US3588472A

US3588472A - Logic control apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3588472A
Application number: US595388A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas H Glaster; Thomas W Hess
Original assignee: Xerox Corp
Current assignee: Xerox Corp
Priority date: 1966-11-18
Filing date: 1966-11-18
Publication date: 1971-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 1988-06-28
Also published as: GB1204719A; DE1611540B2; BE706629A; DE1611540A1; NL6715580A; NL158945B; AT279353B

Abstract

A SYSTEM WHEREIN THE NUMBER OF RECORD SHEETS ENTERING THE TRANSPORT PATH OF A REPRODUCING APPARATUS ARE MONITORED ALONG WITH THE NUMBER OF COPIES EGRESSING FROM THE TRANSPORT PATH. THESE RESPECTIVE NUMBERS ARE COMPARED WITH THE NUMBER OF COPIES DESIRED AND THIS COMPARISON IS UTILIZED TO PROVIDE A NET COUNT IN A COUNTER TO INDICATE THE NUMBER OF ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS FROM WHICH THE REQUISITE NUMBER OF COPIES HAVE BEEN MADE, COMPLETED, AND DELIVERED TO A SORTING AREA.

Description

United States Patent Inventors Thomas H. Glaster;

Thomas W. Hess, Rochester, N.Y.

Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee 595,388 Nov. 18, 1966 June 28, 1971 Rochester, N.Y.

Xerox Corporation LOGIC CONTROL APPARATUS 11 Claims, 3 Drawing Fip.

US. Cl

lot, Cl.

I 13,sss,472

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,181,420 5/1965 Rautbord et al. 355/14 3,301,126 1/1967 Osborne et al.... 88/24 3,158,836 1 1/1964 McCauley 340/51 3,168,644 2/ 1965 Richardson et a1. 235/92 Primary Examiner-Maynard R. Wilbur Assistant Examiner-Joseph M. Thesz, Jr.

Attorneys-James J. Ralabate, Norman E. Schrader and Ronald Zibelii 28 R E c ogp 44 0 sonren SUPPLY APPARA- em 32- -34 3g TUS '1 JAM oersc'ron -36 a 4 4 m i ne cono sneer COPY coum'ea TRANSFER couurza 1 commence -56 OO1NC1DENCE oerzcroa os'rec'roa 1 6'0 REVERSIBLE coumsn ORIGlNN. 2 ADVANCE 4a ORIGINAL -70 H BACK-UP BID -68 DISPLAY COPY -/s ueuomr [54 5a ole I4 JAM RESTART KEYBOARD -/2 PATENTfinJuuzslsn I 3588.472

SHEET 2 BF 3 10 CONTROL PANEL KEYBOARD m 24 r! JAM -32 MOTOR SENSOR D CONTROL LOGIC 3 u LOGIC 16 la COPY V SORT r SORTER MEMORY MEMORY CONTROL DISPLAY INVENTORS Y Hm wa A TTGQNEY PATENTEU JUN28|57| 3588.472

SHEET 3 OF 3 M28 RECORD 44 SHEET k i 'j SUPPLY PPARA BIN 32- Mw r-34 38 TUS H JAM DETECTOR M36 4 a 54 s RECORD SHEET COPY COUNTER TRANSFER COUNTER I v COINCIDENCE -56 COINCIDENCE DETECTOR DETECTOR REVERSIBLE COUNTER ORIGINAL 2 ADVANCE 4a DISPLAY COPY M6 MEMORY .4 JAM RESTART KEYBOARD -42 F /6 3 "WWEfiER H8M w. H ss "M MM...

A TTORNEV LOGIC CONTROL APPARATUS This invention relates to copying apparatus and, more particularly, to improved xerographic reproducing apparatus for fanfold computer form type documents.

Since the disclosure of the basic xerographic concept in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,297,691 to Carlson issued Oct. 6, 1942, and 2,354,809 issued Sept. 12, I944, a variety of copying machines embodying Carlson's teachings have been commercially marketed. Essentially, the steps in xerographically reproducing a document in accordance with Carlson's teaching involves l) the creation of an electrostatic image on a photoreceptor, (2) development of the image in which toner particles are attracted to and held over the latent imagewise configuration by electrostatic attraction, (3) transfer of the developed image to a record sheet, and (4) fixing the transferred image to the sheet.

Depending upon the size and complexity of the xerographic machine and its operating speed, a number of record sheets may be in the transport path which includes the sheet feeding apparatus for delivering the record sheet from the input stack or paper supply through the transfer fixing stages to the output station. Particularly when a number of copies are to be made to each document original and the new copies are to be sorted and assembled or collated into orderly groups of original like documents, it is necessary thatno record sheets be lost in the copying operation and that the same number of copies be made of each document original. As is known, due to variations in record media, for example, the stacking and orientation of paper in the paper supply bin and malfunctions in the paper feed or sheet feed apparatus, it is possible for jams to periodically occur in the operation of the copying apparatus.

In prior art machines when a jam occurred, the operator stopped the machine, removed the damaged sheets in the transport path, collecting the good sheets. These good sheets were then sorted by hand. The copying process was then continued. Particularly where each reproduction of the set of originals must be'accurate it is undesirable to have the operator manually distribute the good copies in the transport path during a malfunction. Further, where the reproducing apparatus is high speed, it is undesirable to have the operator hold up and delay the high speed operation while performing a manual operation. Further during the slow manual operator sorting, errors may occur in which a document is either not fused or improperly reproduced thereby resulting in a faulty copy in a particular group of the reproduced documents.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve copying methods and reproducing apparatus.

It is another object of the present invention to improve reproducing apparatus wherein copy distribution errors resulting from record sheet feeding malfunctions are reduced.

Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel control circuit which adds accuracy, reliability, and ease of operation to reproducing apparatus.

These and other objects which may become apparent are accomplished in accordance with the principles of the present invention wherein the number of record sheets entering the transport path of a reproducing apparatus are monitored along with the number of copies egressing from the transport path. These respective numbers are compared with the number of copies desired and this comparison is utilized to step up or step down a reversible counter means to indicate the number of original documents from which the requisite number of copies have been made, completed, and delivered to a sorting area.

For a better understanding of the present invention, as well as other objects and features thereof, reference may be made to the following description of the invention to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 represents a reproducing apparatus in which the present invention may be incorporated;

FIG. 2 represents a partial block diagram of the overall control module which may be utilized in the reproducing apparatus as shown in FIG. I; and

FIG. 3 represents a block diagram of the control and indicating circuit in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, a reproducing apparatus is illustrated and generally designated by the reference numeral 2. From left to right, as illustrated, the reproducing apparatus includes a sorter apparatus 4, a control module 6, and an exposure and development module 8.

Generally, the operation of the reproducing apparatus 2 of FIG. 1 is as follows. Original documents which may be in a fanfold form are sprocket-fed from an original document bin (not shown) across an exposure platen in the exposure and development module 8. As the original documents egress from the exposure and development module 8, they may be collected in a collecting bin (not shown). Simultaneously with the feeding of original documents ina direction from left to right, as seen in FIG. 1, record sheets are supplied from a suitably positioned record sheet supply bin (not shown) to the exposure and development module to accept transfer of toner images corresponding to the original document desired to be copied. These transferred toner images are then fused and fixed.

The exposure and development module 8 may be of any suitable design.

The control module will be referred to in more detail in regard to FIG. 2.

The sorter apparatus 4 may include mechanical copy deflectors utilized to orderly distribute the copies as they come from the exposure and development module and to arrange these copies in sets in the same sequence as the original documents were exposed.

It is understood that the apparatus of FIG. 1 has been referred to generally in order to provide the environment in which the present invention may be found useful. The particular modules indicated as comprising the reproducing apparatus 2 of FIG. I do not in themselves constitute part of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is seen a block diagram generally of the overall control circuits of the control module 6 referred to hereinabove in connection with FIG. 1. A control panel 10 includes a keyboard 12 for purposes of manual entry into the control module to provide the necessary information to the various control circuits. For example, the desired numbers of copies to be made and sorted are encoded from their original decimal form into binary information by a conventional decimal-to-binary encoder (D/B) 14. After this encoding process, the information entered via the keyboard is placed either in a copy memory 16 or a sort memory 18. The numbers entered via the keyboard into the copy and sort memories may be different depending upon the amount of sorted copies desired. There may be an occasion in which a certain number of copies are desired to be sorted in a particular sequence according to the sequence of originals and a certain number of random copies which would be used for other purposes. The contents of these memories may be displayed by a suitable display means generally designated by the reference numeral 20. In this manner, the keyboard operator will always know the amount of copies and the amount of sorted copies which were selected initially. The contents of the copy memory 16 is further utilized in a jam sensor logic circuit 22 which receives other informational data from the control panel.

As will be further explained hereinafter, particular information in the jam sensor logic is desirable to be displayed for the further utilization by the operator.

Motor control logic circuitry generally designated by the reference numeral 24 is also shown in FIG. 2 as deriving information from the keyboard and control panel. These circuits which form no part of the present invention may be utilized to initiate motive forces within the exposure and development module 8, the sorter apparatus 4, and various other feeding mechanisms in the reproducing apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 1.

The sorter control circuit generally designated by the reference numeral 26 also receives the number stored in the sort memory to control the sorting operation.

Reference will now be made in more detail to the circuit in FIG. 3 which represents a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In connection with the above discussion of the reproducing apparatus 2 of FIG. 1, it was stated that record sheets are fed into the exposure and development module 8 and then proceed in the form of copies to a sorter apparatus 4. This portion of the reproducing apparatus is shown symbolically in FIG. 3 where the record sheet supply bin 28 and the sorter apparatus 4 are illustrated in block form and intermediate therewith is a broken line 30 used to generally designate the transport path taken by a record sheet and as itproceeds from its supply bin 28 to the sorter apparatus 4. For purposes of the above discussion and the discussion which follows, the term "copy" used as a noun will refer to a completed facsimile of an original document which will be found in the reproducing apparatus of FIG. 1 immediately prior to entry into the sorter apparatus. The copy has on its surface a fused and fixed toner image of an original document and is suitable for handling by personnel and further utilization. All other record sheets along the transport path, as illustrated in FIG. 3, will be referred to simply as record sheets. It is understood that these sheets may be simply ordinary sheets of paper, or they may have transferred toner fingers may take the form of a light source and photocell, a

microswitch, or any other appropriate sheet detecting device. The mechanical finger 32 is utilized to detect each record sheet as it enters the transport path 30. The next three mechanical fingers 34, for example, in successive sequence along the transport path toward the sorter apparatus 4 are utilized to provide three inputs in the form of electrical signals to a jam detector circuit, generally designated by the reference numeral 36. Intermediate the rollers 38 and the sorter apparatus 4 there is positioned another mechanical finger 40 which detects copies as they egress from the transport path 30 for further manipulation by the sorter apparatus 4.

Referring to the jam detector circuit 36, another input to this circuit is derived in FIG. 3 from a terminal 42. To this terminal 42 there may be applied pulses, each pulse indicative of a sheet being supplied from the record sheet bin 28 to the transport path via, for example, rollers 44. Such pulses could be generated by suitable sensing means positioned immediately prior to entry into the transport path. The jarn detector circuit 36 may comprise as many conventional AND gates as there are sensors 34 for detecting coincidence between the actuation of a particular sensor 34 and the expiration of a predetermined time interval. For example, a timer either of conventional electronic or mechanical design may be as sociated with a sensor or finger 34 so as to be actuated thereby when the latter detects a record sheet at a particular location in the transport path 30. Preferably, these timers are designed as a function of the speed of the record sheets along the transport path and the distance between the mechanical fingers 34. In this manner, a first record sheet initiates a pulse at terminal 42 which pulse will, for example, actuate a relay to begin a timer. As the timer completes its'specified period of time, a pulse is generated thereby which should substantially coincide in time with a similar pulse generated by the aforementioned first record sheet actuating thefirst mechanical finger 34. If this coincidence is not present, then a jam condition is sensed by the jam detector 36 since this first record sheet did not proceed normally along the transport path.

In the case of more than one finger 34, the actuation of the first finger can further be utilized to begin a second timer and thiscycle of operation can be repeated for each mechanical finger 34.

As may be apparent to one skilled in the art, a particular time tolerance may be provided in the aforementioned timers to insure that a false jam detection signal is not generated because of a very minimum delay in a record sheet moving along the transport path. In this manner, exact and precise timing is not a prerequisite for accurate jam detection. Because of the machine timing, the speed of the transport path and the selected positions of the mechanical fingers along this path, the above described technique for detecting some type of record sheet feeding malfunction or abnormal condition is very effective.

However, this jam detecting technique is not significant in itself and forms no part of the present invention per se. Consequently, there may be other jam detecting techniques readily adaptable to the control circuit of the present invention.

It is sufficient to state that the jam detecting circuit will detect a failure of the record sheets to proceed orderly along the transport path between the record sheet supply bin 28 and the sorter apparatus 4. If a malfunction in this process occurs, the jam detecting circuit will detect the same and generate an electrical signal at its output which, as shown in FIG. 3, is supplied as one input to AND gates 48 and 50.

The first mechanical finger 32 which detects a record sheet as it enters the transport path supplies a pulse to a record sheet counter 52 which may be of any conventional design. The mechanical finger 40, which detects each copy as it egresses from the transport path and into the sorter apparatus 4, provides a pulse for each copy detected to a copy counter 54 which may be of similar design as the record sheet counter 52. The contents of the record sheet counter 52 and the copy counter 54 are monitored by

conventional coincidence detectors

56 and 58, respectively. These

coincidence detectors

56 and 58 monitor the number present in the record sheet counter 52 and the copy counter 54 in relation to a number stored in the copy memory 16 which may be a conventional binary register. The input to this copy memory 16 is directly from the aforementioned keyboard 12 which is found in the control panel 10 in the control module 6 of the reproducing apparatus of FIG. 1.

As the coincidence detector 56 detects a coincidence in the number registered in the record sheet counter 52 and the number stored in the copy memory 16, an output signal indicative of this comparison is generated and supplied to one input to a conventional reversible counter 60. This signal registers a count in this reversible counter 60 in one direction.

Similarly, when the coincidence detector 58 detects a coincidence between the number registered in the copy counter 54 and the number stored in the copy memory 16, an output signal is generated indicative of this coincidence and this signal is supplied to another input of the reversible counter 60 to register a count in a direction opposite the aforementioned direction. The output of this reversible counter is monitored by the AND gate 48 which, upon enabling by a signal from the jam detecting circuit 36 hereinabove described, will pass the count registered in the reversible counter via a binary-todecimal (BID) encoder 68 to a suitable display device 20. This display count will direct the operator to back the original documents up a certain number in order to permit the sets of copies in the sorter to be completed after the jam is alleviated. This will be explained more fully hereinafter.

Also, the coincidence signals generated by

coincidence detectors

56 and 58 are further utilized to reset the record sheet counter 52 and the copy counter 54, respectively.

The coincidence signal generated by the coincidence detector 56 which monitors the record sheet counter 52 may be also used as a control signal to an appropriate control circuit which is designated in FIG. 3 as an original advance circuit 62. This circuit will actuate the necessary motors and gears to advance the next original document to be copied into an exposure zone at the exposure and development module 8 of the reproducing apparatus 2 of FIG. I.

The signal from the jam detecting circuit 36 also enables one input of the AND gate 50. The other input of this AND gate is supplied from a jam restart control circuit 64 which may be included to reenergize the motor portion of the reproducing apparatus of FIG. 1 after a shut down subsequent to a jam detection.

Although the circuitry is not shown for this automatic shutdown, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that upon a detection of a jam condition, appropriate signals can be supplied to the motor control circuits 24 of FIG. 2 to halt all operations as far as the electromechanical aspects of the machine are concerned.

The output from this AND gate 50, which is enabled when a jam situation has occurred and the jam restart control circuit is activated, provides a transfer or equalizing signal to an appropriate transfer circuit 66 which, in effect, equalizes the count then presently registered at the time of the jam in the record sheet counter to that count registered in the copy counter 54.

The circuit and its operation as just described hereinabove in connection with FIG. 3 effectively provides via the display device 20 appropriate indications to a machine operator of a jam occurrence and exactly what must be done to continue reproduction without an error occurring in the copy distribution in the sorter apparatus 4. This will be seen more fully from the followingdiscussion.

The record sheet counter 52 is counting, in effect, the number of copies which are possible only if a jam does not occur. The copy counter meanwhile is counting the number of copies which have been retrieved from the exposure and development module as completed. When the number of record sheets entering the transport path corresponds to the number of copies of the particular original document desired, as indicated by the copy memory, a count is entered in the reversible counter 60 in one direction, for example, up. If all goes well and no jam or record sheet feed malfunction occurs before these sheets become copies, the copy counter 54 will register a count identical to the count stored in the copy memory 16. This will generate a pulse from the coincidence detector 58 which will enter a count in the reversible counter 60 in the down direction. Since the reversible counter 60 before the detection of these copies had a one count stored therein, as the desired number of copies egress from the transport path, the count in the reversible counter is reduced or counted down once to zero. This operation of entering a one count in counter 60 in the up direction and then reducing or counting this counter down by one count occurs in the simple case when the number desired copies per original document is greater than the number of record sheets which the transport path 30 can accommodate.

However, taking the situation when a jam occurs, let it be assumed that it is possible for seven record sheets to be in transit along the transport path 30. It is also assumed that the operator has entered the number three in the copy memory 16 via the keyboard 12 and D/B encoder 14 indicating that three copies per original document are desired. As each record sheet enters the transport path 30, the sensing finger 32 increases the count in record sheet counter 52 by one from zero. When this count has reached three, the coincidence detector 56 will generate an output pulse thereby (l) entering a one count in the up direction in reversible counter 60, (2) advancing the original document previously exposed and copied from the exposure platen and bringing a new original document into the exposure position, and (3) resetting the count in record sheet counter 52 to zero.

As the next three record sheets enter the transport path 30 from the record sheet supply bin 28, a three count is again registered in counter 52 in a similar manner as discussed in the preceeding paragraph. Upon the detection of coincidence between the contents of the counter 52 and copy memory 16, the aforementioned three operations are repeated.

After the two above-described cycles have been completed, the following conditions exists: (1) counter 60 has a count of two stored in it, (2) six record sheets are in the transport path 30, and (3) the third original document is in proper position at the exposure platen for copying purposes.

The seventh sheet, the first record sheet corresponding to the third original document, now enters the transport path and is counted by record sheet counter 52. Since the transport path can only accommodate, in this example, seven record sheets, sometime after the seventh sheet enters the transport path and before the eighth sheet enters this transport path, the first sheet to enter the transport path will egress therefrom in the form of the first copy of the first original document.

The first copy of the first original document enters a one count in counter 54. Substantially simultaneously with the egress of this first copy, the eighth record sheet enters the transport path. Shortly thereafter a second copy of the first original document enters the sorter apparatus 4 and increases the count in counter 54 to two. The ninth record sheet then enters the transport path increasing the count in counter 52 to three which in turn provides a coincidence with the number in copy memory 16 thereby adding a count to the reversible counter 60. This coincidence also allows the fourth original document to advance to the exposure position.

Since nine record sheets have entered the transport path 30, coincidence between the contents of the record sheet counter 52 and the copy memory 16 has occurred 3 times thereby providing a three count in the reversible counter 60.

As the third-copy of the first original document exists from the transport path and is detected by the mechanical finger 40, counter 54 has its count increased to three. This three count coincides with the contents of the copy memory 16 and coincidence detector provides an output pulse which reduces the three count previously registered in the reversible counter 60 to two. This output pulse from the coincidence detector 58 also resets the copy counter 54 to zero.

At this time, the tenth record sheet enters the transport path and registers a one count in the record sheet counter 52. Before the eleventh record sheet enters the transport path, the first copy of the second original exists from the transport path thereby entering a one count in counter 54. Counter 52 has detected the entry into the transport path of the eleventh record sheet.

At this point in the operation of the system of FIG. 3, the following conditions exists. All three copies of the first original have successfully entered the sorter apparatus 4. The first copy of the second original has also successfully entered the sorter apparatus. In the transport path at various stages of the exposure and development operation, there are two, three, and two record sheets corresponding respectively to future copies of the second, third, and fourth original documents. The reversible counter 60 has registered the two count as well as the record sheet counter 52.

Now it may be assumed that a jam or malfunctioning of the transport path or other feeding operation has occurred. A jam having been sensed, the count registered in the reversible counter, viz., two, will be translated via the RID encoder 68 to the display device 20. The machine may have been shut down automatically and the operator alerted by an appropriate warning light on the control module 6. The operator, observing that there has been a jam and the number two displayed in an appropriate position on the display device, realizes that the original documents must be backed up by two originals. At the time of the jam, the fourth original document was being copied; therefore, it is backspaced twice so that the second original document is again in position for exposure and reproduction.

This backing up of the original documents may, for example, be performed by a suitable original backup control circuit 70 which actuates the original advance control circuit 62 in a reverse mode or may be done manually. In addition, a control signal from this backup control circuit 70 may be utilized to reset the reversible counter 60 to zero.

At this point, the operator may also remove all seven record sheets in the transport path and clear the jam wherever it may be. Without counting the number of damaged or partially processed record sheets which were removed from the transport path, the operator may now simply actuate a jam restart switch, for example, which actuates the jam restart circuit 64. When this is done, the machine is reactivated and the contents or the number stored in the copy counter 54, one in the example, is transferred via the now energized transfer circuit 66 to the record sheet counter 52. After this transfer, the record sheet counter now has stored in it the number which the copy counter 54 had registered before the jam occurred, viz., one. The machine then begins its cycle once again and the twelfth and thirteenth record sheets successively enter the transport path 30. The record sheet counter indicates a three count which provides a coincidence pulse to the reversible counter 60 which steps up this counter one to a three count. The second original document advances presenting the third original document. The copy counter, which has now counted the first copy of the second original document as received prior to the jam, will now detect the remaining two copies of the second original document and provide a coincidence signal which steps the reversible counter down one count to one. As this is being done, more sheets may successively enter the transport path stepping the reversible counter up. If these are received as copies in the sorter apparatus, a coincidence signal from the coincidence detector 58 will step the reversible counter down. This cycle will then repeat itself for as many original documents and copies as desired. If a jam occurs, the aforementioned procedure would be repeated involving merely the simple task on the part of the operator of l) removing the jammed record sheets in the transport path and any other sheets in the transport path, (2) backing up the original documents as indicated number of spaces, and (3) energizing the jam restart circuit 64.

Assuming that no jam condition interrupt operation of the circuit of FIG. 3, the counter 60 would react as follows: every third record sheet detected by sensor 32 would add one to the counter 60, while every third copy detected by sensor 40 would subtract one from the count of the counter 60. Therefore, the count in the counter 60 would proceed as 0, l, 2, 3, 2, 3, 2, 3, 2, 3, 2,,.... 3, 2, l, 0. This, of course, assumes that three copies per original document are desired.

In summary, the circuit of FIG. 3 enables the operator upon the occurrence of a jam in the record sheet feed mechanism, or any other mechanism moving the record sheets along the transport path, to easily and without complication remove the jammed record sheets as well as any other record sheets which are in the transport path without having to count or examine any of the record sheets or copies to determine which original documents have been copied and how many additional copies need to be made. Also, the operator may then recycle the operation of the machine while maintaining a perfect copy distribution in the sorter apparatus as well as a correct copy number.

While the invention has been described with reference to the circuit disclosed herein, it is not confined to the details set forth since it is apparent that electrical equivalent components may be substituted for the components of the preferred circuit without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, for example, while a particular type of jam sensing has been described as being included in the jam detector circuit 36 of FIG. 3, other conventional jam detecting apparatus and circuitry may be utilized to perform the same function as the jam detecting system described herein.

In addition, while the original documents are described as being automatically advanced and reversed, it should be realized that the circuit of FIG. 3 would be useful in a reproducing apparatus which employed a manual positioning of the original documents to be copied.

Although the system of FIG. 3 has been described in the environment of a xerographic reproduction apparatus, it is apparent that its application is not limited thereto and is easily adaptable to various types of reproduction apparatus.

It is therefore the intention of the Applicants to cover such modifications or changes as may fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims:

We claim:

1. In a reproduction machine for making any desired number of facsimiles of a series of original documents which are sequentially positioned at an exposure zone on a like number of record sheets, said machine having a record sheet input and a facsimile-bearing record sheet output with a transport path therebetween, a system comprising:

a. storage means for selectively storing the number of desired facsimile-bearing record sheets to be reproduced from each original document;

b. first counter means having a first initial condition for counting the number of record sheets entering said transport path;

c. second counter means having a second initial condition for counting the number of facsimile-bearing record sheets egressing from said transport path;

d. first coincidence detector means for generating a first coincidence signal indicative of coincidence between the number in said first counter means and the number in said storage means;

. second coincidence detector means for generating a second coincidence signal indicative of coincidence between the number in said second counter means and the number in said storage means;

f. third counter means having a third initial condition responsive to said first coincidence signal for registering a count in one direction and responsive to said second coincidence signal for registering a count in a direction opposite to said one direction;

g. jam detector means responsive to an abnormality in record sheet condition along said transport path for generating a jam detection signal; and

h. indicator means coupled to said third counter means and responsive to said jam detection signal for indicating the count registered in said third counter means.

2. A system as defined in claim 1 further including:

a. first reset means responsive to said first coincidence signal for resetting said first counter means to said first initial condition; y

b. second reset means responsive to said second coincidence signal for resetting said second counter means to said second initial condition;

c. third reset means for resetting said third counter means to said third initial condition;

(.1. transfer means responsive to said jam detection signal for selectively equalizing the number in said first counter means with the number in said second counter means; and

e. wherein said indicator means includes a visual display means for displaying said count registered in said third counter means.

3. A system as defined in claim 1 further including advance means responsive to said first coincidence signal for generating a control signal to control the positioning of said original documents.

4. In an apparatus for making any desired number of copies of an original document on a like number of record sheets, said apparatus having a record sheet supply bin and copy collection area with a record sheet transport path therebetween,

a system comprising:

a. storage means for selectively storing the number of desired copies to be reproduced from an original document;

b. first counter means having a first initial state for registering a count for each record sheet entering said transport path;

c. second counter means having a second initial state for registering a count for each record sheet egressing from said transport path;

d. first coincidence means for generating a first coincidence signal indicative of coincidence between the count in said first counter means and the number in said storage means;

e. second coincidence means for generating a second coincidence signal indicative of coincidence between the count in said second counter means and the number in said storage means;

f. third counter means having a third initial state for registering a net count which is increased by a predetermined amount is response to said first coincidence signal and decreased by an amount equal to said predetermined amount in response to said second coincidence signal;

h. transfer means responsive to said jam detection signal for equalizing the count in said first counter means to the count in said second counter means.

5. A system as defined in claim 4 further including:

a. first reset means responsive to said first coincidence signal for resetting said first counter means to said first initial state;

b. second reset means responsive to said second coincidence signal for resetting said second counter means to said second initial state;

0. third reset means for resetting said third counter means to said third initial state; and,

d. indicator means responsive to said jam detection signal for indicating said net count registered in said third counter means.

6. In a machine for making any desired number of copies of an original document of a like number of record sheets, said machine having a source of record sheets and a copy collection area with a record sheet transport path therebetween, a system comprising:

a. storage means for selectively storing the number of copies desired to be reproduced from an original document;

b. first detector means for detecting each record sheet as it enters said transport path;

c. second detector means for detecting each record sheet as it egresses from said transport path; and

d. counter/coincidence means coupled to said storage means and said first and second detector means for registering a count representative of the difference between the multiples of said number stored in said storage means of record sheets entering said transport path and the multiples of said number stored in said storage means of record sheets egressing from said transport path.

7. A system as defined in claim 6 further including:

a. jam detector means in cooperable relation with said transport path and responsive to an abnormality in record sheet condition along said transport path for generating a jam detection signal; and

b. indicator means responsive to said jam detection signal for indicating said count registered in said counter/coincidence means.

8. A system as defined in claim 6 wherein said counter/coincidence means includes:

a. first counter means having a first initial state coupled to said first detector means for generating a first count corresponding to each detection by said first detector means;

b. second counter means having a second initial state coupled to said second detector means for generating a second count corresponding to each detection by said second detector means;

. coincidence means for generating first and second coincidence signals in response to coincidence between said first count and said number in said storage means and between said second count and said number in said storage means, respectively; and

d. reversible counter means having a third initial state responsive to said first coincidence signal for registering a count in a first direction and to said second coincidence signal for registering a count in a second direction opposite said first direction.

9. A system as defined in claim 8 further including; a. first reset means responsive to said first coincidence signal for resetting said first counter means to said first initial state;

b. second reset means responsive to said second coincidence signal for resetting said second counter means to said second initial state; and

c. third reset means for resetting said reversible counter means to said third initial state.

10. A system as defined in claim 8 further including:

a. jam detector means responsive to an abnormality in record sheet condition along said transport path for generating a jam detection signal; and

. b. transfer means responsive to said jam detection signal for selectively equalizing the count in said first counter means with the count in said second counter means.

11. A system as defined in claim 10 further including:

a. indicator means responsive to said jam detection signal for indicating said count registered in said reversible counter means.