JPS6395433A - Mode selection controller for copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To more efficiently perform mode selection when making copying operations by using a semiautomatic original handling mode controlling means, by eliminating the necessity of a start button depressing work so that the operation of this copying machine can be simplified by the work. CONSTITUTION:The mode selection controller of a copying machine is provided with a start button 19 which is provided for starting copying operations, semiautomatic original handling mechanism which carries an original to a prescribed position of platen glass when the original is inserted into an original inserting port 15 with hands and discharges the original to the outside of the platen glass after stopping the original at the prescribed position, original insertion detecting means which detects the original when the original is inserted into the original inserting port 15, platen mode controlling means which causes copying operations to be started under a condition where the start button 19 is depressed, and semiautomatic original handling mode controlling means which carries the original to the prescribed position of the platen glass by means of the semiautomatic original handling mechanism when the original is inserted into the port 15 and causes copying operations to be started irrespectively of the depression of the start button 19. Therefore, copying operations are made simpler and the operator of this copying machine can be protected from getting tiered.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a mode selection control device for a copying machine, and more specifically, (1) a mode selection control device for a copying machine that can open a platen, set a document, and perform a copying operation; , (ii > For starting a copying operation in a copying machine that can perform a copying operation by inserting an original into a document insertion slot located near the platen and feeding it to a predetermined location on the platen with the platen closed. The present invention relates to a mode selection control device.

"Prior Art" The most basic operation procedure for a copying machine is to set an original on, for example, a flat platen glass, close the platen cover, and press a start button to start copying.

As copying machines have advanced, several attempts have been made to simplify the procedures for such copying operations.

A typical example of this is an attempt to eliminate the hassle of setting originals. For example, a device has been commercialized that, when originals are set on a supply tray, feeds them one by one to a predetermined position on a platen, automatically copies the originals, and automatically discharges the originals after copying is completed. This is called an automatic document feeder. On the other hand, devices have also been commercialized that transport a document to a predetermined position on a platen by simply inserting the document into an insertion slot, and automatically eject the document after copying.

This latter device is a semi-automatic document handling device (SADH).
em18auto Document Handler
)It is called.

Incidentally, in most copying machines equipped with an automatic document feeder or a semi-automatic document handling device, a document can be manually set by opening the platen and a copying operation can be started. This is because, for example, fragile originals, already torn originals, and thick originals need to be set at a predetermined position on the platen without using a transport mechanism. Therefore, a copying machine equipped with a semi-automatic document handling device controls the mode selection of the copying machine so that the copying operation can be performed both when the document is set manually on the platen and when it is set semi-automatically. A typical example of this is shown below.

(1) Open the platen, manually load and load the original, close the platen, and press the start button to start copying the original.

(2) When you press the document feed button (document feed switch) located on the console panel of the copier and manually feed the document from the document insertion slot described above, the document is automatically placed in the specified position on the platen. Ru. When the start button is pressed, the copying operation starts semi-automatically for this original set.

``Problems to be Solved by the Invention'' However, with such a copier that can start copying operations both manually and semi-automatically, in order to start copying operations in semi-automatic mode, it is necessary to manually feed the original and then This required pressing the start button, which caused problems in office efficiency in copy rooms and the like that processed large volumes of documents. Of course, some copying machines are designed so that when set to semi-automatic mode, by pressing the start button only for the first document, the copying operation will automatically start for subsequent documents that are successively inserted. However, even in such a copying machine, if the timing of inserting a document is delayed, the user is required to press the start button for this document in consideration of the case where the document is set manually.

In this way, with conventional mode selection control devices, copying operations often do not start unless the start button is pressed due to mode switching, etc. There was a problem with not being able to work.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a mode selection control device that can more efficiently select each mode in a copying machine that can set a document on a platen either manually or using a semi-automatic document handling device. It's about doing.

"Means for Solving the Problem" The present invention includes (i) a start button provided to start the copying operation, and (ii) when the original is manually inserted into the insertion slot, the document is moved to a predetermined position on the platen. (iii) a semi-automatic document handling mechanism that transports the document, stops the document, and then discharges the document to the outside of the platen; (iii) document insertion detection means that detects when the document is inserted into the insertion slot; (1)
v) a platen mode control means that starts the copying operation on the condition that the start button is pressed, and (V) when the original is inserted into the insertion slot, the semi-automatic original handling mechanism transports the original to a predetermined position on the platen and the start button is pressed. A mode selection control device of a copying machine is provided with a semi-automatic document handling mode control means for starting a copying operation regardless of the mode selection control device of the copying machine.

Depending on the apparatus, a platen mode control means may be used as a means for detecting opening/closing of a platen on which a document is placed, and the copying operation may be switched to a copying operation conditioned on pressing a start button. That is, in this case, when the platen mode control means detects opening/closing of the platen under the control of the semi-automatic document handling mode control means, the copying operation is started on the condition that the start button is pressed, and from this point on, the semi-automatic document handling mode control is performed. It is also effective to provide a semi-automatic document handling platen mode control means for switching to control by means.

According to the present invention, when performing a copying operation using the semi-automatic document handling mode control means, it is not necessary to press the start button, so the operation of the copying machine is simplified accordingly.

"Example" The present invention will be described in detail with reference to Examples below.

FIG. 2 shows the appearance of a copying machine using a mode selection control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. A document feeding device 13 is arranged on the upper surface of the main body 12 of the copying machine 11 in a manner that covers the platen glass. This document feeding device 13 is provided to save the effort of setting the document at a prescribed position on the platen. By manually inserting the original 14 into the insertion port 15 from the right side in the figure, the operator can automatically carry out the original transport and copying operations thereafter. The original for which the copying operation has been completed is ejected to the original ejection tray 16, and the copy paper, that is, the copied paper, is ejected to the paper ejection tray 17.

By the way, since the document feeder 13 is arranged so that it can be opened and closed, the copying operation can be started by opening it, setting the document, closing it, and pressing the start button 19 arranged on the console panel 18. . In this case, after the copying operation is completed, the operator must open the document feeder 13 and take out the copied document. A document feed switch 21 is arranged on the console panel 18 along with various other key switches and indicator lamps. This document feed switch 21 is a switch for setting a mode for feeding the original 14 into the inside of the original feeding device 13 from the insertion port 15. Such a switch may be omitted depending on the copying machine. Note that the document feeder 13
Although not shown in this figure, a platen interlock switch for detecting opening/closing thereof is disposed, and constitutes the platen mode control means in the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows the main part of the circuit configuration of a mode selection control device employed in this copying machine. The copying machine in which this mode selection control device is used is equipped with a CPU (central processing unit) 31. The mode selection control device also uses this CPU 31 to perform mode control for copying operations. The CPU 31 is connected to various parts of the copying machine described below through a bus 32 such as a data bus. Note that the illustration of the I/○ port is omitted in this figure.

First, the ROM 33 is a read-only memory that stores control procedures necessary to perform mode selection control. R
AM34 is a random memory for temporarily storing data.
This is access memory.

Mode setting information and an open flag, which will be explained later, are also written in this memory. As described above, the console panel 18 is provided with a start button, a document feed switch, etc., as well as a display section and a display lamp for displaying various information such as errors. The platen interlock switch 35 is a switch for detecting opening/closing of the document feeder 13 (FIG. 2). The document feed (DF) motor driver 36 is a driver circuit for controlling the document feed motor 37 in the document feeding device 13 and controlling the conveyance of the document.

Now, the three types of modes set by the mode selection control device of this embodiment will be briefly explained using FIG. 3.

This mode selection control device includes (1) platen mode, (i
It is possible to select one of three modes: i) semi-automatic document handling (hereinafter abbreviated as SADH) mode, and (iii) SADH platen mode.

Here, the platen mode is a mode that is initially set when the copying machine is powered on.

In this mode, the copying operation can be started by pressing the start button 19.

The 5ADH mode is a mode in which when the original 14 is inserted into the insertion port 15 of the original feeding device 13, the original 14 is conveyed to a predetermined position on the platen, and then a copying operation is automatically started. To change from the platen mode to the 5ADH mode, the document feed switch 21 can be pressed as shown in FIG. 3a. Also, when changing from the 5ADH mode to the platen mode (FIG. 3b), the document feed switch 21 can be pressed.

The 5ADH platen mode is a mode that allows you to set the original on the platen and start the copying operation, as well as to perform semi-automatic transport and copying of the original.To change from 5ADH to this 5ADH platen mode (Fig. 3C), all you have to do is turn on/off the platen interlock switch 35 in a state where one copy is possible, and then press the start button 19. Turning the platen interlock switch 35 on/off means that the original It can be considered that it is set on the platen.On the contrary, 5AD
The change from the H platen mode to the 5ADH mode (d in the same figure) is automatically performed when a document is inserted into the insertion slot when the 5ADH platen mode is set and the document receiving state is reached.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the actual operation of this mode selection control device.

When the copying machine is powered on, the mode selection control device is initially set to the platen mode (step ■). That is, a state is entered in which the procedure related to the platen mode in the ROM 33 is executed. If the operator has no intention of switching modes, the document feed switch 21 will not be pressed (step ■;
N>, and the platen interlock switch 35 remains closed until the original copying operation is started in the platen mode (step ■; N1 step ■: Y).

If the current state is platen mode (step ■; Y
), the mode selection control device remains in this mode and waits for the next operation (steps ① to ①). Even if the document feeder I3 is opened in this platen mode state, that is, the platen interlock switch 35 is opened and the mode switching is not performed (steps ■, ■; Y). .

Suppose that the operator presses the document feed switch 21 in this platen mode (step ■;
Y). If the copying machine is in the process of copying at this point (step ■; N), this pressing operation will be ignored (step ■,
■). This is to prevent a situation where another original is sent to the platen while the original is being copied in the platen mode.

If the document feed switch 21 is pressed while no copying operation is being performed (step ■; Y),
Since the current mode is the platen mode (step ■; Y), the mode is switched from the platen mode to the 5ADH mode (step ■).

That is, from now on, the procedure related to the SΔDH mode in the ROM 33 will be executed. On the other hand, if the current state is 5ADH mode, step
;N), the mode is changed to the platen mode (step 0>).

Now, it is assumed that the document feeder 13 is opened with the mode changed to 5ADH mode in step ■ (step ■
;Y1■;N). At this time, if the copying operation is performed in the 5ADH mode (step 2; N), there is a possibility that problems such as the document being transported may become jammed. Therefore, in this case, the document feed morph 37 comes to an emergency stop. In addition, the console panel 18 has discovered that the platen interface switch 35 has been opened inadvertently.
At the same time, predetermined error handling is performed (step 0).

On the other hand, assume that the document feeder 13 is opened while the mode is changed to 5ADH mode and no copying operation is performed in this mode (Step 0; Y). In this case, an open flag 1'' is set in the RAM 34 as a flag indicating this fact.
is closed prana.

When the interlock switch 35 is closed (step 2; N, 2; Y), the open flag is "1" (step 2; Y), and the mode is changed to the 5ADH platen mode (step 0). This is so that even if the 5ADH mode is set, if no copying operation or document transport operation is being performed, the document feeder 13 can be manually operated to set the original and start the copying operation. This is for the purpose of In the 5ADH platen mode, the procedure related to this mode in the ROM 33 is executed.

On the other hand, even if the document feeder 13 is opened/closed in a state other than the SΔDH mode, the open flag is not set to 1" (step 0; N), so the mode is not changed to the 5ADH platen mode. No. Furthermore, 5ADH
When the document 14 is inserted from the insertion port 15 in the mode, the open flag is returned to 'O' by a procedure other than that shown in this flowchart.

"Effects of the Invention" As described above, according to the present invention, the operations in copying work are simplified, which makes it possible to reduce operator fatigue in departments that make a large number of copies, and to improve office efficiency. .

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings are for explaining one embodiment of the present invention, of which FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the main parts of the mode selection control device;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a copying machine employing this apparatus, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the state transition of three modes, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of mode change. 11...Copy machine, 13...Document feeder, 14...Document, 15...Inlet, 18...Console panel, 19...Start button, 21...Document feed switch, 31
...CP (J, 33...ROVI. 34...RAM. 35...Platen interlock switch. Applicant: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Agent)

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A start button prepared to start the copying operation, and when a document is manually inserted into the insertion slot, it is conveyed to a predetermined position on the platen, stopped, and then removed from the platen. a semi-automatic document handling mechanism for ejecting a document; a document insertion detection device for detecting when a document is inserted into the insertion slot; and a platen mode control device for starting a copying operation on condition that the start button is pressed.
The apparatus is characterized by comprising semi-automatic document handling mode control means for causing the semi-automatic document handling mechanism to transport the document to a predetermined position on the platen when the document is inserted into the insertion port and to start a copying operation regardless of pressing of the start button. A mode selection control device for a copying machine. 2. When the platen opening/closing detection means detects the opening/closing of the platen under the control of the platen opening/closing detection means for detecting the opening/closing of the platen for placing the document and the semi-automatic document handling mode control means, the start button is pressed. A copying machine according to claim 1, further comprising semi-automatic document handling platen mode control means for starting the copying operation on the condition that the button is pressed, and thereafter switching to control by the semi-automatic document handling mode control means. mode selection control device.