Copying system control

The method of completing a copying program in event of a paper jam occurring in the copying processor while copies are being processed and so avoid the need to start the program over, the steps consisting of:

• maintaining a running account of copies completed as the program progresses;
• maintaining a running account of copies started as the program progresses;
• maintaining a running account of documents imaged;
• maintaining a running account of documents whose copying is completed;
• stopping the processor in the event of a jam;
• resetting the copies started account to the same count as the copies completed account as of the time of said jam so that on restarting of the processor, copies lost as a result of clearing said jam are automatically made up;
• comparing said document accounts following a jam to determine if the document in imaging position at the time of said jam is the correct document for resumption of the copying program;
• and
• restarting the copy processor to continue the copying program when the correct document is in imaging position.

Means to automatically produce a programmed number of copies in a copying machine in the event a malfunction occurs while the program is being performed which causes the machine to stop prematurely with the result that a not readily discernible number of copies in process within said machine are lost, said machine having a document handling apparatus adapted to automatically present documents to be copied from a document supply to said copying machine in accordance with said program comprising:

• a first counter to count copies whose processing is completed, and a second counter to count the number of document exposures by said copying machine, the difference between the count of said first and second counters comprising the number of copies in process so that in the event of a premature stopping of said machine, the number of copies then in process are known;
• means to reset said second counter to the same count as said first counter to automatically program into said machine provision for making up lost copies when said machine is restarted;
• third counter means adapted during machine operation to maintain a running count of documents presented to said copying machine by said document handling apparatus;
• fourth counter means adapted to maintain a running count of the number of documents successfully completely copied by said copying machine;
• means to automatically recycle said document handling apparatus to present the document subsequent to the last successfully completed, copied document to said copying machine in the event said document is not in copying position after a premature machine stoppage;
• and,
• means to inhibit restarting of said machine until said document is in copying position.