Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
- '- B'F,'CKGROU`IO ~1 TEIr IN~
13 The present invention relates to operational
controls for document reproduction machines, particularly
to those document reproduction machines having a dominant
16~ copy production mode with a plurality of other selectable
17 copy production modes.
18 Transfer electrographic and other forms of document
19 reproduction machines have been used for years as convenience
copiers, as well as in higher throughput copy production
21 applications, such as found in printin~ or publication
22 centers. With the trend to electronic controls of such
23 machines, greater flexibility in automatically controlling
24 these machines has been found economically feasible. The
interaction of electronic circuits including programmed
26 processors. With the document reproduction processor, such
27 as a transfer electro~raphic processor, can provide en
28 hanced operator conveniences.
BO976006
1 ~ document reproduction machine par-ticularly of
2 the convenience copier type finds diverse usage. That is,
3 a convenience copier having a collator with duplex copying
4 capability (images are impressed on both sides of the copy
paper) as well as simplex copying (image on one side of the
6 copy paper). Non-collating functions tend to be used in
7 patterns in accordance with the environmental operational
requirements. Many convenience copiers are in an office
9 type environment. In offices, the most common type of copy
job is to copy a single sheet of paper on one side. This is
11 not to say that the total number of copies produced on such
12 a document reproduction machine is greater in a single
13 original single copy mode, but that the number of times the
14 copier is used, i.e., the number of jobs in such mode,. is
the greatest number. For example, if a 50 page document
16 were to be reproduced and automatically collated into 20
17 copies, a relatively large number of copies are made.
18 However, the number of copy jobs of this type in an office
19 may be limited. When such a special type of job is being
performed on the convenience copier, the user attitude is
21 to correctly perform the copy job. Therefore, the attention
22 of the user is focused on the operator selections available .:
23 to the user for ensuring a successful copy job. On the .
24 other hand, in the dominant copy mode, single copy single
original, the average user will be impatient with the
26 machine and tend to quickly insert the original into the
27 convenience copier and expect a single copy without further
28 adieu. In other words, the user in the dominant mode is
BO976006 2
1 focusing attention on an office procedure other than copy
2 production. With such an interrelationship be-tween a user
3 and a convenience copier, the copy run is error prone. That
4 is, since the operator is not focusing appropria-te attention
to the convenience copier, more than a single copy is likely
6 to be made if the previous user had used the machine in a
7 non-dominant mode. Such proneness to error is not suitably
8 acco~nodated by user training, in that many convenience
9 copiers are used by casual users who have no real interest
in the copier as a machine. Errors in such simple dominant
11 reproduction modes create unnecessary expense to the user,
12 as well as irritation to the casual user -- and possibly
13 embarrassment.
14 In relatively primitive convenience copier machines,
i.e., machines having but one or two modes of copy pro-
16 duction, the problems stated above still exist, but with
17 lesser intensity. In those convenience copiers having a
18 plurality of modes involving complex copy jobs, the above
19 stated problem can become more acute.
Some convenience copiers, in the past, included
~3 a mode selection portion in an operators console termed
22 "special features". Such mode selection would include
23 selection of an alternate source of paper, two-sided copying,
24 and a selection for a light original document. After a time-
out of approximately 50 seconds, after completing a single
26 copy run, irrespective of the copier state, such selections
27 would be automatically reset to normal original, normal
28 paper tray and single sided copying. The number of copies
BO976006 3
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1 selected to be produced would remain to be adjusted by the
2 next user.
3 ~nother copier having a so-called reduction
4 feature, included a time-out circuit responsive to the
completion of a copy run to return the number of copies
6 selected to be made to unity, and adjusting the mode of
7 operation of the machine from a reduction to a non-reduction
8 mode. Both of the above referenced machines operated on the
9 basis of a copy run, irrespec-tive of copy jobs. The time-
out was subject to interruption upon initiation of a new
11 copy run.
12 For avoiding errors of copy production caused by
13 error-prone casual users, further controls are necessary
14 for ensuring that the convenience copier performs the
functions desired by such a casual user without any
16 emphasis by the user on mode selection of the convenience
17 copier.
I
.j 18 SUMMARY OF TEIE INVENTION
~` 19 It is an object o~ the invention to provide a
document reproduction machine having automatic controls
21 which reselect the machine features to a dominant state
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22 for reducing casual user copy production errors.
23 In accordance with the invention, a document
24 reproduction machine operab e in a succession of copy
~ 25 runs, including a multi-run copy job has a control element
j 26 for initiating a copy run and imposing one or more of a
i 27 plurality of copy modes on the machine. One of the modes
` 28 is a dominant copy mode.
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1 Control means in the document reproduction machine ;ndicate machine
states during operation of the machine. Such machine states include states
during a copy job and when no copy run is being executed. Status means
within the control means indicate a predetermined intermediate one of the
machine states to initiate a time-out timer which times a predetermined
time-out period. Reselection means are responsive to the time-out timer to
reselect the machine modes to said dominant mode. Further, reselect control
means are responsive to the run means and the absence of the indicated
intermediate state for actuating the time-out timer to time the predetermined
period for actuating the reset means.
In one aspect of the invention, the status means indicates an intermediate
error recovery state. A paper jam is an error which may require manual
intervention for recovery. To recover from such a jam, the covers or doors
to the machine have to be opened by the operator. Upon completion of the jam
recovery and before the door is closed, the machine is in an intermediate
error recovery state. During such state, the machine cannot be started until
the unusual condition of an open door has been rectified. Upon closing the
door, the intermediate state indication is removed, allowing the timer to
be initiated.
In another aspect of the invention, one of the modes is a duplex mode
for imposing images on both sides of copy paper. Each copy is subjected to
two successive copy runs, one run for each image. In the event of an odd
number
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1 of copy originals, tlle last cop~ will have bu-t one imaye.
2 In one aspect of the invention, the control means which may
3 include manual actuation by an operator, signifies to the
4 document reproduction machine that the copy job has been
- 5 completed. Accordingly, in certain aspects of the invention,
6 a second intermediate state occurs on completion of the copy
- 7 run imposing the first image on a copy sheet. The inter-
8 mediate state is removed by removing the machine from the
g duplex mode, or by otherwise signifying to the ma~hine that
the copy job has been completed. Such other means may
11 include automatic means, particularly where the original
12 documents are automatically handled by an original document
13 handler- Alternatively, the intermediate states may be
14 timed by a timer.
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Other modifications of the invention include
16 adaptively defining the dominant operational mode in accor-
17 dance with the application of a par-ticular machine.
18 THE DRAWING
19 FIGURE 1 is a block diagram of a document re-
production machine employing the present invention.
21 FIGUR~ 2 iS a diagrammatic showing of the FIGURE 1
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, 22 illustrated machine with a showing of some control circuits
23 with respect to duplex copy production.
24 FIGURE 3 is a second diagrammatic partial showing
of the FIGURE 1 illustrated machine emphasizing copy count
` 26 circuits and operators console.
, 27 FIGURE 4 is a timing diagram.
., 28 FIGURE 5 is a schematic showing of a preferred
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1 embodiment of the invention as installed in -the FIGURE 1
2 illustrated invention.
3 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
4 Referring now more particularly to the drawing
; 5 like numerals indicate like parts and structural features in
6 the various diagrams. The present invention adds dominant
7 mode reselect controls 17 to document reproduction machine
10. A plurality of control circuits, duplex controls 50,
9 51, collator controls 15, processor controls 53, and SADF
controls 16 operate machine 10 as will become apparent in
. 11 sufficient detail for an understanding of the in~ention.
; 12 Details of circuits and porti.ons of machine 10 not necessary
: 13 for practicing the invention are omitted for brevity.
14 Document reproduction machine 10 has a semiautomatic
` 15 document feed (SADF) 11 for transporting originals past an
:! 16 original input optic portion 12. The SADF 11 has a platen
17 (not shown) scanned by optics (not shown) within portion 12
`, 18 for transferring images of the original documents to document
, 19 reproduction portion 13 of the document reproduction machine. ..
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The images transmitted to portion 13 are impressed upon copy
21 paper and supplied as copies to output copy handler 14,
22 which may be a bin, collator, and the like. The illustrated
23 machine 10 is capable of operating in one or more of a
24 plurality of copy production modes, as will be later described.
The most copy jobs in the illustrated machine are the pro-
26 duction of one copy from one original document -- the
27 dominant mode of the illustrated machine.
28 When operating in a duplex mode an image is
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1 impressed on bo-th sides of the copy paper, portion 13
2 operates in a succession of paired single-image copy runs.
3 A first run in each pair pu-ts an image on a first side of
4 the copy paper, a second run puts an image on the second
side. Each single-image run consists of a plurality of copy
6 production cycles, each cycle represented by the passage of
an image area on photoconductor -transfer member 20 past
` R image-receiving area 22 which receives the image to be
9 reproduced from portion 12, as indicated by dashed line
arrow 23. During each single-image run, the operator controls
11 of the document reproduction machine, except for the stop
12 button, are disengaged. At the end of a single-image run,
13 i.e., the transfer of one image to a plurality of copies,
14 operator selections are enabled. Also, insertion of an
original document into SADF 11 causes it to be automatically
16 transferred to the platen (not shown) for being scanned by
` 17 original input optics 12.
18 Before proceeding further with the description of
the invention, the operation of document reproduction
portion 13 is described as a constructed embodiment of a so-
21 called xerographic document reproduction machine. The
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22 photoconductor member 20 rotates in the direction of the
23 arrow past a plurality of xerographic processing stations.
24 The first station in xerographic reproduction process is
charging station 21 which imposes either a positive or
26 negative electrostatic charge on the surface of photoconductor
27 member 20. It is preferred that this charge be a uniform
28 electrostatic charge over a uniform photoconductor surface.
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1 Such charging is done in the absence of light such that
2 projec-ted i.mages, indicated by dash line arrow 23, alter the
3 electrostatic charge on the photoconductor member in preparation
A for image developing and transferring. Exposure in area 22
exposes the photoconduc-tor surface which was charged to a
6 bright light by the image projected by original input optics
7 12. Light reflected from the original document discharges
8 the areas on the photoconductor surface in accordance with
9 lightness. With minimal light reflected from the dark or
printed areas of the original document, there is no corres-
11 ponding discharge. As a result, an electrostatic charge
remains in those areas of the photoconductive surface
13 corresponding to the dark or printed areas of the original : .
14 document in S~DF 11. This charge pattern is termed a "latent"
image on the photoconductive surface. Interimage erase lamp
16 30E discharges photoconductor member 20 outside defined . -.
17 image areas.
18 The next xerographic station is the developer 24
19 which receives toner (ink) laden beads from toner supply 25
for being deposited on the photoconductive surface having
21 eharged areas. The developer station receives the toner
22 with an electrostatic charge of polarity opposite to that of
23 the charged areas of the photoconductive surface. Accor-
24 dingly, the toner particles adhere electrostatieally to the
eharged areas, but do not adhere to the discharged areas.
26 Hence, the photoeonductive surface, after leaving station
27 24, has a toned image corresponding to the dark and light
28 areas of the original documents of SADF 11. ..
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1 Next, the latent image is transferred to copy
2 paper in transfer station 26. The paper is brought to the
3 station 26 from an input paper path portion 27 via synchro-
4 nizing input gate 28, thence through transfer station 26
and, finally, along paper path 29. The copy paper is brought
fi into contact with the toned image on the photoconductive
7 surface resulting in a transfer of the -toner to the copy
8 paper. ~fter such transfer, the sheet of copy paper is
9 stripped from the photoconductive surface for transport
along path 29. Next, the paper has the image fused thereon
11 in fusing station 31 creating a permanent image on the copy
12 paper. Such copy paper receives electrostatic charges which
13 have an adverse affect on copy handling. Accordingly, the
14 copy paper after fusing is electrically discharged at station
32 before transfer to output portions, as later described.
16 Returning now to the photoconductor member 20,
17 after the image area leaves transfer station 26, there is a
18 certain amount of residual toner on the photoconductive
19 surface. Accordingly, cleaner station 30 has a rotating
cleaning brush to remove the residual toner for cleaning
21 the imaye area in preparation for receiving the next image
22 projected by original input optics 12. The cycle then
23 repeats by charging the just-cleaned image area by charging
2~ station 21.
The production of simplex copies or the first side
26 of duplexing cop]es by portion 13 includes transferring a
27 blank sheet of paper from blank paper supply 35, thence to
28 transfer station 26, fuser 31, and, when in the simplex
sO976006 10
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1 mode, directly to the output copy handler 14. When handler 14 consists of
a copy receiving tray (not shown), aligner 37 may be dispensed with. Blank
paper supply 35 has an empty sensing switch 36 which inhibits operation of
portion 13 in a known manner whenever supply 35 is out of paper.
When in the duplex mode, duplex diversion gate 42 is actuated by the
duplex controlling circuits 50 to the upward position for deflecting single-
image copies to travel over path 43 to the interim storage unit 40. Here,
the partially produced duplex copies (image on one side only) reside waiting
for the next subsequent single-image run of the pair in which the copies
receive the second image. In the next-successive single-image run, initiated
by inserting a document into SADF 11, the copies are removed one at a time
from the interim storage unit 40, transported over path 44, thence to path
27 for receiving a second image, as previously described. The two-imaged
duplex copies are then transferred into output copy handler 14. For purposes
of the present invention, a switch 41 of interim storage unit 40 detects
whether or not there are any copies or paper in interim storage unit 40.
If so, an activating signal is supplied over line 45 to duplex control
circuits 50 and to duplex job terminating circuits 51. Circuits 51, as will
be described, cause the automatic transfer of the single image duplex copies
from interim storage unit 40 through paths 27 and 29, thence to the output
copy handler 14 without receiving an image in transfer station 26.
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1 The document reproduction machine has a control
2 panel 52 having a plurali-ty of lights and switches (most not
3 shown), as well as a set of other control circuits 53 which
4 operate the entire machine synchronously with respect to the
movement of the image areas of photoconduc-tor member 20.
6 silling meter M of circuits 53 counts images processed for
7 billing purposes. For example, paper release gate 28 is
8 actuated synchronously with the image areas moving past
g developer station 24. Such controls are well known in the
art and are not described here for purposes of brevity.
11 Operation of duplex control circui-ts 50 is ini-
12 tiated by duplex mode selecting switch 55 supplying ground
13 reference potential to noise-rejecting type of pulse-forming
14 circuit 56. Circuit 56 may be inhibited during a single-
image run by a signal received over line 57 from other
16 control circuits 53. Pulse former circuit 56 supplies its
17 output pulse indicating the switch 55 has been actuated to
18 trigger select duplex trigger 60 to its opposite state.
19 Accordingly, each closure of switch 55 switches the document
reproduction machine ~etween simplex and duplex modes. That
21 is, trigger 60 being set to a first state indicates the
22 duplex reproduction mode; and being reset to a second state
23 indicates a simplex reproduction mode. The duplex repro-
~4 duction mode is indicated by an active signal traveling ~ver
line 61, to AND circuits 62 and 63. AND circuit 62 responds
26 to the duplex mode signal on line 61, to a side latch =1
27 signal from latch 54, and to a blank sheet picked signal from
28 switch 70 on line 65 to actuate duplex gate latch 66 to the
29 set state.
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BO976006 12
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1 When in khe duplex mode, duplex gate latch 66 is
2 in the active condi-tion. The la-tch 66 supplies its active
3 signal through amplifier-driver 72 for ac-tuating solenoid 73
4 which pulls gate 42 to the upward position. In the upward
position, gate 42 deflects the copies received from path 29
6 to path 43 as previously described. Gate 42 is alternately
7 actuated for first direc-ting copies to interim storage unit
8 40 (first single-image run) and then to output aligner 37
g (second single-image run) for transmittal to output c~pier
handler 14. The alternating action is achieved through side
11 latch 64 which supplies the side-l indicating signal over
12 line 73A and side-2 indicating signal over line 74 to AND
13 circuits 62 and 71, respectively. Side latch 64 is actuated
1~ between the set and rese-t states (side-2 and side-l, res-
; 15 pectively) by AND circuits 63, 75. Side-l is indicated by
16 AND circuit 75 responding to copy pa-th circuits 76 indicating
17 that the copy path is clear. That is, paths 27, 29, and the
18 indicated dash line to output copy handler 14 have no copies.
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' 19 The relationship of copy path circuits 76 to the actual
20 copy path is well known and not shown Eor purposes of brevity. -
21 When the path is clear, circuits 76 supply an active signal
22 over line 77 to both AND circuits 63 and 75. Hence, successive
23 single-image runs in the illustrated copier are nonover-
24 lapping, no limitation thereto intended.
Intermediate the single-image runs, side latch 64
26 can be switched from 1 to 2 and reversed. In this regard,
27 switch 41 sensing that copies are in interim storage unit 40
i 28 supplies its activating signal over line 45. If there are
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1 no copies in unit 40, NOT circuit 80 supplies an ac-tivating
2 signal through AND circuit 75 resetting side latch to copy
3 side-l. That is, in the duplex mode, the interim storage
4 unit has been emptied and the next copy to be made will be a
first image on side-l. Similarly, the line 45 signal activates
6 AND circuit 63 to set latch 64 to side-2 state only when
7 select duplex trigger 60 is in the duplex mode. Accordingly,
8 if paper is being temporarily stored in unit 40 and the
9 document reproduction machine is operating in the simplex
mode, side latch 64 remains reset to the side-l indicating
11 state.
12 At the end of a duplex ~ob, duplex switch 55 is
13 closed for taking the document reproduction machine 10 out
14 of the duplex mode. ~his action actuates pulse former 56 to
supply a pulse triggering duplex trigger 60 to the simplex
16 mode indicating state. The pulse from former 56 also
17 travels to the circuits 51 for emptying the interim storage
18 unit 40 in the event an odd number of images were to be
19 reproduced in the duplex modeO The line 82 pulse samples
AND circuit 83; and if there are copies in interim storage
21 unit 40 as indicated by switch 41 being closed, AND circuit
22 83 sets empty interim latch 84 to the active condition. This
23 active condition actuates circuits for emptying interim
24 storage unit 40. The active signal from latch 8~ goes over
line 85, then through OR circuit 86 for passing through AND
26 circuit 87, thence setting start latch 88. Start latch 88
27 being set causes the document reproduction machine 10 to
28 initiate a single-image run. The AND circuit 87 is further
BO976006 14
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:~ 1 responsive to certain error condi-tions being absent for
2 setting start latch 88. Additionally, a timing pulse (not
3 shown) from other control circuits 53 may time the setting
4 of start latch 88 in a synchronous manner. The error cir-
S cuits, which are a condition precedent to setting st~rt
6 latch 88, include paper jam circuits 90 no-t indicating a jam
7 and other error detectors (not shown). OR circuit 91 combines
8 all of the error-indicating signals for resetting start
~ 9 latch 88 for stopping document reproduction machine 10. NOT
circuit 92 takes the output of OR circuit 91 and activates
11 AND circuit 87 whenever all error conditions are absent.
12 Start circuit 88 initiates operation of the
13 machine via AND ci~cuit 93. AND circuit 93 is jointly
14 responsive to the start latch 88~ plus other conditions (not
15 shown), and a timing pulse received over line 94 from other - :
16 control circuits 53 for actuating copy path circuits 76.
17 Copy path circuits 76, in turn, actuate the mechanism of
l8 document reproduction portion 13 in a known manner for
l9 transferring copies from interim storage unit 40 through the
.; 20 paper paths 27, 29. It will be remembered that at this time
<~ 21 side latch 64 is set to the side-2 indicating condition,
22 with the active signal on line 74 moving gate 42 to the
.. 23 downward position, as well as actuating circuits (not shown)
( 24 for removing the copies from interim storage unit 40 through
.
: 25 path 44, thence to path 27. Such latter operations are in
26 known machines and are not described for that reason.
27 Further, empty interim latch 84 active signal on
28 line 85 travels to OR circuit 95 for lighting standby lamp
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1 96 in control panel 52. OR circuit 95 receives inputs over
2 line 97 from other control circuits 53 for also lighting
3 standby lamp 96 during other operatiny conditions in which
4 copies are not to be made in machine 10. Lamp 96 being lit
indica-tes to the operator that the document reproduction
6 machine 10 is not available for selec-tion or for copy pro-
7 duction. In this manner, the emptying of storage unit 40
8 interrupts the normal day-to-day copy production until all
9 the copies in unit 40 have been transferred as above described.
The transfer is complete when switch 41 senses no more
11 copies in interim storage unit 40. A-t this time, the signal
12 on line 45 resets side latch 64 to the active condition
l3 after copy path circuits 76 indicate the copy path is clear.
14 Also, copy path circuits 76 supply the copy path clear
signal to AND circuit 98 of control circuits 51. AND circuit
16 98 responds to this signal, plus a stop latch 100 being set
17 to the active condition (as will be later described) to
18 supply a resetting pulse through OR circuit 101 for resetting
19 empty interim ].atch 84. This action removes the activating
signal from AND circuit 87, as well as extinguishing the
21 standby lamp 96. The start latch 88 is then reset to the
22 inactive condition by AND circuit 102 jointly responding to
23 empty interim latch 84 being set, the line 45 signal being
24 active, and the line 77 signal being active. Since latch 84
is reset long before start latch 88, delay circuit 102A
26 maintains an active signal for AND 102. Delay 102A may be a
27 latch set with latch 84 and reset when start latch 88 is
28 reset. The start latch 88 being reset removes activating
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1 signals flowing from s-tart latch 88 to okher control circuits
2 53 as indicated by arrow 103. The document reproduction
3 machine now may be used in normal day-to-day operations. Of
4 course, the operator must remove the copies from the output
- 5 copy handler in the event of the document reproduction
6 machine having manual control of that portion.
7 Stop latch 100 is set to the active condition by
~ stop button 104 actuating pulse former 105. Other inputs to
g the stop latch 100 (not shown) include activating signals
from the paper jam circuits and the like. Stop latch 100 is
11 reset by AND circuit 106 responding to timing signals from
1 other control circuits 53, and to the line 77 signal from
13 copy path circuits 76 indicating the copy path is clear
14 (copy path includes the document reproduction portion and the
output portion -- collator). The latch 100 signal also
16 flows over line 110 to other control circuits 53 for utili-
17 zation in controlling various portions of the document
18 reproduction machine not pertinent to -the present invention.
1~ In the event document reproduction machine 10 is
in a noncollate mode, i.e., a collator (not shown) in output
21 copy handler 14 is not being used, and a single bin receives
22 all the copies, it can occur that the number of copies
23 produced exceeds the handling capacity of the bin (not
24 shown) in the output cop~ handler. ~ccordingly, to avoid
paper jam problems, when the bin becomes full the transfer
26 from interim storage unit 40 to the output copy handler must
27 be interrupted. ~n output bin (not shown) has a scale for
23 weighing the copies in the output bin. This scale can
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1 consist of the copy bin being pivoted at on end and being
2 spring urged upwardly a-t the opposite end. At the spring-
urged end, a switcIl 112 is urged from a normally closed (NC)
4 position to an open position. This contact opening signifies
that the output bin is full. Switch 112 has one con~act
6 connected to a -V supply and a second contact at 113 connected
7 through a resistor 114 to a -~V supply. When the contacts
8 are closed, the contact 113 is at a relatively negative
g potential, thereby providing no actuating signal through OR
circuit 91. ~Iowever, upon the opening of the NC contacts
11 112, a relatively positive signal flows through OR circuit
12 91, thence OR circuit 115 resetting start latch 88. As
13 previously described, resetting start latch 88 interrupts
14 the doeument reproduction maehine sueh that no more blank
paper is provided from the interim storage unit 40 to the
16 paper paths 27 and 29. Upon removal of the copies ~rom the
17 bin, switch 112 contacts again close, removing the resetting
18 signal from start latch 88. NOT circuit 92 and the output
19 signal from OR circuit 86 again actuate AND cireuit 87
setting start latch 88. The transfer from interim storage
21 unit 40 through the paper path 27, 29, through the aligner
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22 37, and through the output copy handler 14 automatically
23 restarts. This action, of course, can be repeated several
~4 times depending on the relative capacities of the interim
.. 25 storage unit 40 and the output copy handler 14. Since ..
26 switch 41 indicates there are still copies in interim storage
unit 40, line 45 signal continues to indicate copies in the
. 28 storage unit, thereby inhibiting resetting the previously
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1 described circults 51, keeping standby lamp 96 illuminated.
2 In case of a paper jam, paper jam circuits 90 supply an
3 activating signal for illuminating clear paper pa-th lamp
4 120. In such a situation, the paper jam circuits 90 also
reset start latch 88 causing interrup-tion of the transfer of
6 copies from interim storage unit 40 to output copy handler
14. Clearing the jam and re-establishing the machine in
8 normal operating condition automatically restarts the transfer
g of copies from unit 40 to handler 14. As later described,
: 10 recovery from a paper jam results in an intermediate machine
11 state used in connection with the present invention.
12 The transfer of the last copy set through paths
13 27~ 29 exposes all of the single image duplex copies to
14 transfer station 26. Accordingly, action should be taken to
prevent inadver-tent transfer of images from photoconductor
16 member 20 to the copies being transferred. To this end, the
17 copy reproducing process is inhibited while transferring
18 the last copy set to handler 14 from unit 40. This inhibition
19 is achieved in circuits 51. AND circuit 122 responds to the
empty interim latch 84 being rese-t (the last copy set is not
21 being transferred), and a copy path circuit 76 signal on
22 line 123 indicating that the copy path is expecting to
23 receive copies to be made or copies are in the path to
24 supply an activating signal over line 124 to other control
25 circuits 53. This line 124 activating signal actuates other :~.
26 control circuits 53 to drive a machine billing meter M and
27 synchronously turn off the interimage erase lamp 30E with
28 respect to photoconductor member 20 rotation. During the -~
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1 empty lnterim s-torage no-image run, these functions are
; 2 inhibited such that interimage erase lamp 30E is on, con-
3 tinuously er~sing the pho oconductor member 20 ensuring that
4 the surface of the member 20 is completely discharged.
Hence, no toner laden beads adhere to the photoconductor
6 surface keepin~ the back sides of the last copy set clean.
7 Additionally, charging station 21 and developer station 24
8 may be deactivated during the empty interim storage no-image
g cycle. Such paper transport can be treated as an active
copy run or as an intermediate state as hereinafter des-
11 cribed.
12 Mamlally ac-tuated Keyboard 130 of document repro-
13 duction machine 10 selects -the number of copies to be produced
l4 in a copy job. Keyboard 130 is mounted in a console 131.
In addition to keyboardl30, the console includes operator
16 station control panel 52 display and selection switches, as
17 well as a time out timer 132 which, in accordance with the
18 invention, reselects cer-tain operator selections if the
19 document reproduction machine 10 has not been used for a
~o predetermined time. Such predetermined time will vary upon ;
; 21 selection parameters of the document reproduction machine.
~2 In one machine 10, timer 132 had a time-out of 30 seconds;
23 in another, 90 seconds. Time-out timer 132 is reset and ;
24 inhibited by a signal traveling over line 134 from control
panel 52. Time-out timer 132 actuation is later described.
26 When time-out timer 132 has timed out, it supplies an actuating
27 signal over line 135 for reselecting the operator selections ~ `
2~ to the dominant mode.
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1 Keyboard 130 can be of any desig~. However, it is
2 preferred that the keying arrangement be as shown in FIGURE
3 3. The numeral 1 is selected by the left-hand button 135,
; 4 number 2 by button 136, etc., through button 137 which
selects ~ero. ~n operator selects the number of copies to
6 be produced by a succession oE key depressions. For example,
7 if 156 copies are to be produced, the operator first depresses
~ key 135 (selects 1), then the 5-indicating key 138 and then
g the 6-indicating key 139. The number 156 is then automatically
inserted into control register 141 and suitably displayed in
11 panel 52 by signals supplied over cable 142 from control
12 register 141. Such signals from control register 141 are
13 also applied to the controls of machine 10. ~dditionally,
14 panel 52 supplies selection control signals over cable 143
to the control circuits described herein.
16 Keyboard 130 key closure signals travel over
17 cable 144 (ten circuits, one for each key) actuating digit
18 value selector circuit 145 to detect the value of the key
19 depressed, as well as integrating the closures and openings
for eliminating noise and bounce caused noise signals.
21 Selector 145 supplies a digit received signal over line 146
,C,~5~
22 to actuate copy select controller 150 to insert a new data
23 value into control register 141. The data values are supplied -~
24 in binary coded decimal, or other coded form, over cable 151
~.1 .
: 25 to copy select controller 150 and to control register 141.
26 Controller 150 examines the data signals on cable ~51 for
27 determining whether or not a significant value signal is
28 being received. If no significant value signal is being
,
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1 received, then the data value signals are not inserted into
2 control register 141.
3 A timing signal generator 152 synchronizes the
4 operation of a portion of the illustrated electronic circuits.
- 5 Generator 152 provides a high-frequency signal A (see FIGURE
6 4), a submul-tiple Erequency B, and a set of four distributor
7 pulses 1-4 for sequencing copy selec-t controller 150.
; 8 Control register 141 signal content signifies the
9 number of copies to be made in a copy set, i.e., how many
times the original image is to be reproduced in a set of
11 copies in a given copy run. A second register on copy
12 counter 153 receives signals over cable 155 from document
13 reproduction portion 13 signifying the number of copies
14 actually produced in a given set of copies. When the signal
contents of register 153 equals the signal contents of
, 16 register 141, the copy set is complete and the document
17 reproduction machine is turned off by a last copy signal
18 supplied over line 156. To this end, compare circuit 157
19 responds to signals from control regis-ter 141 and from copy
' 20 count register 153 to supply the last copy signal through OR
21 circuit 157, thence to line 156 for turning the document
5~r' : .
22 reproduction machine 10 off. The last copy signal also goes
23 to copy select controller 150. To synchronize operation of
24 compare 157 with the image or copy cycles of portion 13,
image indicating timing signals travel over line 13A to
26 compare 157.
27 Copy select controller 150 includes a register
28 position select control 160 which detects the data signals
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.' 1 in cable 151 for significant values and simultaneously
.~ 2 controls register position selector 161. Register position
3 selector 161 in turn controls reyister controller 162 for
4 selectively inserting cable 151 signals into control register
. 5 141 and shiEt signal contents thereof to more significant .
6 digit positions. Register controller 162 includes reset
7 means 163 which rese-ts appropriately digit positions of
; 8 register 141, as well as gating means 164 which selectively
g actuates control register 141 to receive the cable 151 data
.' 10 signals. Register position selector 16i indicates the
11 number o~ signi~icant digits in control register 141 and
12 controls the gating means 164 and the reset means 163 to
, 13 appropriately control register 141 to receive the serial
14 decimal digits from keyboard 130. Position select control
160 reads a digit received indicating signal over line 160A
,'~'! 16 to increment a counter (not shown) in selector 161 to a
17 reference state (register 141 can be empty) over line R.
i 18 Limit control 165 limits the number of copies in a copy set
.i
19 by selectively altering -the signal contents of control
' 20 register 141 in accordance with functional capabilities of
: 21 the document reproduction machine 10. That is, the modulus
, ! .~'~ , .
: 22 of register 141 is 1000. Some elements (paper bins, for
23 example), (not shown) of machine 10 may have a capacity of
; 2~ 500 copies; limit control 165 limits the number of copies to
; 25 500 when such element is used in a copy run. Limit control
26 165 and the select modulus signals received over cable 166
', 27 provide additional controls on automatically limiting the
..` 28 number of copies in a given copy set in accordance with
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1 selections beyond the control of the operator. Reset means
2 163 receives the console 131 ~enerated reset signals POR,
3 RST (rese-t switch closed) as well as -the timer 132 signal on
~ line 135 to reset register 141 to a reference state (0).
Reset me~ns 163 has one reset time 163A for each of the
6 register 141 digit positions.
7 Decode circuit 170 examines the signal contents of
8 control register 141 and register 153 for illegal signal
9 patterns and for de-tecting when the signal contents of
register 153 has a numerical value greater than the numeri-
11 cal value con-tained in control register 141. In the latter
12 case, a stop signal is supplied over line 171 through OR
13 circuit 157 to turn off the document reproduction machine
14 10. Additionally, an alarm may be sounded, or a suitable
indicator (not shown) is illuminated within panel 52. Decode
16 170 also supplies control register 141 decoded signals
17 indica-ting the magnitude of the value signals in that register.
18 Limit control 165 responds to those signals for determining
19 whether or no-t the signal contents of register 141 should be
altered to coincide with the functional capabilities of
21 document reproduction machine 10.
22 Gating means 164 respond to the Kl, K2 coun-ter
23 states of register position selector 161, a counter, to
24 achieve the shifting and data insertion into control register
141. Control register 141 is a decimal shift register
26 having the units, tens, and one hundreds digit positions.
27 It is preferred that register 141 con-tain signals in the
28 binary coded decimal notation, no limitation thereto in-tended.
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1 Cable 151 is connected to the unit digit position which
2 consists of four D-type flip-flops (not shown). The data
3 signals on cable 151 are supplied -to the data input (D) of
4 the respective D-type latches (not shown) while the gating
means 164 control signals are connected to the clock inputs
6 (not shown).
7 The sequence oE inserting signals into register
8 141 is achieved by the distributor pulses 1-4. Distributor
9 pulse 1 de-tects receipt of a digit value by digit value
ln selector 145. The circuits 164 are then conditioned for
11 detecting the action required for inserting the received
12 value signals or for inhibiting the received value signals ;
- 13 by the line 146 signal. In the event signals reside in the
14 units and tens digit positions of register 141, the 2 dis-
tributor pulse plus the K2 indicating state of counter 161,
16 as well as the line 146 active signal to shift the signal
17 contents of the register 141 tens digit position to the
18 register 141 hundreds digit position, all of the above
19 indicated by line 172. Such shifting is achieved by circuitry
2~ (not shown) contained within register 141 as is well known
21 in the arts. Then, at distributor time 3, the line 146
22 signal the Kl and K2 states shifts the signal contents of
~ 23 the register 141 units digit position (not shown) to the
;, 24 tens digit position (not shown), all of the above indicated
by line 173. This action is iden-tical to the shift from the
26 tens to the hundreds digit position. Finally, the 4 distributor
27 pulse and the line 42 pulse activate the C inputs of the D
28 latches (not shown) in the register 141 units digit position,
29 all as indicated by line 174.
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1 ~eset means 163 cooperates with selector 161 and
2 the other previously indica-ted reset control siynals for
3 rese-tting and conditioning control register 141 to reflect
4 the desired number of copies to be produced.
~ 5 Referring now more particularly to FIGURE 5, auto-
: 6 matic reselection is described- Controls 60, 181, etc., are
7 actuated by circuits from control panel 52 which include a
8 plurality of manually actuated switches 55 and 180. Closure
, 9 of the switch 55, 180 actuate a corresponding pulse former,
;~ 10 such as pulse former 56 for emitting a trigger switching
11 pulse to alternate the signal state of the respective mode ~ :
12 selection triggers 60 and 181. Accordingly, -two closures
13 of the switches 180 successively select a mode and deselect
14 such mode. Additionally, time-out timer 132 emits its time-
out reselection pulse over line 135, resetting all of the
16 triggers 60 and 181 to the dominant mode indicating state.
17 For -the illustrated embodiment, the dominant mode corresponds
18 to the reset state of the mode selection latches 60, 181.
19 Additionally, time-out timer 132 rese-ts con-trol register 141
~ : ~
20 to its reference state for producing a single copy from ~ -
~, 21 single original and rese-ts copy count register 153 to the
.~ 22 zero state via O~ circuit 182.
23 Dominant mode reselect control 17 actuates time-out
24 timer 132 by an appropriate enabling signal over line 134.
. 25 During normal operations, line 134 carries an inhibit signal
~ 26 pxeventing time-out timer 132 from issuing any pulses or from
., 27 timing any predetermined period. In this regard, time-ou-t ..
28 timer 132 may be a monostable multivibrator or an oscillator
l 29 driven counter for measuring elapsed time. ..
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BO976006 26
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1 Intermedlate machine state indicatiny lines 185
2 include line 74A for indicating an intermediate state in
3 the duplex copy mode, plus line 186 connected to line 198
4 and indicating an intermediate state in a jam error recovery
procedure. Additionally, machine 10 may include o-ther inter-
6 mediate state indicating lines 187. All of the lines 185
7 supply signals via OR circuit 188 to partially enable AND
8 circuit 189. AND circuit 189 also receives a NOT RUN or
NOT START signal from latch 88 via line 190, plus an A timing
pulse from timing si~nal generator 152 of FIGURE 3. AND
11 circuit 189 then emits a timer actuating pulse over line 134
12 to initiate time-out timer 132.
13 Timer 132 can be stopped by latch 88 being set to
14 the active condition. Latch 88 may be set via OR circuit 191
15 which is electrically interposed between AND 87 and latch 88 -
16 of FIGURE 2. Recovery restart controls 195 selectively
17 set start latch 88 via OR circuit 191 after a jam condition
18 or other interrupted stoppage of the document reproduction
19 machine 10. Cable 196 indicates connections to other portions
of the machine with regard to such automatic restarting. The ~; -
21 functions of recovery restart controls 195 applying to select
22 control 17 only concerns control 17 resetting restart controls
23 195 upon a time-out of timer 132. Such action is important
2~ to prevent an inadvertent restarting of machine 10 after the
timer has indicated the dominant mode has been reselected.
26 To reset restart controls 195, AND circuit 197 passes the
27 line 135 pulse after a jam as indicated by signal on line 198
28 from paper jam circuits 90. The line 198 signal is maintained
BO976006 27
until a predetermined time after s-l:art latch 88 has been set
2 to the active condition. Such memory is importan-t to main-
3 taining appropria-te interactions during the error recovery
4 procedures. ~ -
Additionally, timer 132 may be reset and inhibited
6 from timing out by various other machine states. Such states
7 include Not Ready, Diagnostic Mode, Power On Rese-t, Copy
8 Cycle, etc.
9 The intermediate state generation for the duplex
mode includes AND circuit 200 responding to the duplex
11 indicating signal on line 191 to pass either the line 74
12 signal or the line 45 signal received via OR circuit 201.
13 The line 45 signal signifies paper is in in-terim storage
1~ unit ~0 as sensed by switch 41 (FIGURE 2). In a practical
embodiment of the invention, it is preferred that switch 41
16 supply the line 74 signal.
17 The second intermediate state indicated by the
18 signal on line 186 as derived from the intermediate signal
19 generating line 198 includes a jam clear latch 205, signify-
ing that the paper jam is clear but that further operator
~; 21 action is required before document reproduction machine 10
! ~`~ .
22 can be started. Jam clear latch 205 operates with respect
23 to paper jams in any portion of the machine. Jam clear
2~ latch 205 normally is in the reset state. AND circuit 206
; 25 responds to the line 198 signal a B type timing pulse, start
26 latch being reset as indicated on line 190, and the paper
27 path switches 207 all being closed indicating absence of
` 28 paper in the paper path (not shown) to supply a latch
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BO976006 28
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1 setting signal through set jam clear latch 205 to the
2 active condi-tion. When in the ac-tive condition, A~ID circuit
3 208 is disabled such that the jam signal is not passed.
4 Further, the jam swi-tches 207 are required to enable AND
clrcuit 208.
6 The intermediate state is removed by switch 210
7 closing to indicate that the access door to the paper jam
area has been closed. AND circuit 211 ls enabled by the
9 switch 210 closing and jam clear latch 205 being in the
active state to pass an A timing pulse resetting jam clear
11 latch 205. This action when switches 207 are closed and a
12 jam condition has been memorized~ passing an enabling
13 signal from jam clear latch 205 through AND 208, thence, OR
i4 188 to enable AND circuit 189.
The above action indicates the character of inter-
16 mediate states usable with document reproduction machine 10
17 for achieving the goals of the present invention. It is
18 clear that other forms of intermediate states can be used
1~ with equal effectiveness for enabling reselection controls.
Copy count register 153 can be reset at start time
2l independent of reselection control 17. To this end, AND
22 circuit 215 receives a plurality of signals as indicated by
23 lines 216 and OR circuit 47 for setting start latch to the
24 active condition via O~ circuit 115 as well as clearing copy
count register 153. Both modes of resetting copy count
26 register 153 may be employed in the same machine.
27 Dominant mode characteristics are a function o~ copy
2~ production goals. For example, when a document reproduction
BO976006 29
~ 2~
s l machine has a plurallty of lmage inputs, such as a platen
2 plus an automatic laser type image generator, -the dominant
3 mode may use the laser input to -the exclusion of the platen
~ input. When the platen i5 to be used, the laser input is
overridden. Then upon completion of the pla-ten input job,
6 the time-out reselects -the dominant input -- the laser image
7 generator. In such a machine, a fully automatic input mode
8 is a dominant mode. Other diverse characteristics can be
9 equally included in a dominant copy production mode. -.
10 While the invention has been particularly shown ~ -
11 and described with reference to preferred embodiments :-.
12 thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art
13 that various changes in form and details may be made therein
14 without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. .
lS What is claimed is:
so976006 30
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