Digital copying machine

A digital copying machine having an information processing apparatus includes image forming means and sheet containing means. The image forming means forms an image on a sheet. The sheet containing means is disposed below the image forming means and contains sheets to be supplied to the image forming means, wherein the information processing apparatus is installed above or below the sheet containing means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a digital copying machine.

2. Related Background Art

In some conventional digital copying machines, there is provided an information processing apparatus such as a PC (personal computer) designed as a network capable of informing various users of various information. By using this network, the users can manipulate the information processing apparatus to read and store information by the digital copying machine, to reform the stored information, or to obtain various information from the network, thereby permitting the digital copying machine to print out various information.

FIG. 9shows an example of a digital copying machine having such an information processing apparatus. In this example, an information processing apparatus4A is connected to a network and is installed on an installing table32disposed aside a digital copying machine31. The information processing apparatus4A and the digital copying machine31are interconnected through a cable (not shown). With this arrangement, the user merely stands aside the digital copying machine31to receive information printed-out from the digital copying machine31or to store image data read by an image reading portion C of the digital copying machine31in the information processing apparatus4A. The image data can also be manipulated by the user standing at the apparatus.

Further, since the information processing apparatus4A is connected to the network, users working within the network can obtain information stored in a server, and can inspect, reform or output image data merely by storing the image data read by the digital copying machine31in a network joint holder. Further, even when an amount of image data to be stored is great, the image data can easily be stored using an application function included in the digital copying machine31.

However, in such a conventional system, if the information processing apparatus4A is installed aside the digital copying machine31, respective installation spaces for the digital copying machine31and the information processing apparatus4A are needed, thereby requiring a great total installation space.

In addition, if the environment where the digital copying machine31is installed includes high temperature and/or high humidity conditions, the sheets will absorb moisture and may curl, which could result in sheet jam, poor sheet discharging or a poor image, thereby greatly reducing the printer function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to minimize the size of an installation space.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a digital copying machine which can prevent sheets from curling due to excessive humidity.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a digital copying machine having an information processing apparatus, including image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, and sheet containing means disposed below the image forming means and adapted to contain sheets to be supplied to the image forming means. The information processing apparatus being installed above or below the sheet containing means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1is a view showing a construction of a digital copying machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 1, a digital copying machine1has a main body1A constituted by an upper housing A and a lower housing B. Further, a touch panel display33for operating (manipulating) the digital copying machine1is attached to an upper surface of the upper housing A.

Within an upper part of the upper housing A, there is provided an image reading portion C including image reading means8for reading image information of an original (not shown) set on an original resting plate15by driving a scan optical system8a, and image forming means D for forming an image on a sheet in response to the image information read by the image reading means8. The image forming means D is disposed below the image reading portion C. The image forming means D includes a laser scanner9for emitting a laser beam L in response to the image information and for forming an electrostatic latent image on a surface of a photosensitive drum5, a developing device16for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum5to form a toner image, and a transfer roller6for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum5onto a sheet S. Further, there is provided a fixing apparatus12for fixing the toner image to the sheet S.

Further, below the image forming means D of the upper housing A, there are provided sheet feeding cassettes (two-stage sheet containing means)3a,3b, sheet feeding rollers (sheet feeding means)17afor conveying the sheets S contained in the sheet feeding cassettes3a,3bto the image forming means D, and a sheet conveying portion17including conveying roller pairs17band a conveying path17c. Incidentally, inFIG. 1, the reference numeral14denotes a sheet discharge tray for receiving sheets S discharged after toner images are fixed on the sheets S.

On the other hand, the lower housing B is disposed below the upper housing A. Incidentally, the lower housing B is detachably mounted on the upper housing A. Within the lower housing B, there are provided sheet feeding cassettes (two-stage sheet containing means)3c,3d, sheet feeding rollers (sheet feeding means)20afor conveying the sheets S contained in the sheet feeding cassettes3c,3dto the conveying path17of the upper housing A, and a lower sheet conveying portion20including a conveying roller pair20band a conveying path20c.

Incidentally, a sheet feeding-out opening20dfor feeding out the sheets S contained in the sheet feeding cassettes3c,3dto the conveying path17of the upper housing A is formed in an upper surface of the lower housing B, and a sheet receiving opening17dfor directing the sheet fed out from the lower housing B into the conveying path17cis formed in a bottom surface of the upper housing A.

Further, in order to accurately align the sheet feeding-out opening20dof the lower housing B with the sheet receiving opening17dof the upper housing A, positioning pins (not shown) are provided on one of the upper and lower housing A, B and positioning holes (not shown) for receiving such positioning pins are provided in the other housing.

When the upper housing A is set on the lower housing B, by fitting the positioning pins into the corresponding positioning holes, the sheet receiving opening17dis aligned with the sheet feeding-out opening20dwith high accuracy.

Next, an image forming operation of the digital copying machine1having the above-mentioned construction will be explained.

First of all, the image information of the original (not shown) rested on the original resting plate15is read by the image reading means8by driving the scan optical system8a, and, on the basis of the read image information, the laser scanner9emits the laser beam L, thereby forming the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum5. Then, the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum5is developed by the developing device16, thereby forming the toner image.

In synchronous with the formation of the toner image, a sheet S is fed from the sheet feeding cassette3a,3b,3cor3dof the upper housing A or the lower housing B by means of the sheet feeding roller17aor20aand is conveyed to a transfer nip between the photosensitive drum5and the transfer roller6through the conveying roller pair(s)17bor20band the conveying path17cor20c. In the transfer nip, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum5is transferred onto the sheet S. Then, the sheet S is conveyed to the fixing apparatus12, where the toner image is fixed to the sheet. Thereafter, the sheet is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray14.

Next, a mounting arrangement of a personal computer as an image processing apparatus, which is a characteristic portion of the present invention, will be explained. InFIG. 1, a personal computer (referred to as a “PC” hereinafter)4as the image processing apparatus is installed in an installation space10within the lower housing B. Since the installation space10has a volume sufficient to contain the PC4, there are many degrees of freedom regarding the installation position of the PC4and the dimension of the PC4, thereby permitting installation of general personal computers, as well as the PC4specific to the system.

The PC4is installed in such a manner that an operating surface thereof including a power switch7is directed toward a front surface of the digital copying machine1, so that the operator can turn ON/OFF a power supply of the PC4and mount and dismount an FD and a CD-ROM at a front side of the digital copying machine1. Incidentally, in the illustrated embodiment, the operating side of the PC4is the same as the operating sides of the sheet feeding cassettes3a,3b,3c,3d, and coincides with the front side of the digital copying machine1.

Further, as shown inFIG. 4, electrical connection between the PC4and the digital copying machine1is effected by connecting a cable36attached to the PC4to a cable connector (not shown) provided on a back surface of the upper housing A through a cable hole36aformed in a back surface of the lower housing B.

By the way, in the illustrated embodiment, the lower housing B is designed to have a floor area equal to or smaller than a floor area of the upper housing, so that the PC4can be installed within the lower part of the main body1A of the machine so long as there is an installation area for the digital copying machine1. By installing the PC4within the lower part of the digital copying machine1in this way, space can be saved.

Incidentally, the upper housing A and the lower housing B can be separated from each other and can provide integral appearance by fitting the positioning pins into the positioning holes as mentioned above, so that the housings can be handled as a unit. Further, when the lower housing B can be attached optionally, since the upper housing A has the function and appearance of the digital copying machine1, the upper housing A can be used as a single part without the lower housing B.

On the other hand, in the illustrated embodiment, the PC4is disposed below the sheet feeding cassettes3c,3d. By providing the PC4below the sheet feeding cassettes3c,3din this way, the sheet feeding cassettes3c,3dare warmed by hot air warmed by heat from the PC4, with the result that excessive moisture in the sheets S contained in the sheet feeding cassettes3c,3dis removed.

Incidentally, in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of vent holes (not shown) are formed in sheet feeding cassette rails18a,18b,18c,18d(FIG. 2) provided within the lower housing and adapted to detachably draw the sheet feeding cassettes3c,3d. With this arrangement, the air warmed by the heat from the PC4spreads over the entire interior of the lower housing, thereby increasing the entire environmental temperature within the lower housing.

By increasing the entire environmental temperature within the lower housing in this way, regarding not only the sheet feeding cassette3dbut also the sheet feeding cassette3cdisposed above the sheet feeding cassette3d, excessive moisture can be removed from the sheets S. Further, by transferring the heat from the lower housing B to the upper housing A, the sheet feeding cassettes3a,3din the upper housing A can be warmed indirectly. For example, by forming vent holes in a partition plate between the upper housing A and the lower housing B or by using a partition plate made of good heat conductive material, transmission of heat to the interior of the upper housing can be achieved.

In this way, by installing the PC4within the lower housing B and by warming the sheet feeding cassettes3a,3b,3c,3dby the heat from the PC4to remove the excessive moisture from the sheets S, even if the digital copying machine1is installed in a high temperature and high humidity environment, the sheet curling due to moisture can be prevented. As a result, sheet jam, poor sheet discharging and poor image formation can be prevented, thereby maintaining the function of the digital copying machine1.

Incidentally, inFIG. 1, by providing a front cover11arranged in front of the containing space10of the lower housing B, the operator can be prevented from kicking against the PC4erroneously or dirt or dust can be prevented from entering into the containing space. Further, when a locking mechanism such as a key is provided on the front cover11, operation of the PC4effected by any person other than the manager can be prevented.

In addition, when the PC4is used, since a required usage environmental temperature must be maintained, in the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, a louver or a plurality of exhaust holes13are provided in the front cover11as exhausting means. By exhausting the air within the containing space by means of the exhausting means through the exhaust holes13while circulating the air, the temperature of the containing space10can be prevented from being increased excessively by the heat of the PC4.

Further, by discharging the air in the containing space to outside in this way, the moisture vaporized from the sheets S by the heat of the PC4can also be discharged to the outside, thereby preventing dew in the containing space. Incidentally, the dimension and number of the exhaust means are appropriately determined in consideration of the moisture amount in the sheet S and the usage environmental temperature of the PC4.

In this way, by installing the PC4below the digital copying machine1, the installation space can be reduced, and, by removing the excessive moisture from the sheets S by the heat from the PC4, the sheet S can be prevented from being curled due to excessive moisture.

Further, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, as the exhaust means, a suction fan34for sucking air may be provided in front of the containing space10and a blowing fan35may be provided behind the containing space10so that the air flows from forward to rearward within the containing space10by means of these two fans34,35.

By flowing the air from forward to rearward by means of the exhaust means comprised of the two fans34,35, it is possible to control in such a manner that the temperature (environmental temperature) within the lower housing B is prevented from increasing not less than the usage environmental temperature (about 35 EC) of the PC4by the heat from the PC4.

Further, by adjusting air blowing amounts of the fans34,35, the optimum temperature within the lower housing B can be maintained. In addition, by discharging the air in the containing space to outside in this way, the moisture vaporized from the sheets S by the heat of the PC4can be discharged to outside, thereby preventing condensation in the containing space.

Incidentally, since the PC4is normally provided at its rear side with a blowout fan4a, when the air in the containing space10flows rearwardly as is in the illustrated embodiment, the air blown out from the PC4is discharged to outside through the rear surface of the lower housing B as it is, thereby improving the exhausting efficiency.

Further, inFIG. 4, the reference numeral40denotes a temperature sensor as temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature within the lower housing; and41denotes a CPU as control means provided at a predetermined position in the main body1A of the machine, for example, on the upper housing A.

The CPU41serves to drive the fans34,35if the temperature within the lower housing B exceeds a predetermined temperature, on the basis of a temperature detection signal from the temperature sensor40. By driving the fans34,35if the temperature within the lower housing B exceeds the predetermined temperature in this way, the sheets S in the sheet feeding cassettes can be warmed efficiently and the PC usage environmental temperature within the housing can be controlled efficiently. Further, power consumption can be reduced in comparison with a case where the fans34,35are always operated, thereby saving energy.

Next, operating means for the PC4will be explained. As shown inFIG. 3, a PC display38is provided on the front surface of the lower housing B at a lower part thereof. By providing the PC display38on the front surface of the lower housing B at the lower part thereof in this way, operability of the PC4can be enhanced.

Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the front cover11is provided on the lower housing B for rocking movement around a lower end of the cover, and a PC keyboard37is attached to an inner surface of the front cover11(FIG.4).

By attaching the PC keyboard37to the inner surface of the front cover11in this way, when the front cover11is opened, a condition that the keyboard37can be used is established, and, when the front cover11is closed, the keyboard37is concealed simultaneously. Further, when the front cover11is opened, the front cover11is rocked downwardly to also act as a table for the keyboard37. As a result, degree of freedom of installation of the PC4and the operability of the keyboard37can be improved.

The PC4may be connected to the digital copying machine1in such a manner that a touch panel display33of the digital copying machine1can be used as the operating means for the PC4. Alternatively, a liquid crystal display and a keyboard may be detachably provided on the upper surface of the digital copying machine1.

While an example in which the PC4is installed below the sheet feeding cassettes3c,3dhas been explained, the present invention is not limited to such an example. As shown inFIG. 5, for example, the PC4may be installed above the sheet feeding cassettes3c,3d. In this case, the PC4is installed above the lower housing B and the sheet feeding cassettes3c,3dare installed below the lower housing. Incidentally, the lower housing B may be divided into a housing for the PC4and a housing for the sheet feeding cassettes3c,3d, which housings are stacked. With this arrangement, if desired, the housing for the PC4and the housing for the sheet feeding cassettes3c,3dcan be reversed or exchanged in the vertical direction.

By installing the PC4in such a position, since the position of the PC4becomes higher, the operability of the PC4is enhanced, as well as the above-mentioned effects. Incidentally, even when the PC4is installed in such a position, by providing the louver or the plurality of exhaust holes13as the exhaust means on the front cover11, since the air within the containing space can be circulated, the excessive moisture can be removed from the sheets S. Further, as shown inFIG. 6, as the exhaust means, fans having the same constructions of the fans34,35explained in connection withFIG. 4maybe used.

Incidentally, as mentioned above, the PC4may be a general purpose PC.

While an example in which the sheet feeding cassettes3c,3dare provided within the lower housing B to increase the sheet containing ability was explained, if there is no need for providing the sheet feeding cassettes3c,3d, as shown inFIG. 7, only the PC4may be contained in the lower housing B.

When the lower housing is designed to exclusively include the PC4in this way, since the containing space10can be further expanded, the degree of freedom of the PC4can further be increased, as well as the above-mentioned effects. In addition, by adjusting the height of the lower housing B, the height of the digital copying machine1can be adjusted for easy handling by the operator.

While an example has been explained in which the upper and lower housings A, B are provided and the lower housing B including the PC4can be mounted to the upper housing A, a single housing may alternatively be provided, and the image forming means, sheet containing means and information processing apparatus may be installed within the single housing. In this case, the sheet containing means is installed below the image forming means and the information processing apparatus is installed below the sheet containing means. If the information processing apparatus is not required, the operator can use the system without the information processing apparatus.

Further, when the PC4connected to the digital copying machine is connected to a network server21as shown inFIG. 8, required information can be derived from the server21collectively governing the information, by using the PC4of the digital copying machine, and the information can be outputted then and there. For example, output for reservation and/or sale of various tickets and output for request of individual certification in a public office can be effected. Further, merely by storing the image data read by the digital copying machine1in the common holder of the network, the user in the network environment can inspect, reform and/or output the image data by another digital copying machine1.