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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a copier with which a facsimile mechanism
may be combined as desired and a method of controlling the same and, more
particularly, to the changeover between a copy and a facsimile mode of
such a copier.
Implementations for combining a facsimile transceiver and a copier have
heretofore been proposed. A drawback with the prior art implementations is
that a complicated operation is needed to switch a copy mode to a
facsimile mode or vice versa, limiting the efficiency of the combined
facsimile and copier apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an efficient
copier with an optional facsimile function and a method of controlling the
same.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a generally
improved copier with an optional facsimile function.
A copier with an optional facsimile function of the present invention
comprises a pressable mode selecting switch, slidable mode selecting
means, and control means for controlling the mode selecting switch and
mode selecting means such that when either one of the switch and means is
operated, a transition from a copy mode to a facsimile mode or a
transition from the facsimile mode to the copy mode occurs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description taken with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a copier in accordance with the
present invention and with which a facsimile mechanism is combined;
FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing only the copier of the combined
apparatus as shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a writing section of the copier;
FIGS. 4a and 4b are block diagrams each schematically showing a printer
section;
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an image scanner section;
FIG. 6 is a shematic block diagram of a facsimile section;
FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a power source section;
FIG. 8 is a view of various parts as viewed from the front of the combined
apparatus;
FIG. 9 is a view of various parts as viewed from the rear of the combined
apparatus;
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a power supply circuit;
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a DC power source circuit;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart demonstrating the selection of a facsimile and a
copy mode which is effected by a key;
FIG. 13 is a flowchart demonstrating the section of a facsimile and a copy
mode which is effected by a pad;
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing copy and facsimile mode resetting;
FIG. 15 is a flowchart representative of key counter display;
FIG. 16 is a flowchart demonstrating counter control;
FIG. 17 is a flowchart demonstrating sorter control;
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the control over facsimile data reception
which may occur during the copy mode;
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the control over facsimile data during a
preheat mode;
FIG. 20 is a flowchart representative of a procedure which follows the end
of print-out of facsimile data;
FIG. 21 is a flowchart representative of a power surce control system;
FIG. 22 is a flowchart demonstrating facsimile data print-out;
FIG. 23 is a plan view of an operation panel in a condition wherein only
the copier function is selected;
FIG. 24 is a plan view of the operation panel in a condition wherein the
copier and facsimile functions are combined;
FIG. 25 is a section showing a particular position of a display panel
switching mechanism in which a selector lever is located on a copy side;
FIG. 26 is a section similar to FIG. 25, showing the selector lever being
shifted;
FIG. 27 is a view also similar to FIG. 25, showing the selector lever
located on a facsimile side;
FIG. 28 is a schematic block diagram showing a display panel section
control;
FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a circuit for causing a facsimile interface
board, instead of a scanner, to deliver image data;
FIG. 30 is a flowchart demonstrating the flow of an image data to be
transmitted;
FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the flow of an image signal received; and
FIG. 32 is a schematic block diagram showing the flow of signals within the
facsimile interface board.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a copier embodying the present
invention and with which a facsimile mechanism is combined is shown in a
block diagram. As shown, the combined copier and facsimile apparatus is
generally constituted by a scanner section A, an operating section B, a
plotter section C, and a facsimile section D.
The scanner section A includes a scanner controller, a charge coupled
device (CCD) image sensor, and an automatic document feeder (ADF). The
operating section B includes an operation panel which will be described.
The plotter section C includes a main control board for controlling the
operation of the entire apparatus, a sequence control board for
controlling the sequence from paper feed to paper discharge, and a sorter.
Further, the facsimile section D includes a facsimile interface and a
communication circuit.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a specific construction of a digital copier
which serves as the copier of the present invention is shown. As shown in
FIG. 2, the digital copier is made up of four units, i.e., a copier body
(I), an ADF (II), a sorter (III), and a two-side reversal unit (IV). The
copier body (I) includes a scanner section, a writing section, a
photoconductive element section, a developing section, and a sheet feed
section which are constructed and operated as follows.
[Scanner Section]
A first scanner having a mirror 1, a light source 3 and a first mirror 2 is
movable at a predetermined speed. A second scanner is movable at half the
speed of the first scanner and provided with a second mirror 4 and a third
mirror 5. The first and second scanners optically scan an original
document, not shown, which is laid on a glass platen 9. Imagewise light
from the document is incident to a lens 7 via a color separating filter 6
and then focused onto a one-dimentional solid state imaging device 8.
While the light source may be implemented with a fluorescent lamp, halogen
lamp or the like, use is commonly made of a fluorescent lamp which has
stable wavelength and long service life. Although one light source 3 is
used in the illustrative embodiment, two or more light sources 3 may be
used as desired. Since imaging device 8 has a constant sampling clock, a
fluorescent lamp has to be turned on at a higher frequency than the
sampling clock in order to eliminate adverse influence on an image.
Usually, the imaging device 8 is implemented by a CCD. An image signal read
by the imaging device 8 which is an analog signal is converted into a
digital signal and then subjected to various kinds of image processing
(binarization, tone processing, magnification change, edition, etc.) at an
image processing board 10 to become a digital signal in the form of
congregation of spots.
In this particular embodiment, the color separating filter 6 is movable
into and out of an optical path which extends from the document to the
imaging device 8 for the purpose of transmitting only the information
associated with a necessary color. While the document is scanned, the
filter 6 is moved into and out of the optical path to selectively enable a
multi-transfer function, a two-side copy function and other various
functions to produce a variety of kinds of copies as desired.
[Writing Section]
The image data undergone image processing are written on a photoconductive
drum 40 in the form of congregation of light spots by raster scanning
which uses a laser beam. While the laser beam may be implemented by a
helium-neon (Ne-Ne) laser which has a wavelength of 633 nanometers and
well matches to the sensitivity of a photoconductive element of a copier,
it is very expensive and cannot be modulated without resorting to the
intermediary of a complicated arrangement. In the illustrative embodiment
an inexpensive and directly modulatable semiconductor laser is used taking
account of the recent improvement int he sensitivity of a photoconductive
element.
In FIG. 2, light issuing from a semiconductor laser 20 is collimated into a
parallel beam by a collimating lens 21 and then shaped by an aperture 32
to become a beam having a predetermined shape. This beam is compressed in
the subscanning direction by a first cylindrical lens 22 and then directed
toward a polygon mirror 24. Having an accurate polygonal cross-section,
the polygon mirror 24 is rotated by a polygon motor 25, FIG. 2, at a
predetermined speed in a predetermined direction. The rotation speed of
the mirror 24 is determined on the basis of the rotation speed and writing
density of a photoconductive drum 40 as well as the number surfaces of the
polygon mirror 24.
The laser beam incident to the polygon mirror 24 is deflected by the mirror
24 toward f-theta lenses 26a, 26b and 26c. Functions assigned to the
f-theta lenses 26a to 26c are scanning the drum 40 at a constant rate by
the laser beam whose angular velocity is constant, focusing the light beam
onto the drum 40 such that the beams forms a minimum light spot, and
compensating for tilting.
In a position outside of an image area, the laser beam coming out from the
f-theta lenses 26a to 26c is reflected by a mirror 29 to reach a
synchronization sensor 30. When a predetermined period of time expires
since the synchronization sensor 30 has produced a synchronization signal
representative of a head signal int he main scanning direction, one line
of image data are delivered. This procedure is repeated thereafter to
complete one full image.
[Phtotconductive Element Section]
The photoconductive drum 40 has a photoconductive layer on its outermost
periphery. In this embodiment, the photoconductive layer is implemented by
an organic photoconductor (OPC) which is sensitive to the wavelength of
780 nanometers of a semiconductor layer, e.g. .alpha.-Si or Se-Te. As
regards laser writing, while a negative/positive (N/P) process for
illuminating an image area and a positive/positive (P/P) process for
illuminating a background area are available, this embodiment uses the N/P
process.
A charger 41 is provided with a grid adjacent to the drum 40 and uniformly
charges the surface of the drum 40 to negative polarity. The laser beam
illuminates an image area of the drum surface to lower its potential. As a
result, a latent image is electrostatically formed in which the potential
is about -750 volts to -800 volts in a background area and about -500
volts in an image area. A bias voltage of -500 volts to -600 volts is
applied to a developing roller of any of developing units 42a and 42b to
deposite negatively charged toner on the latent image, whereby the latent
image is converted into a toner image.
[Developing section]
A main developing unit 42a and an auxiliary developing unit 42b are used in
the illustrative embodiment. In a black-and-white reproduction mode, the
auxiliary developing unit 42b and a toner container 43b associated
therewith are removed. Specifically, a toner container 43a associated with
the main developing unit 42a and the toner container 43b associated with
the auxiliary developing unit 42b store black toner and color toner,
respectively. The developing units 42a and 42b are selectively conditioned
for development by, for example, changing the position of a main pole of
one developing unit while the other developing unit is operated. This kind
of development may be combined with the operation of the filter 6 and a
multiple transfer function and a two-side copy function of a paper
transport system in order to produce various kinds of color copies while
editing color image data. Development in three or more colors may be
implemented by three or more developing units which are fixedly arranged
around the drum 40 or angularly movable to selectively reach a developing
station.
The toner image produced by any of the developing units 42a and 42b is
charged by a transfer charger 44 from behind to positive polarity and
thereby transferred to a paper which is fed in synchronism with the
rotation of the drum 40. The paper with the toner image is subjected to AC
discharge by a separation charger 45 which is held integrally with the
transfer charger 44, whereby it is removed from the drum 40. Toner
remaining on the drum 40 without being transferred tot he paper is scraped
off from the drum 40 by a cleaning blade 47 and then collected in a tank
48. Further, the potential pattern remaining on the drum 40 is erased by a
discharging lamp 49.
A photosensor 50 is located immediately after the developing station.
Constituted by a light-emitting element and a light-sensitive element, the
photosensor 50 is adapted to measure the image density in terms of a ratio
between the reflectivity of a pattern portion and that of the other
portion which are defined on the drum 40 by writing a predetermined
pattern (black pattern or dot pattern) in a position corresponding to the
photosensor 50 and developing it. When the image density measured is low,
the photosensor 50 produces a toner supply signal. That the density does
not increase even after the supply of toner may show that the remaining
amount of toner is short.
[Paper Feed Section]
In this embodiment, the paper feed section includes a plurality of
cassettes 60a, 60b and 60c. A paper with a toner image may be routed
through a re-feed loop 72 for producing a two-sided copy or for feeding it
again. When any of the cassettes 60a to 60c is selected and then a start
button is depressed, a feed roll 61 (61a, 61b or 61c) is rotated to feed a
paper until the paper abuts against a register roller 62 which is in a
halt then. Timed to an image position on the drum 40, the register roller
62 begins to rotate to drive the paper to feed the paper toward the
periphery of the drum 40. After the toner image has been transferred from
the drum 40 to the paper at a transfer station, the paper is transported
by a separation and transport section 63 to a fixing roller pair which is
constituted by a heating roller 64 and a pressing roller 65, the fixing
roller pair fixing the toner image on the paper.
In a usual copy mode, the paper with the toner image fixed thereon is
directed by a pawl 67 toward an outlet which adjoins the sorter (III). In
a multi-copy mode, the paper is guided by the separator pawl 67 downward
and, without being redirected by other selector pawls 68 and 69, routed
through the loop 72 to reach the register roller 62 again. A two-side copy
mode may be selectively effected by the copier body (1) only or by the
copier body (I) and the two-side reversal unit (IV). When only the copier
body (I) is used, the paper directed downward by the selector pawl 67 is
fed further downward by the pawl 68 and then guided by the pawl 69 toward
a try 70 which is located below the loop 72. Then a roller 71 is actuated
to return the paper toward the selector pawl 69 which, at this time, is
oriented to guide the paper into the loop 72, so that the paper reaches
the register roller 62.
[ADF]
The ADF (II) serves to automatically feed original documents one by one
onto the glass platen 9 and then discharge them after they have been
scanned. Specifically, documents stacked on a feed tray 100 are positioned
in the widthwie direction by using a side guide 101. A feed roll 104 feeds
one document at a time from the stack on the feed tray 100 and then a belt
102 transports the document to a predetermined position on the glass
platen 9. After a desired number of copies have been produced, the belt
102 is actuated again to discharge the document to a discharge tray 103.
The size of the document may be detected by sensing the position of the
side guide 101 selected and counting the feed time.
[Sorter]
The sorter (III) is usable to distribute copies coming out of the copier
body (I) to bins 111a to 111x in a manner well known in the art. By a
plurality of rollers which are rotated by a motor 110, the copies are
distributed to selected ones of the bins 111a to 111x depending upon the
positions of pawls which are individually located in the vicinity of the
bins.
[Two-Side Reversal Unit (IV)]
The two-side reversal unit (IV) helps the copier body (I) produce multiple
two-sided copies collectively. Specifically, papers fed downward by the
discharge roller 66 are guided by the pawl 167 into the two-side reversal
unit (IV). In the unit (IV), the papers are sequentially stacked on a tray
123 by a discharge roller 120 while being positioned by a feed roller 121
and a side guide 122. The papers on the tray 123 are sequentially fed out
of the unit (IV) by a re-feed roller 124 when the timing for copying a
document on their back is reached. At this instant, the papers are
directly driven into the loop 72 by the pawl 69 and therefrom to the
register roller 62. Further shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are a glass 23 for
insulating sound, a mirror 27, a glass 28 for intercepting dust, a main
motor 80, and a fan motor 81.
[Electrical Control Section]
FIGS. 4a and 4b are blocks diagrams which in combination the overall
construction of the copier. It is to be noted that a central processing
unit CPU (a) is shown in both of FIGS. 4A and 4B to show how the two
figures should be combined. A control unit of the copier includes two CPUs
(a) and (b) which are assigned to sequence control and operation control,
respectively. The CPUs (a) and (b) are interconnected by a serial
interface (RS232C).
Sequence control which is associated with paper transport timings will be
described first. Connected to the CPU (a) are a paper size sensor, sensors
responsive to the discharge, register and others of a paper, the two-side
unit, a high-tension power source unit, drivers associated with relays,
solenoids, motors and the like, the sorter unit, the laser unit, and the
scanner unit. The paper size sensor produces an electric signal by sensing
the size and orientation of papers which are loaded in its associated
paper cassette. Also connected to the CPU (a) are an oil end sensor, a
toner end sensor, a door open sensor, a fuse sensor, etc.
The two-side unit is provided with a motor for regulating the widthwise
position of papers, a paper feed clutch, a solenoid for switching a
transport path, a paper presence/absence sensor, a home position sensor
responsive to the position of a side fence, various sensors associated
with paper transport, etc. The high-tension power source unit applies a
different predetermined high-tension power to each of the charger,
transfer charger, separation charger, and developing electrode. The
drivers are associated with a sheet feed clutch, register clutch, counter,
motor, toner supply solenoid, power relay, fixing heater, etc. The CPU (a)
is connected the sorter unit by the serial interface so that papers may be
transported at predetermined timings into the bins in response to a signal
from the sequence. Applied to an analog input of the CPU (a) are a fixing
temperature, photosensor output, laser diode condition being monitored,
and laser diode reference voltage. The fixing temperature is maintained
constant by on-off control in response to an output of a thermistor which
is installed in the fixing section. As regards the photosensor output, a
photosensor pattern produced at a predetermined timing is outputted by a
phototransistor so that the CPU (a), based on the density of that pattern,
couples and uncouples the toner supply clutch to control the toner
density. To maintain the output power of the laser diode, an
analog-to-digital (AD) converter and the analog input of the CPU are used.
Specifically, the control is such that the voltage monitored when the
laser diode is turned on becomes equal to a predetermined reference
voltage (which is so selected as to cause the laser diode output power to
be 2 milliwatts.
An image control circuit generates various timing signals associated with
masking and trimming, erasure and photosensor pattern while delivering a
video signal to the laser diode. A gate array functions to convert two-bit
parallel image data which are outputted by the scanner into a one-bit
serial signal in synchronism with a synchronizing signal PMSYNC which is
generated by the scanner unit and a signal RGATE which is representative
of a wire start position.
The CPU (b) assigned to the operation control, or main CPU, controls a
plurality of serial ports and a calendar integrated circuit (IC).
Connected to the serial ports are the operating section, scanner,
facsimile transceiver, interface unit and the like as well as the sequence
control CPU (a). The operating section includes indicators which are
individually representative of the states of keys and the conditions of
the copier. While data entered on the keys are serially sent to the CPU
(b), the indicators are selectively turned on by serial outputs of the CPU
(b). The CPU (b) interchanges data associated with image processing and
image reading with the scanner and interchanges preset data with the
facsimile section and interface unit. The calendar IC stores date and time
so that the copier may be turned on and off based on those data.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the image scanner section. An analog image
signal outputted by a CCD image sensor 407 is amplified by a signal
processor circuit 451 and then converted by an AD converter 452 into a
multi-level digital signal. This signal is routed to a shading correction
circuit 453 and therefrom to a signal separator circuit 454. Processing
the input image data, the signal processor circuit 454 separates
characters and other two-level image components and halftone image
components. While the image components are applied to a two-level
processor circuit, or binarizer, 456, the halftone image components are
fed to a dither processor circuit 455. Using a predetermined threshold
value, the two-level processor circuit 456 converts the input multi-level
data into two-level data. The dither processor circuit 455 discriminates
the input data by using various threshold values which are predetermined
on a scanning point basis, thereby producing two-level data including
halftone data. A signal combiner circuit 157 combines the two-level signal
outputted by the two-level processor circuit 456 and the two level signal
outputted by the dither processor circuit 455 so as to produce signals
DATA1 and DATA 2.
A scanner control circuit 460 controls a lamp control circuit 458, a timing
control circuit 459, an electrical magnification change circuit 461, and a
scanner drive motor 465 in response to commands which are applied
therefrom from the printer control section. The lamp control circuit 458
turns on and off the lamp 402 and controls the quantity of light, as
commanded by the scanner control circuit 460. A rotary encoder 466 is
connected to the output shaft of the scanner drive motor 465, and a
position sensor 462 senses a reference position of a subscanning drive
mechanism. The electrical magnification change circuit 461 applies
electrical magnification change processing to the image data undergone
dither processing and the image data undergone two-level processing, on
the basis of magnification data which is set by the scanner control
circuit 460 and associated with the main scanning.
The timing control circuit 495 produces various signals in response to a
command from the scanner control circuit 460. Specifically, as reading
begins, the timing control circuit 459 delivers to the CCD image sensor
407 a transfer signal for transferring one line of data and a shift clock
adapted to deliver data one bit at a time from the shift register. The
timing control circuit 459 delivers to an image reproduction control unit
a pixel synchronizing clock CLK, a main scanning synchronizing clocl
LSYNC, and a main scanning valid period signal LGATE. The pixel
synchronizing clock CLK is substantially the same as the shift clock which
is applied to the CCD image sensor 407. While the main scanning
synchronizing clock LSYNC is substantially the same as a main scanning
synchronizing signal PMSYNC which the beam sensor of the image writing
unit produces, it is inhibited from appearing when an image is not read.
The main scanning valid period signal LGATE has a (logical) high level, H,
when the output data DATA1 and DATA2 are considered valid. In the
illustrative embodiment, the CCD image sensor 407 produces 4,800 bits of
valid data per line. The data DATA1 and DATA1 are associated with odd
pixels and even pixels, respectively.
The scanner control circuit 460 responds to a read start command from the
printer control section by turning on the lamp 402, driving the scanner
drive motor 465, and controlling the timing control circuit 459 to thereby
cause the CCD image sensor 407 to start reading an image. Simultaneously,
the scanner control circuit 460 turns a subscanning valid period signal
FGATE to a high level. This signal FGATE becomes a low level, L, as a
period of time necessary for scanning a maximum reading length (lengthwise
dimension of a paper of format A in the illustrative embodiment).
Referring to FIG. 6, the facsimile section includes a main board, a SAF
unit, FCU unit, a network control unit (NCU) which may be modified for a
particular destination, a communication circuit, and a telephone. This
system is based on memory transmission and reception. Hence, document data
are transmitted after being stored in a SAF memory. Likewise, received
data are stored int he SAF memory and, when the printer is not occupied,
outputted from the SAF memory. The changeover between a copy mode and a
facsimile mode will be described in detail later.
Referring to FIG. 7, the power source section includes a main switch SW2
and a subswitch SW1 through which an AC 100 volts from a power source cord
80 is fed to a main power source unit and a scanner power source unit. The
main power source unit feeds DC voltage to the main control board, sorter
control board, facsimile control board, etc. On the other hand, the
scanner power source unit feeds DC power to the scanner control section,
ADF control section, operating section, etc.
FIGS. 8 and 9 show the arrangement of various parts which are respectively
viewed from the front and the rear of the combined apparatus. In FIG. 8,
there are shown an operating section 82, a power relay 83, a SSR 84
including a heater, transport fan and motor, a relay unit 85, a safety
switch 86, a door switch 87, a total counter 88, a facsimile reception
counter 89, a communication circuit board 90, a telephone 91, and the main
switch SW2. As shown, the main switch SW2 is located in a front part of
the apparatus as in a usual copier. Shown in FIG. 9 are a main control
board 92, a noise filter 93, a circuit breaker 94, a power pack 95 for
cleaning, a bias roller power pack 96, a blade solenoid 97, a charge and
bias power pack 98, a toner supply solenoid 99, a register sensor 105, a
color sensor 106, a manual insertion sensor 107, a NCU 108, a first paper
feed microclutch 109, a paper end sensor 112, a second paper feed
microclutch 113, a third repeat microclutch 114, a register microclutch
115, a paper feed control board 116, a MODEM 117, and the subswitch SW1.
As shown in FIG. 9, the switch SW1 is disposed in a position remote from
the main switch SW2, i.e., on the back of the apparatus.
FIGS. 10 and 11 show a power supply circuit and a DC power source circuit,
respectively. As shown in FIG. 10, when any of the switches SW1 and SW2
are turned on, the AC power source is fed to the body. AC1 and AC2 are
associated with the main switch SW2 in order to detect whether or not the
switch SW2 is turned on. In the DC power source circuit, a circuit shown
in FIG. 11 is associated with the AC1 and AC2. In this construction, when
the main switch SW2 is off, AC is fed to turn on a phtotcoupler resulting
the inlet of the CPU having a low level. Conversely, when the main switch
SW2 is on, the photocoupler is turned off to turn the input of the CPU
into a high level.
How to use the main switch SW2 and subswitch SW1 will be described.
(A) When the apparatus is used as a copier:
In this case, the subswitch SW is turned off so that 100 volts may be fed
to allow the apparatus to operate as a copier.
(B) When the apparatus is used as a combined copier and facsimile
apparatus:
(a) When the subswitch SW1 is on and the main switch SW2 off: A soft reset
signal is fed to each system. Each CPU received the soft reset signal
clears a RAM, turns off ports, and performs other various operations to
set up the same conditions as power on reset conditions (however, the
facsimile CPU is not reset by the soft reset signal). At this instant, a
main relay which is connected to the sequence CPU is of course
deenergized, deactivating the entire AC system installed in the apparatus.
However, the DC power source is fed to each CPU because AC 100 volts is
fed to the main and scanner power source units, as shown in FIG. 7. This
is representative of a condition in which the apparatus is not used as a
copier and therefore the main switch SW2 is turned off to set up a
facsimile reception mode only, such as at nighttime. When the subswitch
SW1 is turned off in such a condition, the supply of AC 100 volts to the
apparatus body is shut off at the time when the main switch SW2 is turned
off with the result that all the power source units are turned off to
inhibit nighttime facsimile reception. Should the subswitch SW1 be absent,
nighttime reception would be impossible unless the main switch SW2 is kept
on even at nighttime (in this condition, the power relay and therefore the
AC fan, preheater and the like are turned on to wastefully consume power).
In accordance with the present invention, the main switch SW2 and the
subswitch SW1 are provided independently of each other; when the copier
function is not necessary such as at nighttime, the switch SW1 is turned
on and the switch SW2 is turned off. This turns off the scanner, sequence,
all the output ports of the operating section and power relay,
contributing a great deal to power saving. Further, since the DC power
source (5 volts, .+-.12 volts) is fed to the facsimile control section,
the facsimile is held in a reception mode.
b. When both the subswitch SW1 and the main switch SW2 are on: When the
main switch SW2 is turned on, a program start signal is delivered to each
CPU causing the latter to start operating. When a paper jam or like
trouble occurs or a serviceman call occurs while the copier is in use, the
main switch SW2 is usually turned off for resetting purpose. This is also
performed when the copier and facsimile functions are combined. In this
case, if the subswitch SW1 is absent, all the facsimile data are cleared
during transmission or reception. In contrast, so long as the subswitch
SW1 is turned on, the main switch SW2 does not effect the transmission and
reception of facsimile data even if it is turned on.
Referring to FIG. 12, how the facsimile mode and the copy mode are
selectively set up by a key is shown in a flowchart. When a single key
adapted to select any of those modes is depressed, a buzzer is energized.
If the facsimile mode has already been set up, it is cancelled and a user
select flag is cleared to restore a copy condition which is to preceed the
facsimile mode.
If the copy mode has already been selected when the key is depressed, the
facsimile mode and the user select mode are sequentially turned on. If an
ADF return is displayed, the ADF return is turned on. If the ADF is in use
with the glass platen loaded with a document, the document is fed out.
Then, the copy mode of that time is saved and then the facsimile mode is
set up. A copy/facsimile display panel selection pad, which will be
described, is checked and, if it is a copy pad, a message such as "USE
FACSIMILE PANEL" is displayed.
Referring to FIG. 13, the copy/facsimile mode selection which relies on a
pad is shown in a flowchart. When a pad assigned to a facsimile mode is
replaced with a pad which is assigned to a copy mode and if the copy mode
has already been set up, the program returns. If the facsimile mode has
been set up, the facsimile mode is turned off, the user select flag is
cleared, and the copy mode is set to restore the copying state. When the
copy mode pad is replaced with the facsimile mode pad and if the current
mode is the facsimile mode, the warning in the form of a message is
cleared and the user select flag is set. If the current mode is the copy
mode, the facsimile mode is turned on, the user select flag is set, ADF
processing is performed, and the facsimile mode is set up with the copy
mode saved.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart demonstrating a procedure for resetting the copy and
facsimile modes. As for the default of the copier or the facsimile, it may
be implemented with a dip switch or the like. Under an auto-reset
condition, the mode is determined by the dip switch. While the apparatus
is not manipulated for more than a predetermined period of time such as 1
minute, the auto-reset condition is set up. If the mode in the initial
condition is the copy mode, the copy mode is set up while, if it is the
facsimile mode, the facsimile mode is set up. When the facsimile mode is
selected by user selection, the copy mode is set; if it is not the user
selection, the copy mode is returned to the initial state.
The switch type changeover or the pad type changeover described above can
be effected even if a key counter such as a key card is absent. This is
because a key counter strictly belongs to the copier and has nothing to do
with the transmission of facsimile data.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart associated with the key counter display. When the
key counter is on or when the facsimile mode is selected while the key
counter is off, the key counter display is turned off.
Referring to FIG. 16, a flowchart demonstrating counter control is shown.
The copier is provided with a counter for counting particular papers in
addition to the total counter. When a copy feed signal arrives while the
facsimile is on-line, the counter is incremented if the facsimile mode is
selected and it is not incremented if the copy mode is selected. While the
facsimile is not on-line, the counter is used to count copies (in this
case, A3 counter), i.e., it is incremented every time a paper of format A3
is fed. Alternatively, this kind of counter is operable as a jam counter
or the like. Such a construction allow the total counter to show the total
number of papers fed and the facsimile counter to show the number of
papers handled by the facsimile section, promoting convenient use of the
apparatus. Alternatively, the counter may count copies while the facsimile
section is connected.
FIG. 17 shows a flowchart demonstrating sorter control. The sorter
associated with the copier includes a first tray to which papers are
usually discharged and a second tray, or interrupt tray, to which papers
are directed in the event of mode failure or interruption. In the
facsimile mode, papers printed with data are fed out to the interrupt tray
instead of the usual tray which is usually used with the copier. This
prevents a person who intends to use the copier from taking away those
papers which were received by the facsimile. When the sorter is not used,
there may be used a discharge tray having two exclusive bins which are
individually assigned to the copier and the facsimile. Such a two-bin tray
allows papers produced from the facsimile and papers produced from the
copier to be separated from each other.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the control over facsimile reception which
may occur during the copy mode. When the reception of facsimile data is
completed while the copy mode is set up, the facsimile section delivers a
print request signal. If the printer is ready and, in addition, it has not
been operated for more than a predetermined period of time such as 30
seconds, a print OK signal is fed out to automatically replace the copy
mode with the facsimile mode. When the printer is not ready or, even if it
is ready, when the predetermined period time has not expired, a print NG
signal is fed out. That is, when the printer is not ready due to a door
open condition, paper jam, serviceman call or the like and the copying
operation may be resumed, the transition to the facsimile mode is
inhibited. In this manner, facsimile data are printed out only when the
apparatus is idle so that the down time of the copier itself is
considerably reduced. When the operator manipulates the apparatus while
facsimile data are printed out, the user select flag is set.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart representative of control over facsimile reception
which may occur while a preheat mode is set. When the reception of
facsimile data is ended during the preheat mode operation, the facsimile
sends a print request signal. At this instant, when the printer is ready
and not used as a copier, the apparatus is immediately switched from the
copier mode to the facsimile mode. At this time, a preheat flag is set.
When a person manipulates the apparatus while the printer output is under
way, the preheat flag is set.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart representative of a procedure which follows the end
of facsimile data print-out. As all the data received by the facsimile are
outputted, an end-of facsimile signal is produced upon the discharge of
the last paper. At this instant, if the user select mode is set up (the
facsimile mode is selected by the user's intention), the facsimile mode is
continued and is not replaced with the copy mode until the facsimile/copy
switch or the pad is manipulated. When the user select mode is off, the
facsimile mode is turned off. If the preheat flag is on, the program
restores the preheat mode and, if it is off, the program returns to the
copy mode.
When the facsimile produces a print request, the transition to the
facsimile may occur to print out data even if the key counter is absent.
This is because the key counter is strictly a copy counter and has nothing
to do with the print-out of facsimile data. Even though the key counter
supervises the number of copies produced, there is no chance of mistake
due to the presence of total counter and facsimile counter. Upon the
transition to the facsimile mode, the key counter display is turned off.
All the systems described above are interconnected by the serial interface.
Signals are fed to the individual systems in the order of an initial set
signal and a program start signal. When any of the systems (sequence,
operating section, scanner and facsimile) receives the program start
signal, the usual operation is performed. Upon reception of the initial
set signal only, each system waits in the initial state (RAM being
cleared, input port being turned off, etc.)
FIG. 21 is representative of a power source control system which is
included in the main routine. The procedure begins with seeing if a timer
has counted a predetermined period of time, in order to guarantee the time
for each system to complete initial setting. Subsequently, whether or not
the main switch SW2 flag is set is determined, i.e., AC detection is
checked. If the main switch SW2 is on, the program returns and, if it is
off, whether or not the main switch is on is checked again upon the lapse
of 100 milliseconds (this interval is to avoid malfunctions ascribable to
noise). At this time, if the switch SW2 is on, the program returns and, if
it is off, the flag is cleared and an initial set signal is sent to each
system.
In response, each system clears the RAM and turns off all the ports to set
up a false power-off state. At this instant, the sequence is of course
initialized to deenergize the relay, so that AC is prevented from being
fed into the apparatus. This condition is maintained until the main switch
SW2 becomes on.
If the main switch SW2 flag is off, whether the switch SW2 is on is
determined. If it is off, the program returns and, it it is on, whether
the switch SW2 is on is checked again upon the lapse of 100 milliseconds.
If it is off, the operation returns while, if it is on, the flag is set to
deliver a program start signal to each system. Then, each system begins to
operate.
So long as the apparatus is used as a mere copier, the subswitch SW1 is
maintained turned off and the main switch SW2 is turned on and off. When
the apparatus is operated as the combined copier and facsimile apparatus,
the subswitch SW1 is maintained turned on and the main switch SW2 is used
as a false main switch. In practice, the main switch SW2 is continuously
turned on, for example, from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm during which a copier is
usually used. During the other hours, the main switch SW2 is turned off.
On the other hand, the facsimile is ready to receive data throughout the
day. It follows that so long as the subswitc | | |
