JPH0362614B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to an image medium ejection detection device in an image forming apparatus that detects an image medium ejected from the image forming apparatus.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems]

In order to control the operation of an additional device such as a sorter that is additionally used in the image forming apparatus, it is important to determine whether or not a document has been replaced by a user in the image forming apparatus.

For example, a sorter as an additional device of an image forming apparatus may require a transmitting/receiving device to exchange signals with the main body of the image forming apparatus in order to determine whether to exchange documents in the image forming apparatus, or may not require it. There is.

However, in the case where the above-mentioned transmitting/receiving device is required, the transmitting/receiving device itself is wasted if the user uses only the image forming device without the need for a sorter. Further, there are disadvantages such as the structure of the sorter body becomes complicated due to the necessity of the transmitter/receiver device, and the attachment to the image forming apparatus body becomes troublesome.

Further, for example, a sorter of an electronic copying machine that does not require the above-mentioned transmitting/receiving device is equipped with a detection means for detecting image media (copy paper) that are sequentially discharged from the electronic copying machine in order to determine whether to replace originals in the electronic copying machine. are doing.

Even after the predetermined time T has elapsed,
If copy paper is not detected by the detection means,
The apparatus is configured to determine that the document has been replaced by the user and prepare for a new collation operation after the document has been replaced. Here, the above time T is a little longer than the longest copy paper ejection time interval because the ejection time interval of copy paper from the electronic copying machine varies depending on the copying conditions such as the size of the copy paper and the copying magnification. Set. However, depending on the user's original exchange operations and copying conditions, the copy paper ejected last from the electronic copying machine for a certain original and the copy paper ejected first from the electronic copying machine for the next new original may differ. The discharge time interval may be shorter than the set time T. For this reason, in such conventional sorters, it is not possible to determine that a new document has been replaced by the user, and a collation operation is performed following the collation operation for the copy paper of the previous document. This poses a problem in that the correct collation operation may not be performed.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention has been made in order to eliminate the above-mentioned problems, and it eliminates the need for signal exchange between an additional device such as a sorter and the main body of an image forming apparatus such as an electronic copying machine, and eliminates the need for the user to transfer originals. Even if the ejection time interval of the image medium from the image forming device changes in various ways due to differences in copying conditions such as copy paper size and copying magnification, the document replacement timing will be adjusted according to the change in the ejection time interval. An object of the present invention is to provide an image medium ejection detection device in an image forming apparatus that can determine the image medium ejection.

[Summary of the invention]

The present invention detects that the image medium is ejected from the main body of the image forming apparatus by a first detection means, detects the ejection time interval of the image medium by the second detection means, and arbitrarily sets the detected ejection time interval. If the new ejection time interval determined by the second detection means is greater than the ejection time interval stored by the storage means, the comparison means detects that the document has been replaced by the user, for example. The image forming apparatus is configured to determine this and control the operation of an additional device of the image forming apparatus.

[Embodiments of the invention]

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention. For example, a sorter 1 as an additional device of the image forming apparatus is connected to, for example, a copying machine main body 3 as an image forming apparatus via a conveyance path 2. Conveyance path 2
is the paper ejection roller 3 provided at the ejection port of the copying machine 3.
The copy paper 4 as an image medium discharged from the copying body 3 by a is conveyed into the sorter 1.
It is composed of a guide plate 2a provided between the copying machine main body 3 and the sorter 1, and a conveyance roller 2b provided at the end of the guide plate 2a on the sorter 1 side. The sorter 1 has one stacked non-sort bin 5n and ten sorted bins 5 ₁ ,
It is equipped with 5 ₂ , 5 ₃ ... 5 ₁₀ . The non-sort bin 5n is for storing copy paper 4 in the non-sort mode (sorter not used), and the sort bins 5 ₁ ... 5 ₁₀ are for sort mode (sorter used).
It is sometimes used to collate copy paper.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control mechanism of the sorter 1, that is, the copy paper ejection detection device. The control section 11 as a comparison means has a timer counter section 12 as a second detection means and a storage section 8 as a storage means, and also has a detector 6 roller as a first detection means via an input/output section 11c. motor 2
c, a bin motor 1a and a sorter mode changeover switch 1b are connected. The detector 6 is provided on the conveyance path 2 and detects passage of the copy paper 4, and outputs a detection signal to the control section 11. The roller motor 2c is for driving the conveyance roller 2b, and receives a control signal from the control unit 11 to drive the conveyance roller 2b.
It rotates. The bin motor 1a is for driving non-sort bins 5n and sort bins ₅₁ ... ₅₁₀ , and receives control signals from the control unit 11 to drive stacked non-sort bins 5n and sort bins 5.
₁ ...5 ₁₀ (Non-sort bin 5n and sorted bin 5 ₁ ...
5 _{and 10} are collectively referred to as bins 5) are integrally moved up and down (as indicated by arrows A and B in FIG. 1) to make a predetermined bin face the conveyance roller 2b. The sorter mode changeover switch 1b is attached to the sorter 1 body and is used to change the operation control of the sorter 1 by the control unit 11 from non-sort mode to sort mode, or from sort mode to non-sort mode. Outputs switching signal.

Also, the timer counter section 12 is driven by a roller motor 2c.
Control timer counter 12a and bin motor 1a
It is composed of a control timer counter 12b.
In the sorter mode, when the detector 6 detects the trailing edge of the copy paper 4 passing through the conveyance path 2, the timer counter 12b receives a signal from the control unit 11 and starts counting. Counting is stopped at the same time as the leading edge of the copying machine 3 is detected, and by repeating this operation, the paper ejection time interval is counted every time the copy paper is ejected from the main body of the copying machine 3. In addition, in the embodiment, this timer counter 1
2b starts counting when the detector 6 detects the trailing edge of the copy paper 4 that first passes through the conveyance path 2 for a certain document, and even after a certain period of time _T7 has passed thereafter, the detector 6 does not detect the next one. If the leading edge of the copy paper 4 is not detected, an alarm is generated in response to a command from the control section 11. timer counter 12
When the detector 6 detects the leading edge of the copy paper 4 passing through the conveyance path 2, it receives a signal from the control unit 11 and starts counting regardless of whether it is in sort mode or non-sort _mode . Once the time has elapsed, the control unit 11 determines this and stops counting, and when the detector 6 detects the leading edge of the next copy paper 4 before the elapse of a certain period of time _T1 , counting starts again from 0. .

The storage unit 8 is a rewritable and readable storage area 8
a and a read-only storage area 8b. The storage area 8a stores the copy paper 4 (1
The second copy paper (4) and the next copy paper (2)
A time T 3 obtained by adding a certain time t to the ejection time interval T ₂ (counted by the timer counter 12b) of the second copy paper ₄ ) is stored and rewritten every time the original is replaced.

Here, the time t is 1 in the sort mode.
This is to absorb variations in the ejection time interval of the copy paper 4 that is ejected from the copying machine 3 and passes through the conveyance path 2 for a sheet of original. Time again
T ₃ is the 3rd copy paper 4 for a certain original.
is read out by the control unit 11 every time the tip of the detector 6 detects the tip.

On the other hand, the read-only storage area 8b includes an error time data storage area, an alarm time data storage area, a roller motor drive time data storage area,
and a storage area for driving the bin motor. Time _t3 is stored in the error time data storage area. At time _t3 , the ejection time interval T2 between the first copy paper 4 and the second copy paper 4 corresponding to the above-mentioned certain original is determined by the timer counter ₁₂ .
At the same time as being counted by b, it is read out by the control unit 11. A time _T7 is stored in the alarm time data storage area, and is read out following the counting operation of the timer counter section 12b. Time T ₁ is stored in the roller motor drive time data storage area and the bin motor drive time data storage area.
_T4 is stored, and the timer counter 12a,
It is read out following the counting operation of 12b.

Next, the operation of the sorter 1 configured as described above will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 showing control operation timings of the control section 11.

First, the operation of the sorter 1 in the non-sort mode will be explained. In FIG. 3, when the mode changeover switch 1b is switched to the non-sort mode by the user (turned off), the control unit 11
receives this mode switching signal from the mode switching switch 1b and starts control in the non-sort mode. That is, the control unit 11 sends a drive signal to the bin motor 1a to rotate it. Therefore, the bin motor 1a moves the bin 5 downward (arrow A in FIG. 1), and the non-sort bin 5n
rotates until it faces the conveyance roller 2b. After that, when the user turns on a copy switch (not shown) of the copying machine 3, a copying operation is performed in the copying machine 3, and a copy image corresponding to a certain original is formed.
The copy paper 4 ₁ is discharged out of the main body of the copying machine 3 by the paper discharge roller 3 a and sent to the conveyance path 2 . At this time, when the leading edge of the first copy paper 4 ₁ comes into contact with the actuator of the detector 6 (when the detector 6 detects the leading edge of the copy paper), the detector 6 operates and the copy paper 4 ₁ The detection signal is sent to the control unit 11 until it passes the detector 6. (ON state in FIG. 4). When the control section 11 receives this detection signal, it sends a drive signal to the roller motor 2c, and further sends an operation signal to the timer counter 12a. Therefore, the conveyance roller 2b rotates, and at the same time, the timer counter 12a starts counting. Further, when the timer counter 12a starts counting, the control section 11 reads out the time data _T1 from the storage section 8, and reads out the time data _T1 at a predetermined timing.
and the count value T5 of the timer counter 12a (the time elapsed since the detector 6 detected the leading edge of the copy paper 41). And timer counter 12
When count value T5 of a exceeds time T1, this is determined and an orbit stop signal is sent to roller motor 2c,
The rotation is stopped and the timer counter 1 is
The operation of 2a is also stopped. Thereafter, when the detector 6 detects the leading edge of the next second sheet of copy paper ₄₂ , the control section 11 operates the roller motor 2c and the timer counter 12a again. Also, timer counter 12
Before the count value _T5 of a exceeds the time _T1 , the detector 6
detects the leading edge of the next second copy paper 4 ₂ ,
The control unit 11 sends a new operation signal to the timer counter 12a to start counting from 0 anew. Thereafter, the control section 11 performs similar operation control each time the next third, fourth, etc. copy paper 4 is sent. Therefore, once the roller motor 2c, that is, the conveyance roller 2b starts rotating, it remains for a certain period of time T ₁
If the leading edge of the next copy sheet is detected by the detector 6 before the time _T1 has elapsed, the rotation will continue. Therefore, when the copy paper 4 is conveyed near the conveyance roller 2b, the conveyance roller 2b is always rotating, and the copy paper 4
The non-sort bin 5 is transported by this conveyor roller 26.
It is sent to and stored inside n. The above is the operation of the sorter 1 based on the operation control of the control unit 11 in the non-sort mode.

Next, the operation of the sorter 1 in the sorting mode will be explained with reference to FIG.

The operation control of the control unit 11 in the sort mode is similar to the case of the non-sort mode, in which the mode change signal from the mode change switch 1b is transmitted to the control unit 1.
1 is started by receiving. Also, Figure 6b
In this case, the mode changeover switch 1b is initially in the non-sort state, that is, the non-sort bin 5 is in the non-sort state.
This is the case where n faces the conveyance roller 2b.
In this case, when the mode changeover switch 1b is switched to the sort mode by the user, the control unit 11 receives a mode changeover signal from the mode changeover switch 1b, rotates the bin motor 1a, and moves the bin 5 upward by one bin (the first 1 in the direction of arrow B). For this reason, sort bin 5 ₁ ...
5 The first bin 5 located at the top of _10
1 faces the conveyance roller 2b. Thereafter, when the copying machine 3 is operated by the user as described above, the first copy paper 4 ₁₁ corresponding to the first original is conveyed to the conveyance path 2 . When the detector 6 detects the leading edge of this first copy paper ₄₁₁ , the detector 6
sends a detection signal to the control section 11, and upon receiving this detection signal, the control section 11 rotates the conveyance roller 2b in the same manner as in the non-sort mode. (Regarding the rotation control by the control unit 11 of the conveyance roller 2b,
This is the same as in non-sort mode, so it will be omitted from the explanation below.) Further, when the first copy paper 4 ₁₁ passes the detector 6 and the trailing edge of the copy paper 4 ₁₁ separates from the actuator of the detector 6 (when the detector 6 detects the trailing edge of the copy paper 4 ₁₁ ) detector 6
stops sending the detection signal to the control unit 11. When the transmission of the detection signal from the detector 6 is stopped, in other words, the control unit 11 controls the copy paper 4 from the detector 6.
When the rear end detection signal ₁₁ is sent, an operation signal is sent to the timer counter 12b, and the timer counter 1
Start counting 2b. Further, when the timer counter 12b starts counting in this manner, the control section 11 reads out time data from the storage section 8, and compares this time data with the count value of the timer counter 12b at a predetermined timing. Then, the control unit 11 determines that the count value of the timer counter 12b is the time.
When determining that it has become T ₄ , the bin motor 1a
A drive signal is sent to move the bin 5 upward by one bin, and the second bin ₅₂ is made to face the conveyance roller 2b. The first copy paper ₄₁₁ is stored in the first bin ₅₁ until the timer counter 12b counts the time _T4 . Thereafter, the timer counter 12b continues counting, and if the leading edge of the next second copy paper ₄₁₂ is not detected by the detector 6 even if the counted value exceeds the time _T7 , the controller 11 determines that the user is copying one sheet at a time even though it is in the sort mode, and stops counting on the timer counter 12b and generates an alarm to prevent the user from setting the mode incorrectly. Tell me something. Further, if the leading edge of the second copy paper is detected by the detector 6 before the count value of the timer counter 12b exceeds time _T7 , the control unit 11 stops the timer counter 12b and at the same time A value T ₃ obtained by adding the time data t stored in the storage unit 8 to the count value T ₂ of the timer counter 12b
is written to the storage area 8a. Next, when the detector 6 detects the trailing edge of the second copy paper ₄₁₂ , the control section 11 operates the timer counter 12b again. Then, as in the case of the first copy paper ₄₁₁ , when the count value of the timer counter 12b reaches time _T4 , that is, when the second copy paper ₄₁₂ is stored in the second bin ₅₂ , the control The unit 11 sends a drive signal to the bin motor 1a, moves the bin 5 upward by one bin, and causes the third bin ₅₃ to face the conveyance roller 2b.
After this, the control unit 11 reads out a certain value T ₃ written in the storage area 8a, and at a predetermined timing, combines this value T ₃ with the count value T ₂ a of the timer counter 2b.
Compare. If the leading edge of the next third copy paper ₄₁₃ is detected before the count value _T2a of the timer counter 12b reaches the value _T3 , the control unit 11 stops the counting operation of the timer counter 12b. let Furthermore, when the rear end of the third copy paper ₄₁₃ is detected by the detector 6, a new count of the timer counter 12b is started, and the count value of the timer counter 12b is increased.
When T ₄ is reached, the fourth bin 5 ₄ is made to face the conveyance roller. Similarly to the second copy paper, the third copy paper ₄₃ is also stored in the third bin ₅₃ while the timer counter 12b counts the time _T4 . The same operation control is repeated thereafter. That is, the control unit 11 operates from the time when the rear end of the first copy paper 4 ₁ is detected by the detector 6 until the leading edge of the next second copy paper 4 ₂ is detected by the detector 6 . The timer counter 12b counts the time _T2 (ejection time interval between the first copy paper ₄₁ and the second copy paper ₄₂ ),
The value obtained by adding the time data t to this discharge time interval T ₂
Write T ₃ to storage area 8a. Thereafter, each time the third and subsequent sheets of copy paper ₄ pass through the detector 6, the ejection time interval of the copy paper 4 is determined by the timer counter 1.
2b and compares the discharge time interval T ₂ a with the value T ₃ written in the storage area 8a.
On the other hand, in the sort mode, since the user makes two or more copies in succession using the copying machine main body 3, a certain period of time T
The copy paper 4 is ejected from the copying machine main body and passes through the detector 6. Further, the above-mentioned fixed time T is the first copy paper 4 ₁ and the second copy paper 4 ₂ for a certain document counted by the timer counter 12b.
This is approximately equal to the discharge time _T2 . Therefore, the ejection time interval T ₂ a of the third and subsequent copies of the copy paper 4 counted by the timer counter 12b is changed to the time t to absorb the dispersion in ejection time at time T ₂ unless the original is replaced by the user. should be smaller than the sum of _T3 . Therefore, if the ejection time interval T ₂ a of the third and subsequent copy sheets 4 for a certain document is smaller than the value T ₃ , in other words, the trailing edge of a certain K-th sheet (2<K) of copy sheets is detected. vessel 6
is detected by the timer counter 1 at the same time.
2b starts counting operation, and the counted value is the value T ₃
If the leading edge of the K+1 sheet of copy paper 4 is detected by the detector 6 before the K+1 sheet of copy paper ₄ is The above-described operation control of the control unit 11 is repeatedly performed after the detection of the third sheet of copy paper 4 ₃ until the trailing edge of the third copy paper 4 3 is detected.

On the other hand, in FIG. 4, the rear edge of the i-th copy paper 4 ₁ i is detected by the detector 6, and the timer counter 12b starts counting, and even when the counted value reaches _T3 , the i+1st copy is copied. If the leading edge of the paper is not detected by the detector 6, the control unit 11 determines that the document has been replaced by the user at that time (when the count value of the timer counter 12b reaches _T3 ). At the same time, the timer counter 12b is stopped, the storage area 8a is cleared, and the bin 5 is moved downward by one bin (arrow A in FIG. 1).
The i-th bin 5i is moved to face the conveyance roller 2b. Thereafter, when the leading edge of the first sheet of copy paper ₅₂₁ corresponding to the new second document is detected by the detector 6, the control section 11 repeats the above-described operation control in the same manner. However, in this case, the direction of movement of the bottle 5 is downward (arrow A in Figure 1).
become. Therefore, the last (i-th) copy paper 4 corresponding to this new document is stored in the first bin 5 ₁ (not shown), and thereafter, that is, the rear end of the i-th copy paper 4 ₂ i is detected by the detector 6 and the count value of the timer counter 12b starts counting operation is T ₄
Then, the bin 5 is moved one bin downward, and the non-sort bin 5n is opposed to the conveyance roller 2b.
Then, when the count value of the timer counter 12b reaches _T3 , the control section 11 further determines whether to exchange a new document. Also, as mentioned above, at this time timer counter 1
2b is stopped, the storage area 8a is cleared, and the bin 5 is further moved up one bin, so that the first bin 5 ₁
is opposed to the conveyance roller 2b. When the copy paper 4 corresponding to the third original is ejected from the copying machine main body 3, the copy paper 4 ₁₁ ...4 ₁ i corresponding to the first original described above is ejected from the copying machine main body 3. The operation control of the control unit 11 in the case where the signal is received is repeated. In other words, the control unit 11 determines that the original has been replaced.
If the judgment is made, the control unit 1 for the next document
The operation control according to No. 1 only changes the moving direction of the bin 5, and is repeated in the same way every time the original is replaced.

FIG. 5 shows a case in which, for example, a user successively copies five copies of a three-page manuscript (three sheets of manuscript) using the copying machine main body 3 in the sorter 1 which performs a collating operation under the operation control of the control unit 11 described above. The figure shows the bins 5 in which the respective copy sheets are stored in the case (the number of copies to be collated is 3), and the arrows in the figure indicate the collation order (the order in which the bins face the conveyance roller 2b).
As shown in the figure, the first copy paper 4 ₁₁ corresponding to the first page (first sheet) of the original is transferred to the first bin 5 ₁ .
The second copy paper ₄₁₂ is stored in the second bin ₅₂ , and the fifth and final copy paper ₄₁₅ is stored in the fifth bin ₅₅ . Copy sheets 4 ₂₁ , 4 ₂₂ , 4 ₂₃ , ... 4 ₂₅ corresponding to the second page (second sheet) of the original are stored in the reverse order of the fifth and fourth bins, and then the third page (third sheet) ) Copy paper corresponding to the original 4 ₃₁ , 4
₃₂ ...4 ₃₅ is copy paper 4 corresponding to the first page of the manuscript ₁₁
...4 They are stored in the same order as ₁₅ .

On the other hand, when the fifth and final copy paper 4 ₃₅ of the third page is stored in the fifth bin 5 ₅ and the use of the sorter is finished, the operation control by the control unit 11 described above temporarily The sixth bin ₅₆ is opposed to the conveyance roller 2b, and then the bin 5 is moved one bin downward, and finally the fifth bin ₅₅ is in a state opposed to the conveyance roller 2b. Therefore, when the sorter is used by the next second user in this state, if the number of sheets to be collated by the first user differs from the number of sheets to be collated, this will cause a problem, so in this embodiment, the sorting mode is not set. , non-sort mode, or non-sort mode, first switch to the non-sort mode using the mode changeover switch 1b. Then, by the operation control of the control unit 11 in the non-sort mode described above, the non-sort bin 5n
is opposed to the conveyance roller 2b. Therefore, when the second user uses the sorter in the sort mode, he can switch to the sort mode using the mode changeover switch 1b, and when he uses the sorter in the non-sort mode, he can leave it in this state (first switch to the non-sort mode). (switched state).

In this embodiment, when the mode changeover switch 1b is switched to the non-sort mode, the bins 5 are moved downward by a predetermined bin (predetermined distance), the non-sort bin 5n is opposed to the conveyance roller 2b, and the mode is switched to the sort mode. and bottle 5
is moved upward by one bin so that the first bin ₅₁ faces the conveyance roller. Furthermore, during the collating operation of the sorter 1, the bin 5 is moved upward one bin at a time each time copy paper corresponding to the first original is stored, and the direction of movement is reversed each time the original is replaced. What happens is as described above. In order to control the movement of the bins 5 by the control unit 11, for example, a micro switch is provided near the transport roller 2b or in the movement direction of the bins 5.
A conventionally used technique, such as sending a bin 5 stop signal from the microswitch to the control unit 11 every time the bin 5 is opposed to the conveying roller, is sufficient, and is not the gist of the present invention, so a description thereof will be omitted.

As explained above, the sorter 1 in this embodiment
A detector 6 as a first detection means detects the copy paper 4 as an image medium discharged from the copying machine main body 3 in the conveyance path 2, and a detector 6 as a first detection means detects the copy paper 4 as an image medium discharged from the copying machine main body 3; A timer counter 12 as a second detection means for detecting the ejection time interval of copy paper each time it is ejected; a storage section 8 as a storage means for storing the ejection time interval of copy paper detected by the timer counter 12; and a storage section. 8 and the ejection time interval newly counted by the timer counter 12 each time the copy paper is ejected, and determines whether the user should replace the original. control unit 1
1. In addition, in the sort mode, the copy paper corresponding to a certain document is always ejected at approximately constant time intervals due to the continuous copying operation of two or more copies of the main body of the copying machine. The value T ₃ is the sum of the ejection time interval T ₂ of the first and second sheets of copy paper 4 corresponding to a certain original document and a certain fixed time t (to absorb variations in the ejection time interval).
Based on this value T3, the control unit ₁₁ determines that the user has replaced the document, and each time it is determined that the document has been replaced, the value _T3 is counted again by the timer counter 12. By doing so, it is re-stored in the storage unit 8. Therefore, even if a signal is not exchanged with the copying machine main body 3, as long as the value of time t that absorbs the above-mentioned dispersion in the ejection time interval is appropriately selected, for example, the first original can be replaced with the second original. When the copy paper 4 is copied, the user sets a copying condition in the copying machine main body 3 that the copying speed is faster than that for the first original, and furthermore, the exchange operation is performed quickly, and the ejection time interval of the copy paper 4 changes variously. Even if the original is replaced, the control unit 11 always reliably determines whether to replace the original. Therefore, the sorter 1 as an additional device of the copying machine 3 always performs the collating operation as desired by the user without malfunctioning.

Although this embodiment uses a sorter as an additional device of an image forming apparatus, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications can be made without changing the spirit thereof.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, in the present invention, there is no need for signal exchange between an additional device such as a sorter and an image forming apparatus main body such as an electronic copying machine, and the image forming apparatus Even if the ejection time interval of the image media from the image media changes due to differences in copying conditions such as copy paper size and copying magnification, the document replacement time is automatically determined in response to the change in the ejection time interval. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image medium ejection detection device in an image forming apparatus that can improve operability.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a sorter 1 used in an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control mechanism of the same example, and FIG. 3 is a control of the sorter 1 in the non-sort mode of the same example. Diagram showing the operation of the mechanism, 4th
The figure shows the operation of the control mechanism in the sorting mode in the same example, and Figure 5 shows the sorter 1 in the same example.
It is a figure which shows the collation order. 1... Sorter, 3... Copy machine, 4... Copy paper, 5... Bin, 6... Detector, 8... Storage unit,
11...Control unit, 12...Timer counter unit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A first detection means for detecting the start and end of ejection of an image medium from an image forming apparatus, and a detection means for detecting the start and end of ejection of an image medium from the image forming apparatus, and a detection means for detecting the start and end of ejection of an image medium from the end of ejection detected by the first detection means until the start of the next ejection. a second detection means for detecting a time-related ejection time interval of the image medium; a storage means for storing a first ejection time interval detected by the second detection means; and an ejection time interval stored by the storage means. The time interval is compared with the ejection time interval detected by the second detection means after the detection of this ejection time interval, and if the latter ejection time interval is larger, the document is replaced in the image forming apparatus. an image medium in an image forming apparatus, characterized in that the storage means stores the next ejection time interval as the first ejection time interval when the comparison means judges that the document has been replaced. Emission detection device.