JPH03629B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a copying apparatus, and more particularly to a copying apparatus capable of managing usage by counting up or down the number of sheets or the amount of recording paper used for each copy. [Prior Art] This type of copying machine generally includes one equipped with an electromagnetic or electronic digital counter, or one in which it is detachable from the copying machine body. In any case, the counter is used for reference to manage the usage status of the copying machine and/or for reference to manage the number of copies. For example, in a copying machine with a fixed counter, the number of copies is determined by reading a meter on the counter and then a maintenance fee or copying fee is charged.
Even when billing maintenance fees, it is necessary to calculate the number of sheets used by reading the meter. In a copying machine in which a counter is detachable, one or several counters are assigned to one copying machine, but it is still necessary to read the meter of the counter and to aggregate the meter reading data of several counters. As described above, in the conventional method, it is necessary to read the meter at the counter, and there is a problem in that the meter reading and counting are troublesome. JP-A No. 54-104837 states that in order to prevent unauthorized use of copying machines,
Further, a copying machine using a recording medium such as a magnetic card and an information reproducing device has been disclosed in order to manage the amount of copies used for each department. The magnetic card records an ID indicating the department in which it is used, and the copying machine has a RAM for accumulating the number of copies, and the cumulative value of the number of copies made using the card for each department is recorded. The copying machine detects whether the card is correct or not, and disables copying if the card is abnormal. JP-A-50-50097 discloses a ticket issuing device that uses cash cards. If the ticket machine malfunctions when purchasing tickets using a cash card,
The ticket cost that has already been settled will be released in cash. [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The card-type copying machine disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 104837/1983 prevents unauthorized use by persons without authority to use the machine, and also allows the copying machine to automatically calculate the usage amount for each department. However, if you want to charge a maintenance fee or a copy fee for the copy usage of each card with a proper ID, you can read out the copy usage of each card and perform maintenance based on it. It is necessary to calculate and invoice the fee or copy fee, and as with copying machines that have a removable counter, there is a problem in that it takes time and effort to manage cards for fee settlement and charge collection work. According to the ticket issuing device using a cash card disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 50-50097, a set amount is written on the card in advance, and this card is sold at the set amount, so that ticket issuance (supply of tickets) is easy. Price processing, that is, fee collection work, does not take much time. but,
After the ticket selection switch is operated by the card user, the ticket is issued and the card is automatically ejected from the ticket issuing device. I need to do an insert operation. This ticket issuing device may be suitable for issuing tickets, but when used for other purposes, it may require too many card insertion operations, cannot be canceled, or cannot be terminated at will. This will cause problems. The first object of the present invention is to provide a copying device that can manage the amount of copies to be made using a card without requiring meter reading of a counter, etc., and which has high operability when copying using a card, and which also allows for easy completion of copying. A second object is to provide an easy copying device. [Means for Solving the Problems] The copying apparatus of the present invention includes an image copying means; a copying instruction inputting means; a requested number of copies inputting means; a portable information medium recording information on the number of copies that can be made; a reading/recording unit that reads information on the number of copies that can be made and writes the information on the portable information medium; a first storage unit that stores information on the number of copies that can be made on the portable information medium read by the reading/recording unit; Copy start control means for starting a copying operation by the image copying means in response to a copy instruction input from the copy instruction input means when the information on the number of copies that can be copied in the first storage means does not match the set value; Memory updating means for updating the information on the number of copies that can be made in the first storage means to a value that is counted up or down by one each time one copy is completed; the number of copies that has been completed is counted, and the number of copies is inputted by the requested number of copies input means. A copying operation resuming means for determining whether the number of copies is equal to or greater than the requested number of copies, and restarting the copying operation if it is less than the requested number of copies; when the information on the number of copies that can be copied in the first storage means matches the set value, and the copying operation resuming means counts inhibiting means for prohibiting the restarting operation of the copying operation restarting means when the number of copies to be completed matches the requested number of copies; a discharging instruction inputting means; and in response to a discharging instruction input from the discharging instruction inputting means, A discharge control means is provided for updating and recording information on the number of copies allowed in the first storage means on the portable information medium by the reading/recording means and ejecting the portable information medium. [Operation] The reading/recording means reads information on the number of copies that can be made on the portable information medium and stores it in the first storage means. The copy start means starts a copy operation by the image copy means in response to a copy instruction input from the copy instruction input means when the number of copies that can be made in the first storage means does not match the set value. Therefore, a user of a portable information medium such as a magnetic card inserts the portable information medium whose copyable number does not match the set value into the reading/recording means and inputs the copy instruction input means. As a result, image copying is started. That is, the copy start control means determines that the number of copies that can be made does not match a set value (for example, zero).
Since this is a condition for starting copying, the portable information medium that records the number of copies that can be made with the setting value 0 must be readable/
Even if the recording device is loaded and the copying instruction input device is operated, copying will not start. After starting copying as described above, the memory updating means counts up the copyable number information in the first storage means by 1 each time one copying is completed (the first count whose set value is a number greater than or equal to 1) (Embodiment) or 1 countdown (in the second embodiment where the set value is 0), the copying operation restart means counts the number of copies completed, and the number of copies completed is determined by the requested number of copies input means. An attempt is made to restart the copying operation until the input requested number of copies is reached, but the prohibiting means indicates that the copyable number information in the first storage means matches the set value, and the copying operation restarting means counts. When the number of copies completed matches the requested number of copies, the restart operation is prohibited. (Number of copies that can be made)
Even if the accumulated value does not reach the certain value, the number of completed copies counted by the copying operation restarting means matches the requested number of copies. Sometimes copying resumes or continuous copying stops. Therefore, before delivering the portable information medium to the user, the amount of copies managed for the portable information medium is written as the number of copies that can be made.For example, in the case of a paid copying service, the number of copies By giving the portable information medium to the user in exchange for a fee corresponding to the number of copies that can be made, copying fee collection management becomes extremely simple. Further, when the copy instruction input means is operated before the number of copies that can be made in the first storage means has not reached the set value, that is, before the actual usage amount has yet reached the copy usage amount allocated to the portable information medium, When the number of copies to be completed reaches the requested number of copies, the copying operation temporarily ends. At this point, the user may wish to make another copy of another document, or may wish to remove the portable information medium since the necessary copying has been completed. Here, if the user operates the copy instruction input means again, copying will start in the same way, but if the user operates the discharge instruction input means, in response, the discharge control means will start the reading/recording means. The information on the number of copies allowed in the first storage means is updated and recorded on the portable information medium, and the portable information medium is ejected. As a result, the value obtained by adding (first embodiment) or subtracting (second embodiment) the current copying end number from the previous copyable number of copies is updated and recorded as the copyable number information on the portable information medium. is discharged to the user by the reading/recording means. Therefore, once the user has loaded the portable information medium into the reading/recording means, the user can arbitrarily start copying within the limit of the number of copies that can be made, and can also arbitrarily stop using the copying device. be able to. That is, the operation for obtaining a required copy of the portable information medium is extremely simple, and the number of operations and time required for operating the portable information medium can be greatly reduced. On the other hand, the copying apparatus of the present invention is provided with a first storage means in which information on the number of copies that can be made read out from the portable information medium is stored, and the first
By incrementing or decrementing the information on the number of possible copies in the storage means of the first storage means, the information on the number of possible copies is updated on the first storage means, so that the information on the number of possible copies can be read from the portable information medium at the start of copying. The latest copyable number information is written to the portable information medium only once in response to the ejection instruction input from the ejection instruction input means after copying is completed. Therefore, the process of reading and writing the information on the number of copies allowed on the portable information medium is extremely simple, and the portable information medium nevertheless retains accurate information on the number of copies allowed on the portable information medium. Since the memory update means counts up or counts down the information on the number of copies that can be made in the first storage means each time one copy is completed, even if the copying device has trouble after copying has started, the copying cannot be completed normally. If the number of copies is not completed, the copying apparatus stops at that point, and the copying is not completed for this portion, so the memory updating means does not count up or count down the information on the number of copies that can be made in the first storage means. Therefore, the first storage means always stores information on the number of copies that can be made, which is accurate from the user's perspective, by counting up or down the number of copies that have been completed without any trouble with the copying device, that is, the number of copies that have been successfully obtained. is retained and recorded on the portable information medium, so when a problem occurs, the copying machine does not need to correct the error record in the first storage means or the portable information medium, and it also saves money equivalent to the trouble. There is no need to take special measures such as automatic payment. In other words, the first
There is no need for compensation processing or compensation means for troubleshooting storage means or information on the number of copies that can be made on the portable information medium, and the control logic and hardware configuration of the copying apparatus can be simplified accordingly. Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings. [Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention. To explain the mechanical part of the copying apparatus shown in FIG. 1 mirror 5, 2nd mirror 6, lens 8, 3rd mirror 9, 4th mirror 1
0 and is projected onto the photosensitive drum 11 via the slit 7. illumination light 4, first mirror 5 and second
The mirror 6 is driven to scan along the contact glass plate 1 in the directions of arrows AR2 and AR3 in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 11 in the direction of arrow AR1. As a result, the original 3 is placed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 11.
The entire image is projected, and a latent image corresponding to the image is formed. This latent image is developed by the developing device 12, and the developed toner is transferred onto the recording paper fed by the registration rollers 14 directly below the transfer charger 13. The toner image on the recording paper is fixed by a fixing roller 15, and the recording paper after the fixing is sent onto a paper discharge tray 17 by a conveyance roller 16. 18 is a charging charger, 19 is a static eliminating charger, 20 is a cleaning roller, and 21 is a cleaning blade. The recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is of a two-stage paper feeding type in which two cassettes 22 ₁ and 22 ₂ can be attached and detached. Paper feed roller 23 ₁
By selectively driving one of the cassettes 22 1 and 23 ₂ , the recording paper in the cassette 22 ₁ or 22 ₂ is sent out to the registration roller 14 . Next, the electrical equipment section will be explained. An operation board 24 and a magnetic recording/reproducing device 25 are mounted on the upper surface of the copying machine main body. A plan view of these is shown in FIG.
The operation board 24 includes a power switch 24a, a print key 24b, and a numeric keypad 2 for setting the number of copies.
4c, cassette designation keys 24d ₁ and 24d ₂ , and a write key 24e for writing data to the non-volatile RAM 27 and card data processing, which will be described later, are installed, as well as a selection paper size display, a status indicator light 24i, and an operation key. Indicator light 24 for instructions
j ₁ to 24j ₃ , a copy permission indicator light 24f, a set number display 29g, a copy number display 24h, and a buzzer 24k. A magnetic recording/reproducing device 25 for reading magnetic information from a magnetic card and recording magnetic information on the magnetic card is integrated into the operation board 24. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the above-mentioned elements of the operation board 24 is connected to a microcomputer system 26, which is used as a logical control device of the present invention and is also used as a central control device of the main body of the copying machine. This microcomputer system 26 includes an input/output port 26f, a central processing unit (or microprocessor; hereinafter abbreviated as CPU) 26a,
The microcomputer system includes a system controller 26d, a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM) 26b, a read/write memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM) 26c, and a clock pulse oscillator 26e. A nonvolatile read/write memory (hereinafter referred to as nonvolatile RAM) 27 is connected in a manner that allows writing and reading. The ROM 26 contains power-on sequence program data for turning on power to each part of the copying apparatus in response to the closing operation of the power switch 24a, copying program data, read/write control program data for magnetic card information, and timings to be referenced when performing each of the above operations. In addition to the data and the data for setting constants of each part stored in fixed memory in advance, write program data for writing data into the non-volatile RAM 27 when the write switch 24e is closed, and the write switch 24e are stored in a fixed memory. When the write switch 24e is in the closed state, code reading program data is used to read memory data at the read address of the nonvolatile RAM 27 represented by the code given to the input/output port 26f, and when the write switch 24e is in the closed state, writing to the magnetic card and magnetic card information are performed. The magnetic card data processing program data that collects the data is stored in a fixed memory. The CPU 26a reads each program data from the ROM 26b and temporarily stores it in the RAM 26c.
According to the program, the system controller 26d has an input/output port 26f, a ROM 26b,
It provides data specifying the RAM 26c, nonvolatile RAM 27, etc., and critical data such as port selection, write designation, read designation, etc. The system controller 26d decodes these data and identifies the specific element 2.
A specific command signal is given to 6a to 26c and 26f. In addition to program data, the RAM 26c stores timing data, constant setting data, etc. that are referenced during program execution.
b, and various data arriving from the outside at the input/output port 26f are temporarily stored. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper part of the key of the write switch 24e is covered with a cover 24 so that it is not normally operated.
This cover 24l can be locked if necessary. When this cover 24l is removed and the write switch 24e is closed, program data for reading the numeric keypad 24c and input designation reading from the ROM 34 is read and stored in the RAM 26c, and the system 26 uses the operation input of the numeric keypad 24c based on the program data. It is determined whether writing of the department number, writing of the number of copies allowed on the magnetic card, or collection and display of magnetic card data is specified, and data processing is performed based on the corresponding program data based on the determination. This data processing flow is shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b in the fourth step from START, "Scan numeric keypad 24c & if input, store in register Z" and subsequent steps. For convenience of explanation, each data storage area of the internal RAM and/or RAM 26c of the CPU 26a will be referred to as a register, and symbols are attached to the registers as shown in Table 1 below to read and write required data.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, the reading/recording means 25 reads the information on the number of copies that can be made on the portable information medium (magnetic card) and stores it in the first storage means (register B of 26c). The copy start means 26a outputs the copy instruction input means 24 when the number of copies that can be made in the first storage means (register B) does not match the set value 0.
In response to the copying instruction input in b, the image copying means 1 to
23 starts the copying operation. Therefore, a user of a portable information medium such as a magnetic card inserts the portable information medium (magnetic card) having a copy capacity that does not match the set value 0 into the reading/recording means 25 and issues a copy instruction. Image copying is started by performing an input operation on the input means 24b. That is, since the copy start control means 26a makes it a condition for starting copying that the number of copies that can be made does not match the set value 0, a portable information medium (magnetic card) on which the number of copies that can be made that indicates the set value 0 is recorded is used.
is inserted into the reading/recording means 25 and copying is not started even if the copying instruction inputting means 24b is operated. After copying is started as described above, the memory updating means 26a counts up or down by one (in the above-mentioned embodiment) the information on the number of copies that can be made in the first storage means (register B) every time one copying is completed. 1
countdown), and the copying operation restart means 26a counts the number of copies that have been completed,
Although an attempt is made to restart the copying operation until the number of finished copies reaches the requested number of copies inputted by the requested number of copies input means 24c, the prohibiting means 26a
The restart operation is prohibited when the information on the number of copies that can be made in the storage means (register B) matches the set value 0 and when the number of completed copies counted by the copy operation restart means 26a matches the requested number of copies. , when the accumulated number of copies using one portable information medium (magnetic card) reaches a certain value (the number of copies that can be made initially determined for the portable information medium), the portable information medium Even when copying using a magnetic card (magnetic card) is disabled and the accumulated value does not reach the certain value, copying is resumed when the number of copies counted by the copying operation restarting means 26a matches the requested number of copies. Continuous copying stops. Therefore, before handing the portable information medium (magnetic card) to the user, the amount of copies to be managed for the portable information medium (magnetic card) is written as the number of copies that can be made. In the case of a copying service, the portable information medium (magnetic card) is handed over to the user in exchange for a fee corresponding to the number of copies that can be made, thereby making copying fee collection management extremely simple. Also, if the number of copies that can be copied in the first storage means (register B) does not reach the set value 0, that is, the actual usage amount does not yet reach the copy usage amount allocated to the portable information medium (magnetic card), When the number of copies to be completed after operating the copy instruction input means 24b reaches the requested number of copies, the copying operation is temporarily completed. At this point, the user may wish to copy another document, or may wish to take away the portable information medium (magnetic card) since the necessary copying has been completed. Here, if the user operates the copy instruction input means 24b again, copying is started in the same way, but if the user operates the discharge instruction input means (clear key 24c), the discharge control means 26a reads/
The recording means 25 stores information on the number of copies that can be made in the first storage means (register B) on a portable information medium (magnetic card).
Updates are recorded on a portable information medium (magnetic card).
discharge. As a result, the portable information medium (magnetic card) on which the value obtained by adding or subtracting (subtracting in the above-mentioned embodiment) the current number of copies completed from the previous number of copies that can be made is updated and recorded as the number of copies that can be made. The reading/recording means 25 discharges the data to the user. Therefore, once the user has loaded the portable information medium (magnetic card) into the reading/recording means 25, the user can start copying at will within the range of the number of copies that can be made, and can also arbitrarily start copying within the range of the number of copies that can be made. You can terminate the use of. In other words, the operation of the portable information medium (magnetic card) to obtain the required copy is extremely simple, and the number of operations and operation time of the portable information medium (magnetic card) can be greatly reduced. On the other hand, the copying apparatus of the present invention is provided with a first storage means (register B) in which information on the number of copies that can be made read out from a portable information medium (magnetic card) is stored. By counting up or down by 1 the information on the number of available copies in the first storage means (register B), the information on the number of available copies is updated on the first storage means (register B). The information on the number of copies allowed can be read out once before copying starts (magnetic card), and the latest information on the number of copies allowed can be written to the portable information medium (magnetic card) once after the copying machine is finished. This occurs only once in response to an ejection instruction input from the clear key). Therefore, the process of reading and writing information on the number of copies that can be made on a portable information medium (magnetic card) inserted into a copying machine by a user is extremely simple; Accurate copy capacity information is maintained. Since the memory updating means 26a counts up or down the information on the number of copies that can be made in the first storage means (register B) every time one execution is completed,
If the copying device fails to finish copying normally due to trouble after copying has started, the copying device will stop at that point, and therefore the copying will not be completed at this point, so the memory updating means 26a will not be able to complete the copying properly. The information on the number of copies allowed in the storage means (register B) is not counted up or down. Therefore, in the first storage means (register B),
At all times, accurate information on the number of copies that can be made from the user's perspective is maintained, counting up or down the number of copies that the copying machine has completed without any trouble, that is, the number of copies that have been successfully obtained. Since the copying machine does not have to perform correction processing for error recording in the first storage means (register B) or portable information medium (magnetic card) for each trouble, There is no need to take special measures such as automatic payment of money. In other words, when there is a problem with the copying machine, there is no need for compensation processing or compensation means for troubleshooting the information on the number of copies that can be made on the first storage means (register B) or the portable information medium (magnetic card), and the control of the copying machine is accordingly reduced. Logic and hardware configuration is easy.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing a mechanical part of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the operation panel 24 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. The block diagrams, Figures 4a, 4b and 4c, which show the outline of the configuration of the electric circuit, are shown in Figure 3.
This is a flowchart showing the control operation of the microprocessor 26a shown in the figure. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a portion of another embodiment of the invention. 1: contact glass plate, 2: presser plate, 3: original, 4: illumination light, 5: first mirror, 6: second mirror, 7: slit, 8: lens, 9: third mirror, 10: fourth Mirror, 11: Photosensitive drum, 1
2: Developing device, 13: Transfer charger, 14: Registration roller, 15: Fixing roller, 16: Conveyance roller, 17: Paper ejection tray, 18: Electrostatic charger, 19: Discharge charger, 20: Cleaning roller, 21: Cleaning blade , 22 ₁ ,
22 ₂ : Cassette, 23 ₁ , 23 ₂ : Paper feed roller (1
~23: Image copying means), 24: Operation board, 2
4a: power switch, 24b: print key (copy instruction input means), 24c: numeric keypad (copy request number input means; clear key: discharge instruction input means),
24d ₁ , 24d ₂ : Cassette designation key, 24e : Write designation key, 24f, 24j ₁ to 24j ₃ : Indicator light,
24i: Indicator light and display, 24g, 2
4h: Display, 25: Magnetic recording/reproducing device (reading/recording means), 26a: Microprocessor (copy start control means, memory update means, copying operation restart means, inhibition means, discharge control means), 26c:
RAM (register B: first storage means).

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Image copying means; Copying instruction inputting means; Requested number of copies inputting means; Portable information medium recording information on the number of copies that can be made; Reading the information on the number of copies that can be made from the portable information medium; reading/recording means for writing information on a portable information medium; first storage means for storing information on the number of copies that can be made on the portable information medium read by the reading/recording means; number of copies that can be made on the first storage means; copy start control means for starting a copying operation by the image copying means in response to a copy instruction input from the copy instruction input means when the information does not match a set value; memory updating means for updating the information on the number of copies that can be made in the storage means to a value that is counted up or down by one; counting the number of copies that have been completed and determining whether the number of copies is equal to or greater than the requested number of copies inputted by the requested number of copies input means; copying operation restarting means for restarting the copying operation when the number of copies that can be copied in the first storage means matches the set value, and the copying end number counted by the copying operation restarting means is the number of requested copies; prohibiting means for prohibiting the resuming operation of the copying operation resuming means when the copying operation resuming means matches; ejecting instruction inputting means; and, in response to the ejecting instruction input from the ejecting instruction inputting means, the reading/recording means A copying apparatus comprising: an ejection control means for updating and recording information on the number of copies that can be made in a storage means on the portable information medium and ejecting the portable information medium.