JPH04362964A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To use an image recorder and an external storing device while freely and accurately selecting collation between both of them by making use of plural external storing means and executing copying by plural copying machines. CONSTITUTION:The plural card ID numbers are stored in the card ID number storing part 551 of the image forming device, and the image forming device ID number of its own is stored in the storing part 552. Moreover, the plural image forming device ID numbers which can be used by a card 30 are stored in the card 30, a selecting part 541 selects those one by one, a comparing part 543 decides whether the image forming device ID number selected coincides with the image forming device ID number stored in the storing means 55. Unless all the image forming device ID numbers stored in the card 30 coincide, an invalid signal is transmitted from an invalid signal generating part 545, and transferred to a first controlling means by a card invalidity transmitting means.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, and the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, in which an external storage means and the main body of the apparatus are connected to an electrical means, or the external storage means and the main body of the apparatus are connected to a radio wave means. Alternatively, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that is connected by optical means and whose movable state is managed between the external storage means and the image forming apparatus, so that, for example, the number of sheets can be managed reliably.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as copying machines have become widespread, and their performance and functions have also shown remarkable progress. Unlike simple copying machines used for personal use, such high-performance copying machines are often managed in common with each department within a company. In this case, it is appropriate to divide the management costs etc. according to the number of copies to be used. For this purpose, for example, a plurality of portable memory cards (portable storage means) are used as an external storage means for the main body of the device.
By distributing memory cards to each workplace on which department and individual codes are registered, and attaching them to the device itself when making copies, the number of copies to be made for each workplace can be managed. This method is also used as a method. For example, JP-A-60-165664, JP-A-61-2
No. 77976, JP-A-62-96958, JP-A-62
-96966 and JP-A-1-105964 disclose techniques related to this.

[0003] Now, looking at memory cards, which are external storage means with advanced functions used in image forming apparatuses, memory cards usually have an ID number (hereinafter referred to as ID No.) assigned to each card, such as an arbitrary number. Card ID No.
On the other hand, the image forming device is stored with a card ID number that can use the image forming device. are registered, and these card ID No. Card ID No. that can be used with If the numbers match, image formation is possible, and each time image formation is performed, it is counted in a predetermined memory in the memory card and the number of images on which images are formed is managed. On the contrary, the configuration was such that image formation could not be performed (or the memory card would be invalidated) unless they matched.

[0004] When using a memory card in this way,
For example, if each person owns the memory card and uses various copying machines, some copying machines can be used and some cannot, depending on the card ID number, and the drawback is that the various copying machines cannot be used as needed. will occur.

[0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The present invention provides a method for using the memory card, which is the external storage means, for example, an IC card, a magnetic card, or a radio wave or By using light, more diverse uses are possible, and by using the external storage means, the various types of copying machines or other image recording devices and the external storage means can be freely and accurately selected and used. The purpose is to obtain.

[0006]

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes an external storage means connectable to an image forming apparatus, ID numbers of a plurality of usable image forming apparatuses stored in the external storage means, and an ID number of the image forming apparatuses. a first storage means for collating an ID number of the image forming apparatus with an ID number of the usable image forming apparatus; and an ID number of the external storage means stored in the external storage means. and IDs of multiple external storage methods that can be used.
A combination of a second storage means for storing a number, a second verification means for verifying the ID number of the external storage means and an ID number of the usable external storage, and the first and second verification means. a verification mode selection means for selecting a verification mode; an image formation permission determination means for determining image formation permission based on the verification result of the verification mode selected by the verification mode selection means; and based on the determination result of the image formation permission determination means. and a control means for executing image formation.

That is, the present invention takes advantage of the function of an external storage means with advanced functions that is removably attached to an image forming apparatus, stores ID numbers of a plurality of usable image forming apparatuses in the external storage means, and furthermore, The forming device also includes a first storage means for storing ID numbers corresponding to a plurality of external storage means.
and a second two-stage I of the image forming device that can be used with a plurality of
It is also possible to select a verification mode by collating the D number with the first and second storage means at each stage. ID No. of the image forming apparatus is also possible. It is also possible to selectively perform verification using a combination of the above two methods.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the main components of a copying machine which is an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

First, the copying process of this copying machine will be briefly explained. The photoreceptor drum 10 on which the photoreceptor layer has been applied or vapor-deposited is rotated clockwise by a driving means (not shown), and residual toner on the photoreceptor drum 10 is removed by a cleaning means 27 (to be described later), and the pre-charging exposure lamp 28 is turned on, and the locally residual charge on the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor drum 10 is removed. The photosensitive layer of the photosensitive drum 10 is uniformly charged by the charger 16.

On the other hand, a halogen lamp 121 attached to a carriage 12 that slides in the horizontal direction in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 10 illuminates the document D placed on the document table 11. The light reflected from the original D by this halogen lamp 121 is transmitted through a slit (not shown) and a mirror 122.
, an image is formed on a photoreceptor drum 10, which will be described later, via mirrors 131 and 132 of the movable mirror unit 13, the lens 14, and the mirror 15. That is, the reflected light from the original is exposed to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum 10.

The carriage and the movable mirror unit 13 are connected to a wire (
(both not shown), and are slid in the same direction at speeds of V and 1/2V, respectively.

This electrostatic latent image is then developed by a developing device 17 containing toner, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 10. Developing sleeve 171 of developing device 17
A direct current or even alternating current bias is applied to perform reversal development on the photosensitive drum 10 whose base is grounded.

The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 is supplied from a paper feed cassette 18 by a paper feed roller 19 and is transferred onto a transfer material P by a timing roller 20 in synchronization with the toner image. . This transfer is performed by a transfer device 21 that applies a high-voltage power source with a polarity opposite to that of the toner.
done by.

[0014] Thus, the transfer material P to which the toner image has been transferred
is reliably separated from the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor drum 10 by the separation electrode 22, and transferred to the fixing means 2 by the conveyor belt 23.
4. After the toner image on the transfer material P is melted and fixed by the fixing means 24, the transfer material P is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 26 provided outside the apparatus by a paper discharge roller 25.

On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 10 that has completed the transfer of the toner image onto the transfer material P further rotates clockwise, and the cleaning blade 2 that is pressed onto the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is rotated clockwise.
Removal of residual toner and cleaning are performed by the cleaning means 27 having 71. After this cleaning is completed, a new copying process begins again.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a plurality of cards 30 that can be used as portable storage means, eg, external storage means, according to the present invention. This card 30
is removable from a plurality of image forming devices, and
A plurality of memory cards 30 (hereinafter abbreviated as cards) having non-volatile memory such as a memory card or an IC card are portable storage means for the operator himself/herself, and a plurality of memory cards 30 (hereinafter referred to as cards) are used for one image forming apparatus, or One or more sheets can be prepared for a plurality of image forming apparatuses, and distributed to each workplace, department, or individual for use. The card 30 is inserted through a card 30 insertion slot (not shown) provided on the exterior near the operation panel of the image forming apparatus, and is mounted on the mounting section 29 . When the card 30 is attached to the attachment section 29, the input/output terminal 31 provided on the card 30 and the connection section (not shown) of the second control means 50, which will be described later, are electrically connected, and signals can be exchanged. It will be done. This card 3
0 includes ID numbers corresponding to the card 30, each workplace department, a plurality of image forming devices that can be used with this card 30, or an individual for checking the card 30. etc. is ID No. The information can be stored in the storage means 32, and the number of copies can be stored in the counter storage means 34 for centralized management by department, individual, transfer material size, or even the total number of copies. Note that if the image forming apparatus is a color image forming apparatus,
Different image forming process control sequence programs may be stored for each image forming mode, that is, forming a monochrome image, forming a monochrome image, and forming a full color image.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the control structure within the image forming apparatus of the present invention. A first control means 40 and a second control means 50 are provided in the image forming apparatus.
The card 30 can be attached to the control means 50.

The first control means 40 includes a sequence control means 41 for controlling the process described above, a communication means 42 for communicating with the second control means, a count pulse generation means 43 for generating pulses according to the number of times of image formation, A determining means 44 that performs various determinations, etc., ID No. of the image forming apparatus. ID No. of 30 cards that can be used. A storage means 45 that stores such information as
, various image forming process mode settings and ID No. It has input means 46 for inputting registration, etc., counter designation means 47 for designating a counter to be counted, and display means 48 for displaying various displays on a display section (none of which is shown) of the operation panel.

On the other hand, the second
The control means 50 includes a read/write means 51 for reading or writing information to the card, a communication means 52 for communicating with the first control means, and the count pulse generation means 43.
count pulse detection means 53 for detecting count pulses generated by , determination means 54 for making various determinations, etc., storage means 5 for storing information etc. obtained by the communication means 52.
5. Counting means 56 for counting the card 30 into the counter storage means 34, detection means 58 for detecting that the card 30 is attached to the attachment section 29, card 30 (not shown)
It has a connection part etc. which are electrically connected to the connection terminal 31 of.

That is, the first control means 40 whose main control is sequence control of the process is disposed at a convenient and appropriate position inside the image forming apparatus, and the second control means whose main control is control of reading and writing of the card 30. By disposing the control means 50 in the card mounting section 29, space constraints can be significantly reduced.

[0021]The communication means 42 of the first control means 40
A serial communication transmission means 60 is provided between the communication means 52 of the second control means 50, and a count pulse is provided between the count pulse generation means 43 of the first control means 40 and the count pulse detection means 53 of the second control means 50. Card-in transmission means 62 and first control means 4 are connected between the transmission means 61, the determination means 44 of the first control means 40, and the detection means 58 of the second control means 50.
0 determining means 44 and determining means 54 are connected by card invalidity transmitting means 63.

FIG. 4A shows details of the communication transmission means 60 and the count pulse transmission means 61. The communication transmission means 60 consists of four lines, from the first control means 40 to the second control means 50: a REQ line, a TX line;
Data is transmitted and received from the D line and the second control means 50 to the first control means 40 using the ACK line and the RXD line in a communication format with a data length of 8 bits. Data sent and received is checked for errors by matching the parrot response.

FIG. 4(b) shows a time chart of data transmission from the first control means 40 to the second control means 50, in which the command, start address, number of bytes, and data are transferred in this order. is temporarily stored in the storage means 55 in the second control means 50, and is written to the card 30 if there is no error. FIG. 4C shows a time chart for transferring data to the card 30 to the first control means 40, which is similar to the writing in FIG. 4B, but data is transferred from the card 30 first.

The count pulse transmission means 61 has a COUNT line for transmitting a pulse waveform count signal from the first control means 40 to the second control means 50, and the count signal is a count pulse provided in the second control means 50. It is detected by the detection means 53. When the card 30 is installed in the mounting section 29, the card-in transmission means 62 detects the detection means 5.
8 and transmits a card-in signal, and transmits the card-in signal from the detection means 58 of the second control means 50 to the first control means 40;
The card-in signal is determined by the determination means 4 provided in the first control means 40.
Detected by 4. The card invalidation transmission means 63 includes
There is a card invalidation line that transfers a card invalidation signal, which will be described later, from the determination means 54 of the second control means 50 to the first control means 40, and the card invalidation signal is detected by the determination means 44 provided in the first control means 40. .

That is, for transmitting signals with a small amount of information such as count signals, card-in signals, and card invalidation signals, the dedicated count pulse transmission means 61, card-in transmission means 62, and By providing the card invalidation transmission means 63, each transmission time is shortened, the response is good, and furthermore, it can be controlled by a simple program.

The transmission of the card invalidation signal will now be explained with reference to FIG. 5, which is a detailed block diagram of card verification. As mentioned above, the ID No. of the card 30 is used to verify the card 30. IDNo. stored in the storage means 32.
(steps B18, B19, B24, B in the flowchart in the latter part)
25). ID No. of card 30. The storage means 32 stores card ID No. Card ID No. (arbitrary ID No. set for the card 30 itself).
Storage unit 321, image forming device I that can be used with the card 30
DNo. (For example, this is an ID number corresponding to the serial number of the image forming apparatus, and is set so that a plurality of image forming apparatuses can be used with one card 30). It is composed of a storage unit 322 (in addition, it may include a storage unit that stores the ID No. of each workplace department and the ID No. of an individual).

On the other hand, the image forming apparatus has a plurality of card ID numbers that can be used with the image forming apparatus. (Card 30
Any ID No. set for itself. ) is the card ID number of the image forming device. The image forming device ID No. unique to the image forming device is stored in the storage unit 551. (For example, the ID No. corresponding to the serial number of the image forming apparatus) is the image forming device ID No. of the image forming apparatus. It is stored in the storage unit 552 (in addition, the ID No. of each workplace department and the ID No. of an individual may be stored). Note that in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus ID No. stored in the image forming apparatus. , usable card ID No. etc. are stored in advance in the storage means 45 of the first control means 40, and are transferred to the second control means 50 by the communication means 42, 52 and the communication transmission means 60 (done in step A6 of the subsequent flowchart). Although the information is stored in the storage unit 55, it is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the information may be stored in the storage unit 55 of the second control unit 50 in advance, for example.

Further, the card 30 is attached to the mounting section 2 of the image forming apparatus.
9, whether or not the card 30 is valid is determined by the determining means 54 of the second control means 50 (in detail, this is done in the card check in step A7 of the flowchart in the latter stage, and more specifically in step B18).
, B19, B24, B25). The determining means 54 is
Selection portions 541 and 5 are provided as part of the card 30 for determination.
42, comparison sections 543, 544 and invalid signal generation section 54
5.

Regarding the determination of whether the card 30 is valid or not,
First, ID No. of the image forming device. Let's explain about the comparison. As described above, the card 30 includes a plurality of image forming apparatus ID numbers that can be used with the card 30. are stored, and the selection unit 541 selects them one by one and selects the selected image forming apparatus ID No. and the image forming apparatus ID No. stored in the storage means 55. The comparing unit 543 determines whether or not the image forming apparatus ID No. If all do not match, an invalidation signal is transmitted from the invalidation signal generation section 545, and the card invalidation transmission means 6
3 to the first control means 40. However, in this embodiment, as will be described in detail later, the image forming device ID No.
．． The verification is performed using an input means 46 provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus.
, image forming device ID No., whether or not to be verified using a setting switch or the like. This is done by setting the verification mode, and if it is not set, the image forming device ID
No. Even if they do not match, the card invalidation signal is not transmitted (steps B33 and B34).

On the other hand, the card ID No. As mentioned above, the image forming apparatus has a plurality of card ID numbers that can be used in the image forming apparatus. are stored, and the selection unit 542 selects them one by one and selects the selected card ID No. and memory I stored in card 30
DNo. The comparison unit 544 determines whether or not the card ID No. matches the card ID No. stored in the image forming apparatus. If they do not match, an invalidation signal is transmitted from the invalidation signal generating section 545 and transferred to the first control means 40 by the card invalidation transmission means 63. However, in this embodiment, as will be explained in detail later, the card ID No. The card ID No. is checked using the input means 46, setting switch, etc. provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus. This is done depending on the verification mode setting, and if it is not set, the card ID No. The card invalidation signal is configured not to be transmitted even if the numbers do not match (step B).
21, B22).

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the corresponding counters for each division, each individual, etc. are specified in advance from the first control means 40 to the second control means 5 during the idle time of the job.
0 via the communication transmission means 60 (step A6 in the subsequent flowchart), the storage means 55 in the second control means 50 or the card 30 stores the above-mentioned count designation, and the first control means 40 generates a count pulse at a predetermined timing of sequence control, transmits it to the second control means 50 by the count pulse transmission means 61, and the second control means 50 detects the count pulse and stores it in the memory in the second control means 50. Based on the designation stored in the means 55 or the card 30, the corresponding counter in the card 30 is configured to count.

First, regarding the operation of the second control means 50,
Description will be given based on FIG. 5, which is a block diagram of the second control means 50, and FIGS. 6 and 7, which are flowcharts of card checking.

First, when the image forming apparatus is powered on,
Proceeding to steps A1 and A2, the CPU of the second control means 50 and peripheral I/O are initialized, and the process proceeds to step A3. In step A3, the REQ from the first control means 40 is
Wait until a signal is input. When the REQ signal from the first control means 40 is received, that is, data is transmitted from the first control means 40 via the communication transmission means 60, the process proceeds to step A4, and the data is transmitted according to the time chart shown in FIG. 4(b). is transferred to the second control means 50. This data is initial data, for example, image forming device ID No.
, card ID No. that can use this image forming apparatus. , password, designation of a counter to be counted, etc. (described in detail later) are sent and stored in the storage means 55. When the initial data communication process is completed, the process moves to the next loop.

In step A5 of the loop, if data is transmitted from the first control means 40, step A6 is performed.
Performs communication processing. The data in this case includes a count mode start command, usable card ID No., which is sent when the card mode shown in FIG. 13, which will be explained later, is set. , image forming device ID No. , Department ID No. , personal ID No. , recording paper size, image forming mode, etc. Normally, immediately after the power is turned on, the image forming apparatus is idling, so this step A6
The communication process is not performed and is skipped to the next step A.
A card check of 7 is made. Step A7 of this card check will be explained in detail later.

After the card check in step A7 is completed, it is determined in step A8 whether or not it is in the count mode. That is, if the communication process has resulted in a count mode start command, the next step A is executed.
Move on to 9. Conversely, if it is not the count mode, the process returns to step A5.

In step A9, it is determined whether the count pulse is ON as described in FIG. Count pulse ON
If so, the process advances to step A10, where it is determined whether the count pulse ON flag is set. If the count pulse ON flag is set in step A10, the process returns to step A5. Conversely, if the count pulse ON flag is not set in step A10, the count pulse ON flag is set in step A12, a counting process is performed in step A13, and the process returns to step A5. on the other hand,
If the count pulse is not ON in step A9, the process advances to step A11, and in step A11, the count pulse is ON.
The flag is reset and the process returns to step A5.

[0037] Here, the counting process in step A13 is to count the corresponding counters in the card 30 based on the designation of the corresponding counters such as departmental and individual counters communicated in step A6 as described above. That's true.

Next, step A performed by the second control means 50
The "card check" in step 7 will be explained based on FIGS. 6 and 7, which are flowcharts of the card check.

First, when the card check step of step A7 is entered, the process proceeds to step B1, where it is determined whether the card detection signal is ON or not. When this card detection signal is turned ON, for example, one end of the input/output terminal 31 of the card 30 is grounded, and this card 30 is connected to the second control means 5.
When electrically connected to the input/output terminal of card 3,
The configuration is such that the detection means 58 detects that 0 is attached. In step B1, if the card detection signal is ON, the process proceeds to step B2. Conversely, if the card detection signal is not ON, the process advances to step B3. In step B3, it is determined whether the card detection flag is set, and if it is set, the card detection flag, card password NG flag, image forming apparatus ID No. NG flag and card ID No. Reset the NG flag and enter the card ID
No. After clearing and turning off the card invalidation signal and card-in signal, the process returns to step A8, and if it is not set in step B3, the process returns to step A8.

On the other hand, in step B2, it is determined whether or not the card detection flag is set. If it is set, the process returns to step A8, and if it is not set, the process proceeds to step B11. In step B11, a card detection flag is set and the process proceeds to steps B12 and B13. In steps B12 and B13, it is determined whether the mode is a test mode, and if it is not the test mode, steps B14 and B
The process advances to Step B29, and if the mode is the test mode, the process advances to Step B29. This test mode is a mode in which information that the image forming apparatus is in the test mode is transmitted to the second control means during the communication process in step A4 by performing the test mode in a specific manner when the power is turned on. This mode is set only when performing initial settings or adjustments, or changing the items stored in the card 30.

In steps B14 and B15, it is determined whether or not the inserted card is a master card. If the card is not a master card, the process proceeds to steps B31 and B32, and if it is a master card, the process proceeds to step B29. This master card is a card that can be used by a service person or the like to operate any image forming apparatus (regardless of the card ID number or the image forming apparatus ID number).

[0042] In steps B31 and B32, it is determined whether or not the card password verification mode is set. If the card password verification mode is set, the process proceeds to steps B16 and B17, and if it is not set, the process proceeds to step B33. . In steps B16 and B17, the password is checked, and if the password is found, the process proceeds to steps B33 and B34; if the password is incorrect, the card password NG flag is set in step B20, and the process proceeds to step B28. This password is a password that is stored in the card 30 mounted on the mounting section 29 of the card 30, and is compared with the password stored in the image forming apparatus. In other words, this is a step of determining whether the format of the inserted card 30 is a predetermined format in order to prevent card forgery.

In steps B33 and B34, the image forming apparatus ID No. It is determined whether the verification mode is set, and the image forming apparatus ID No. If the verification mode has been set, the process advances to steps B18 and B19, and if it has not been set, the process advances to step B21. In steps B18 and B19,
Image forming device ID No. image forming device I.
DNo. If they match, the process proceeds to steps B21 and B22, and the image forming apparatus ID No. If they do not match, step B
23, the image forming device ID No. The NG flag is set and the process advances to step B28. Here, the image forming device ID No. The check is performed by checking the ID numbers of the plurality of image forming apparatuses stored in the card 30 as described above. If at least one of them has an image forming device ID No. stored in the image forming device. Determine whether it matches or not. That is, in step A4 prior to step B18, the storage means 45 of the first control means 40
The image forming device ID No. stored in is the communication transmission means 60
The data is transferred to the second control means 50 via the storage means 55 and stored in the storage means 55. Then, in step B18, the card ID No. Card 30 stored in storage means 32
A plurality of image forming apparatuses that can be used with ID No. Judgment means 5
The selection unit 541 of No. 4 sequentially reads out the
The comparison section 543 compares the image forming apparatus ID No. stored in the storage means 55. ID No. of all image forming apparatuses stored in the card 30.
Determine about. Of course, the ID numbers of the plurality of image forming apparatuses stored in the card 30. It goes without saying that the determination may be made sequentially and the determination may be terminated when a match is reached.

[0044] In steps B21 and B22, the card ID
No. It is determined whether the verification mode is set, and the card ID No. If the verification mode has been set, the process proceeds to steps B24 and B25, and if it has not been set, the process proceeds to step B26. In steps B24 and B25, the card I
DNo. Check the card ID No. If they match, the process advances to step B26, where the card ID No. If they do not match, the card ID No. is determined in step B27. The NG flag is set and the process advances to step B28. This card I
DNo. Check mode means that the card's own ID No.
and the card ID No. stored in the image forming apparatus that can be used with the image forming apparatus. This mode is a mode in which input means 46 provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus,
It is detected whether or not it has been set in advance by a setting switch, etc., and is transferred from the first control means 40 to the second control means 50 via the communication transmission means 60 during the initial communication processing of step A4, and is stored in the storage means 55. It is something that is remembered. This card ID No. Also check the above image forming apparatus ID No. This is done in the same way as the above check.

In step B26, the reading/writing means 51 of the second control means reads the card ID No. stored in the card 30. is read out and stored in the storage means 55, the card invalidation signal is turned OFF in step B29, and the process proceeds to step B3.
Go to 0. On the other hand, the above step B17 and step B19
and password in step B25, image forming device ID No. and card ID No. If they do not match in the check, the card invalidation signal is turned ON in step B28 and the process proceeds to step B30. In step B30, the card-in signal is turned ON, and the process returns to step A8, thereby completing the card check. Note that the card invalidation signal and card-in signal are transferred from the second control means 50 to the first control means 40 by the dedicated card invalidation transmission means 63 and card-in transmission means 62, respectively, as described above.

Next, regarding the operation of the first control means 40,
The explanation will be made based on FIG. 8, which is a flowchart of the first control means 40, and FIGS. 9 to 12, which are flowcharts of the idling loop.

First, when the image forming apparatus is powered on,
The CPU is initialized in step C1, the peripheral I/O is initialized in step C2, the RAM is cleared in step C3, the dip switch is read in step C4, and the process proceeds to step C5. In step C5, initialization communication (corresponding to step A4) is performed to transfer initial data to the second control means 50,
Proceed to step C6. In step C6, it is determined whether the mode is a test mode or not. If the mode is the test mode, the process proceeds to the test mode, and if not the test mode, steps
Proceed to step 8. As mentioned above, this test mode is a mode that is set only when a service person or the like performs initial settings or adjustments of the image forming apparatus, or changes to the information stored in the card 30. Test mode is set by pressing the button at the same time as the power is turned on.

In steps C7 and C8, it is checked whether the temperature of the fixing means 24 is at a predetermined fixing temperature, and if it is below the fixing temperature, the image forming mode is initialized in step C9.
If the temperature is higher than the fixing temperature, the image forming mode is returned to step C10, and the process proceeds to step C11. In step C11, the fixing heater, which is the heat source of the fixing means 24, is turned on.
Proceed to the next idle loop.

When entering the idle loop, step D
1, the fixing means 24 is warmed up, step D2 is checked for jam on the transfer material conveyance path, and step D3 is the loading of the paper feed cassette 18 and the paper feed cassette 1.
The transfer material in 8 is checked and the process proceeds to step D4. In step D4, it is determined whether or not the jam flag is set. If it is not set, the process proceeds to step D5. If it is set, a jam is displayed on the display means 48 in step D6, and the fixing heater is turned off in step D7.
Then, the process returns to step D1.

In step D5, the display means 48 determines whether or not a no-card display (described later) is displayed on the display section (none of which is shown) provided on the operation panel. If it is displayed, the process advances to step D8, and if it is displayed, the process advances to step D9. In step D9, it is determined whether or not the card-in signal is ON (step B30). If it is ON, the process advances to step D10; if it is not ON, the process returns to step D1. Step D1
0, it is determined whether the card invalidation signal is ON (step B28) or not (step B29). If it is ON, the process proceeds to step D8; if it is not ON, the display indicating no card is cleared in step D11, and the card is removed in step D12. IDNo.
(from the second control means 50 via the communication transmission means 60), and the process proceeds to step D13. In step D13,
It is determined whether or not the job is being interrupted. If the job is being interrupted, the process returns to step D1; otherwise, the process returns to step C9.

In step D8, the card-in signal is turned ON.
(Step B30). If it is ON, the process advances to Step D14. That is, when the detection means 58 detects that the card 30 is inserted, the determination is made based on the card-in signal input to the determination means 44 via the card-in transmission means 62. Conversely, the card-in signal is O.
If it is not N, a message indicating that there is no card is displayed in step D15 and the process returns to step D1. That is, the detection means 5
7, if the card 30 is not installed, the card-in signal will not be turned on and the signal will not be sent to the card-in transmission means 62. Therefore, the determination section 44 determines that there is no such signal, and the display means 48 displays the operation panel. For example, the upper display section will display "Card Reset".

In step D14, the card invalidation signal is set to O.
It is determined whether it is N (step B28) or not (step B29), and if it is not ON, the process proceeds to step D16, and if it is ON, an indication that the card is invalid is set in step D17, and the process proceeds to step D1. The card invalidation signal is a signal input from the determination means 54 to the determination means 44 via the card invalidity transmission means 63, as described above. The above-mentioned indication that the card is invalid is displayed on the above-mentioned display section by the display means 48, and for example, it is displayed as "KONOCARD HATSUKAEMASEN".

In step D16, various operation buttons on the operation panel (not shown) are checked and processed according to their respective subroutines. When the various operation buttons have been checked, the process advances to step D18. Steps D18 to D26 are a flowchart relating to the case where the image forming apparatus of this embodiment is connected to a host computer via a communication line. Step D18 to Step D26
When step D27 is completed, the process advances to step D27.

In step D27, it is determined whether or not the fixing means 24 has been warmed up. If warm-up has been completed, the process proceeds to step D28; if not, the process returns to step D1. In step D28, it is determined whether or not there is a transfer material P in the paper feed cassette 18. If there is, the process proceeds to step D29; if not, the process returns to step D1.

In step D29, the image formation start command is
It is determined whether or not it is N, and if it is ON, it enters the copy start routine described later, and if it is not ON, it goes to step D1.
Return to This image formation start command is sent via the input means 46 if the copy button provided on the operation panel is pressed.
N (input).

Next, the flowchart after pressing the copy button, that is, the start of copying, will be explained based on FIGS. 13 to 17, but since it is the same as the copy process described above, a brief explanation will be given here.

When the copying operation (copy start mode) is started by pressing the copy button, the main motor, high voltage power supply, etc. are turned on, the copy count and paper discharge count are reset, and then the first paper feed (paper feed roller 19 ), but in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the corresponding counter (for example, the card I
DNo. , Department ID No. , personal ID No. , transfer material size ID No. , image forming mode, etc. are input using various buttons provided on the operation panel, and specified by the counter specifying means via the input means 46. ) during the idle time of the job until the first paper feed (paper feed roller 19) is turned on.
Transfer is made from the control means 40 to the second control means 50.

When the first paper feed is turned OFF, the flow shifts to the flow shown in FIG. 14, where the original is optically scanned, and then the second paper feed (
Timing roller 20) turns on. When the optical scanning is completed, the scanning optical system starts returning to its home position. In FIG. 15, the optical return stops, the copy count becomes +1, the value is displayed on the display section of the image forming apparatus, and it is compared with the set number of sheets. When the paper ejection sensor is turned on, the conveyance jam check timer is stopped. The paper discharge jam check timer is started and the process moves to the flow shown in FIG. 16. When the paper discharge sensor turns OFF, the paper discharge count is incremented by 1, and the total counter is turned ON. Then turn on the count pulse
The pulse waveform is transferred from the count pulse generation means 43 of the first control means 40 to the count pulse detection means 53 of the second control means 50 via the count pulse transmission means 61 until the count pulse turns OFF as shown in the flowchart of FIG. be done. Then, it is counted by the previously specified counter.

When the copy end flag is set, all loads are turned off and a count mode end command is sent, and the device enters the idle loop. Also, if the copy end flag is not set,
The process returns to the flow shown in 3A, and the copy control is repeated. In this case, the corresponding counter is not changed, so only the count pulse is transferred during repeated copying, and the corresponding counter is counted each time one copy is completed based on the counter designation stored in the memory card 3. Become.

[0060]

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the present invention includes a plurality of copying machines,
Copies can be made using the plurality of copying machines using a plurality of external storage means, and each external storage means is used by the plurality of copying machines to total up, for example, the total number of copies. In this way, it is possible to freely use multiple copying machines with multiple external storage means owned by each person, and it is possible to check ID numbers on both the external storage means side and the image forming apparatus side, so that the external storage means and the image forming apparatus It has also been made possible to perform matching in combination with both sides.

Furthermore, in conventional image forming apparatuses that can be equipped with a memory card as an external storage means, the processing time increases as the number of relevant counters increases, which affects sequence control. In the present invention, the sequence control by the first control means is performed without being affected by the number of corresponding counters, and the operating rate is significantly improved.

Furthermore, the ID number of the usable image forming apparatus stored in the portable storage means is compared with the ID number stored in the image forming apparatus in the second control means, and the result is transmitted to the communication device. Send via a dedicated line without using a line, reducing the processing time of the process,
The program can also be simplified, and furthermore, the operator can easily and quickly check the portable storage means.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the main components of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a card which is a portable storage means according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a communication and count pulse transmission circuit diagram, and a transmission/reception time chart.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram related to card verification.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart diagram of the second control means.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart diagram of card check (detection).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart diagram of card check (verification).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of sequence control by the first control means.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an idling loop following FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart following FIG. 10 and including detection of a memory card IN signal.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart including password verification following FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart following FIG. 12 until the start of copying.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart from copy start following FIG. 13;

15 is a flowchart mainly showing exposure and first paper feeding following FIG. 14; FIG.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart including jam detection following FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart following FIG. 16 and including detection by a paper discharge sensor.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart following FIG. 17 until returning to the idling loop.

[Explanation of symbols]

30 Portable storage means (card) 40 First control means 41 Sequence control means 45 Storage means 50 Second control means 54 Determination means 55 Storage means 60 Communication transmission means 63 Card invalidation transmission means 322 Image forming device ID No. Storage section 541 Selection section 543 Comparison section 545 Invalid signal generation section

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: External storage means connectable to an image forming apparatus, and a plurality of "ID numbers of usable image forming apparatuses" and "ID numbers of image forming apparatuses" stored in the external storage means. a first storage means, the “ID number of the image forming device” and the “ID number of the usable image forming device”;
a first collation means that collates the "ID number of the external storage means" stored in the external storage means, and a second memory that stores a plurality of "ID numbers of the external storage means that can be used". and the ID of the external storage means.
a second collation means for collating the "number" and the "usable ID number of external storage", a collation mode selection means for selecting a collation mode from a combination of the first and second collation means, and the collation mode The image formation permission determination means includes an image formation permission determination means for determining image formation permission based on the verification result of the verification mode selected by the selection means, and a control means for executing image formation based on the determination result of the image formation permission determination means. Characteristic image forming device.