Variable magnification copying machine

Abstract

A variable magnification copying machine comprises original size input means for inputting a size of an original, a paper size input means for inputting a size of a copy paper and a copy magnification calculation means for calculating a copy magnification factor based on the original size and the paper size. The copy magnification factor is calculated selectively based on widths in one direction of the original and the paper or based on widths in the other direction of the original and the paper.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a variable magnification copying machine which senses a size of an original to set a magnification of a copying image.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In a prior art copying machine of this type, a magnification of a copying image is set independently of a size of an original by manipulating a reduction key or an enlargement key. Thus, the size of the original is not directly related to a magnification function. In addition, the prior art copying machine is constructed to enlarge or reduce only originals of standard sizes. Thus, since the orientations and the sizes of the originals are restricted, the copying machine has only several magnification factors.

A copying machine which can sense the size of the original has been known. In such a machine, however, indexes such as A₄, A₃, B₄ and B₅ are marked to indicate the sizes of the original and an operator reads one of the indexes and depresses one of buttons A₄, A₃ . . . . In another type of copying machine, instead of the manipulation buttons, a plurality of microswitches are arranged around an original table to sense the size of the original stepwise (Japanese Patent Application No. 54-141682). This copying machine, however, cannot continuously sense the size of the original.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a variable magnification copying machine which can copy an original with a variable magnification as required by a user.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a variable magnification copying machine which can copy either a standard size original or a non-standard size original at a magnification determined by longitudinal lengths or lateral lengths of the original and a copy paper.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a variable magnification copying machine having first input means for selecting either a longitudinal length or a lateral length of a reference copy paper and second input means for selecting to calculate a ratio of lengths of corresponding sides of an original and a copy paper to automatically determine a magnification or to determine the magnification in accordance with the first input means.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a variable magnification copying machine which can copy either a standard size original or a non-standard size original at variable magnifications in different directions of a copy paper.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a variable magnification copying machine which allows copying of an image of an original on an entire area of a copy paper.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a variable magnification copying machine which can copy a non-regular size original to produce a regular size copy and enter a size data of the original to a control circuit of the copying machine with a simple construction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied;

FIG. 2 shows an arrangement for sensing a size of an original;

FIG. 3 shows a main electrical block diagram of the present invention;

FIG. 4 composed of FIGS. 4A and 4B visuarizetne the the processing to a step 5 where a sub-routine "sub' SET" for transferring the data to the μCOM 22 is executed and then the process goes back to the step 3.

FIG. 19 shows the sub-routine "sub' SET". In this sub-routine, the three-digit data of the original size X and Y and the X direction (scan direction) magnification factor x/X are serially transferred by 50 milliseconds millisecond pulses, the most significant digit first, as shown in FIG. 14, from the ports M, L and N, respectively. The X direction magnification factor is read as the data for the control μCOM 22 of the copying machine to determine the scan speed.

If the switch COMPLETE is not depressed, the process goes to a step 6 where it is checked if the port F₂ is "1", that is, if the switch M has been depressed. If the decision is YES, the sub-routine "sub PAPER SIZE" shown in FIG. 7 is executed in a step 7 and the process goes to a step 8. In the step 8, a sub-routine "sub' MAGNIFICATION" shown in FIG. 20. is executed. In this sub-routine the ratios of the sides to allow the copying of the original image on the entire area of the copy paper are determined based on the original size data X and Y and the paper size data x and y. That is, the ratios x/X and y/Y are calculated to determine the respective magnification factors, which are then stored in the RAM. In the example of FIG. 18, X=420 mm, Y=297 mm, x=297 mm and y=210 mm and hence the ratios x/X and y/Y are 0.70. Thus, 0.7.0 is stored in the RAM. The ratio y/Y is transferred to P of the RAM. The ratio x/X in three-digit number is written in the addresses 17-19 and the addresses 33-35 of the RAM, and ratio y/Y in three-digit number is written in the addresses 20-22 and the addresses 36-38 of the RAM. The Y direction magnification factor y/Y in three-digit number is further written in the addresses 28-30 (P).

After the sub-routine "sub' MAGNIFICATION" has been executed in the step 8, the process goes to a step 9.

In the step 9, the number of drive pulses is determined based on the calculated magnification factors to move the optical system to the desired position. After the movement, the display RAM is set to display the selected magnification factors. Thus, Nx.Nx.Nx and Ny.Ny.Ny (where Nx is the X direction magnification factor and Ny is the Y direction magnification factor) are displayed on the display 20.

FIG. 21 shows a sub-routine "sub' LENS SYSTEM MOVEMENT". for moving the lens system and displaying the magnification factors, which is executed in the step 9, is shown. In a step 1, a difference of the content of P subtracted by the content of PLS is written in the addresses 41-43 (CNT) of the RAM. In the example of FIG. 18, PLS=70-100=-30 and hence CNT=-30. In a step 2, it is determined whether the pulse motor 8 is rotated counterclockwise or clockwise depending on whether CNT is positive or negative. If CNT is positive, the pulse motor 8 is rotated clockwise (enlarging direction), and if CNT is negative, the pulse motor 8 is rotated counterclockwise (reducing direction). If the CNT is negative, the pulse motor 8 is rotated counterclockwise and an absolute value of the CNT is decremented by each pulse supplied from the port C₂ in a step 3 until the CNT reaches zero, when the pulse motor 8 is stopped in a step 4 and the content of P is transferred to PLS in preparation for the next cycle. Thus, P=0.7.0, and PLS=0.7∅ In a step 6, the value M is written in the addresses 36-38 for displaying the Y direction magnification factor, and the ratio x/X, that is, the content of the addresses 17-19 is written in the addresses 33-35 for displaying the X direction magnification factor. Thus, the magnification factors Nx.Nx.Nx and Ny.Ny.Ny are displayed.

The other steps are identical to the flow chart shown in FIG. 5 and hence they are not explained here.

In the present embodiment, the magnification factors in the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction are separately calculated. By providing switches for selecting desired longitudinal and lateral magnification factors, a copy of a desired magnification can be formed.

In any of the above embodiment embodiments, the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum may be varied in accordance with the magnification factor in the scan direction with the scan speed being fixed.

In any of the above embodiments, when the pulse motor is used, the clock pulse generator 23 may be omitted. In this case, the the necessary number of pulse motor drive pulses may be supplied from the output ports J₁ and J₂ of the control μCOM 19.

In the present embodiment, the magnification factors in the X direction and the Y direction, that is, x/X and y/Y are displayed. Alternatively, an area magnification factor (x x y)/(X x Y) may be displayed. The magnification data and other data supplied to the μCOM 22 are used to remove the contamination by the toner of an excess area of the drum not used for the magnification copying operation.

In the present embodiment, the original size data is inputted to the μCOM 19 through the potentiometers 18X and 18Y. Alternatively, it may be manually entered by a ten key, or automatically entered by sensors.

As described hereinabove, according to the present invention, the magnification of the copy can be determined based on the longitudinal width or the lateral width of the copy paper. Since the magnification factor need not be calculated for each operation, a non-regular size original can be readily copied to a regular size paper.

In accordance with the present invention, either the. regular size original or the non-regular size original can be copied to the regular size paper. Thus, copies need not be patched and a non-regular size copy is avoided. Since the image is reproduced on the entire area of the copy paper, a non-regular size copy can be reproduced from a non-regular size original. In accordance with the present invention, the original size and the density of the copy can be processed with a small number of input device.

It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments but various modifications thereof can be made within a scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A variable magnfication magnification copying machine comprising:

original size input means for inputting a size of an original;

paper size input means for inputting a size of a copy paper; and

determination means for determining a magnification factor based on the original size and the paper size, said determination means including first determination means for determining a first magnification factor based on first direction widths of the original and the paper, second determination means for determining a second magnification on second direction widths of the original and the paper, and selection means for manually selecting between said first determination means and said second determination means.

2. A variable magnification copying machine according to claim 1, wherein said paper size input means includes means for generating a signal representing a size of mounted copy paper.

3. A variable magnification copying machine according to claim 2, further comprising: display means for displaying the copy magnification factor.

4. A variable magnification copying machine according to claim 1, further comprising measuring means for measuring a distance of movement of an optical system for magnification change in accordance with the determining magnification factor.

5. A variable magnification copying machine according to claim 2, wherein said original size input means includes display means for displaying the width of the original.

6. A variable magnification copying machine comprising:

original size input means for inputting a size of an original;

paper size input means for inputting a size of a copy paper; and

determination means for determining a magnification factor based on the original size.and the paper size, said determination means including first determination means for determining a first magnification factor based on first and second direction widths of the original and first and second direction widths of the paper, second determination means for determining a second magnification factor based on first or second direction widths of the original and the paper, and selection means for selecting between said first determination means said second determination means.

7. A variable magnification copying machine according to claim 6, wherein said second determination means includes third determination means for determining a magnification factor based on the first direction widths of the original and the paper, foruth fourth determination means for determining a magnification factor based on the second direction widths, and reference selection means for selecting between said third determination means and said fourth determination means.

8. A variable magnification copying machine according to claim 6, wherein said paper size input means includes means for generating a signal representing a size of mounted copy paper.

9. A variable magnification copying machine according to claim 8, wherein said original size input means includes display means for displaying the width of the original.

10. A variable magnification copying machine according to claim 9, further comprising:

display means for displaying the original size and the copy magnification factor.

11. A variable magnification copying machine according to claim 6, further comprising measuring means for measuring a distance of movement of an optical system for magnification change in accordance with the determined magnification factor.

12. A variable magnification copying machine comprising:

an original mount member for mounting an original thereon;

reading means for reading a size of the original mounted on said original mount member to generate a reading signal;

A/D converter converting means for A/D converting the reading signal from said reading means;

paper size signal generating means for generating a paper size signal representing a size of a copy paper; and

magnification factor transfer deriving means for transferring deriving a magnification factor derived consisting of plural digits from the paper size signal and the output from said A/D converter converting means, wherein said magnification factor deriving means transfers the magnification factor to a control circuit of an image forming unit digit by digit to control a magnification copy operation.

13. A variable magnification copying machine according to claim 12, wherein said magnification factor transfer means a includes first magnification factor based on first direction widths of the original and the paper, second determination means for determining a second magnification factor based on second direction widths of the original and the paper, and selection means for selecting between said first determination means and said second determination means.

14. A variable magnification copying machine according to claim 12, wherein said magnification factor transfer means includes calculation means for calculating magnification factors in the respective direction of the original and the paper.

15. A variable magnification copying machine according to claim 12, further comprising display means for displaying the magnification factor.

16. A variable magnification copying machine comprising:

original size input means for inputting a size of an original;

paper size input means for inputting a size of a copy paper;

determination means for determining a magnification factor based on the original size and the paper size, said determination means including first determination means for determining a first magnification factor based on first direction widths of the original and the paper and second determination means for determining a second magnification factor based on second direction widths of the original and the paper; and

control means for controlling an image formation unit in accordance with using both the first magnification factor determined by said first determination means and the second magnification factor determined by said second determination means.

17. A variable magnification copying machine according to claim 16, wherein said first and second determination means determine the first and second magnification factors, respectively, so as to reproduce the content of the original on an entire surface of the paper.

18. A variable magnification copying machine according to claim 16, wherein said paper size input means includes means for generating a signal representing a size of the mounted paper.

19. A variable magnification copying machine according to claim 18, further comprising display means for displaying the copy magnification factors.

20. A device for setting a copying magnification in a copying apparatus, said device comprising:

a data storage means having a plurality of memory locations;

selection key means for selecting one of said plurality of memory locations; and

control means for storing a numerical value in one of said memory locations selected by said selection key means, said control means setting an operation mode of said copying apparatus such that a numerical value stored in one of said memory locations selected by said selection key means corresponds to a copying magnification value. 21. A device for setting a copying magnification in an electrophotographic copying apparatus, said device comprising:

means for manually inputting a numerical value;

a data storage means having a plurality of memory locations;

selection key means for selecting one of said plurality of memory locations; and

control means for storing a numerical value input by said numerical value input means in one of said memory locations selected by said selection key means, said control means setting an operation mode of said copying apparatus such that a numerical value stored in one of said memory locations selected by said selection key means corresponds to a copying

magnification value. 22. The device as defined in claim 21, further including mode switching means for switching a control mode of said copying apparatus to a copying magnification setting mode wherein said data storage means and said control means are so interconnected that said data storage means is capable of storing said numerical value input by said numerical value input means only in said copying magnification setting mode. 23. The device as defined in claim 21, wherein said data storage means comprises a first group of memory locations in which a numerical value corresponding to a predetermined copying magnification is stored in advance and a second group. in which no numerical value is prestored. 24. The device as defined in claim 23, further including at least the preset means for presetting a predetermined value in said first group of memory means. 25. The device as defined in claim 24, wherein said preset means includes operation means for enabling variable combinations of values to be stored in said memory means. 26. The device as defined in claim 21, wherein said selection key means has a plurality of keys, each corresponding respectively to one of said plurality of memory locations. 27. The device as defined in claim 21, wherein said numerical value input means further includes operation means for

increasing or decreasing the input value. 28. A device for setting a copying magnification in an electrophotographic copying apparatus, said device comprising:

numerical value varying operation means for increasing or decreasing an input value by a predetermined number;

memory means; and

control means for storing a value set by said numerical value varying operation means in said memory means, said control means setting an operation mode of said copying apparatus such that said value corresponds to a copying magnification. 29. An apparatus for adjusting the magnification setting of a photocopying machine comprising:

a magnification/reduction apparatus contained as part of the photocopying machine;

a storage means for storing in respective memory locations a plurality of preselected data words indicative of a selected magnification/reduction ratio between the size of an image being copied and the size of the reproduced image;

selection means for selecting a respective one of the memory locations;

magnification control means for reading the data word stored in the respective selected memory location for adjusting the magnification/reduction apparatus according to the value of the magnification/reduction ratio stored in the respective memory location. 30. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising:

input means for modifying the magnification/reduction ratio in a selected one of at least a first plurality of the respective memory locations.

31. The apparatus of claim 29 further comprising:

the magnification control means includes a microprocessor which provides an output signal to the magnification/reduction apparatus to control the magnification/reduction apparatus in accordance with data representative of a particular magnification/reduction ratio. 32. The apparatus of claim 30, further comprising:

the storage means containing a second plurality of memory locations in which is stored magnification/reduction ratios;

the second plurality of memory locations having associated therewith a selection key, the operation of which serves to load the contents of the second plurality of memory locations into the magnification control means. 33. The apparatus of claim 32 further comprising:

an input control switch,

means responsive to the operation of the input control switch for loading the second plurality of memory locations, including means for alternatively selecting the contents of stored magnification/reduction values in response to a coded input and to input from the input means. 34. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising:

a plurality of selection keys, associated with the memory locations, for selecting the contents of the respective memory locations for reading into the control means. 35. A device for setting a copying magnification in a copying apparatus, said device comprising:

means for manually inputting a numerical value;

a data storage means having a plurality of memory locations;

selection key means for selecting one of said plurality of memory locations; and

control means for storing a numerical value input by said numerical value input means in one of said memory locations selected by said selection key means, said control means setting an operation mode of said copying apparatus such that a numerical value stored in one of said memory locations selected by said selection key means corresponds to a copying

magnification value. 36. A device for setting a copying magnification in a copying apparatus, said device comprising:

means for manually inputting a numerical value;

a data storage means having a plurality of memory locations;

selection key means for selecting one of said plurality of memory locations; and

control means for storing a numerical value input by said numerical value input means in one of said memory locations selected by said selection key means, said control means setting an operation mode of said copying apparatus such that a numerical value stored in one of said memory locations selected by said selection key means is used to set a copying magnification. 37. The device as defined in claim 36, further including mode switching means for switching a control mode of said copying apparatus to a copying magnification setting mode wherein said data storage means and said control means are so interconnected that said data storage means is capable of storing said numerical value input by said numerical value input means only in said copying magnification setting mode. 38. The device as defined in claim 36, wherein said data storage means comprises a first group of memory locations in which a numerical value used to set a predetermined copying magnification is stored in advance and a second group in which no numerical value is prestored. 39. The device as defined in claim 38, further including at least the preset means for presetting a predetermined value in said first group of memory means. 40. The device as defined in claim 39, wherein said preset means includes operation means for enabling variable combinations of values to be stored in said memory means. 41. The device as defined in claim 36, wherein said selection key means has a plurality of keys, each corresponding respectively to one of said plurality of memory locations. 42. The device as defined in claim 36, wherein said numerical value input means further includes operation means for increasing or decreasing the input value. 43. A device for setting a copying magnification in a copying apparatus, said device comprising:

numerical value varying operation means for increasing or decreasing an input value by a predetermined number;

memory means; and

control means for storing a value set by said numerical value varying operation means in said memory means, said control means setting an operation mode of said copying apparatus such that said value corresponds

to a copying magnification. 44. A device for setting a copying magnification in a copying apparatus, said device comprising:

numerical value varying operation means for increasing or decreasing an input value by a predetermined number;

memory means; and

control means for storing a value set by said numerical value varying operation means in said memory means, said control means setting an operation mode of said copying apparatus such that said value is used to set a copying magnification. 45. An apparatus for adjusting the magnification setting of a copying machine comprising:

a magnification/reduction apparatus contained as part of the copying machine;

a storage means for storing in respective memory locations a plurality of preselected data words indicative of a selected magnification/reduction ratio between the size of an image being copied and the size of the reproduced image;

a selection means for selecting a respective one of the memory locations;

a magnification control means for reading the data word stored in the respective selected memory location for adjusting the magnification/reduction apparatus according to the value of the magnification/reduction ratio stored in the respective memory location. 46. The apparatus of claim 45, further comprising:

input means for modifying the magnification/reduction ratio in a selected one of at least a first plurality of the respective memory locations. 47. The apparatus of claim 45 further comprising:

the magnification control means includes a microprocessor which provides an output signal to the magnification/reduction apparatus to control the magnification/reduction apparatus in accordance with data representative of a particular magnification/reduction ratio. 48. The apparatus of claim 46, further comprising:

the storage means containing a second plurality of memory locations in which is stored magnification/reduction ratios;

the second plurality of memory locations having associated therewith a selection key, the operation of which serves to load the contents of the second plurality of memory locations into the magnification control means. 49. The apparatus of claim 48 further comprising:

an input control switch,

means responsive to the operation of the input control switch for loading the second plurality of memory locations, including means for alternatively selecting the contents of stored magnification/reduction values in response to a coded input and to input from the input means.

50. The apparatus of claim 48, further comprising:

a plurality of selection keys, associated with memory locations for reading into the control means. 51. A magnification/reduction setting apparatus for use in a copying machine comprising:

a magnification/reduction apparatus contained as

a data storage having a first and a second plurality of memory locations,

a first data input apparatus connected to the first plurality of memory locations and operatively connected to a magnification/reduction storage apparatus in order to load into the first plurality of memory locations selected data in the storage apparatus representing preselected magnification/reduction values,

a second data input apparatus including a plurality of selection keys, each associated with a respective one of the second plurality of memory locations and a numerical value selection apparatus having value selection means and operative to select and display a value to be loaded into the one of the plurality of memory locations associated with the respective selection key,

a magnification control apparatus having a microprocessor controller responsive to the selected value stored in the first and second plurality of memory locations.