JPH0827582B2 - Copying device - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a copying apparatus capable of binding a copied sheet.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of image forming apparatus, in addition to a normal sorting function, a staple function (stapling function) of pushing U-shaped wire fasteners called staples into paper for binding Is proposed.

This stapling function is convenient because image recording and bookbinding (binding of documents) can be obtained at the same time.

The proposed copying apparatus has a structure in which recording paper is discharged onto a tray and the recording paper written on the tray is stapled.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In such a copying apparatus, an original feeding apparatus for automatically feeding an original to an exposure position of the copying apparatus can be attached, and the original feeding apparatus is used. It is possible to select either the copying operation or the copying operation without using the copying operation. However, the original feeding device is used to perform the copying operation and staple the copied recording paper. If the user who used the device before starts the copying operation while leaving the recording paper on the tray, the copy is made on the recording paper left on the tray for the next user. When the original feeding device finishes feeding all the originals, the recording paper on the tray is automatically stapled, so unnecessary and unrelated recording papers are also bound together. There was a problem of being lost. Therefore, if the presence or absence of recording paper on the tray is detected before starting the copying operation and the copying operation is prohibited if there is recording paper, the problem will be solved, but on the other hand, copying will be performed without using the document feeder. When stapling the copied recording paper by performing the operation, since the copy start instruction is input for each original, the copying operation is performed even if there are only the recording papers to be bound together on the tray. Prohibition causes trouble.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a first description means for stacking documents, and a document feed for feeding documents one by one from the first stacking device to an exposure position. Means, a copying means for copying the image of the original document exposed at the exposure position onto a sheet, and discharging the copied sheet onto the second stacking means; and a sheet stacked on the second stacking means. Binding means for performing binding processing, binding instruction means for instructing a binding mode for binding processing by the binding means, first detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a document on the first stacking means, and When the second detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the sheets on the second stacking means, the start instructing means for instructing the copying start by the copying means, and the first detecting means detecting the presence of the original document In response to one instruction by the start instruction means The plurality of originals stacked on the first stacking means are sequentially fed to the exposure position by the original feeding means, and the images of the respective originals are sequentially copied on the sheet by the copying means.
First control means for causing the copying means to perform a copying operation on one sheet each time the start instructing means gives one instruction while the first detecting means detects the absence of an original document. When the binding mode instruction is given by the binding instruction means and the copying start instruction is given by the start instruction means, the first detecting means detects the presence of the document and the second detecting means makes the sheet. When the presence is detected, the copying operation of the copying means is prohibited, and when the first detecting means detects the absence of the original and the second detecting means detects the presence of the sheet, the copying means The present invention is intended to provide a copying machine characterized by having a second control means for permitting a copying operation.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 shows the internal structure of an embodiment of the image recording apparatus of the present invention. In this figure, 100 is a main body having an image reading function and an image recording function, 300 is a circulating document feeder (hereinafter referred to as RDF) for automatically feeding a document, and 400 is a paper folding device for folding a sheet at a predetermined position. Device, and a finisher (post-processing device) having a sorting function and a stapling function,
Each of these devices 300 to 500 can be freely combined and used for the main body 100.

A. Main unit (100) In the main unit 100, 101 is a platen glass on which an original is placed, 103 is an illumination lamp (exposure lamp) for illuminating the original, 1
Reference numerals 05, 107, and 109 denote scanning reflection mirrors (scanning mirrors) that change the optical path of the reflected light of the document, 111 denotes a lens having focusing and zooming functions, and 113 denotes a fourth reflection mirror (scanning mirror) that changes the optical path. . 115 is an optical system motor for driving the optical system, and 117, 119 and 121 are sensors.

131 is a photosensitive drum, 133 is a main motor for driving the photosensitive drum 131, 135 is a high-voltage unit, 137 is a blank exposure unit, 139 is a developing device, 141 is a transfer charger, 143 is a separation charger, and 145 is a cleaning device. is there.

151 is the upper cassette, 153 is the lower cassette, 155 and 1
Reference numeral 57 is a paper feed roller, and 159 is a registration roller. Also, 1
Reference numeral 61 is a conveyor belt for conveying the recording paper on which an image has been recorded to the fixing side, 163 is a fixing device for fixing the conveyed recording paper by thermocompression bonding, and 167 is a sensor used for double-sided recording.

The surface of the above-mentioned photosensitive drum 131 is composed of a photoconductor and a seamless photosensitive member using a conductor, and the drum 131 is rotatably supported by a shaft and operates in response to the pressing of a copy start key described later. The motor 133 starts rotation in the direction of the arrow in this figure. Next, when the predetermined rotation control of the drum 131 and the potential control processing (preprocessing) are completed, the original placed on the original table glass 101 is illuminated by the illumination lamp 103 integrated with the first scanning mirror 105, The reflected light of the document is the first scanning mirror 105, the second scanning mirror 107, the third scanning mirror 109, the lens 111, and the fourth scanning mirror 11.
An image is formed on the drum 131 via 3.

The drum 131 is corona charged by the high voltage unit 135. After that, the image (original image) irradiated by the illumination lamp 103 is slit-exposed, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the drum 131.

Next, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 131 is developed by the developing roller 140 of the developing device 139 and visualized as a toner image, and the toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper by the transfer charger 141 as described later. .

That is, the upper cassette 151 or the lower cassette 153
The transfer paper inside is sent to the inside of the main body apparatus by the paper feed roller 155 or 157, and is sent to the photosensitive drum 131 with accurate timing by the registration roller 159 so that the leading edge of the latent image and the leading edge of the transfer sheet are aligned. . Then, transfer charger 14
When the transfer paper passes between 1 and the drum 131, the toner image on the drum 131 is transferred onto the transfer paper. After the completion of the transfer, the transfer paper is separated from the drum 131 by the separation charger 143, guided to the fixing device 163 by the conveyor belt 161 and fixed by pressure and heat.
Is discharged to the outside of the main body 100.

After the transfer, the drum 131 continues to rotate and the surface thereof is cleaned by the cleaning device 145 including a cleaning roller and an elastic blade.

B. RDF (Circulating Document Feeder) (300) In RDF300, 301 is a stacking tray for setting documents. 302 and 303 are document size detection sensors,
It is provided at a predetermined interval in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the original. The size of the document across the width of both sensors 302 and 3
03 is detecting the original or one of the sensors 303 (however,
The sensor 303 is assumed to be on the back side of the paper. ) Can be determined by checking whether or not only the document is detected. A more accurate size can be determined by increasing the number of this type of sensor. In addition, the size in the length direction is measured by the sensor.
It can be determined by the time when the document is detected by 303 (or 302).

Also, in this RDF300, from the stack tray 301 to the sheet path 3
The document sent to the exposure surface through 04 is sent through the sheet path 305 so that it can be stacked on the stack tray 301 again. Further, 307 is a sensor for detecting the circulation of the original.

The detailed operation of the RDF 300 is described in detail in Japanese Patent Application No. 59-20066 filed by the present applicant, but is omitted here because it is not directly related to the present invention.

C. Paper Folding Device (400) The paper folding device 400 performs half-folding in which the recorded transfer paper is folded at approximately its central position, and Z-folding in which two predetermined positions are folded into three substantially Z-shaped sections. In this paper folding device 400, 401 is a flapper that guides the transfer paper downward when folding the paper.
03 and 405 are paths (conveyance paths), and 407 and 409 are folding rollers.

In the paper folding device 400, when Z-folding is specified by the Z-folding key described later, the flapper 401 is turned on to guide the recorded paper to the lower bus 403, and the leading end of the paper is cut at the end of the path 403. When stopped, the sheet portion folded in 1/4 through the roller 407 hits the end of the path 405, and the sheet is folded in 1/2 and guided again from the roller 407 through the roller 409 by the finisher 500. When half-folding is specified by the half-fold key, which will be described later, the recorded paper is folded in half at path 403, and then the roller 4 does not go to path 405.
It is discharged from 09 to the Finisher 500. On the other hand, when the folding key is not designated and the sheet is not folded, the flapper 401 is turned off and the recorded sheet is directly discharged to the finisher 500.

D. Finisher (500) In the finisher 500 for sorting or stapling recorded paper, 501 is a path switching discharge flapper for selectively switching to either one of the sorting path 503 and the staple path 505, and 507 is A staple tray for temporarily stacking and storing the recorded paper before being stapled, 509 a width regulating plate for lateral width regulation provided on the staple tray 507, 511 staples a plurality of recorded papers whose width is regulated by the width regulating plate 509. Stapler (document binding machine), 513 is a stacker tray for storing stapled recorded paper,
The width aligning plate 509 is driven and controlled by a stepping motor (not shown). Reference numeral 515 is a sorting tray for sorting recording paper that is not stapled.

The recorded paper discharged from the main body 100 or the pedestal 200 is half-folded or Z-folded by the paper folding device 400 according to the designation of the key, and then discharged to the swing-type sorting tray 515 of the finisher 500. Alternatively, the recorded sheets ejected to the staple tray 507 and ejected to the staple tray 507 are laterally regulated by the width aligning plate 509 for each part of the designated number of sheets, bound by the stapler 511, and dropped to the stacker tray 513.

That is, in the finisher 500, when the staple mode is selected by the staple key described later, the discharge flapper 501 is turned on, the recorded paper is discharged to the staple tray 507 via the path 505, and when the specified number of sheets is reached. Body 100
Then, the width adjusting plate 509 and the stapler 511 are turned on in accordance with the instruction from, and the recorded paper is stapled. Thereafter, the stapled paper is dropped onto the statka tray 513. By repeating this operation, a plurality of recorded documents which are gathered and stapled are completed. Reference numeral 517 denotes a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a staple, and for example, a reflection sensor is used.

When the stapling process is not selected, the discharge flapper 501 is turned off and switched to the sorting side, and the recorded paper is discharged to the sorting tray 515 through the path 503. At that time, according to an instruction from the main body 100, it is possible to stack the recorded papers by shifting the right and left by 30 mm in units of a good number of sheets. FIG. 2 shows an arrangement configuration example of the operation panel provided in the main body 100 described above. The operation panel has a key group 600 and a display group 700 as described below.

E. key group (600) 602 is an all reset key, which is pressed to return to the standard mode.

604 is a copy start key (copy start key),
Press to start copying.

A clear / stop key 605 has the function of a clear key during standby (standby) and a stop key during copy recording. This clear key is pressed to cancel the set number of copies. The stop key is pressed when interrupting continuous copying. After the copying at the time of pushing is completed, the copying operation is stopped.

A numeric keypad 606 is pressed to set the number of copies.

Reference numerals 608 and 609 denote copy density keys, which are pressed when manually adjusting the copy density. An AE key 610 is used to automatically adjust the copy density according to the density of the original, or
Press to cancel AE (automatic density adjustment) and switch density adjustment to manual (manual). Reference numeral 611 denotes a cassette selection key, which is pressed to select the upper cassette 151 and the middle cassette 153. When a document is placed on the RDF 300, APS (automatic paper cassette selection) can be selected with this key 611. When APS is selected, a cassette with the same size as the original is automatically selected.

Reference numeral 612 denotes a unity size key, which is pressed when making a copy at the same size (actual size). Reference numeral 613 denotes an auto scaling key, which is pressed to automatically reduce or enlarge the image of the original according to the designated transfer paper size. 614 and 615 are zoom keys, 64
Press to specify any magnification between ~ 142%. 616 and 617 are fixed-size variable keys, which are pressed to specify reduction / enlargement of the fixed size.

Reference numeral 625 denotes a staple key, which is pressed when the sheets after recording are stapled. 626 is a Z-fold key, A3 or B
Press to fold 4 size recorded paper into a Z-shaped cross section. 627 is a half-fold key, which is pressed to fold an A3 or B4 size recorded sheet in half.

628 is a sort key, and a sorting tray (sorter) 515
If is connected, it is lit in standard mode. At this time,
Press this key 628 to cancel the sort mode or not to enter the sort mode. Reference numeral 629 denotes a group key, which makes a plurality of copies from one original and stores them in the sorting tray 515 for each bin if the sorting tray 515 is connected.

F. Display Group (700) In FIG. 2, 701 is an LCD (liquid crystal) type message display, for example, one character is formed by 5 × 7 dots and a message for 40 characters can be displayed.

A copy number display 705 displays the number of copies or a self-diagnosis code. Reference numeral 706 denotes a cassette to be used, which indicates which one of the upper cassette 151 and the middle cassette 153 is selected.

Reference numeral 708 denotes an AE display, which lights when AE (automatic density adjustment) is selected with the AE key 610. 710 is a ready / weight indicator, which is a two-color LED of green and orange. Green is lit when ready (when copying is possible), and orange when waiting (when copying is not possible).

G. Controller (800) FIG. 3 shows a circuit configuration example of the controller 800 of the embodiment shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 801 denotes a central processing unit (CPU) that performs arithmetic control for executing the present invention, and uses, for example, a micro computer μCOM87AD manufactured by NEC (NEC). Reference numeral 803 denotes a read-only memory (ROM) in which a control procedure (control program) as shown in FIG. 5 according to the present invention is stored in advance.
Control each component connected via the bus according to the control procedure stored in OM. Reference numeral 805 denotes a random access memory (RAM) which is a main storage device used as a storage area for input data, a work storage area, or the like.

807 is an interface (I / O) that outputs a CPU 801 control signal to a load such as the main motor 133, and 809 is an image sensor 121.
An interface for inputting input signals such as to send to the CPU 801 and an interface 811 for controlling input / output of the key group 600 and the display group 700. These interfaces 807, 809, 811 are, for example, NEC input / output circuit ports μPD82
Use 55.

The display group 700 is each display in FIG. 2 and uses LEDs and LCDs. The key group 600 is each key in FIG. 2, and the CPU 801 can know which key is pressed by a known key matrix.

Further, the CPU 801 is connected to the RDF 300, the paper folding device 400, and the finisher 500 via a bus line to operate the respective devices.

[Operation example]

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the staple tray portion of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. The copied paper discharged from the main body of the image recording apparatus is sequentially stacked on the staple tray 507, and the stapler 511 is driven to perform stapling at a break during a series of copying operations, for example, at the time of one circulation of a document.
Then, when the staple binding is completed, the solenoid 521 is turned on so as to release the stopper 519 so that the stapled copy paper is transferred from the staple tray 507 to the stack tray 513. Be dropped into. The end of the drop is monitored by the staple tray paper detection sensor 523, and the sensor 523 is turned off, and after a fixed time, that is, the copied paper is completely dropped, the solenoid 521 is turned off. Then, the staple binding operation is completed.

Also, this staple tray 507 has an openable cover 5
25 is attached, and the sheet can be inserted into the staple tray 507 from the direction of arrow A in the figure. 527 is called a manual staple button, and has a function of arbitrarily stapling the sheets stored in the staple tray by pressing this button. In other words, it becomes possible for the user to use this device instead of the handy type staples that are used daily, and the range of use is further expanded.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described using the flow chart of FIG. First, the staple mode setting key 625 on the operation unit of the main body is pressed to enter the staple mode, and the copy start key 604 is pressed to start the operation (step 101). Then, in step 102, the staple tray paper inspection sensor 523 checks whether or not there is paper.
In other words, as described above, the user tries to check the inconvenience caused when the user leaves the sheet in the staple tray. If there is no paper, the normal operation is started and the process proceeds to step 106. If there is a document in the RDF, if there is a document, the mode is automatically stapled from the RDF in step 107 every cycle of the document.
The operation of ejecting a single sheet called k-copy to the staple tray is performed. Detailed explanation of both operations is omitted, but especially in the latter case of Book Copy, one sheet is repeatedly ejected at the start of copying and stacked on the staple tray in sequence, and when the user completes the required copy, the above-mentioned manual staple button is pressed. The operation is performed by pressing and stapling and dropping the stapled stack tray. That is, the document feeding means is not used. The original of this Book copy may be a sheet original or a book original. At this time, if the user forgets to staple the staple with the manual staple button, the sheet remains in the staple tray as described above, and it is determined in step 102 that there is paper, and the process proceeds to step 103 below.

In step 103, it is checked whether or not the document is set in RDF. If there is no document, the above-mentioned Book copy is started, while if there is a document, the process proceeds to step 105.

In step105, "Staplet tray No Draw" is displayed in the display section of the operation section of the main unit to indicate that the user should remove the tray paper, and the operation is prohibited until the staple tray is full of sheets. . As a result, the user clears the staple tray to activate it, and the RDF copy of step 107 is started, which prevents the remaining sheets of the staple tray from entering the next staple process.

As another embodiment of step 105, the flow of step 105 shown in FIG. 6 may be processed. As described above, instead of displaying the message as described above, the stapler 519 is released and the sheets in the staple tray are dropped onto the stack tray, so to speak, the staple tray is forcibly cleared.

In the above embodiment, the case where the copying machine is used has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to the printing section of a facsimile or an electronic file system.

〔effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, when the binding mode is instructed and the copy start is instructed,
It is detected that there is a document on the first stacking unit that stacks the document that is fed by the document feeding unit, and that there is a sheet on the second stacking unit that discharges the copied sheet. If the copy operation is prohibited, it is detected that there is no document on the first stacking means, and if the sheet is detected on the second stacking means, the copy operation is permitted. When there are originals on the first stacking means, a plurality of originals are sequentially fed to the exposure position by the original feeding means in response to one copy start instruction, and the images of the respective originals are sequentially copied onto a sheet, When there is no document on the first stacking means, it is possible to prevent unnecessary irrelevant sheets from being bound together in a copying apparatus that performs a copying operation for one sheet each time a copy start instruction is issued once. Do it and bind it together It is possible to prevent a disadvantage that the sheet is not stapled to.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the structure of a copying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention,
2 is a diagram showing the operation section of the copying machine, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the control device, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the stapler tray, FIG. 5 is a control flow chart of the control device, FIG. 6 is a control flow chart showing a part of another embodiment of the control device.

Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI Technical display location G03G 21/04

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A first description unit for describing a document, a document feeding unit for feeding the document from the first stacking unit to the exposure position one by one, and an image of the document exposed at the exposure position. On a sheet, and a copy means for discharging the copied sheet onto the second stacking means; a binding means for binding the sheets stacked on the second stacking means; and a binding means for binding the sheets. Binding instruction means for instructing a binding mode for performing binding processing, first detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a document on the first stacking means, and presence or absence of a sheet on the second stacking means Second detecting means, start instructing means for instructing copying by the copying means, and one instruction by the start instructing means when the first detecting means detects the presence of a document. The first stacking hand by the document feeding means. A plurality of originals stacked on top are sequentially fed to the exposure position, and the images of the respective originals are sequentially copied on the sheet by the copying means, and the first detecting means detects the absence of the originals. Sometimes, the copying means performs a copying operation for one sheet each time the start instructing means gives one instruction.
When the binding mode is instructed by the control means and the binding instructing means, and the copy instructing is instructed by the start instructing means, the first detecting means detects the presence of a document and the second detecting means. When the means detects the presence of the sheet, the copying operation of the copying means is prohibited, when the first detecting means detects the absence of the original document and the second detecting means detects the presence of the sheet, A second control unit for permitting a copying operation of the copying unit;