JPH0371332B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Technical Field> The present invention provides for
The present invention relates to an automatic paper feeder for selectively feeding desired paper.

<Prior art> Conventionally, paper feeding devices in copying machines, etc. have either a cassette system in which a cassette containing a large number of sheets of paper is attached to a paper feeding unit and the paper in the cassette is fed, or a cassette method in which a large number of sheets of paper are fed on a paper feeding table. Automatic paper feeders such as a tray type are widely used, in which the paper sheets placed on the paper are fed one by one using a separating means or the like. Equipped with two or more paper feeding devices of this type in the paper feeding section of the copying machine,
If two or more sizes of paper are selectively fed, a plurality of devices for frequently used paper can be installed, and the troublesome operation of replacing cassettes, etc. of desired paper one by one can be omitted.

In other words, if you take a cassette-type paper feeder,
If a cassette containing _A4 and _B4 size paper is set in the paper feed section of the copying machine, by selecting the desired size paper from among the cassettes, the paper will be automatically fed. In a copying machine etc. equipped with a paper feed mechanism that can load paper of several sizes in this way,
The paper is automatically fed by selecting the set paper of the desired size without having to replace each cassette etc., which is very convenient.

However, even if paper of a frequently used size is set, it is often desirable to use not only the set paper but also paper of other sizes. In such a case, it is necessary to replace the cassette by, for example, pulling out one of the cassettes installed in the upper or lower tier and setting the cassette containing the desired paper in that area. At this time of replacement, if the previously selected cassette side is replaced, even if the print switch is operated, the replaced desired paper will be automatically fed, and a copy size error will not occur. However, when replacing a cassette, the previously selected cassette is not always replaced, and the user may mistakenly think that the replacement cassette has been selected, or the user may not be able to select the replacement cassette after replacing the cassette. I often forget to select the item.
As a result, paper of the replaced size is not fed, and undesired paper is automatically fed from the previously installed cassette, often resulting in copying errors.

Even if paper is fed that is larger than the desired paper, all the necessary images can be copied.
Although it wastes paper, you can use the copy as is. However, if paper smaller than the size of the replaced paper is stored in the other cassette, only a portion of the required image can be copied.
This will result in a copying error. Therefore, after selecting the cassette, the user had to operate the print switch and start the copying process again, which was a huge waste of time and paper.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 75665/1983 has been proposed to simplify the above-mentioned operations. this is,
This system automatically feeds paper from the replaced paper cassette by replacing the paper cassette containing paper and detecting the replacement (installation). Therefore, it is not necessary to operate keys for paper selection one by one, and the desired paper in the cassette can be fed. This is done so that the user can load the cassette of the desired paper size into one of the paper feed sections of the main body of the copying machine, and it is extremely effective to automatically feed the paper in the installed cassette. Become.

However, according to the conventional technology disclosed in the above-mentioned publication, when paper is being fed from the selected paper feed cassette in response to a paper feed command from the copying machine main body, especially when the copying machine is in operation, If you pull out the cassette on the side different from that cassette and install another cassette, that cassette will be prioritized and a paper size that is different from the one currently being fed will be picked up halfway. Paper will be fed. Such inconveniences exist in the prior art, and even though automatic selection has very good effects, it is possible for mistakes to occur.

Furthermore, if you wish to copy onto paper of a different size than the one currently being copied, you cannot set the desired paper in advance until the copying operation has finished, and you will have to do the work after copying has finished. I have a sexual problem.

<Object of the invention> The present invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks, and has the following features:
It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic paper feeding device which eliminates misfeeding of paper and can set paper of a desired size in advance in a paper feeding device that performs preferential selection of paper.

<Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a copying machine equipped with an automatic paper feeder according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a power switch, 2 is a document cover that covers a document table made of a transparent glass plate on which a document is placed, and 3 is an operation section of the copier, 4 is a print switch, and 5 is an upper stage cover. A paper accommodating cassette 6 is attached to the paper feeding section, a paper accommodating cassette 6 is attached to the lower paper feeding section, and 7 is a paper discharge tray for receiving the paper after copying is completed.

As shown in detail in FIG. 2, the operation unit 3 includes a numeric key 31 for setting the number of copies, an erase key 32 for erasing contents such as the number of copies, and an interrupt key 33 for making another copy in the middle of continuous copying. , a paper selection key 34 for selecting each of the installed cassettes 5 and 6, and other keys. Also code 35
is a display device for displaying the set number of copies; 36;
3 is an indicator lamp indicating the operation of the interrupt key 33;
Reference numeral 7 indicates a display lamp that is linked to the paper selection key 34 and indicates which of the cassettes 5 and 6 mounted on the upper or lower row is being selected, and 38 indicates a size display section that displays the paper size in the selected cassette. It is. In other words, when the paper selection key 34 is pressed once, the paper that has been selected in the lower cassette 6 is changed to the one shown in FIG.
As shown in , this indicates that the upper cassette 5 has been selected. At this time, if _A4 size paper is stored in the cassette 5 in the upper paper feed section, the _A4 lamp in the size display section 38 lights up. If the paper selection key 34 is pressed again in this state, the lower paper feed section will be selected and the display lamp 37b indicating the lower row will change to the third paper feed section.
It lights up as shown in Figure b. If the paper stored in the lower cassette 6 is of _A3 size, the _A3 lamp on the size display section 38 lights up.
The installed cassette is selected in the manner described above.

Further, in Fig. 2, reference numeral 39 is an indicator lamp for performing various checks, such as when paper is jammed in the conveyance path, when there is no paper in the cassette, when maintenance is required, etc. The lamp is activated and signals it.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of upper and lower paper feed sections according to the present invention. In the upper and lower paper feed sections, paper feed rollers 9 and 1 are provided facing the device positions of the cassettes 5 and 6.
Although not shown in the figure, paper feed rollers 9 and 10 are rotated once through a single rotation mechanism to feed one sheet of paper in the cassette to the conveyance roller inside the main body of the copying machine. . The one-rotation mechanism is selectively driven by selective energization of a solenoid or the like to rotate the corresponding paper feed roller 9 or 10 once.

In addition, there are four detection switches 1 on the entire surface of the cassette installation area to detect the size of the cassette installed.
1 and 12 are provided, respectively. Detection switch 1
1 and 12 are pressed by protrusions corresponding to the sizes provided on the cassette side, and the cassette size, that is, the final size of the cassette is detected based on the state of these protrusions. Here, the detection switches 11 _-1 , 12 _-1
If used to detect whether or not a cassette is attached, eight types of cassette sizes (paper sizes) can be detected by combining the remaining three switches.
Furthermore, in order to detect the presence or absence of paper in the mounted cassette 5 or 6, light receiving elements 113 and 114 are provided opposite the light emitting lamps 13 and 14 with the cassette in between. On the side of the cassettes 5 and 6, windows are provided for detecting that the light from the light emitting lamps 13 and 14 reaches the light receiving elements 113 and 114 when there are no sheets in the cassettes. When the light-receiving elements 113 and 114 receive light, that is, when they detect that there is no paper, the check indicator lamp 39, which indicates paper, is turned on to notify the user that there is no paper. If there is no paper left in the selected cassette, the lamp lights up. However, if the selected cassette contains paper, the lamp will not light up even if the non-selected cassette runs out of paper.

According to the paper feeding device configured as described above,
Cassettes 5 and 6 containing _A4 and _A3 size paper
are installed, the user operates the paper selection key 34, confirms that the lamp for the desired size of paper is lit, and presses the print switch 4. As a result, the paper feed roller 9 or 10 on the selected size side is driven one rotation, and copying can be performed on paper of the desired size. For example, if you want to make a copy on _A4 size paper, operate the paper selection key 34, look at the size display section 38, confirm that the _A4 size lamp is lit, and then operate the print switch 4 to make a copy. No mistakes will be made. In this case, if you know that the _A4 size cassette 5 is installed in the upper row, operate the paper selection key 34 and check that the selection lamp 37a indicating the upper row is lit.
The print switch 4 may also be operated. When the paper in the cassette runs out by operating the print switch 4 and copying in this manner, the paper "out" lamp lights up to notify the user that paper needs to be replenished.

The present invention not only automatically feeds paper of a desired size through the selection operation as described above, but also when replacing the cassette (paper) that you want to use, the paper in the replacement cassette can be fed without any selection operation. It also has a configuration that automatically feeds paper.
In other words, if you want to use _B4 size paper, pull out the upper cassette 5 and attach the cassette containing _B4 size paper to the upper cassette, and the cassette will automatically load even if the lower cassette was selected last time. The upper paper feed roller 9 is selected. Furthermore, even if the upper row is selected, the upper row is still selected. By exchanging this cassette, a lamp 37 indicating that the upper stage has been selected as shown in Fig. 3c.
a lights up, and the 38 _B4 size lamp on the size display section lights up.

Further, according to the present invention, when one of the cassettes is pulled out, a cassette side other than the side from which the cassette was pulled out is selected and displayed. This happens when the upper cassette is currently selected and the upper and lower paper feed sections are loaded with cassettes 5 and 6 containing _A4 and _A3 size paper, as shown in Figure 1. When the _A4 size cassette is removed, the indicator lamp 37b indicating the lower cassette is lit, as shown in Figure 3b.
At the same time, the size _A3 is displayed.

When a cassette is automatically selected as described above, a cassette that is completely different from the side from which paper is being selectively fed during the copying operation is prioritized, so paper of an undesired size may be fed. It turns out. In order to prevent this, the present invention prohibits paper selection during the copying operation and maintains the selected cassette at all times.

FIG. 5 shows a circuit configuration for realizing the above-described operation. In the figure, reference numerals _11-1 and _12-1 are the detection switches explained in FIG. 4, which detect the cassettes 5 and 6 mounted on the upper and lower stages. Detection switch 1
1 _-1 and 12 _-1 are each grounded via a resistor, and the other is supplied with power +VD. The output of each resistor (voltage generated across the resistor) is the AND gate 48, 4
9 is supplied to one input terminal. The outputs of the AND gates 48 and 49 are connected to the inverters 51 and 49.
52 and differentiating circuits 53 and 54, respectively, to a set terminal S and a reset terminal R of a flip-flop 55 constituted by two NAND gates. Further, each of the above-mentioned connections includes differentiating circuits 56 and 57.
It is connected to one input terminal of NOR gates 58 and 59 via. Other input terminals of the NOR gates 58 and 59 are supplied with output signals from the inverters 51 and 52. Noah Gate 58, 59
The output of the flip-flop 55 is supplied to the reset terminal R and the set terminal S of the flip-flop 55 through inverters 60 and 61.

The set and reset outputs Q, of the flip-flop 55 are applied to respective input terminals of AND gates 62 and 63. The AND gate 62,
The other input terminal of 63 is a detection switch _11-1 , _12-1 that detects whether an upper or lower cassette is attached.
Detection signals U and D are respectively applied to the detection signals U and D.
The outputs of the gates 62 and 63 drive the upper and lower display lamps 37a and 37b in the operating section 3 via a switching circuit 64.

Further, the set and reset outputs Q, of the flip-flop 55 are supplied to the input terminals of AND gates 65 and 66 via AND gates 62 and 63. The other input terminals of the AND gates 65 and 66 are supplied with a paper feed signal from a copy control circuit 67 of the main body of the copying machine in order to feed paper. Therefore, the paper feed signal is supplied to the next stage switching circuit 68 via the AND gates 65 and 66, and the switching circuit 68 drives the solenoids 110 and 120 used to drive the paper feed roller 11 or 12 one rotation. do. Here, the solenoids 110 and 120 are the upper and lower paper feed rollers 11,
12 is rotated and a paper feed signal is output from the AND gate 65, the solenoid 110 is driven via the switching circuit 68.

In the above circuit configuration, when the flip-flop 55 is set, the upper paper feed section (the paper feed roller 9) is selected, and when it is reset, the lower paper feed section (the paper feed roller 10) is selected. be done. In addition, detection switch _11-1 detects the cassette and turns on.
Then, a trigger signal (differential signal) is generated from the differentiating circuit 53 to set the flip-flop 55 in order to select the loaded cassette.
is output. Then, the detection switch 12 _-1
When turned on, a differential output is derived from the differential circuit 54 and the flip-flop 55 is reset. In the above configuration, the detection switches 11 _-1 and 12 _-1 arranged in the upper and lower paper feed sections indicate whether the paper is set in the paper feed section or the paper is not set in the paper feed section. The inverter 51 is a detecting means for detecting whether the paper is in a state of 52 and a flip-flop 55 including differentiating circuits 53 and 54.

Furthermore, the NOR gates 58 and 59 detect that the cassette 5 or 6 has been pulled out, and automatically select the cassette that will not be pulled out.

In the case described above, when the cassette 5 or 6 is pulled out, the other loaded cassette side is selected, but this is executed only when the AND gates 48, 49 are opened. A signal 46 indicating that a copying operation is in progress is supplied to other input terminals of the AND gates 48 and 49 via an inverter 47. Therefore, during the copying operation, the gates 48 and 49 do not open, and only the desired cassette side is selected and this state does not change, regardless of whether a cassette is inserted or removed. For example, even if the selected upper cassette and another lower cassette are pulled out and reinserted, the installed cassette will not be selected.

The above is the circuit configuration for automatically selecting a cassette upon cassette exchange according to the present invention.
The circuit for selecting the installed cassette by operating the paper selection key 34 is configured such that one of the paper selection keys 34 is grounded and the other is connected to the power source.
VD is supplied and connected to the input terminals of NOR gates 71 and 72 via an AND gate 50 and a differentiating circuit 69. The signal 46 during the copying operation is supplied to the other input terminal of the AND gate 50, and the AND gate 50 and the AND gates 48 and 49 described above convert the signal 46 output during the copying operation into an inverter. 47 to prohibit the priority selection of paper to be set and the selection operation by the paper selection key 34, and to enable the above-mentioned priority selection and operation by the selection key while the copying machine is not operating. constitutes a means. Furthermore, the other input terminals of the NOR gates 71 and 72 are supplied with the reset output and the set output Q of the flip-flop, respectively. Then, the outputs of the NOR gates 71 and 72 are transferred to the inverters 73 and 7.
4 to the reset terminal R and set terminal S of the flip-flop 55, respectively. In other words, when the paper selection key 34 is pressed (ON) when the copying machine is not operating, if the upper cassette has been selected, a reset signal is output from the NOR gate 71, and by resetting the flip-flop 55, the lower cassette is selected. The cassette is selected.

In addition, the inverters 60, 61 and 73, 74 are
This is an inverter with an open collector, which supplies only the "L" signal to the set and reset terminals of the flip-flop 55 and cuts off the "H" signal. Also,
Although not shown in the circuit of FIG. 5, the configuration for displaying the size of the cassette installed on the selected side is based on the detection signals from the cassette size detection switches 11 and 12 shown in FIG. The corresponding lamp on the display section 38 may be turned on. For example, if the upper stage is selected, the detection signals from the lower stage and the detection switch 12 are ignored, and the corresponding size lamp is driven by the size signal from the upper stage detection switch 11.

In order to understand the present invention, the operation of the circuit having the above-mentioned structure will be explained step by step.

Now, while no cassette is installed in the non-operating paper feed section of the copying machine, cassette 5 containing, for example, _A4 size paper to be used is installed in the upper paper feed section. With this installation, the detection switch 11 _-1 is turned on, the output of the inverter 51 is inverted from "H" to "L", and the differentiation circuit 53 outputs a differential signal. As a result, a differential signal is supplied to the set terminal S of the flip-flop 55,
Flip-flop 55 is set and its output Q
becomes “H”. This set output Q is applied to an AND gate 62. When the detection switch 11 _-1 is turned on, the signal U (“H”) is input to the other input terminal of the AND gate 62, and the AND gate 62 is in an operating state. Therefore, the switching circuit 64 is activated by the set output Q (“H”).
Lamp 37 indicating that the upper row has been selected via
a is driven. Also, at this time, since the upper row has been selected, the detection signal of the size detection switch 11 becomes valid, and the lamp indicating the _A4 size lights up as shown in FIG. 3a. Further, in this state, the set output Q of the flip-flop 55 activates the AND gate 65 via the AND gate 62, and the solenoid 110 for selectively driving the upper paper feed roller 9 becomes operational. When the user operates the print switch 4, the copying operation is started, and the copying control circuit 67 outputs a paper feed signal in synchronization with the rotation of the photoreceptor and the like. This paper feed signal opens the AND gate 65 and drives the solenoid 110, which causes the paper feed roller 9 to open.
is driven one revolution, and the cassette 5 mounted on the upper stage
_A4 size paper is fed from inside. This operation is repeated every time a paper feed signal is output.

Next, we will explain the case where, while the copying machine is not operating, an _A3 size cassette 5 is installed on the upper shelf and an _A3 size cassette 6 is installed on the lower shelf, and copies are made on this _A3 size paper. . When cassette 6 is installed, lower detection switch _12-1 turns on.
Then, the output of the inverter 52 is inverted from "H" to "L". Therefore, the differential signal is inputted to the reset terminal R of the flip-flop 55 via the differentiating circuit 54, and the flip-flop 55 is reset. Therefore, when the reset output Q of the flip-flop 55 becomes "H", the AND gate 65 closes, the AND gate 63 opens, and the lamp 37b indicating that the lower stage has been selected lights up, and the size signal from the lower stage size detection switch 12 causes the third A ₃ as shown in figure b
The lamp indicating the size lights up. At this time, the AND gate 6 for selecting the lower paper feed roller 10
6 is in the operating state, and when the copy control circuit 67 outputs a paper feed signal after the print switch 4 is operated, this signal drives the solenoid 120 via the switching circuit 68.

As described above, when the upper and lower cassettes 5 and 6 containing _A4 and _A3 size paper are respectively installed, if the lower cassette 6 is selected, the display shown in Figure 3b will be displayed. The paper feed roller 10 on the lower stage is driven one rotation by the output of the paper feed signal. When the user desires to copy _A4 size paper, by operating the paper selection key 34 once, the upper cassette 5 containing _A4 size paper is selected. That is, when the contact of the paper selection key 34 is turned on, a differential signal (“L”) is supplied from the differential circuit 69 to each NOR gate 71, 72. The other side of the Noah gate 72 is connected to the flip-flop 55 because the lower cassette is selected.
has been reset and the "L" signal of the set output Q is input, so the NOR gate 72 outputs the "H" signal. Therefore, the output of the inverter 74 with an open collector becomes "L", setting the flip-flop 55, and the display is switched as shown in FIG. 3A, and the upper cassette 5 is selected. If the paper selection key 34 is operated again, the cassette that was selected in the upper row will be changed to the cassette in the lower row.

Next, a case in which the cassette is replaced according to the present invention will be explained. Here, as explained above, an explanation will be given assuming that an _A4 size cassette 5 is set in the upper row and an _A3 size cassette 6 is set in the lower row. It is also assumed that the lower cassette side is currently selected. Therefore, when a _B4 size copy is desired, it is necessary to replace the cassette containing the paper with the upper or lower paper feed section. At this time, when the upper _A4 size cassette is pulled out, the input side of the differentiating circuit 56 falls from "H" to "L", and the differentiating circuit 56 transfers the differential signal ("L") at that time to one side of the NOR gate 58. Supplied to the input terminal of The other input terminal of the NOR gate 58 is
Since the "L" signal of the inverter 52 is supplied, both input terminals become "L", and the NOR gate 58
The output becomes "H". Therefore, inverter 6
0 becomes “L”, and the flip-flop 55
Reset. However, in this case, flip-flop 55 is in a reset state and only remains in that state.

When the upper cassette is pulled out as described above and a desired _B4 size cassette is set in the upper cassette, the detection switch _11-1 is turned on. As a result, the output of the inverter 51 is inverted to "L",
At that time, the differential signal from the differentiating circuit 53 is applied to the set terminal of the flip-flop 55, and the flip-flop 55 is set. Therefore, the replaced upper cassette is automatically selected, and there is no need to operate the paper selection key 34.

On the other hand, if the lower cassette to be replaced is selected, that is, the flip-flop 55 is reset, and you want to replace the lower _A3 size cassette with a _B4 size cassette, remove the _A3 size cassette. Then, the input side of the differentiating circuit 57 falls from "H" to "L". At this time, the differential signal "L" is applied to the NOR gate 59, and the other input terminal of the NOR gate 59 is supplied with the "L" signal from the upper stage inverter 51, so the output of the NOR gate 59 becomes "H". becomes. As a result, the output of the inverter 61 becomes "L", the flip-flop 55 is set, and the upper cassette is selected. In this case, the display also switches to the upper row.

Then, when a _B4 size cassette is installed in the lower tier, the output of the inverter 52 is reversed from "H" to "L", the flip-flop 55 is reset via the differentiating circuit 54, and the replaced cassette in the lower tier is automatically inserted. selected. If you replace the cassette with one containing paper of the desired size as described above,
Regardless of the selection status of the upper or lower cassette, the replaced cassette will always be selected.

As described above, when one of the cassettes 5 and 6 installed in the upper and lower paper feed sections is pulled out, the cassettes installed in the other paper feed sections are displayed. Now, if the upper and lower cassettes are pulled out in order, the detection switches 11 _-1 and 12 _-1 will be turned OFF, the AND gates 62 and 63 will be closed, and the indicator lamp 37a or 3 will be turned off.
7b is not lit. That is, if a cassette is pulled out and no cassette is installed in another paper feed section, the lamp 37 for displaying the selection in the upper row will not be driven, indicating that no cassette is installed.

The above has explained the selection operation based on the insertion and removal of a cassette when the copying machine is not in operation.Next, the operation when the copying machine is in operation will be explained. That is, when the copying machine operates, the signal 46 is passed through the inverter 47 to the AND gates 48, 49, 50.
This AND gate 48,
49 and 50 remain closed, and their outputs remain in the "L" state and do not change. Therefore, even if the cassette is inserted or removed, the set or reset state of the flip-flop 55 does not change, and the paper feed section selected at the start of the copying operation remains selected. Therefore, even if a cassette is installed in another paper feeding section during copying operation, the paper will not be changed and fed, and the cassette of the size of the paper desired for the next copy can be installed in advance. Work efficiency can be improved. However, if the selected cassette is removed, the selected lamp 37a or 37b goes out. Here, if it is desired that the lamp 37a or 37b on the selection side be turned on even if the cassette is removed, the output of the flip-flop 55 can be directly sent to the switching circuit 6 without providing the AND gates 62 and 63.
Just enter it in 4. Further, as a signal indicating that a copying operation is in progress, a drive signal of a main motor, which is a drive source within the copying machine, or the like may be used. This main motor etc. is conveniently driven to rotate from when the print switch is turned on until the copying to the final paper is completed. However, the present invention is not limited to using a drive signal for a main motor or the like as a signal during a copying operation, but may use a signal outputted by a copying machine during operation.

<Effects of the Invention> According to the automatic paper feeder of the present invention, it is possible to replace the cassettes (or paper) by setting or removing the cassettes (or paper) in a plurality of paper feeding sections, and by the cassette (or paper) replacement operation, the replacement side In a device equipped with a priority selection means for selecting the paper feeding means in the paper feeding section, priority selection is enabled when the device is not operating, and priority selection is prohibited when the device is operating, so that the next desired paper size can be selected during operation. Even if you set it in advance,
During this operation, the set paper is not prioritized and fed, so it is possible to prevent copying mistakes to different paper, and when it is not in operation, priority selection can be made by setting the paper, so press the paper selection key. can be omitted.

Also, without waiting for the copy operation to finish,
Since the next required sheet of paper can be set in advance during the copying operation, work efficiency can be improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a copying machine equipped with an automatic paper feeder according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing details of the operating section according to the present invention, and FIGS.
b and c are diagrams showing examples of display states of the display section of the operating section of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the structure of the paper feed section in which various cassettes according to the present invention are installed, and FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a specific example of a control circuit configuration for realizing an automatic paper feeder of the present invention. FIG. 3: Operation section, 34: Paper selection key, 37: Upper and lower row selection display lamp, 38: Size display section, 4: Print switch, 5, 6: Paper storage cassette,
9, 10: Upper and lower paper feed rollers, 11, 12: Cassette size detection switch, 11 _-1 , 12 _-1 : Cassette detection switch, 13, 113, 14, 11
4: Paper presence/absence detector, 46: Copying operation signal, 4
7: Inverter, 48, 49, 50: AND gate, 55: Flip-flop for upper and lower stage selection, 6
2, 63: AND gate, 64: Switching circuit for driving upper and lower stage selection lamps, 67: Copy control circuit, 68: Switching circuit for driving paper feed roller selection, 110, 120: Solenoid for driving paper feed rollers.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. It is possible to set and remove paper in a paper feeding section equipped with a paper feeding means for feeding paper, and when the paper feeding means is selected with a paper selection key, the selected side In an automatic paper feeding device that automatically feeds paper by driving the paper feeding means corresponding to the paper feeding section in accordance with a paper feeding command from the main body of the device, a set in which paper is set in the paper feeding section. detecting means for detecting whether the set state is in the unset state or the unset state is removed; and in response to the detecting means detecting a change from the unset state to the set state; a priority selection means for preferentially selecting a paper feed means corresponding to the paper of the paper; and a priority selection means for inhibiting the selection operation by the priority selection means and the paper selection key while the apparatus main body is in operation; an automatic paper feeder comprising: control means for selecting paper by maintaining the selected state, while validating the selection operation by the priority selection means and the paper selection key only when the main body of the apparatus is not operating; .