International Business Machines Corporation

Ralph Joseph Leclere

James H Hubbard

Thomas Travis Underhill

Donald Richard Andrews

A multi-mode document reproduction machine (copier) includes automatic reselection, activated when a time-out timer times out, which reselects machine parameters to a dominant copy mode. A dominant mode is that machine mode used in the most number of copy jobs, irrespective of the number of copies made in any of the modes. An intermediate machine state inhibits the time-out timer. Copies in an interim storage unit and a copy jam are two examples that generate an intermediate machine state. Removal of copies or the jam allows the timer to time out.

Automatic copier mode controls

A document reproduction machine operates either in a simplex mode (each copy has an image only on one side) or in a duplex mode (copies have images on both sides). In the duplex mode, an interim storage unit stores partially completed copies (only one side of the duplex copies have an image). A second copy run completes the duplexed copy production. For an odd number of originals, at the end of a duplex copy run, the last-produced copy set resides in the interim storage unit. In one aspect of the disclosure, in response to an indication of the end of a duplex run, the machine automatically transfers the last-produced copy set from the interim storage unit to a copy output unit. In another aspect of the disclosure, any change between simplex and duplex modes actuates the machine to empty the interim storage unit.

Method and apparatus for controlling the duplex copy mode in an

A document reproduction machine, such as a convenience copier, has an operator selected noncollated tray output and a collated output. An intermediate copy count, a transient copy count, and a document tracking indicator cooperate with decision logic to provide an automatic control for some copy overflows and error recovery control. For jam recovery, the transient count alters the intermediate count such that copies lost in a paper path are accounted for. Diverse modes of operation alter the timing of the jam detection circuits so as that one copy sensor is operative in any mode for precise jam detection. The modes also alter operation of the jam detection circuits so that one jam circuit operates in all modes. Collator to copy machine interlocks ensure no copy production occurs until the collator jam has been cleared. Upon a jam in the copy machine, local timing signals replace normal timing signals from the copy machine so that the collator can finish collating good copies and yet immediately stop the copy machine. Nonoverlapping of copy runs facilitate jam recovery.

Document article handling control

Minimum elapsed time between successive multiple copy nonoverlapped runs is achieved detecting the last copy as it exits from a paper path in any one of a plurality of exit locations. Means establish a last-copy watch for partially enabling the last-copy detector. Means indicate that the paper path leading to the exit is substantially clear of any copies and, finally, the trailing edge of the exiting document at a given one of said exit positions triggers the last-copy detector to signify that a new copy run condition is 'go'.

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Longmont, CO, United States of America

Ralph Joseph Leclere