JPH0521230B2 - - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Technical Field) The present invention provides a multi-job copying machine equipped with an automatic document feeder and a collating device. The present invention relates to a copying machine that sequentially performs a copying operation for each document by setting the following settings, and particularly relates to a control device thereof.

(Prior art) Conventional copying machines use single-job copying, which repeats the cycle of "inputting data such as the number of copies and variable magnification for a set of documents, and copying based on the input data." Machines were the mainstream. However, with such single-job copiers, after copying one set of originals, the operator must input data for the next set of originals and start copying, so the operator must always stand by near the copying machine. I had to stay there.

Since such a method does not improve the efficiency of copying work, it is possible to store input data such as the number of copies, variable magnification, collation mode, etc. for each set of originals, and make copies based on the stored data. Multi-job copying machines have been proposed, and efforts have been made to improve the efficiency of copying operations.

However, in conventional multi-job copying machines, the number of originals that can be installed in the automatic document feeder and the number of bins that can be used in the collating device are different from the number of originals that can be installed in the automatic document feeder and the number of bins that can be used in the collating device. If the operator is not careful, the number of originals that can be loaded may be exceeded and the originals may jam in the automatic document feeder, or the collating device may jam during a series of copying operations. The problem was that all the bins in the machine became full, making it impossible to control the collating operation of the collating device, resulting in a jam. Therefore, the operator always had to pay attention to the number of original sheets and the number of bins.

(Purpose) The present invention has been made in view of the drawbacks of the conventional examples described above, and is intended to provide a multi-job copying machine.
The number of originals used is counted based on the input data related to a series of copying operations, compared with the number of originals that can be placed in the automatic document feeder, and a warning is issued to prevent excessive number of originals from being placed in the automatic document feeder. The purpose is to prevent document jams and to reduce copying work.

(Structure) Hereinafter, the structure of the present invention will be explained based on illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a copying machine according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF), 2 is a copying device, and 3 is a collating device.

The ADF 1 transports the original set at a predetermined position in the ADF 1 one by one to the original scanning unit of the copying device 2, and after the copying device 2 finishes scanning the original, the original in the original scanning unit is transported to the original ejection unit. The ADF main body 4 is configured to transport the ADF main body 4 to the ADF main body 4, and the ADF control unit 5 controls the ADF main body 4 and communicates with the copying apparatus 2.

The copying device 2 includes an operation section 6 for inputting data related to copying operations, and a display section 7 for informing the operator of the status of the ADF 1, the copying device 2, and the collating device 3.
and controls the copying device main body 8 which scans the original in the document scanning section, creates a predetermined copy, and discharges it to the collation device 3, the operation section 6, the display section 7, and the copying device main body 8, It consists of a copying device control section 9 that communicates with the ADF 1 and the collating device 3.

The collating device 3 controls a collating device main body 10 that discharges the copies ejected from the copying device 2 into a predetermined bin in the collating device 3, and a collating device main body 10, and communicates with the copying device 2. It consists of a collating device control section 11 that performs the collating operation. The copying apparatus control unit 9 also includes a ROM 12 in which control and communication programs are set, a RAM 13 for data storage, and the like.

FIG. 2 shows an operation display panel 29 including an operation section 6 and a display section 7 of a copying machine according to an embodiment. In FIG. 2, 14 is a magnification key for selecting a magnification ratio;
16 is a numeric keypad for inputting the number of original sheets and the number of copies; 17 is a stop/cancel key for temporarily stopping the operation of the copying machine or canceling the data set by the numeric keypad 16; 18 is an interrupt key for performing interrupt copying. , 19 is a start key for starting the copying operation, 20 is a paper tray selection key for selecting the tray containing copy paper, and 21 and 22 are sort keys for sorting the collation mode of the collation device. and a stack key for stacking, 23 is a duplex mode key for selecting duplex mode for copying from two originals onto one side of one copy paper, and 24 is a duplex mode key for copying from two originals onto one side of one copy paper. A composite mode key 25 is used to select a composite mode for copying, a multi-job key 25 is used to select and cancel a multi-job mode that enables input and execution of data related to multiple copying operations, and 26 and 27 are multi-job keys, respectively. In the job mode, the number of original sheets and the number of copies are input using the numeric keypad 16, so the number of original sheets key and the number of copies key are used to specify which one to input, and the input key 28 is used to input that data input for one copying operation has been completed. It is.

15 is the number of originals, number of copies, collation mode,
This is an indicator for indicating capacity overage, etc.

Next, the operation of the copying machine of the present invention will be explained with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, and the input check method in multi-job mode will be described in detail. .

3 and 4 are flowcharts of the main program showing the operation of the copying machine of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the "key input process" is performed when the start key 19 is pressed or the multi-job key 25 is pressed after inputting the data necessary for one copying operation, such as the number of copies and one side magnification, as in a general copying machine. and ends when multi-job mode is selected. Next, when the multi-job mode is selected, that is, when the start key 19 is pressed, a copy process ("Normal mode copy process") is performed based on the input data, and the copy process is completed. When finished, the "key input process" is performed again. When the multi-job mode is selected, as shown in Figure 4, the total number of originals SD, the total number of bins used SC are set to O, the job counter JN is set to 1, and the number of originals that can be placed in the ADF1 is set to O. An "initial reset" is performed to obtain the CD (hereinafter referred to as document capacity) and the number of usable bins (hereinafter referred to as bin capacity) CC of the collating device 3 by communicating with each control section.

Next, data for one copy operation is temporarily saved. Perform a "variable reset" to reset the variables (number of originals DN, number of copies CN, duplex mode flag MF1, collation mode flag MF2, etc.) to O.
Next, "multi-mode key input processing" is performed to input data necessary for one copying operation. In the "multi-mode key input process", the input number of originals and number of copies are saved in DN and CN, respectively. Furthermore, when each mode is selected using the duplex mode key 23 or the composite mode key 24,
Set MF1 to 1 and 2, respectively. Further, when collation mode is selected by sort mode key 21 or stack mode key 22, MF2 is set to 1 and 2, respectively. "Multi-mode key input processing" requires at least the number of originals (DN) and the number of copies.
The process ends when CN is input (1 or more) and the input key 28 is pressed, the multi-job key 25 is pressed to cancel the multi-job mode, or the start key 19 is pressed. Next, when the multi-job key 25 is pressed, the "key input process" shown in FIG. 3 is performed again. When the start key 19 is pressed, it is determined whether data for one or more copy operations has been input (JN > 1), and if it has not been input (JN = 1), the multi-mode key input If the input has been completed, the saved data Already number of originals DN(i), number of copies CN
(i), based on duplex mode flag MF1(i), collation mode flag MF2(i), etc. from i = 1st item to JN-
A series of copy operations ("multi-mode copy processing") are performed up to the first copy. Also, at least the number of manuscripts DN
and the number of copies CN is input and the input key 28 is pressed, the number of originals DN, the number of copies CN, the duplex mode flag MF1, and the collation mode flag
Based on MF2, "mode selection" is performed, which selects the optimal collation mode, changes the collation mode flag MF2, and ends.

Next, from the number of bins and the number of original sheets DN used in the main copy operation, which are calculated based on the number of originals DN, the number of copies CN, the duplex mode flag MF1, and the collation mode flag MF2, the input copy operation including the main copy operation is calculated. Find the total number of original sheets SD and the total number of bins used in SC, and calculate the original capacity CD and the bin capacity, respectively.
Performs a "capacity check" that ends by displaying or canceling a capacity over warning in comparison with CC.
Next, if the capacity is exceeded, the "multi-mode key input process" is performed again. Also, if the capacity is not exceeded, set the data such as the number of originals DN, number of copies CN, duplex mode flag MF1, collation mode flag MF2, etc. required for the main copy operation to DN (JN) and CN, respectively.
(JN), MF1 (JN), MF2 (JN), etc., perform "data save" that ends by incrementing job counter JN (+1), and then "variable reset" again. In the above, DN, CN,
MF1, MF2, JN, DN(i), CN(i)MF1(i), MF2
(i), SC, SD, CD, CC, etc. are stored and saved at predetermined addresses in the RAM 13.

FIG. 5 is a detailed flowchart of the "mode selection" subroutine of FIG.

In FIG. 5, if the number of originals DN is 1, the collation mode is set to stack, that is, MF2=2. Also, if the number of original sheets DN is not 1, the number of copies
If CN is 1, the collation mode is sort, that is, MF2=
Set to 1. Also double-sided mode flag MF1
is not 0, that is, duplex mode or composite mode is selected, and when the number of originals DN is 2, the collation mode is set to stack, that is, MF2=2.

The above operation is set unconditionally even if the page mode is input in the "multi-mode key input process" in Figure 4, so for example, if the number of originals DN=
10. Even if the stack mode (MF2=2) is selected with the number of copies CN=1, the sort mode (MF2=1) is set in this subroutine, so the number of copies used during the main copy operation is set to the sort mode (MF2=1). The number of bins in the combining device 3 is 1 instead of 10. Therefore, as the number of used bins of the collating device 3 is reduced, more data for copying operations can be inputted, so that the copying processing time for a series of copying operations becomes longer. During this time, the operator can perform other tasks, making the copying process more efficient and semi-unmanned.

In addition, in cases other than the above, if a collation mode is input (MF2 = 0), the selected collation mode is given priority, and if no collation mode is input, the collation mode is sorted, that is, MF2 = Set to 1.
Therefore, since the operator does not necessarily have to select the collation mode, there is an effect that the operation work is reduced and the working time is shortened.

6 and 7 are detailed flowcharts of the "capacity check" subroutine of FIG. 4. Figures 6 and 7
In the figure, if the collation mode is sort, that is, MF2=1, the number of copies CN is added to the total number of used pins SC. If the collation mode is not sort, that is, MF2=1, and the double-sided mode flag MF1 is 0, the number of original sheets DN is added to the total number of used bins SC. Also, duplex mode flag MF1 is other than 0, that is, duplex mode (MF1 = 1) or composite mode (MF1
=2) is selected and if the number of originals DN is an even number, DN/2 is added to the total number of used bins SC, and if it is an odd number, (DN+1)/2 is added.

Next, the total number of used bins SC is the bin capacity CC
If it exceeds, the display 15 displays ``Collating device capacity exceeded'' and a ``Collating device capacity exceeded warning'' is issued in which the number added above is subtracted from the total number of bins used SC. Also, if the amount has not been exceeded, "collating device capacity over warning cancellation" is performed so that "collating device capacity exceeded" is no longer displayed.
Next, the number of originals DN is added to the total number of originals SD, and
Next, if the added total number of originals SD exceeds the original capacity CD, the display 15 will indicate “Original capacity exceeded”.
is displayed and the added number of originals DN is subtracted from the total number of originals SD. ``Original capacity over warning''
will be carried out. If the amount has not been exceeded, "original capacity over warning cancellation" is performed so that the "original capacity over" display is no longer displayed.

As described above, the document capacity and bin capacity are checked each time data related to one copying operation is input, so the operator needs to check the document capacity and bin capacity when inputting data related to a series of copying operations. Since there is no need to pay attention to the bin capacity and the capacity of the copying machine can be utilized to the maximum, it is effective in reducing copying work and increasing efficiency.

(Effects) According to the control device according to the present invention, the number of document sheets (CD) that can be installed in the automatic document feeder connected to the copying machine is detected, and the number of document sheets (CD) that can be installed in the automatic document feeder connected to the copying device is inputted from the input means and stored in the storage means. Based on the data related to a series of copying operations, the number of original sheets (SD) used in a series of copying operations is counted, the CD and SD are compared, and the results are displayed on the display means. It is possible to prevent document jams due to overprinting. Furthermore, since the operator does not need to be careful about exceeding the capacity of original documents, there is also the effect that the copying work is reduced.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a functional block diagram of the entire copying system according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of the operation display section, FIGS. 3 and 4 are flow charts of the main program showing the operation of the copying machine, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the "mode selection" subroutine, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are flowcharts of the "capacity check" subroutine. 6...Input means, 7...Display means, 9...Control means, 13...Storage means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An input means for inputting data such as the number of original sheets and number of copies related to a copying operation; a storage means capable of storing data inputted by the input means for a plurality of copying operations; and a series of data stored in the storage means. Based on the data related to the copying operation, the number of originals used in a series of copying operations is counted, the number of originals that can be installed in the automatic document feeder connected to the copying device is detected, and the number of originals used and the number of originals used are counted. , a comparison means for comparing the number of original sheets that can be installed, a display means for displaying the comparison result, and a control means for performing a copying operation based on the data stored in the storage means. Copy machine control device.