Electronic controller for copying machine

Claim 2

A copy-making machine and control system therefor including a plurality of operating mecHanisms in said machine for performing a variety of functions including a copy-printing function, a copy-printing means for performing said copy-printing function and including copy count electronic means for generating a copy count pulse for each copy made, a copy count clock coupled to and turned on by each pulse from said copy count electronic means, said copy count clock being free-running when turned on, first, second, and third counters, said copy count electronic means being coupled to said third counter for entering therein a count for every copy made, said copy count clock being coupled into said first, second and third counters, said second counter being adapted to have a count preset therein representing copies to be made and including means for generating an output pulse when a number of copy count pulses corresponding to the copies to be made are entered therein, the output of said first counter being coupled to said copy count clock to turn it off when an output pulse is generated thereby, and an AND gate coupled to the outputs of said second and third counters whereby, when the counts in said second and third counters are equal or the count in said third counter is larger than that in said second counter, then the outputs of said second and third counters operate said AND gate and transmit a signal to said machine to turn it off.

Claim 3

The system defined in claim 1 and including a billing circuit having a decade counter coupled to means for generating one or more pulses in response to a copy printed, the decade counter being settable to receive a selected number of pulses before it produces a carry output, said number of pulses representing a billing rate.

Claim 4

The system defined in claim 1 wherein said counters are connected to have a selected maximum count capacity, said first counter being adapted to have a preset count entered therein, said first counter producing an output carry pulse when the number of copies made equals said preset count, said second counter entering a count for each copy made, and said third counter not accumulating counts but receiving in each cycle the maximum number of counts it can contain from said clock before it generates an output pulse on its carry line to turn off said clock.

Claim 5

The system defined in claim 1 and including a billing circuit comprising a plurality of AND gates each having input means selectively couplable to various counting positions of said first counter whereby each can be operated at a different counting position therein, a settable billing counter having its input coupled through circuit means to said copy count electronic means whereby each copy count pulse enters one count therein, each of said AND gates having an output couplable to any one of the positions of said billing counter to set the counter''s count-starting position, said count-starting position determining the billing rate for said system.

Claim 6

The system defined in claim 1 and including a billing circuit comprising, a plurality of AND gates each having input means selectively couplable to various counting positions of said first counter, and a settable billing counter having an input and an output and having its input coupled through circuit means to said copy count electronic means whereby each copy count pulse energizes said circuit means and drives said counter from a starting position to the end to produce an output signal at the output of said billing counter, said output signal de-energizing said circuit means, each of said AND gates having an output couplable to any one of the positions of said billing counter to select a count-starting position, said count-starting position determining the billing rate for said system.

Claim 7

The system defined in claim 1 and including a billing circuit comprising a plurality of AND gates each having input means selectively couplable to various counting positions of said first counter, a settable billing counter haviNg an input and an output, a pulse generating circuit having its input coupled to said copy count electronic means and having its output coupled to the input of said billing counter, each said copy count pulse turning on said pulse generating circuit and causing it to drive said counter from a starting position to the end to produce an output signal at the output of said billing counter, said output signal de-energizing said pulse generating circuit, and each of said AND gates having an output couplable to any one of the positions of said billing counter to select its count-starting position, said count-starting position determining the billing rate of said system.

Claim 8

The circuit defined in claim 6 wherein said pulse generating circuit comprises a first flip-flop having one input coupled to said copy count electronic means and adapted to receive a copy count pulse to change its state and having its output coupled through a first pulse generator to a second flip-flop which has its output connected to a mechanical counter and to the input of said settable billing counter, the output of said second flip-flop also being connected through a second pulse generator to the input of said second flip-flop, the output of said settable billing counter being coupled to said first flip-flop for returning said first flip-flop to the condition it has before it receives a copy count pulse.

Claim 9

A printing machine including a plurality of operating mechanisms, means in said machine for generating a start pulse to initiate a cycle of operation thereof and of its operating mechanisms, a machine clock associated with said machine for generating pulses and adapted to be energized by said start pulse, said machine clock being coupled to a circuit including cycling means including a first counter coupled to each of said operating mechanisms of said machine whereby each pulse from said machine clock causes each of said mechanisms to operate in turn, a copy printing means comprising one of said mechanisms and including copy count electronic means for generating a copy count pulse when a copy is made of a master print inserted in said machine, a copy count clock coupled to and turned on by each pulse from said electronic means of said copy printing means, said copy count clock being free-running when turned on, second and third counters, said second counter being a presettable counter and adapted to have a count entered therein representing copies to be made, said third counter being adapted to enter a count representative of copies made and thus coupled to said copy count electronic means, said second counter generating an output pulse when a number of copying pulses corresponding to the copies to be made is entered therein, the output of said copy count clock being coupled to said first, second, and third counters, the output of said first counter being coupled to said copy count clock to turn it off when an output pulse is generated thereby, and an AND gate coupled to the outputs of said second, and third counters whereby, when simultaneous outputs are generated by said second and third counters when the desired number of copies have been made, said AND gate is operated to couple a signal to said machine to turn it off.

Claim 10

A printing machine including a plurality of operating mechanisms, means in said machine for generating a start pulse to initiate a cycle of operation thereof and of its operating mechanisms, a machine clock associated with said machine for generating pulses and adapted to be energized by said start pulse, said machine clock being coupled to a circuit including cycling means including a first counter coupled to each of said operating mechanisms of said machine whereby each pulse from said machine clock causes each of said mechanisms to operate in turn, a copy printing means comprising one of said mechanisms and including copy count electronic means for generating a copy count pulse when a copy is made of a master print inserted in said machine, a copy count clock coupled to and turned on by each pulse from said electronic means of said copy printing means, said copy count clock being free-running when turned on, second and third counters, said second counter being a presettable counter and adapted to have a count entered therein representing copies to be made, said third counter being adapted to enter a count representative of copies made and thus coupled to said copy count electronic means, said second counter generating an output pulse when a number of copying pulses corresponding to the copies to be made is entered therein, the output of said copy count clock being coupled to said first, second, and third counters, the output of said first counter being coupled to said copy count clock to turn it off when an output pulse is generated thereby, and an AND gate coupled to the outputs of said second, and third counters whereby, when simultaneous outputs are generated by said second and third counters when the desired number of copies have been made, said AND gate is operated to couple a signal to said machine to turn it off.

Claim 11

The machine defined in claim 8 wherein said cycling means includes said first counter coupled to a diode matrix distributor which cycles each of said operating mechanisms in turn.

Claim 12

The machine defined in claim 8 wherein said first counter has a count capacity equal to the total number of copies to be made from a single master.