JP2568552B2 - Copier - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying apparatus, and more particularly to a copying apparatus for copying two continuous documents on the same side of a copy sheet.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an automatic document feeder (hereinafter, referred to as an ADF) has been developed in order to shorten the time required for replacing a document among copying times and to reduce the troublesome work of replacing a document.
A variety of copiers equipped with are developed and put to practical use. If this type of ADF is a measure to reduce indirect costs (time and labor) related to copying, direct costs (consumables such as copy paper and toner)
As a countermeasure, two-sided copying in which two originals are copied on both sides of one copy paper or a method in which two originals are reduced and copied to one side of a copy paper of the size of one original ( 2 original single-sided copy). In the former two-sided copying, only one copy sheet is required, but two toner sheets are required. On the other hand, the latter two-sided single-sided copying is economical because only one copy sheet and one toner are required. Further, when both are combined, four originals can be copied on both sides of one copy sheet, which is extremely economical.

By the way, ADFs conventionally provided in various ways use one manuscript.
The sheet is conveyed one by one onto the platen glass (platen). To perform two-sided single-sided copying, the operator must arrange the documents on the platen glass one by one, and there is no improvement in labor and time. .

As an improvement measure, an ADF that enables two originals to be fed in parallel in the transport direction on a platen glass is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-2942, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 60-84945, Kaisho 6
No. 0-93462.

However, in a copier equipped with these ADFs, when the two-sheet feed mode of the original is selected, at least one of the first and second originals is passed vertically (the long side is set in the transport direction). In the event that two documents are finally placed side by side on the platen glass, the total length of the document may be larger than the entire exposure area. Even if the copy magnification is set, two original images cannot be accommodated on one copy sheet, and an erroneous copy of the image is generated. Further, there is a problem that a blank space is generated on the copy paper even if it fits on one copy paper.

Therefore, regarding the size of the manuscript, JP-A-60-93462
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H10 (1995), a document can be conveyed in a first size, such as A4 width, B5 width, letter size width, A5, which can be placed on the platen glass, and in a longitudinal direction, such as A4 length, B5 length. The operator can select on the operation panel the second size that is placed in the same direction and the size that can be placed on the platen glass such as A3, B4, legal size, and leisure size. Is known. However, it is troublesome for the operator to input the document size one by one, and it is not possible to reliably prevent inadvertent erroneous copying.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an automatic original that stops an original sent from an original feeding unit on a platen, and discharges the original from the platen after an exposure operation is completed. In a copying apparatus having a transport device, a copy mode is selected in which the first document and the second document sent from the document feeding section are copied on the same surface of the copy paper adjacent to each other in the copy paper transport direction. Selection means, a detection means for detecting the direction of the original sent from the original feeding section with respect to the feeding direction, and a detection means for detecting that the orientation of the first original is vertical. Prohibits the copying operation in the copy mode, and further detects the orientation of the second original when it is detected that the orientation of the first original is horizontal.
Control means for prohibiting a copying operation in the copy mode if the orientation of the first document is portrait.

In the above-described configuration, in the two-sheet feed mode in which the first document and the second document are copied on the same side of the copy sheet adjacent to each other in the copy sheet transport direction, If it is detected that the orientation of the original is vertical, the copying operation in the copy mode is prohibited, and if it is detected that the orientation of the first original is horizontal, two more If the orientation of the second document is detected and the orientation of the second document is vertical, the copying operation in the copy mode is prohibited. As a result, erroneous copying that inadvertently causes an image cut or a blank space is reliably prevented.

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of a copying apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Schematic Configuration and Operation of Copying Machine] In FIG. 1, a copying machine main body (1) is installed on a refeeding path box (60), a sheet feeding section on the left side, and a duplex / composite unit (70) on the right side. ) And a sorter (90).

A photoreceptor drum (1
0) is installed so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow (a) at a constant peripheral speed (V). Around this photosensitive drum (10), a main eraser (11), a charging charger (12),
Sub eraser (13), magnetic brush type developing device (14),
Transfer charger (15), sheet separation charger (16),
A blade type cleaning device (17) is sequentially arranged. The photoreceptor drum (10) has a well-known photoreceptor layer on its surface, and is rotated in the direction of the arrow (a), and each time copying is performed, a main eraser (11) and a charging charger (12) are provided. The sub-eraser (13) removes electricity, charges and removes unnecessary parts, receives image exposure by the optical system (20), and forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface with a toner image by the developing device (14). Is done.

The optical system (20) is provided so that the original image can be scanned below the platen glass (19).
Mirror (22), second mirror (23), third mirror (24),
It comprises a projection lens (25) and a fourth mirror (26). The exposure lamp (21) and the first mirror (22) are integrally blocked, and the peripheral speed (V) of the photosensitive drum (10)
(V / m: m is the copy magnification) at a speed of (constant regardless of the same magnification / variable magnification) in the direction of arrow (b). Second
The mirror (23) and the third mirror (24) are integrally formed as a block, and can move in the direction of the arrow (b) at a speed of (V / 2m). When changing the copy magnification, use the lens (25)
Moves on the optical axis, and the fourth mirror (26) moves and swings to correct the optical path.

The copy paper is accommodated in a fixed automatic paper cassette (30) and a detachable automatic paper cassette (35) provided on the left side of the copying machine body (1). Three
By selectively rotating 1) and (36), 1
Paper is fed one by one. The upper surface of the cassette (30) is a manual paper feed unit (32), from which copy paper can be fed one by one. The copy paper fed from the cassette (30) and the manual paper feed unit (32) is transported by a pair of transport rollers (3
The copy paper conveyed to the pair of timing rollers (40) through 3) and fed from the cassette (35) is directly conveyed to the timing rollers (40), where it temporarily waits.
The copy paper is sent to a transfer section in synchronization with an image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum (10) by a timing roller (40), and is brought into close contact with the photosensitive drum (10), so that a transfer charger (15) The toner image is transferred by the corona discharge, and is separated from the photosensitive drum (10) by the AC corona discharge of the separation charger (16) and the stiffness of the sheet itself. Thereafter, the copy paper is fed to the fixing device (43) while being sucked onto the transport belt (41) provided with the air suction means (42), where the toner image is fixed, and discharged from the pair of discharge rollers (44). Is done.

On the other hand, the toner and the charge remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor drum (10) after the transfer are removed by a cleaning device (17) and a main eraser (11) to prepare for the next copying process.

[Detection of copy paper size] Micro switches (SW1) to (SW4),
(SW5), (SW6) to (SW9), and (SW10) are provided. The switches (SW1) to (SW4) and (SW6) to (SW9) turn on and off in accordance with the position of the copy paper width direction regulating plate, etc.
Based on the 4-bit code corresponding to the combination of ON and OFF, the paper is set either vertically or horizontally with respect to the size and paper feeding direction of the copy paper set in the cassettes (35) and (30). Is detected. The sizes that can be copied in this copying machine, that is, the sizes of copy paper that can be set in each of the cassettes (30) and (35) are, for example, [A3], A4], and [A3].
5], [A6], [B4], [B5], [B6], and [A
For [4], [A5], and [B5], vertical or horizontal can be selected. Switches (SW1) to (SW4) are cassettes (35)
Is also detected. Table 1 below shows an example of a code table using the switches (SW1) to (SW4). In Table 1, the ON state of the switch is represented by "0" and the OFF state thereof is represented by "1". When all the switches are OFF, it indicates that the cassette (35) is not mounted on the sheet feeding section. In addition, a set of switches (SW6) to (SW
9) performs the same detection. Also, the micro switch (SW5),
(SW10) directly detects the presence or absence of copy paper in the cassettes (35) and (30), respectively.

[Mechanism and paper passing for double-sided / combined copying] The double-sided / combined unit (70) generally includes a first switching claw (71), a second switching claw (72), a discharge roller (73),
(74), conveying rollers (75) and (76), each guide plate located around them and forming a conveying path, and a sheet re-feeding device (8
0), and a sorter (90) having a plurality of pins (91) is installed on the back.

Refeeder (80) is a detachable refeed cassette (81)
, A pickup roller (85) used for both sheet storage and sheet re-feeding, a storage roller (86) that is driven to rotate in contact with the roller (85), a feeding roller (87), and a sabaki roller (88). ). The refeeding cassette (81) has a bottom plate (82) rotatable around the rear end (82a), and the bottom plate (82) can be rotated from a dotted line position to a solid line position by a push-up mechanism (not shown). It is.

The re-feeding path box (60) includes a pair of transport rollers (61),
(62) and (63), and each guide plate which is located around them and forms a sheet passage. The sheet sent from the unit (70) is transported by a pair of transport rollers (6
1), (62), and (63) are conveyed, and the copier body (1)
Are conveyed to the timing roller pair (40) through the guide plates (48) and (49).

The paper passing mode in the duplex / composite unit (70) includes an ejection mode, a duplex copy mode, and a composite copy mode. The paper passing mode in each mode is changed by switching the positions of the switching claws (71) and (72). Is done. That is, in the discharge mode, the switching claw (71) is set to the position indicated by the dotted line in FIG.
The copy paper is discharged to a sorter bin (91). In the double-sided copying mode, the switching claws (71) and (72) are set at the solid line position, and the copy paper copied on one side is fed into the re-feeding cassette (81) as described above. In the composite copying mode, the switching claw (72) is set to the position indicated by the dotted line, and the copy paper copied to one side is immediately conveyed to the re-feeding path box (60).

[Configuration and Operation of Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)] The ADF (100) is roughly composed of a document feeder (110), a document feeder (120), and a document discharger (130). And can be opened upward as a whole. Therefore, this ADF (100) is, as shown in FIG.
9) In the state where the original is set on the original, the original is automatically conveyed one by one or two consecutively as described below, and set at a predetermined position on the original platen glass (19). And lift the original up to place the original on the platen glass (19)
It can be placed on top to perform copying. ADF (100)
Is detected by a switch (PSW) (see FIG. 7), and the control of the ADF (100) and the control of the copier body (1) are associated with each other by this detection signal.

The document feeder (110) includes a document tray (111), a pickup roller (112), and a normal rotation roller (1
13) and the reverse roller (114), and the respective rollers (112), (11)
3), a feed motor (not shown) for driving (114) and a document detection sensor (SE1) are provided. Document tray (1
11) has a slide plate (not shown) for positioning the document in the width direction. The document is set on the document tray (111) with the image side down, and this state is detected by the sensor (SE1). The pickup roller (112) can be moved up and down, and usually stands by upward. When the original is set on the original tray (111), the sensor (SE1) is turned on, and the ADF start switch (SSW) (see FIG. 7) is turned on by the operator, the pickup roller (112) is lowered and the original is turned down. The uppermost document is fed by pressing and rotating the upper surface of the document.

The forward rotation roller (113) moves in the original feeding direction,
14) can be driven to rotate in the document return direction, and together with the pickup roller (112), both rollers (113),
(114) is driven to rotate, and only one upper document is sent to the document transport section (120) by the rotation of the forward rotation roller (113), and the lower document is rotated by the rotation of the reverse rotation roller (114). It is returned to the tray (111).

The document feeder (120) is a pinch roller (121), (122)
And a drive motor (123) thereof (see FIG. 2), a transport belt (125) and a drive motor thereof (not shown), and document detection sensors (SE2) and (SE3).

The conveyor belt (125) is a support roller (126a), (126b)
Endlessly, and can be driven to rotate forward and backward in the direction of arrow (c) in a state where the pressing roller (127) is in contact with the platen glass (19).

That is, when the sensor (SE2) detects the leading end of the document sent from the document feeding unit (110), the pickup roller (112) and the forward / reverse rotation roller (11) are delayed with a slight time delay.
3), the rotation of (114) is stopped, and the leading end of the document comes into contact with the nip portion of the pinch rollers (121), (122), and forms a loop on the upstream side. Thus, the skew of the document is corrected.

Further, the document is transported onto the document table glass (19) by the rotation of the pinch rollers (121) and (122) and the normal rotation of the transport belt (125) in the direction of the arrow (c). The document is stopped by setting a timer when the trailing edge of the document is detected by the sensor (SE2).
It is controlled by stopping the forward rotation of 5). Thus, the document is stopped at a predetermined position on the platen glass (19).

Here, a copying operation start signal is output from the ADF (100) to the copying machine body (1), and the copying operation is started in the copying machine body (1). When the set number of image exposure scans by the optical system (20) is completed, a document exchange signal is output from the copier body (1) to the ADF (100). With this signal, the transport belt (125) is driven to rotate forward in the direction of the arrow (c), and the document is discharged.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 2, the length of the document is measured by a pulse signal from a sensor (SE5) based on the rotation of a disk (124) fixed to a support shaft (121a) of a pinch roller (121). Is done. That is, the output of the sensor (SE5) is the logical sum of the sensor (SE2) for detecting the passage of the original and the drive output of the pinch roller (121), and the second microcomputer (202)
The original length signal is obtained by counting the number of pulses input to the sensor (see FIG. 7) and passing the sensor (SE2).

The width of the document is detected and classified by the sensor (SE3). In this embodiment, the sensor (SE3) is [A
4] and [B5] are set to a position where the document is detected (ON) when the document is fed horizontally and not detected (OFF) when the document is fed vertically. As a result, [A4], [A5], [B4], [B4]
6], etc. and whether it is vertical or horizontal.

The document discharge unit (130) includes discharge rollers (131), (132) and (133), (134), a guide plate and a discharge tray (135) around the discharge rollers, and a drive motor for each of the rollers (131) to (134). (Not shown) and a document detection sensor (SE4).

When the image exposure scanning for the number of copies by the optical system (20) is completed and a document exchange signal is output from the copying machine body (1), the transport belt (125) is driven forward and
The rollers (131) to (134) are driven to rotate, and the document is discharged from the platen glass (19) to the discharge tray (135). The document discharge operation is stopped after a predetermined time from the document rear end detection signal of the sensor (SE4), that is, when the document is stored on the discharge tray (135).

Also, when a document trailing edge detection signal of the sensor (SE4) is issued, the presence or absence of a document on the document tray (111) is determined by the signal of the sensor (SE1). Each operation of document feeding, stopping, and discharging is repeated.

[Operation in Two-Document Feed Mode] In this embodiment, the ADF (100) sets a document one by one at a predetermined position on a platen glass (19), and discharges the image after exposing and scanning the image. In addition to the feed mode, two originals are successively fed onto a platen glass (19), set in series at a predetermined position, and discharged once after exposure scanning of an image is completed. The sheet feed mode can be selected.

(I) Document Feeding Operation Hereinafter, the document feeding operation when the two-sheet feed mode is selected will be described with reference to FIGS. 3a to 3i.

Double feed mode is selected and the ADF start switch (S
When SW) is turned on, the originals stacked on the original tray (111) are fed from the uppermost original (D1) by the rotation of the pickup roller (112), and the forward / reverse rotation roller (113) as described above. , (114) and sent out from the feeding section (110) (see FIG. 3a). The leading edge of the first original (D1) sent out in this manner is pinch rollers (121) and (122).
And a loop is formed upstream thereof (see FIG. 3b). Hereinafter, this process is referred to as a leading edge resist process.

Next, the original is conveyed onto the original table glass (19) by rotating the pinch rollers (121) and (122) and rotating the conveying belt (125) in the forward direction in the direction of the arrow (c). (See FIG. 3c).

Then, the rear end of the document (D1) is pinch roller (121),
After passing through (122), pinch rollers (121) and (122)
Then, the rotation of the conveyor belt (125) is stopped (see FIG. 3d).

Next, the transport belt (125) is driven to rotate in the reverse direction in the direction of the arrow (c '), and the rear end of the document (D1) is pinched by the pinch rollers (121), (1
Stop in a state of contact with the nip part of 22) (see FIG. 3e). Hereinafter, this processing is referred to as a rear end resist processing.

With the first document (D1) still undergoing the trailing edge registration process, the second document (D2) is sent out from the document tray (111) (see FIG. 3f), and the leading edge registration process is performed (see FIG. 3f). See Figure 3g). With this, two originals (D1), (D
2) are continuously arranged in a state where the rear end and the front end are registered by the pinch rollers (121) and (122).

In this state, the pinch rollers (121) and (122) and the transport belt (125) are driven to rotate forward, and the originals (D1) and (D2) are simultaneously transported onto the original platen glass (19) (see FIG. 3h). ).
When the rear end of the second document (D2) reaches a predetermined position on the platen glass (19), that is, the exposure start position by the optical system (20), the pinch rollers (121) and (122) and the transport belt (12
The rotation drive of 5) is stopped (see FIG. 3i). Thus, the two originals (D1) and (D2) are set at a predetermined position on the original platen glass (19) in a state where they are continuously arranged in series in the transport direction.

(Ii) Original discharging operation In the above-described two-sheet feed mode, two originals are arranged side by side without any gap, so if the original is discharged in this state, the leading edge of the second original will be the same as that of the first original. Since the rear end is pushed, alignment or page alignment on the discharge tray (135) may be disturbed.

Therefore, in the two-sheet feed mode, two documents are discharged onto the discharge tray (135) at intervals, and the alignment of the documents on the discharge tray (135) is ensured. There are two methods for such document discharge processing.

In the first document discharge process, after the first document reaches the discharge rollers (131) and (132), the forward rotation of the transport belt (125) is stopped, and the second document is placed on the platen glass ( 19) This is a method in which the conveyor belt (125) is rotated forward again after an appropriate interval is provided between the two members while waiting on the upper side.

Specifically, the transport belt (125) is driven to rotate forward by the document exchange signal, and the discharge rollers (131) to (134) are driven to rotate (see FIG. 4a). With this, the manuscript (D1),
(D2) starts to be discharged in the direction of arrow (c), and when the leading end of the first document (D1) is detected by the sensor (SE4), the normal rotation of the transport belt (125) is stopped (4b) See figure). From this state, the first document (D1) is subsequently conveyed by the discharge rollers (131) to (134), and the second document (D2)
Are placed on the platen glass (19), and there is a space between them (see FIGS. 4c and 4d).

When the rear end of the first document (D1) is detected by the sensor (SE4), the transport belt (125) is driven to rotate forward again (fourth rotation).
(See FIG. e.) Two originals (D1) and (D2) are discharged onto the discharge tray (135) at appropriate intervals.

On the other hand, the second document discharging process includes the discharging rollers (131) to
This is a method in which the document transport speed by (134) is set higher than the document transport speed by the transport belt (125) so that an appropriate interval is provided between two documents.

Specifically, the transport belt (125) is driven to rotate forward by the document discharge signal, and the discharge rollers (131) to (134) are driven to rotate (see FIG. 5a). At this time, the discharge roller (13
1) Set the document transport speed by (134) to the transport belt (125).
Is set to be higher than the original transport speed. As a result, the distance between manuscripts (D1) and (D2) gradually increases (Fig. 5b,
As a result, the two originals (D1) and (D2) are discharged onto the discharge tray (135) at appropriate intervals.

It should be noted that the discharge rollers (131) and (132) on the upstream side may be set to the same document transport speed as the transport belt (125). In this case, the discharge rollers (131) and (132) are configured to rotate following the conveyance of the document when the document is conveyed by the discharge rollers (133) and (134) having a high conveyance speed. .

[Single-sheet feed when double-sheet feed mode is selected] By the way, in the case where the above-described two-sheet feed mode is selected, if the total number of documents is an odd number, 2
When one set of sheets is fed, there is finally only one original. Therefore, when one final document is fed and the sensor (SE1) outputs a document empty signal,
The processing in the single-sheet feed mode is executed for the final document.

[Relationship between Original, Magnification, and Copies in Double-Sheet Mode] When the ADF (100) is operated in the double-sheet mode and two original images are copied on one side of one copy paper, the original size , Copy magnification, and copy paper size have the following relationship. For example, if two A4 landscape documents are conveyed and the copy magnification is [1.000], A3 is selected as the copy paper and A4
The image of the two originals can fit on the A3 copy paper without any excess or shortage. If the copy magnification is [0.707], the original image fits in just enough by selecting A4 portrait paper as copy paper. On the other hand, if the A3 copy paper is selected for two A4 landscape documents, the copy magnification is set to [1.000].
When vertical copy paper is selected, the copy magnification is set to [0.707].
If the setting is set to, the original image for two A4
It can be placed on a copy sheet without excess or shortage.

Therefore, by performing copying in the two-sheet feed mode using the ADF (100), two original images can be formed on one copy sheet, thereby saving copy sheets and copy time. Connect. Also, if the two-sided copy mode is used, four original images can be formed on the front and back surfaces of one copy sheet. Furthermore, a book dividing function is provided in the copying machine body (1),
That is, if the book document is provided with a function of performing image exposure scanning one side at a time, the two document feed mode, the book division function mode, and the double-sided copy mode can be used together to convert the two documents into one copy sheet. Each can be imaged on the back. These copying functions further save copying paper and copying time.

In this embodiment, as described in detail below, in the two-sheet feed mode, the sizes of the first and second originals are detected, and the copying operation is prohibited if at least one of the originals is vertical. I do. Accordingly, the two originals to be copied in the two-sheet feed mode are combinations of three types of A5 landscape, B5 landscape and A4 landscape, and there are six combinations shown in Table 2 below.

[Automatic Optimal Magnification Setting Function (AMS)] Next, in this copying machine, when the copy paper size and the original size are designated by the operator, the original image is not cut off on the copy paper of the selected size. It has an automatic optimal magnification setting function (hereinafter, referred to as AMS) for automatically setting the optimal copy magnification to be formed.

When this AMS mode is selected, the document size is determined and coded by the second CPU (202) and transmitted to the first CPU (201). The first CPU (201) calculates the optimum copy magnification from the original size code and the side code of the copying machine set in the cassette (30) or (35) selected by the operator, and the calculated copy magnification is copied. If it is within the specifications of the machine, set the copy magnification. On the other hand, if it is out of the specification, the operator is warned that it is impossible to set the optimum copy magnification, and is prompted to set the copy magnification manually.

The following table 3a shows the relationship between the original size and the copy paper size in the AMS mode in the normal copy mode in which the originals are conveyed one by one, and the copy magnification calculated and set by them.

On the other hand, in the two-sheet feed mode in which two documents are conveyed as one set, the sizes of the first and second documents are detected, and if at least one of the documents is vertically passed, the copying operation is performed. Ban. In other words, in the two-sheet feed mode, copying of only the horizontally passing document is permitted. Therefore, the optimal copy magnification when executing AMS mode copying in the two-sheet feed mode is
It is determined based on twice the size of a large-sized document among the two documents. The following Table 3b shows the relationship between the combination of document sizes and the copy paper size in the AMS mode when the two-sheet feed mode is selected, and the copy magnification calculated and set based on the combination.

For example, if the copy paper size is [A4 portrait] and the document size is [A4 landscape, B5 landscape], the original is regarded as two A4 landscape and the optimal copy magnification is calculated as [0.707x]. At the same time, this magnification is set. If the copy paper size is [B6 portrait] and the document size is [B5 landscape, A5 landscape], the operator is prompted to manually set the copy magnification because there is no optimal copy magnification.

[Automatic optimum copy paper size setting function (APS)] Also, in this copier, when an operator specifies a document size and a copy magnification, a copy paper of a size that can form a document image without image cutoff is generated. An automatic optimal copy paper size setting function (hereinafter, referred to as APS) for automatically selecting the loaded paper cassette is provided.

When the APS mode is selected, the document size is determined and coded by the second CPU (202) and transmitted to the first CPU (201). The first CPU (201) calculates an optimum copy paper size from the document size code and the copy magnification selected by the operator, and a paper feeding unit in which copy paper of the calculated size is set, ie, a cassette (30) , (35). On the other hand, the copy paper of the calculated size is
If it is not set to 0) or (35) or if it is something other than the specifications of this copier, it warns the operator that there is no copy paper of the optimal size, and selects the paper feeding unit manually or Prompts the user to reset the copy magnification.

The following table 4a shows the relationship between the original size, the copy magnification, and the copy paper size calculated and set in the APS mode in the normal copy mode in which the originals are transported one by one.

On the other hand, in the two-sheet feed mode, as described in the above-mentioned AMS, since only the transverse original is permitted to be copied,
The optimum copy sheet when copying is performed in the APS mode is a size copy sheet in which a size obtained by multiplying a copy number by a value twice as large as that of a large-size document out of two documents can be accommodated. The following table 4b shows the relationship between the original size and the copy magnification in the APS mode when the two-sheet feed mode is selected, and the copy paper size calculated and set thereby.

For example, in a combination of the document sizes [A4 landscape and A5 landscape] and the copy magnification is [0.707x], the optimal copy paper size in the two-sheet feed mode is calculated as [A4 portrait] and the A4 size is changed. Automatically selects the paper feed unit loaded vertically.
If the document size is a combination of [A4 landscape and B5 landscape], there is no optimal copy paper size regardless of the magnification set between [1.008] and [1.430]. Prompts you to select a paper source.

[Operation Panel] In FIG. 6, the operation panel (15)
0) is provided with keys, display means, and the like described below. Various keys are provided with switches inside and are turned on when pressed.

(151) is a print key for starting a copying operation. (152) is a numeric keypad for setting the number of copies and the like. (153) is a clear / stop key having a role of a stop key for canceling the multi-copy on the way and a role of clearing the number. (154) is an interrupt key for executing an interrupt copy.

(155) sets the copy mode to normal copy, duplex copy,
Copy mode switching key for switching to any of the composite copies. (156) is a magnification selection key for setting a copy magnification to a preset magnification or an arbitrary magnification. (157) is a copy paper selection key for selecting a copy paper size. (158) a document size detection mode selection key for selecting one of the AMS, APS and manual modes. A feed mode selection key (159) is used to select the feed mode of the original between one-sheet feed and two-sheet feed.

The operation panel (150) further has display means described below.

(160) is a 4-digit display segment for displaying the number of copies and the like. (161) is a 4-digit display segment for displaying the manually set copy magnification. (162) to (165) are LEDs for displaying preset copy magnification. (166)
LED indicates normal copy, (167) indicates double-sided copy, and (168) indicates composite copy. (169) is an LED that displays the copy paper size. LE that displays AMS mode (171), APS mode (171), and manual mode (172)
D. (173) is an LED for displaying the single-sheet feed mode, and (174) is an LED for displaying the two-sheet feed mode. These various LEDs rotate each time the corresponding key (155) to (159) is turned on once.

[Control Circuit] FIG. 7 shows a first CPU (201) for controlling the copying machine body (1).
And the input / output configuration of the second CPU (202) that controls the ADF (100). The CPUs (201) and (202) are connected to each other for synchronization.

The operation panel (1) is connected to the input / output port of the first CPU (201).
A switch matrix (203) including various key switches (151) to (159) on the 50) and microswitches (SW1) to (SW10) installed in the paper feeding unit is connected, and the switch matrix (203) is further connected. And a decoder (205), a display segment (160) and a matrix (204) of display LEDs are connected. The output port outputs on / off signals to a main motor, a developing motor, and the like in the copier body (1). The terminal (B1) receives a pulse signal of the main motor.

The input port of the second CPU (202) has an open / close detection switch (PSW) for the ADF (100), an ADF start switch (SSW), sensors (SE1) to (SE4) for detecting document conveyance, and a pinch roller motor (123). The sensor (SE5) that detects the rotation of is connected. Pickup roller (11
2), a feed motor that drives the forward and reverse rotation rollers (113) and (114), a transport motor that drives the transport belt (125), a solenoid that moves the pickup roller (112) up and down, and discharge rollers (131) to (134). ) Is connected. A pulse signal of the transport motor is input to the terminal (B2).

The clock terminal (SCK), interrupt output terminal (PCO), data output terminal (SOUT) and data input terminal (SIN) for data sampling and output of the first CPU (201) are connected to the second CP.
It is connected to the clock input terminal (SCK), interrupt input terminal (INT), data input terminal (SIN), and data output terminal (SOUT) of U (202).

[Control Procedure] Hereinafter, the control procedure of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8 to FIG.

FIG. 8 shows a first CPU (201) for controlling the copying machine body (1).
The main routine of FIG.

When the first CPU (201) is reset and the program starts, first, in step (S1), the internal RAM is cleared, various registers and the like are initialized, and initial settings for setting each device to the initial mode are performed.

Here, the flags used in the following routine will be described in advance.

Copy flag (F0): Indicates that the copying machine is in operation, and is set to "1" from the completion of the copy start process to the end of the copy process.

Mode flag (F1): Indicates the original feed mode in the ADF (100). The mode flag (F1) is set by the feed mode selection key (159).
"1" indicates the two-sheet feed mode.

Feed flag (F2): Platen glass (19) with ADF (100)
Above is to indicate the number of documents actually fed,
"0" indicates that the number is one, and "1" indicates that the number is two. Even when the two-sheet feed mode is selected, if the total number of originals is an odd number, it is "0" at the time of transporting the final original. This flag (F2) is set by the number-of-feeds signal from the second CPU (202).

Calculation flag (F20): Used when calculating copy paper selection and copy magnification setting in the APS mode and AMS mode, and is set according to the document feed mode and the actual number of sheets fed. That is,
When the value is "0", a single-sheet feed calculation is instructed, and when the value is "1", a double-sheet feed calculation is instructed.

Return to the routine, and in step (S2), the first CPU (201)
Set the main timer for. The main timer determines the time required for one of the main routines, and the value is set in advance in step (S1).

Next, the subroutines shown in steps (S3) to (S5) are sequentially called. Step (S3) is a key input processing subroutine, which is an input processing from the ten keys (152), a processing for storing the copy paper size set in the cassettes (30) and (35) in the internal RAM, and a copy mode switching key ( 155)
Copy mode setting processing by using the zoom selection key (156)
Execute the magnification setting process. Step (S4) is a document feed mode switching process subroutine, in which a document feed mode setting process of the ADF (100) is executed by a feed mode selection key (159). Step (S5) is a copy start processing subroutine for starting the copy operation.

Next, in step (S6), the copy flag (F0) is set to "1".
Then, if it is reset to "0", the process proceeds to step (S8), and if it is set to "1", the subroutine of the actual copying operation is executed in step (S7). Then, the process proceeds to step (S8). In step (S8), transmission and reception of data with the second CPU (202) are processed. The signals transmitted in this step (S8) include a signal during the copying operation, a document feed mode signal, and image exposure scanning for the set number of sheets, as signals transmitted from the first CPU (201) to the second CPU (202). There is a document exchange signal at the time of completion. A signal transmitted from the second CPU (202) to the first CPU (201) includes an ADF mode signal: "When a document is loaded on the document tray (111) during the copying operation and when the ADF (100) is not operating," A signal that is set to "1" and reset to "0" when the final document is discharged.

Set completion signal: A signal output when a document is conveyed to a predetermined position on the platen glass (19) and stopped.

Document size signal: ADF (100) sensor (SE3), (SE5)
The code signal of the original size detected at.

Feed number signal: A signal indicating the number of originals actually fed onto the original platen glass (19).

Prohibition signal: A signal that is output when the fed document size is incompatible with copying.

When the processing in each of the above subroutines is completed, the process returns to step (S2) after waiting for the end of the counting of the main timer in step (S9). Various timers appearing in each subroutine are counted using the length of time of this one routine. That is, various timers determine the end of counting based on how many times this one routine is repeated.

FIG. 9 shows a subroutine of a document feed mode switching process executed in step (S4) of the main routine.

First, in step (S10), it is determined whether the copy flag (F0) is “0”, and if it is set to “1”,
That is, if a copying operation is being performed, the process returns to the main routine.
If it has been reset to "0", it is determined in step (S11) whether or not the feed mode selection switch (159) is on-edge. If not on the edge, return to the main routine,
If it is an on-edge, the mode flag (F
It is determined whether 1) is “0”. If the mode flag (F1) is reset to "0", that is, if the single-sheet feed mode is set at this time, the mode flag (F1) is set to "1" in step (S13), that is, The mode is set to the two-sheet feed mode, and the process returns to the main routine. On the other hand, if it is determined in step (S12) that the mode flag (F1) is set to "1", the mode flag (F1) is reset to "0" in step (S14), ie, the single-sheet feed mode. Set to.

FIGS. 10a and 10b show steps of the main routine (S5).
1 shows a subroutine of the copy start process executed by the subroutine.
Here, the processing in the APS mode and the AMS mode is also executed.

First, in step (S20), it is determined whether or not the ADF mode signal is "1".
If copying using (100) has been selected (see step (S123)), it is determined in step (S21) whether or not a document inhibit signal has not been output. If the document inhibit signal has not been output, it is determined in step (S22) whether or not the set completion signal has been output. If the setting completion signal has not been output, the process stands by as it is. When the document is output, that is, when the document is set at a predetermined position on the platen glass (19) [Steps (S170), (S2)
12)], it is determined in step (S27) whether or not the mode flag (F1) is “1”. Mode flag (F1) is "0"
If it has been reset, the operation flag (F20) is reset to "0" in step (S28), and if it has been set to "1", the operation flag (F20) is set to "1" in step (S29). , And proceeds to step (S32).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (S21) that the document prohibition signal has been output [see step (S206)], a prohibition display is output in step (S26) to prohibit the start of the copying operation.

If it is determined in step (S20) that the ADF mode signal has been reset to "0", it is confirmed in step (S23) that the copy flag (F0) has been reset to "0". (S24) Print switch (15
It is determined whether 1) is an on-edge. When the print switch (151) is turned on, the step (S2
In step 5), the copy flag (F0) is set to "1", and the process returns to the main routine.

Next, it is determined in step (S32) whether or not the APS mode has been selected, and if so, it is determined in step (S33) whether or not the operation flag (F20) is “0”. If the operation flag (F20) is reset to "0",
If the APS mode has been selected in the single-sheet feed mode, the process of calculating the optimum copy sheet size based on the table 3a is executed in step (S34), and the process proceeds to step (S36). If the operation flag (F20) is set to "1", that is, if the APS mode is selected in the two-sheet feed mode, the optimal copy paper size based on the table 3b is determined in step (S35). The calculation processing is executed, and the process proceeds to step (S36).

Next, in step (S36), it is determined whether copy paper of the size calculated in step (S34) or (S35) is loaded or a cassette is present. If there is, the corresponding cassette is selected and set in step (S37), the copy flag (F0) is set to "1" in step (S48), and the process returns to the main routine. If there is no corresponding cassette, it is output in step (S38) that the copy paper of the optimum size is not loaded in any of the cassettes, and an operator is warned by appropriate display means [for example, display segment (160)].

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (S32) that the APS mode has not been selected, it is determined in step (S39) whether the mode flag (F1) is “1”. If it has been reset to "0", that is, if it is the single-sheet feed mode, the flow proceeds to step (S41). If the mode flag (F1) is set to "1", that is, if the mode is the two-sheet feed mode, it is determined whether or not the copy sheet selected in step (S40) is vertically passed. If it is vertical, the process proceeds to step (S41). If it is horizontal, a prohibition display is output in step (S49) to prohibit the start of the copying operation. This is because when the copy paper is in a two-sheet feed mode, the platen glass (19)
Regardless of the size of the two originals conveyed above (although the originals are limited to the same size in the present embodiment), the two original images arranged side by side can be fully accommodated on the horizontal copy paper. This is because it is impossible to set a copy magnification. When the copying operation is prohibited as described above, the operator only has to select the copy paper vertically.

Next, in step (S41), it is determined whether or not the AMS mode has been selected.
In step 8), the copy flag (F0) is set to "1", and the process returns to the main routine. If the AMS mode has been selected, it is determined in step (S42) whether or not the operation flag (F20) is "0". If the calculation flag (F20) is reset to "0", the process of the optimum magnification calculation based on the table 3a is executed in step (S43), and the process proceeds to step (S45). If the calculation flag (F20) is set to "1", the process of the optimum magnification calculation based on the table 3b is executed in step (S44), and the process proceeds to step (S45).

Next, in step (S45), it is determined whether or not the copy magnification calculated in step (S43) or (S44) is within the specifications of the machine. If there is, the magnification calculated in step (S46) is set, and in step (S48), the copy flag (F0) is set to "1", and the process returns to the main routine. If there is no corresponding magnification, the fact that there is no corresponding magnification is output in step (S47), and an operator is warned by appropriate display means [for example, display segment (160)].

As described above, by setting the copy flag (F0) to "1" in steps (S25) and (S48), the copy processing in step (S8) is started. In addition, the copying process and the control of the APS mode and the AMS mode are well known,
The description is omitted.

FIG. 11 shows a main routine of the second CPU (202) for controlling the ADF (100).

When the second CPU (202) is reset and the program starts, first, in step (S100), the internal RAM is cleared, various registers and the like are initialized, and initialization for setting each device to the initial mode is performed.

Here, the flags used in the following routine will be described in advance.

Copy flag (F0), mode flag (F1), feed flag (F2): The above flags are the same as those used in the control of the first CPU (201).

ADF operation flag (F3): indicates that the ADF (100) is operating, and is set to "1" from the start of document feeding until the last document is discharged.

ADF feed flag (F4): Indicates that the ADF (100) is feeding a document. From the start of document feeding to the completion of stopping at a predetermined position on the platen glass (19) Is set to "1" during

Leading edge registration flag (F5): Indicates that the leading edge registration process is being performed to send a document from the tray (111) to the leading edge registration position, and the leading edge registration process is started from the start of feeding the first and second documents. "1" until completed
Is set to

Leading edge registration start flag (F6): This flag indicates the timing to start leading edge registration processing, and is a period from the start of feeding the first and second originals to the start of the feeding motor and the pickup roller (112). 1 "is set.

Standby flag (F7): This flag indicates that the document is waiting at the leading edge registration position, and is “1” from the completion of the leading edge registration processing to the restart of feeding onto the platen glass (19).
Is set to

Set Complete Flag (F8): Indicates that the document fed from the document tray (111) is set at a predetermined position on the platen glass (19). Until it is set to "1".

Ejection flag (F9): Indicates that the original is being ejected from the original platen glass (19) to the ejection tray (135), and is "1" from when the original exchange signal is generated until the ejection is completed. Is set to

Document flag (F10): Indicates whether the document in the feeding state in the two-sheet feeding mode is the first to second sheets, and is “0”.
Indicates that it is in the first state, and “1” indicates that it is the second sheet.

Returning to the routine, in step (S101), the second CPU (20
2) Set the main timer. This main timer determines the time required for one of the main routines, and its value is set in advance in step (S100).

Next, in step (S102), it is determined whether the mode is the ADF mode. If NO, the process proceeds to step (S112), and if YES, the subroutines of steps (S103) to (S105) are sequentially called. . The step (S103) executes a process of detecting the ON edge of the ADF start switch (SSW) and starting the operation of the ADF (100). Step (S104)
Moves the document from the document tray (111) to the pinch roller (121),
The leading edge registration process of sending to the leading edge registration position of (122) is executed. Step (S105) is the document tray (11
The processing for detecting the size of the original sent from 1) is executed.

Next, in step (S106), it is determined whether or not the mode flag (F1) is “1”. Mode flag (F1) is "0"
, Ie, in the single-sheet feed mode, the subroutines of steps (S107) and (S110) are called, and the process proceeds to step (S112). In step (S107), a process of feeding and setting ordinary documents one by one onto the document glass (19) is executed. Step (S110) executes a process of discharging one document to the discharge tray (135).

In the step (S106), the mode flag (F1) is "1".
Is determined to have been set, that is, if the two-sheet feed mode has been selected, a process of feeding and setting two sheets of document on the platen glass (19) in the subroutine of step (S108) is performed. Run. Then, in step (S109), it is determined whether or not the feed flag (F2) is "1". If it is set to "1", the subroutine of step (S111) is executed.
A process of discharging the document to the discharge tray (135) is performed, and the process proceeds to step (S112). If the sending flag (F2) has been reset to "0", the subroutine of the step (S110) is executed, and the process proceeds to the step (S112).

In step (S112), data transmission and reception with the first CPU (201) are processed. The signals communicated here are the same as those described in the processing of step (S8).

When the processing in each of the above subroutines is completed, the process returns to step (S101) after waiting for the end of the counting of the main timer in step (S113). Various timers appearing in each subroutine are counted using the length of time of this one routine.

FIG. 12 shows a subroutine of ADF start processing executed in step (S103) of the main routine of the second CPU (202).

First, whether the copy flag (F0) has been reset to "0" in step (S120) is determined in step (S121).
To determine whether the ADF operation flag (F3) has been reset to "0", and whether or not the sensor (SE1) on the document tray (111) is ON in step (S122). Then, the process immediately returns to the main routine. If both are YES, that is, if it is confirmed that the copying operation and the ADF operation are not being performed and that the original is set on the tray (111), the process proceeds to step (S123). Sets the ADF mode signal to "1".

Next, in step (S124), the ADF start switch (SS
W), the ADE operation flag (F3) is set to “1” in step (S125), and in step (S126)
Set the ADF feed flag (F4) to "1" and
At 127), the leading end registration flag (F5) and the leading end registration start flag (F6) are set to "1". Subsequently, in step (S128), it is determined whether or not the mode flag (F1) is "1". If it is set to "1", the sending flag (F2) is set to "1" in step (S129). If the flag has been reset to "0", the feed flag (F2) is reset to "0" in step (S130), and this subroutine ends.

FIG. 13 shows a subroutine of the leading edge registration processing executed in step (S104) of the main routine of the second CPU (202).

First, in step (S140), the leading edge registration flag (F5)
Is determined to be “1”, and if it is reset to “0”, the process immediately returns to the main routine. If it is set to “1”, the leading end registration start flag (F6) is set to “1” in step (S141). Is determined. If this flag (F6) has been reset to "0", the flow proceeds to step (S144), and if it has been set to "1", the feed motor and the pickup solenoid are turned on in step (S142). As a result, the pickup roller (112) comes into pressure contact with the uppermost surface of the document and rotates, and the forward / reverse rotation rollers (113) and (114) also start rotating, so that only one uppermost document is removed from the tray (111). It is sent out (see Fig. 3a). Then, step (S1
In step 43), the leading end registration start flag (F6) is reset to "0", and the flow shifts to step (S144).

In the step (S144), it is determined whether or not the sensor (SE2) is on-edge. If not, the step (S146)
Then, if it becomes an on-edge, the leading edge registration timer is set in step (S145), and the process proceeds to step (S146). The leading edge registration timer detects that the leading edge of the document detected by the sensor (SE2) is a pinch roller (121),
Is set to the time until it contacts the nip portion and forms a loop. Therefore, in step (S146), the process waits for the end of the count of the leading edge registration timer, and then proceeds to step (S14).
7) Turn off the feed motor and the pickup solenoid in
In step (S148), the leading edge registration flag (E5) is set to "0".
And the standby flag (F7) is set to "1" in step (S149), and this subroutine ends. Thus, the leading end of the document sent from the tray (111) comes into contact with the nip portion of the pinch rollers (121) and (122) to correct the skew, and waits in a state where a loop is formed on the upstream side ( (See Figure 3b).

FIG. 14 shows a subroutine of a document size detection process executed in step (S105) of the main routine of the second CPU (202). This subroutine is executed while the original is fed from the leading edge registration position to a predetermined position on the original platen glass (19). The length of the original in the conveying direction is detected by the pulse count by the sensor (SE5), and the width direction is detected. The size of the document is determined based on a combination of ON and OFF of the sensor (SE3) for detecting the document size.

Here, first, it is determined whether or not the pinch roller motor (123) has started in step (S150). This pinch roller motor (123) is turned on in the following step (S164). If it does not rise, the process proceeds to step (S152). If it rises, the pulse count of the sensor (SE5) is started in step (S151), and the process proceeds to step (S152).
Go to 152). When the off-edge of the sensor (SE2) is confirmed in step (S152), the pulse counting of the sensor (SE5) is stopped in step (S153), and the step (S152) is stopped.
At 154), the document size is calculated based on the pulse count and the ON / OFF signal of the sensor (SE3). At step S155, a document size signal is output, and this subroutine ends.

FIG. 15 shows a subroutine of a document feeding process in the single-sheet feeding mode, which is executed in step (S107) of the main routine of the second CPU (202).

First, in step (S160), it is determined whether or not the ADF feed flag (F4) is "1". If the flag is reset to "0", the process immediately returns to the main routine. If the flag is set to "1", That is, when the ADF start switch (SSW) is turned on, it is determined in step (S161) whether or not the standby flag (F7) is "1". If the standby flag (F7) has been reset to "0", the process proceeds to step (S166). If the standby flag (F7) has been set to "1", that is, the leading edge of the document is
If it is registered in 1) and (122), step (S16
In 2), it is determined whether or not the discharge flag (F9) is "0". If the discharge flag (F9) has already been set to "1", the process proceeds to step (S164). If the discharge flag (F9) has been reset to "0", the transport motor is turned on in step (S163), and the process proceeds to step (S1).
In 64), the pinch roller motor (123) is turned on, and in step (S165), the standby flag (F7) is reset to "0", and the process proceeds to step (S166). As a result, the original is restarted to be fed onto the original table glass (19) from the leading edge registration position.

In step (S166), it is determined whether or not the sensor (SE2) is off-edge. If not, step (S168)
Then, if it is an off-edge, the stop timer is set in step (S167), and the flow proceeds to step (S168). The stop timer is set to the time from when the rear end of the document passes through the sensor (SE2) to when the document reaches the exposure start position on the document table glass (19). Therefore, after stopping the counting of the stop timer in step (S168), the pinch roller motor (123) and the conveying motor are turned off in (S169), and a document setting completion signal is output to the first CPU (201) in step (S170). Then, in a step (S171), the set completion flag (F8) is set to "1". The original is now on the platen glass (1
9) Feeding and stopping to the upper specified position.

Next, in step (S172), it is determined whether or not the sensor (SE1) is on. If the sensor is on, that is, if the next original is on the tray (111), the original is subjected to the leading edge registration processing in advance. In step (S173), the leading edge registration flag (F5) is set to "1" in step (S173), the leading edge registration start flag (F6) is set to "1" in step (S174), and the ADF supply is performed in step (S175). The sending flag (F4) is reset to "0", and this subroutine ends. Further, if the sensor (SE1) is turned off in the step (S172), ie,
If there are no more documents in the tray (111), go to step (S
At 175), the ADF feed flag (F4) is reset to "0", and this subroutine ends.

16a and 16b show a subroutine of a document feeding process in the two-sheet feeding mode, which is executed in step (S108) of the main routine of the second CPU (202). In this subroutine, only when the size of the first original document and the size of the second original document are both the same size and horizontal (for example, A4
(Side-through or B5 side-through) A two-sheet feeding process is executed, and when other originals are fed, the copying operation is prohibited and the originals are discharged.

First, in step (S180), it is determined whether or not the ADF feed flag (F4) is "1". If the flag is reset to "0", the process immediately returns to the main routine. If the flag is set to "1", That is, when the ADF start switch (SSW) is turned on, it is determined in step (S181) whether or not the document flag (F10) is “0”. If the document flag (F10) is set to "1", that is, if the document to be fed from now is the second sheet, the process proceeds to step (S201), and if the document flag is reset to "0", If the original to be fed is the first one, the standby flag (F7) is set to "1" in step (S182).
It is determined whether or not. If the standby flag (F7) has been reset to "0", the process proceeds to step (S187), and if it has been set to "1", that is, if the leading edge registration processing for the first document has been completed. In step (S183), it is determined whether the discharge flag (F9) is “0”. If the discharge flag (F9) is set to "1", the process proceeds to step (S185) since one set of documents is already being discharged and the conveyance motor is turned on, and is reset to "0". Sometimes, the transport motor is turned on in step (S184), the pinch roller motor (123) is turned on in step (S185), the standby flag (F7) is reset to "0" in step (S186), and the process returns to step (S187). Transition. As a result, the feeding of the first document from the leading edge registration position onto the platen glass (19) is resumed (see FIG. 3c).

In step (S187), it is determined whether or not the sensor (SE2) is off-edge. If not, step (S193)
If it is off-edge, it is determined in step (S188) whether or not the document size is horizontal. If the document is in portrait orientation, the original image cannot fit on the copy paper.
Outputs a prohibition signal to the first CPU (201), and proceeds to step (S20
In step 7), the ADF feed flag (F4) is reset to "0", and in step (S208), the discharge flag (F9) is set to "1" to instruct document discharge, and the process returns to the main routine. If the document size is horizontal, the sensor (SE1) is used in step (S189).
Is determined to be on or not, and if not on, ie, 2
If the first original is not on the tray (111) and the first original in the feeding state at this time is the final original, the original is processed as a second original. (F10) is set to "1", the feed flag (F2) is reset to "0" in step (S191), and the step (S2
Go to 09).

If the sensor (SE1) is turned on in step (S189), that is, if the second document is on the tray (111), the switchback timer is set in step (S192). The switchback timer starts the pinch roller (12) after the trailing edge of the first document is detected by the sensor (SE2).
The time is set to completely pass through the nip portion of (1) and (122).

Next, in step (S193), it is determined whether or not the count of the switchback timer is completed. If not completed, the process proceeds to step (S198). If completed, the transfer motor and the pinch roller motor (123) are set in step (S194). Turn off (3d
See figure). Subsequently, in step (S195), the transport motor is turned on reversely. As a result, the first original is pinch roller (12
It is sent back to 1) and (122). Then, in step (S196), the leading edge registration flag (F5) and the leading edge registration start flag (F6) are set to "1", and the leading edge registration processing for the second document is prepared. At the same time, the reverse rotation timer is set in step (S197), and step (S19)
Go to 8). The reverse rotation timer is set to the time from when the document is reversely fed to when the trailing edge contacts the nip portion of the pinch rollers (121) and (122) and the trailing edge is registered.

Therefore, after the count of the reverse rotation timer is completed in step (S198), the reverse rotation of the transport motor is turned off in step (S199), and in step (S200), the document flag (F10) is set to process the second document thereafter. Set to “1”. As a result, the first document has pinch rollers (121) and (122) at the rear end.
And waits in the registered state.

Next, in step (S201), the standby flag (F7) is set to "1".
It is determined whether or not. Here, it is determined whether or not the leading edge registration processing of the second document has been completed. If the standby flag (F7) has been reset to “0”, the process proceeds to step (S204) and set to “1”. That is, if the subroutine of step (S104) has been executed and the leading edge registration processing for the second document has been completed [step (S14)
9)], the transport motor and the pinch roller motor (123) are turned on in step (S202), and the standby flag (F7) is reset to “0” in step (S203), and the process proceeds to step (S20).
Go to 4). As a result, the first and second originals are continuously fed onto the platen glass (19) (see FIG. 3g,
(See Figure 3h).

In step (S204), it is determined whether or not the sensor (SE2) is off-edge. If not, step (S210)
To the step (S20) when the edge is off-edge, that is, when the rear end of the second document has passed the sensor (SE2).
In step 5), it is determined whether the size of the second document is landscape.
If the document is in portrait orientation, the document image cannot fit on the copy paper, so a prohibition signal is output to the first CPU (201) in step (S206), and the ADF feed flag (F4) is set to “0” in step (S207). The discharge flag (F9) is set to "1" in step (S208) to instruct document discharge, and the process returns to the main routine. If the document size is horizontal, the stop timer is set in step (S209), and step (S210)
Move to This stop timer is the same as that set in the step (S167). Then, step (S2
In step (10), the end of the count of the stop timer is waited, and in step (S211), the conveyance motor and the pinch roller motor (123) are turned off.
Output to the PU (201), the setting completion flag (F8) is set to "1" in step (S213), and the document flag (F10) is reset to "0" in step (S214). This is 2
This means that the originals have been fed to a predetermined position on the original platen glass (19) and stopped in a line in the transport direction (see FIG. 3i).

Next, in step (S215), it is determined whether or not the sensor (SE1) is on. If the sensor is on, that is, if the next original is on the tray (111), the original is replaced with the first original. In step (S216), the tip registration flag (F5) and the tip registration start flag (F6) are set to "1", and the ADF feed flag (F4) is set in step (S217). It is reset to "0" and this subroutine ends. If the sensor (SE1) is off, that is, if there are no documents on the tray (111),
In step (S217), the ADF feed flag (F4) is reset to "0", and this subroutine ends.

FIG. 17 shows a subroutine of a one-sheet feed original discharge process executed in step (S110) of the main routine of the second CPU (202). This process is executed when the single-sheet feed mode is selected, when the last sheet of the odd-numbered sheet is fed even when the two-sheet feed mode is selected, or when the first sheet is fed. Is determined to be inappropriate for copying in the two-sheet feed mode [Step (S188)
NO].

First, in step (S220), the discharge flag (F9) is set to “1”.
It is determined whether or not. The discharge flag (F9) is set to "1" when the document exchanging signal is output after the image exposure scanning for the number of copies of the original in the copying machine body (1) is completed. Therefore, if the discharge flag (F9) is still reset to "0", the process immediately returns to the main routine. If the discharge flag (F9) is set to "1", whether or not the set completion flag (F8) is "1" in step (S211). Is determined. If the set completion flag (F8) has been reset to "0", the step (S22)
Go to 4), and if it is set to “1”, go to step (S
Turn on the transport motor and discharge motor in step 222), and
At 223), the set completion flag (F8) is reset to "0", and the routine goes to Step (S224). Thus, the document set on the platen glass (19) is started to be discharged.

In step (S224), it is determined whether or not the sensor (SE4) is off edge, that is, whether or not the trailing edge of the document has passed the sensor (SE4). If not, step (S226)
If it is off-edge, the discharge timer is set in step (S225), and the flow proceeds to step (S226). This discharge timer is set to the time from when the trailing edge of the document is detected by the sensor (SE4) to when it passes through the discharge rollers (133) and (134). Therefore, the discharge motor is turned off in step (S227) after the counting of the discharge timer is completed in step (S226). The document is now in the output tray (135)
It will be discharged above.

Next, in step (S228), the standby flag (F7) is set to "0".
That is, it is determined whether or not the next document is waiting at the leading edge registration position. If the standby flag (F7) is set to "1", the ADF feeding flag (F4) is set to "1" in step (S232) to execute the feeding process, and the process proceeds to step (S233). I do. If the standby flag (F7) has been reset to "0", that is, if the discharged original is the last original, the conveyance motor is turned off in step (S229), and the ADF operation flag is set in step (S230). (F
3) is reset to "0", and in step (S231), the ADF mode signal is reset to "0" and output to the first CPU (201), and the process proceeds to step (S233).

In step (S233), the discharge flag (F9) is reset to "0", and in step (S234), it is determined whether or not the mode flag (F1) is "1". Mode flag (F1) is "0"
, Ie, in the single-sheet feed mode, the process returns to the main routine. Mode flag (F1)
Is set to "1", that is, in the two-sheet feed mode, the feed flag (F2) is set to "1" in step (S235), and the process returns to the main routine.

FIG. 18 shows a subroutine of a two-sheet feed document discharging process executed in step (S111) of the main routine of the second CPU (202). In this subroutine, when the first document is clamped between the discharge rollers (131) and (132) when the document is discharged, the driving of the transport belt (125) is temporarily stopped and
The first document is temporarily put on standby on the platen glass (19). After an appropriate space is left between the two documents, the conveyor belt (125) is again driven to rotate to align the two documents. It is discharged onto the discharge tray (135) with good efficiency.

Specifically, steps (S240) to (S243) are the same as steps (S220) to (S223), and the discharge flag (F
9) The discharge process is started when the set completion flag (F8) is set to "1" (see FIG. 4a). Then, in a step (S244), it is determined whether or not the sensor (SE4) is on-edge. If the sensor (SE4) is not on-edge, the process proceeds to step (S247), and if it is on-edge, it is determined in step (S245) whether the document flag (F10) is "0". If the document flag (F10) is reset to "0", that is, if the document whose leading end is detected by the sensor (SE4) in step (S224) is the first document, the process proceeds to step (S246). The transport motor is turned off, and the process proceeds to step (S247). The second original is now on the platen glass (19)
And only the first document is discharged (No.
4b to 4d).

In step (S247), it is determined whether or not the sensor (SE4) is off edge. If the sensor (SE4) is not off-edge, the process proceeds to step (S252), and if it is off-edge, it is determined in step (S248) whether or not the document flag (F10) is "1". If the document flag (F10) is reset to "0", that is, if the document whose rear end is detected by the sensor (SE4) in step (S247) is the first document, step (S250) To turn on the transport motor, set the document flag (F10) to "1" in step (S251), and return to the main routine. As a result, discharge of the second document waiting on the platen glass (19) is resumed (see FIG. 4e).

On the other hand, when it is determined in step (S248) that the document flag (F10) is set to "1", that is, in step (S247), the document whose rear end is detected by the sensor (SE4) is 2 If it is the first document, the discharge timer is set in step (S249), and the process proceeds to step (S252).

Steps (S252) to (S257) correspond to the steps (S226)
To (S231), the discharge motor is turned off at the end of the count of the discharge timer [YES in step (S252), step (S253)], and the process of feeding the next document is executed [step (S254)]. ), NO, step (S258)], and if the final document has been discharged, end processing is executed [YES in step (S254), steps (S255) to (S257)]. Subsequently, in step (S259), the discharge flag (F9) is reset to "0", and in step (S260), the document flag (F10) is reset to "0", and this subroutine ends.

FIG. 19 shows a subroutine of another document discharging process for two-sheet feeding, which is executed in step (S111) of the main routine of the second CPU (202). In this subroutine, the document conveyance speed of the discharge rollers (131) to (134) is set to be higher than the document conveyance speed of the conveyance belt (125), and the discharge tray (135) is provided with an appropriate interval between the two documents. ) Discharge with good alignment.

Specifically, steps (S270) to (S273) are the same as steps (S240) to (S243) and (S220) to (S223), and the discharge flag (F9) and the set completion flag (F8) When it is set to "1", the discharging process is started. In this case, the document transport speed by the discharge rollers (131) to (134) is set to be higher than the document transport speed by the transport belt (125), and the gap between the first document and the second document is gradually increased. (See Figs. 5a and 5b).

Next, in step (S274), it is determined whether or not the sensor (SE4) is off edge. If the sensor (SE4) is not off-edge, the process proceeds to step (S278), and if it is off-edge, it is determined in step (S275) whether the document flag (F10) is "1". If the document flag (F10) has been reset to "0", that is, in step (S274), the sensor (SE4)
In step (S277), the document flag (F10) is set to "1", and the process returns to the main routine. This subroutine is called again, and if it is determined in step (S275) that the document flag (F10) is set to "1", that is, at this time, the rear end is detected by the sensor (SE4) in step (S274). If the original is the second original, the discharge timer is set in step (S276).

The following steps (S278) to (S286) are the same as the above steps (S252) to (S260), and the discharge motor is turned off when the count of the discharge timer ends [YE in step (S278)].
S, step (S279)], start feeding of the next original, and end this subroutine or [step (S280) returns N
O, Steps (S284) to (S286), if the final document is to be discharged, end processing is executed and this subroutine ends [YES in step (S280), steps (S281) to (S281)]
(S283), (S285), (S286)].

[Main Part of Embodiment] In the above configuration, the first and second original sizes are automatically detected at the time of original feeding in the two-sheet feeding mode (see FIG. 14). If the original is vertical, see [Figure 16a, 16b, Step (S188) or (S2
05) is NO], and thereafter the copying operation is prohibited [FIG. 2, step (S206)]. Then, the already fed document is discharged from the platen glass (19) [steps (S207) and (S208) in FIG. As a result, erroneous copying that inadvertently causes image cutout or blank space in the two-sheet feed mode can be reliably prevented.

[Other Embodiments] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment,
Various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist.

For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the pinch rollers (121) and (122) are used as means for registering the leading edge and the trailing edge of the original, but as shown in FIGS. 20a to 20d, the gate (129) is used. ) Can also be used. In this case, the gate (1
29) is provided on the downstream side in the feeding direction of the pinch rollers (121) and (122) so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the feeding path, and the upper pinch roller (121) is positioned with respect to the lower pinch roller (122). It can be approached and separated.

In this case, when the two-sheet feed mode is selected and the ADF start switch (SSW) is turned on, first, the pinch roller (121) is separated from the lower roller (122), and the gate (129) is fed. Get into the street. Document tray (111)
The original loaded on the upper side is fed from the uppermost original (D1) by the rotation of the pickup roller (112), is separated by the forward / reverse rotation rollers (113) and (114), and the front end is a pinch roller (121). , (122), comes into contact with the gate (129), and a tip resist process is performed (see FIG. 20a).
Thereafter, the gate (129) is retracted from the feeding path, the pinch roller (121) is pressed against the lower roller (122) to be driven to rotate, and the transport belt (125) is also driven to rotate forward. . The original (D1) has a gate (12
It is fed until it passes 9) (see Fig. 20b).

Next, while the gate (129) enters the feeding route,
The pinch roller (121) separates from the lower roller (122). At the same time, the transport belt (125) is driven in the reverse direction in the direction of the arrow (c '), the document (D1) is fed in the reverse direction, and the trailing edge contacts the gate (129) to perform the trailing edge registration process (FIG. 20c). reference). The first manuscript (D1)
The second original (D2) on the original tray (111) is fed in a state where is subjected to the rear end registration processing, and the front end registration processing is performed. As a result, the two originals (D1) and (D2) are continuously arranged side by side with the trailing edge resist and the leading edge resist at the gate (129).

In this state, the gate (129) is retracted from the feeding path, the pinch roller (121) is pressed against the lower roller (122) and is driven to rotate, and the transport belt (125) is also driven forward. The originals (D1) and (D2) are simultaneously fed onto the original platen glass (19) (see FIG. 20d). When the rear end of the second original (D2) reaches a predetermined position on the original platen glass (19), that is, the exposure start position by the optical system (20), the pinch rollers (121) and (122) And conveyor belt (12
5) The rotation drive is stopped.

On the other hand, in the process of setting the document at the predetermined position, the control for stopping the feeding by the timer based on the rear end detection signal of the document by the sensor (SE2) is described. Alternatively, a method in which a document stopper is provided and the document is switched back may be used. That is, the document is once fed until it overruns the predetermined position, and then the transport belt (125) is reversed to switch back, and the rear end of the document is positioned in contact with the step or the stopper.

In the present invention, various means other than those described above may be employed for arranging two originals on the original platen glass (19). For example, a so-called offset feed method may be adopted in which a second document is fed following the first document in the separation section when the document is fed. Alternatively, move the document transport belt (125)
It is also possible to adopt a method of dividing and installing. In this case, at the time of document ejection, the ejection drive timing of the conveyor belt holding the second document is delayed, or the ejection speed is set to be slow, so that an appropriate interval is provided between the document and the first document. The output tray (13
5) It is possible to discharge on top.

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the copy mode in which the first document and the second document are copied on the same surface of the copy paper adjacent to each other in the copy paper transport direction. In this case, when it is detected that the orientation of the first document is vertical, the copying operation in the copy mode is prohibited, and the orientation of the first document is detected to be horizontal. In this case, the orientation of the second document is further detected. If the orientation of the second document is vertical, the copying operation in the copy mode is prohibited.
As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent erroneous copying such as image cut-out or margin generation during copying, and to improve usability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 to 19 show an embodiment of a copying apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 1 is an internal configuration diagram of a copying system, FIG. 2 is a perspective view in which a part of an ADF is cut away, and FIG. FIGS. 3A to 3I are explanatory diagrams showing an operation of the original feeding process, FIGS. 4A to 4E are explanatory diagrams showing an example of the original discharging process, and FIGS. 5A to 5C are other explanatory diagrams of the original discharging process. FIG. 6 is a plan view of an operation panel, FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control circuit, FIG.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a control procedure. 20th
20a to 20d are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the original feeding process in a modification of the registration means. (1) Copier body, (100) Automatic document feeder (ADF), (110) Document feeder, (111) Document tray, (112) Pickup roller, (120) )… Document feeder, (121), (122)… Pinch roller, (12
5) Conveyor belt, (129) Gate, (130)
Document discharge section, (135): discharge tray, (159), feed mode selection key, (SE1) to (SE4): photosensor for document detection, (SE5): photosensor for pulse counting.

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-60-82542 (JP, A) JP-A-61-275832 (JP, A) JP-A-60-230156 (JP, A)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A copying machine having an automatic document feeder for stopping a document fed from a document feeder on a platen and discharging the document from the platen after an exposure operation has been completed, wherein the document is fed from the document feeder. Selecting means for selecting a copy mode for copying the first and second originals on the same side of the copy paper adjacent to each other in the copy paper transport direction, and supplying the original sent from the original feeder; Detecting means for detecting an orientation with respect to a feeding direction; and when the detecting means detects that the orientation of the first document is vertical, the copying operation in the copy mode is prohibited, and If the orientation of the original is detected to be horizontal, the orientation of the second original is further detected. If the orientation of the second original is portrait, the copying operation in the copy mode is performed. Control means to be prohibited, and Features a copying machine.