Programmable controller for controlling reproduction machines
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorJames M. Donohue
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A programmable controller is used to control the operation of a xerographic reproducing machine adapted to run in a simplex or duplex mode whereby copies are made on either or both sides of web material fed in a single pass and then cut into individual copy sheets. The controller incorporates a master program, and utilizes that program and the copy run instructions programmed by the reproduction machine operator to calculate a specific machine operating program for producing the copies programmed.
Claims34
In a reproduction machine for producing impressions of an original to be reproduced, the reproduction machine having a photosensitive member and a plurality of discrete operating components cooperable with one another and the photosensitive member to electrostatically produce impressions on support material, the improvement comprising:
- a programmable controller for use in programming the machine to produce one or more reproduction runs, said controller including program storage means adapted to retain a master control program, said controller being adapted on programming to produce, in accordance with said master program, an individual set of instructions for actuating said components in integrated association with one another for each reproduction run programmed.
In the method of controlling an electrostatic reproduction machine having processing components to produce impressions of originals, the steps comprising:
- programming the reproduction machine to produce a predetermined number of impressions;
- calculating for said programming in accordance with a master program the operational timing sequences for actuating the operating components of said reproduction machine required to produce said predetermined impressions;
- and
- actuating said processing components in accordance with said calculated timing sequences to produce said predetermined impressions.
A reproduction system for producing copies of an original, comprising:
- a reproduction machine including a plurality of control devices for implementing the copying process events,
- means for inputting a reproduction run instruction of predetermined characteristics for the reproduction run,
- a programmable controller having means responsive to the run instruction and means for storing an operating control program for operating the machine, said controller being operable by said operating program to derive timed control signals related to the reproduction run of said predetermined characteristics and applying said control signals to said plurality of control devices for implementing the copying process steps whereby the machine is enabled to make copies according to the reproduction instruction.
A reproduction system for producing copies of an original, comprising:
- a reproduction machine including a plurality of control devices for implementing the copying process events,
- means for inputting a reproduction run instruction for the reproduction run including a copy size,
- a programmable controller having means responsive to the run instruction and selected copy size and means for storing an operating control program for operating the machine, said controller being operable by said operating program to derive timed control signals related to the selected copy size and applying said control signals to said plurality of control devices for implementing the copying process steps whereby the machine is enabled to make copies according to the reproduction instruction.
In a programmable system for making reproductions of originals, the combination of:
- a. a series of electrostatic processing stations adapted when actuated in proper timed sequence to form an operable reproduction apparatus capable of making reproductions electrostatically;
- and
- b. a computer for controlling actuating of said processing stations in proper timed sequence to provide said operable reproduction apparatus, said computer including:
- a programmable memory adapted to retain a master operating program for said apparatus,
- said computer being adapted to calculate in accordance with said master program for the reproductions programmed timed control signals;
- and
- control means responsive to said timed control signals for actuating said processing stations to render the apparatus operative to make the reproductions programmed.
In a reproduction system for producing copies of an original, the reproduction system having a photosensitive member and a plurality of a discrete operating components cooperable with one another and the photosensitive member to electrostatically produce copies, the improvement comprising:
- first program storage means adapted to retain a master program for operating said system components in an integrated manner to provide an operable reproduction system, said system being adapted when actuated to produce copies:
- second program storage means adapted to hold at least one individual copy run program for use in actuating said system to produce a selected number of copies, said system when actuated operating in accordance with said master program to produce copies;
- said first and second program storage means being individually programmable to change said master program and said copy run program.
In a system for producing reproductions of an original, the combination of:
- a. a processor having a photosensitive member movable in an endless path and electrostatic processing means co-operable with said photosensitive member to electrostatically produce reproductions, said electrostatic processing means including
- 1. means to produce an electrostatic image on said photosensitive member,
- 2. means to develop said latent electrostatic image, and
- 3. means to fix the developed image to provide a permanent reproduction, and
- b. A computer for operating said processing means to produce reproductions, said computer including
- 1. programmable means to receive individual reproduction run instructions,
- 2. a master program including instruction routines for deriving control signals and
- 3. means responsive to the control signals for actuating said processor photosensitive member and said processing means to produce reproductions electrostatically.
In a reproduction machine for producing impressions of an original, the machine having a photosensitive member and a plurality of reproducing process step implementing means to produce impressions on a support material, the improvement comprising;
- a programmable controller having means for enabling an operator to put in a copy run instruction program, a storage means for storing an operating program for enabling said controller to respond to the copy run instruction program, deriving a third program including a time table, and generating a plurality of timed control signals related to the time table, and
- means for applying the timed control signals to the plurality of reproducing process step implementing means to produce the impressions as programmed by the copy run instruction program.
A reproduction system for producing copies of film originals in a duplex mode comprising:
- a reproduction machine including a plurality of control devices for implementing the copying process events,
- means for producing electrostatic latent images on photosensitive material corresponding to a pair of successive film frames, one frame for each side of an original,
- means for developing said latent images,
- means for feeding support material along a single path,
- transfer means for transferring the developed image of one of said pair of images to one side of the support material and then transferring the other image of said pair of images to the other side of the support material opposite to the first developed image thereon,
- means for inputting a reproduction instruction for the reproduction run, and
- control means responsive to the run instruction for producing control signals and applying the same to said control devices for implementing the copying process setps wherein the machine is enabled to make duplex copies according to the reproduction instruction and during a single pass of the support material.
A method for producing duplex copies of originals, the steps comprising:
- a. reproducing each side of each original on successive frames of film material,
- b. producing electrostatic latent images on photosensitive material corresponding to a pair of successive film frames, one frame for each side of an original,
- c. developing said latent images,
- d. feeding support material along a single path,
- e. transferring the developed image of one of
- said pair of images to one side of the support material and then transferring the other image of said pair of images to the other side of the support material opposite to the first developed image thereon, and
- f. controlling the initialization of steps b, c, d and e in accordance with a reproduction run instruction to produce duplex copies during a single pass of the support material.
In the method of controlling an electrostatic reproduction machine having processing components to produce impressions of originals, the steps comprising:
- programming the reproduction machine to produce a predetermined number of impressions;
- calculating for said programming in accordance with a master program an operating program for actuating the processing components of said reproduction machine to produce the impressions programmed;
- actuating said processing components in accordance with said operating program to produce the impressions programmed;
- and
- erasing said operating program when the last impression programmed is produced.
In the method of controlling an electrostatic reproduction system having processing components to produce impressions of a set of pre-collated originals, the steps comprising:
- programming the reproduction machine to produce a predetermined number of impressions;
- calculating for said programming in accordance with a master program an operating program for actuating the processing components of said reproduction machine to produce the impressions programmed;
- actuating said processing components in accordance with said operating program to produce the impressions programmed;
- and
- collecting said impressions of said set of originals in a single stack.
In the method of controlling an electrostatic reproduction system having processing components to produce impressions of a set of pre-collated originals, in a two sided reproduction mode, the steps comprising:
- programming the reproduction machine to produce a predetermined number of impressions on both sides of support material;
- calculating for said programming in accordance with a master program an operating program for actuating the processing components of said reproduction machine to produce the impressions programmed;
- actuating said processing components in accordance with said operating program to produce the impressions programmed;
- and
- collecting said support material for said set in a single stack.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.