GB2124978A

GB2124978A - Copying apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2124978A
Application number: GB08223122A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kazuhiro Suzuki
Original assignee: Fuji Xerox Co Ltd
Current assignee: Fujifilm Business Innovation Corp
Priority date: 1982-08-11
Filing date: 1982-08-11
Publication date: 1984-02-29
Also published as: GB2124978B

Abstract

An apparatus for copying microfilm aperture cards comprises a copying machine 1, a CPU 2, a RAM 3, a programming panel 4, and a console panel 6. Successive sets of copying information for successive aperture cards are entered in advance of actual copying via the programming panel 4 and stored in RAM 3. The sets of information are then read out to the machine 1 as it copies successive aperture cards thereby permitting the machine 1 to copy the cards continuously in the absence of the operator. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Copying apparatus The present invention relates to a copying apparatus.

In a conventional copying apparatus, it is necessary to manually input copy information, such as the original size, the copying paper size, the copying paper type, and the number of copies to the aparatus for each microfilm aperture card, and the information for the next copying operation can be inputted only after the preceding copy operation has been completed. This procedure is disadvantageous in that where there are a large number of microfilm aperture cards to be copied the operator cannot leave the apparatus. Further, since the apparatus cannot be operated while the operator enters the copying instructions, the work efficiency is very low.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new or improved copying apparatus in which the above mentioned problem is overcome or reduced.

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a copying apparatus comprising a copying machine, a microcomputer connected to said copying machine for controlling said machine, a read-write memory accessed by said microcomputer and a programming panel for inputting a plurality of sets of copying information, each set being for a different one of a corresponding number of items to be copied, said information sets being input through said microcomputer to said read-write memory in succession so that said sets of copying information are stored in said memory, said microcomputer being operable to then read out said plurality of sets of information and control said copying machine to copy said items according to said copying information stored in said read-write memory, in succession.

According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a copying apparatus comprising a copying machine, a microcomputer for controlling said machine and a read-write memory accessed by said microcomputer, means for inputting a plurality of information sets including copying information for operating said copying machine, said microcomputer controlling said copying machine to produce a plurality of copy sets from a plurality of originals according to said plurality of information sets.

This invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a copying apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 2 is an illustration of the programming panel of the present copying apparatus; Figures 3a and 3b are flow-charts for explaining the operation of the present apparatus.

In Figure 1, the copying apparatus according to the present invention comprises a copying machine 1, a microcomputer or CPU 2, a memory 3 having a plurality of addresses, a programming panel 4 and a console panel 6 for the copying machine.

The copying machine 1 can be supplied with microfilm aperture cards, each of which contains different image information as in the conventional microfilm copying machine, which is usually provided with a console panel 6 to control the operation of the copying machine 1. That is, in the conventional copying machine, the operator inputs a specific microfilm aperture and the copying information for the microfilm, such as the original size, the copy size requested, the paper type, and the number of copies to the machine which operates in accordance with the copying information to copy the microfilm mounted on the aperture card.

In the present apparatus, a microcomputer (CPU) 2 and a memory 3 are provided for the copying machine, and the console panel 6 is connected to the CPU 2. Further, the programlning panel 4 and the memory 3 are connected to the CPU 2.

The programming panel 4 is shown in Figure 2. As shown, the programming panel 4 has a programming switch, the OFF state of which allows the CPU 2 to cause copying information for a single microfilm aperture card to be inputted from the console panel 6 to the memory 3 and be stored therein for subsequent use in the copying machine 1, as in the usual manner, and the ON state of which allows the CPU 2 to cause the memory 3 to temporarily store a plurality of copying information sets inputted through the programming panel 4 for a corresponding number of microfilm aperture cards and thereafter to read out the memorized copying information to thereby operate the machine without interruption.

The programming panel 4 has various instruction keys such as original size keys, copying paper size keys, paper type selection keys, an interruption key, numerical digit keys, instruction keys, and indicators corresponding to the instruction keys, respectively.

The operation of the copying apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2 will be described in detail with reference to the flow charts shown in Figures. 3a and 3b.

When the programming switch is set in the off state, the ordinary copying mode is established. In this mode, an operator can input copying informtion for a specific microfilm aperture card from the console panel 6 to the CPU 2 which transfers the copying information to the memory 3 where it is stored at an address M thereof (see Figure 3a).

In this state, the operator instructs, from the console 6, the starting of the copying operation (Figure 3b). Upon the start instruction the CPU 2 reads out the content of the address M of the memory 3 and sends a command to the copying machine to start the copying of the microfilm according to the content of the memory 3. Upon completion of the copying operation, the CPU and hence the copying machine returns to the ready state.

When the programming switch on the programming panel 4 is in the on-state, the program mode is established. In the program mode, the CPU 2 selects an address N of the memory 3 and the operator inputs copying information for a specific microfilm aperture card via the programming panel 4. This copying information is stored in the address N. Upon the completion of memorizing this information, an address pointer is advanced to N + 1 and copying information inputted by the operator for a second aperture card is stored at this address. This procedure is repeated for all of the aperture cards. Upon completion of memorizing the copying information for all the respective aperture cards at the addresses N, N + 1, N + 2 .... of the memory 3, a copy start instruction is input through the console panel 6. The CPU 2 controls the copying machine 1 according to the copying information in the address N to copy the first microfilm aperture card. After this copying operation is completed, the pointer is advanced to N + 1, and the CPU 2 reads out the copying information from this address to cause the copying machine to be operated according thereto. This procedure is repeated for the information in the addresses N + 2, N f 3, .... in succession, until the last input copying information has been executed, whereupon the apparatus is readied for further copying upon demand.

Claims

1. A copying apparatus comprising a copying machine, a microcomputer connected to said copying machine for controlling said machine, a read-write memory accessed by said microcomputer and a programming panel for inputting a plurality of sets of copying information, each set being for a different one of a corresponding number of items to be copied, said information sets being input through said microcomputer to said read-write memory in succession so that said sets of copying information are stored in said memory, said microcomputer being operable to then read out said plurality of sets of information and control said copying machine to copy said items according to said copying information stored in said read-write memory, in succession.

2. A copying apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which said memory has a plurality of addresses, the copying information for carrying out a copying operation for one of said items being contained in one address.

3. A copying apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, including address pointer means for advancing the address to be accessed after memorizing one instruction set in one address.

4. A copying apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, including address pointer means for advancing the address to be accessed after completion of a copying operation according to one instruction set.

5. A copying apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising program mode switch means, said switch means in one position permitting the input and storage of information regarding a copying operation for a single item.

6. A copying apparatus comprising a copying machine, a microcomputer for controlling said machine, a read-write memory accessed by said microcomputer, and means for inputting a plurality of information sets including copying information for operating said copying machine, said microcomputer controlling said copying machine to produce a plurality of copy sets from a plurality of originals according to said plurality of information sets.

7. A copying apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.