JPS6375766A - Copying machine provided with composite mode - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate a linear image of a boundary part of a copied image by making an eraser operable or inoperable at a prescribed time with respect to an image part of a photosensitive drum corresponding to an original which has been set to the first and the second positions on an original placing table in a two-sheets composite mode. CONSTITUTION:In a two-sheet composite mode, the uppermost original OR2 on an original tray 32 is fed out, fed in under a carrying belt 39 by a pinch roller 38, the rear end of the original OR2 is detected by an inlet sensor 37, and after a prescribed time after it has reached a P point, it is set to the first position (A position) by stopping the pinch roller 38 and the carrying belt. A range of the A position of the original OR2 is exposed and scanned. An eraser is operated earlier by a prescribed time than the time when the rear end of the image part of the photosensitive drum corresponding to the original OR2 passes through under the eraser. After the development and the transfer have been ended, the eraser is made inoperable later by a prescribed time than the time when the tip of the image part on the photosensitive drum with respect to the next original OR1 which has been set to the second position (B position) passes through under the eraser.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention includes a two-sheet composition mode for copying two originals fed onto a document table by an automatic original feeding device onto one sheet of paper. Concerning copying machines.

[Conventional technology]

In order to efficiently copy a large number of originals, there is an automatic document feeder that automatically transports the original onto the copying machine's original table and ejects it after exposure. It is used in conjunction with a copy machine.

In this device, documents are conveyed sequentially from the feed tray, but are first stopped by a pinch roller on the entrance side, and then conveyed to a predetermined position on the document table by a pinch roller and a conveyor belt that operate in response to a feed signal. Ru. Then, in response to the end of exposure, the document is conveyed again by the conveyor belt and ejected, and the next document is conveyed.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

Although the above-mentioned conventional automatic document feeder automates the handling of documents and performs copying operations efficiently, in order to store a large number of copies and save on the number of copies, it is necessary to transfer two documents onto one sheet of paper. It has not been possible to respond to a request for copying a document on a document table because the stopping position of the document conveyed onto the document table is fixedly determined.

To deal with this problem, when placing a document on the document table from the automatic document feeder, if the document is an odd-numbered document, it is placed in the first position on the document table, and even-numbered documents are placed in the first position on the document table. At the same time, the document conveying means is controlled to set the original at the second position on the original table, and the original set at the first position on the original table is copied to the first position on the copy paper. , a copying machine equipped with a composition mode for copying an original set at a second position on a document table to a second position adjacent to the first position on a copy sheet on which a copy image has been formed at the first position. The present applicant has proposed a solution by linking the above (see Japanese Patent Application No. 61-217954).

To explain this with reference to FIG. 1, in the figure, there is an automatic document feeder (ADF), and originals ORI and OR2 are placed on the original tray 32 with the side to be copied facing the original tray 32. Starting from the top document, OR2 is sequentially fed to the front side of the pinch roller blades by a feeding means consisting of a feeding roller. When a command to convey the document to the document table is output from a microprocessor that controls the operation of the ADF, the document is conveyed toward the document table by a conveying means including a pinch roller, a conveyor belt, and the like.

2 for the first (odd-numbered) manuscript, that is, a 2-page manuscript.
The page original OR2 is transported. When the trailing edge is detected by the sensor 37, this detection signal is counted and judged by the counter of the microprocessor that constitutes the odd-even judgment means of the original, and it is determined that it is the odd-numbered sheet, and the original is moved a certain distance 10
After being conveyed, it is stopped and set at position A in the figure. In this state, exposure is performed and copies are made, but the copy paper is C0P in the same figure.
It is shown in Y1, half of which is blank. Since the composite copy mode of the copying machine is selected, this copy paper is stored in the paper re-feed tray. When the required number of copies have been copied, the second (even-numbered) document, that is, the first page of the two-page document, is fed, but when the trailing edge is detected by the sensor 37, this time is determined to be an even-numbered sheet, and the total distance C of the constant distance 11 and the document width 12 is calculated.
After being conveyed by 11+12), it is stopped and set at position B in the figure. In this state, exposure is performed and copies are made, but the second page of the original is first copied onto the paper stored in the re-feed tray, so C0 in the same figure
This is shown as PY 2, and odd-numbered pages and even-numbered pages of the original are copied onto one sheet of copy paper.

By the way, when the copying machine performs a copying operation in the above-mentioned combination mode, the copy image of the original OR2 set at position A (first position) on the document table and the copy image of the document OR2 set at position B on the document table (
A black line may appear at the boundary between the original ORI set at the second position) and the copied image. This is the edge of the original OR2 conveyed onto the document table and the edge of the original OR2 conveyed next.
This is caused by a slight misalignment between the ends of the paper, and although this does not cause any practical problems, it does cause the inconvenience of poor quality of the finished copy. This invention aims to solve this problem.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention erases a boundary portion where two images are adjacent to each other by a predetermined width when forming a latent image of an original image on a photoreceptor drum. The original set at a first position on the document table with one end at the scanning start position is copied to the first position on the copy paper, and the document is set at a second position adjacent to the first position on the document table. In a copying machine equipped with a two-sheet composition mode in which a document is first copied to a second position adjacent to the first position on a copy sheet on which a copy image is formed at the first position, the photosensitive drum and its surroundings are arranged. a predetermined period of time from when the trailing edge of the image portion of the photosensitive drum corresponding to the document set at the first position on the document table passes under the eraser; The eraser is activated as early as possible, and the eraser is deactivated a predetermined time later than when the leading edge of the image portion of the photosensitive drum corresponding to the document set at the second position on the document table passes under the eraser. and an eraser control means for erasing the image portion corresponding to the document boundary by activating the eraser control means when a signal instructing boundary erasing is output from the signal output means. It is.

[For production]

Of the image formed on the photosensitive drum, for the image portion corresponding to the document set at the first position on the document table, the rear end in the scanning direction is separated by a predetermined width, and the second position on the document table is
For the image part corresponding to the document set in the position,
Eraser control is performed to erase the leading end in the scanning direction by a predetermined width. This prevents a linear image from being formed at the boundary between two images copied in the composite mode.

〔Example〕

Examples of the present invention will be described below.

First, the configuration of the copying machine will be explained. FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the main components of a copying machine equipped with a composite copy mode suitable for use with the automatic document feeder (ADF) of the present invention installed therein.

In the figure, 1 is the main body of the copying machine, 2 is the scanning optical system, 3 is the photosensitive drum, 4 is the developing device, 5 is the first paper feed tray, 6 is the second paper feed tray, and 7 and 8 are respectively 1st゜ Paper feed rows 2.9, 10 that feed copy sheets one by one on the second paper feed tray
, 11 is a conveyance roller that conveys the copy paper to the transfer position;
2 is a conveyance path, 13 is a conveyance belt for the copy paper onto which the toner image has been transferred, 14 and 15 are a pair of fixing rollers, and 69 is an eraser.

Further, 16 is a conveying path for the fixed copy paper, 17 is a switching claw for switching whether to eject the copy paper or conveying it to the re-feeding tray m, I8 is a conveying path to the re-feeding tray, and 19 is a copying When performing double-sided copying on paper and when performing composite copying, a conveyance path switching claw is used to change the orientation of the front and back sides of paper. In the case of , the purpose is to switch the paper to be transported to the re-feeding tray via the reversing transport path 21.

24 is a guide plate for the paper refeed tray, which is set at an appropriate position according to the size of the paper. In addition, these guide plates n and 24 retract the paper feed roller n upwards when the number of copies corresponding to a predetermined number of copies manually input by key are stored, and move the copy paper below the feed roller. ,
It has a function to enable paper feeding. Reference numeral 30 denotes an automatic document feeder, which is installed on the document table δ of the copying machine l. Its configuration will be explained later. Also, Seki is a known sorter.

Next, the automatic document feeder (ADF) will be explained based on FIG. 3. 31 is a document feeding unit, 32 is a document tray,
33 is a feeding roller, 35 is a separation roller that separates and feeds the originals one by one, 36 is a separation sensor that detects whether or not the originals are reliably fed one by one, and 37 is a separation sensor that detects whether the originals are being fed one by one. An entrance sensor 39 detects when the trailing edge of the original passes in order to control the stop position of the original. Reference numeral 39 is a conveyor belt for conveying the original, which is installed between a drive roller 40.degree. and a tension roller 41. 42 is a roller that presses the conveyor belt onto the document table. 45 is a document ejecting section, 46 is an ejected document feeding guide, 47 and 48 are guide rollers, and 49 is a paper ejecting tray.
It receives the original after exposure. Note that 44 is a paper ejection sensor that detects the trailing edge of the ejected document.

Figure 4 shows the operation panel of the ADF, including a print key 73, a border erase key 72 for requesting erasing of the border between two originals, and a composite 2nd mode key for selecting the composite 2nd mode as the copy mode. 71, APS mode that automatically selects copy paper suitable for the original size;
Mode A to select the copy magnification according to the selected paper size
An automatic setting mode selection key 70 for selecting MS or a mode MUL for manually selecting the copy magnification and copy paper, and a lamp 65 for displaying these modes.
-1°65-2.65-3.65-4.65-5 are provided. Note that there are two combination modes: a first combination mode and a second combination mode. The compositing second mode is a copying mode according to the present invention in which two originals successively supplied are combined into one copy in a copying system linked with an ADF.
This is a mode for copying onto multiple sheets of copy paper.

Next, its operation will be explained. First, operate the key 71 on the operation panel of the copying machine to select the second composition mode, and then operate the key 7o to select the automatic setting mode.
Select either AMS or MUL (.Also,
The original is placed face down on the original tray 32 of the ADF, and prepared to be fed starting from the last page at the top of the original.

When the print key 73 on the operation panel is pressed to start the copying operation, the top original in the originals on the original tray 32 is sent out by the feeding roller, and the separation roller 35
The documents are separated one by one, and the first (odd-numbered) document is ORed.
2 is sent out to the pinch roller μs. When the timing for sending is reached by a known timing adjustment means, the pinch roller rotates and sends the original OR2 under the conveyor belt 39.

The conveyance belt 39 is moved in the direction of the arrow a by the drive roller 4o, and holds the original OR2 by frictional force and conveys it in the direction of the arrow a.

A pulse generating disk (not shown) is attached to the motor shaft that drives the pinch roller blades, and it counts the passage of a predetermined amount of time after the trailing edge of the document is detected by the entrance sensor 37, and determines whether the trailing edge of the document is the reference point. After passing the point P, the pinch roller A stops the conveyor belt 39, and then moves the conveyor belt in the opposite direction (in the direction of the arrow) by a predetermined amount determined from the time counted by the previous timer and the amount of movement. The rear end is the reference point P on the document table δ
(In FIG. 1, the position is a distance 11 from the entrance sensor 37).

The document is placed at a predetermined first position on the document table 5 (position A in FIG.
), the ADF instructs the main body of the copying machine to perform a series of copying operations including exposure, development, and fixing. A scanning optical system 2 scans a document and forms an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor drum 3. The electrostatic latent image is developed and transferred onto a copy sheet fed from the grinding table 5 or 6 via the conveyance rollers 9, 10.degree. 11, and the conveyance path 12. The copy paper on which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed by a conveyor belt 13 to fixing rollers 14 and 15, and the toner image is fixed on the copy paper. The above is the copying process of a normal copying machine, and although the explanation is omitted here, it goes without saying that the copying machine includes components such as a charger, a transfer device, a static eliminator, and a cleaner, which are known in the art.

The copy paper that has been fixed is discharged from the fixing rows y 14 and 15, but since the second composite mode is selected as the copy mode, the switching pawl 17 provided in the middle of the conveyance path moves the conveyance path 16. Switching to the re-feed tray.

The copy paper therefore enters the conveyance path 18.

At the exit of the conveyance path 18, there is a switching claw for transporting the paper to the reversing conveyance path 21 for reversing the front and back sides of the paper in the case of double-sided copy mode, or directly to the paper refeed tray J in the case of the first or second composition mode. 19, and in this explanation, the second combining mode is selected as the copy mode, so the switching claw 1
Reference numeral 9 indicates that the copy paper is switched in the direction in which it directly enters the paper refeed tray m. The carried-in copy paper is stored at a predetermined position on the paper re-feed tray by guide plates n and 24. In this way, the copying operation is repeated for the set number of copies, and the copying of the first (odd-numbered) document p is completed.

The feed roller η above the paper re-feed tray is retracted upward, and the copy paper on the paper re-feed tray m is moved to the left in FIG. be done.

Then, the feeding roller η is lowered to complete preparations for feeding the second document as a copy sheet to be copied onto the blank area of the copy sheet on which the first document has been copied.

When the ADF receives a copy completion signal for the first (odd-numbered) document output from the copying machine, the ADF begins a document exchange operation. First, the conveyor belt 39 moves in the direction of arrow a in FIG.
6 and guide rollers 47 and 48, and is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 49. At this time, the discharge sensor 44
Emissions are detected. Then, the next document is transferred to the feed roller 33.
sent out by

This time, since this is the second (even-numbered) document, the timer starts counting after the trailing edge of the document is detected by the entrance sensor 37. The width of the document is further 12 than the position 11 from the entrance sensor
The document is stopped by a distance corresponding to , at a position on the left side in FIG.

The document is placed at a predetermined second position on the document table δ (position B in FIG. 1).
), the ADF instructs the main body of the copying machine to perform a series of copying operations including exposure, development, and fixing. A scanning optical system 2 scans the original and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum. In this case, the optical system 2 performs a full scan that scans the entire surface of the document table, so the first document on the photoreceptor drum is
Dirt on the surface of the conveyor belt 390 of the ADF is also formed as an electrostatic latent image in a portion corresponding to the position, so in order to remove this, this portion is erased by lighting an eraser lamp. At this time, a line image may be formed at the boundary between the first (odd-numbered) document and the second (even-numbered) document, so use a wider width to erase with the eraser lamp. It's a good idea to leave it there. The electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum is developed,
The toner image is transferred to the copy paper in the re-feed tray fed by the feed roller η, that is, to the blank portion of the paper on which the first document has been previously copied.

The copy paper on which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed by a conveyor belt 13 to fixing rollers 14 and 15, and the toner image is fixed onto the copy paper. The fused copy paper is ejected, but the second
Since the processing is for the even-numbered document, the switching claw 17 switches the conveyance path 16 to the discharge direction toward the sorter 50 . Therefore, the copy sheets are ejected from the copy machine main body, enter the sorter, and are sorted by known means. The copying operation is repeated for the predetermined number of copies thus set, and the copying of the second (even-numbered) document is completed.

After the third sheet, the first sheet (odd number sheet), the second sheet (
The same operation as the copying operation for the even-numbered originals is repeated until all the originals have been copied and the series of copying operations is completed.

Note that the entrance sensor 3 determines whether the original is an odd numbered page or an even numbered page.
A counter in the ADF control CPU 60 counts the signal indicating the passage of the edge of the document detected in step 7, and a judgment is made based on the counting result.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control circuit that controls the ADF and the copying machine, and shows only the portions related to the second combining mode, which is the copying mode provided in the ADF of the present invention.

Both the ADF and the copier are equipped with a microprocessor for control.
AD by a program running on a microprocessor
F. The functional operation of the copying machine is controlled.

First, to explain from the ADF side, 60 is the ADF control CPU.
The input port 1 includes a print key 72,
I2 has automatic setting mode AP S/AMS/M
UL selection key 70. A signal from the synthesis second mode selection key 71 is inputted to I3, and a signal from the border erase key 72 is inputted to I3. Input boat I5. Each of the ports 6 includes an entrance sensor 37 for detecting the document feeding state. Signals SEN・IN and SEN・OUT of the discharge sensor 44 are input. Further, from the output ports 01.02.03, a high speed drive signal HI, a low speed drive signal LO, and a forward/reverse switching signal are outputted to the conveyor belt drive motor control circuit 62.

63 is a conveyor belt drive motor whose speed and rotation direction are controlled by a conveyor belt drive motor control circuit 62.
Pulses from a pulse generator provided on the motor shaft are input to the ADF control CPU 60 via the control circuit 62).
Enter the IP. In addition, the output port 04 of the ADF control CPU 60 sends to the drive circuit 64 the 0N10FF signal of the clutch that transmits power to the pinch roller, the brake operation signal, and the automatic setting mode AP S / AMS / MUL that is manually operated by the key. A signal for displaying and displaying the second synthesis mode is output, and the clutch and brake are operated, the display lamp on the display section 65 is displayed, etc.

On the other hand, the input capo of the copying machine control CpfU61) Ia,
Ib.

Ic and Id include detection signals SEN/OR from a sensor that detects whether the document size and position is A4 landscape or B5 landscape, etc., and a paper size signal 5E stored in the copy machine's paper feed table and paper feed cassette.
N-FA, scanning end detection signal 5EN- of scanning optical system 2
8C, and a detection signal S of the rotational angular position of the photoreceptor drum.
EN-DM is input. Also, output capo) Oa, O
From b, a scanning optical system drive signal and a forward/reverse switching signal are output to the scanning optical system drive motor control circuit 66. 67
The scanning optical system drive motor is controlled by the above-mentioned control circuit to stop and rotate in forward and reverse directions, and the pulses from the pulse generator provided on the motor shaft are input to the CPU 61 for controlling the copying machine via the control circuit 67. and input it into IS. Further, a lighting control signal for the erase lamp 69 is outputted to the drive circuit 68 from the output port Oc of the copying machine control CPU 61 .

Various control signals are exchanged between the ADF control CPU f5f) and the copying machine control CPU 61, and from 05.06.07.08, the original size signal 0R8Z and copy start signal CPST , an even page signal EVPG indicating that the original is an even page.
, a C0M2 signal indicating the second combining mode is output, and the input ports Ie, If, Ig,
It is input to Ih. Also, the output port Od of the copying machine control CPU 61.

A copy paper size signal PASZ and a copy completion signal CPFN are output from Oe, and the input capo of the ADF control CPU 60 is outputted.I7. Input to IS.

Next, the ADF control CPU 60. Copy machine control CPTJ 6
The control process executed in 1 will be explained using charts 70 from FIG. 6 to FIG. 12.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an outline of the ADF main routine. When the power is turned on, initialization such as clearing the memory and resetting the flags is performed (step Sl). Next, an internal timer for managing the operation of the main routine is set (step S2). Processes signals input from various sensors and output signals such as drive motor operation commands (
Step S3).

It is checked whether the ADF is used or not (step S4), and if the ADF is used, mode settings are made to set necessary flags, etc. according to the input signal of the mode input as the copy mode, for example, normal mode, composite mode, etc. (Step S5). Feeding of the original is started, and the original is fed to the pinch roller and stopped (step S6).

Check whether the copy mode is the second composition mode (step S
7) If it is not the second synthesis mode, the process proceeds to step SIX, executes the transport mode 1 subroutine, which will be explained in detail later, and proceeds to step 812. Further, in the case of the second composition mode, the process proceeds to step 38, and it is checked whether a flag indicating that the original is an even page is set.

If the flag indicating that the original is an even page is set, the transport mode 2 subroutine (step S9
) and proceeds to step S12.

If the above-mentioned 7 lags are not set, the transport mode 1 subroutine (step sio) is executed, and the process proceeds to step S12.

The document size is detected manually or by detecting the fed document using a sensor (step 512), waits for the internal timer to end (step 513), and returns to step S2 to proceed to the next cycle of processing. .

If the ADF is not used in step S4, the ADF
A document forgetting process is performed, such as displaying a message indicating that no document is placed on the screen (step 514), and the process proceeds to step S13.

Next, in the 70-chart of FIG. 6, step S10°Sl
The subroutines of transport mode 1 and transport mode 2 shown as 1 and S9 will be explained.

First, the transport mode 1 subroutine button will be explained using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b). A feeding counter (not shown) or the like is used to check whether or not the number of sheets of the document to be conveyed is one (1), and if it is not one (1), the process moves to step S30. If it is one page, it is checked whether the entrance sensor 37 has detected the leading edge of the original (step 522), and when it has been detected, it is checked whether the feeding of the original to the pinch roller entrance has been completed (step 523). ). When the document feeding is completed, the process advances to step S24. Step S2
2. If the judgment result in S23 is negative, the process returns to the main routine.

In step S24, it is determined whether the number of originals set on the original tray is an odd number. This is because if the number of originals is an odd number, only one original will be copied at the end.
The left side of the copy paper will be blank (the state shown as copy i in Figure 1), which does not look good. This determination is made so that the copy of the original is placed on the left side of the page, and the blank page is placed on the right side.

Note that whether the number of originals set in the original tray is an odd number or an even number can also be input from an input means for inputting the number of originals (not shown), such as a key switch on the operation panel.
It is also possible to input from a separately provided document number counting means.

As a result of the determination in step 824, if the number of originals is an odd number, the clutch of the pinch roller is turned on, and the conveyor belt 39 is turned on.
is driven at low speed to convey the original to position B on the original platen 5 (see FIG. 1), and an even page flag is set (steps 825, 826, and 827). Also, step S24
As a result of the judgment, if the number of sheets is not an odd number, the pinch roller clutch is turned ON, and the conveyor belt is driven at high speed to convey the document to position A on the document table 5 (see FIG. 1) (step 8).
28,529).

Proceeding to step S30, it is checked whether copying is complete. If copying is finished, the conveyance belt 39 is driven at high speed to convey the document to the discharge section 45, and a timer TM3 is set to adjust the timing for feeding the next document (step S
31.532). If copying is not completed, step S3
1. S32 is omitted and the process proceeds to step 833.

In step S33, it is checked whether the timer TM3 has finished counting, and if it has not finished, the process moves to step 841, but if it has finished, the process moves to step S34, and it is checked whether all the documents in the document tray 32 have been fed. If it has been fed, the process advances to step S35, where it is checked whether or not the discharge sensor 44 of the document discharge section has detected the trailing edge of the document, and if the rear end of the document has been detected, the document is completely stored in the paper discharge tray 49. The timing adjustment timer TM6 is set (step 536), and it is checked whether the timer TM6 has finished counting (step 537). If the timing has finished counting, the conveyor belt 39 is stopped and the process returns to the main routine (step 538). If the discharge sensor 44 of the document discharge section does not detect the trailing edge of the document in step S35, step S36 is omitted, and if the timer TM6 has not finished counting in step S37, step S38 is omitted.

If the document is not completely fed in step S34, the process proceeds to step S40, where the clutch of the pinch roller is turned on and the document is conveyed. Check whether the trailing edge of the transported document is detected by the entrance sensor 37 (step 541);
When detected, a timer TM7 for timing adjustment is set so that the conveyance belt 39 conveys the document to a predetermined position on the document table δ (step 542). If no original is detected, step 842 is omitted.

Proceeding to step S43, it is checked whether the timer TM7 has finished counting. If the time measurement has not ended, the process moves to step S50, but if the time measurement has ended, the conveyor belt 39 is stopped, the clutch of the pinch roller is turned off, and the brake is turned on to stop the document conveyance drive section (steps 544 to 846), and the document is transferred. A document feed flag is set to feed the next document from the tray 32 to the pinch row 238 (step 547).

Further, a timing adjustment timer TM8 is set to move the conveyor belt 39 in the opposite direction to the normal position (the position where the trailing edge of the original coincides with point P) to move the original that has come out and stopped somewhat ahead of the normal position. A copy start flag is set (steps 848 and 549).

Check whether timer TM8 has finished counting (step 550), and if timing has finished, turn off the brake of conveyor belt 39.
F, the conveyor belt 39 is driven in the reverse direction, the copy start flag is reset, and the timer TM9 for measuring the time of reverse drive of the conveyor belt is set (steps S51 to S554). The reverse drive time is determined by the length of the document being fed beyond its normal position based on the number of revolutions counted by the pulse generator attached to the pinch roller drive when the document is first fed by the pinch roller blades. Therefore, the time is set so that the conveyor belt 39 is driven in the reverse direction by the amount necessary to correct this length.

It is checked whether the timer TM9 has finished counting, and when the timing has finished, that is, the original is set at the normal position, the conveyor belt 39 is stopped from reversing, the odd page flag is reset, and the even page flag is set (step S57゜858). , 559),
Return to main routine.

In step S50, if the timer TMs has not finished counting, steps 351 to S54 are omitted and the process moves to step S56, and in step S56, the timer TMS
If the time measurement of M9 has not finished, steps 857 to S
59 is omitted and the process immediately returns to the main routine.

Next, the transport mode 2 subroutine will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the completion of copying is checked (step S61), and if copying is complete, the conveyor belt 39 is driven at low speed to convey the document to the discharge section 45, and the timer TM3 is activated to adjust the timing for feeding the next document. set (steps 862 and 863).

Here, the point of driving the conveyor belt at low speed will be explained.

Since the first document stops at position A in Figure 1, the document is positioned at the reference point P, but normally this position is on the document table (
Since the reference position can be set using the positioning member, it is driven at high speed.

On the other hand, when stopping the document at position B, the stopping position varies depending on the size and it is difficult to provide a positioning member, so the document is driven at low speed to improve the accuracy of the position at which the transported document is stopped. In the example, the high speed drive is 1
000 rtrx/sec, low speed drive is 200 t
ratt/sec.

If it is determined in step 861 that copying is not completed, steps 362 and 363 are omitted. The process advances to step 864, and it is checked whether or not the timer TM3 has finished counting, and if it has ended, the process proceeds to step S65, and it is checked whether all the documents in the document tray have been fed. If the document has been fed, it is checked whether the discharge sensor 44 of the document discharge section has detected the trailing edge of the document (step 566). When the trailing edge of the document is detected, a timer TM6 for adjusting the timing until the document is completely stored in the paper ejection tray 49 is set (step 567), and the timer check is completed (step 568). If so, the conveyor belt 39 is stopped, the even page flag is reset, the odd page flag is set, and the process returns to the main routine (step S69.870.871). Step S6
If the discharge sensor 44 of the document discharge section does not detect the trailing edge of the document in step S6, step S367 is omitted, and step S6
If the timer TM6 has not finished counting at step S69, step S69 is omitted.

If all the documents have not been fed in step S65, proceed to step 872K and turn on the clutch of pinch low 2.
The original is fed as follows. Check whether the trailing edge of the fed document is detected by the entrance sensor 37 (step 537).
, when detected, sets a timing adjustment timer TM4 for the conveyance belt 39 to convey the document to a predetermined position on the document table (step 574). This timer TM4 varies depending on the size of the document. If no original is detected, step S74 is omitted.

Proceeding to step S75, it is checked whether or not the evening/imagination TM4 timing has ended. If the time measurement has not ended, the process moves to step S82, but if the time measurement has ended, the conveyance belt 39 is stopped, the clutch of the pinch roller is turned off, the brake is turned on, and the document conveyance drive section is stopped (steps 876 to 578). Timer TM for timing adjustment to turn off the brake
5, a copy start flag is set, and a document feed flag is set (steps S79 to S581).

Check whether the timer TM5 has finished counting (step 582), and when finished, turn off the brake, reset the copy start flag, reset the even page flag, and set the odd page flag (steps S83 to S86), and return to the main routine. Furthermore, if the timer TM5 has not finished counting in step S82, the process immediately returns to the main routine.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an outline of the main routine of the copying machine. When the power is turned on, initialization such as clearing the memory and resetting the flags is performed (step 8101).
. Next, an internal timer for managing the operation of the main routine is set (step 5102).

Signals input from the paper feed cassette and other various sensors and output signals such as operation commands for various drive systems are processed (step 8103).

Next, set the copy mode (step 5104).
). Here, a case will be described in which the second synthesis mode and the automatic setting mode are set using the keys 71 and 70 on the operation panel. Details of the automatic setting mode will be explained later. Once the copy magnification is determined in automatic setting mode,
In accordance with this, the scanning optical system 2 is moved to set a predetermined copying magnification (step 5105), and the guide plate section of the paper re-feed tray is moved in accordance with the copy paper size selected in the automatic setting mode.

24 (step 5106).

Check whether the copy mode is the compositing second mode (step 8
107), and in the second synthesis mode, performs a synthesis preliminary operation (step 8108). This is paper refeed tray 20
setting of the conveyance path switching claw 17, tray guide plate O, 2
This is used to perform settings such as 4.

Step 5108 is omitted when the mode is not the second synthesis mode.

It is checked whether the copy start signal CPST output from the ADF is ON (step 5109), and if it is ON, a series of copying operations begins. That is, copying processes such as feeding of copy paper, charging the photoreceptor, development, transfer, static elimination erase, scanning and exposure of the original by the scanning optical system, and electrostatic latent image formation on the photoreceptor associated with the second mode of composition. Operations such as erasing of margins and boundaries, switching of conveyance paths associated with the second compositing mode, feeding of paper from the paper re-feeding tray, and ejection of copy paper are controlled (steps 8110 to 5116).

Waiting for the internal timer to finish counting (step 8117),
The process returns to step 5102 to proceed to the next cycle.

If the copy start signal is not ON in step 5109, the copying operation is not started and the process moves to step 5117.

Next, step 5104 in the 70-chart of FIG.
Among the copy modes set in step 1, the automatic setting mode will be explained based on the flowcharts in FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b). Note that although the description here is based on an A4 size document, this is just an example and is not limited to this.

First, it is checked whether the mode is the second synthesis mode (step 5121).
), if it is not in the second composition mode, it returns to the main routine, but in the second composition mode, it checks whether the document is an odd page (
Step 5122), if the page is not an odd number, the process moves to step 5132, sets the width over which the scanning optical system scans the document to A3 size, which corresponds to the entire surface of the document table, sets erase mode 2 (step 5133), and returns to the main routine. return. The erase mode will be explained in detail later.

As a result of the determination in step 5122, if the page is an odd number, the process proceeds to step 5123, where it is checked whether the size of the document is A4 landscape. This is checked using an ADF sensor (not shown). If the layout is not A4 horizontally, a decision will be made on whether to use other dimensions, for example, B5 horizontally, but if the size is possible for the second mode of composition, the flowchart will be the same as the flowchart that will be explained from now on, and the copy to be used will be Since the only difference is the paper size etc., the explanation will be omitted.

If the size of the document is A4 landscape, the process advances to step 5124, and it is checked whether the APS mode is selected. The APS mode is a mode that automatically selects copy paper suitable for the original size based on the original size, and is set by inputting from the keys 70 on the operation panel.

When in APS mode, check the copy magnification entered manually using a separate key, and when the copy magnification is 0.816, select A3 portrait as the copy paper, and when the copy magnification is 0.816, select B4 portrait as the paper, and when the copy magnification is 0. .707, A4 portrait is selected as the paper (steps 8125 to 5129). Next, it is checked whether the selected paper is present in the paper feed tray or paper cassette, and if there is no paper, a warning is displayed and the process returns to the main routine (steps 3130 and 5131).

In this way, when in the second synthesis mode, the normal APS
By selecting a size twice the compatible size selected in , it is possible to make a composite copy of two originals.

If it is determined in step 5124 that the need is not APS-I, the process moves to step 5141 (FIG. 10(b)), and it is checked whether the mode is AMS mode or not. The AMS mode is a mode selected by inputting from the keys on the operation panel, and is a mode in which the copying magnification is automatically selected according to the copying paper size, which is input manually using the keys. In AMS mode, the copy magnification is selected according to the copy paper size manually entered by the key, but if the original is A4 landscape and the paper size is A3 portrait, the copy magnification is 1.
．． 00, copy magnification 0.70 if the paper size is A4 portrait
7. If the paper size is B4 portrait, select a copy magnification of 0.816 (steps 8142 to 5146). It is checked whether the set magnification range can be set (step S18), and if it is not settable, a warning is processed and the process returns to the main routine (step 5148), but if it is settable, it is checked in step S154.
Step 515, set the width of the document scanned by the optical system to A4 width, and then set erase mode 1 (step 515).
5) Return to the main routine.

In this way, in the second composition mode, a composite copy of two originals is made possible by selecting a magnification of 112, that is, a magnification equivalent to half of the copy paper compared to the compatible magnification selected in the normal AMS. .

If it is determined in step 5141 that it is not AMS, the process moves to step 5151. This is to select the paper size and copy magnification in manual mode, and in the explanation of this example, A4 portrait is selected as the paper size and the copy magnification is 0.70.
7 is selected (steps 5151, 5152).

Check whether there is A4 size paper in the paper feed tray or paper cassette (step 5153), and if there is, step 5
Moving on to 154. If there is no paper, a warning is processed and the process returns to the main routine (step 5156).

If there is paper selected in step 5130, the process also moves to step 5154.

Regarding erase mode 1 and erase mode 2 shown as steps 5155 and 5133 in the flowcharts of FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b), FIG. 11(a) and
This will be explained based on the flowchart in (b).

FIG. 11(a) is a flowchart showing erase mode 1. First, when copying is performed in composite mode, a line may appear at the boundary between two originals, and a request to erase this line is input from the operation key 72. Check whether it is done (
Step 5161 ). If there is no request, the original routine returns immediately, but if there is a request, a timer T checks the set copy magnification and determines the erase width according to the copy magnification.
Sets a flag requesting that a predetermined time be set to 1. That is, when the copy magnification is 1.00, set flag A, when the copy magnification is 0.816, set flag B, and when the copy magnification is 0.707, set flag C. (Steps 8162 to 3166) , return to the original routine.

FIG. 11(b) is a flowchart showing erase mode 2. In this erase mode, the original to be copied is in the second position (position B in FIG. 1), so the front half of the original platen is To prevent dirt on the photosensitive drum from appearing as an electrostatic latent image and being transferred again onto the already copied image on the copy paper, erase only the front half, that is, the A4 size width of the paper. There is a need to. Therefore, if a boundary erase request is not inputted by the operation key 72, a request flag is set to erase the A4 size (step 5177). The other parts, ie, the parts that check the copy magnification and set a flag requesting the setting of a predetermined time in a timer corresponding to the copy magnification (steps 8172 to 8176), are the same as in erase mode I.

Next, of the erase control shown as step 5113 in the flowchart of FIG. 9, a portion related to the erase mode described above will be explained with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b).

First, it is determined whether the leading edge of the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor drum has come under the eraser, based on the rotation angle signal S EN -DM of the photoconductor drum (step 5181).
, if it is not below the eraser, the process moves to step 5190, but if it is below the eraser, the process moves to step 5182.
Check the A4 width erase request flag (step 51)
82). If the erase request flag is set, the erase lamp 69 is turned on (step 5183).

If the erase request flag is not set, the process moves to step 5184 and the timer request flag is checked (step 5184). If the timer request flag is not set, the process immediately moves to step 5190, but if the timer request flag is set, it is checked whether the flag is A or B, and the corresponding time is set in the timer T□. Start timing. (Steps 8185-8189). That is, set the following time.

(1) When flag A is T1 = (TA A) (2) When flag B is TI = ('re -B) (3) When flag C is T1 = (Tc -C) Kokote TA: Copy magnification of A4 size Time required to scan at the same size TB: Time required to scan an A4 size at a copying magnification of 0.816 Tc: Time required to scan an A4 size at a copying magnification of 0.707 A, B, C: Constants. This value is determined according to each copying magnification and represents the time corresponding to 112 of the boundary erase width.

The program proceeds to step 8190K and checks whether the timer T0 has finished counting, and if the timer has finished counting, this means that the time has come to start erasing the boundary, so the erase lamp 69 is turned on (step 5191).

This step is omitted if the timer has not finished counting.

Proceeding to step 5192, it is checked from the rotation angle signal of the photoreceptor drum, etc. whether the trailing edge of the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum has come under the eraser.

If it is not below the eraser, the process moves to step 5203, but if it is below the eraser, the A4 width erase request flag is checked (step 8193). If the erase request flag is not set, the process moves to step 5202, and the erase lamp 69 is turned on. If it is set, it is checked whether the timer request flag is set, and if it is not set, the process moves to step 5201.
The erase lamp 69 is turned off. Further, when the timer request flag is set, it is checked whether the flag is A, B, or C, and the corresponding time is set in the timer T2, and time measurement is started (steps 8195 to 8199).

That is, set the following time. This time extends the erase width by a length corresponding to A, B, and C.

(1) When flag λ T2=A (2) When flag B is T2=B (3) When flag C, T2= Here, A, B, and C are the same constants as described above.

The process proceeds to step 5200, where the A4 width erase request flag is reset, and the process proceeds to step 5203.

In step 5203, it is checked whether the timer T2 has finished counting, and when the timing has finished, the erase lamp is turned off (step 5
204). If the time measurement has not finished, step 520
Step 4 is omitted and we move on. Furthermore, it is checked whether scanning of the original has been completed, and even when the scanning has been completed, the erase lamp is turned off and the process returns to the main routine (step 8205).

8206). If scanning is not completed, step 82
06 is omitted and the process returns to the main routine.

In the above embodiment, the eraser 69 arranged around the photoreceptor drum 30 is provided on the downstream side of a charger (not shown) and upstream of the exposed portion by the scanning optical system, and the eraser 69 is provided on the downstream side of the charger (not shown) and upstream of the exposed portion by the scanning optical system, and the eraser 69 is arranged around the photoreceptor drum 30. Before a latent image is formed, an eraser is used to erase the charge in the image area that is to be erased, but an auxiliary eraser is installed downstream of the area exposed by the scanning optical system to form a latent image on the photoreceptor drum. Afterwards, the charges in the image portion to be erased may be erased using an auxiliary eraser.

~゛＼ , [Effects of the Invention] As explained above, 1 According to this invention, two manuscripts can be
When copying is performed in the composite mode of copying onto a sheet of paper, the border area where the two are adjacent to each other is erased by a predetermined width among the image areas corresponding to each document formed on the photoconductor drum. A good-looking copy can be provided without forming a linear image at the boundary between two images that are copied.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the automatic document feeder of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the main structure of a copying machine suitable for installing and using the automatic document feeder of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the main structure of the automatic document feeder, and FIG. The figure is a front view of the operation panel of the automatic document feeder, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the control circuit that controls the automatic document feeder and the copying machine, and FIGS. 6 to 12 are the automatic document feeder and the control circuit. 3 is a flowchart of a control process executed by a CPU that controls the operation of a copying machine. 30: automatic document feeder, 32: document tray, 37: entrance sensor, 38 = pinch roller, 39: transport belt, 2
5: Original table, ORI, OR2: Original, C0PYI, C
0PY2: Copy. Patent applicant Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. 0PY2 Figure 1 Figure 9 Figure 11 (a)

Claims (1)

[Claims] Copying an original set at a first position on a document table whose one end is a scanning start position by a scanning optical system to a first position on a copy sheet, and copying the document to a second position adjacent to the first position on the document table. In a copying machine equipped with a two-sheet combining mode for copying a set original document onto a second position adjacent to a first position on a copy sheet on which a copy image has been formed at a first position, a photosensitive drum;
An eraser placed around it, a signal output means for instructing boundary erasing, and a timing when the trailing edge of the image portion of the photosensitive drum corresponding to the document set at the first position on the document table passes under the eraser. The eraser is activated a predetermined time earlier than the first position, and the eraser is activated a predetermined time later than when the leading edge of the image portion of the photosensitive drum corresponding to the original set at the second position on the document table passes under the eraser. and an eraser control means for inactivating the document, and for activating the eraser control means to erase an image portion corresponding to the document boundary when a signal instructing boundary erasing is output from the signal output means. A copying machine with a distinctive composition mode.