Copying machine having a capability of reproducing images at different magnifications

A copying machine having the capability of reproducing an image at different magnifications from either a stored or calculated magnification ratio is provided. The size of the original and the size of the various copying papers available are calculated to determine an optimum magnification ratio. A preset value of optical magnification ratios can be provided within the copying machine. A controller can determined whether the calculated magnification ratio can be utilized within the preset predetermined range of values and corresponding control of the copier machine can be effected in accordance with that decision.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention generally relates to a copying machine and, more 
particularly, to a copying machine having a capability of reproducing 
images at different magnifications one at a time within a predetermined 
range. 
Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 57-68868 discloses a copying 
machine having a capability of reproducing images at different 
magnifications one at a time by detecting the size of an original and that 
of a copying paper and selecting an optimum magnification ratio from a 
plurality of available magnification ratios. 
Since the prior art machine is a system wherein an appropriate copying 
ratio is selected from a combination of the size of the original and that 
of the copying paper, data to be selected have to be stored in the form of 
a table. This means that, when the number of the sizes of copying papers 
useable in the machine and the number of the available magnification 
ratios increase, the capacity of a storage device must be correspondingly 
increased for storing the table. In addition, there has been found a 
problem residing in that, when the number of the available magnification 
ratios is small, the magnification at which the image on an A-4 sized 
original is reproduced on a B-5 sized copying paper is, for example, 
treated as applicable to the magnification at which the image on a B-4 
sized original is reproduced on an A-4 sized copying paper. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, the present invention has been developed with a view to 
substantially eliminate the above discussed problem and has for its object 
to provide a copying machine capable of reproducing the original image at 
any desired magnification within a predetermined range of magnification 
ratio. 
According to the present invention, the size of an original and that of a 
copying paper are utilized to calculate an optimum magnification and the 
calculated magnification is, if within the predetermined range, set in a 
means for setting such magnification. Accordingly, with no need to 
increase the number of numerical figures to be stored as magnification 
data, and also with no need to limit the way of using the original and the 
copying paper, any desired magnification can be automatically and 
efficiently set in the machine. For this purpose, the copying machine 
according to the present invention is provided with means for detecting 
the size of an original, means for discriminating the size of a copying 
paper, a magnification control means for controlling at least an optical 
system of the machine so as to enable a copying operation to be executed 
at any magnification within a predetermined range of magnification ratio, 
a magnification setting means for giving to the magnification control 
means such data as concerned with the magnification, means for calculating 
the desired magnification from the detected size of the original and the 
discriminated size of the copying paper, and a control means for setting 
the data of the calculated magnification in the magnification control 
means when the calculated magnification is within the predetermined range.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
Before the description of the present invention proceeds, it is to be noted 
that like parts are designated by like reference numerals throughout the 
accompanying drawings. 
Copying Mechanism 
Referring first to FIG. 1, an electrophotographic copying machine to which 
the present invention is applied comprises a photoreceptor drum 1 
supported at a generally central portion within a machine housing for 
rotation in a direction counterclockwise as viewed therein. The machine 
also comprises a main eraser lamp 2, an auxiliary electrostatic charger 3, 
an auxiliary eraser lamp 4, a main electrostatic charger 5, a developing 
unit 6, a transfer charger 7, a separator charger 8 for facilitating the 
separation of a copying paper from the drum 1, and a blade-type cleaning 
unit 9, all disposed adjacent to and around the drum 1 within the machine 
housing. The photoreceptor drum 1 is of a construction having its outer 
peripheral surface provided with a photosensitive layer which, as it moves 
past the eraser lamps 2 and 4 and the electrostatic chargers 3 and 5 
during the rotation of the drum 1, can be highly sensitized and 
electrostatically charged in readiness for its exposure to an image 
transmitted by means of an optical system 10. 
The optical system 10 is supported underneath a transparent original 
support glass 16 for scanning an original on the support glass 16 from 
below and includes a light source (not shown), movable mirrors 11, 12 and 
13, a projector lens assembly 14 and a mirror 15. The light source and the 
mirrors 11 to 13 are adapted to be driven by a DC motor M3 in such a way 
that both the light source and mirror 11 and both of the mirrors 12 and 13 
can be moved leftwards, as viewed in FIG. 1, at a predetermined speed of 
V/n and at a predetermined speed of V/2n, respectively, wherein V 
represents the peripheral velocity of the drum 1 which is fixed regardless 
of the magnification and n represents the magnification. It is to be noted 
that, when the magnification is changed, not only is the lens assembly 14 
moved in a direction parallel to the optical axis thereof, but also the 
movable mirror 15 is moved and tilted, and a positioning mechanism 
necessary to accomplish these movements is hereinafter described. 
At a left-hand portion of the machine housing, the machine is provided with 
paper supply units 20 and 22 including respective paper supply rollers 21 
and 23, the path of travel of each copying paper being defined by roller 
pairs 24 and 25, a timing roller pair 26, a transfer belt 27, a fixing 
unit 28 and an ejector roller pair 29. 
Referring still to FIG. 1, reference numeral 300 represents an auto-paper 
select mode selector switch and its indicator in an auto-document feeder 
unit (hereinafter referred to as ADF unit) 300, and reference numeral 301 
represents an auto-scale select mode selector switch and its indicator in 
the ADF unit 300. In the illustrated machine, reference numerals 120 to 
123 represent respective paper code (size) detector switches for an A 
paper supply unit, and reference numerals 124 to 127 represent respective 
paper code detector switches for a B paper supply unit. In a base box 250, 
reference numerals 251 to 254 represent respective paper code detector 
switches for a C paper supply unit, and reference numerals 255 to 258 
represent respective paper code detector switches for a D paper supply 
unit. The size of each of a plurality of batches of copying papers 
contained in the respective paper supply units can be, when the respective 
detector switch is actuated on or off by an associated actuating member 
(not shown) provided in a respective paper cassette, detected in the light 
of the code table which is shown in Table 1 as will be described later. 
The data shown in Table 1 are stored in a read-only memory or the like. 
The ADF unit 302 is placed on the original support 16, and an original 
bearing an image to be copied can be brought to a definite position above 
the original support 16 by the ADF unit 302 when it is inserted from a 
tray 304 with the image to be copied facing downwards. After the copying 
operation, the ADF unit 300 ejects the original onto a tray 303 having 
inverted the original. Accordingly, the copying machine and the ADF unit 
are associated with each other so that the machine will not start during 
the transport of the original and, also, the original will not be 
transported during the scanning being performed in the machine. The ADF 
unit 300 has a plurality of sensors SE positioned and arranged adjacent an 
original intake opening 300a thereof, with which sensors SE the width and 
the length of the original can be detected during the transportation of 
the original. 
The base box 250 concurrently serves as a support bench for the support of 
the machine proper thereon and is provided therein with paper supply 
mechanisms 260 and 261. By a command supplied from a microcomputer in the 
machine proper, paper supply rollers 260a and 260b are selectively driven 
one at a time. In such case, a paper supply start signal for initiating 
the supply of a copying paper must be outputed at a timing earlier than 
that to be supplied to each of the paper supply rollers within the machine 
proper. 
The positioning mechanism for the lens assembly and the movable mirrors for 
effecting the change in magnification or scale will now be described with 
reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. This positioning mechanism permits the 
substantially continuous selection of the magnification or scale from 
enlargement to reduction and, specifically, the selection of one of the 
magnifications ranging from enlargement (.times.1.414 scale) to reduction 
(.times.0.647 scale) through an equal size magnification (.times.1.0 
scale). 
The positioning mechanism generally comprises a lens repositioning 
mechanism 35, a mirror repositioning mechanism 40, a mirror tilting 
mechanism 55, and a stepping motor M4 for driving these. 
The lens repositioning mechanism 35 is of a construction wherein the lens 
assembly 14 is movably mounted on a guide rail 36 arranged so as to extend 
in a direction parallel to the optical axis of the lens assembly 14 and a 
drive wire 37 turned around a drive pulley 32 fast with a device shaft 31 
of the stepping motor M4 is trained between rotatably supported pulleys 38 
with a substantially intermediate portion of said wire 37 rigidly 
connected to the lens assembly 14. Accordingly, it will readily be seen 
that, when the motor M4 is rotated a required number of turns in either 
one of the opposite directions, the drive wire 37 travels in one of the 
opposite directions to pull the lens assembly 14 along the guide rail 36 
towards one of the plural positions according to the selected 
magnification or scale. 
The mirror repositioning mechanism 40 is of a construction wherein the 
mirror 15 is mounted on a shaft 43, rotatably journalled by a carriage 41, 
with its backside rigidly secured thereto and with a freely rotatable 
roller 44 on one end of the shaft 43 resting on an auxiliary guide rail 46 
while a guide rod 45 extending in a direction parallel to the optical axis 
slidingly extends through a pair of spaced bearing lugs 42 integral with 
the carriage 41. A pin 50 carried by the carriage 41 through a bracket 49 
contacts the peripheral face of a drive cam 53 by the action of a coil 
spring 48 connected at one end to a pin 47 so as to urge the carriage 41 
towards the cam 53. A drive gear 33 rigidly mounted on the output shaft 31 
of the motor M4 is meshed with a driven gear 52 mounted rigidly on a 
support shaft 51 on which the cam 53 is also rigidly mounted in spaced 
relation thereto. 
Thus, it is clear that the rotation of the motor M4 can be transmitted 
through the gears 33 and 52 and the support shaft 51 to the cam 53 
wherefore the carriage 41 and, hence, the mirror 15 can be moved in a 
direction parallel to the optical axis to compensate for change in 
distance of the optical path resulting from change in magnification. In 
other words, the lens assembly 14 and the mirror 15 are associatedly 
driven by the motor M4 incident to the change in magnification, the 
relationship in position of them being such as shown in FIG. 2 wherein I, 
II and III represent the position at which equal size reproduction takes 
place, the position at which enlargement takes place, and the position at 
which reduction takes place. 
The mirror tilting mechanism 55 is of a construction wherein a cam member 
57 rigidly mounted on a support shaft 56 which is rotatably journalled at 
its opposite ends by the carriage 41 and has a pinion gear 59 rigidly 
mounted on the shaft 56 and meshed with a rack gear 60 fast with the 
machine proper and extending in a direction parallel with the guide rod 45 
has its outer periphery contacting the backside face of the mirror 15 
while the latter is biased towards the cam member 57 about the shaft 43 by 
the action of a torsion spring 48 mounted on the shaft 43. This mirror 
tilting mechanism 55 serves to compensate for deviation of the optical 
axis of a bundle of rays of light reflected by the mirror 15 from an 
exposure point on the drum 1, which deviation would occur when the mirror 
15 is merely moved incident to a change in magnification. That is, when 
the carriage 41 is moved in either one of the opposite directions in 
parallel to the optical axis of the lens assembly 14 incident to a change 
in magnification, the pinion gear 59 rolls over the rack gear 60 with the 
cam member 57 consequently rotating together with the support shaft 56, 
causing the mirror 15 to tilt about the shaft 43 according to the contour 
of the cam member 57 to align the light rays with the exposure point on 
the drum 1. 
The angle through which the mirror 15 can tilt about the shaft 43 is such 
that, at the maximum available magnification ratio (enlarged scale in the 
illustrated embodiment) the optical axis of the bundle of light rays 
reflected by the mirror 15 can be so positioned as to travel towards the 
center of the drum 1, but at any magnification ratio smaller than the 
maximum available one the optical axis can be adjusted so as to be 
directed towards the same exposure point as that during the operation at 
the maximum available magnification ratio. This is for the purpose of 
minimizing the distortion of the exposed image, which would result from 
deviation of the angle of incidence, by allowing the optical axis, which 
is obtained during the operation at the maximum available magnification 
ratio at which the distortion of the exposed image tends to be 
considerable, to impinge upon the drum 1 at right angles thereto since the 
image of a slit is enlarged when it is projected onto the drum 1. 
Control Apparatus 
The manner in which various operating keys are arranged in a control panel 
of the copying machine is illustrated in FIG. 5. The control panel 70 
shown therein is provided with a print key 71 for initiating the copying 
operation, a digital display device 72 capable of displaying a numerical 
figure comprised of up to four digits, a group of numerical input keys 80 
to 89 corresponding respectively to decimal digits "1", "2". . . "9", and 
"0", an interruption key 90 for specifying an interrupted copying 
operation, a clear/stop key 91, a paper selector key 92 for specifying any 
one of multi-staged stacks of copying papers in terms of size, up and down 
keys 93 and 94 for stepwisely changing the density of the image copied on 
the copying paper, and groups of keys 95 to 103 associated with a 
magnification setting device. 
The first group of magnification setting keys 95 to 98 are provided for 
setting a desired magnification ratio and, when one of them is depressed 
while the control mode of the copying machine has been switched over to a 
first magnification setting mode by depressing the key 99 for switching 
over to the first magnification setting mode, a numerical figure inputed 
through the numerical input keys and then displayed in the display device 
72 can be stored as a magnification ratio in a memory associated with such 
one of the keys 95 to 98 which have been depressed. 
The second group of magnification setting keys 100 to 103 have associated 
therewith memories in which respective magnification ratios are set, and 
are so designed as to permit the copying operation to be executed at the 
preset value with no need to set a numerical value such as carried out by 
depressing one or some of the first group of the magnification setting 
keys. Accordingly, the preset magnification ratios are those selected by 
the manufacturer or its servicing worker according to the destination to 
which the copying machine is shipped and corresponding to those 
magnification ratios most used at such destination. This will be described 
later. 
Thus, the first and second groups of the magnification setting keys perform 
different functions in such a manner that, while the first group of the 
magnification setting keys are utilizeable by an operator of the copying 
machine to set a desired magnification ratio, the second group of the 
magnification setting keys are utilizeable by the operator to select a 
preset magnification ratio, for example, A4.fwdarw.B5, B4.fwdarw.A4, 
A3.fwdarw.A4 or A4.fwdarw.A3 where the machine is designed for use in 
Japan. Yet, since the values preset respectively for the second group of 
the magnification setting keys are magnification ratios generally employed 
or calculated, it often occurs that the image copied is reproduced at a 
magnification somewhat different from the preset magnification ratio 
because of an error in the machine or design. By way of example, even 
though the equal size reproduction (.times.1 magnification) is selected, 
the actual magnification would be .times.1.004 magnification or 
.times.0.996 magnification. In such case, a desired magnification can be 
obtained by manipulating a key 104 shown in FIG. 1 for switching over to 
the second magnification setting mode to render the control mode of the 
copying machine to be switched over to the second magnification setting 
mode and then setting arbitrary values in memories associated with the 
keys 100 to 103 in a manner similar to that during the first magnification 
setting mode. Specifically, for a key for the .times.1 magnification, a 
value 1.002 or 0.998 can be set. 
FIG. 6, comprised of FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), illustrates a control circuitry 
used in the magnification setting device. The control circuitry shown 
therein comprises a second CPU 202 for controlling the optical system, a 
third CPU 210 for controlling the paper supply units, and a fourth CPU 211 
for controlling the ADF unit. A first CPU 201 is associated with and 
controls the second to fourth CPUs 202, 210 and 211 with which it is 
connected through an interruption terminal INT and data input and output 
terminals Sin and Sout. The control circuitry also comprises a random 
access memory (RAM) 203 backed up by a battery, a switch matrix 204, a 
drive circuit 205 for the DC motor M3 for the original scanning, a drive 
circuit 206 for the stepping motor M4 for effecting the magnification 
adjustment, and a decoder 207. Output terminals A1 to A7 are connected to 
respective drive switching transistors associated with a main motor M1, a 
developer motor M3, a timing roller clutch CL.sub.1, an upper paper supply 
clutch CL.sub.2, a lower paper supply clutch CL.sub.3, the charger 5, and 
the transfer charger 7, respectively, as shown in FIG. 7. 
The RAM 203 stores various data for controlling the sequence of copying 
operation which are written therein or shifted from a read-only memory 
(ROM) in the CPU, and includes memories Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 in association 
with the selector keys 100 and 103. This RAM is so designed that, as will 
be described later, the scale or magnification ratio displayed in the 
display device 72 can be read in or out from memory Q1 or memory Q2 when, 
for example, the selector key 100 is turned on or when the selector key 
101 is turned on, respectively. 
In association with the selector keys 95 and 98, memories Q5, Q6, Q7 and Q8 
are provided in a manner similar to memories Q1 to Q4 and, when, for 
example, the key 95 is turned on, the scale or magnification ratio can be 
read in or out from memory Q5. Codes corresponding to different sizes of 
copying papers are tabulated in Table 1. 
TABLE 1 
______________________________________ 
Decimal Codes 
Binary Codes 
Paper Size 
______________________________________ 
0 0 0 0 0 
1 0 0 0 1 A-6 Longitudinal Positioned 
2 0 0 1 0 B-6 " 
3 0 0 1 1 A-5 " 
4 0 1 0 0 B-5 " 
5 0 1 0 1 A-4 " 
6 0 1 1 0 B-4 " 
7 0 1 1 1 A-3 " 
8 1 0 0 0 
9 1 0 0 1 A-5 Latitudinal Positioned 
10 1 0 1 0 B-5 " 
11 1 0 1 1 A-4 " 
12 1 1 0 0 B-4 " 
13 1 1 0 1 A-3 " 
14 1 1 1 0 
15 1 1 1 1 Cassette Empty 
______________________________________ 
FIGS. 8 to 18 illustrate flow charts showing the sequence of control of the 
magnification setting and the copying operation both executed in the first 
CPU. FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing the sequence of control of the paper 
supply unit performed by the third CPU, and FIG. 20 is a flow chart 
showing the sequence of control of the ADF unit performed by the fourth 
CPU. Although not shown in FIG. 20, the ADF unit detects the width of the 
original supplied by means of the sensors SE and the length thereof by 
counting the time required to pass across the sensors SE, and sends data 
of the width and length to the first CPU through the fourth CPU. 
FIG. 8 illustrates the flow chart schematically and generally showing the 
sequence of control in the first CPU. 
The first CPU 201 communicates with any one of the second to fourth CPUs 
202, 210 and 211 by way of the interruption procedure. Information such as 
a scan command concerned with the optical system, a scan size, a copying 
magnification, a timing signal, a return signal, and a home position 
signal is transmitted between the first and second CPUs 201 and 202. 
Between the first and third CPUs 201 and 210, information such as paper 
codes concerned respectively with the C and D paper supply units and a 
paper supply command concerned with the paper supply device is 
transmitted. And, between the first and fourth CPUs 201 and 211, an ADF 
start command, an auto-paper select release command, an auto-scale select 
release command, an original size code, an auto-paper select command, an 
auto-original select command, and an original setting signal are 
transmitted. 
At the two successive steps S1 and S2, the process associated with the 
presetting of the magnification ratios in memories Q1 to Q4 which is 
mainly carried out during the assembly of the machine or at the time of 
shipment of the machine from the factory is executed. The details of this 
process are shown in FIG. 9. 
At the two successive steps S3 and S4, when the machine is not in copying 
operation, the process necessary to set the magnification ratios or scales 
Q5 to Q8 or Q1 to Q4 in association with the selector keys 95 to 98 or 100 
to 103 is executed, the details of which are shown in FIGS. 10 to 12. 
At step S5, a process necessary to transfer data for controlling the 
position of the lens assembly and the speed of drive of the motor to the 
second CPU 202 according to the scale set during step S4 is executed. 
During the data transfer, the second CPU 202 performs this process through 
the step of the interruption procedure. The details of step S5 are shown 
in FIGS. 13 and 14. 
At steps S6 and S7, a process to be performed during an auto-paper select 
mode is executed and the details thereof are shown in FIG. 15. At steps S8 
and S9, a process to be performed during an auto-scale select mode is 
executed and the details thereof are shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. 
At step S10, other processes, for example, control of the temperature of a 
heater in the copying machine, and determination of the size of the 
copying papers, are executed. 
At step S11, a process for the control of the copying operation is 
executed, the details of which are shown in FIG. 18. A time chart showing 
the operation thereof is shown in FIG. 21. 
Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown the details of the initial setting 
procedure for presetting predetermined values in memories Q1 to Q4 
corresponding to the second group of magnification setting keys 100 to 
103. An initial switch referred to in step S1 in FIG. 8 is a switch of a 
type which can be accessible only to a servicing worker or during the 
assembly at a factory and which is installed at a location normally 
inaccessible to those except for authorized persons, and only when and 
after this initial switch has been operated, the routine shown in FIG. 9 
can be executed. 
The numerical values to be preset in memories Q1 to Q4 are determined in 
terms of the on and off states of switches shown by 105 and 106 in FIG. 1. 
More specifically, these numerical values can be preset in memories Q1 to 
Q4 by switching the switches 105 and 106 on and/or off according to a 
predetermined combination allocated for each particular destination to 
which the machine is to be shipped during the assembly of the machine or 
at the time of the shipment and then closing the initial switch. At steps 
S501 and S502, the setting of the magnification ratio in memories Q1 to Q4 
according to a combination of the switching states of the switches 105 and 
106 stored in the first CPU 201 is performed, and examples of the preset 
values according to a particular combination of the switching states of 
the switches 105 and 106 are tabulated in Table 2 below. 
TABLE 2 
______________________________________ 
Switches Magnification Ratio 
105 106 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 
______________________________________ 
0 0 0.707 0.816 1.414 
1.000 
0 1 0.707 0.785 1.414 
1.000 
1 0 0.647 0.785 1.297 
1.000 
1 1 1.000 1.000 1.000 
1.000 
______________________________________ 
In the event that numerical values representative of the magnification 
ratio are to be set in memories Q1 to Q8 in correspondence with selector 
keys 100 to 103 and 95 to 98, the routines shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 are 
executed. 
Referring to FIG. 10, in the event that the scale setting mode is 
established as a result of the manipulation of key 99 or 104, a decision 
is made at steps S101 and S102 to determine to what group of the keys the 
scale setting has been required. If key 99 has been manipulated, it is a 
first scale setting mode and, therefore, a flag A is set to be "1". On the 
other hand, if key 104 has been manipulated, a flag B representing a 
second scale setting mode is set to be "1". 
Thus, when key 99 or 104 has been manipulated, a flag representing the 
1000's place is rendered "1" at step S103 and the display of the 1's place 
is rendered "0" at step S105. That is, when the control of the copying 
machine is switched over to the scale setting mode, the digital display 
device 72 displays "bbb0" (b being indicative of a blank display) and is 
rendered ready to receive an input indicative of a numerical value to be 
placed in the 1000's place. 
When any one of the numerical input keys is depressed during this 
condition, the type of key is determined at step S107 and, only when the 
"1" key 80 has been depressed, the process proceeds to step S108 at which 
"1" is displayed at the 1000's place. It is to be noted that, while 
reference is herein made to numerical values inputed in the form of digits 
at the 1000's, 100's, 10's and 1's places for the sake of brevity because 
of the digital display device 72, the numerical value representative of 
each magnification ratio is treated as a decimal figure of four effective 
digits down to three places of decimals. 
Where the 1000's flag is "1" and the numerical value inputed is "0" or one 
of "2" to "9", the process proceeds to step S110 to make "0" displayed at 
the 1000's place. Subsequently, where the input is "0", the process 
proceeds to step S109 as is the case with the input of "1" to make the 
1000's flag to be "0" and the 100's flag to be "1", thereby to wait for 
the input to the 100's place. In the case where the input is one of "2" to 
"9", the 1000's flag is rendered "0" at step S112, followed by step S115 
at which the numerical value inputed is displayed at the 100's place. 
The process described as occurring when the 1000's flag is "1" is based on 
the assumption that numerical values within the range of 0.647 to 1.414, 
representing the magnification ratios are treated as effective figures, 
and therefore, only either "0" or "1" can be displayable at the 1000's 
place. This arrangement is advantageous in that the procedure necessary to 
enter "0" at the 1000's place can be simplified. However, it may happen 
that, even though this procedure is carried out, a figure outside the 
available range of the magnification ratios will show up depending on the 
value to be inputed at the 100's place or the lower places. The process to 
be taken in such a case will be described later with reference to the 
subroutines shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. 
When a numerical value is inputed to the 1000's place, the 100's flag is 
rendered "1", and when one of the numerical input keys is manipulated 
during this condition, a numerical value corresponding to the key 
manipulated for the 100's place can be inputed, the numerical value being 
displayed at step S115. At subsequent step S116, a procedure is executed 
to render the 100's flag to be "0" and the 10's flag to be "1". In a 
similar way, the input to the 10th place and then to the 1's place is 
performed by manipulating the numerical input keys. 
The flow chart shown in FIG. 11 comprised of FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b) 
illustrates the procedure for storing the numerical value, inputed through 
the procedure of FIG. 10 and displayed, in the memory corresponding to the 
subsequently manipulated selector key. 
At step S201, whether the machine is in a first scale setting mode or a 
second scale setting mode is determined. Since step S201 is executed only 
when either of the flags A and B is "1", step S201 is such as to determine 
whether, for example, flag A is "1" or not, and when it has been found 
that flag A is "1" signifying the first scale setting mode, the process 
proceeds to step S218 et seq. wherein the manipulation of any one of the 
first group of keys 95 to 98 is discriminated. On the contrary thereto, 
when flag A is not "1", that is, when flag B is "1", it signifies the 
second scale setting mode and, therefore, the process proceeds to step 
S202 et seq. wherein the manipulation of any one of the second group of 
keys 100 to 103 is discriminated. 
During the execution of the procedure shown in FIG. 11, the displayed 
numerical value is, at any scale setting mode, stored in the memory 
corresponding to the manipulated selector key. However, as hereinbefore 
described, it may happen that a numerical value not falling within the 
available range of the magnification ratio may be displayed at this stage. 
Accordingly, during the execution of the procedure shown in FIG. 11, a 
subroutine is executed at step S203 subsequent to each determination of 
the key manipulated, so as to avoid the possibility that the numerical 
value outside the available range of the magnification ratio may be stored 
in the memory. The details of step S203, that is, that of the subroutine, 
are best shown in FIG. 12. 
Referring to FIG. 12, if the display is not "0", decision step S230 is 
carried out to determine whether or not the displayed numerical value is 
smaller than 0.647, and if it is smaller than 0.647, "0.647" is displayed 
at step S231. At step S232, a decision is carried out to determine whether 
or not the displayed numerical value is greater than 1.414, and if it is 
greater than 1.414, "1.414" is displayed at step S233. 
Accordingly, referring still to FIG. 11, when the predetermined selector 
key is manipulated during the scale setting mode, and if the displayed 
numerical value is outside the available range of the magnification 
ratios, the displayed numerical value is stored in the memory 
corresponding to such key after the display is rendered to be an allowable 
limit value. When the process is carried out to store the numerical value 
in the memory, flag A in the case of the first scale setting mode or flag 
B in the case of the second scale setting mode is rendered to be "0" and 
then the process proceeds to step S206. 
The process from step S206 to step S208 is the one which is carried out 
when clear/stop key 91 (FIG. 5) has been manipulated. When clear/stop key 
91 has been depressed, "bbb1" is displayed in display device 72 at step 
S207, and then flags A and B are rendered "0" at step S208. In other 
words, when clear/stop key 91 has been manipulated, the numerical value 
displayed in cleared and, at the same time, the scale setting mode is 
released. Accordingly, the numerical figure "1" displayed thereby 
signifies the number of copies to be reproduced in terms of a standard 
preset number "1". 
The process to be executed when the first and second groups of selector 
keys 95 to 98 and 100 to 103 are manipulated is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. 
Referring to FIG. 13, when one of the keys 100, 101, 102 and 103 is 
manipulated, one of the light emitting diodes 100a, 101a, 102a and 103a 
(FIG. 5) one for each of these keys, which is associated with such one of 
the keys 100 to 103 is lit and, subsequently, a numerical value stored in 
the memory is transferred to the second CPU 202 as a scale data, followed 
by step S406 shown in FIG. 14. 
Referring now to FIG. 14, when one of the selectors keys 95 to 98 is 
manipulated, a light emitting diode corresponding thereto is similarly lit 
and, since it signifies an arbitrary scale setting, the numerical values 
set in the corresponding memories Q5 to Q8 are displayed in display device 
72 at steps S402, S408, S415 and S420. This display continues, for 
example, so long as the respective key is being depressed, and when the 
key is released, the number of copies to be made, which is set in the 
other storage device is recalled and displayed in the display device 72. 
The numerical value stored in the memory is transferred to the second CPU 
202 as a scale data. 
The foregoing is a description concerning the setting procedure to be done 
in the scale setting device. As is clear from the foregoing, according to 
this scale setting device, an arbitrary copying magnification ratio, or an 
arbitrary copying scale, required for each user of the copying machine can 
readily be set by the utilization of the first scale setting mode, and 
should the necessity arise, the arbitrary copying scale once set can be 
reconfirmed by causing it to be displayed in the display device, while 
that numerical value can also be used as a control data for the copying 
machine. In addition, according to the second scale setting mode, the 
adjustment of the scale by reading an error between the copying scale, 
represented by the numerical value, and the scale of the image actually 
reproduced at a predetermined magnification can readily be carried out 
with no substantial difficulty. 
With respect to the numerical value thus set, lens assembly 14 is moved and 
controlled by a control unit 206 on the basis of an output from the second 
CPU 202 to establish the copying scale represented by such numerical 
value. Stepping motor M4 used for driving the lens assembly 14 at that 
time can be drivingly controlled so as to rotate in either one of the 
opposite directions a single pitch per a numerical value "0.001" or 
"0.002". Accordingly, in practice, a substantially indefinite 
magnification adjustment can be accomplished. In addition, the speed of 
movement of the optical system is also controlled by a control unit 205 on 
the basis of an output from the second CPU 202 so as to be variable in 
correspondence with the numerical value set, and so far as the speed 
control of the DC motor, which is a source of drive therefor, is 
concerned, numerous systems have hitherto been suggested and/or proposed 
and, therefore, the details thereof are not herein described. 
Referring back to FIG. 5, a panel portion 70a adjacent the first group of 
selector keys 95 to 98 is comprised of a panel or a white board removably 
fitted either magnetically or by the use of an adhesive tag, so that the 
user of the machine can eraseably write any information such as the 
arbitrarily selected magnification ratio or such a legend as "Memo 
size.fwdarw.A4" on the panel. This panel portion 70a may be either 
protruded or recessed in relation to the other panel portion. 
Referring to FIG. 15, there is shown a subroutine for the auto-paper select 
mode. At steps S601 and S602, the size of the original transported by 
means of the ADF unit is compared with the sizes of the cassettes in the 
respective A and B paper supply units and, if the base box is utilized in 
association with the copying machine, it is also compared at steps S604 
and S605 with the sizes of the cassettes in the respective C and D paper 
supply units. If the original size is found equal to the cassette size as 
a result of each of these comparisons, the relevant paper supply unit is 
selected, followed by step S606 at which a copy start mode is established. 
Should the result of the comparison show that the original size is not 
equal to any cassette size, step S607 is carried out to send an auto-paper 
select mode release signal. 
FIG. 16 illustrates a subroutine for the autoscale select mode. At step 
S701, the paper code (shown in Table 1) of the selected paper supply unit 
is placed in memory A. At subsequent step S702, a decision making is 
performed to determine the destination to which the copying machine is 
shipped. This is because the size of papers in Japan, the U.S.A., and 
European countries differs from country to country in the light of A-type, 
B-type and inches and, therefore, the available range of the magnification 
ratios varies from country to country. For the purpose of the description 
of the present invention, the machine is assumed to have been designed for 
use in Japan while reference to the U.S.A. and European countries will not 
be made. After the decision making at step S702, data of the size of the 
original fed by means of the ADF unit are placed in memory B at step S703. 
At succeeding step S704, based on the data from memories A and B, the 
lengthwise scale and the widthwise scale are individually calculated, and 
the smallest one of the lengthwise and widthwise scales which have been 
calculated is treated as the optimum copying scale. The details of step 
S704 are shown in FIG. 17. 
At subsequent step S705, a decision making is performed to determine 
whether or not the optimum copying scale satisfies the specification of 
the machine. In other words, if the machine is of a type capable of 
reproducing an image at a magnification ratio within the range of 
.times.0.707 to .times.1.414 because of the machine designed for use in 
Japan, no copying at .times.0.6 magnification is available. Thus, if the 
optimum copying scale satisfies the machine specification, scale Q8 is 
retracted to the other memory at step S706 and the optimum copying scale 
is placed in memory Q8 corresponding to the arbitrary scale setting key 
98. Then at step S707, switching takes place over to a 98 key selecting 
mode, followed by step S708 at which the copy start mode is established. 
On the other hand, if the result of the decision at step S705 shows that 
the optimum copying scale does not satisfy the machine specification, step 
S705 is followed by step S709 at which search is made to find if there is 
any paper having different longitudinal and latitudinal even though the 
size remains the same. If the result shows that there is such a paper of 
different length and width, the paper supply unit is changed at step S710 
and the foregoing flow is repeated. However, when the result of the search 
at step S709 shows that there is no paper of different length and width, 
step S711 is initiated to release the auto-scale select mode. 
Accordingly, in such case, key 98 and the memory corresponding thereto must 
be open for the scale setting during the auto-scale select mode. 
Alternatively, if key 98 and the corresponding memory are set with some 
numerical values, they can be forcibly replaced during the execution of 
the auto-scale select mode. It may also be possible to temporarily retract 
memory Q corresponding to key 98 to the other memory and then to retrieve 
the numerical value, which has been retracted, to memory Q corresponding 
to key 98 at the time of completion of the copying operation. 
Step S704 is executed in the manner as shown by the flow chart of FIG. 17. 
Referring to FIG. 17, at step S801, the length of the paper is divided by 
the length of the original to produce the lengthwise scale M, and at step 
S802, the width of the paper is divided by the width of the original to 
produce the widthwise scale N. At step S803, the smallest one of these 
scales M and N is dealt as the optimum copying scale. 
Copying Operation 
FIG. 18, comprised of FIGS. 18(a) and 18(b), illustrates a flow chart 
showing the sequence of control of the copying operation of the copying 
machine. The flow chart will now be described, referring also to FIG. 21 
showing a time chart. 
In block 10, when print switch SW is depressed, or if the copy sheet flag 
is "1", a main motor, the developer motor, the charging unit and the 
transfer unit are rendered on and, if the A or B paper supply is selected, 
an A or B paper supply roller clutch, respectively is rendered on. 
Thereafter, the copy flag is rendered "1" and, then T-A (timer-A) and T-B 
(timer B) are set. In subsequent block 11, T-A is judged, and if it is the 
timing at which T-A is terminated, the A and B paper supply roller 
clutches are turned off. In block 12, T-B is judged, and if it is the 
timing at which T-B is terminated, the scan signal is rendered on. In 
block 13, when the timing signal becomes "1", timing roller CL is turned 
on and a T-C is set. 
In block 14, at the timing of termination of T-C, the charging unit, scan 
signal and timing roller Cl are turned off. In block 15, when a return 
signal is "1", that is, when a home position SW is turned on upon the 
return of a scanner that has once left the home position, the developer 
motor and the transfer unit are rendered off, a copy flag is rendered "0", 
and a T-D is set while the magnification ratio or scale Q8 which has been 
retracted at step S706 is retrieved. In block 16, at the timing of 
termination of T-D, the main motor is turned off. In subsequent block 17, 
the result of the process which has taken place is outputed. 
Although in the illustrated embodiment the auto-scale select switch and its 
display unit as well as the auto-paper select switch and its display unit 
have been described as provided in the ADF unit, they may be arranged on 
the control panel of the copying machine. In addition, although the size 
of the original has been described as detected on the side of the ADF 
unit, it can be done on the side of the copying machine regardless of the 
provision of the ADF unit. 
Even in the case where the originals of different size or orientation are 
set in the ADF unit in a stacked form, copies of the same size can be 
obtained from the machine provided that it be set in the auto-scale select 
mode. This is because, if set in the auto-scale select mode as hereinabove 
described, an appropriate magnification ratio or scale can automatically 
be set in the memory corresponding to key 98 each time a copy is made. 
In the foregoing embodiment, during the auto-scale select mode according to 
the present invention, the accurate magnification or scale is determined 
by performing an arithmetic calculation to the size of the original and 
the size of the copying paper and is then set in memory Q8. However, 
depending on the user of the copying machine, he or she may not require 
such an accurate magnification. In such case, the magnification may be 
determined by following the procedure shown in FIG. 22. 
Referring now to FIG. 22, at step S701, the paper code (shown in Table 1) 
of the selected paper supply unit is placed in memory A. At subsequent 
step S702, a decision making is performed to determine the destination to 
which the copying machine is shipped. This is because the size of papers 
in Japan, the U.S.A., and European countries differs from country to 
country in the light of A-type, B-type and inches and; therefore, the 
available range of the magnification ratios varies from country to 
country. For the purpose of the description of the present invention, the 
machine is assumed to have been designed for use in Japan while reference 
to the U.S.A. and European countries will not be made. After the decision 
making at step S702, data of the size of the original fed by means of the 
ADF unit are placed in memory B at step S703. At the succeeding step S704, 
based on the data from memories A and B, optimum copying magnification 
ratios or scales are searched as shown in Table 3. 
TABLE 3 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Sizes of Originals 
Papers 
A-5L 
B-5L 
A-4L 
B-4L 
A-3L 
(A-5W) 
B-5W 
A-4W 
(B-4W) 
(A-3W) 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
A-6Lo 
x0.707 
x x x x x x x x x 
B-6Lo 
x0.865 
x0.706 
x x x x x x x x 
A-5Lo 
x1.000 
x0.815 
x0.707 
x x .dwnarw. 
.dwnarw. 
.dwnarw. 
x x 
A-5La 
.uparw. 
.uparw. 
.uparw. 
x x x1.000 
x0.815 
x0.707 
x x 
B-5Lo 
x1.223 
x1.000 
x.0865 
x0.706 
x .dwnarw. 
.dwnarw. 
.dwnarw. 
.dwnarw. 
x 
B-5La 
.uparw. 
.uparw. 
.uparw. 
.uparw. 
x x1.223 
x1.000 
x0.865 
x0.706 
x 
A-4Lo 
x1.414 
x1.153 
x1.000 
x0.815 
x0.707 
.dwnarw. 
.dwnarw. 
.dwnarw. 
.dwnarw. 
.dwnarw. 
A-4La 
.uparw. 
.uparw. 
.uparw. 
.uparw. 
.uparw. 
x1.414 
x1.153 
x1.000 
x0.815 
x0.707 
B-4Lo 
x1.414 
x1.412 
x1.223 
x1.000 
x0.865 
.dwnarw. 
.dwnarw. 
.dwnarw. 
.dwnarw. 
.dwnarw. 
B-4La 
.uparw. 
.uparw. 
.uparw. 
.uparw. 
.uparw. 
x1.414 
x1.412 
x1.223 
x1.000 
x0.865 
A-3Lo 
x1.414 
x1.414 
x1.414 
x1.153 
x1.000 
.dwnarw. 
.dwnarw. 
.dwnarw. 
.dwnarw. 
.dwnarw. 
A-3La 
.uparw. 
.uparw. 
.uparw. 
.uparw. 
.uparw. 
x1.414 
x1.414 
x1.414 
x1.153 
x1.000 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
L: Length, 
W: Width 
.uparw.: A combiation for the search of any paper of different 
longitudinal and latiutdinal 
x: A combinatioin for the autoscale mode release 
At subsequent step S705, a decision making is performed to determine 
whether or not the optimum copying scale satisfies the specification of 
the machine. In other words, if the machine is of a type capable of 
reproducing an image at a magnification ratio within the range of 
.times.0.707 to .times.1.414 because of the machine designed for use in 
Japan, no copying at .times.0.6 magnification is available. Thus, if the 
optimum copying scale satisfies the machine specification, the optimum 
copying scale is placed in memory M1 at step S706-1, followed by step 
S706-2 at which a check is made to find one of the eight scale selector 
keys in which the optimum copying scale obtained from Table 3 is stored. 
If it is determined that not one of memories Q1 to Q8 store the scale 
placed in memory M1, an equation of M1.times.0.95 is calculated at step 
S706-3, the result of the calculation being subsequently placed in a 
memory M2. This is the standard in which the magnification which has 
resulted in the reduction of up to 5% without accompanying any defect in 
the reproduced image is deemed proper, and at subsequent step S706-4, the 
scale key approximating to the optimum copying scale between M2 and M1 is 
selected out of the eight copying scales, and at step S707, the control is 
shifted to such scale key. Then, at step S708, the copy start mode is 
established. 
On the other hand, if the result of the decision at step S705 shows that 
the optimum copying scale does not satisfy the machine specification, step 
S705 is followed by step S709 at which a search is made to find if there 
is any paper having different longitudinal and latitudinal even though the 
size remains the same. If the result shows that there is such a paper of 
different longitudinal and latitudinal, the paper supply unit is changed 
at step S710 and the foregoing flow is repeated. However, when the result 
of the search at step S709 shows that there is no paper of different 
longitudinal and latitudinal, step S711 is initiated to release the 
auto-scale select mode. 
Thus, by utilizing one of the preset copying scales Q1 to Q8, the copying 
can be executed. 
As hereinbefore fully described, since the present invention is such that, 
in the copying machine capable of performing a copying operation at any 
one of arbitrary copying magnifications within a predetermined range, the 
copying magnification is calculated on the basis of the size of the 
original and that of the copying paper and, if the calculated 
magnification is a value within the predetermined range, the value is set 
as the copying magnification, an appropriate magnification can be 
automatically set in the case where copies are desired to be made from 
various originals while the copying papers are of the same size. 
Therefore, the user of the copying machine embodying the present invention 
need not always adjust the magnification each time a copy is made and, 
also, any possibility of a copy being made at an inaccurate magnification 
can be advantageously avoided. 
Although the present invention has been described in connection with the 
preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be noted that various changes and 
modifications are apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and 
modifications are to be understood as included within the scope of the 
present invention as defined by the appended claims, unless they depart 
therefrom.