Microprocessor and control apparatus in a photocopier

Claim 1

A control system for a reproduction machine comprising: a. a master programmable controller including an arithmetic and logic unit, and program storage means for storing an operational program for controlling said machine, b. plural intermediate controllers, each of said intermediate controllers controlling a discrete portion of said machine, said master controller controlling said machine solely through said intermediate controllers, c. said intermediate controllers including at least one passive controller and at least one active controller, said active controller having an arithmetic and logic unit and program storage means for storing a subprogram for controlling one of said discrete machine portions, d. means for sensing analog signals from said machine, e. analog-to-digital conversion means for generating digital signals from said analog signals, f. means for inputting said digital signals from said analog-to-digital conversion means to said active controller for processing by said active controller in accordance with said subprogram, g. digital-to-analog conversion means for converting signals processed by said active controller into analog signals, h. means for controlling said one machine portion in response to said analog signals from said active controller, i. means for imputting said digital signals from said digital-to-analog conversion means to said controlling means, and j. timing means for operating said master controller and said intermediate controllers in synchronism to control said machine.