JPS63785B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine equipped with a storage means (hereinafter referred to as a sorter) having a plurality of paper storage stages (hereinafter referred to as bins). 2. Description of the Related Art A so-called copying machine with a sorter is known which distributes and stores copied sheets. A sorter is a device that repeatedly makes a large number of copies from one original, and then distributes and organizes the copies one by one into separate bins. In such a sorter, when data relating to copying/storage control is transmitted between the copying machine main body and the sorter, the more data there is, the more lines there are and the configuration becomes more complicated. The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that has a simple configuration and enables transmission of complex information from storage means to image forming means. That is, the present invention provides an image forming means for forming an image on paper, a storage means for storing the paper on which the image has been formed by the image forming means, and a plurality of signal lines connecting the image forming means and the storage means. A transmission means for transmitting data in a number greater than the number of lines from the storage means to the image forming means using a code signal, and detecting a usable state of the storage means in accordance with the code signal transmitted by the transmission means. The present invention provides an image forming apparatus characterized by comprising a control means for inhibiting or displaying the operation of the image forming means based on the detection result. Examples will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the figure,
COPY is a copying machine, A is a first sorter that is detachable from the copying machine 11, B is a second sorter that is detachable from the first sorter A, and 1 is a photosensitive screen (for example, see Japanese Patent Publication No. 19455 published in 1975). 2 is a primary corona charger, 3 is a secondary corona charger, 4 is a lamp, 5 is a manuscript table, 6 is a modulation corona charger, 7 is an insulating drum, 8 is a developer, 9 is a transfer paper 10 11 is a transfer charger; 12 is a conveyor belt; 13 is a roller for feeding paper;
is a fixing roller, 14 is a tray, 18 is a sorter, 2
0 is 11 bottles. The original on the original platen 5 is slit exposed while moving the lamp 4 and mirror 15, and the primary charger 2
The so-called three-layer screen 1 is charged with electricity and rotates.
An electrostatic latent image is formed on the top by exposing it to light at the same time as a secondary charger. A secondary electrostatic image is formed from the primary latent image on the surface of the insulating drum 7 by the modulation charger 6, and is developed with secondary image toner by the developer 8. The toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper 10 fed from the cassette 52 or the lift deck 53 by the charger 11.
is conveyed, the toner image is fixed by the heat roller fixing device 13, and the toner image is discharged to the sorter 18 or the tray 14. Even after the secondary latent image is formed, the primary latent image does not disappear, so the screen 1 is further rotated and the charger 6 continuously forms the secondary latent image, and the transfer paper is sent one after another to the transfer section, where it is transferred and fixed. , the discharge continues a set number of times. When the number of repeated secondary latent images formed by one primary latent image is exceeded, the primary latent image is formed again. In addition, 16 is a lamp for removing static electricity from the screen, 17
-1 is a cleaning unit for removing toner from the insulating drum 7, and 17-2 is an AC corona discharger for removing residual charges from the insulating drum 7. FIG. 2 shows the operating section and display panel of the apparatus shown in FIG. SW in the figure is the process load of the copying machine, the main switch for turning on the power to the control circuit, 21
is the copy start key, 22 is the copy number setting key,
23-1 is a set number display, and 23-2 is a copy completion number display, each digit being displayed by a 7-segment LED. 24 is a tray, 25 is a sorter selection key, and the key itself lights up when the key is turned on to indicate whether the storage section is a sorter or a tray; 2
Reference numerals 6 and 27 indicate a cassette selection key and a deck selection key, which lights up to display selection when the key is turned on, and also displays the size of paper in the cassette and deck through 32. 28-1 to 28-3
is a key for selecting the light and shade, and it sets dark, medium, and light, and when the key is turned on, it lights up to indicate that. Reference numeral 29 is a stop key for interrupting the copying operation, and 30-1 to 30-3 are keys for specifying magnification, each of which is set to 1x, 0.76x, and 0.65x, and the corresponding location on the display 31 is lit. When a tray is selected, the belt 19 in FIG. 1 moves as shown by the dotted line so that the paper is ejected from the first ejection roller 50. When the sorter 18 is selected, the belt 19 is set so that the paper is discharged from the second discharge roller 51 as shown by the solid line. In the sorters A and B, 101 is a sorter entrance receiving roller, 102 is a feed roller, 103 is a sorter outlet feed roller, 104 is a feed separating claw, 105, 1
06 is a roller that feeds paper to the bin, 20 is a sorting bin that separates the copy paper in the sorter, a to k are bins 20
Claws 68a and 68b are used to sort the sheets, and sensors 69a and 69b are used to detect when the sorter receives the sheets.
b is a sensor for detecting that a sheet is fed into the bin. The number of bins is 11 in one sorter, but if you want to sort 22 or more bins, you can also use C and D.
It is possible to connect similar sorters in multiple stages. Let me briefly explain the operation of the sorter. When the copied sheet is sent into the sorter via the discharge roller 51, it is taken into the sorter by the constantly rotating roller 101, and when the claw 104 is in the solid line state, it is transferred to the first bin via the constantly rotating roller 103. roller 1
Delivered on 05. For the first sheet, the claw a of the first bottle is in a state like f, so the roller 10
5 feeds the paper toward the first bin.
When the sensor 69b confirms that the pin has been stored in the sheet, the claw a of the first bin returns to the state shown in the figure. When the second sheet is sent to sorter A, it is sent to bin roller 105 in the same way. The sheet is then fed toward rollers 106 in the second bin. The sheet is then stored in the second bin by the claw b. Store the 11 sheets in the same manner until the last bin. When the storage is confirmed by the sensor 69b, the sorter claw 104 becomes in a state as shown by a dotted line. When the 12th sheet is sent to sorter A, it passes through rollers 102 and 103 of A and then passes to roller 101 of sorter B.
sent to. Then, in the same manner as sorter A, subsequent sheets are stored in each bin. Sorter A claw a
-k are in the state f every time a sheet is detected by the sensor 68b, and the claws a to k of the sorter B are in the state f by the sensor 68b on the B side. After copying the preset number of 20 sheets, the first
The claws 104 of sorter A become as shown by the solid line, preparing for distribution to multiple copies of the second original. When copying is started by turning on the copy key, sorters A and B perform the distribution work in the same manner as in the case of the first original. In the above operations, the sorter claw 104 of sorter A becomes in a state as shown by the dotted line when the number of multi-copies is set to be greater than the number of storage bins of sorter A, and sheet storage is completed in the last bin. This is when it is detected. Further, if the total number of copies stored in sorters A and B is greater than or equal to 22, the state of the claw 104 of sorter B remains unchanged. Furthermore, when the number 22 is set, the sorter selection display is switched from a static lighting state to a blinking state at 0.5 second intervals to warn that the number is over. Even if the copy key is turned on, copying cannot be started. In this case, copying is started, but it is also possible to interrupt the copying operation so that more than 23 copies cannot be made. Incidentally, when the 22nd copy sheet passes the sensor 67, the belt 19 can be switched to the tray side (solid line) by a passage detection signal from the sensor 67, and 23 or more sheets can be discharged. Also, when sorters A and B are further connected to sorters C, D, etc. in multiple stages, the number of stages is n, and the number of bins per stage is m, settings for a number greater than or equal to n x m can be set using the numeric keypad on the copier side. Then, the above-mentioned display blinking operation is performed and the start of copying is prevented. When the later sorter is mechanically connected to the previous sorter at a predetermined position, the code generator 107 sends a signal indicating the number of bins of the later sorter to the previous sorter via the connection line 108 as a code signal. send it to
The previous sorter logically ORs its code with the code for the number of bins it has and sends it to the further previous sorter, and similarly sends the total code to the copier COPY via line 109. Ru. Examples are shown in Figures 6 and 7. The copyer reads the number of input code signals and stores it in memory. The blinking control and copying operation control described above are performed by comparing the number of copies entered with the numeric keypad and stored in the memory. FIG. 3-1 shows a control circuit constituting an embodiment using a microcomputer. The ROM in the figure is a memory in which sequence contents of key input data entries, key entry operations, and copying process operations are programmed in advance and sequentially read out by the central processing unit CPU. RAM is 1 for the number of copy sets, exit selection data, number of sorter bins, etc.
This is a memory for reading and writing time data. The memory area is shown in Figures 4-1 and 4-2. The data based on the numeric keypad is stored in the SET area at addresses X'02A' to X'02C'. The numerical data to be displayed on the segment displays 23-1 and 23-2 is
It is stored in the SET and copy areas, read from there, and displayed. Please note that the data entered by the key is temporary.
It is stored in X'018' and X'01c' and then transferred to each data area. Tray key 24, sorter key 25
When turned on, 0100 and 0010 will be entered in the X'032' area. According to the data, the belt 19 is switched to select the exit. X′042′ is an area where the current position of the belt is detected and stored after the switching is executed. SORT is an area for storing the total number of bins that the sorter has, and when the sorter is connected, number data is automatically entered here via the data line 109. For example, if two stages of 11-bin sorters are connected, 22 numbers will be stored. WA(a) to WA(7) are registers that contribute to storing other temporary data. Table 1 shows an example of the relationship between key input and stored data.

[Table] When there is no KEY input, F or 0000 is stored. I/O100 to I/0N are input/output devices that input data input signals such as paperless and keys according to the program in the ROM, and generate signals for driving the main motor, high voltage transformer, exit switching solenoid, etc. I/0N is a well-known key and display chip for executing key entry and segment display, and includes a well-known matrix circuit whose intersections are energized when the key is turned on, MAT, and segment display 2.
3-1 and 23-2 are connected, select the digit on the display,
It outputs signals T0 to T5 for scanning the matrix circuit, inputs key data signals KR0 to KR3, and outputs segment signals Sa to Sg. The CPU generally includes an arithmetic unit ALU, a logic unit CT, a control unit OF, each register,
It has an accumulator. DB is an input/output data bus line, and AB is an address bus line for selecting I/0 ROM and RAM. In this example, a μCOM4 system manufactured by Nichiden Corporation is used. Figure 3-2 shows I/0 800 for operating the exit selection display, I/0 900 for inputting the storage limit number of sorters, and tray lamp LT24.
The output port is connected to the sorter lamp LS25 and the paperless lamp Lp. I/0 800 output port
03 outputs a signal indicating that it is OK to use the sorter, and is similarly connected to the sorter lamp LS. 200 is 1:0.5
201 is a gate that NANDs the OK signal and the pulse, 202 is a gate that ANDs the gate output and the sorter display signal, and 203 is a lamp LS.
This is the driver that drives the. Also X′800′, X′900′,
A bin total number signal BIN of the sorter is input to input ports I ₀ to _{I 3} of X'A00' (not shown). this signal
BIN is a 3-digit code signal by connecting the copier and sorter, for example, when the number of bins is 22,
0100, 0100, 0000 are input to X′900′ and X′A00′. This input port is connected to the code generator 107 of the sorter via a connector line 109 (FIG. 7). When connecting a sorter, the bin 110 of the connector corresponding to the code bit connects the sorter and copier,
Since the sorters are connected to each other, the signal can be easily obtained. As mentioned above, the code generation section 107
The total number of bins is transmitted to the copier or the next stage using the connection relationship shown in FIG. 6. The three-digit bin code is stored in RAM corresponding to each digit area in the SORT area of RAM.
In FIG. 6, BINA and BINB are signals of the code of the number of bins each sorter has, and as shown in FIG. It is set as digit signal BIN3. This switch currently indicates that the storage limit for one sorter is 11. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which this switch is provided in the main body of the copier. In other words, as shown in Figure 9, I/0
By connecting BINs 1 to 3 to 800 to A00, the total number of usable bins of the sorter can be directly set in the SORT area of the RAM. In the figure, 112 is a micro switch that is set to S by connecting the sorter to the copier, and 113 to 115 are digital switches provided in the operation section of the copier, which currently specify 22. 116 and 117 are respective inverters and AND gates. When the sorter is connected, switch 113
A number code of ~115 is input to each I/O port via gate 117. Therefore, it is possible to select a storage bin by setting this switch arbitrarily. FIG. 5-1 is a control flow diagram of a copy operation stored in ROM. Enter the number of bins and key data (step 1), control whether the outlet selection is a tray or sorter (step 2), then determine whether the outlet is in the specified position and set the outlet (step 3). ), in the case of a sorter, the number of bins and the number of copy sets are compared to control whether copying is possible (step 4), and a copy key is determined to proceed to a copy cycle (step 5). Also, the motor that rotates the screen, insulated drum, and other rotating bodies is turned on, and the charge is turned on to form a primary image on the screen (step 6). After that, the sheet is fed from the cassette and the secondary latent image is formed. It then moves on to a repeat cycle of forming, developing, and transferring to that sheet. Feed sheets up to the set number (Step 8), continue copying (Step 9), and when finished, turn off the motor and high pressure and return to the key entry step (Step 10). Refer to Figure 5-2. This will be explained in detail. In the entry step, the exit selection key is first read and determined. At step 4-1, the matrix connected to port I/ON is scanned with signals _T0 to _T5 , and data by the sorter key and tray key are sequentially input to input port KR3. And when T ₄ , 1 or
The CPU judges whether it is 1 at _T5 (step 4-2), and stores 0010 (sorter) in the former case and 0100 (tray) in the latter case in the RAM X'032' (step 4-2). 3, 4-13) Next, set the data in the CPU's ACC to 0010 for the sorter to output from data I/0 800 in that area, and send it to I/0 800 or the output port (step 4-4). Since 0010 is sent in parallel via the data bus DB, only ₀₁ of I/0 800 is set to 1, and the sorter designation lamp LT connected to ₀₁ is lit. Next, it is determined whether the sheet ejection belt 19 is set at the exit on the sorter side (step 4-5). This is the position of belt 19 (sorter side)
The determination is made depending on whether the micro switch 67b (Fig. 1) that detects the switch is on or not, that is, whether the corresponding bit of the I/O port to which the switch is connected (not shown) is set to 1. .
0010 for sorter, 0100 for tray is I/
Since it is set to 0, store it in RAM at X'042'. Then, compare the data of '032' with the data of '042' and if they match, the sorter set can be confirmed. However, if they do not match, data for operating the solenoid to move the belt is set at a predetermined I/0, the exit is set to the sorter side, and sorter set data 0010 is stored in '042' of the RAM. (4-11, R) Next, read the number of multi-copy sets using the numeric keypad in the same way as above, and store this in the RAM.
Store in X'02A' to X'02C' (4-6, 7). Since the total number of bins of the sorter is input to the input ports of I/0 800 and 900 via the connector 109, the number of bins is stored in the RAM by sensing the I/0.
Store in X'05A' to X'05C'. (Step 4-8).
Next, the number of copy sets is compared with the number of pins, that is, the limit number of sorter storages (step 4-9). As a result, if the limit number or more is set, the RAM
Set 1 to the 4th bit of X'032', and
0800 as described above. (Step 4-10). So I/0 800 port O ₃
outputs 1 and inputs it to gate 201 in FIG. 3-2. Since the pulse from the flicker circuit 200 is input to the other gate 201, the gate 201
The output will be level 1 for 1 second and level 0 for 0.5 seconds. Therefore, since the gate 202 outputs an output according to the output of the gate 201, the sorter display lamp LS blinks in synchronization with this interval. Then, just repeat the standby mode entry routine,
The copy cycle does not start even if the copy key is turned on. However, if the set number is less than the limit number, the process proceeds to a copy key determination step and the copy cycle is made executable. Since the _O3 port of the I/O 800 is 0, the gate 201 is always at level 1 and the lamp LS is always lit. When tray selection is determined in step 4-2, steps 4-13 to 4-4
17 is executed in the same way as the sorter mode of steps 4-3 to 4-7 to enable a copy cycle. In this way, especially when distributing copies using a multistage sorter, the storage capacity of the sorter is detected in advance and the display or copy operation is controlled, making the operation extremely easy. Further, since the number of usable bins of the sorter is set in advance on the copying machine side and the copying operation display is controlled, the sorter can be used efficiently. Furthermore, since the display is performed by blinking other indicators, the number of indicators can be reduced. In addition, each multistage sorter has a mechanism that adds up the number of bins, so when the copier and sorter are connected, the number of bins can be easily determined. Even if the order is arbitrary, the total number of bins can be determined with a simple configuration, providing convenience for various controls. Furthermore, since a plurality of data more than the number of lines is transmitted, the configuration is simplified.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an example of a copying machine with a sorter to which the present invention can be applied, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the operation section of the copying machine.
Figures 3-1 and 3-2 are circuit diagrams for controlling the operation of the copying machine; Figures 4-1 and 4-2 are memory area diagrams in Figure 3-1; −
Figures 1 and 5-2 are control flowcharts showing the control procedure in the circuit, Figure 6 is a sorter connection circuit diagram, Figure 7 is a sectional view of the connector, and Figure 8 is a control flow chart showing the control procedure in the circuit.
Figure 9 is a bin number generation circuit diagram, where COPY is a copying machine, A is a first sorter, B is a second sorter, 10
7 is an adder, 108 and 109 are connectors, 2
2 is a numeric keypad, and 25 is a sorter selection key having a display function.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An image forming means for forming an image on paper, a storage means for storing the paper on which the image has been formed by the image forming means, and a plurality of signal lines connecting the image forming means and the storage means. Transmission means for transmitting a larger number of data than the number of signal lines from the storage means to the image forming means using code signals; and a usable state of the storage means is determined according to the code signal transmitted by the transmission means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control means for detecting and prohibiting or displaying an operation of the image forming means based on the detection result.