JPH0510663B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a copy number counting device for a copying machine. BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, in a copying machine equipped with an automatic duplex copying mechanism, single-sided copying and double-sided copying have been counted separately in order to rationally calculate charges according to the number of copies. For example, in the copying machine described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 54-143150, a switch for detecting copy paper is provided in each copy paper transport path for single-sided copying and double-sided copying, and the ON signal of this switch is used to control the total counter and A counter for double-sided copying is operated. However, in such a copying machine, it is necessary to provide a switch for each copy paper transport path, which is a factor in increasing costs. Additionally, in recent years, an automatic duplex copying mechanism has been prepared separately from the copying machine main body, and only when the user needs it, the automatic duplex copying mechanism is connected to the copying machine main body and provided to the user. . In such a case, counting by double-sided copying must be performed when the automatic double-sided copying mechanism is connected to the copying machine, so it is important to check whether the automatic double-sided copying mechanism is installed in the copying machine. It is necessary to change the operation of the counter depending on the situation. Purpose of the Invention In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a copying machine in which an automatic double-sided copying mechanism is detachably attached to the copying machine main body, and has a simple configuration that enables a reasonable counting of the number of copies depending on double-sided copying and single-sided copying. The purpose of this invention is to provide a copy number counting device that can perform the following operations. Structure of the Invention In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is capable of being attached to and detached from a copying machine main body, and is capable of transferring copy paper that has undergone image formation processing in an image forming section of the copying machine main body to the image forming section again. an automatic duplex copying mechanism having a refeeding conveyance path for conveying copy paper, and a conveyance path switching unit for switching whether copy paper is conveyed to the refeeding conveyance path or ejected outside the machine; and a duplex copying mode and single-sided copying. a mode selection means for selectively specifying a mode;
and a detection means disposed at a position upstream of the conveyance path switching unit to detect the copy paper being conveyed, a counting means for counting the number of copies based on a detection signal from the detection means, and the automatic double-sided copying unit. a determining means for determining whether or not the automatic double-sided copying mechanism is installed in the copying machine main body; The counting operation of the counting means is made different depending on whether a double-sided copying mode or a single-sided copying mode is designated by the mode selection means, and the automatic double-sided copying mechanism is mounted on the copying machine main body. If it is determined that the mode is not set, the counting control means does not change the counting operation of the counting means regardless of the mode specified by the mode selection means. Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an electrophotographic copying machine to which a copy number counting device according to the present invention is applied. In the figure, a photosensitive drum 2 is provided approximately at the center of a copying machine main body 1 so as to be rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow. Around the drum 2, there are a charger 3 for charging, a slit part 4 for lightning, a developing device 5, a charger 6 for transfer, a charger 7 for separating static electricity, a separating claw 8, a cleaning device 9, and an eraser lamp 10, which control the rotation of the drum 2. The image forming portions 1 and 2 act on the same portion of the surface of the drum 2 sequentially as the drum 2 rotates, and form an image forming portion a that transfers a toner image onto a copy sheet that is synchronously conveyed. In the image forming section a, the portion of the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 that has been cleaned by the cleaning device 9 is first neutralized by the eraser lamp 10 and then charged by the charging charger 3. On this charged surface of the drum 2, an image of the document placed on the document placement glass 12 on the top surface of the main body 1 is exposed to light by the scanning optical system 13 through the exposure slit section 4, forming an electrostatic latent image. . Next, this electrostatic latent image is developed with toner by a developing device 5, and the developed toner image is transferred by a transfer charger 6 onto copy paper that is fed in synchronization with the image forming operation. Furthermore, the copy paper after the transfer is separated from the surface of the drum 2 by the separation charger 7 and the separation claw 8. After the copy paper has been separated and the surface of the drum 2 has been transferred, the remaining toner is scraped off by the cleaning device 9, and then the drum 2 is returned to the static elimination process using the eraser lamp 10 described above. Reference numeral 14 denotes a document pressure bonding plate, which is attached to the document placement glass 1.
It is attached to main body 1 so that it can be opened and closed with respect to 2. 15 is an imaging lens in the scanning optical system 13. On the left side of the image forming section a, there is a paper feeding section b that feeds the copy paper into the transfer section, that is, between the photosensitive drum 2 and the transfer charger 6, and on the right side of the image forming section a, there is a paper feed section b that feeds the copy paper between the photosensitive drum 2 and the transfer charger 6, and on the right side of the image forming section a, there is a paper feed section b that feeds the copy paper between the photosensitive drum 2 and the transfer charger 6. A fixing device 17 that heats and fuses the transferred toner image on the copy paper separated from the drum 2 and a paper discharge section c that discharges the copy paper after passing through the fixing device 17 are arranged in substantially a horizontal line near the bottom of the drum 2. It is located in In the paper feed section b, paper feed cassettes 18a and 18b for storing two types of copy paper pa and pb of different sizes are installed above and below in a state that extends to one side of the copying machine main body 1, and a paper feed roller By selectively driving 19a and 19b, one of the copy sheets Pa and Pb is sent to the paper feed path 20, and the intermediate roller 21 and timing roller 22
Then, the toner is sent to the transfer section below the photosensitive drum 2 in synchronization with the movement of the toner image on the drum 2. Reference numeral 11 denotes a manual insertion section for copy paper. The paper feed rollers 19a and 19b are driven by transmitting driving force from a power source (not shown) through a clutch mechanism including a known spring clutch and a solenoid, and the paper feed timing signal is generated by the solenoid. It is given as the activation timing. Further, the intermediate roller pair 21 is initially stopped, and once receives the copy paper pa or pb sent to the paper feed path 20 from one of the paper feed cassettes 18a and 18b, and corrects the skew.
By being driven at appropriate timing, the copy paper is sent to the timing roller pair 22. The timing roller pair 22 is also initially stopped, receives the copy paper pa or pb sent from the intermediate roller pair 21, and finally synchronizes it with the toner image formed on the photoreceptor drum 2. It is sent to the transfer section driven by the timing roller operation signal that is output. 23 is a conveyor belt that sends the copy paper sent out from the transfer section to the fixing device 17, and 24 is a discharge roller that discharges the copy paper sent out from the fixing device 17 to the paper discharge section c. The paper ejection section c is provided with a paper ejection tray 25 that receives and stacks the ejected copy sheets and stores them in a stacked manner.
The leading and trailing ends of the copying paper are placed in the middle of the paper feed path 20 between the front and rear ends of the copying paper so that the front side of the copying paper that has passed through the fixing device 17 is subjected to image formation (transfer of a toner image) by the image forming section a on the back side thereof. A switchback return means d is provided for switching over the sheet and sending it out to the sheet reversing guide 34 of the copying machine main body 1. The switchback return means d is slidably mounted on a dedicated copying machine stand 35 on which the copying machine main body 1 is placed, as will be described later. At one end of the switchback return means d protruding from the copying machine main body 1 toward the copy paper ejection side, there is a paper ejection section c to which the paper ejection tray 25 is removably attached, and a paper ejection section c from which the paper is ejected from the ejection roller pair 24. A switchback passage 26 that switches the copy paper after the surface copy has been made, and a switchback passage 2 that transfers the copy paper discharged from the discharge roller pair 24 to the paper discharge tray 25 side or the switchback passage 2.
A guide claw (passage switching means) 27 that can be switched to selectively guide the passage to the 6th side is provided.
The switchback passage 26 is a horizontal passage that is open at the top and slightly curved in a downwardly convex state that is shorter than the minimum number of copies that can be used. 28, 29, and the one roller 29 that completely enters the short path 26 and stretches the copy paper.
a pair of delivery rollers 29 that share the same and send out from the rear end;
It has 30. In addition, the portion of the switchback return means d that is inserted into the special stand 35 is used to return the copy paper sent out from the pair of delivery rollers 29 and 30 of the switchback path 26 and whose leading and trailing ends have been exchanged to the paper feed path 20 side. A plurality of auxiliary rollers 32 in contact with the conveyance belt 31 and its conveyance surface, and a pair of sheet feed rollers 33 that feed the returned copy paper towards the paper feed path 20 and return it to the middle of the paper feed path 20 are used to transport the copy paper through the switchback path 26. They are sequentially arranged from the pair of rollers 29 and 30 toward the sheet feeding section midway through the paper feed path 20. From the feed roller pair 33 to the paper feed path 2
A sheet turning guide 34 is provided in the copying machine main body 1 up to a position in front of the intermediate roller pair 21 in the middle of the process.
A reverse paper feed path 16 is provided for transporting the copy paper of the front-side copying machine to be returned to the paper feed path 20. This conveyance path 16 is formed in a curved state so that the returned copy paper after front side copying smoothly enters the paper feed path 20 toward the pair of intermediate rollers 21 thereof. The switchback return means d accepts the copy paper after front side copying by switching the guide claw 27 in response to a double-sided copying instruction, and returns it to the paper feed path 20 along the circulation path shown by the broken line in FIG. The copy paper is turned over and sent back, and the copy paper after the front side copying is sent again to the image forming section a and the fixing device 17 via the intermediate roller pair 21 and the timing roller pair 22, so that the copying is performed on the back side. After copying the back side, the copy paper is transferred to the paper output tray 2 by switching the guide claw 27.
Sent to 5th. The paper output tray 25 is removed from the switchback return means d, and the same means d is attached to the dedicated stand 3.
5, as shown in Figure 2, the copying machine main body 1
It is designed so that it can be attached directly to the camera. In this case, a suitable cover is attached to the opening (not shown) of the dedicated stand 35 after the switchback return means d is removed. In FIG. 1, 50 is a key switch provided in the copying machine so that only an attendant can operate it and instructs to count the number of copies for each size of copy paper, and 51 is a program key. Reference numerals 65-68 and 70-73 are cassette code detection switches, which output signals representing the set paper size of the cassette. The double-sided copying auxiliary means includes, for example, a pair of discharge rollers 24.
By meshing the passive gear provided in the switchback unit d with the interlocking gear on the main body 1 side when the unit a is installed, it is possible to drive the copying means simultaneously. In the double-sided copying auxiliary means, the pair of paper ejection rollers 34, the pair of introduction rollers 28, 29 and the pair of delivery rollers 29, 30 of the switchback section 26, and the pair of rear side copying paper feed rollers 33 operate at a system speed (for example, 13 cm/sec) in the copying means. On the other hand, the return belt 31 is driven at a speed lower than the system speed (for example, 7.5 mm/sec) by transmission via a speed reduction device such as a gear. As a result, if the number of copies per unit time is 25 sheets/min at the system speed of 13 cm/sec, the time required per unit number of copies is 2.4 seconds/sheet. The copy paper after the surface copy is sent onto 31.
7.5mm/sec x 2.4sec/sheet = 18mm sheet, and only 18mm is returned during the copying time for one sheet. Therefore,
When surface copies are made continuously, the return belt 31
The copy paper after the surface copy is fed out one after another upwards, with the position shifted by 18 mm on the belt 31.
The following items are sent back at low speed, overlapping the preceding items in sequence. Now, assuming that the paper path length on the return belt 31 is 580 mm and the copy paper is fed horizontally in A4 size, the first copy paper on the return belt 31 is fed to the back copy paper roller pair 33. (580mm - 210mm) ÷ 18mm・sheets ≒ 20 sheets are on the return belt 31. However, 210mm: A4 size copy paper feed roller pair Return belt 3 at system speed by 29,30
1 The upward feeding distance, the dimension of the copy paper in the conveying direction,
(In addition, if the leading edge of the copy paper is caught between the return belt 31 and the auxiliary roller 32 at a position less than the above-mentioned sending distance and is restricted to the speed of the return section, the distance up to the point of restriction) Copy paper after copying is stored. The back side copying ready state is detected by a photo sensor (not shown) operating when the first copy sheet on the return belt 31 reaches a predetermined position in the return section after the start of front side copying, and the state is detected until the back side copying starts. In order to replace the original for back-side copying or to reverse the front and back of the original, both the copying means and the double-sided copying assisting means are temporarily stopped when the back-side copying preparation completion state is detected; The start of backside copying is performed by operating a backside copying switch (not shown). In this case, the paper feed section b of the copying means is kept inactive so that normal paper feeding from the cassettes 18a and 18b is not performed. As a result, the return belt 31 is attached to the image forming section a.
Only the copy paper that has been copied on the front side stored above is transferred to the reversing section f by the pair of rear copy paper feed rollers 33.
After passing through the paper feed path 20, the paper is turned upside down.
The paper is subjected to timing adjustment by an intermediate roller pair 21 and a timing roller pair 22 from the middle, and is sent back at an appropriate timing, and is successively copied onto the back side. The time interval at which each copy sheet on the return belt 31 reaches the pair of paper feed rollers 33 and is used for back side copying is 18 mm ÷ 7.5 mm/sec = 2.4 seconds, and one sheet is provided for back side copying every 2.4 seconds. Therefore, a large number of back side copies can be achieved with the same efficiency as the normal copying speed for front side copying. The copy paper after the back side copying is transferred to the guide claw 2 which has been switched to receive the copy paper after the front side copying into the switchback unit d according to the double-sided copy instruction.
7a is returned to its original state by an operation signal of the backside copy start switch, etc., so that the paper is passed from the ejection roller pair 24 to the ejection section c, and is then sent to the ejection tray via the ejection roller pair in the double-sided copying auxiliary means. 2
5 is sent out on top. The maximum number of copies that can be made in one double-sided copy is equal to the maximum number of copies that can be stored on the return belt 31.
20 copies, but the maximum number of copies is 31 copies on the return belt.
Of course, it can be arbitrarily set depending on the length and belt drive speed. If the required number of copies for one double-sided copying is less than 20 copies, after the required number of front side copies are completed, 20 copies are made until the first copy sheet reaches the predetermined position on the return belt 31 where the back side copying is ready. It will take the same amount of time as in the case of , but between the time the front side copy is completed and the back side copy preparation is completed, the original is replaced for the back side copy or the front and back sides are reversed, so the back side copy preparation is completed. Since back side copying can be started at the same time, there is no loss of time. Furthermore, if there is substantial loss time, high-speed return may be performed after a set number of copies have been completed. In addition to the photo sensor, there are various means for detecting that the copy paper after front side copying has reached the back side copying ready position on the return belt 31, such as a reed switch, a micro switch, or an ultrasonic sensor. can use things. FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of operation keys on the operation panel of the copying machine. The operation panel 70 includes a print key 7 for starting the copying operation.
Numerical display device 72 capable of displaying 1- and 4-digit numerical values;
Numeric keys 80 to 89 corresponding to numerical values 1, 2, ..., 9, 0, respectively, an interrupt key 90 for specifying interrupt copying, a clear/stop key 91, for specifying copy paper loaded in multiple stages by size. A paper selection key 92, up and down keys 93 and 94 for changing and specifying the copy image density in steps, and a double-sided copy instruction key 95 are provided. Fig. 3 shows the control circuit, and 201 is the control circuit.
1CDU, 202 is a second CPU, 203 is a battery-backed RAM, 204 is a switch matrix, 205 is a drive circuit for a DC motor M3 for document scanning, and 207 is a decoder. Note that output terminal A
1 to A7 are connected to drive switching transistors (Fig. 4) for main motor M1, developing motor M3, timing roller clutch CL1, upper paper feed clutch CL2, lower paper feed clutch CL3, charger 5, and transfer charger 7, respectively. be done. Various data for copying operation control is written into the RAM 203 or shifted from the ROM in the CPU and stored therein. Further, an ejection sensor 96 is connected to the switch matrix 204 to detect the ejection of copied paper from the copying machine main body 1. Output terminal A8 is connected to a total counter CTO that counts the total number of copies, and A9, A10, A1
1 is connected to total counters CT ₁ to _{CT 3} that count the number of copies for each paper size. Further, 208 is a third CPU for double-sided copying control, which includes a motor M ₅ that transports the conveyor belt 31, a discharge switching solenoid SL that operates the guide claw 27,
Controls refeed clutch CL ₄ respectively. This third CPU 208 is connected to the first CPU 201 when the switchback return means d is installed in the copying machine main body 1 as an option. Next, the operation will be explained. First, referring to FIG. 5, when the power of the copying machine is turned on, the main routine starts. Then, in step #1, it is determined whether the key switch 50 is on, that is, whether or not counting by size is to be performed. Normally, the key switch 50 is turned off, and the process enters the initial setting of step #2.
If the key switch 50 is turned on, the program proceeds to step #9 and proceeds to the size counter program #9 whose details are shown in FIG. When the initial settings are completed, step #3 sets an internal timer that limits the length of one routine, and steps #4 to #7 perform key input processing, copy operation processing, size counter processing, and other operations and control related operations. Process. Then, in #8, the internal timer is determined, and when the set time is completed, the process returns to #3. In the above-described operation, if the key switch 50 is turned on, the process advances to step #9 and the size counter to be set is selected according to the program shown in FIG. First, in step #901, characters indicating size counter CT ₁ are displayed on the display device 72.
CT ₁ is displayed. The size counter is selected by rotating the size counter in the order of CT ₂ , CT ₃ , and CT ₁ each time the copy/stop key is pressed. The selected size counter is displayed on the display device 72 in step #903. When the desired size counter is displayed on the display device 72, when the program key 51 is turned on, YES is determined in step #904, and step #906 is made.
The counter setting mode is entered, and the display device 72 displays a counter mode input waiting display, for example, when size counter CT ₁ is selected, 1-ⓓ (blank). If any key from 0 to 2 is pressed, YES is determined at step #907, and the process proceeds to step #908, where the content of the pressed key is determined. The modes selected by keys 0 to 2 are as follows. Counting mode number 0 (key 0)...Counts the number of copies regardless of single-sided/double-sided copy Counting mode number 1 (key 1)...Counts the number of copies only for one-sided copying Counting mode number 2 (key 2)... Counting the number of copies for double-sided copies only Next, move on to registering the paper size to be counted. The display device 72 displays 0 in step #910, and the decimal code from the paper size code table shown in Table 1 is input using the numeric keypad. for example
If you want to count the number of A4 horizontal copies, select "11"
Enter the key. In step #912, it is determined whether or not the numeric keypad has been pressed. If it has been pressed, it is determined in #915 whether the display is "0" or not. If it is 0, the process advances to step #919 and the entered code ( For example 11)
is displayed on the display device 72. If it is determined in #911 that the program key 51 is turned on, the process proceeds to step #920, where it is determined whether or not the setting mode is set. If the setting mode is determined, the process proceeds to step #921, and size counter _CT1 is selected. If the code is displayed as above in Table 1, that is, A4 horizontal, 11 is stored in Table 1. Similarly, codes for size counters CT ₂ and CT ₃ are registered in Tables 2 and 3. Steps #913 and #914 show how to correct the input code when the input is incorrect. In this case, press the Clear/Stop key to proceed to step #914.
The display device 72 displays 0 and returns to #911.
You will be able to re-enter the code.

[Table] When one code is completed, the display returns to "0\" in step #923, so repeat the registration operation, and when you have finished registering all the size codes you want to count, enter the 0\ code in step #922. Configuration mode is complete. If the key switch 50 is still turned on at this time, the size counter program processing can be started again and other size counters can be set. If the key switch 50 is turned off, the program returns to normal processing and starts from the initial settings of the machine. An example of setting each size counter is shown below.

[Table] Note that this (0\) is not 0\ for the total size count, but a "0\" input (step #922) to exit the setting mode. In this example, size counter CT ₁ has one-sided copy count settings of A6 vertical, B6 vertical, A5 vertical, A5
Count of horizontal small size copies. Size counter CT ₂ is one-sided copy B4 vertical,
Counting large size copies of A3 vertical, B4 horizontal, and A3 horizontal. Size counter CT ₃ is set to count all sizes of double-sided copying. In this embodiment, the size counters CT ₂ and CT ₃ have a function that allows them to count all sizes by registering only 0\ in the size code registration table. Next, the key input process #4 shown in FIG. 7 and the copy operation shown in FIG. 8 will be explained. In FIG. 7, if copying is not in progress (step #401: NO), in step #402, the first CPU 201 and the third
08, and in step #403 it is determined whether the double-sided key 95 has been pressed. When the duplex unit is installed and the duplex key 95 is inserted (step #402: YES, #403:
YES), the double-sided copy flag for double-sided copying is set to 1, the front flag is 1, and the back flag is 0, in step #406. When a document for front-side copying is set in the copying machine and the print key 71 is turned on, a paper feeding operation similar to that for single-sided copying begins at steps #502 to #505 in FIG. At this time, the motor signal becomes 1 at the same time as main motor M1 of the copying machine, and the motor signal for the duplex unit becomes 1.
The CPU 208 turns on the main motor M5 of the duplex unit. This operation is performed in the same way during single-sided copying, and continues to be turned on until the main motor of the copying machine is turned off. When exposure scan transfer is performed from paper feed in the copying machine, and the paper on which copying has been performed turns on the ejection sensor 96, the process advances to YES in step #533, and if the front flag is 1,
Proceed to #535, set the discharge switching signal to 1, and set the CPU2
Step 08 turns on the discharge switching solenoid SL, rotates the guide claw 27 clockwise in FIG. 1, and sends the copied paper to the return means d. At this time, it is determined in step #537 that the discharge switching signal is 1, and the process skips steps #5338 and #539 and proceeds to #539. As a result, even if the trailing edge of the copied paper passes the ejection sensor 96 and the ejection sensor 96 is turned off, the total counter remains
CTO is no longer working. When the last scan of the front copy is completed and the optical system returns to the normal position, the front copy is completed, and when it is determined that the normal position signal is 1 in step #527,
At step #528, processing for completing copying is performed, and timer TE is set, and the process proceeds to #529, where it is determined whether the double-sided copy flag is 1 or not. Then, in steps #530 and #531, the front graph is set to 0 and the back graph is set to 1. Next, set the back original and press the print key 71.
When turned on, after steps #501 to #506, instead of the normal paper feed solenoid operating, the paper refeed signal becomes 1, and after the front copy is completed, the stacked paper is transferred from the paper refeed tray. Paper is fed sheet by sheet. Then, through steps #509 to #531, back copy is executed, and when the paper is detected by the ejection sensor 96, it is judged as YES in step #533.
If it is determined in step #534 that the front flag is 0, the discharge switching signal is set to 0 in step #536, and
Open the guide claw 27 and place the copied paper into the output tray 2 in the same way as for normal one-sided copying.
It is discharged at 5. In addition, in the case of back-side copying and single-sided copying, when the copied paper passes the ejection sensor, the total counter CTO is incremented by one through steps #537, 538, and 539, and the number of copies is counted. Count. The final scan of the back copy has been completed and steps #514→516→525→526→527→528→529→530
After that, in #532, the front graph is set to 1 and the back flag is set to 0, in preparation for the next copy. When the above-mentioned copying operation is completed, the size counter processing starts at step #6 shown in FIG. , the set paper size is read from the cassette code, and in #604 it is determined whether it is the size registered in the table. If it is the registered size, proceed to steps #605 to #608, determine the count mode, and count CT ₁ according to the count mode. If the paper size is not registered in table 1, the process proceeds to steps #609 and 610, and it is determined whether the paper size is registered in table 2. If it is registered, steps #611 to #614 are performed. The same applies to table 3. For example, count mode is one-sided copy,
If the paper size is A3 and vertical copy is registered, when this paper is copied, NO is determined in step #604, and steps #609 and 610 are performed.
Proceed to. If YES is determined in step #610, it is determined in #611 that the count mode is 1, and the process proceeds to step #612. In this example, since it is a single-sided copy, the double-sided copy flag is set to 0, so it is judged as YES in step #612, and the size counter CT ₂ is operated in step #614.
Count copies. Note that the size counter is turned on and off at the same time as the total counter. Next, the copying operation of the copying machine will be described below. Copying Operation FIGS. 9a and 9b are flowcharts showing an example of controlling the copying operation of the copying machine. about this,
This will be briefly explained with reference to the time chart shown in FIG. In steps #501 and #502, the main motor M ₁ , the developing motor M ₂ , the charging charger 12 and the transfer charger 14 are activated by turning on the print switch, which means that a copying operation is in progress. Set the copy flag to “1” and set the control timer (TA)
is started, the back flag is determined in step #503, and when it is "0", the clutch (solenoid of the clutch mechanism) of the paper feed roller on the selected side is turned on in steps #504 and #505. When the back flag is "1", the paper refeed signal is set to "1" and a timer (T-B) is set in step #506. In step #508, it is determined that the timer (TA) has expired, and in step #509, the paper feed clutch and paper refeed signal are turned off. In step #510, it is determined that the timer (T-B) has expired, and in step #511, the scan motor _M3 is turned on to start the scan operation. In step #512, when a timing signal is output during the scan operation, in step #513 the timing roller clutch CL3 is turned on and a timer (TC) is set. By the timing roller 35,
The copy sheet is conveyed in synchronization with the image on the photosensitive drum 2. In step #514, the timer (TC)
It is determined that the process has ended, and the charging, scan motor, and timing roller clutch are respectively turned off in step #515. Note that the timer (TC) may be set variably depending on the size of the copy sheet used. In steps #516 and #517, the completion of a predetermined number of copies is determined at the timing of subtracting the number of copies, and if the copying is not completed, a process is executed to set a timer (T-D). At step #518, the timer (T-D)
In step #519, charging is turned on and a timer (TA) is set. Steps #520 to #524 are steps #503 to #507
This is the same process as . That is, the timer (T-D) is
Upon completion of the process, the timing for starting the copying operation during continuous copying is defined. In steps #525 to #528, during the return operation of the scanning system of the copying machine, if the final copy is made and the fixed position signal becomes "1", development and transfer are turned off and the copy flag is set to "0". Timer (T-
Set E). Further, in step #529, the double-sided copy flag at that time is determined, and when it is "1", the front flag is determined in step #530, and the processes of steps #531 and #532 are executed. This controls the discharge switching in steps #533 to #536 when the discharge sensor is on. In step #537, the discharge switching signal is determined,
When it is “0”, turn on the total counter at the off edge of the discharge sensor in steps #538 and #539,
Set the timer (T-F). Timer (T-
F) is a timer that defines the on-time of the counter. On the other hand, when the ejection switching signal is "1", the total counter is processed so as not to operate because one side of the double-sided copy has been completed. Step #542 is the autoshut timer (T-
This is the determination step E), and when the timer (TE) is completed, the main motor is turned off, the ejection switching signal is set to "0", etc., and the copying machine is stopped. Note that the timers (T-A) to (T-F), etc. explained in the above flowchart and time chart are used for each routine of the MC50 process executed within the time specified by the internal timer. ``This is a digital timer programmed to count up, and the time-up time is stored as numerical data. Effects As is clear from the above explanation, according to the present invention, even if the copying machine is provided with an automatic double-sided copying mechanism that is detachably attached to the main body of the device, it is possible to distinguish between double-sided copying and single-sided copying. Counting operations can be performed rationally. Further, according to the present invention, the counting operation can be performed with a simple configuration without providing detection means on a plurality of copy paper transport paths. In other words, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a copy number counting device that has a simple configuration and can accurately bill charges according to usage conditions.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the operation panel of the copying machine, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are the copying machine shown in FIG. 1. 5 is a flowchart schematically showing the operation of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the size count mode setting operation, and FIG. 7 is a double-sided copying operation. 8 is a flowchart showing the size counting operation, FIGS. 9a and 9b are flowcharts showing the double-sided copying operation, and FIG. 10 is a time chart showing the operation of the main parts of the copying machine. It is. 1... Copying machine, 27... Guide claw, 201, 2
02,208...CPU, SL...Discharge switching solenoid, CTO...Total counter, CT ₁ to _{CT 3}
...Size counter.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A paper refeeding path that is detachable from the copying machine main body and that transports the copy paper that has undergone image formation processing in the image forming section of the copy machine main body to the image forming section again;
an automatic duplex copying mechanism having a conveyance path switching unit that switches whether copy paper is conveyed to the paper refeed conveyance path or ejected to the outside of the machine; and a mode selection that selectively specifies a duplex copying mode and a single-sided copying mode. means, a detection means disposed at a position downstream of the image forming section and upstream of the conveyance path switching section in the copy paper conveyance direction to detect the conveyed copy paper; and the detection means a counting means for counting the number of copies based on a detection signal from the copying machine; a determining means for determining whether or not the automatic double-sided copying mechanism is installed in the copying machine main body; When it is determined that the mechanism is attached to the copying machine main body, the count means is set depending on whether double-sided copying mode or single-sided copying mode is designated by the mode selection means. If it is determined that the automatic double-sided copying mechanism is not installed in the copying machine main body, the counting operation of the counting means is changed regardless of the mode specified by the mode selection means. 1. A copy number counting device comprising: a counting control means that does not perform copy counting.