Computer-controlled copy production machine having job separation capabilities

In a copy production machine having operating means comprising image input means, copy production means, copy output means having a given capacity, and copy sheet transport path means extending between said copy production means and said copy output means for transporting copy sheets therebetween, copy sheet source means for supplying copy sheets to said copy production means to receive images, the improvement comprising, in combination:

• programmable processor means for executing computer programs and having input register means for receiving signals to be operated upon in accordance with computer programs and output register means for supplying control signals to said machine generated in accordance with execution of computer programs;
• means included in said operating means coupled to said input register means for supplying status signals to said processor;
• actuating means in said operating means coupled to said output register means for receiving control signals to control operation of said operating means;
• console means including a plurality of switch means coupled to said input register means for providing operating parameters to control said processor means in operating said machine and a plurality of indicator means coupled to said output register means for displaying the status of said machine;
• control memory means included in said processor means for storing a plurality of computer program means sensible and executable by said processor to enable said processor means to supply said control signals in response to said status signals and said parameter signals to operate said machine to produce a console-selected number of copies of each image supplied by said image input means to said copy producing means in succession of copy production runs,
• said program means including
• means for responding to one of said plurality of switch means indicating, when actuated, that copy sheets are to be supplied from said copy sheet source means and including inhibiting means for preventing the copying of images onto said supplied copy sheets whereby said supplied copy sheets become separator sheets,
• means for limiting a production run to said output means given capacity if the operating parameter representing a number of copies to be produced supplied by said switch means exceeds said given capacity, and
• means for indicating cumulative copies produced in a series of copy production runs in response to said one of said plurality of switch means being actuated.