Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
1038946
FIELD OF INVENTION
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This invention relates to a billing apparatus in a
copier/duplicator machine and, more particularly, to an
improved billing apparatus having a plurality of counters for
recording the number of copies according to the size of the
copies. -
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION -
The present day copier/duplicator machines are typi-
cally provided with suitable billing apparatus having a counter
for indicating the number of copies made for billing purposes.
With the advent of more sophisticated and refined copier/
duplicator machines there have been a number of variations to -
the billing scheme and accordingly to the scheme of counting
the copies. In one such variation there is provided a program-
mable billing apparatus having a first counter for recording
the total count of the copies made on a cumulative basis and
a second counter for recording on a cumulative basis the -
; total count of the copies made up to a first break point,
that is, for example, up to copies l through 9 in a copy run
and a third counter for recording on a cumulative basis the
i total number of copies made in a copy run from the first break
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point and up, for example, copies l0 through 20, where the
break points of the second and third counters are programmable ;
to change the cumulative count recorded thereon. Heretofore, ~ -
the billing apparatus has been generally designed to register
the number of copies made and record each occurrence of copy- ,
ing cycle as one copy count without regard to the size of the
copy papers used.
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Recently, a copier/duplicator machine has been
developed to operate in different modes for making of copies of
substantially different sizes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide
an improved billing apparatus.
It is another object of the present invention to
provide a billing apparatus for giving separate record of
counts for different sizes of eopies.
It is still another object of the present invention
to provide billing apparatus for operation in a copier/
duplicator machine having different modes of operation wherein `-
different size document originals are copied in different
size copy sheets in different modes of operation.
These and other objects of the present invention
are achieved according to the present invention by a billing
apparatus having counters for recording on a cumulative
basis the numer of copies made up to a eertain size and
another counter for indicating the number of copies made on
another size larger than said certain size.
Thus, in accordance with the present teachings,
a counting apparatus is provided for automatic reproducing
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equipment whieh is operable in a first mode for making copies
up to a first size and in a second mode for making copies up
to a seeond size, the seeond size being larger than the first
size. The apparatus comprises a first pulse means for
generating eount pulses representing copies made in the first
mode, first eounting means and first enabling means for
enabling the first counting means to record cumulatively the
total eopy eount pulses from the first pulse means. Second
pulse means is also provided for generating second eopy eount
pulses representing copies made in the seeond mode and seeond
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counting means being provided. Logical signal generating means
which is responsive to equipment operation in the second mode
is provided for sensing the size of copies made, the logical ~ -
signal generating means generating a logical signal of one ~ -
state upon sensing the copies made are up to the first size
and a logical signal of another state upon sensing the copies
made are of a size larger than the first size up to the second
size. Means are provided responsive to the logical signal
of one state for enabling the first counting means for
recording cumulatively the copy count pulses from the second
pulse means or responsive to the logical signal of another
state for enabling the second counting means for recording
cumulatively the copy count pulses from the second pulse means.
The foregoing and other objects and features of the
present invention willbecome clearer from the following
detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of the
present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings -
in which: -
Figure 1 shows a schematic circuit diagram of a
~ 20 billing apparatus according to the present invention.
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Figure 2 shows logic means for generating count
signals for the large copies that the billing apparatus
shown in Figure 1 may utilize.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
sriefly stated, the present billing apparatus may be
used in conjunction with a copier/duplicator machine designed
to make copies of different sizes. Such a machine is designed -
to operate in two different modes: where in a first or base
mode of operation, the machine is conditioned so that its
optical scanning mechanism scans across a stationary document
original to form a latent electrostatic image on a photosensi-
tive plate for subsequent development and transfer to a copy
sheet. In a second or large document copying (hereinafter
referred to also as LDC mode), the optical scanning mechanism
is held in a stationary position while the document original
is moved past a scanning station of machine to form a latent
image of the document original on the photosensitive plate for
subsequent development. Advantageously, the machine is de-
signed so that, in its base ~.ode, it can make copies up to a
predetermined size, for example, up to 8 1/2" x 14" size paper
and, in its LDC mode, it can make copies of sizes exceeding
this predetermined size. t :.
The copier/duplicator apparatus of the foregoing
description may be provided with a billing apparatus having a
first counter for recording on a cumulative basis the total
number of copies that have actually been made and a second
counter
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for recording cummulatively the n~mber of copies made up to
a first break point, for example, the number of copies made
up to nine copies per copy run and a third counter for
recording cummulatively the number of copies made from the
first break point to a second break point, for example, from
the tenth to the twentieth copies made in a single copy run.
The billing apparatus, however, does not provide means for
discriminating the copy count in terms of the size of the copy
sheet. In accordance with the present invention, a suitable
cir-uitry are provided for cummulatively counting and record-
ing the number of the copies made on different counters
according to the size of the copy sheets-. - ~ -
More specifically, referring to Figure l, the billing
apparatus includes a first counter Cl that records cummulatively
the total number of copy count pulses generated by a suitable '
pulse generating means 10 of the machine logic that represent
the number of copies made and applied thereto via a suitable
path ll that may include a wired OR gate 13 and an inverting
gate 15. Such an apparatus is also provided with one or more
additional counters for recording, on a cummulative basis, the
copy counts up to its corresponding break points. Such an
additional counter may include a counter C2 of a suitable design
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for recording the count pulses representing the copy counts
up to the first break point applied thereto from the pulse
generating means 10 via an inverting gate 17 and an AND gate
l9. The second counter C2 is designed to count up to the first
break point, for example, up to the first nine copies, under
the control
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~1)38946
The programmable logic 21 is designed so that, when the copy
count pulses from the means 10 matches the number of the count
set by a dial 22 and stored therewithin, it pxovides logical 1
via its output path 24 to reset the reset terminal R of a latch
circuit 31.
Backtracking a little, the latch circuit 31 is ap-
plied with a logical 1 to its set lead S via a path 26 at
the initializing operation of the machine logic. When latch
is initialized and set by the initializing signal, it provides
a logical 1 at its output Q. This takes place as the machine -
logic is initialized to start making copies of a copy run.
The logical 1 output from Q is in turn applied to the second
input b of the AND gate 19 and enables the AND gate 19 to
gate therethrough the copy count pulses from the means 10 to
the second counter C2. The latch circuit 31 is reset by the
output of the programmable logic 21 as the copy count pulse
r: count reaches the breakpoint. In response, the latch circuit
changes its output Q from logical 1 to logical 0 and disables
the gate 19 and thereby stops the second counter C2. In the
foregoing manner, the counters Cl and C2 described above are
used to record the number of copies made without regard to
the size of the copies made. However, the billing apparatus
of prior art does not provide means for differentiating or
discriminating the counts according to the sizes of the
copies made.
In accordance with the present invention, an
additional counter C3 is provided in the billing apparatus
for recording the number of copies made in copy sheets of
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1~38946
sizes dlfferent from those of the copies recorded by the
counters Cl and C2 and means for assuring that the copy
count pulses are channeled to proper ones of the counters Cl,
C2 and C3 according to the sizes of the copies. More speci-
fically, the billing counters Cl and C2 are used to record
the number of copies made up to a certain predetermined size
(e.g., legal size), and the counter C3 is used to record the
number of copies if the copy size exceeds the certain predeter-
mined size and means 50 for channeling the count pulses to
proper ones the counter Cl and C2 or ~3 depending upon the
size of copies. As illustrated, Figure 1 shows the count -
pulse channeling means 50 may comprise a plurality of gating
means 48, 51, 53, 55 and 56 for gating copy count pulses from
a copy count pulse generating means 42 of the copier/duplicator
lS operating in LDC mode to either the counters Cl and C2 or the
counter C3 under the control of the copy size indicating means
40.
The copy size sensing means 40 may be any suitable
design which provides logicaI 0 signal representing a copy
sheet size of up to a given dimension, for example, up to a
legal size sheet, regardless whether the machine operates in
the base or LDC mode and logical 1 signal if the machine is
set to make copies larger than the given dimension, for
example, an 18" x 14" is made.
Figure 2 shows an illustrati~e example of the logic
means 0 for generating the copy size indicating signal, i.e.,
large or small copy sheet size and means 42 for generating
pulses representing counts of the copies made in large copy
sheets. More specifically, the paper size indicating means
may co~iprise means 70 ahd 71 for sensing the presence of the
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1038~46
copy paper supply of large and small sizes respectively.
The LDC mode sensing means 72, pull-up circuits 74, 75, 76
and 77, 78 of suitable design operatively connected to
perform the functions mentioned above. In operation, the
paper size sensing means 70 and 71 may comprise normally
closed switches S5 and S6 in the copier/duplicator machine
and they are connected so that when paper supplies are in
they open and when the supplies are out they close. The LDC
de switch S4 is likewise connected so that it normally
lQ closes but it opens when the machine is in LDC mode. In
operation, with the switches S4, S5 and S6 closed, a ground
or logical 0 signal is provided to the corresponding pull-up
circuits 76, 75 and 74. ~he pull-up circuit is of a conven-
tional design comprising resistors Rl and R2 and a capacitor
Cl; it applies a logical 0 to its output when the correspond-
ing switches S4, S5 or S6 connecting it to a ground is closed
and changes its output to logical 1 when the corresponding
switches open. --
As will be apparent from the following analysis of
the circuit, the means 40 provides logical 0 signal when the
machine operates to make a copy on a small copy sheet (e.g.,
up to legal size) regardless whether or not it is set to
operate in the base mode or LDC mode and logical 1 signal as
the machine operates in the LDC mode and makes copies on
large copy sheets (e.g., above legal size). Thus, referring
to the means 40, when the LDC mode switch S4 and the large
sheet ~ensing switch S6 open signifying that the machine is
~n LDC mode and the copy sheet is large, then the gates 77
provide logical 0 and gate 78 inverts this to a logical 1
output. Hence, more specifically, with the LDC mode and
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1~38946
large sheet situation, there is a coincidence of logical 1
to the two inputs a and b of the NAND gate 77. In turn, the
NAND gate 77 provides a logical 0 output to the inverting
gate 78. In turn, the gate 78 provides a logical 1. This :
is used to signify the presence of large copy sheet supply.
In turn, this logical 1 signal is applied to the gates 51
and 56 (Figure 1) via the path 41 and thereby disable the : ~
gate 53 and enable the gate 56 and prepares the LDC counter -~ :
C3 to receive the count pulses from the sources 10 or 42 via `
10 the OR gate 48.
Conversely, if small copy sheet supply is present
and large copy sheet supply is not, the large copy sheet :;-
supply sensing switch S6, the NOR gate 77 and the inverting
gate 78 respond and provide a logical 0. The small copy sheet -
sensing switch S5 senses the presence of small copy sheets and
causes the pull-up circuit 75 to provide logical 1 output. `
This output is inverted to logical 0 by the gate 78. Logical : .
0 signal signifying the presence of small copy sheet is
thusly provided by the means 40. In response to this logical
20 0 signal, the NAND gate 56 is disabled and the NAND gate 53
is enabled. In turn, the counter C3 for the large document
copy is disabled and the counters Cl and C2 for the small
document copy are enabled to be ready to receive the count
pulses from the sources 10 or 42. -
The copy count pulses may be provided by a suitable
. means 42 and applied via an OR gate 48 (Figure 1) and the ;
inverting gate 55. As shown, the copy count may originate
either from a billing count pulse generating circuit of any
suitable design 10 that may be associated with the base
30 machine or an auxiliary count pulse generating means 42.
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As configured, the OR gate 48 is designed to take the copy
count pulses from either of the two sources and apply them
to the counters Cl and C2 or C3 via the channeling means 50.
sriefly generalized, the auxiliary count pulses
generating means 42 may be designed to comprise a NAND gate
45 under the control of certain conditions signifying comple-
tion of certain xerographic processes in making a copy. ~he
completion may be signified by an output of a coincidence
gate. For example, it mav include an NAND gate 45 which
provides a negative going pulse in response to a coincidence
of three inputs a, b, and c in the form of logical 1 signals,
signifying completion of a copy. The first of the three
in~uts go to 105 cal 1 u.-.der the con,rol of .he LDC mode
switch S4 or the small size copy sheet sensing switch S5 via
an OR gate 46. The second and third inputs b and c are
placed respectively under the control of the machine logic
that is designed to provide logical 1 if certain conditions
or signals are met. Generally stated inputs b and c to the
NAND gate 45 represent the status or stage of the copying
process. When the copying process reaches a certain point,
close enough to a completion state so that it can be counted
as complete, the circuit is deslgned to apply coincidence of
logical l's to b and r of the gate 45 and enable it to ou'put
a nëgative going pulse. By way of example, the conditions
~ay pertain to the actuation of operation of control elements
signified by the operation of certain latches (e.g., EXP,
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SCAN, DorY~ latches) associated with the operation of exposure
scanning which relate to the copying operations. As noted,
these latches are under the control of the outputs of the
document original sensing means (e.g., switches S7 and S8)
~~ ~and the means for sensing the trailing edge of the copy sheet
(e.g., switch S9) applied via corresponding pull-up circuits
92 and 93. The inputs from a counter CRT and the switches
S7, S8 and S9 enable the exposure latch 95, scan latch 96,
DONE latch 97 and associated decision gates 101-104 to provide
outputs of the logical 1 signals to the inputs b and _ of the
NAND gate 45.
m e copies made by the machine in the LDC mode of
operation may be indicated in the form of a train of negative
going impulses provided by the output of the coincidence gate
45, each pulse representing a copy made by the copier/dupli-
cator machine. The copy count pulses from the NAND gate 45
are then applied to the counters C1 or C2 via gates 48, 55
and 53 for the small copies and to the counter C3 via the
gates 48, 55 and 56 for the large copies. It may be recalled
that if the machine is set to copy on small sheets, whether
it operates in the base or ~DC mode, the size discriminating
means 40 provides logical 0 signal. This is applied via the
path 41 to the gates 51 and 56. Consequently, a logical 0
i8 applied to the input b of the N~ND gate 56 and prevents
it from gating the copy count pulses from the logic gate 55.
The logical 0 is inverted into logical 1 and applied to input
a of gate 53 and this enables the NAND gate 53 to gate the
copy count pulses from the gate 55 in the form of positive
going pulses and then to the first break point counter C2
via the wired OR gate 13 in the form of negative going pulses.
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The pulses are inverted again by the gates 15 and 17 applied
to the total billing counter Cl the first break point counter
C2 to record the cummulative counts of the copy count pulses.
An important aspect of the present billing means 42
used in generating copy counts is that it provides copy count
pulses only when certain conditions signifying that the copy-
ing operation is completed and properly so.
When the machine is set to operate in the LDC mode,
the logic is of a design that enables the latch 31 (Flgure 1)
to control the operation of the counter C2; it keeps the
latch 31 in the set state; this causes the means 20 to provide
logical 1 independent of the diai setting and the programmable
logic 21. This enables the counter C2 to count every copy
~ count pulse coming from the means 42 via the gates 55, 53 and
13, as the machine operates in the LDC mode and copies on the
small size copy sheets.
In summary then, in the LDC mode of operation,
accompanied by the copying operation involving copy sheets
up to a certain size ~e.g., a regular letter or legal copy
paper), the billing counter Cl counts the total count and the
billing counter C2 counts each copy in the same way that they '
do when the machine is set to operate in the base mode, except
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the fact that the copy co~n~t pulses are coming from the
auxiliary copy count pulse generating means 42 and not from
the base copy count pulse generating means 10. With the
machine set in the LDC mode of operation and the copy is
made on the large sized paper (e.g., 18" x 24"), the logic -
for the LDC billing apparatus operates as follows: it may
be recalled that in this situation, the input from the copy ~
sheet size sensing means 40 applied via the path 41 is in the `
form of logical 1. This is applied to the inverting gate 51
and to the NAND gate 56. The inverting gate 51 in turn
applies a logical 0 to the input a of the NAND gate 53 and
disables it. This prevents the gate 53 from passing or gating
the copy count pulses coming from the inverting gate 55.
However, the NAND gate 56 is enabled by the logical 1. Thus,
the gate 56 passes therethrough the copy count pulses from
the inverting gate 55. This represents the copy counts of
the large sized copy sheets made. The output of the inverting
gate 56 is then applied to the separate billing counter C3 ~f. '
via the inverting gate 57.
When the machine is set to operate in the LDC mode
to copy large sized copies, t~he paper size sensing means 40
: provides a logical 1. With this condition the copy count
pulses from the gate 45 are steered and presented to the LDC
billing counter C3 via gates 56 and 57 while disabling the
total copy counter Cl and the first break point copy counter
C2.
In accordance with another aspect of the present
- invention, the billing apparatus may further include a suit-
able means 60 to provide the following services: the machine
of the present design may be leased to a number of parties
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at a ~uilding or at a location. The lessee may want to share
the cost of leasing the machine proportionate to the amount
of their use. One way of keeping track of the proportion of
use may be accomplished by utilizing a counter similar to
that disclosed in the U. S. Patent 3,436,530, issued to Rudolf
Fauae, et al. Such a counter is in the form of a portable
plug-in key counter unit C4 issued to the authorized lessees.
Where the machine is to be shared by a number of different
parties as above, it is provided with a suitable mechanism 5~
having a socket to receive the key counter C4. The mechanism
59 is of a design that prevents actuation of the machine
; unless the key counter C4 is plugged in. Thus, in addition
to the counting function, the key counter acts as a key to
t`he machine. In practice, hence, suppose customers A and B
1~ wish to use the same machine and share the cost. They may
be provided with plugable key counter units No. 1 and No. 2,
respectively. Thus, when the customer A plugs in his ~ey
counter No. 1 to the socket in the machine, he unlocks the
machine and enables the machine to operate. The counter C4
of the unit No. 1 records the counts of the copies he makes.
~ikewise, the customer B having another unit (No. 2) likewise
can plug in his card into the socket and unlock the machine
and operate it. He would obtain his copy counts in another
counter belonging to him.
Referring to the circuitry, in order to accommodate
the above operational features of the machine, the counting
apparatus according to the present invention is provided with
a NOR gate 54 connected to receive the count pulses represent-
; lng either the small copies from the O~ gate 13 or the NAN
~ gate 53 as well as the count pulses representing the large
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sized copies from the gate 56. These pulses are gated
through the counter unit No. 1 or No. 2 to the corresponding
counters C4 and C5, depending on which ones are plugged in.
The billing may then be apportioned among the parties having
access to the machine based on the readings of the counters
C4 and C5. As evident from above, unlike billing meters Cl,
C2 and C3, the billing meters C4 and C5 associated with the
keyed counter units do not make the discrimination as to the
size of the copy papers.
While the present invention is described in the
environment of a xerographic copier/duplicator machine, it
is to be understood that the basic principles of the present
invention need not be so limited. It may just as well be
used in a non-xerographic machine such as photostatic or
other types of copying machines using specially treated
papers in making copies, and that require counting apparatus
for providing separate records on different counters to keep
track of the number of items copied, produced, duplicated or
processed according to criteria such as size, shape or weight
or any other suitable parameters. Accordingly, various changes
and modifications may be made to the present invention from
the illustrative embodiment~ described hereinabove without
departing from the spirit and scope thereof.
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