Copy apparatus having a priority copy interrupt and malfunction detection system

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• first key means for entering a number corresponding to copying repetitions to be made in a copying operation;
• second key means for causing the start of the copying operation of the number of repetitions entered by said first key means;
• third key means for interrupting a first copying operation which is performed in response to actuation of said first and second key means;
• memory means for storing the number of repetitions to be performed to complete the first copying operation, during an interruption of the first copying operation caused by said third key means, said number of repetitions to be performed being different from that set in an initial state of said apparatus;
• operable means for performing and completing a second copying operation for producing a desired number of other copies while said memory means maintains the number of repetitions associated with completion of the first copying operation;
• means for resuming the first copying operation in accordance with the number stored in said memory means in response to said second key means after completion of the second copying operation caused by said operable means;
• fourth key means for stopping the continuation of the first copying operation while data for said first copying operation is maintained;
• and
• means responsive to said fourth key means for controlling said operable means to stop the second copying operation in response to actuation of said fourth key means during performance of the second copying operation caused by said operable means, to cancel the number of copies associated with the second copying operation, to release a mode for the second copying operation and to recall the number of copies associated with the first copying operation to permit the resumption of the first copying operation.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• first key means for entering a number of repetitions for producing copies in a copying operation;
• second key means for causing the start of the copying operation of the number of repetitions entered by said first key means;
• third key means for interrupting a first copying operation which is performed in response to actuation of said first and second key means;
• memory means for storing the number of repetitions to be performed to complete the first copying operation, during an interruption of the first copying caused by said third means;
• intermediate means for performing and completing a second copying operation for producing a desired number of other copies while said memory means maintains the number of repetitions associated with the first copying operation;
• means for resuming the first copying operation in accordance with the number stored in said memory means in response to actuation of said second key means after completion of the second copying operation caused by said intermediate means;
• means for generating a signal associated with a malfunction in the apparatus;
• means responsive to said malfunction signal generating means for controlling said intermediate means so as to interrupt the second copying operation in response to a malfunction signal received during performance of the second copying operation caused by said intermediate means to hold the number of copies associated therewith and to permit the second copying operation to resume when the malfunction is removed;
• and
• means for cancelling the number of copies associated with the second copying operation, and for recalling the number of copies associated with the first copying operation in accordance with the second entry by said third key means prior to starting the second copying operation so as to cancel the second copying operation and to resume the first copying operation.