JPH035581B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a copying apparatus having an automatic document feeding device that automatically feeds a document to an exposure position.

Conventionally, in a copying apparatus having a plurality of copy modes, when an inactive period of an image forming means in the copying apparatus or a period of no operation of a selection key for selecting a copy mode reaches a predetermined time, a plurality of copy modes are activated. Copying apparatuses have been announced that are equipped with an auto-clear mechanism that returns to the frequently used standard copy mode, or an auto-shut-off mechanism that shuts off the power to the apparatus.

An automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as DF) that automatically feeds the document to the exposure position is attached to such a copying device, and in order to select a feeding mode that uses DF, for example, a document pressure plate equipped with a DF mechanism is attached. If the auto clear mechanism is activated while opening/closing or operating the feeding mode selection switch,
There was a risk that a copy could be made in an incorrect mode that the user did not expect. Furthermore, if the auto-shutoff mechanism is activated, it may cause discomfort to the user, which is not desirable.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its purpose is to provide both an auto-clear mechanism and an auto-shut-off mechanism, to operate them in an appropriate order, and to provide a standard mechanism for preparing for copying. It is an object of the present invention to provide a copying apparatus capable of rapidly preventing return to copy mode and power cutoff, and significantly improving usability.

That is, the present invention provides an original pressing means that can be opened and closed with respect to a platen on which an original can be placed, a detection means that detects opening and closing of the original pressing means, a first input means for inputting a desired copy mode, and an input means for inputting a desired copy mode. a second input means for inputting a copy start command; a storage means for storing a copy mode stored in the storage means; a second input means for inputting a copy start command; a copying means for copying an original image placed thereon; a timer operation is started in response to the completion of the copying operation of the copying means, and when the copy start command is not input from the second input means for a first time; a first timer means for outputting a signal for storing the standard copying mode in the storage means after the first time has elapsed; When the copy start command is not input from the second input means for a second period of time which is also long, the second
a second timer means for outputting a signal for cutting off the power supply after a time elapsed; the first timer means and the second timer means;
and timer control means for clearing the first timer means and the second timer means in response to the detection output when the detection means detects opening/closing of the document pressing means while the timer operation of the timer means is being executed. The present invention provides a copying apparatus having the following characteristics.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a copying machine equipped with a DF80 to which the present invention can be applied. The structure and operation will be explained.

80 is a type that transports originals one by one to the exposure position.
It is DF. When the automatic feeding mode using the DF 80 is selected, the original 82 placed on the paper feed tray 88 is transported to the exposure position by the pick-up roller 83 and the transport belt 81.

When the original 82 reaches the exposure position, the copying operation is started without inputting the copy key.

If the automatic feeding mode is not selected, the DF 80, which also serves as a document pressure bonding plate, is separated from the document glass 80, a book or sheet document is set on the document glass 36, and the copy key is pressed. The copy operation is started by inputting .

When the copying operation is started, the main motor 21 starts rotating the drum 1 in the direction of the arrow. The surface of the drum 1 is made of a three-layer seamless photoreceptor using a CDS photoconductor.

When the drum 1 rotates a predetermined amount, the document platen glass 36
The original placed thereon is illuminated by an illumination lamp 23 that is integrated with a first scanning mirror 24 , and its reflected light is scanned by the first scanning mirror 24 and the second scanning mirror 25 . By moving the first scanning mirror 24 and the second scanning mirror 25 at a speed ratio of 1:1/2, the original is scanned while the optical path length in front of the lens 30 is always kept constant.

The above reflected light image shows the lens 30 and the third mirror 2.
6. After passing through the fourth mirror 27, an image is formed on the drum 1 at the exposure section.

The drum 1 includes a pre-exposure lamp 8 and a pre-neutralizing charger 2.
The charge is simultaneously removed by the charger 3, and then the charge is corona charged (for example, +) by the primary charger 3. Thereafter, the drum 1 is subjected to slit exposure with the image irradiated by the illumination lamp 23 at the exposure section.

At the same time, a secondary charger 4 performs AC or corona charge removal with a polarity opposite to that of the primary one (for example -), and then a high-contrast electrostatic latent image is formed on the drum 1 by uniform surface exposure using a full-surface exposure lamp 9. do. The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 11 is then developed by the developing roller of the developing device 7 and visualized as a toner image, and the toner image is transferred by the transfer charger 5.

Upper cassette 13 or lower cassette 14
The transfer paper inside is sent into the machine by a paper feed roller 11 or 12, and is sent in the direction of the photosensitive drum 1 by a register roller 15 with accurate timing.
The leading edge of the latent image and the leading edge of the paper can be aligned at the transfer section.

Next, while the transfer paper passes between the transfer charger 5 and the drum 1, the toner image on the drum 1 is transferred onto the transfer paper.

After the transfer is completed, the transfer paper is separated from the drum 1 by a separation belt, guided to a fixing roller 19 by a conveyor belt 17 via a paper detection sensor 16, and fixed by pressure and heat, and then transferred to a discharge roller 42.
The paper is discharged to the tray 31 via the paper detection sensor 18. In addition, when the sorter 46 is installed, the sorter 46 is detected via the paper detection sensor 47.
are discharged into each tray.

Further, 29 is a conveyance fan for reliably conveying the transfer paper. Further, after the fixing is completed, the fixing roller is cleaned by the web 20.

After the transfer, the drum 1 continues to rotate, and a cleaning device 6 consisting of a cleaning roller and an elastic blade cleans the surface of the drum 1. The collected toner is collected in a discharge toner container 43 through a pipe 45, and then transferred to the next cycle. move on.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the operating section.

In the figure, 55 is a key for selecting the upper and lower cassettes, 54 is a slide lever for setting copy density, and position 5 is the standard density.
53 is a numerical key for setting the number of copies; 7
1 is a clear key for canceling the numerical value; 51 is an interrupt key for copying another number before the copying of the set number by key 53 is completed;
52 is a copy key for commanding the start of copying;
50 is a stop key for stopping the copy operation during continuous copying of the set number; 57, 58,
59 is a key for selecting the same size copy, enlarged copy, and reduced copy; 60 to 62 are indicators for displaying the selected reduction ratio; and 60 is a key for displaying the selected reduction copy mode. 61 displays the enlarged copy mode, and 62 displays the same size copy mode. There are five modes for enlargement: a mode for converting A size to B size, and a combination of reduction ratios of 1:0.67 and 1:0.79 and appropriate cassette selection. 72 displays the upper and lower stages of the cassette selected by the cassette selection key 55, and 56 displays the type of selected cassette loaded in the selected stage. This also means that if you turn on the reduction key 59,
A compatible cassette whose reduced size and sheet size match is displayed with a reduced score when the compatible cassette is not loaded in the selected stage. At the same time, the size of the previously selected cassette is also statically displayed.

63 to 67 are warning indicators from the main body, all of which are displayed as pictograms. 63 is a paper feed check indicator that lights up when copy paper is jammed inside the machine. Reference numeral 64 lights up when there is no cassette in the cassette stand selected on the paper/cassette replenishment indicator, or when there is no paper left in the cassette set in that cassette stand. Reference numeral 65 denotes a discharged toner full indicator, which lights up when the container 43 is full of toner that has been used once and collected in the copying machine. Reference numeral 66 indicates a developer replenishment display, which lights up when the amount of developer in the developing device falls below a specified amount. Reference numeral 67 is a key counter confirmation indicator that lights up when the key counter is not inserted into the socket of the main body.

70 is a weight indicator. This display lights up when the power switch is turned on and the temperature of the fixing heater is lower than the specified value, and when the temperature exceeds the specified value,
It turns off when the wait-up process is completed.

Reference numeral 68 denotes a copy number display, and when the desired number of copies is set using the numeric keypad 53, the set number of copies is displayed in seven segments. It is possible to set 1 to 99 sheets at a time. Approximately 60 seconds have passed after copying has finished, or the set number of copies can be set using the clear key 71 or interrupt key 51.
The copy number automatically returns to 01. Reference numeral 69 is an interrupt indicator that lights up when the interrupt key is pressed and goes out after the interrupt copy is completed.

FIG. 3 is a control circuit diagram of the copying machine shown in FIG.
A microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as management
CPU), Q2 is a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as sequence control CPU) that controls the main motor, high voltage transformer, etc. for executing the copying process.
It is. Further, Q3 is a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as DF control CPU) that controls the drive of the DF.

The main unit management CPUQ1 is a ROM memory that stores the program shown in the flowchart of FIG. The PAM memory that stores size data, etc., the I/O boat that controls input and output, and the clock
Read the program in ROM, RAM, I/
This is a one-chip microcomputer in which a CPU that executes programs by accessing the O port is formed on the same semiconductor substrate.

CPUQ2 for sequence control, CPUQ for DF control
3 also has ROM, RAM, I/O port and
It is a one-chip microcomputer consisting of a CPU. Note that a program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is stored in the ROM of Q3.

From the main body management CPUQ1 to the DF control CPUQ3, there are signals DFINH and DF that inhibit DF operation.
A signal DFE is sent to start the operation of Q.
From 3 to Q1 is a signal that prohibits the operation of the main unit.
CPINH and the signal CPE that starts the operation of the main unit
will be sent. Signals from the DF open/close detector OCD, mode switch 87, document presence/absence sensor 86, document leading edge detection sensor 89, and document discharge sensor 84 are input to the DF control CPUQ3, and the mode display lamp
MDL, Pickup Roller 83 driver circuit
PRD and driver circuit TBD of conveyance belt 81
A signal is output.

To explain the operation of DF80 based on the flowchart in Figure 5, the main switch (not shown) on the main body
When turned on, power is supplied to the DF, and the DF control
CPUQ3 starts executing the program.

First, Q3 sets the input/output signals and the contents of the RAM to the initial state (601), and checks whether the DF is ready to send the original (604). At this time, when the DF is opened or closed, the signal CPINH is output for 1 msec to notify that the operator's action has been added to the DF (603).

If the DF is closed and the document can be fed, it is checked whether the mode is set to automatically feed the document using the DF 80 (hereinafter referred to as DF mode) (605). To enter the DF mode, press the mode selection switch 87 mounted on the DF 650 to enter the DF mode (606, 607). Also, if it is in DF mode, by pressing the mode selection switch 87 again.
DF mode is canceled (609, 610).

Then, each time the mode switch 87 is pressed,
The signal CPINH is output for 1 msec to notify the main unit that the operator has operated the DF (611,
608). Then, when the DF 80 is closed and the DF mode is selected, the original is placed on the original feed tray 88 and abuts against the original feed roller 653, the original presence/absence sensor 86 detects the original (612), and the pick up roller 83 holds the manuscript in its mouth (613).

At that time, if the main unit is copying and the signal DFINH from the main unit control CPUQ1 is set, or if the main unit is waiting, out of paper, out of toner, etc.
Do not start document feeding if the DFE has been reset. Signal DFINH is reset and signal
When the DFE is set (614, 615), the signal CPE is reset (615b) to start document feeding, and the document set on the document placement glass 36 is ejected to the ejection tray 85 at the same time. Original feed tray 8
The document placed on top of the document 8 is transported to the copy position by the transport belt 81 (617-620). While the conveyor belt 81 is being driven, a copy prohibition signal CPINH is output to the main body, and the main body is prohibited from accepting a copy key. When the original is placed in the copy position,
The copy start signal CPE is set and commands the main unit to start copying (625), and the copy prohibition signal CPINH is set.
is reset (626).

As mentioned above, DF automatically feeds and ejects documents,
The main body automatically starts copying when the original reaches the copying position. In addition, even if the DF mode is selected, the DF does not output the signal CPINH that prohibits the reception of the copy key except while the conveyor belt is driving, so the main body is configured to allow copying using the copy key. ing. Therefore, when using the DF, the operator should check that the DF mode lamp MDL is lit and then move the document feed tray 8.
Copying operation is executed simply by setting the original on the printer 8. On the other hand, when the DF is not used, it is possible to copy the document on the document table 36 by turning on the copy key, regardless of whether the DF mode lamp is lit or not. Also, if you open DF80 while DF mode is selected, DF mode will be canceled and
The mode lamp turns off (604b). In other words, DF8
DF mode is automatically canceled by opening 0.

Next, the related operations between the main body and the DF will be explained using the flow shown in FIG.

When the power is turned on, the RAM and I/O ports are initialized (100), and the signals DFINH and DFE are set to notify the DF that the main body is in wait (101, 102). When the main body's wait processing is completed (110), the signal DFINH is reset to permit DF operation. Then, whether a document is placed on the document feed tray 88 of the DF, the opening/closing operation of the DF 80 is performed, or the mode switch 87 is
When is pressed, signal CPINH is used for DF control.
When the output from CPUQ3 is detected (118), the 2-hour timer for auto-shutoff and the 60-second timer for auto-clear are cleared (119). Therefore, each time the DF is operated, the 2-hour timer and 60-second timer are cleared as if a key were pressed, so the copy mode does not return to the standard mode or the device automatically shuts off. .

Then, when the DF feeds the original and the original stops at the copy position, the signal CPE is output from CPUQ3, so this is detected (120) and the main unit management
CPUQ1 sets signal DFINH and resets signal DFE to inhibit DF operation (122, 123).
Then, the copying operation is started and a set number of copies are executed (124 to 127).

When the set number of copies has been completed, the main unit will allow key input (129), set a 60 second timer, and
The timer is started (130, 131), the signal DFE is set in preparation for copying the next original, and the signal DFINH is reset to cause the DF to feed and eject paper (132, 133). If DF is feeding paper, signal CPINH is output from Q3, copy key input is prohibited, and the next copy is started after waiting for signal "CPE".

By the way, if the continuous copying is stopped due to no paper in the cassette (134), the process returns to the standby routine (108-121) without setting the signal DFE. Therefore, at this time, the DF does not feed or eject paper, and after paper is replenished, copying can be continued by turning on the copy key.

Further, when the 60 second timer times out, the number of sheets is set to "1", the cassette selection is set to the lower row, and the magnification selection is automatically returned to the same size (113). When the two-hour timer times up, the power to the device is turned off (114).
In this embodiment, once the 60-second timer is started, the 60-second timer is not restarted even if the standby routine is returned to while the timer is operating.

Figure 6 shows the signals DFINH, DFE, CPE, CPINH
This shows the timing chart for the occurrence of .

As described above, even if the feeding mode that uses DF is selected, if there is no original on the DF paper feed tray, input from the input means for starting copying is accepted, so the feed is fed every time copying starts. There is no need to check whether the feeding mode is selected or not, and copying in the normal mode without using the feeding mode is possible without canceling the feeding mode.

In addition, by opening/closing the DF or operating a switch that enables the DF, such as operating a mode switch, the time measured by the timer for returning the copy mode to the priority mode is extended. Automatic recovery is eliminated, copying operations in erroneous copy modes are eliminated, the number of erroneous copies is reduced, and the operator does not feel uncomfortable.

As described above, according to the present invention, the standard copying mode is restored when a first period of time has elapsed after the end of copying, and the power to the apparatus is cut off when a second period of time, which is longer than the first period of time, has elapsed. Since the timer time is set, the standard copy mode return function and power cutoff function can be operated in the appropriate order, and both timer means are cleared when the opening/closing of the document pressing means is detected. It becomes possible to reliably detect the intention to copy and promptly prevent a return to the standard copy mode or a power cut-off during preparation operations for copying.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a sectional view of a copying apparatus to which the present invention can be applied, FIG. 2 is a plan view of an input display section of the copying apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a control circuit diagram of the copying apparatus of FIG. 1.
Figure 4 is a control flowchart by the main body management CPU in Figure 3, and Figure 5 is for DF control in Figure 3.
FIG. 6, which is a control flowchart by the CPU, is a generation timing diagram of the signals DFINH, DFE, CPINH, and CPE. In the figure, 1 is a photosensitive drum, 80 is a DF, 81 is a transport belt, 82 is a document, 83 is a pick-up roller, 86 is a document presence/absence sensor, 87 is a mode switch, and 88 is a document feed table.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Original pressing means that can be opened and closed with respect to a platen on which an original can be placed; Detection means that detects opening and closing of the original pressing means; First input means for inputting a desired copy mode; The input means a second input means for inputting a copy start command; a copy mode stored in the storage means in response to the copy start command input from the second input means; a copying means for copying an original image placed on the platen; a timer operation is started in response to the completion of the copying operation of the copying means, and the copying start command is not input from the second input means for a first time; a first timer means for outputting a signal for storing a standard copying mode in the storage means after the elapse of the first time period; a second timer means for outputting a signal for shutting off the power after the elapse of the second time period when the copy start command is not inputted from the second input means for a second time period longer than the first timer means; and timer control means for clearing the first timer means and the second timer means in response to the detection output when the detection means detects opening/closing of the document pressing means while the second timer means is executing a timer operation. A copying apparatus comprising: