JP2804492B2 - Transfer paper feed control method in copying machine - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of controlling transfer sheet feeding in a copying machine having an automatic document feeder, and a copying machine having an intermediate tray used for double-sided copy / composite copy. About.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, many copiers have an automatic document feeder (ADF) on a contact glass in order to improve copy workability for a plurality of documents. In a copier equipped with such an ADF, if the transfer paper is also fed immediately in parallel with the document feeding, there is no loss due to the waiting time and the time required for the copy processing is reduced.

As the copying function, there is an increasing number of those having an intermediate tray to enable double-sided copying, composite copying, and the like.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, it is almost impossible to eliminate the occurrence of a jam, that is, a paper feed error, and sometimes a paper feed error occurs in the case of handling such paper conveyance. In the case where such a paper feed error occurs, if the transfer paper has already been fed by the above-described transfer paper feed timing control, the transfer paper has a wasteful image in which the original image is partially or completely absent. Would be a nice copy. In order to avoid unnecessary copying due to such misfeeds, ADF
In some cases, it is checked whether or not a document feeding error has occurred, and if the feeding error has not occurred, the timing is controlled so that the transfer sheet is fed for the first time. However, according to the control method of starting the transfer sheet feeding after always checking the document feeding state in the ADF, a loss time for waiting for the check occurs, and the copy processing time becomes longer. Especially,
When handling a large number of originals, this loss time cannot be ignored and is inconvenient.

Further, if such useless copying occurs at the time of backside copying in the two-sided copy mode or at the time of the second copy in the composite copy mode, not only is the copy wasted,
The front copy or the first copy is also wasted, and must be retaken again from the front copy or the first copy, which is bothersome and difficult for the user to understand again. As a result, useless copies such as inconsistency of the front and back copies cannot be obtained in the subsequent copy, and the like.

In other words, in the case where an original is automatically fed and conveyed and set using an automatic manuscript conveying apparatus, the problem is that the copy processing time can be reduced while reducing the occurrence of useless copying. In addition, for those with an intermediate tray, the occurrence of wasted copying when a document feed error occurs during backside copying during double-sided copy mode processing is improved, and the processability of double-sided copying is improved. The challenge is to be able to do so.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a document is fed and conveyed toward an exposure position by the automatic document feeder in a copying machine equipped with an automatic document feeder, the document is fed incorrectly. The first sheet feeding timing for feeding the transfer sheet from the sheet feeding cassette after confirming that the document has not occurred, and the document feeding when the document is fed toward the exposure position by the automatic document feeder. According to the timing for checking whether or not a paper error has occurred, the second paper feed timing for starting the feeding of the transfer paper from the paper feed cassette previously is selectively set.
Transfer paper is fed at the first paper feed timing when copying the first document, and transfer paper is fed at the second paper feed timing when copying the second and subsequent documents.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a copying machine provided with an automatic document feeder and an intermediate tray for storing and re-feeding once-transferred transfer paper, the automatic document feeder directs a document to an exposure position. A first paper feed timing for feeding the transfer paper from a paper feed cassette or an intermediate tray after confirming that no paper feed error has occurred in the original when feeding and transporting the original; Select the second paper feed timing to start feeding the transfer paper from the paper feed cassette before the timing of checking whether or not a paper feed error has occurred in the original when feeding and transporting it to the exposure position. The transfer paper is fed at the first paper feed timing at least at the time of copying by feeding the transfer paper from the intermediate tray.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the frequent occurrence of a paper feed error caused by the automatic document feeder is often caused by a document set mistake, and often appears as a paper feed error when the first sheet of a stacked document is fed. It focuses on the point. That is, when a document is continuously fed and conveyed by using the automatic document feeder and copying is performed, the document feeding status is checked only when the first original is copied, and the transfer paper is fed in the first feeding timing. However, when copying the second and subsequent documents, the transfer paper is fed at the second paper feed timing without checking for the presence of a paper feed error. 1
At the time of the sheet, it is confirmed that no paper feeding error has occurred, and the transfer paper is fed, so that useless copying does not occur. In addition, when copying the second and subsequent sheets that rarely cause a paper feed error, the transfer paper feed that does not require confirmation of the paper feed status enables
The copy processing time is reduced, and the advantages of using the automatic document feeder are maximized.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, at least at the time of copying such as double-sided copying by feeding the transfer paper from the intermediate tray, the state of the document feed in the automatic document feeder is checked, and the transfer paper feed is performed when there is no mistake. By controlling the feeding of the transfer paper by the first paper feed timing to be performed, the front side or the first copied transfer paper is not wasted due to an original feeding mistake in the automatic document feeder. There is no need to re-copy, etc.
The processability of double-sided copy, composite copy, and the like is improved.

Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, FIG. 2 is a sectional structural view schematically showing a monocolor copying machine to which the present invention is applied. An automatic document feeder (hereinafter abbreviated as ADF) 2 is mounted on the main body 1 of the copying machine. Further, a sorter 3 is provided on the side discharge side, and two-stage paper feed cassettes 4 and 5 and a paper feed tray 6 for large-volume paper feed are provided on the side paper feed side. The transfer paper 7 can be selectively fed from the printer.

The ADF 2 includes a document table 8, a paper feed roller 9, a transport belt 11 located on a contact glass 10, a paper discharge turn guide 12, a document discharge tray 13, and the like. As a result, the originals 14 set on the original table 8 are automatically fed and conveyed onto the contact glass 10 by the feed roller 9 and the conveying belt 11, stopped at a predetermined position, and subjected to exposure scanning. Then, after the end of the original exposure scanning, the transport belt 11 is driven again to discharge the original onto the original discharge tray 13. Such an operation is similarly repeated for the stacked originals 14. Here, the entire ADF 2 is openable and closable with respect to the contact glass 10 with one side as an axis. In the case of a thin original that cannot be moved or transported, the ADF 2 is opened and the original is directly set on the contact glass 10. ADF2 will function as a document pressure plate.

An optical system for exposing and scanning an original 14 automatically / manually set on the contact glass 10 is provided in the copying machine body 1. First, the document 14 is illuminated by the lamp 15. The reflected light from the original 14 is reflected on the first to third mirrors.
An image is formed on the surface of a drum-shaped photosensitive member 21 disposed in the copying machine main body 1 via 16, 17, 18, a lens unit 19 and a fourth mirror 20. The lamp 15 and the first mirror 16 are mounted on a first carriage (not shown) and scan the lower surface of the contact glass 10 from left to right in FIG. 2 at a constant speed. The second and third mirrors 17 and 18 are mounted on a second carriage (not shown) and driven in the same direction at half the speed of the first carriage.

The photoreceptor 21 is driven to rotate clockwise by a main motor 22 via a drive transmission mechanism (not shown), and various members are disposed therearound in accordance with an electrophotographic process. First, the surface of the photoconductor 21 is uniformly charged by the main charger 23. The uniformly charged surface passes through the subdivision erase unit 24 and is exposed to a light image corresponding to the original image by the optical system, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 21. This electrostatic latent image is developed with a developing solution of a developing device 25 to become a visible image, and is sent to a transfer section by a transfer charger 26.

On the other hand, the transfer paper 7 is supplied to the paper cassettes 4 and 5 or the paper tray 6.
Paper feed roller 27 that is selectively driven from any of the paper feed units
And the registration rollers 30 through the conveyance rollers 28 and 29.
Wait to reach. The timing is set by the registration rollers 30, and the sheet is conveyed to the transfer section according to a paper guide. Here, the visible image on the photoconductor 21 is transferred to the transfer paper by the operation of the transfer charger 26. The transferred transfer paper 7 is even separated from the photoreceptor 21 by the separation unit 31, and the paper guide 32
And enters the fixing mounting 33. This fixing device 33
After being heated and fixed by the heat of the heater, the paper is guided by a paper guide 34 and fed out of the copying machine main body 1 by a paper discharge roller 35. In the sorter mode, the sheets are sorted according to a predetermined type and discharged to a predetermined bin 36 in the sorter 3.

Further, in the double-sided copy mode or the composite copy mode, copying is performed twice on one transfer sheet (the same transfer sheet). Therefore, after passing through the discharge roller 35, the sheet is conveyed downward by the switch 37 and re-copied. For this reason, the sheet is discharged by the discharge roller 39 with the copied surface facing upward on the intermediate tray 38 and waits. After that, the sheet is conveyed through the second conveyance path 43 by the call roller 40, the sheet re-feed roller 41, the conveyance roller 42, and the like, and is again sent to the transfer section at a predetermined timing by the registration roller 30. Here, if you are in the duplex copy mode,
Since the transfer paper 7 is on standby on the copy paper 38 with the copied surface facing upward, if the transfer paper is directly conveyed from the second conveyance path 43 to the transfer charger 26, the untransferred surface is located on the photoconductor 21 side. Then, the image is directly transferred to form a double-sided copy. On the other hand, in an undercolor or other composite copy mode for copying on a single color copy, it is necessary to transfer the image twice on the same surface of the transfer paper 7. For this reason, the second transport path
In the middle of 43, a reversing device 44 for the composite copy mode is provided so as to be selectively operated by the switching claw 45. 46
Is a reversal evacuation tray, 47 is a recall roller, and 48 is a re-feed roller.

On the other hand, the surface of the photoreceptor 21 after the transfer step is cleaned by the cleaning unit 49, and is again subjected to uniform charging by the main charger 23.

Further, on the lower side in the copying machine main body 1, red, green,
Blue developer tanks 50, 51, and 52 are separately installed, each is independently piped to the photoconductor 21, and the developer is configured to circulate between the photoconductor and the tank. 53 is supply side piping system, 54
Indicates a collection side piping system, and 55 indicates a collection and distribution unit. Also,
56 is a cleaning liquid tank. Further, the most frequently used black toner liquid tank 57 is disposed near the photoconductor 21.

Next, the configuration of the key / display operation panel 60 of the copying machine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, as key switches, in addition to a power switch (not shown), various keys including a normal mode setting key, for example, a print key 61, an interrupt key 62, a mode clear key 63, a numeric keypad
64, a clear stop key 65, and a number confirmation key 66 are provided. Further, a density key 67, a paper selection key 68, a magnification key 69, a page continuous shooting key 70, a two-sided copy key 71, and a sorter key 72 are provided to designate and set various modes and functions. A density key 67 is used to designate dark / light in addition to automatic density. The magnification key 69 is used to repeatedly specify a fixed magnification of 100% / 74% / 64% for each key operation. The page continuous shooting key 70 is used to select and instruct page continuous shooting 2/1. Duplex copy key 7
Numeral 1 designates both sides 2/1. A sorter key 72 is used to select a stack mode / sword mode.
In addition, various keys (for example, a composite copy key and the like) are appropriately provided, but omitted.

Also, a display portion 73 provided on a part of the operation panel 60 includes a document number display portion 74, a copy number display portion 75, a job display portion 76, a paper selection display portion 77, and a paper end display portion 78.
In addition to the above, an abnormality display section 79 such as a serviceman call display 79a, a toner end display 79b, a door open display 79c, a developer absence display 79d, a transfer paper jam 79e, and a document jam 79f is provided. Reference numeral 80 denotes a second mode display unit.

Further, the schematic configuration of the control system of the copying machine of the present embodiment
This is shown in the block diagram of the figure. An operation key switch group 81 using various keys on the operation panel 60, internal state detection sensors (for example, a paper sensor, a jam sensor, etc.) 82, and a pulse generator 83 for generating a timing pulse synchronized with the photoconductor 21
And the like, are input to a CPU 85 for controlling the whole via buffers 84 and the like. The CPU 85 has ROM 86, RAM 87, I / O via address bus, control bus, data bus, etc.
Port buffers 88 and 89 are connected. Each of these I / O port buffers 88 and 89 has various loads via a driver 90, such as a display unit (display element) 73 on the operation panel 60,
Mechanical drive system (for example, main motor 22),
A development system load, a paper supply / discharge system load, a fixing system load, and peripheral device loads such as ADF2 are connected. The RAM 87 is backed up by a battery not made of resin, and a part of the RAM 87 functions as a nonvolatile memory.

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of the substrate operation in such a configuration. When the power switch is turned on, the copier performs a power-on initialization process, and then performs a pre-print process,
After performing the pre-copy processing in order, the actual copy processing is executed. When the copy processing is completed, a copy end processing is performed, a pre-processing for the next copy is performed, or the end processing is repeated to wait.

Here, the "power-on initialization" process in the basic flowchart of FIG. 5 is to sequentially execute an initial setting process of the CPU 85, a selective special mode setting process, and an initial mode setting process, as shown in FIG. It is. Among them, "CP
As shown in FIG. 7, the "U initial setting" process includes setting of input / output ports, clearing of the contents of RAM (however, the contents of the backup area are kept as they are except for the backup area), and setting of various timers. Then, a backup check is performed, and the process proceeds to input / output processing. The special mode setting process is a characteristic process according to the present embodiment,
Although the details will be described later, this is for setting a predetermined operation mode obtained by changing a part of the standard copy mode set in advance in response to a user request as 1 of the standard operation mode. Things. The initial mode setting process is a process for setting the copying machine to the standard operation mode.

The processing of "special mode setting", which is one of the processing operations during the initialization processing, will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 8 and further with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. First, the special mode setting routine is an optional one that requires an intentional operation of the operator in order to avoid an inadvertent change of the standard operation mode due to an erroneous setting. This routine is entered by a special operation of turning on the power switch while both the confirmation key 66 and the numeric clear key (clear stop key 65) are turned on, and the display of the special mode is turned on. In addition, the following various modes can be changed. That is, APS standard setting processing, AMS standard setting processing, paper feed port standard setting processing, standard size setting processing, ADF speed up setting processing, duplex mode speed up setting processing, and free run mode setting processing. These are selected and set according to the input / output processing and the number setting processing. To exit from the special mode setting routine, the user can set "999" using the numeric keypad 64, press the print key 61, or turn off the power switch. When the print key 61 is pressed after entering "999", the process proceeds to the next initial mode setting, and the mode changed and set in the special mode setting routine is initialized as a part of the standard mode. .
Also, when the power switch is turned off, some of the changed modes are maintained in the backup area in the RAM 87, and the next time the power switch is turned on, the changed mode is initialized as part of the standard mode. Is done.

Here, the automatic size selection (APS) mode for automatically selecting the transfer paper size from the original size and the magnification is automatically returned to the standard operation mode (ie, the initial mode when the power is turned on or a predetermined time after copying is performed). FIG. 9 shows a routine of "APS standard setting process" which is a process of determining whether or not to set as one of the modes. APS mode If you want to use the standard operation mode, enter "250" in the numeric keypad 64 and turn on the print key 61 to set the APS mode.
The set flag is turned on and set. On the other hand, if the mode clear key 63 is pressed after the "250" is set, the APS reset flag is turned on, and the APS mode is released from the standard operation mode. In any case, the APS set flag and the APS reset flag are stored in the backup area of the RAM 87 and are maintained even when the power is turned off.If the power is turned on next time, this flag is set when the initial mode is set during the power-on initialization process. The state of the flag is determined to determine whether the APS mode is one of the standard operation modes. Completion of the setting is confirmed by three beeps.

Also, "AM" is a process for determining whether or not to set an automatic magnification selection (AMS) mode for automatically selecting a copy magnification from a document size and a transfer paper size as one of the standard operation modes.
FIG. 10 shows the routine of the “S standard setting process”. When the AMS mode is to be set as the standard operation mode, a numeric value of "252" is input by the ten keys 64 and the print key 61 is turned on, so that the AMS set flag is turned on and set. On the other hand, if the mode clear key 63 is pressed after the input of "252", the AMS reset flag is turned on, and the AMS mode is released from the standard operation mode. The AMS set flag and the AMS reset flag are also stored in the backup area of the RAM 87 in the same manner as when the APS standard setting process is performed.

Next, the routine of the "paper feed port standard setting process" will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the paper feed port is a process for setting the operation of feeding the transfer paper from any one of the three-stage cassette and trays 4, 5, and 6 to the standard operation mode. The paper cassette 4 is the first paper slot (paper mode 1), the paper cassette 5 is the second paper slot (paper mode 2), and the paper tray 6 is the third paper slot (paper mode 3). Corresponds to. Pressing the print key 61 after setting "200" with the numeric keypad 64 turns on the flag of the paper feed mode 1 which sets the transfer paper feed from the paper feed cassette 4 (first paper feed port) to the standard operation mode. You. After entering “210” using the numeric keypad 64,
When the button is pressed, the flag of the paper feed mode 2 in which the transfer paper feed from the paper feed tray 6 (third paper feed port) is set to the standard operation mode is turned on. The on / off states of the flags for the paper feed modes 1 to 3 are also stored in the backup area.

Further, the routine of the "standard size setting process" will be described with reference to FIG. This is for automatically setting the set transfer paper size in the standard operation mode, and the corresponding size data is stored in the standard size data area by operating the numeric keypad 64 and the print key 61. Is set to For example, enter "22
If the user presses the pret key 61 as a numeric value, the 4A horizontal size data is set in the standard size data area. If another size is specified, the numerical value may be changed. Further, in order to prevent the sheet from being fed from the sheet feeding tray 6 (third sheet feeding port), the flag of the sheet feeding mode 3 is turned off. The standard size data and the flag of the paper feed mode 3 are maintained in the backup area. Therefore, at the time of setting the initial mode when the power is turned on next time, the paper feed port setting process is called as described later, and in the above setting example (in the case of the numerical value “220”), the transfer paper of A4 landscape size is used. 7 will be selected.

FIG. 13 shows a routine of "ADF speed-up setting processing". First, when performing a copying operation using the ADF 2, it is necessary to confirm that the ADF 2 has been fed to a predetermined position without causing a jam (feed error) when feeding and transporting the original 14 onto the contact glass 10. And a paper feed control mode (document feed confirmation method) based on a first paper feed timing for feeding the transfer paper 7, and the transfer paper 7 without checking whether or not the original 14 has jammed in the paper feed of the ADF 2. And a paper feed control mode (speed-up method) based on a second paper feed timing for immediately feeding paper at a predetermined timing for setting a transfer paper feed timing control method to be the standard operation mode. It is. That is, according to the first paper feed timing, when the original paper feed error occurs in the ADF 2, the transfer paper 14 is not fed, so that a useless copy operation is not performed. In any case, since the transfer paper is fed after the document conveyance status is confirmed, the processing time is not distorted during the operation of making copies of many documents 14 one by one. On the other hand, according to the second paper feed timing, since the transfer paper 7 is fed in parallel with the paper feed and conveyance of the original 14, the waiting time is short, and the copy processing time for copying many originals is reduced. Can be shortened. On the other hand, even if a paper feed error occurs in ADF2, transfer paper 7
Has been fed, wasteful transfer paper, which is a miscopy, occurs. Since there are advantages and disadvantages in this manner, it is set which of the first and second paper feed timings should be set to the standard mode. Specifically, after pressing "250" on the numeric keypad 64 and pressing the print key 61, the ADF settings flag is turned on, and the mode clear key 63 is used instead of the print key 61.
Press to turn on the ADF preset flag. These ADF set / reset flags are also stored in the backup area. Processing according to any of the settings will be described later.

FIG. 14 shows a routine of “free-run mode setting processing”. After entering “100” using the numeric keypad 64, pressing the print key 61 turns on the free-run mode flag, and pressing the mode clear key 63 turns off the free-run mode flag. Here, the on / off information of the flag of the free-run mode is not stored in the backup area and does not become nonvolatile data. Therefore, even if the free-run mode is set by this processing, the mode setting is valid only when the power is turned on this time, and once the power is turned off,
Next, when the power is turned on, the special mode setting routine shown in FIG. 1 is started again, and the free run mode is set to off unless the free run mode is reset as described above. After turning on the free-run mode flag, the user enters the print key 61 after entering "999" with the numeric keypad 64 and exits from the special mode setting routine. It is possible to execute a special copy operation in which the paper operation and the jam detection operation are prohibited.

Next, during the power-on initialization processing, the processing routine of “initial mode setting” after the “special mode setting” processing is executed.
Figure 15 shows. First, set the number of copies to 1 and the magnification to 100.
% And the exposure amount are set to the median values (all are data in the standard operation mode), and the transfer paper feeding port is set based on the processing of FIG. Next, each of the APS mode, AMS mode and ADF speed up mode is set. The ASP mode is set as one of the standard operation modes if the APS reset flag is off based on the setting in FIG. That is, APS is performed according to the setting operation shown in FIG. 9 during the special mode setting process.
Unless the reset flag is turned on, the APS mode is one of the standard operation modes (the APS mode is set as one of the standard operation modes at the time of shipment of the copying machine). Similarly, the AMS mode is set if the AMS set flag is on. That is, according to the setting operation shown in FIG. 10 during the special mode setting process described above,
Unless the S set flag is turned on, the AMS set flag is off and is not set to the AMS mode. (By the way, when the copier is shipped, unlike the APS mode, the off state of the AMS mode is the standard operation mode.) . further,
The ADF speed up mode is set as a standard operation mode if the ADF preset flag is off.
In other words, also in this mode, AD
Unless the F-upset flag is turned on, the ADF speed-up mode is set (at the shipment level, the ADF speed-up mode is the standard operation mode).

Here, FIG. 15 shows the details of the processing routine of “sheet feed port set” in the initial mode setting routine. In the copying machine of the present embodiment, the paper feed timing 11 for feeding the transfer paper 7 from the first paper feed port (paper feed cassette 4) is set as a standard operation mode at the time of shipment, and the tenth time in the special mode setting routine is set. If you do not change anything in the process of the figure, the first
The paper feed port is set as standard. However, in the special mode setting routine, when the sheet feeding timing 2 is set according to FIG. 11, the sheet feeding from the third sheet feeding port (sheet feeding tray 6) is set as the standard operation mode. If the standard size is set in the special mode,
The paper feed port in which the transfer paper 7 of the designated size is stored is selected prior to the two modes. If the transfer paper 7 of the specified size does not exist in any of the paper feed ports 4, 5, and 6, the paper feed port determined by the specified paper feed timing is selected.

Next, FIG. 17 shows a routine of “print preprocessing” in the basic routine shown in FIG. This process is mainly
A mode setting process based on key input from the operation panel 60, a print preparation process for enabling a copy operation, a print permission check process, a print start check process using the print key 61 and the like are performed. Here, as shown in FIG. 18, the "mode setting process" includes the setting of the number of copies, the paper cassette setting, the scaling setting, the ADF mode setting, the sorter mode setting, the color mode setting, the composite mode setting or the mode clear. The processing is performed. In the "print standard process", as shown in FIG. 19, processes such as fixing temperature setting, initial cleaning, and toner supply are performed.
In the "Print condition check", as shown in FIG. 20, a fixing temperature check, an initial cleaning completion check, a magnification setting completion check, and a color setting completion check are performed. If it is not OK, a copy prohibition is displayed.

As shown in FIG. 21, when the document 14 is set on the document table 8 of the ADF 2 (detected by the operation sensor) and the document jam occurs in the ADF 2, If the ADF2 is not lifted up, the ADF mode flag is turned on and the ADF mode is automatically set.

Next, FIG. 22 shows a routine of "copy preprocessing" in the basic routine shown in FIG. This processing is a processing routine from a print-on to an actual copy routine, and mainly performs print-on initialization processing, pre-copy operation processing, and the like. As shown in FIG. 23, the "print-on initialization process" is a process for starting a pre-copy operation, for example, turning on a main motor 22, turning on a pump motor (not shown) for supplying a developer, and printing an ADF original. Processing such as paper feed start is performed.

FIG. 24 shows the "ADF speed-up flag setting process" during the print-on initialization process. This is AD
If other conditions are not satisfied even in the F-speed up mode, the routine is checked to prevent the speed-up operation from actually being executed. Here, it is assumed that the ADF speed up mode is set. If the copy mode is the double-sided copy mode and the reverse side copy mode is set, the speed-up operation is not executed. This occurs when the document 14 jams in the ADF2 (paper feed error).
The transfer sheet 7 re-fed from 38 is discharged as a waste copy, and in this case, the original image must be retaken from the front side copy, and the screen copy operation procedure becomes extremely complicated. This is to avoid This is not limited to the double-sided copy mode, and the speed-up operation is not executed for the second time even in the composite copy mode for the same reason. That is, the ADF speed-up operation is not performed when re-feeding the sheet from the intermediate tray 38. Also, when not in the repeat copy mode (the first original is fed in accordance with the "repeat mode check" described later and set when the original is copied), that is, the first first out of many originals is set. Even when the document 14 is fed, ADF speed up is not executed. This is due to mistakes in document setting,
A paper feed error in ADF2 occurs when the first original 14 is fed.
This is because it is most likely to occur as compared with the subsequent document feeding. Furthermore, in the APS / AMS mixed mode (APS / AMS mode in which originals 14 of different sizes are mixed), the APS / AMS itself checks the original size when feeding the ADF original 14. It is necessary to perform a size check for each paper feed, and in order to select and feed the transfer paper 7 of a desired size based on the result, the ADF speed up is not executed again.

Also, the "document feeding start process" in the print-on initialization routine satisfies the document feeding conditions as shown in FIG. 25 (ADF mode, document 14 is present, and ADF2 is not lifted up). When the ADF speed-up flag is on, the DF timer is started.

Next, FIG. 26 shows a routine of “pre-copy operation processing” of the copy pre-processing routine (FIG. 22). This process is mainly a document feeding process and a transfer paper feeding process. In the case of the ADF speed-up mode, this process is achieved by shortening the processing time of the pre-copy processing operation.

That is, a document feed confirmation method (a control method based on a first sheet feed timing) for checking whether or not a document jam has occurred during document feeding in the ADF 2 and for starting transfer paper feeding when no jam has occurred. There is a speed-up method (a control method based on the second paper feed timing) in which the paper feed is started without confirming the occurrence of a document jam in the ADF 2, and both types of processing will be described. In addition,
In the ADF2, as shown in FIG.
For document 14 to be fed, the required pulse P ₁ to the reference sensor 91 is 70 pulses (one pulse = 1 mm), the required pulse P ₂ taken from the reference sensor 91 to the original excisional position 470 pulses standard from Value.

First, in the case of the document feeding confirmation method (control method based on the first sheet feeding timing), "document feeding process" (see FIG. 27 for details)
In the example, the leading edge of the document 14 fed by the ADF 2 is set to reach the specified document set position by driving the transport belt 11 for 470 pulses after passing through the reference sensor 91. The rear end of the document 14 is the reference sensor.
When passing through 91, the transfer paper feeding OK flag is turned on. The transfer paper feed is set to start on condition that this flag is on. Accordingly, when the original 14 does not reach the reference sensor 91 within a predetermined time after the start of paper feeding or does not escape from the position of the reference sensor 91, a jam is detected, and an ADF paper feeding error is detected. The flag is not turned on, and the transfer paper 7 is not fed. If no paper feed error is detected, the transfer paper feed OK flag turns on,
After the sheet feeding is started, the “transfer sheet feeding process” shown in FIG. 30 is performed. Here, if the transfer paper is fed from the third paper feed port, which takes the longest time, 250 pulses (=
After 0.86 seconds), the copy start OK flag is set, and “end before copy operation” is turned on, and the process proceeds to the actual copy routine. The time from the start of document feeding to the end of the pre-copy operation depends on the time from the start of document feeding to the start of transfer paper feeding.
If the width is 216 mm, then 0.3+ (70 + 216) /500=0.87 seconds. Therefore, when 0.86 seconds from the start of the transfer paper feeding to the end of the pre-copy operation is added, the processing takes 1.73 seconds in total.

In the case of the speed-up system (control system based on the second paper feed timing), as shown in the routine of "transfer paper feed start process" in FIG. 1, the transfer paper feed OK flag is turned on. Regardless of whether or not there is, that is, whether or not a document feed error has occurred in the ADF 2, if other transfer paper feed conditions are satisfied, transfer paper feed is started immediately.
Instead, a one-second timer is started when the document is fed (see "DF timer check" shown in FIG. 29), and a document set OK flag is set when the time is up. And
The pre-copy operation ends when both the copy start OK flag and the original set OK flag by the paper feed pulse are set (one second after the start of the original feed).
Therefore, the processing time is reduced by 0.73 seconds as compared with the document feeding confirmation method. Therefore, in the case of continuous copying of many originals one by one, the copy speed of the former document feed confirmation method is 19 _CPM , whereas the copy speed is 26 _CPM according to this speed-up method. About 38% speedup is achieved.

As one of the processes during the pre-copy operation process, there is a process of "invalid paper detection" as shown in FIG. This is because if a document jam occurs in the ADF 2 after the start of feeding of the transfer sheet 7, the fed transfer sheet becomes useless copy.
This is a process for detecting its existence. Then, when invalid paper is detected, the number of occurrences is counted up. Further, when the transfer paper 7 passes through a final discharge sensor (not shown), it is determined whether or not the transfer paper is invalid paper.
The check is performed by a routine of "detection of invalid paper 2" in FIG. 33 which is a part of a processing routine of "discharge counter increment" shown in FIG. If the transfer paper to be ejected is invalid,
Control is performed so that the paper discharge counter does not advance and the sorter bin does not advance when the sorter 3 is used (see FIG. 34).

FIG. 35 shows a routine of "copy processing" in the basic routine shown in FIG. This processing mainly consists of initial settings (see FIGS. 36 and 37) and repeat processing (see FIG. 36).
38 and 39), repeat timing check (see Fig. 40), repeat end check (see Fig. 41)
Etc. Here, in the initial setting shown in FIG. 36, the repeat mode check of the ADF 2 is performed according to FIG. 37. When the next document is set in the ADF mode, the repeat mode flag is turned on. Things. The repeat mode flag is for automatically feeding the next original document at the end of copying and making continuous copying. In the print-on initialization process, if this flag is on, it is detected that the copy is for the second and subsequent originals 14, and this is used as one condition for setting the speed-up flag described above. Can be

In the repeat processing shown in FIG. 38, a sequence control processing for image formation shown in FIG. 39 is first performed. That is, according to the value of the sequence pulse, lighting control of the exposure lamp 15, on-control of the scanner clutch,
On control of the main charger 23, on control of the developing bias, and the like are performed. At this time, as described above, if the invalid paper flag is on and it is detected that useless transfer paper has been fed and conveyed, the image forming process is skipped (the developing bias is turned on). In this case, the invalid paper is discharged out of the apparatus as blank paper, and the paper can be reused.

Finally, FIG. 42 shows a routine of “copy end processing”. This process mainly includes an auto print check (see FIG. 43), an end operation process (see FIG. 44), a copy end check 1 (see FIG. 45), and a copy end check 2
(See FIG. 46).

Effects of the Invention The present invention is configured as described above. According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the original is continuously fed and conveyed by using the automatic original conveyance device, the first one is used. Check the paper feed status only when copying the first document and place the transfer paper first.
Paper is fed from the paper feed cassette at the paper feed timing, but when copying the second and subsequent originals, the second paper feed is started to feed the transfer paper from the paper feed cassette before the timing of checking whether there is a paper feed error. Since the transfer paper is fed at the paper timing, it is confirmed that no paper feed error has occurred at the first sheet, where misfeeding of the document is likely to occur frequently due to a setting mistake, etc. The automatic document feeder can reduce the copy processing time by transferring the transfer paper without causing unnecessary copying and without waiting for the confirmation of the paper supply status when copying the second and subsequent sheets that rarely cause a paper supply error. The benefits can be maximized by use,
According to the second aspect of the present invention, at least at the time of copying such as double-sided copying by feeding the transfer paper from the intermediate tray, the state of the document feed in the automatic document feeder is checked and the transfer paper is fed when there is no mistake. Since the feeding of the transfer paper from the paper feed cassette is controlled by one paper feed timing, the copy of the front side or the first copy of the transfer paper may be wasted due to an original feeding error in the automatic document feeder. This eliminates the hassle of re-copying the front surface or the like, and can improve the processability of double-sided copying and composite copying.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing a processing routine for starting transfer paper feeding, FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the entire copying machine, and FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of an operation panel. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a control system, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing basic processing, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing power-on initialization processing, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a CPU initial setting routine, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a special mode setting processing routine, and FIGS.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing various routines during the special mode setting process, FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the initial mode setting routine, FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the paper feed port setting routine, and FIG. 17 is a pre-printing processing routine. 18 to 20 are flowcharts showing various processing routines during the print preprocessing routine, FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an ADF mode setting routine, and FIG. 22 is a copy preprocessing routine. FIGS. 23 to 27 are flow charts showing various processing routines in a copy pre-processing routine, and FIG. 28 is an AD chart.
FIGS. 29 to 34 are flow charts showing various processing routines in the pre-copy operation processing routine, FIG. 35 is a flow chart showing a copy processing routine, and FIGS. 36 to 41 are FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing various processing routines in the copy processing routine, FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing a copy end processing routine, and FIGS.
FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing various processing routines in the copy end processing routine. 2 ... automatic document feeder, 7 ... transfer paper, 14 ... original,
38 …… Intermediate tray

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G03G 15/00 510-534 G03G 15/00 107 G03G 15/00 106 G03G 21/00 370-502

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A copying machine provided with an automatic document feeder, after confirming that no error has occurred in feeding a document when the automatic document feeder feeds and feeds the document toward an exposure position. A first paper feed timing for feeding the transfer paper from the paper feed cassette, and whether or not a mistake has occurred in feeding the original when the original is fed toward the exposure position by the automatic document feeder. To start feeding the transfer paper from the paper feed cassette before
Paper feed timing is selectively set, and when copying the first document, the transfer paper is fed at the first paper feed timing.
A transfer paper feed control method in a copying machine, wherein a transfer paper is fed at a second paper feed timing when copying the original after the first sheet. 2. A copying machine provided with an automatic document feeder and an intermediate tray for storing and re-feeding once copied transfer paper, wherein the automatic document feeder feeds a document toward an exposure position. The first paper feed timing for feeding the transfer paper from the paper feed cassette or the intermediate tray after confirming that no paper feed error has occurred in the original when the original is fed, and the original is moved to the exposure position by the automatic document feeder. Set the second paper feed timing to start feeding the transfer paper from the paper feed cassette before the timing of checking whether or not a paper misfeed has occurred in the original when the paper is conveyed toward A transfer paper feed control method in a copying machine, wherein the transfer paper is fed at a first paper feed timing at least at the time of copying with the transfer paper from the intermediate tray.