Programmable controller for controlling reproduction machines

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 control program for operating the machine, said controller being operable by siad control 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,
• said reproduction system including a web roll copy material supply means for feeding web as copy material, for cutting the same into copy sheets, and for splicing additional web material to the supply,
• said control program having an instruction routine for enabling said controller to generate timed control signals to actuate said cutting means to cut said web into sheets, to splice web material, and to adjust the timing of the timed control signals to avoid processing on the spliced portions of the web material.

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 control program, said controller being adapted on programming to produce, in accordance with said control program, an individual set of instructions for actuating said components in integrated association with one another for each reproduction run programmed to produce the impression programmed,
• means for supporting a strip-like material having document originals in the form of frames arranged in series thereon,
• means for forming latent images on said photosensitive member in accordance with said frames, and
• means for advancing and positioning said strip-like material,
• said control program including an instruction routine for enabling the controller to generate timed control signals for actuating said strip advancing means to move and position said frames in synchronization with the machine operation.

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 control 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
• c. said processor includes document feeding means for bringing original documents into copying position, said controller including means for controlling actuation of said document feeding means,
• said control program including an instruction routine for enabling said controller to generate control signals for actuating said document feeding means to position a selected original document in copying position.