Abstract:
Copy production machine under program control selectively interleaving copy separation sheets between successive copy jobs. The copy separation sheets can be supplied from the same copy sheet supply source as the copies being produced or from an alternate supply source. The number of separation sheets supplied is a predetermined relationship between the number of copy receiving bins in an output receiving the copy separation sheets and the number of copies to be produced from a source. The effective capacity of a collator is extended by such interleaving using a programmable control that talies copies made versus copies selected greater than the capacity of a collator such that the collator job is automatically segmented.

Description:
This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 841,623 filed Oct. 13, 1977, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,201,464. 
    
    
     DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,114,871 by Botte, assigned to the same assignee as the present application. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,086,658 by Finlay, assigned to the same assignee as the present application. 
     Commonly assigned, copending application Ser. No. 841,623 filed Oct. 13, 1977 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,201,464. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to copy production machines, particularly the convenience copier type, having the capability of producing a succession of copy jobs, which may be unrelated, in a succession of copy runs and of controlling a succession of such copy runs as a single copy job. 
     In some convenience copier types of copy production machines, only one run having a maximum number of copies can be produced automatically from an original document. Upon actuation of a start button or suitable document sensing apparatus, the copy production machine produces a given number of copies in accordance with the operator-inserted number in a control panel of the copier. Upon completion of the copies automatically produced, the copy production machine stops. In some instances, a semiautomatic document feed (SADF) enables an operator to provide a succession of original documents in a semiautomatic mode in which the copy production machine senses the presence of an additional original document and automatically starts a second run. A succession of related original documents can be conveniently termed as a copy job. For example, an operator wants to produce a given number of copies of several original documents comprising a report. Each copy job may therefore be characterized by one or more copy runs. 
     Some copy production machines have an automatic document feed, i.e., the machine will automatically manipulate original documents to provide collated copy sets without collating the produced copies. That is, a first copy of each original is made and then a second copy of each original is made, and so on. In this situation, a copy job includes a plurality of successive copy runs, each producing a set of copies. As used herein, the term set of copies is referred to as a subjob to be separated by a separation sheet. When an automatic document feed is used, a subjob is considered as a complete job for the copy production machine. Copy production machines usually have more than one copy paper source. One source is usually referred to as the main supply and the other, as the auxiliary supply. Generally, the main supply stores more copy sheets than the auxiliary supply. The operator can select which source the copy sheets are to be supplied from. In some machines, a roll of paper is the source of copy sheets. A plurality of rolls may be provided or combination of rolls and precut sheets of copy paper may be utilized as a plurality of sources of copy paper. 
     Collating apparatus, which is usually quite expensive, are often attached to copiers. To control cost, the smallest size of collator is usually used. With a small collator, the copy producing capability of the copy production machine may be limited by the collator capacity. In a small office where the number of collated copies is a minor requirement, no collator is attached. 
     If a copy job exceeds the capacity of the collator, it must be done in parts. If there is no collator, the collation must be done manually. 
     This invention is directed to an enhanced separation capability in a copy machine operated under program control. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A copy production machine comprises a combination of operating units which include image input, copy production, copy output means having a given capacity, and a copy sheet transport path which couples the copy production part with the output means. There is also a copy sheet source supplying the copy sheets to the copy production part to receive images. An improvement comprising a programmable processor for executing computer programs and having input registers for receiving signals and output registers for supplying signals to the processor also has a means included in the operating means coupled to the input register for supplying status signals to the processor. There are also actuating means in the operating means coupled to the output registers to receive control signals in order to control the operation of the machine. A console means is supplied which includes a plurality of switches coupled to the input registers for providing operating parameters to control the processor means in operating the machine and also includes a plurality of indicators coupled to the output registers for displaying the status of the machine. A memory includes programs executable by the processor to produce a number of copies as selected from the console means and the program includes means for responding to one of the switches indicating, when actuated, that the copy sheets are to be supplied from the copy sheet source and inhibiting means for preventing the copying of images onto such selected copy sheets whereby the copy sheets so supplied become separator sheets. The program also provides means for limiting the production run to the given output capacity if the operating parameter representing a number of copies to be produced exceeds the given capacity and has means for indicating cumulative copies produced in a series of production runs in response to the actuation of the switch. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a logic diagram of a hardware circuit used with a a copier to practice the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a logic diagram of an aspect for practicing the invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a logic diagram of a last copy detector circuit. 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the relationships of subroutines used in practicing the invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the SEPARATE routine. 
     FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the B4SEPCHK subroutine. 
     FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the SET STARTL subroutine. 
     FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the STLEND process. 
     FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the AUTOSTRT process. 
     FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the SADF process. 
     FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the EC0 process. 
     FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the EC0-CR1 process. 
     FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the EC2 process. 
     FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the EC5 process. 
     FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the EC6 process. 
     FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the EC10 process. 
     FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the EC16 process. 
     FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the ACRCOAST process. 
     FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the ACRDEC process. 
     FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing pertinent parts of the BILLING process. 
     FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the pertinent parts of the EDGEERASE process. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The details of the operation of the copy production machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 are described in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,086,658 patent incorporated herein by reference from column 3, line 16 to column 5, line 36. 
     The operation of the logic circuits of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 are explained in detail in the application Ser. No. 841,623 incorporated by reference. 
     The details of a suitable processor are shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,086,658 patent incorporated by reference from column 5, line 39, to column 22, line 11. 
     The following description shows in detail how the control functions of the circuits 53 are programmed on a suitable processor. The microcode tables provide the details of the steps shown in the flowcharts. 
     In FIG. 1, sensing switches S2, S3, S4 are shown at exit positions of the output section 14. These sensing switches indicate that a copy is leaving the copy production machine at its designated output port (termed a billing port) and is suitable to be billed or not to be billed, depending upon the status of copy production, i.e., whether copies are actually being produced or an auxiliary mode such as flush or separate runs is being performed. 
     The switch S1 adjacent the copy path 27 senses copy sheets entering the CPP 13. The position of S1 and of alternate paper supply 54 appear not to coincide; however, the copy sheets selected from supply 54 actually proceed past S1 before reaching the aligner gate 28. A pluggable billing meter PM may be installed in machine 10. It has a switch which signals to control 53 the fact that the PM meter is plugged in, allowing the machine to operate. If the PM meter is removed, the machine 10 will not operate. 
     FIG. 4 is a simplified diagram of the various computer programs for the preferred embodiment. The programs are divided into two general categories, asynchronous and synchronous. This division eliminates the need for a master control program or an executive program as is usually required in the data processing and machine controller arts. In contrast to executive control, the program control to illustrate the present invention is timed to the operation of the copy production machine 10 so that the electromechanical portions of copy production machine 10 are synchronized to the drum 22 and the asynchronous programs to power line zero crossovers as detected by means not shown. Even while copies are being actively produced, the asynchronous programs 260, 261 are invoked by power line zero-crossovers for monitoring the operation of copy production machine 10 including the operator control panel 52. There are more asynchronous programs than shown in FIG. 4, those illustrated being limited to the computer programs related to the practice of the present invention. 
     The synchronous programs are invoked by timing signals from the emitter wheel 46 of the photoconductor drum 20. The emitter wheel 46 emits periodic pulses called emitter control pulses, ECs 0-16, for each image area. The photoconductor drum 20 preferably has two image areas, resulting in two sets of EC0-EC16 pulses for each rotation of the drum 20. The processor receives and counts the ECs using software techniques. A fiducial or synchronizing pulse (not shown) defines the image areas on the photoconductor drum 20. The EC count is reset upon the receipt of each fiducial pulse. For each image area being processed by the CPP 13, the control processor responds to its own software counting and interrupt signals to invoke one of the synchronous programs to be executed. For example, when EC0 is received, a plurality of programs are invoked because EC0 relates to a preparatory portion of each image cycle. Some of the EC0 programs will not be shown. At EC2, certain resets are employed in connection with practicing the separation mode. At EC5, the interimage erase controls are illustrated. EC6 controls the document lamp. At EC10, certain counts are effected for controlling the copy production machine 10 software architecture. The last EC, EC16, resets the separation mode at the end of a separation mode run and performs other functions not pertinent to the practice of the present invention. Communication between the synchronous programs, EC0-EC16, and the asynchronous programs 260, 261 is via the memory status registers or indicators designated in FIG. 4 as registers 263. When a separate button 57 is closed, the separate mode control enables the processor to sense its closure and to memorize the closure in a given location of the memory status registers 263. The computer also then invokes the B4 separation check program to ensure compatability of separation sheets with copy sheets. Closure of the start button 51 is sensed by the computer by executing SET STARTL (STARTL means start latch program). In connection with starting the copy production machine 10, the SADF 11 is checked for an original document at the preentry station. If copy production or separation mode has been interrupted, the autostart program enables the processor to restart automatically. This is explained below in more detail. 
     The asynchronous programs 261 enable the computer to extend logically the capacity of the collators 14B, 14C by allowing more than one collated set per collator bin. Other functions are performed by the computer in response to these stored programs for maximizing the efficiency of the copy production machine 10. All of these will become apparent from the following description. 
     In FIGS. 5-21, the flowchart step designation corresponds to the &#34;LOC&#34; designation of the source code in the corresponding program code tables included in this description. The flowchart will first be described and then the table included in the specification. For example, in FIG. 5, the step 5468 corresponds to an instruction in Table I at LOC 5468. 
     In FIG. 5, the separate mode control is entered at the step 5468. First, the processor checks for inhibits by the step 546B, such inhibits being Check Paper Path (CPPIND) and the like. If any of the inhibits listed in Table I are active, the separation mode is not performed. 
     If there are no inhibits, at the step 547D, the processor checks whether the separation switch 57 (SEPSW) is being actuated. If so, the computer checks at the step 5482 whether the flag SEPARAT1 is set. This flag performs a switch closure integration. If SEPARAT1 is not set when SEPSW is actuated, then SEPARAT1 is set for the next pass. Requiring both the SEPSW and the SEPARAT1 to be active is the result of the SEPSW signal being present for two passes through the routine, i.e., about 33 milliseconds. This means the signal is not likely to be a transient. 
     At the step 548A, the processor checks whether the separate switch 57 had been previously serviced, indicated by SEPARAT2 being set. The programs operate at a speed such that the program could be executed several times while the SEPSW is actuated. It is imperative, however, that the actual steps to perform the separate function be executed only once per switch actuation. The SEPARAT2 flag is set when the steps are performed. Thereafter, testing the SEPARAT2 flag set indicates that the switch actuation has already been honored. If SEPARAT2 is reset at the step 548A, then at the step 548E, separate indicator SEPARIND flag is toggled to its opposite signal state and SEPARAT2 flag is set. At the step 5496, the processor calls the B4 separation check subroutine described below in more detail. At the step 5499, the processor checks the separate indicator. If reset, then the processor at the step 54A9 resets the SEParate WAIT flag and resets the START SEParate flag. If the separate indicator were set, at step 5499, then the processor checks by the step 549D whether an original is at the document feed (ORGATDF). 
     If there is an original at the document feed, then the separate run must wait until after the ensuing copy production run. The operator, by putting originals in SADF 11, inhibits the separation mode until the end of a set of copies is collated or produced. An original at the document feed causes the separate wait (SEPWAIT) flag to be set by the step 54A1. The flag SEPWAIT being set inhibits the execution of the separation mode. 
     From the step 54A1, the processor checks by the step 54B3 whether the separation mode is presently active (SEPACTV). If the separation mode is active, then the processor resets SEPACTV by the step 54B7 and sets the ENABLED flag by step 54B9. The ENABLED flag in the status registers 263 causes the processor to monitor the operator parameter selection switches on the control panel 52. By the step 54BF, the processor senses whether any button was activated on the panel 52. The processor branches from several points in the separate control program to the step 54BF. 
     The processor at the step 54D5 checks for exit overflow. Exit overflow means that the number of copies being made exceeds the capacity of the collators 14B, 14C and excess copies are being directed to the exit tray 14A. In the preferred embodiment, this action occurs only when the collate mode is selected after side 1 of a duplex job has been completed. Under other circumstances, the separation mode of this invention is employed. If there is no exit overflow, the processor exits the program at the step 54EC to execute the next asynchronous program. In the event of exit overflow, the instruction at the step 54DD enables the computer to reset the separate indicator, indicating that no separation is required or desired, and the SEParate WAIT and STARTSE flags. The processor then exits the routine at the step 54EC. 
     At the step 546B, if any inhibits are active, then the step 54D5 is executed, skipping the above-described intermediate steps. 
     If the separation switch 57 is sensed as not being actuated by the step 547D, then by the step 54C9, SEPARAT1 is tested and reset if set. This integrates the switch opening. If SEPARAT1 is reset, then SEPARAT2 is reset by the step 54D0. The flags are now ready for the next actuation of the SEPSW. 
     The program details for one implementation of the separate mode control program are set forth below in Table I. Column LOC lists the memory location of the machine instruction. The OBJ column contains the hexadecimal representation of the machine instruction. The OP1 and OP2 columns contain the operands 1 and 2, respectively. The source statement includes the mnemonics of the instruction, i.e., assembly language interleaved with comments representing a functional flowchart. 
     
                                           TABLE I__________________________________________________________________________SEPARATION MODE CONTROLLOC OBJ OP1      OP2         SOURCE STATEMENT__________________________________________________________________________         1. CALL CHKINH CHECK FOR ( CPPIND &amp;  CKCOLTRI &amp;  REMCOPYI         &amp;          PLSTNDBY) -- Check Inhibits5468    31583A   0001      3A58         BAL   R1,CHKORG         1. IF (NO INHIBITS FROM ABOVE) &amp;  ADDPAPER &amp;  ACRREQ &amp;          (CEMODE&gt;5)546B    3CD3   54D3    BNZ SEP06           TPB PSB07,ADDPAPER546D    A647   0047546F    94  00045470    3CD3   54D3    BNZ SEP06      *GO IF ACTIVE           TPB PSB01,ACRREQ5472    A641   00415474    91  00015475    3CD3   54D3    BNZ SEP06      *GO IF SET5477    A662   0062    LB  CEMODE     GET CE MODE BYTE5479    A805   0005    CI  5547B    3ED3   54D3    BH  SEP06      *GO IF GREATER THAN 5         1.THEN         2. . IF SEPARATE (SEPARATION DEPRESSED)           RIN CSB05      GET STATUS547D    A6C4   00C4547F    97  07      TP  SEPARATE   TEST IF BEING PUSHED5480    3DC)   54C9    BZ  SEP03      *GO IF NO         2. . THEN         3. . . IF SEPARAT1 SEPARATION BEING INTEGRATED5482A9A0   00A0    GI  INTOFF5484    A641   0041    LB  PSB01      GET STATUS5486    AF80   0007    TS  SEPARAT1   TEST IF SET5488    3DC6   54C6    BZ  SEP02      *GO IF NO         3. . . THEN         4. . . . IF  SEPARAT2 SEPARATION NOT HONORED548A    AF40   0008    TS  SEPARAT2548C    3CBF   54BF    BNZ SEP01A     *GO IF YES -- Separate Pushed         4. . . . THEN         5. . . . . SEPARAT2=1548E    A141   0041    STB PSB01      UPDATE         5. . . . . TOGGLE SEPIND -- Memorize5490    A677   0077    LB  PCB06      GET STATUS5492    AD04   0004    XI  P1(SEPARIND)5494    A177   0077    STB PCB06      UPDATE         5. . . . . CALL B4SEPCHK GO CHECK B4 SEPARATION5496    33F854   0003      54F8 BAL R3,B4SEPCHK         5. . . . . IF SEPARIND           TPB PCB06,SEPARIND5499    A677   0077549B    92  0002549C    49  5489    JZ  SEP01      *GO IF NO         5. . . . . THEN         6. . . . . . IF ORGATDF           RIN CSB09      GET STATUS549D    A6D0   00D0549F    94  0004    TP  ORGATDF    TEST IF DOC A SADF54A0    49  54A9    JZ  SEP01      *GO IF NO         6. . . . . . THEN         7. . . . . . . SEPWAIT=1           TSB PCB01,SEPWAIT54A1    A641   0041         Separate waits for         54A3 AF20 0005  next run.         54A5 A141 0041             6. . . . . . ENDIF54A7    2CBF   54BF    B   SEP01A     *GO         5. . . . . ELSE   54A9      SEP01           DC         6. . . . . . RESET SEPWAIT,STARTSE           TRB PSB01,SEPWAIT54A9    A641   004154AB    B5  000554AC    A141   0041           TRB PSB07,STARTSE54AE    A647   004754B0    B7  000754B1    A147   0047         6. . . . . . IF SEPACTV54B3    A647   0047    LB  PSB0754B5    B3  0003    TR  SEPACTV54B6    4F  54BF    JZ  SEP01A         6. . . . . . THEN         7. . . . . . . RESET SEPACTV54B7    A147   0047    STB PSB07         7. . . . . . . SET ENABLED           TSB PSB42,ENABLED54B9    A66A   006A54BB    AF80   000754BD    A16A   006A         6. . . . . . ENDIF         5. . . . . ENDIF         4. . . . ENDIF   54BF      SEP01A           DC  *         4. . . . ABUTTON=1           TSB PSB28,ABUTTON54BF    A65C   005C54C1    AF02   000154C3    A15C   005C54C5    03  54D3    J   SEP06         3. . . ELSE   54C6      SEP02           DC  *         4. . . . SEPARAT1=154C6    A141   0041    STB PSB01      UPDATE         3. . . ENDIF54C8    03  54D3    J   SEP06         2. . ELSE   54C9      SEP03           DC  *         DEINTEGRATION OF SEPARATION SWITCH         3. . . IF SEPARAT154C9    A9A0   00A0    GI  INTOFF54CB    A641   0041    LB  PSB01      GET STATUS54CD    B7  0007    TR  SEPARAT1   TEST IF SET54CE    40  54D0    JZ  SEP04      *GO IF NO         3. . . THEN         4. . . . SEPARAT1=054CE    01  54D1    J   SEP05         3. . . ELSE   54D0      SEP04           DC  *         4. . . . SEPARAT2=054D0    B6  0006    TR  SEPARAT2         3. . . ENDIF   54D1      SEP05           DC  *54D1    A141   0041    STB PSB01      UPDATE         2. . ENDIF         1. ENDIF   54D3      SEP06           DC  *54D3    A920   0020    GI  INTON      UNMASK INTERRUPTS         1. IF EXITOFLO           SRG COLRG54D5    A9D0   00D0           TPB CPSB05,EXITOFLO54D7    A616   001654D9    95  000554DA    A989   0089    GI  INTOFFCG+BASERG54DC    4C  54BC    JZ  SEP10         1. THEN         2. . SEPARIND=0           TRB PCB06,SEPARIND54DD    A677   007754DF    B2  000254E0    A177   0077         2. . SEPWAIT,STARTSE           TRB PSB01,SEPWAIT54E2    A641   004154E4    B5  000554E5    A141   0041           TRB PSB07,STARTSE54E7    A647   004754E9    B7  000754EA    A147   0047         1. ENDIF   54E2    DC  *54EC    A920   0020    GI  INTON         ENDBEGIN SEPARATE__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     The flowchart in FIG. 6 represents the routine for checking proper separation sheet size. At the step 54F8, the processor checks whether the copy production machine is designed to handle B4 size paper (Japanese). If not, there is no need to inhibit any size of separation sheet and the processor exits the program at the step 554B. RETURN is the last step of an off-line subroutine, causing program control to return to the instruction calling the subroutine. This subroutine was called in the step 5496 of the SEPARATE routine in FIG. 5. 
     When checking for proper sheet sizes for certain nations, the processor at the step 5508 fetches the primary size, i.e., the size of copy sheets on which images are being produced. During this checking, interrupts are masked beginning at the step 550C. At the step 550E, the second paper supply or alternate paper bin 54 is selected. The delay of the step 5514 allows the selection to be completed. At the step 551A, the alternate size, i.e., the size of copy sheets in the second paper supply 54, is determined. If the size of copy sheets indicated for the primary bin 35 is not the same as that indicated for second paper supply 54, then the separation indicator is reset by the step 5524, i.e., the separation mode is inhibited. At the step 5529, the SEPWAIT and STARTSE flags are also reset and at the step 5533, the SEPACTV flag is checked. If it is set, it is reset by the step 5537 and the ENABLED flag is set. At the step 553F, the ALTernate PAPer flag is reset with a deselection delay and the interrupts being unmasked at the step 5543. 
     
                                           TABLE II__________________________________________________________________________PAPER SIZE CHECKLOC OBJ OP 1       OP 2   SOURCE STATEMENT__________________________________________________________________________   54F8       ORG    B4SEPCHK               BEGIN B4SEPCHK               1. TEXT                 THIS SUBROUTINE GUARANTEES THAT THE LARGEST,                 SMALLEST                 AND INTERMEDIATE B4 PAPER SIZES WILL NOT BE MIXED                 BY                 SEPARATION MODE ON B4 MACHINES WHILE COLLATE IS                 SELECTED.                 REGISTERS USED:                   R0 LOW                   R3 LINKAGE                   R8 ALL               1. ENDTEXT               1. IF (B4 &amp;COLATIND 6SEPARIND &amp; ALTPAPI54F8    A6A1   01A1          LBL COUNTRY54FA    92  0002          TP  B454FB    46  5506          JZ  SEPCHK1054FC    A677   0077          LB  PCB0654FE    91  0001          TP  COLATIND54FF    46  5506          JZ  SEPCHK105500    92  0002          TP  SEPARIND5501    46  5506          JZ  SEPCHK10                 TPB PCB05, ALTPAPI5502    A676   00765504    91  00015505    48  5508          JZ  SEPCHK20   5506       SEPCHK10  DC  *5506    3C4B   554B          B   SEPCHK45               1. THEN   5508       SEPCHK20  DC  *               2. . INPUT PRIMARY BIN SIZE AND SAVE                 RIN CSB135508    A6D4   00D4550A    A120   0120          STBL                     BASER0LO               2. . MASK INTERRUPTS550C    A9A0   00A0          GI  INTOFF               2. . OUTPUT ALTPAPI=1550E    A676   0076          LB  PCB055510    AF02   0001          TS  ALTPAPI                 ROUT                     CCB055512    A1C4   00C4               2. . DELAY 115 MICROSECS                 ZLI 45514    255515    AE04   00045517    88  0008          STR R8   5518       SEPCHK25  DC  *5518    F8  0008          LRD R85519    78  5518          JNZ SEPCHK25               2. . INPUT ALTERNATE BIN SIZE                 RIN CSB13551A    A6D4   00D4               2. . IF (ALTERNATE CONTAINS B5 OR PRIMARY SELPAPE  =               ALTERNATE               SELPAPE)551C    AB1E   001E          NI  P (SELPAPE, SELPAPD, SELPAPC, SELPAPB)551E    44  5524          JZ  SEPCHK30  * GO IF B5551F    A520   0120          SBL BASER0LO5521    94  0004          TP  SELPAPE5522    3D3F   553F          BZ  SEPCHK35  * GO IF THEY AGREE               2. . THEN   5524       SEPCHK30  DC    *               3. . . SEPARIND=0                 TRB PCB06, SEPARIND5524    A677   00775526    B2  00025527    A177   0077               3. . . SEPWAIT, STARTSE=0                 TRB PSB01, SEPWAIT5529    A641   0041552B    B5  0005552C    A141   0041                 TRB PSB07, STARTSE552E    A647   00475530    B7  00075531    A147   0047               3. . .IF SEPACTV5533    A647   0047          LB  PSB075535    B3  0003          TR  SEPACTV5536    4F  553F          JZ  SEPCHK35               3. . . THEN               4. . . . RESET SEPACTV5537    A147   0047          STB PSB07               4. . . . SET ENABLED                 TSB PSB42, ENABLED5539    A66A   006A553B    AF80   0007553D    A16A   006A               3. . . ENDIF               2. . ENDIF   553F       SEPCHK35  DC  *               2. . OUTPUT  ALTPAPI=0553F    A676   0076          LB  PCB05                 ROUT                     CCB055541    A1C4   00C4               2. . DELAY 115 MICROSECS                 ZLI 45543    255544    AE04   00045546    88  0008          STR R8   5547       SEPCHK40  DC  *5547    F8  0008          LRD R85548    77  5547          JNZ SEPCHK40               2. . UNMASK INTERRUPTS5549    A920   0020          GI  INTON               1. ENDIF   554B       SEPCHK45  DC  *               RETURN TO CALLER554B    23  0003          RTN R3               ENDBEGIN B4SEPCHK__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     The START Latch (STARTL) routine is flowcharted in FIG. 7 and the program details are shown in Table III. The program is invoked in response to the actuation of the start button on the panel 52 or by the insertion of an original document into the SADF 11. Before the START Latch in the copy production machine is activated, several functions must be performed that are not pertinent to a description of the invention. For example, nonpertinent code is indicated at various memory locations such as 3CF7, 3E6F, 3FD4, and 4000. 
     The processor first checks by the step 3CFA whether the COPY SeLeCTion value is zero. If so, then a minimum value of one is set for copy production at the step 3D01. The END flag, signifying the end of a copy producing run, is checked by the step 3D04. The END flag is set if a copy production run ends normally, i.e., was not terminated because of no paper in the supply or the like. If the END flag is set, the STLEND routine, identified as step 3D0B, is executed as later described in more detail. 
     Before starting copy production, the processor resets the ENABLED flag by the step 3ED1. The ENABLED flag being reset indicates that the processor shall not honor any selections from the panel 52, the only exception being the STOP button which overrides the START button. 
     The processor checks by the step 3ED6 whether the FLUSH flag is set. If set, the FLUSH flag signifies that copies in the ISU 40 are to be removed to the output section 14 without receiving second images. If the flag is set, then the processor by the step 3EDB sets the FLuSH STanDBY flag, selects the ISU as the source of copy sheets to be transported to the output section 14, and turns off the DOCument LAMP. 
     The document lamp (not shown) scans the original document on the platen (not shown) of the SADF 11 to transfer an optical image of the document onto the photoconductor drum 20. By the step 3F4C, the processor checks whether the START Latch is set. If it is already set, then at the step 3F51 the processor sets a copy register CR (not shown) in the working memory 172 and waits for a first sync and a first emit pulse from the emitter wheel 46. The status of the CR register is not pertinent to the operation of the separation mode but is important in copy production. Since machine state registers are well known in copy production machines, further discussion is not required. 
     After executing nonpertinent code at location 3FD4, the processor clears the button select time (SLCTTM) to zero so that a button depression timeout can be initiated. At the step 3FDD, the START Button is sensed. If actuated, the STARTB flag is set by the step 3FE1. The momentary run button (MRB) is sensed by the step 3FE7. (MRB is not shown in the drawing.) If the MRB flag is set, then the flag MOMRUNH is set indicating that the momentary run button has been actuated. 
     At the step 3FEF, the processor resets all the recopy lights (not shown) which display to the operator the number of documents to be recopied for error recovery and resets the STARTS flag. The various START Latches are program flags for synchronizing the startup procedure and each occupies one bit position in a register within the memory 172. The processor exits the program via the nonpertinent code at location 4000. 
     At the step 3ED6, if no flush operation is to be performed, then the step 3EF4 determines whether a separation mode is to be started (STARTSE). If not, the step 3F1F sets the ENABLED flag to permit the operator to insert operating parameters via the panel 52. By the step 3F25, the processor checks whether the SADF 11 is busy. If not, then the flag INHFD1 is set by the step 3F29. The flag INHFD1 indicates that an operator has lifted the lid (not shown) of SADF 11 to place an original to be copied on the platen (not shown) of the SADF 11. The status of the main drive motor (not shown) for the machine 10 is sensed by the step 3F2D. If the motor is on, then the document lamp (not shown) is turned on by the step 3F31 to scan the original document which is in copying position within SADF 11, whether manually or inserted. 
     If the motor is off at the step 3F2D, then the processor checks for a SIDE 2 indicator by the step 3F3E. If the second side is to be produced, i.e., if the ISU 40 is to be the source of the copy sheets for duplex copy production, then the processor at the step 3F42 selects the ISU 40 as the source of copy sheets. If the flag SIDE 2 is reset, then the copies to be produced in the ensuing copy production run are either simplex or the first side of duplex to be directed to the interim storage unit 40. The backup register in the memory 172 is cleared to zeros by the step 3F49 to indicate that the original document in the SADF 11 to be copied is the first image in a possible series of images. From the step 3F49, the processor executes the previously described code beginning at the step 3F4C. 
     When the separation mode flag indicates that a separation run is to be performed, then by the step 3EF9, the processor sets the SEPACTV flag to indicate that the separation mode is active. The processor checks by the step 3EFD whether the alternate paper supply 54 has been selected. If it has been selected, then the separation standby flag SEPSDBY is set by the step 3F01. Otherwise, the STARTSE flag is reset by the step 3F08, requiring that the alternate paper supply 54 be selected before the separation mode can ensue. At the step 3F12, the processor turns off the document lamp (not shown) because no copies are to be made. The processor reaches the step 3F4C previously described. 
     The above program is shown in detail in the following Table III. 
     
                                           TABLE III__________________________________________________________________________SET START LATCHLOC OBJ OP1 OP2      SOURCE STATEMENT__________________________________________________________________________                NONPERTINENT CODE                2. . IF COPY SELECT = 03CFA    24                 CLACFB A009   0009           CB   CPYSLLO3CFD    64  3D) 4          JNZ  STAR0253CFE    A019   0019           CB   CYPSLHI3D00    64  3D04           JNZ  STAR025                2. . THEN                3. . . SET COPY SELECT = 13D01    2E                 A13D02    A109   0009           STB  CPYSLLO                2. . ENDIF           STAR025                  EQU  *                2. . IF END (PREVIOUS RUN COMPLETED NORMALLY)3D04    A643   0043           LB   PSB033D06    B7  0007           TR   END3D07    6B  3D0B           JNZ  STAR031X3D08    30D13E   3ED1       0000       BU   STAR031,R0                2. . THEN           STAR031X                  EQU  *                3. . . PROCESS STEND PERFORMS CODE REQUIRED WHEN                STARTL IS SET &amp;                END IS ON                SEE TABLE XX           STAR031                  EQU  *                2. . RESET ENABLED                  TRB  PSB42,ENABLED3ED1    A66A   006A3ED3    B7  00073ED4    A16A   006A                2. . IF FLUSH                  TPB  PSB07,FLUSH3ED6    A647   00473ED8    91  00013ED9    3DF4   3EF4           BZ   STAR034                2. . THEN                3. . . SET FLUSH PLEASE STANDBY                  TSB  PSB19,FLSHPLSB3EDB    A653   00533EDD    AF04   00023EDF    A153   0053                3. . . PICK DUPLEX TRUCK                  TSB  PCB02,DPLXTRCK3EE1    A673   00733EE3    AF04   00022EE5    A173   0073                3. . . TURN OFF DOCUMENT LAMP                  TRB  PCB12,DOCLAMP3EE7    A67C   007C3EE9    B4  00043EEA    A17C   007C                3. . . TURN OFF ALL EDGE ERASE LAMPS (ERS0, ERS1,                ERS2, ERS3,                B4ERS3, B4ERSR1, B4ERSR2)                  TRMB PCB01,P(ERS0,ERS1,ERS2,ERS3,B4ERS3,BR34SR1,B4E                       RSR2)3EEC    A672   00723EEE    AB01   00013EF0    A712   00723EF2    244C   3F4C           B    STARC00                2. . ELSE           STAR034                  EQU  *                3. . . IF STARTSE                  TPB  PSB07,STARTSE3EF4    A647   00473EF6    97  00073EF7    351F   3F1F           BZ   STAR034A                3. . . THEN                4. . . . SET SEPACTV3EF9    AF08   0003           TS   SEPACTV3EFB    A147   0047           STB  PSB07                4. . . . IF PAPER PRESENT IN ALTERNATE BIN (CHECK                PAPER PRESENT                SW DIRECTLY)                  RIN  CSB04 -3EFD A6C3 00C33EFF    97  0007           TP   ALTPRES3F00    48  3F08           JZ   STARI01                4. . . . THEN                5. . . . . SET SEPSTBY                  TSB  PLSTNDBY,SEPSTBY3F01    A653   00533F03    AF20   00053F05    A153   00533F07    02  3F12           J    STARI02                4. . . . ELSE           STARI01                  EQU  *                5. . . . . RESET STARTSE,STARTL                  TRB  PSB22,STARTL3F08    A656   00563F0A    B6  00063F0B    A156   0056                  TRB  PSB07,STARTSE3F0D    A647   00473F0F    B7  00073F10    A147   0047                4. . . . ENDIF           STARTI02                  EQU  *                4. . . . TURN OFF DOCUMENT LAMP                  TRB  PCB12,DOCLAMP3F12    A67C   007C3F14    B4  00043F15    A17C   007C                4. . . . TURN OFF ALL EDGE ERASE LAMPS (ERS0, ERS1,                ERS2, ERS3,                B4ERS3, B4ERSR1, B4ERSR2)                  TRMB PCB01,P(ERS1,ERS2,ERS3,B4ERS3,B4ERSR1,B4ERSR2)3F17    A672   00723F19    AB01   00013F1B    A172   00723F1D    2C4C   3F4C           B    STARC00                3. . . ELSE           STAR034A EQU                       *                4. . . . SET ENABLED                  TSB  PSB42,ENABLED3F1F    A66A   006A3F21    AF80   00073F23    A16A   006A                4. . . . IF SADFBUSY                  TPB  PSB31,SADFBUSY3F25    A65F   005F3F27    93  00033F28    6D  3F2D           JNZ  STAR034B                4. . . . THEN                5. . . . . SET INHFD13F29    AF20   0005           TS   INHFD13F2B    A15F   005F           STB  PSB31                4. . . . ENDIF           STAR034B                  EQU  *                4. . . . IF DRIVE                  TPB  PSB21,DRIVE3F2D    A655   00553F2F    90  00003F30    4E  3F3E           JZ   STAR049                4. . . . THEN                5. . . . . OUTPUT - TURN ON DOCUMENT LAMP                  TSB  PCB12,DOCLAMP3F31    A67C   007C3F33    AF10   00043F35    A17C   007C                NONPERTINENT INSTRUCTION3F37    A66F   006F3F39    AF10   00043F3B    A16F   006F3F3D    0C  3F4C                4. . . . ELSE           STAR049                  EQU  *                5. . . . . IF SIDE-2                  TPB  PSB20,DPXSIDE23F3E    A654   00543F40    95  00053F41    49  3F49           JZ   STAR032A                5. . . . . THEN                6. . . . . . PICK DUPLEX TRUCK                  TSB  PCB02,DPLXTRCK3F42    A673   00733F44    AF04   00023F46    A173   00733F48    0C  3F4C           J    STAR032B                5. . . . . ELSE           STAR032A                  EQU  *                6. . . . . . BACKUP=03F49    25                 CLA3F4A    A16C   006C           STB  BACKUP                5. . . . . ENDIF           STAR032B                  EQU  *                4. . . . ENDIF           STAR032                  EQU  *                3. . . ENDIF                2. . ENDIF           STARC00                  EQU  *                1. ENDIF           STAR033                  EQU  *                1. IF STARTL                  TPB  PSB22,STARTL3F4C    A656   00563F4E    96  00063F4F    3DD4   3FD4           BZ   STARI00                1. THEN                2. . PROCESS SETCR SETS APPROPRIATE CR BIT &amp; 1ST                SYNC &amp; 1ST EMIT                NONPERTINENT CODE                1. SLCTTM=0 -(PREVENTS NUMERIC SELECTION); NEWSLCT=1                -(NEXT                NUMERIC BUTTON IS 1ST)3FD6    A66A   006A           LB   PSB423FD8    B1  0001           TR   SLCTTM3FD9    AF10   0004           TS   NEWSLCT3FDB    A16A   006A           STB  PSB42                1. IF STARTB                  TPB  PSB22,STARTB3FDD    A656   00563FDF    95  00053FE0    47  3FE7           JZ   STAR034C                1. THEN                2. . SETSTARTH (START BUTTON HONORED)                  TSB  PSB23,STARTH3FE1    A657   00573FE3    AF10   00043FE5    A157   0057                1. ENDIF           STAR034C                  EQU  *                1. IF MOMRUNB                  TPB  PSB21,MOMRUNB3FE7    A655   00553FE9    95  00053FEA    4F  3FEF           JZ   STAR024                1. THEN                2. . MOMRUNH =1 (REQUIRES MOMRUN BUTTON TO BE                RELEASED BEFORE                STARTL CAN BE SET AGAIN)3FEB    AF08   0003           TS   MOMRUNH3FED    A155   0055           STB  PSB21                1. ENDIF           STAR024                  EQU  *                1. RESET ALL RECOPY LIGHTS                  TRMB PCB13,P(RECOPY1,RECOPY2,RECOPY3)3FEF    A67D   007D3FF1    AB7C   007C3FF3    A17D   007D           1. RESET STLREQ, STARTDF, STARTFL, STARTPC, STARTSE                  TRMB PSB22,P(STLREQ,STARTDF,STARTFL,STARTPC)3FF3    A656   00563FF7    AB74   00743FF9    A156   0056                  TRB  PSB07,STARTSE3FFB    A647   00473FFD    B7  0007                NONPERTINENT CODE__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     The flowchart of FIG. 8 shows the start-up procedure from a normal end of a prior copy production run. At location 3D0B, programming not pertinent to the function of the separation mode is executed. The SEParate WAIT flag is checked by the step 3D3B. If set, it is reset by the step 3D3F. (The processor is beginning the separation mode.) The SEPWAIT flag set at this point indicates a trailing separator; that is, copies were being produced when the separate button 57 was actuated. 
     From the step 3D3F, the processor continues at the step 3E1B to check whether the collate mode is active. If not, some nonpertinent code is executed at location 3E58 and the program exited. If the collate mode is active, the processor checks by the step 3E20 the number of separation sheets selected. If zero, the program is exited. If not zero, then at the step 3E24, the number of separator sheets is limited to the selection of the next succeeding copy producing run provided the selection does not exceed the output capability, i.e., forty for two collators attached to the output section 14 or twenty for a single collator. If the copy selection exceeds the output capacity, the selection of separation sheets is limited to the output capacity. 
     If the SEPWAIT flag is not set at the step 3D3B, the processor checks the SEPARate INDicator flag by the step 3D43. If reset, then at the step 3DF9, the processor resets the delay start latch. Because there is to be no separation mode run, copy production can begin without delay. If the SEPARIND flag is set at the step 3D43, then the processor at step 3D48 checks whether the start button is actuated or whether a run is initiated by starting the SADF 11. If so, then at the step 3D4D, all the start flags are reset and the delay start flag is set by the step 3D51. 
     At the step 3D57, the processor checks the SIDE 2 flag and whether any copies are in the paper path, the latter by checking the ACR 1 and 2 registers being equal to zero. (ACR is the abbreviation for automatic copy recovery and is essentially a software up/down count field for counting the transient copies in the copy path so that if ACR1 and ACR2 are equal to zero, then the paper path is clear of copy sheets.) If the SIDE 2 flag is reset and ACR1 or ACR2 is not zero, then at the step 3D7C, the separation mode start flag (STARTSE) is set. 
     At the step 3D82 the processor senses the FLush DUPlex light of the panel 52. At this point in the program, any flush would be completed allowing a separation run to be performed. If set, the processor resets the FLDUPON indicator by the step 3D86 and sets the DUPLeX INDicator at the step 3D88. 
     At the step 3D8E, the processor checks whether the alternate paper source has been selected. If not, then alternate paper is selected by the step 3D97. Also, a flag SEPPRI, indicating that copies were being made from the first paper supply in the primary paper bin 35 and not from the alternate paper bin 54, is set. At the end of the separation mode, the processor will sense SEPPRI so that upon resumption of copy production, the copy sheets will again be properly selected from first paper supply 35. If the alternate paper indicator has already been selected, then at the step 3D9A, the SEPPRI flag is reset. 
     At the step 3D9D, the processor checks for collator selection. If not selected, i.e., the separation mode is to run in the noncollate mode, then the copy select is set to a value of one so that one separator sheet will be supplied from the alternate paper bin supply 54 to the output tray 14A. On the other hand, if the collator indicator is active, then at the step 3DA2 the processor checks whether the separation mode selection is greater than zero. If not (SEPSLCT=0), the routine is exited by executing the step beginning with the step 3E1B as previously described. On the other hand, if the separate select value is greater than zero, then at the step 3DA6 the processor compares the number of copies selected to the number of separation sheets selected. If they are not equal (CPYSLCT≠SEPSLCT), at the step 3DB9 the previous separation value selected for the separation mode is made equal to the copy selection. 
     By the step 3DBF, the processor checks whether there are two collators. If not, the copy select value is increased by twenty at the step 3DC4. If there are two collators, then the copy select value is increased by forty at the step 3DC7. This increment enables the processor to display cumulative values in a copy production job that is segmented by the separation mode. The cumulative copy count indicates the progress of the job execution. 
     At the step 3DDC, the processor compares whether the separation mode selection value is less than the copy selection value. If not, then the step 3E1B, already described, is executed. If so, the step 3DE3 makes the copy selection value equal to the separation mode selection value. This action indicates that the last job segment has not yet been reached. 
     On the other hand, at the step 3DA6, if the copy select value were equal to the separation mode select value, the step 3DAA resets the trailing separator flag, clears the separate select, and resets the previous selection for the separation mode. This action indicates that the last segment of the copy job is to be performed next. 
     The above-described functions are set forth in detail in Table IV below. 
     
                                           TABLE IV__________________________________________________________________________START LATCH AFTER ENDLOC OBJ OP1 OP2      SOURCE STATEMENT__________________________________________________________________________NONPERTINENT CODE                1. IF SEPWAIT3D3B    A641   0041          LB   PSB013D3D    B5  0005          TR   SEPWAIT3D3E    43  3D43          JZ   STAS01                1. THEN                2. . RESET SEPWAIT3D3F    A141   0041          STB  PSB013D41    2CFE   3DFE          B    STAS02                1. ELSE   3D43   STAS01 DC   *                2. . IF SEPARIND                 TPB  PCB06,SEPARIND3D43    A677   00773D45    92  00023D46    3DF9   3DF9          BZ   STAS03                2. . THEN                3. . . IF STARTB | STARTDF3D48    A656   0056          LB   PSB22                 TSM  P (STARTB,STARTDF)3D4A    AF28   00283D4C    47  3D57          JZ   STAS04                3. . . THEN                4. . . . RESET STARTA,STARTB,STARTDF,STLREG                 TRM  P(STARTA,STARTB,STARTDF,STLREQ)3D4D    AB47   00473D4F    A156   0056          STB  PSB22                4. . . . SET DELAYSTL                 TSB  PSB03,DELAYSTL3D51    A643   00433D53    AF04   00023D55    A143   0043                3. . . ENDIF   3D57   STAS04 DC   *                3. . . IF SIDE 2 &amp;(ACR1,ACR2=0)                 TPB  PSB20,DPXSIDE23D57    A654   00543D59    95  00053D5A    3D7C   3D7C          BZ   STAS053D5C    25                CLA3D5D    A40E   000E          AB   ACRREGLO3D5F    3C7C   3D7C          BNZ  STAS05                3. . . THEN                4. . . . RESET STARTSE, SET FLUSH,STARTFL3D61    A647   0047          LB   PSB073D63    B7  0007          TR   STARTSE3D64    AF02   0001          TS   FLUSH3D66    A147   0047          STB  PSB07                 TSB  PSB22,STARTFL3D68    A656   00563D6A    AF01   00003D6C    A156   0056                4. . . . IF DUPLEX LIGHT3D6E    A676   0076          LB   PCB053D70    B2  0002          TR   DPLXIND3D71    4A  3D7A          JZ   STAS05L                4. . . . THEN                5. . . . . TURN DUPLEX LIGHT OFF3D72    A176   0076          STB  PCB05                5. . . . . SET FLDUPON                 TSB  PSB06,FLDUPON3D74    A646   00463D76    AF02   00013D78    A146   0046                4. . . . ENDIF          STAS05L                 EQU   *3D7A    2CF8   3DF8          B    STAS06                3. . . ELSE   3D7C   STAS05 DC   *                4. . . . SET STARTSE                 TSB  PSB07,STARTSE3D7C    A647   00473D7E    AF80   00073D80    A147   0047                4. . . . IF FLDUPON3D82    A646   0046          LB   PSB063D84    B1  0001          TR   FLDUPON3D85    4E  3D8E          JZ   STAS05M                4. . . . THEN                5. . . . . RESET FLDUPON3D86    A146   0046          STB  PSB06                5. . . . . TURN ON DUPLEX LIGHT                 TSB  PCB05,DPLXIND3D88    A676   00763D8A    AF04   00023D8C    A176   0076                4. . . . ENDIF          STAS05M                 EQU  *                4. . . . IF  ALTBIN LIGHT                 TSB  PCB05,ALTPAPI3D8E    A676   00763D90    AF02   00013D92    A176   00763D94    A645   0045          LB   PSB053D96    6A  3D9A          JNZ  STAS07                4. . . . THEN                5. . . . . SET ALT BIN LIGHT                5. . . . . SET SEPPRI3D97    AF08   0003          TS   SEPPRI3D99    0B  3D9B          J    STAS08                4. . . . ELSE   3D9A   STAS07 DC   *                5. . . . . RESET SEPPRI3D9A    B3  0003          TR   SEPPRI   3D9B   STAS08 DC   *3D9B    A145   0045          STB  PSB05                4. . . . ENDIF                4. . . . IF COLLATOR LIGHT                 TPB  PCB06,COLATIND3D9D    A677   00773D9F    91  00013DA0    3DEA   3DEA          BZ   STX01                4. . . . THEN                5. . . . . IF SEPSLCT&gt;03DA2    25                CLA3DA3    D9  0009          AR   SEPSLCT3DA4    3DE9   3DE9          BZ   STX02                5. . . . . THEN                6. . . . . .IF CPYSLCT = SEPSLCT                 SRG  INTHRG3DA6    A9C 00C83DA8    C9  0009          SR   CPYSLCT3DA9    69  3DB9          JNZ  STX03                6. . . . . . THEN                7. . . . . . . SET TRLSEP, SEPSLCT, PRVSLCT = 0                 SRG  COLRG3DAA    A9D0   00D03DAC    8A  000A          STR  PRVSLCT                 SRG  BASERG3DAD    A9C9   00C9                 TSB  PSB43,TRLSEP3DAF    A66B   006B3DB1    AF80   00073DB3    A16B   006B3DB5    25                CLA3DB6    89  0009          STR  SEPSLCT3DB7    2CE9   3DE9          B    STX06                6. . . . . . ELSE          STX03 EQU   *                7. . . . . . . PRVSLCT = CPYSLCT3DB9    B9  0009         LR    CPYSLCT                SRG   COLRG3DBA    A9D0   00D03DBC    8A  000A         STR   PRVSLCT                SRG   INTHRG3DBD    A9C8   00C8                7. . . . . . . IF  MD2PRES                 RIN  CSB143DBF    A6D5   00D53DC1    96  0006          TP   MD2PRES3DC2    25                CLA3DC3    67  3DC7          JNZ  STXC2                7. . . . . . . THEN                8. . . . . . . . CPYSLCT=CPYSLCT+ 203DC4    AE20   0020         LI    X&#39;20&#39;3DC6    09  3DC9         J     STXC3                7. . . . . . . ELSE   3DC7   STXC2  DC   *                8. . . . . . . . CPYSLCT=CPYSLCT+ 403DC7    AE40   0040          LI   X&#39;40&#39;                7. . . . . . . ENDIF3DC9    D9  0009   STXC3  AR   CPYSLCT3DCA    89  0009          STR  CPYSLCT3DCB    25                CLA3DCC    A609   0009          LB   CPYSLLO3DCE    ABF0   00F0          NI   X&#39;F0&#39;3DD0    AAA0   00A0          SI   X&#39;A0&#39;                 JL   STXC43DD2    3FD5   3DD53DD4    0C  3DDC3DD5    A109   0009          STB  CPYSLLO3DD7    A619   0019          LB   CPYSLHI3DD9    2E                A13DDA    A119   0019          STB  CPYSLHI   3DDC   STXC4  DC   *                7. . . . . . . IF SEPSLCT&lt;CPYSLCT3DDC    E9  0009          LR   CPYSLCT                 SRG  BASERG3DDD    A9C9   00C93DDF    C9  0009          SR   SEPSLCT                 JL   STXC73DE0    3FE3   3DE33DE2    09  3DE9                7. . . . . . . THEN                8. . . . . . . .CPYSLCT=SEPSLCT3DE3    E9  0009          LR   SEPSLCT3DE4    A109   0009          STB  CPYSLLO3DE6    29                TRA3DE7    A119   0019          STB  CPYSLHI                7. . . . . . . ENDIF          STXC7  EQU  *                6. . . . . . ENDIF          STX06  EQU  *                5. . . . . ENDIF3DE9    08  3DF8   STX02  J    STX05                4. . . . ELSE          STX04  EQU  *                5. . . . . PRVSLCT=CPYSLCT                 SRG  INTHRG3DEA    A9C8   00C83DEC    E9  0009          LR   CPYSLCT                 SRG  COLRG3DED    A9D0   00D03DEF    8A  000A          STR  PRVSLCT                 SRG  BASERG3DF0    A9C9   00C9                5. . . . . CPYSLCT=13DF2    25                CLA3DF3    A119   0019          STB  CPYSLHI3DF5    2E                A13DF6    A109   0009          STB  CPYSLLO                4. . . . ENDIF          STX05  EQU  *                3. . . ENDIF   3DF8   STAS06 DC   *3DF8    0E  3DFE          J    STAS09                2. . ELSE   3DF9   STAS0  DC   *                3. . . RESET DELAYSTL                 TRB  PSB03, DELAYSTL3DF9    A643   00433DFB    B2  00023DFC    A143   0043                2. . ENDIF   3DFE   STAS09 DC   *                1. ENDIFNONPERTINENT CODE                2. . IF COLLATE LIGHT                 TPB  PCB06,COLATIND3E1B    A677   00773E1D    91  00013E1E    3D58   3E58          BZ   STARXX4                2. . THEN                3. . . IF SEPSLCT=03E20    25                CLA3E21    D9  0009          AR   SEPSLCT3E22    3C50   3E50          BNZ  STARM01                3. . . THEN                4. . . . IF CPYSLCT &gt; 20 (40 IF MOD 2 PRESENT)3E24    25                CLA                 RIN  CSB143E25    A6D5   00D53E27    96  0006          TP   MD2PRES3E28    AE20   0020          LI   X&#39;20&#39;3E2A    4D  3E2D          JZ   STARM023E2B    AE40   0040          LI   X&#39;40&#39;          STARM02                 SRG  INTHRG3E2D    A9C8   00C83E2F    C9  0009          SR   CPYSLCT3E30    E9  0009          LR   CPYSLCT                 SRG  BASERG3E31    A9C9   00C93E33    3F37   3E37          BNL  STARM03                4. . . . THEN                5. . . . . SEPSLCT =  CPYSLCT3E35    89  0009          STR  SEPSLCT3E36    0C  3E3C          J    STARM05                4. . . . ELSE          STARM03                 EQU  *                5. . . . . PRVSLCT = CPYSLCT                 SRG  COLRG3E37    A9D0   00D03E39    8A  000A          STR  PRVSLCT                 SRG  BASERG3E3A    A9C9   00C9                4. . . . ENDIF          STARM05                 EQU  *                4. . . . LIMIT SELECTION TO 40 OR 20 (MOD2 PRESENT                OR NOT PRESENT)3E3C    25                CLA                 RIN  CSB143E3D    A6D5   00D53E3F    96  0006          TP   MD2PRES3E40    AE40   0040          LI   X&#39;40&#39;3E42    65  3E45          JNZ  STARC023E43    AE20   0020          LI   X&#39;20&#39;3E45    80  0000   STARC02                 STR  R0                 SRG  INTHRG3E46    A9C8   00C83E48    C9  0009          SR   CPYSLCT3E49    3F4F   3E4F          BNL  STARM043E4B    25                CLA3E4C    A620   0120          LBL  BASEROLD3E4E    89  0009          STR  CPYSLCT3E4F    06  3E56   STARM04                 J    STARM10                3. . . ELSE          STARM01                  EQU *                4. . . . CPYCTR = PRVSLCT                 SRG  COLRG3E50    A9D0   00D03E52    EA  000A          LR   PRVSLCT                 SRG  INTHRG3E53    A9C8   00C83E55    87  0007          STR  CPYCTR                3. . . ENDIF3E56    2C67   3E67   STARM10                 B    STARC03                2. . ELSE          STARXX4                 EQU  *                3. . . IF DUPLEX                 TPB  PCB05,DPLXIND3E58    A676   00763E5A    92  00023E5B    47  3E67          JZ   STARXX1                3. . . THEN                4. . . . LIMIT COPY SELECT TO 1003E5C    AE01   0001          LI   13E5E    A019   0019          CB   CPYSLHI3E60    3E67   3E67          BH   STARXX13E62    A119   0019          STB  CPYSLHI3E64    25                CLA3E65    A109   0009          STB  CPYSLLO                3. . . ENDIF          STARXX1                 EQU  *                2. . ENDIF          STARC03                 SRG  BASERG3E67    A9C9   00C93E69    A647   0047NONPERTINENT CODE__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     A start from an interruption, such as a copy sheet jam, is achieved by the AUTOSTART program shown in FIG. 9. The first step in this program is to call a subroutine to check the paper path via a branch and link (BAL) instruction at location 3540. The subroutine for checking the paper path need not be shown for an understanding of the invention. It scans all of the sensing switches in the paper path of the copy production machine 10 to ensure that all the paper has been removed. Then a second branch and link at 3543 calls the B4 SEPCHK subroutine previously described. Upon return from the BASEPCHK subroutine, the processor by the step 3546 determines whether there are any outstanding machine errors, such as check paper path, check collator, and the like. If there are none, the routine can be exited for entering SET STARTL of FIG. 7. If there are checks, the computer must then determine why copy production cannot resume. First, the computer checks by step 3554 whether a photoconductor (PC) advance was interrupted. A photoconductor advance is an auxiliary operation moving new photoconductor into an imaging location such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,588,242. If there was a PC advance, then at the step 3559 the processor checks whether a secondary power relay (not shown) is off or on. The secondary power relay provides power to the fuser 31 inter alia. If it is off, a power indicator flag is set by the step 3560 to enable the processor to restore power by another program (not shown). Next, some nonpertinent code beginning a location 3568 is executed. At step 357C, the SEPACTV flag is checked. If set when the abnormal end or interruption occurred, then the separation mode is restarted by setting the STARTSE flag at 357E. Other programs to be described sense for STARTSE for initiating the separation mode. 
     Techniques for ensuring that the correct number of separation sheets are to be transferred through the output section 14 is not a part of the present invention and will, therefore, not be described. Because of the varying effects of starting from an abnormal end or interruption, most of the code in the illustrated program is nonpertinent to the separation mode. The nonpertinent code is indicated by the arrow 3575. 
     After the start latch has been set, the asynchronous program illustrated in FIG. 10 that controls the SADF 11 checks for SEPWAIT in the inhibits checked in a subroutine called by a branch and link instruction at location 488C. The inhibits, in addition to SEPWAIT, include open doors of copy production machine 10, a flush occurring, copy recovery in progress, and the like. If SEPWAIT is reset (no inhibit), a branch instruction executed at location 488F causes nonpertinent SADF code to be executed beginning either at location 48DD or, if SEPWAIT is set, nonpertinent SADF code beginning at 490D is executed. This illustrates the close interaction of all the computer programs illustrated for executing the separation mode and the effect of status registers 263 in providing communications between asynchronous programs and synchronous programs 262. Table V below lists the STLEND program details and Table VI, the SADF program details. 
     
                                           TABLE V__________________________________________________________________________AUTOSTARTLOC OBJ OP1 OP2 SOURCE STATEMENT__________________________________________________________________________           BEGIN AUTOSTRT ATTEMPT AN AUTO RESTART WHEN DOORS GO           CLOSED   3540    ORG   AUTORG           1. CALL PATHCHK GO CHECK PAPER PATH3540    32384D   0002       4D38  BAL R2,PATHCHK GO CHECK PAPER PATH           1. CALL B4SEPCHK GO CHECK B4 SEPARATION3543    33F854   0003       54F8  BAL R3,B4SEPCHK           1. IF  CPP &amp;  CHKCOL3546    25            CLA3547    A45D   005D      AB  CPP3549    3C82   3582      BNZ MAC057354B    A44D   004D      AB  CPPE1354D    3C82   3582      BNZ MAC057             TPB PCB14,CKCOLTRI354F    A67E   007E3551    90  00003552    3C82   3582      BNZ MAC057           1. THEN           2. . IF (PCADVNCE) ADVANCE WAS INTERRUPTED             TPB PCB02,PCADVNCE SEE IF ADVANCE3554    A673   00733556    90  00003557    3D68   3568      BZ  MAC053     * GO IF NO           2. . THEN           3. . . IF ( RELAY2) SECONDARY RELAY IS OFF3559    A9A0   00A0      GI  INTOFF     MASK355B    A67C   007C      LB  PCB12      GET STATUS355D    AF40   0006      TS  RELAY2     SET RELAY2355F    66  3566      JNZ MAC052     * GO IF ALREADY ON           3. . . THEN           4. . . . OUTPUT RELAY2=13560    A17C   007C      STB PCB12      START RELAY           4. . . . SET MTRDLY=16 (130 MSEC)3562    AE10   0010      LI  16         SET DELAY3564    A159   0059      STB MTRDLY     START TIMER           3. . . ENDIF   3566       MAC052             DC  *3566    A920   0020      GI  INTON      UNMASK           2. . ENDIF           NONPERTINENT CODE__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     
                                           TABLE VI__________________________________________________________________________SADF CODELOC OBJ OP1      OP2         SOURCE STATEMENT                  NONPERTINENT CODE                  4. . . . CALL CHKINH                   BAL                      R1,CHKORG                  4. . . . IF                        (ANY INHIBITS FOUND ABOVE) &amp;  (ACRREQ &amp;                       (BACKUP&gt;1                       | (BACKUP=1 &amp; AUTOFLSH))) &amp; INTLOCK                       &amp;  INDF &amp;  INHFD1                       &amp;  INHFD2 &amp;  INHFD3 &amp;  COLL --DOORS --OPEN &amp;                       PSBIND &amp;                        SADFBUSY &amp; ( ADDPAPER | CPYINDPI) &amp;                       ( SEPIND |                       SEPWAIT |  DRIVE) &amp;  FLUSH &amp; (                       SEPACTV | DRIVE)488F    340C   490C            BNZ                      SADF27                   TPB                      PSB01,ACRREQ4891    A641   00414893    91  00014894    41  48A1            JZ SADF19B4895    A66C   006C            LB BACKUP4897    A801   0001            CI 14899    360C   490C            BH SADF27489B    61  48A1            JNE                      SADF19B                   TPB                      PSB01,AUTOFLSH489C    A641   0041489E    92  0002489F    340C   490C            BNZ                      SADF27   48A1      SADF19B                   DC *                   RIN                       CSB03                            GET STATUS48A1    A6C2   00C248A3    97  0007            TP INTLOCK                            TEST FOR PLUGGABLE METER48A4    350C   490C            BZ SADF27                            *GO IF NO48A6    A65F   005F            LB PSB3148A8    ABF8   00F8            NI P1(INDF,INHFD1,INHFD2,SADFBUSY,INHFD3)48AA    340C   490C            BNZ                      SADF27                   SRG                      COLRG48AC    A9D0   00D048AE    A607   0007            LB CPSB02                   SRG                      BASERG48B0    A9C9   00C9                   TSM                      P(COLDR12,COLDR22)48B2    AF50   005048B4    340C   490C            BNZ                      SADF27                   TPB                      PCB13,PLSSTBY48B6    A67D   007D48B8    96  000648B9    340C   490C            BNZ                      SADF27                   TPB                      PSB07,ADDPAPER48BB    A647   004748BD    94  000448BE    44  48C4            JZ SADF24A                   TPB                      PCB13,CYINDPI48BF    A67D   007D48C1    93  000348C2    350C   490C            BZ SADF27   48C4      SADF24A                   DC *                   TPB                      PCB06,SEPARIND48C4    A677   007748C6    92  000248C7    41  48D1            JZ SADF24B                            *GO IF NOT SEPARATE INDICATOR                   TPB                      PSB01,SEPWAIT48C8    A641   004148CA    95  000548CB    61  48D1            JNZ                      SADF24B                            *GO IF YES                   TPB                      PSB21,DRIVE48CC    A655   005548CE    90  000048DF    340C   490C            BNZ                      SADF27                            *GO-CONDITIONS WERE NOT FAVORABLE             SADF24B                   EQU                      *                   TPB                      PSB07,FLUSH48D1    A647   004748D3    91  000148D4    340C   490C            BNZ                      SADF2748D6    93  0003            TP SEPACTV48D7    4D  48DD            JZ SADF24C                   TPB                      PSB21,DRIVE48D8    A655   005548DA    90  000048DB    350C   490C            BZ SADF27                  4. . . . THEN                  NONPERTINENT CODE                  (LOCATION 48DD)                  5. . . . . ELSE                  NONPERTINENT CODE                  (LOCATION 490C)__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     The above-described programs illustrate the preparatory steps in the asynchronous programs necessary for starting a separation mode. Up to this point, the asynchronous programs have actually been executed several times. As conditions changed during separation mode preparation, different branches of the programs were correspondingly executed. 
     If a flush of the interim storage unit 40 is required, any separation mode run must wait until the interim storage unit 40 is empty. When the start button has been pushed, sensed, and honored, the photoconductor drum 20 rotates supplying EC and synchronization pulses from the emitter wheel 46. These pulses are detected by interrupting the asynchronous programs so that the synchronous programs are executed in synchronization with the rotation of the photoconductor drum 20. For each rotation of photoconductor drum 20, each of the synchronous programs 262 will be executed twice. As a result of those repetitive executions, the copy production machine 10 is synchronously operated while being simultaneously asynchronously monitored and controlled by the asynchronous programs 260, 261. 
     By virtue of the interrupt procedure, the synchronous programs 262 have priority over the asynchronous programs except when the interrupts are masked. When an EC pulse is received from the emitter wheel 46, the respective synchronous program must be executed immediately to ensure proper operation of the copy production machine 10. The control exercised by the processor via the synchronous programs 262 is based upon a machine state field CR contained in status registers 263 and the timing pulses ECO-EC16 supplied by the emitter wheel 46. In a constructed embodiment of the invention, the CR field contains eight bits, CR1 to CR8, plus some other bits not pertinent to understanding the operation of the synchronous program 262. Generally, the bit positions correspond to general functions of the copy production machine 10 with respect to the travel of copy sheets through the machine. Other functions may be performed in accordance with the bit pattern which, however, is not important for an understanding of the invention. In general, CR1 indicates that a copy sheet should be picked from the selected source. Machine functions indicated by bit CR2 are primarily preparatory steps for image transfer from the photoconductor drum 20 to the copy sheet. Included in the preparatory steps are lamp control, magnetic brush checking, SADF 11 control, and the like. The bit positions CR3 and CR4 are primarily related to image transfer controls such as fuser opening and closing, early exit arrivals, detach of copy sheets from the photoconductor drum 20 and the like. The CR5 bit indicates certain post-image-transfer housekeeping chores. The bits CR6, CR7, and CR8 are primarily related to collator controls. The processor is programmed to maintain machine status with respect to each copy sheet being transferred through the machine by inserting a binary one in the respective bit positions such that the associated machine functions can be appropriately performed. The meshing of the timing pulses EC0-EC16 with the CR fields follows the same timing control techniques used by prior relay control machines such as the IBM Copier II manufactured by the International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, New York. 
     The ECO program (FIG. 11) performs some of the preparatory steps necessary for beginning an image cycle. Many functions are performed during this particular synchronous program including nonpertinent code represented at location 6DE9. Because of the extremely high speed program execution, the order of execution of synchronous programs 262 in some instances can be somewhat independent of the order in which the machine actually functions and are executed several times for many individual functions of the machine 10. For clarity and to avoid describing the program repetitions, the description will follow program execution rather than machine functions. 
     At the step 6E25, the processor checks whether the CR2 bit is set. If reset, no pertinent action is taken and the program is exited via the nonpertinent code at the step 6EBC. If set, certain pertinent preparatory steps are performed. Execution of this program assumes that a copy sheet has already been picked. After sensing CR2 set, the processor determines whether preconditioning is occurring at the step 6E29. The term &#34;preconditioning&#34; is defined in copending, commonly assinged patent application Ser. No. 649,755, filed Jan. 15, 1976 and now U.S. Pat. No. 4,036,556. If preconditioning is occurring, then no copy sheets will be transported and the ECO code is exited via the nonpertinent code at step 6EBC. Otherwise, the processor by the step 6E2E increments the value in the Copy-CounTeR-SAVE counter to be one greater than the value of the copy counter. At the step 6E3F, the processor checks whether there is a stop or error condition. If there is, the program is exited via the nonpertinent code at step 6EBC. If, one the other hand, the condition of the machine 10 is error-free, then the processor at step 6E53 checks whether the SIDE 2 flag is set. If set, then the processor checks by the step 6E58 whether the ISU 40 is not empty. If the ISU 40 has copies in it, then the processor at step 6E5D checks whether the separation mode is set and whether the copy select value (CNT) is greater than the collator capacity (COL). If both conditions are true, then the collator overflow flag is set by the step 6E7A so that the copies being produced will be produced from the duplex tray and the copies in excess of the collator capacity will be exited to the copy output tray 14A. On the other hand, if either condition of the branch step 6E5D is not true, then the CR1 bit is set at step 6E7F in preparation for picking a copy sheet from the designated paper supply. If the ISU 40 is empty at the step 6E58, then the END flag is set by the step 6E89. Nonpertinent code at location 6E98 is executed before performing the step 6EA9 for detecting whether the copy-counter save value is less than the copy select value. If less, then copies are yet to be produced and CR1 is set at the top step 6EAD. On the other hand, if the counter save value is not less than the copy select value, the run is over and the END flag is set at step 6EB2. The program is exited via the nonpertinent code beginning with the step 6EBC. 
     The program details for the above flowchart are set forth below in Table VII. 
     
                                           TABLE VII__________________________________________________________________________EC0 CODELOC OBJ OP1 OP2     SOURCE STATEMENT__________________________________________________________________________NONPERTINENT CODE               2. . IF CR26E25    E4  0004          LR  CRREG CR REGISTERS&#39; REGISTER6E26    96  0006          TP  CR2   TEST IF CR2 IS ACTIVE6E27    3DB8   6EB8          BZ  EC0E  IF CR2 NOT ACTIVE BRANCH TO CR6 TEST               2. . THEN               3. . . IF  PRECOND                 TPB PSB07,PRECOND6E29    A647   00476E2B    90  00006E2C    3CB8   6EB8          BNZ EC0E               3. . . THEN               4. . . . CCTRSAVE=CPYCTR+ 16E2E    E7  0007          LR  CPYCTR6E2F    2E                A16E30    85  0005          STR CCTRSAVE6E31    AB0F   000F          NI  X&#39;0F&#39;6E33    AB0A   000A          CI  106E35    6F  6E3F          JNE EC0D3A16E36    E5  0005          LR  CCTRSAVE6E37    AC06   0006          AI  66E39    A A0   00A0          CI  X&#39;A0&#39;6E3B    6E  6E3E          JNE EC0D3A6E3C    AC60   0060          AI  X&#39;60&#39;   6E3E  EC0D3A  DC  *6E3E    85  0005          STR CCTRSAVE   6E3F  EC0D3A1 DC  *               4. . . . IF  STOP2 &amp; TNRFAIL &amp; TNRCPP &amp; COLSTOP                 TPB PSB23,STOP26E3F    A657   00576E41    91  00016E42    3CB8   6EB8          BNZ EC0E6E44    A65D   005D          LB  CPP                 TSM P(TNRFAIL,TNRCPP)6E46    AF82   00826E48    3CB8   6EB8          BNZ EC0E                 SRG COLRG6E4A    A9D0   00D0                 TPB CPSB08,COLSTOP6E4C    A619   00196E4E    97  0007                 SRG INTHRG6E4F    A9C8   00C86E51    3CB8   6EB8          BNZ EC0E               4. . . . THEN               5. . . . . IF SIDE --2 ACTIVE                 TPB PS20,DPXSIDE26E53    A654   00546E55    95  00056E56    3DA9   6EA9          BZ  EC0D3               5. . . . . THEN   6E58  EC0D    DC  *               6. . . . . . IF COPIES IN DUPLEX                 RIN CSB066E58    A6C5   00C56E5A    92  0002          TP  CPYINDP6E5B    3D89   6E89          BZ  EC0D1               6. . . . . . THEN               7. . . . . . . IF COLLATE IND &amp; (CCTRSAVE &gt;19 -39 IF               MOD2 PRESENT)               &amp; SEPSLCT=0 &amp;  COLOFLO                 TPB PCB06,COLATIND6E5D    A675   00756E5F    91  00016E60    3D7F   6E7F          BZ  EC0W016E62    25                CLA                 RIN CSB146E63    A6D5   00D56E65    96  0006          TP  MD2PRES6E66    AE19   0019          LI  X&#39;19&#39;  19 COPIES6E68    4B  6E6B          JZ  EC0W026E69    AE39   0039          LI  X&#39;39&#39;  39 COPIES6E6B    C5  0005  EC0W02  SR  CCTRSAVE6E6C    3F7F   6E7F          BNL EC0W01                 SRG BASERG6E6E    A9C9   00C96E70    25                CLA6E71    D9  0009          AR  SEPSLCT6E72    3C7F   6E7F          BNZ EC0W01                 SRG COLRG6E74    A9D0   00D0                 TPB CPSB04,COLOFLO6E76    A609   00096E78    95  00056E79    6F  6E7F          JNZ EC0W01               7. . . . . . . THEN               8. . . . . . . . SET COLOFLOR6E7A    AF40   0006          TS  COLOFLOR6E7C    A109   0009          STB CPSB046E7E    05  6E85          J   EC0W03               7. . . . . . . ELSE         EC0W01  EQU *               8. . . . . . . . SET CR1                 SRG INTHRG6E7F    A9C8   00C86E81    E4  0004          LR  CRREG6E82    AF80   0007          TS  CR16E84    84  0004          STR CRREG               7. . . . . . . ENDIF         EC0W03  SRG INTHRG6E85    A9C8   00C86E87    2CA8   6EA8          B   EC0D2               6. . . . . . ELSE   6E89  EC0D1   DC  *               7. . . . . . . SET END=1                 TSB PSB03,END6E89    A643   00436E8B    AF80   00076E8D    A143   0043               NONPERTINENT CODE               6. . . . . . IF CCTRSAVE LESS THAN CPYSLCT6EA9    E5  0005          LR  CCTRSAVE6EAA    C9  0009          SR  CPYSLCT6EAB    3FB2   6EB2          BNL EC0D4               6. . . . . . THEN               7. . . . . . . SET CR1=16EAD    E4  0004          LR  CRREG6EAE    AF80   0007          TS  CR16EB0    84  0004          STR CRREG6EB1    08  6EB8          J   ECOE               6. . . . . . ELSE   6EB2  EC0D4   DC  *               7. . . . . . . SET END=1                 TSB PSB03,END6EB2    A643   00436EB4    AF80   00076EB6    A143   0043               6. . . . . . ENDIF               5. . . . . ENDIF               4. . . . ENDIF               3. . . ENDIF               2. . ENDIF               NONPERTINENT CODE__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     In FIG. 20, the ECOCR1 program is shown. In the sequence of machine preparation for copy production, EC0-CR1 code has an effect before the ECO code of FIG. 11. In EC0-CR1, the processor checks by the step 7006 whether there are no-paper modes, i.e., the machine operation will not require transport of copy sheets from any of the paper supplies. If it is a no-paper mode, there is no need to pick paper so the entire program is bypassed. If, on the other hand, a paper mode is indicated, the processor checks the CR1 bit at the step 7011. If the CR1 field bit is not set, it is not time to pick paper so the remaining code is bypassed. If CR1 is set, then the truck flags are reset at the step 7015. The trucks are the mechanisms in the copy production machine 10 which reach into the paper supply bins to remove a copy sheet for copy production or for separation sheets. Such devices are shown in the IBM TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE BULLETIN, February 1974 on pages 2966 and 2967. With the trucks being reset to an out-of-supply bin, a no-pick position, the processor can select from which of the supplies to pick a copy sheet. 
     At the step 701A, the processor checks the separate standby (SEPSTBY) flag. If it is set, the separation mode is being performed so the alternate truck for the supply 54 is selected by the step 701E. Nonpertinent code is executed beginning at location 7028 and this synchronous program is exited to other ECO codes (not shown) which are not pertinent to the present invention. 
     
                                           TABLE VIII__________________________________________________________________________EC0 CR1 CODELOC   OBJ OP1     OP2        SOURCE STATEMENT__________________________________________________________________________        BEGIN EC0CR1        1. IF  PRECOND &amp; CENOPAPR         TPB PSB07,PRECOND7006   A647  00477008   90  00007009   3C7D  707D   BNZ EC0K5700B   A662  0062   LB  CEMODE700D   A803  0003   CI  CENOPAPR700F   3D7D  707D   BE  EC0K5        1. THEN        2. . IF CR17011   E4  0004   LR  CRREG7012   97  0007   TP  CR17013   3D7D  707D   BZ  EC0K5        2. . THEN        3. . . RESET ALL TRUCKS7015   A671  0071   LB  PCB02         TRM P (DPLXTRCK,ALTTRUCK,PRMTRCK) RESET ALL TRUCKS FIRST7017   ABE3  00E37019   29         TRA        3. . . IF SEPSTBY         TPB PLSTNDBY,SEPSTBY701A   A653  0053701C   95  0005701D   43  7023   JZ  EC0K1  *GO TO NEXT TEST IF NOT SEPARATION        3. . . THEN        4. . . . SET ALTERNATE TRUCK701E   29         TRA RETURN TRUCK STATUS BYTE701F   AF08  0003   TS  ALTTRUCK SET ALTERNATE TRUCK7021   2C61  7061   B   EC0K4        NONPERTINENT CODE__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     The next synchronous program pertinent to practicing the present invention is the EC2 routine shown in FIG. 13. After the nonpertinent code at location 7188, the processor checks at step 718A whether the separate indicator (SEPARIND) is set plus some other conditions set forth in Table IX. If it is not set and the other conditions are met, the original on the platen of the SADF 11 is exited by the step 71B5. Otherwise, the &#34;Remove Original Light&#34; (not shown) on the panel 52 is illuminated by the step 71C0. At step 71C6, the REmove COPY 1 flag is tested. If set, then at step 71CB the indicated flags and the CR field are reset. Nonpertinent code is executed at step 71DC and the program is exited. The program details are shown below in Table IX. 
     
                                           TABLE IX__________________________________________________________________________EC2 CODELOC   OBJ OP1     OP2   SOURCE STATEMENT__________________________________________________________________________           NONPERTINENT CODE           5. . . . . IF                      ( COLBNFL &amp; SEPARATE &amp;( B4 |( BNLGTB4                      &amp; (SELPAPE                      |SELPAPD |SELPAPC                      |SELPAPB)) |(SELPAPE &amp;                      IMPACTU)                      |((SELPAPD |SELPAPC                      |SELPAPB) &amp;IMPACTU)))               RIN    CSB14718A   A6D5  00D5718C   91  0001         TP     COLBNFL718D   3CC0  71C0         BNZ    EC2COL3               TPB    PCB06,SEPARIND -- Separate mode.718F   A677  00777191   92  00027192   3CC0  71C0         BNZ    EC2COL3 -- EC2 time.7194   A6A1  01A1         LBL    COUNTRY7196   92  0002         TP     B47197   3DB5  71B5         BZ     EC2COL2E               RIN    CSB137199   A6D4  00D4719B   29               TRA               RIN    CSB14719C   A6D5  00D5719E   97  0007         TP     BNLGTB4719F   29               TRA71A0   65  71A5         JNZ    EC2COL2A71A1   AB1E  001E         NI     P(SELPAPE,SELPAPD,SELPAPC,SELPAPB)71A3   3CB5  71B5         BNZ    EC2COL2E  71A5  EC2COL2A               DC     *71A5   94  0004         TP     SELPAPE71A6   4C  71AC         JZ     EC2COL2B71A7   A681  0181         LBL    PSB6571A9   90  0000         TP     IMPACTU71AA   45  71B5         JZ     EC2COL2E71AB   03  71B3         J      EC2COL2C  71AC  EC2COL2B               DC     *71AC   AB0E  000E         NI     P(SELPAPD,SELPAPC,SELPAPB)71AE   43  71B3         JZ EC2COL2C71AF   A681  0181         LBL    PSB6571B1   90  0000         TP     IMPACTU71B2   65  71B5         JNZ    EC2COL2E  71B3  EC2COL2C               DC     *71B3   2CC0             B      EC2COL3           5. . . . . THEN  71B5  EC2COL2E               DC     *           6. . . . . . EXITOFLO=1 -- Exit original from SADF.               SRG    COLRG71B5   A9D0  00D0               TSB    CPSB05,EXITOFLO71B7   A616  001671B9   AF20  000571BB   A116  0016               SRG    INTHRG71BD   A9C8  00C871BF   06  71C6         J      EC2COL4           5. . . . . ELSE  71C0  EC2COL3               DC     *           6. . . . . . REMOCOPYI=1               TSB    PCB05,REMCOPYI71C0   A676  007671C2   AF01  000071C4   A176  0076           5. . . . . ENDIF           4. . . . ENDIF           3. . . ENDIF  71C6  EC2COL4               DC     *           3. . . IF REMCOPYI               TPB    PCB05,REMCOPYI71C6   A676  007671C8   90  000071C9   3DDC  71DC         BZ     EC2A           3. . . THEN           4. . . . DEACTIVATE CR1 &amp;RESET           (CRB,CRA,CRA0,CRA1,CRA3,CRA4,CRA5)71CB   E4  0004         LR     CRREG     LOAD OR REGISTERS&#39; REGISTER71CC   B7  0007         TR     CR1       DEACTIVATE CR171CD   84  0004         STR    CRREG     STORE OR REGISTERS&#39; REGISTER71CE   25               CLA    CLEAR ACCUM71CF   A114  0014         STB    CRHI      RESET HIGH BYTE OF CR REGISTER           4. . . . RESET STARTL               TRB    PSB22,STARTL71D1   A656  005671D3   B6  000671D4   A156  0056           4. . . . RESET FLUSH --PLEASE --STANDBY (FLSHPLSB) AND           SEPARATION --PLEASE --STANDBY (SEPSTBY)               TRMB   PLSTNDBY,P(FLSHPLSB,SEPSTBY)71D6   A653  005371D8   ABDB  00DB71DA   A153  0053           3. . . ENDIF           2. . ENDIF           1. ENDIF           NONPERTINENT CODE__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     The computer responds to the EC5 routine with respect to the separation mode as shown in FIG. 14. First, the CR2 bit is checked by the step 7367 whether the inner image erase lamp should be turned off as the image area is just beginning to pass the interimage erase lamp 30E. At step 736C, a check whether the next operation is not auxiliary to copy production is made. During auxiliary operations (copies not produced) such as the separation mode, the inner image erase lamp 30E is left on to erase the image area. A flush mode, separate mode, preconditioning, or other auxiliary functions of a copy production machine require no image transfers. If copy production is to ensue, then the inter-image erase lamp 30E is turned off by the step 737F to allow an image to be imposed upon the image area of the photoconductor drum 20. Nonpertinent code at location 7386 completes the EC5 code. The program details are in Table X. 
     Similarly, the EC6 code shown in FIG. 15 enables the computer to control the document lamp. After the nonpertinent code at location 73E5, the processor at step 73E9 checks CR2 and END, i.e., whether this is the last time CR2 will be used in the particular copy production run. If so, then at step 73F2 the processor checks for separation mode (SEPSTBY) and a delay start, i.e., whether this is a leading separation mode run which is a separation mode run followed by copy production run. If so, then the document lamp is turned on by the step 73FA. Otherwise, nonpertinent code at location 7402 is executed. The program details are shown in Table XI. 
     
                                           TABLE X__________________________________________________________________________EC5 CODELOC   OBJ OP1    OP2       SOURCE STATEMENT__________________________________________________________________________       BEGIN EC5 CODE 7367    DC    *       1. IF CR27367   A604 0004    LB    CRREG   LOAD CR REGISTERS&#39; REGISTER7369   96 0006    TP    CR2     TEST FOR CR2736A   3D86 7386    BZ    EC5A    IF CR2 NOT ACTIVE JUMP TO CR3 TEST       1. THEN       2. . IF  FLUSH &amp;  FUSER BYPASS &amp;  PRECOND &amp; ( SEPSTBY)         TP    PLSTNDBY,FSRPLSB736C   A653 0053736E   91 0001736F   3C86 7386    BNZ   EC5A7371   A647 0047    LB    PSB07GET STATUS         TSM   P(PRECOND,FLUSH)7373   AF03 00037375   3C86 7386    BNZ   EC5A         TPB   PLSTNDBY,SEPSTBY7377   A653 00537379   95 0005737A   4F 737F    JZ    EC5S1737B   EE 000E    LR    ACRREG737C   ABF0 00F0    NI    X&#39;F0&#39;737E   46 7386    JZ    EC5A       2. . THEN 737F    DC EC551               *       3. . . INTERIMAGE ERASE OFF737F   A67D 007D    LB    PCB157381   B4 0004    TR    INTIMGER         STOUT 157382   A17D 007D    STB   PCB157384   A1D6 00D6    STB   CCB15       2. . ENDIF       1. . ENDIF       NONPERTINENT CODE__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     
                                           TABLE XI__________________________________________________________________________EC6 CODELOC OBJ OP1      OP2  SOURCE STATEMENT         1.           IF CR2 &amp; END 73E9    E4  0004     LR              CRREG       GET CR REG73EA    96  0006     TP              CR2         SEE IF CR273EB    3512   7412     BZ              EC6B        *GO IF YES            TPB             PSB03,END73ED    A643   004373EF    97  000773F0    3512   7412     BZ              EC6B         1.           THEN         2.           . IF SEPSTBY &amp; DELAYSTL            TPB             PLSTNDBY,SEPSTBY73F2    A653   005373F4    95  000573F5    42  7402     JZ              EC6A            TPB             PSB03,DELAYSTL73F6    A643   004373F8    92  000273F9    42  7402     JZ              EC6A         2.           . THEN         3.           . . DOCLAMP      ON           TSB              PCB12,DOCLAMP73FA    A67A   007A73FC    AF10   000473FE    A17A   007A7400    2C12   7412    B                EC6B           NONPERTINENT CODE__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     The EC10 routine, among other things, provides for incrementing certain counters. As seen in FIG. 16, after executing the nonpertinent code at location 77CC which verifies that CR2 is set and that paper has been satisfactorily picked, the copy counter (CPYCTR) is incremented by the step 77E4. This counter is used to count the number of separation sheets used during the separation mode as well as counting copies in copy production runs. Following more nonpertinent code at location 77E6, which includes a series of branches and counting steps not directly pertinent to the separation mode, the step 77EC senses whether an auxiliary function is being performed. If an auxiliary function is not being performed, the ACR1 register is incremented by the step 781F. The ACR register contains a count indicating the number of copies produced from a given image and is used primarily for copy error recovery. ACR1 is also a count which keeps a tally of the number of copies in the paper path when one image is being produced or, if no images are being transferred, counts separation sheets. The code from location 77F8 through location 781A concerns counting steps pertinent to copy production. More nonpertinent code at location 7820 or from a branch of nonpertinent code at step 77E2 is executed before the program is exited. The Table XII below shows the program details. 
     
                                           TABLE XII__________________________________________________________________________EC10 COUNT CONTROL CODELOC OBJ OP1 OP2          SOURCE STATEMENT__________________________________________________________________________          4. . . . INCREMENT COPY COUNTER-CPYCTR=CCTRSAVE77E4    E5  0005     LR  CCTRSAVE77E5    B7  0007     STR CPYCTR          4. . . . IF                CENOPAPR77E6    A662   0062     LB  CEMODE  GET CEMODE77E8    A803   0003     CI  CENOPAPR                        SEE IF CE NO PAPER MODE77EA    3520   7820     BE  EC10B   *GO IF YES          4. . . . THEN          5. . . . . IF  FLUSH &amp; (SEPACTV &amp; ACR2=0)77EC    A647   0047     LB  PSB07     GET STATUS77EE    91  0001     TP  FLUSH     TEST FOR FLUSH77EF    341F   781F     BNZ EC10D377F1    93  0003     TP  SEPACTV   TEST FOR SEPATATION MODE77F2    48  77F8     JZ  EC10Z     *GO IF NO77F3    EE  000E     LR  ACRREG    LOAD ACR REGISTER77F4    ABF0   00F0     NI  X&#39;F0&#39;     TEST VALUE OF ACR277F6    351F   781F     BZ  EC10D3    *GO IF 0          5. . . . . THEN   77F8       EC10Z            DC  *          6. . . . . . IF CPYCTR&lt;=9977F8    25           CLA CLEAR ACCUM77F9    A417   0017     AB  CPYCTHI77FB    341F   781F     BNE EC10D3          6. . . . . . THEN          7. . . . . . . IF CPYCTR&lt;MULTVAL177FD    A6B6   01B6     LBL MULTVAL1            SHLM                477FF    2B7800    2B7801    2B7802    2B7803    A7B7   01B7     OBL MULTVAL1+17805    A207   0007     SB  CPYCTLU            JNC EC10D27807    2D7808    4E  780E          7. . . . . . . THEN          8. . . . . . . . INCREMENT MINTCT17809    A644   0044     LB  PSB04780B    2E           A1780C    A144   0044     STB PSB04          7. . . . . . . ENDIF   780E       EC10D2            DC  *          7. . . . . . . IF CRYCTR&lt;MULTVAL2780E    A6BE   01BE     LBL MULTVAL2            SHLM                47810    2B7811    2B7812    2B7813    2B7814    A7BF   01BF     OBL MULTVAL2+17816    A207   0007     SB  CPYCTLO            JNC EC10D37818    2D7819    4F  781F          7. . . . . . . THEN          8. . . . . . . . INCREMENT MINTCT2781A    A651   0051     LB  PSB17781C    2E           A1781D    A151   0051     STB PSB17          7. . . . . . . ENDIF          6. . . . . . ENDIF          5. . . . . ENDIF   781F       EC10D3            DC  *          5. . . . . INCREMENT ACR1781F    FE  000E     LRB ACRREG          4. . . . ENDIF          3. . . ENDIF__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     The last synchronous program portion to be described is EC16 shown in FIG. 17. After executing nonpertinent code at location 7ACF, the status of the CR3 bit is sensed by the step 7AD9. If set, then at step 7ADD the processor senses whether the separation mode is not active and whether the duplex mode is active. If true, the step 7AE9 moves the duplex vane down so that copies will go to the ISU 40. On the other hand, if the separate mode is active or the duplex mode is inactive, then the step 7AEE enables the processor to move the duplex vane up for directing copy sheets to the output section 14. 
     At step 7AF5 the processor checks CR2, SEParate STandBY, and END to ascertain whether the last separation sheet has been picked from the alternate paper bin 54. If so, then the step 7B03 enables the processor to reset SEParate STandBY, SEPARate INDicator and the SELect Primary Paper bin flags. 
     Following the step 7B03, the processor checks by step 7B03 whether the separation selection value is greater than zero. If so, then by the step 7B15, the previous separation select value (PRVSLCT) is compared for equality with the present separation select value. The previous select is a stored value for indicating to other programs the number of separation sheets transported during the previous separation mode run. If equal, the processor at step 7B1C clears the separation select value to zero (end of the separation run). 
     If, on the other hand, the separation select at step 7BOF were not greater than zero, i.e., equal to zero, then at step 7B20, the copy select count is made equal to the previous separation select count. 
     At step 7B26, the program paths join where the computer senses whether there is an outstanding start request. If so, the STart Latch REQuest flag is set by the step 7B2A. At step 7B30, the processor checks whether the copies previously made used copy sheets from the primary paper bin 35. If the copies were made from the primary bin, which is the usual case, the alternate light is turned off and the primary bin is selected at 7B35. After executing nonpertinent code at 7B4C, the program is exited. If the branch at step 7AF5 indicates that the end of the separation run has not occurred or that other conditions outside the realm of separation runs have occurred, the program is then exited via the nonpertinent code 7B4C. The program details for the above-described flowchart are shown in Table XIII. 
     
                                           TABLE XIII__________________________________________________________________________EC16 SEPARATION MODE CODELOC OBJ OP1 OP2 SOURCE STATEMENT__________________________________________________________________________            1. IF CR37AD9    E4  0004       LR   CRREG  GET CR REGISTER7ADA    95  0005       TP   CR3    TEST FOR CR37ADB    3DF5   7AF5       BZ   EC16C  *GO IF NO            1. THEN            2. . IF  SEPACTV &amp;DUPLEX IND &amp; SIDE2              TPB  PSB07,SEPACTV7ADD    A647   00477ADF    93  00037AE0    6E  7AEE       JNZ  EC16B  *GO IF YES              TPB  PCB05,DPLXIND7AE1    A676   00767AE3    92  00027AE4    4E  7AEE       JZ   EC16B  *GO IF NO              TPB  PSB20,DPXSIDE27AE5    A654   00547AE7    95  00057AE8    6E  7AEE       JNZ  EC16B  *GO IF YES            2. . THEN            3. . . DUPLEX VANE DOWN7AE9    A673   0073       LB   PCB02  GET STATUS7AEB    AF40   0006       TS   DPLXVANE7AED    01  7AF1       J    EC16B1 * CONTINUE            2. . ELSE   7AEE  EC16B              DC   *            3. . . DUPLEX VANE UP7AEE    A673   0073       LB   PCB02  GET STATUS7AF0    B6  0006       TR   DPLXVANE   7AF1  EC16B1              DC   *              STOUT                   027AF1    A173   0073       STB                 PCB027AF3    A1C1   00C1       STB                 CCB02            2. . ENDIF   7AF5  EC16C              DC   *            1. ENDIF            1. IF CR2 &amp;END &amp;SEPSTBY7AF5    E4  0004       LR   CRREG  GET CR REGISTER7AF6    96  0006       TP   CR2    TEST FOR CR27AF7    354C   7B4C       BZ   EC16E  *GO IF NO              TPB  PSB03,END7AF9    A643   00437AFB    97  00077AFC    354C   7B4C       BZ   EC16E  *GO IF END NOT SET7AFE    A653   0053       LB   PLSTNDBY7B00    B5  0005       TR   SEPSTBY7B01    3D4C   7B4C       BZ   EC16E  *GO IF NOT SEPARATE            1. THEN            2. . RESET SEPSTBY,SEPARATION LIGHT,SELPRPLI7B03    A153   0053       STB  PLSTNDBY              TRB  PCB06,SEPARIND7B05    A677   00777B07    B2  00027B08    A177   0077              TRB  PCB13,SELPRPLI7B0A    A67D   007D7B0C    B4  00047B0D    A17D   007D            2. . IF SEPSLCT&gt;07B0F    25             CLA              SRG  BASERG7B10    A9C9   00C97B12    D9  0009       AR   SEPSLCT7B13    3D20   7B20       BZ   EC16C5            2. . THEN            3. . . IF PRVSLCT=SEPSLCT              SRG  COLRG7B15    A9D0   00D07B17    EA  000A       LR   PRVSLCT              SRG  BASERG7B18    A9C9   00C97B1A    C9  0009       SR   SEPSLCT7B1B    6D  7B1D       JNZ  EC16C1            3. . . THEN            4. . . . SEPSLCT=07B1C    89  0009       STR  SEPSLCT            3. . . ENDIF         EC16C1              SRG  INTHRG7B1D    A9CB   00C87B1F    06  7B26       J    EC16C7            2. . ELSE   7B20  EC16C5              DC   *            3. . . CPYSLCT=PRVSLCT              SRG  COLRG7B20    A9D0   00D07B22    EA  000A       LR   PRVSLCT              SRG  INTHRG7B23    A9C8   00C87B25    89  0009       STR  CPYSLCT            2. . ENDIF   7B26  EC16C7              DC   *            2. . IF DELAYSTL              TPB  PSB03,DELAYSTL7B26    A643   00437C28    92  00027B29    40  7B30       JZ   EC16D            2. . THEN            3. . . SET STLREQ              TSB  PSB22,STLREQ7B2A    A656   00567B2C    AF80   00077B2E    A156   0056            2. . ENDIF   7B30  EC16D              DC   *            2. . IF SEPPRI              TPB  PSB05,SEPPRI7B30    A645   00457B32    93  00037B33    3D4C   7B4C       BZ   EC16E            2. . THEN            3. . . TURN OFF ALTERNATE BIN LIGHT              TRB  PCB05,ALTPAPI7B35    A676   00767B37    B1  00017B38    A176   0076            3. . . PICK PRIMARY TRUCK (RESET OTHERS)7B3A    A673   0073       LB   PCB02              TRM  P(ALTTRUCK,DPLXTRCK)7B3C    ABF3   00F37B3E    AF10   0004       TS   PRMTRCK7B40    A173   0073       STB  PCB02            3. . . SET PRIMPICK (RESET OTHERS)7B42    A670   0070       LB   PCB167B44    AF08   0003       TS   PRIMPICK              TRM  P(ALTPICK,DUPPICK)7B46    ABCF   00CF              STOUT                   167B48    A170   0070       STB                 PCB167B4A    A1DA   00DA       STB  CCB16            2. . ENDIF            1. ENDIF__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     Interleaved with execution of the synchronous programs are the asynchronous programs 260, 261. The asynchronous programs 261 are directed toward job control of the copy production machine 10. These programs tie the various copy production runs and separation runs and flush runs together for completing a job, particularly as to extending logically the storage capacity of the collators in the output section 14. 
     A first of these job control asynchronous programs is shown in FIG. 18 which is executed each time the machine 10 stops, i.e., when the photoconductor drum 20 has stopped rotating. At this time, many tasks have to be performed by the processor relating to the next startup of the copy production machine 10 so that job continuity can be preserved or so that a job can be terminated. The programming at the end of such a run is quite complex, having an effect on all the operational features of the copy production machine. Accordingly, the nonpertinent code indicated at 4256, 420B, and 4286 is substantial. That portion of the ACRCOAST routine that pertains to the separation mode includes the step 425C by which the processor senses whether the copy production machine is in a separation mode run (SEPACTV). If it is, then at step 4261 the processor resets the ENABLED flag, thereby disabling the processor from sensing input operating parameters. At the step 4266, the processor determines whether the value in a copy recovery register ACR2 is greater than zero. If it is greater than zero, then an ensuing copy production run will be overlapped with the present separation run. This overlap is indicated by delaying the start at step 426B by setting the DELAYSTL flag. The delayed start memorizes that a start has been requested and will be used by other programs executed by the processor. 
     At step 4271, the processor sets the separate indicate flag SEPARIND which turns on the separate indicator light associated within the switch 57 on the panel 52. The alternate paper supply 54 is selected. At the step 427D, the processor determines whether the collate mode has been selected by the operator. If so, the nonpertinent code at location 4286 is executed. On the other hand, if collate was not selected, then the copy select value is set equal to one at the step 427F. Thus, only one separation sheet will be supplied in a noncollate mode to the exit tray 14A. The program details associated with the flowchart are listed in Table XIV below. 
     
                                           TABLE XIV__________________________________________________________________________ACR COASTLOC OBJ OP1 OP2  SOURCE STATEMENT__________________________________________________________________________            2. . IF SEPACTV              TPB    PSB07,SEPACTV425C    A647   0047425E    93  0003425F    3D86   4286       BZ     ACRCP02            2. . THEN            3. . . RESET ENABLED              TRB    PSB42,ENABLED4261    A66A   006A4263    B7  00074264    A16A   006A            3. . . IF ACR2]04266    A60E   000E       LB     ACRREGLO4268    ABF0   00F0       NI     X&#39;F0&#39;426A    41  4271       JZ     ACRCPX1            3. . . THEN            4. . . . SET DELAYSTL - IMPLIES SEPARATION OVERLAPPED BY            COPY              TSB    PSB03,DELAYSTL426B    A643   0043426D    AF04   0002426F    A143   0043            3. . . ENDIF       ACRCPX1              EQU    *            3. . . SET ALTPAPI, SEPARIND              TSB    PCB05,ALTPAPI4271    A676   00764273    AF02   00014275    A176   0076              TSB    PCB06,SEPARIND                                 PCB06 LEFT IN ACCUM FOR NEXT                                 INSTR.4277    A677   00774279    AF04   0002427B    A177   0077            3. . . IF .COLATIND427D    91  0001       TP     COLATIND    PCB06 STILL IN ACCUM FROM PRV.                                 INSTR427E    66  4286       JNZ    ACRCP02            3. . . THEN            4. . . . CPYSLCT=1427F    25             CLA4280    2E             Al              SRG    INTHRG4281    A9C8   00C84283    89  0009       STR    CPYSLCT              SRG    BASERG4284    A9C9   00C9            3. . . ENDIF            2. . ENDIF            NONPERTINENT CODE__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     An important job control asynchronous program ACRDEC is shown in FIG. 19. The ACR count fields are divided into a plurality of subfields. For example, ACR1 is a count field indicating a number of copies of a given image just entering the copy path of the copy production machine 10. ACR2 is a count field of copies of a single image different from and preceding the copies associated with ACR1. Similarly, ACR3, -4, -5 and so forth, indicate the number of copies of preceding images. As copies leave the copy path as sensed by the switches S2 through S4 (FIG. 1), the highest order, non-zero ACR count field is decremented. This ACR is designated as ACRX. Accordingly, as each copy leaves the copy path the processor executes the step 451E to decrement ACRX. As a result, the numerical content of the various ACR count fields indicates the number of copies of each respective image currently in the copy production routine copy path. 
     After decrementing ACRX, the processor by step 4558 determines whether ACR2 or 3 has just been decremented to zero. If either of these have been decremented to zero, the ENDRUN flag is set at step 4563. This flag indicates that the copy path now contains the copies of the last image. When more than one ACR count field is nonzero, the number of copies made from each image is less than that necessary to fill the copy path completely. When the higher numbered ACRs have all been decremented to zero, including ACR2 or 3, then only the copies of the last image remain in the copy path. The ENDRUN flag is an indication that the end of a run is imminent. 
     At step 4569, the processor senses whether ACR2 is equal to zero and whether the STOP2 flag is set. If so, then at step 4572 the processor flags that no copy recovery (NOACR and ACRREQ=0) is required and that there is no requirement for emptying the ISU 40 (AUTOFLSH=0). Next, some nonpertinent code at location 457A is executed. 
     The step 4583 determines whether an error recovery request has been made. If not, nonpertinent code beginning at location 45DE is executed. Otherwise, certain recovery code indicated at step 4588 is executed. 
     At step 45DD, the processor resets the END flag, sets the SIDE2 flag and resets the error recovery request. After executing nonpertinent code location 45A4, the step 45C7 checks whether the ISU 40 is to be emptied (AUTOFLSH). If so, the AUTOFLSH flag is reset, the FLUSH is set indicating that the ISU 40 will be emptied, START F flag is set, and the duplex light on the panel 52 is extinguished. After executing the nonpertinent code at location 45DD, the processor checks by the step 4600 whether the flush indicator is set. If set, then at step 4605 the processor checks whether the stop indicator is set or the ISU 40 is empty. If either one of the conditions exist, then at step 460E, the FLUSH flag is reset and ENABLED is set indicating operator selections are permitted because the copy production machine 10 is stopping. 
     By the step 461E, the processor checks whether the ISU 40 is empty. If so, at step 461E the processor resets the SIDE2 flag by step 462A. The program paths join at step 4631 where the processor checks the SIDE2 flag. If it is set, then at step 4635 the processor again checks whether the ISU 40 is empty. If it is empty, the SIDE2 flag is reset by the step 4639. 
     At steps 4640 and 4645, the processor checks the ENDRUN flag and whether separate is active. If both conditions exist, then at step 464A, the processor resets the SEParate ACTiVe flag, sets the ENABLED flag for enabling operator input, and resets the TraiLing SEParator flag. From an operator view, when the separate indicator at the button 57 goes off, additional parameters can be entered. When SEPTACTV is reset, other programs, as described, reset SEPARIND. 
     At step 4657, the processor checks whether any ACR has been decremented to zero and whether the TRaiLing SEParator has been reset. If the conditions exist, then by step 4661 the copy select count is made equal to the separate select value, i.e., the number of copies to be produced will equal the number of separator sheets provided. Also the two values, separate select and previous separate select, are cleared to zero. At step 4672 the processor checks whether the ISU 40 is empty. If not, it sets the SIDE2 flag and clears the ACRLOST value to zero by the step 4676. The ACRLOST value indicates the number of copies lost from ISU 40 in a copy transport malfunction. Nonpertinent code is next executed at location 467F. 
     At step 46A5, the processor checks whether any ACR has been decremented to zero. If so, at step 46AA the paper pick trucks are reset, i.e., returned to their inactive position. Nonpertinent code is then executed at location 46B6. The SEParate INDicator is tested at step 4606 to determine whether a separation mode should be started at step 46E4. Otherwise, nonpertinent code is executed at location 56EC. The program details of the above-described flowchart are shown below in Table XV. 
     
                                           TABLE XV__________________________________________________________________________ACRDECLOC OBJ  OP1 OP2 SOURCE STATEMENT__________________________________________________________________________            BEGIN ACRDEC SUBROUTINE            DECREMENTS THE APPROPRIATE NON-0 ACR -13 X    4518            NOTE: DO NOT USE ACRBILL2, IT WILL BE USED TO DENOTE            THAT ACR2            HAS GONE TO 0, IT CAN BE USED A LITTLE LATER, SEE NEXT            NOTE.NONPERTINENT CODE            DECREMENT ACR --X (WHERE X = 4,3,20R 1: THE FIRST NON-0            COUNTER) . (IF ACR2 GOES TO 0, RESET ACRBILL2)451E    25                  CLA451F    A41E 001E           AB    ACRREGHI4521    3D39 4539           BZ    ACRD008       J MEANS ACR3,4 BOTH 04523    ABF0 00F0           NI    X&#39;F0&#39;4525    A61E 001E           LB    ACRREGHI4527    6F   452F           JNZ   ACRD009       J MEANS ACR4 = 04528    2A                  S1                  DECREMENT ACR34529    A11E 001E           STB   ACRREGHI452B    3D58 4558           BZ    ACRD008C      J MEANS ACR3 DID GO TO 0452D    2C55 4555           B     ACRD007452F    AA10 0010    ACRD009                   SI    X&#39;10&#39;         DECREMENT ACR44531    A11E 001E           STB   ACRREGHI4533    ABF0 00F0           NI    X&#39;F0&#39;4535    3D58 4558           BZ    ACRD008C      J MEANS ACR4 DID GO TO 0&#39;4537    2C55 4555           B     ACRD0074539    A40E 000E    ACRD008                   AB    ACRREGLO453B    3D55 4555           BZ    ACRD007       J MEANS ACR1,2 BOTH 0453D    ABF0 00F0           NI    X&#39;F0&#39;453F    A60E 000E           LB    ACRREGLO4541    68   4548           JNZ   ACRD009A      J MEANS ACR2 = 04542    2A                  S1                  DECREMENT ACR14543    A10E 000E           STB   ACRREGLO4545    3D58 4558           BZ    ACRD008C      J MEANS ACR1 DID GO TO 04547    05   4555           J     ACRD0074548    AA10 0010    ACRD009A                   SI    x&#39;10&#39;         DECREMENT ACR2454A    A10E 000E           STB   ACRREGLO454C    ABF0 00F0           NI    X&#39;F0&#39;454E    65   4555           JNZ   ACRD007       J MEANS ACR2 DID NOT GO TO 0                   TRB   PSB43,ACRBILL2454F    A66B 006B4551    B4   00044552    A16B 006B4554    08   4558           J     ACRD00BC            1. IF THAT ACR --X JUST WENT TO 04555    30FE46    46FE        0000            ACRD007                   BU    ACRD003,R0 ACRD007 MEANS SOME ACR DID NOT                         GOTO 0            ACRD008C                   EQU   * ACRD008C MEANS SOME ACR DID GOTO 0            1. THEN            2. . IF (ACR2 |ACR3 WENT TO 0) |END                   TPB   PSB43,ACRBILL24558    A66B 006B455A    94   0004455B    43   4563           JZ    ACRDY1455C    25                  CLA455D    DE   000E           AR    ACRREG455E    63   4563           JNZ   ACRDY1                   TPB   PSB03,END455F    A643 00434561    97   00074562    49   4569           JZ    ACRDY2            2. . THEN            4563 ACRDY1 DC *            3. . . SET ENDRUN                   TSB   PSB43,ENDRUN4563    A66B 006B4565    AF40 00064567    A16B 0006B            2. . ENDIF    4569    ACRDY2 DC    *            2. . IF ACR2=0 &amp; STOP24569    A60E 000E           LB    ACRREGLO456B    ABF0 00F0           NI    X&#39;F0&#39;456D    6A   457A           JNZ   ACRD01                   TPB   PSB23,STOP2456E    A657 00574570    91   00014571    4A   457A           JZ    ACRD01            2. . THEN            3. . . NOACR=1, AUTOFLSH=0, ACRREQ=04572    A641 0041           LB    PSB014574    AF01 0000           TS    NOACR                   TRM   P(AUTOFLSH,ACRREQ)4576    ABF9 00F94578    A141 0041           STB   PSB01            2. . ENDIF            NONPERTINENT CODE            3. . . IF ACRREQ                   TPB   PSB01,ACRREQ4583    A641 00414585    91   00014586    3DDD 45DD           BZ    ACRD02            3. . . THEN            RECOVERY CODE 4588            5. . . . . THEN            6. . . . . . RESET END,ENDRUN                   TSB   PSB43,ENDRUN459B    A66B 006B459D    AF40 0006459F    A16B 006B            NONPERTINENT CODE            6. . . . . IF AUTOFLSH45C7    B2   0002           TR    AUTOFLSH45C8    3DDD 45DD           BZ    ACRD05            6. . . . . . THEN            7. . . . . . . RESET AUTOFLSH45CA    A141 0041           STB   PSB01            7.. . . . . . FLUSH, STARTFL = 1                   TSB   PSB07,FLUSH45CC    A647 004745CE    AF02 000145D0    A147 0047                   TSB   PSB22,STARTFL45D2    A656 005645D4    AF01 000045D6    A156 0056            7. . . . . . . TURN OFF DUPLEX LIGHT                   TRB   PCB05,DPLXIND45D8    A676 007645DA    B2   000245DB    A176 0076            6. . . . . . ENDIF            5.. . . . ENDIF            ACRD05 EQU   *            4. . . . ENDIF            3. . . ENDIF            NONPERTINENT CODE            2. . IF FLUSH                   TPB   PSB07,FLUSH4600    A647 00474602    91   00014603    3D31 4631           BZ    ACRL01            2. . THEN            3. . . IF STOP|  COPIES --IN --DUPLEX --SW                   TPB   PSB23,STOP24605    A657 00574607    91   00014608    6E   460E           JNZ   ACRL05                   RIN   CSB064609    A6C5 00C5460B    92   0002           TP    CPYINDP460C    3C2F 462F           BNZ   ACRLO3            3. . . THEN            ACRL05 EQU   *            4. . . . RESET FLUSH, FLSHPLSTBY                   TRB   PSB07,FLUSH460E    A647 00474610    B1   00014611    A147 0047                   TRB   PLSTNDBY,FLSHPLSB4613    A653 00534615    B2   00024616    A153 0053            4. . . . SET ENABLED                   TSB   PSB42,ENABLED4618    A66A 006A461A    AF80 0007461C    A16A 006A            4. . . . IF  ( DUPLEX --LIGHT &amp; STOP &amp; COPIES --IN            --DUPLEX --SW )                   TPB   PCB05,DPLXIND461E    A676 00764620    92   00024621    4A   462A           JZ    ACRL06            TPB PSB23,STOP24622    A657 00574624    91   00014625    4A   462A           JZ    ACRL06            RIN CSB064626    A6C5 00C54628    92   0002           TP    CPYINDP4629    6F   462F           JNZ   ACRL04            4. . . . THEN            ACRL06 EQU   *            5. . . . . RESET SIDE-2                   TRB   PSB20,DPXSIDE2462A    A654 0054462C    B5   0005462D    A154 0054            4. . . . ENDIF            ACRL04 EQU   *            3. . . ENDIF462F   2C7F  467F    ACRLO3 B     ACRL02            2. . . ELSE            ACRL01 EQU   *            3. . . IF SIDE-2                   TPB   PSB20,DPXSIDE24631    A654 00544633    95   00054634    40   4640           JZ    ACRL09            3. . . THEN            4. . . . IF  COPIES --IN --DUPLEX --SW                   RIN   CSB064634    A6C5 00C54637    92   0002           TP    CPYINDP4638    6E   463E           JNZ   ACRL08            4. . . . THEN            5. . . . . RESET SIDE-2                   TRB   PSB20,DPXSIDE24639    A654 0054473B    B5   0005463C    A154 0054            4. . . . ENDIF463E    2C7F 467F    ACRL08 B     ACRL07            3. . . ELSE            ACRL09 EQU            4. . . . IF ENDRUN            TPB          PSB43,ENDRUN4640    A66B 006B4642    96   00064643    3D7F 467F    BZ           ACRL11            4. . . . THEN            5. . . . . IF SEPACTV4645    A647 0047           LB    PSB074647    B3   0003           TR    SEPACTV4648    3D72 4672           BZ    ACRL10            5. . . . . THEN            6. . . . . . RESET SEPACTV464A    A147 0047           STB   PSB07            6. . . . . SET ENABLED                   TSB   PSB42,ENABLED464C    AF80 006A464E    AF80 00074650    A16A 006A            6. . . . . . RESET TRLSEP                   TRB   PSB43,TRLSEP4652    A66B 006B4654    B7   00074655    A16B 006B            6. . . . . . IF TRLSEP WAS 1 &amp;ACR1 WENT TO 04657    3D6E A66E           BZ    ACRL11W                   TPB   PSB43,ACRBILL24659    A66B 006B465B    94   0004465C    25465D    4E   466E           JZ    ACRL11W465E    A40E 000E           AB    ACRRELGLO4660    6E   466E           JNZ   ACRL11W            6. . . . . . THEN            7. . . . . . . CPYSLCT = SEPSLCT                   SRG   BASERG4661    A9C9 00C94663    E9   0009           LR    SEPSLCT                   SRG   INTHRG4664    A9C8 00C84666    89   0009           STR   CPYSLCT            7. . . . . . . SEPSLCT, PRVSLCT = 04667    25                  CLA                   SRG   BASERG4668    A9C9 00C9466A    89   0009           STR   SEPSLCT                   SRG   COLRG466B    A9D0 00D0466D    8A   00CA           STR   PRVSLCT            6. . . . . . ENDIF            ACRL11W                   SRG   INTHRG466E    A9C8 00C84670    2C7F 467F           B     ACRL11            5. . . . . ELSE            6. . . . . . IF COPIES  --IN --DUPLEX --LIGHT                   TPB   PCB13,CPYINDFI6472    A67D 007D4674    93   00034675    4F   467F           JZ    ACRL12            6. . . . . . THEN            7. . . . . . . SET SIDE-2                   TSB   PSB20,DPXSIDE24676    A654 00544678    AF20 0005467A    A154 0054            7. . . . . . . ACRLOST=0467C    25                  CLA467D    A15B 005B           STB   ACRLOST            6. . . . . . ENDIF            ACRL12 EQU   *            5. . . . . ENDIT            4. . . . ENDIF            ACRL11 EQU   *            3. . . ENDIF            ACRL07 EQU   *            2. . ENDIF            NONPERTINENT CODE            2. . IF ACR1 WENT TO 046A5    25                  CLA46A6    A40E 000E           AB    ACRREGLO46A8    3CFE 46FE           BNZ   ACRL14            2. . THEN            2. . . TURN TRUCKS OFF                   TRMB  PCB02,P(PRMTRCK,ALTTRUCK,DPLXTRCK)46AA    A673 007346AC    ABE3 00E346AE    A173 007346B0    A670 007046B2    ABF8 00F846B4    A170 0070            NONPERTINENT CODE            4. . . . IF SEPARIND &amp; SEPWAIT &amp; ACRREQ &amp; DRIVE                   TPB   PCB06,SEPARIND46D6    A677 007746D8    92   000246D9    3DEC 46EC           BZ    ACRCD0146DB    A641 0041           LB    PSB0146DD    AB22 0022           NI    P1(SEPWAIT,ACRREQ)46DF    6C   46EC           JNZ   ACRCD01                   TPB   PSB21,DRIVE46E0    A655 005546E2    90   000046E3    4C   46EC           JZ    ACRCD01            4. . . . THEN            5. . . . . SET STARTSE                   TSB   PSB07,STARTSE46E4    A647 004746E6    AF80 000746E8    A147 004746EA    2CFE 46FE           B     ACRCD02            4. . . . ELSE            NONPERTINENT CODE            5. . . . . ENDIF    46FE    ACRCD02                   DC    *            4. . . . ENDIF            ACRL15 EQU   *            3. . . ENDIF            ACRIL14                   EQU   *            2. . ENDIF            1. ENDIF            NONPERTINENT CODE__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     Finally, in FIGS. 20 and 21 the billing and edge erase programs are shown as they relate to the separation mode. Only one instruction in each of the programs is pertinent, viz., in FIG. 20, the step 5DDD and, in FIG. 21, the step 7C5C are pertinent. Both are identical in that the processor branches on whether an auxiliary operation is being performed. These two steps are identical to the step 77EC in FIG. 16 as detailed in source code in Table XII. 
     In summary, the copy production machine 10 can either be hardware or software controlled for performing the separation mode which effects a logical extension of the capability of collators in that plural sets of copies can be inserted into given collator bins with a separator sheet and with a minimal operator inconvenience. The automatic controls described above can take any of a plurality of forms including programmable logic arrays, read-only memories, hard logic as indicated in the first part of the application, or a programmed computer as set forth in the preferred embodiment. The form of technology involved in implementing the present invention is not pertinent to the practice of the invention, the important features being the machine functions performed in implementing the separation mode. 
     Inhibiting billing for separation sheets is intended to include separately counting separation sheets. Then, the separate separation count can be used for a reduced billing rate (regular copy billing rate inhibited) or as a basis for relating copy billing. In the broad method aspects, the billing meter could, in fact, be actuated and the separate separation count used to adjust the total bill. 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.