copy mode selected,
At least one of the toner supply bottles (81), (
When the toner in 91) becomes empty, a toner empty display LED (132) is turned on to notify the user of toner replenishment.

In the case of color copy mode, the toner supply bottle (81) of the color (first) developing device (5) is removed in step (SEDll).
) is empty or not, and if it is empty, the toner empty display LED is turned on in step (SEDO2).
(+32), and if it is not empty, turn on the toner empty display LED (132) in step (SED12).
) is turned off.

In case of black copy mode, black (
2nd) Determine whether or not the toner supply bottle (91) of the developing device (6) is empty, and if it is empty, step (S)
ED2+) to display toner empty and ED(+32)
If not, step (SED+2) and turn on the LED (
+32) to clarify.

(Effects of the Invention) As is clear from the above description, in the present invention, in a multicolor image forming apparatus including a plurality of developing devices and a display section corresponding to each developing device, one of the plurality of developing devices is When a multicolor image is formed using at least two developing devices, all display sections corresponding to the selected developing device are turned on.

Therefore, there is no need to provide a dedicated display lamp to indicate that the multicolor image forming mode (l-shot 2-color copy mode, multicolor composite copy mode) is selected, so there is no need to make any changes to the mechanical configuration. By simply changing the control circuit of an existing multicolor copying machine, it is possible to add a one-shot two-color copying function to the multicolor copying machine.

Furthermore, since the developing device to be used is displayed when performing one-shot, two-color color copying or multicolor composite copying, the user has a clearer image of the copy that will be completed, making it easier to use.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a sectional view of the copying machine, Figure 2 is a plan view of the document table, Figure 3 is a plan view of the operation panel, Figures 4 and 5 are sectional views of the developing unit, and Figure 6 is toner replenishment. A perspective view of the mechanism, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the ear cutting mechanism, FIG. 8 is a control circuit diagram, FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of timer time setting, and FIGS. 10 and 11 are plan views of the main parts of the display section. Figure 12 is a timing chart of 1-shot 2-color copying, Figure 13 is a flowchart of the main routine, Figure 14 is a flowchart of the color copy selection switch processing subroutine, Figure 15 is a flowchart of numeric keypad processing, and Figure 16 is a flowchart of blueprint processing of the numeric keypad. 17 is a flowchart of the subroutine for displaying the sheet number display section, FIG. 17 is a flowchart for the subroutine for displaying the selected developing device, and FIG.
The figure is a flowchart of the toner empty display processing subroutine. 0...Optical system, l...Copying machine, 2...Photosensitive drum, 3...Charging chamber, 4...Eraser lamp,
5... First developing device (color developing device), 6... Second developing device (black developing device), 7... Transfer charger, 11...
・Light source, 20... Original platen, 21... Original platen glass,
22... Localization value switch, 23... Renost switch, 30... Paper feeding system, 35... Timing roller,
41... Fixing device, 50.60... Casing, 5
1.61...Developing sleeve, 70...Ear cutting means, 71
... Hokiri Tsuta, 81°91 ... Toner supply bottle, 83.93 ... Toner empty detection sensor, 1
02...Print switch, 104, IO4a
, +04 b-display section, 106. ~,115...
Numeric keypad, +22...Color selection switch, 126...
...Black toner display LED, +27...Color toner display LED, 132...Toner empty display LED,
ASl, AS2...Toner concentration detection sensor, Ts
h-A...Honkiri shutter-on delay timer, Tsh-B
...Sleeve rotation black toner removal timer, Tsh-C・
. . . Ear cutter switch off delay timer, Tsc-A . . . Soup solenoid switching delay timer, Tsc-B . . . Ear cutter shutter on delay timer, Tsc-C . . . Ear cutter shutter off timer. Patent Applicant Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. Agent Patent Attorney Aohaku Ao and 2 others Figure 2 P. 2: Figure 4, Figure 9, Figure 10, Figure 11.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In a multicolor image forming apparatus equipped with a plurality of developing devices and a display section corresponding to each developing device, a multicolor image is formed using at least two of the plurality of developing devices. 1. A display method for a multicolor image forming apparatus, comprising: turning on all display sections corresponding to a selected developing device.