JPH0832746A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] (Correction) [Purpose] An image forming apparatus capable of placing and storing output sheets using a tray of a sorter, and also capable of sorting and storing a larger number of trays than the assigned number of trays. [Structure] Reader unit 1 having a document circulation reading device
A printer unit 2 having a sorter device and an external device unit 3 having a function of transmitting and receiving an image signal to and from the outside and a storage device, and the printer unit 2 circulates a document to read and process an image signal. Then, an image is formed on the recording sheet, and the image-formed recording sheet is placed and accommodated in a tray assigned by a sorter device provided in the printer unit 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a composite function such as a copying machine, a printer, a fax machine, etc., which forms an image on a recording medium based on an image electric signal and mounts and stores the image on a tray of a discharge means. It is a thing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A copying machine, which is an example of a conventional image forming apparatus, places an original on a glass plate on which the original is placed, illuminates the image of the original with a fluorescent lamp, and moves the original placing glass plate or moves the fluorescent lamp. The original image is scanned by the movement of the irradiation light from, and the reflected light from the original image is imaged on the surface of the photoconductor by a reflecting mirror, an imaging lens, or the like. Alternatively, the reflected light from the original image is input to the sensor, photoelectrically converted to perform image processing to form an electric image signal, and the photosensitive member is irradiated with the electric image signal to form an image on the surface.

By forming an image on the surface of the photoconductor, an electrostatic image is formed on the photoconductor. Then, the image is developed by a developing device, transferred to a recording sheet such as a recording medium, and the image is fixed and output.

Further, as a constitution for accommodating the recording paper output from the image forming section having the above-mentioned constitution, a plurality of trays for accommodating and accommodating the recording paper to be outputted are arranged at appropriate intervals (hereinafter referred to as a sorter). The image forming apparatus is configured to be separately sorted and stored.

That is, in the conventional image forming apparatus, when a plurality of copies are ejected by a retrievable document reading apparatus and a paper ejection apparatus having a plurality of trays, the sheets are sorted one by one according to the number of trays, and the paper ejection processing is performed. We were able to.

[0006]

However, in the apparatus of this type, when it is necessary to separately sort sheets for the number of copies larger than the assigned tray number, only the assigned tray number can be processed at one time. Instead, the copying could be resumed only by removing all the output recording media from the tray. Therefore, there was a problem that the operator had to be attached until the copying was completed.

Further, in an image forming apparatus equipped with an image communication means such as a facsimile, the number of trays assigned to each function is further reduced by increasing the number of functions, so that the number of output copies required by the operator increases. There is also.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. In an image forming apparatus having a composite function, a large number of images are formed and output, and a paper discharge processing apparatus is effectively used. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be used to store and store output paper, and can also sort and store a larger number of trays than the assigned number of trays.

[0009]

For this reason, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention has an image circulating means for reading an image of an original and outputting an image signal, and an image transmitting and receiving an image signal. Communication means, image signal processing means for outputting an image forming signal by processing the image signal to form an image, and storage means for storing the image forming signal
Image forming means for inputting the image forming signal to form an image on a recording medium, paper discharging means having a plurality of trays for accommodating and accommodating the image formed recording medium, and tray for allocating trays for accommodating and accommodating the recording medium An image forming apparatus comprising: a designating unit, a determining unit for comparing the assigned number of trays with the number of output copies, and a control unit for controlling the operation of each unit, wherein an image forming output request is made under the control of the control unit. In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a tray is allocated corresponding to the above, and a recording medium on which an image is formed by circulating reading of a document is placed and housed in the tray to which the sheet discharging means is allocated. Is.

Further, reading means for reading the image of the document and outputting the image signal, image communication means for transmitting and receiving the image signal, and image signal processing means for processing the image signal and outputting an image forming signal for forming an image. A storage means for storing the image forming signal, an image forming means for inputting the image forming signal to form an image on a recording medium, and a discharging means having a plurality of trays for accommodating and storing the image formed recording medium. An image forming apparatus comprising: a tray designating means for allocating trays for mounting and accommodating recording media; a judging means for comparing the allocated number of trays with the number of output copies; and a control means for controlling the operation of each means. Under the control of the control means, a tray is assigned in response to an image formation output request, and the contents of the image formation signal stored in the storage means are circulated and input to the image formation means to form an image. The configuration characterized in that,
It is intended to achieve the above purpose.

[0011]

With the above structure, trays are assigned in response to image forming output requests, the originals are circulated and read, or the contents of the image forming signals stored in the storing means are circulated and input to the image forming means. The image-formed and image-formed recording medium can be placed and accommodated in a tray to which a sheet discharging means is assigned, for example, the recording medium image-formed and output from different inputs can be accommodated sequentially in different trays,
It is possible to sort and store as desired without mixing output sheets. Moreover, even when the number of output copies is larger than the assigned number of trays, sorted paper discharge processing can be performed, and the function of the image forming apparatus having a composite function can be effectively exhibited.

[0012]

EXAMPLES The image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to examples.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numeral 1 denotes an image input device for converting a document into image data (hereinafter referred to as a reader section), 2 has a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes, and the image data is output as a visible image on the recording paper by a print command. An image output device (hereinafter referred to as a printer unit) 3 is an external device unit electrically connected to the reader unit 1, and includes a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, and
The external storage device 6 connected to the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7 for connecting to the computer and the LAN, the formatter unit 8 for converting the information from the computer into a visible image, and the information from the reader unit 1 An image memory unit 9 for storing and temporarily storing information sent from a computer, a core unit 10 for controlling each of the above functions, and the like are provided.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the structure of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2. The structure and operation will be described below.

The originals stacked on the original feeding device 101 are sequentially conveyed one by one onto the original table glass surface 102. When the original is conveyed to a predetermined position on the glass surface 102,
The lamp 103 of the scanner unit is turned on, and the scanner unit 104 moves to illuminate the document. The reflected light of the document is input to the CCD image sensor unit 109 (hereinafter referred to as CCD) via the mirrors 105, 106, 107 and the lens 108. The reflected light or transmitted light of the document with which the CCD 109 is irradiated is photoelectrically converted here. The converted electric signal is sent to the image processing unit 110.

In the image processing section 110, image processing set by various operation sections is performed. Further, it has an image memory and also has a function of rotating the image output direction. The rotation of the image is performed in the formatter unit 8 by the same method as described later. An external switching circuit, which is a selector for switching the signal from the reader unit 1 to the printer unit 2 or the external device unit 3, is provided, and either the signal from the reader unit 1 or the signal from the external device unit 3 is provided. To select and connect to the printer unit 2.

In the external switching circuit of the image processing unit 110, the electric signal connected to the printer unit 2 is converted into an optical signal modulated by the exposure control unit 201, and the photoconductor 202.
Is irradiated. The latent image formed on the photoconductor 202 by the irradiation light is developed by the developing device 203. The transfer paper is conveyed from the transfer paper stacking unit 204 or 205 in synchronization with the leading edge of the developed image, and the developed image is transferred to the transfer unit 206. The transferred image is fixed on the transfer paper by the fixing unit 207, and then the paper discharge unit 208.
Is discharged to the outside of the device. The transfer paper output from the paper output unit 208 is passed to the sorter 220. The control of the sorter 220 will be described later.

A method for outputting sequentially read images on both sides of one output sheet will be described.

After the output paper sheet fixed by the fixing section 207 is once conveyed to the paper discharge section 208, the conveyance direction of the paper sheet is reversed and the re-transferred transfer paper stacking section 210 is conveyed through the conveyance direction switching member 209. Transport to. When the next manuscript is prepared,
The original image is read in the same manner as in the above process, but the transfer paper is fed from the re-transferred transfer paper stacking section 210, so that two original images are output on the front and back sides of the same output paper. can do.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the operation panel in the reader unit 1. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a display unit that displays operating states and messages. In addition, the surface of the display unit 301 is a touch panel, and touching the surface functions as a selection key. A numeral key 302 is a key for inputting numbers. Reference numeral 303 denotes a start key, and the operation is started by pressing this key.

Document circulation in the document feeder will be described with reference to FIG.

Since the originals on the original tray are fed in order from the last page by the paper feed roller (4-1), the original 1
Is sent to the carrying roller (4-2). The original 1 is sent to the conveyor belt (4-4) by the conveyor roller (4-2) and set on the original table glass. After copying the original, the original 1 is ejected by the paper ejecting / reversing roller (4-5) and the paper ejecting roller (4-6). By repeating this, the original 1 and the original 2 can be circulated any number of times.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view for explaining the structure of the sorter 220 shown in FIG.

5-2 to 5-8 are flappers for guiding the paper to a predetermined tray. Reference numerals 5-1 and 5-9 to 5-16 are paper discharge rollers for discharging the guided paper. The trays are divided into functional trays such as copy and facsimile and sort trays for sorting paper. The flappers 5-1 to 5-8 can be controlled in any combination. For example, when it is desired to eject the paper to the tray that receives the paper ejected by the paper ejection rollers 5-13, the flapper 5-2 is used to eject the paper.
-3, the flapper 5-3 to 5-5 is passed, and the output recording paper can be sent to the paper discharge roller 5-13 by the flapper 5-6.

The process of discharging the paper by shifting the tray or rotating the image will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 6A is a simplified view of the image forming apparatus (6-1) as seen from directly above. The discharged sheet 1 discharged from the image forming apparatus is received by the tray (6-2). As shown in FIG. 6B, the tray can be sorted horizontally by repeating horizontal movements horizontally to the floor every time one tray is discharged as shown in the figure. Of course, the same applies to all trays.

Next, a method of discharging an image by rotating an image will be described with reference to FIG. The image developed in the bitmap memory is as shown in FIG. This development example is A4
In the example of the size of, the number of pixels is 4622 for 297 mm in height,
It is a bitmap memory with a pixel number of 3296 for a width of 210 mm. First, when reading without rotating, (a) 0,0 → 0,4622,1,0 as shown in FIG.
→ Read in the order of 1,4622. Further, when reading by rotating 180 degrees, as shown in FIG. 7B, (a)
Contrary to the case of 3296,4622 → 3296,0,3
By sequentially reading in the direction of 295,4622 → 3295,0, it is possible to rotate and output 180 degrees. Further, in the case of reading by rotating by -90 degrees, the reading directions are changed vertically and horizontally as shown in FIG. 7C, and 0,4622 → 3296,46.
By sequentially reading in the direction of 22, 0, 4621 → 3296, 4621, the image can be rotated by −90 ° and output. Further, in the case of reading by rotating 90 degrees, the reading directions are changed vertically and horizontally as shown in FIG. 7D, and 3296,0 → 0,0,
By sequentially reading in the direction of 3296,1 → 0,1, it is possible to rotate and output 90 degrees. Although not shown, such rotation control is configured in the formatter unit 8.

FIG. 8 is a simplified diagram of the image forming apparatus (8-1) viewed from directly above. The tray (8-2) receives the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus. As a result, for example, when ejecting the image without rotating the image, the A4 sheet and the image are
When the sheet is rotated and discharged, the A4R sheet can be discharged as shown in FIG. 8 by switching and discharging the A4R sheet for each copy.

Next, each functional processing operation in the image forming apparatus of the embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS.

First, in FIG. 9, after the power is turned on, initialization is performed (s9-1). The operation mode selection key is displayed on the display section 301 of the operation panel, and the mode is selected by touching the panel above the selection key. It is determined whether the selected mode is the copy mode (s9-
2) In the copy mode, jump to step A. When the copy mode is not selected, it is judged whether it is the facsimile transmission mode (s9-3), and when it is the facsimile transmission mode, jump to step B. When the facsimile transmission mode is not selected, it is determined whether it is the file mode (s9-4), and when it is the file mode, the process jumps to step C. When the file mode is not selected, it is judged whether it is the input mode from the computer interface (9-5), and when it is the input mode from the computer interface, the process jumps to step D. When the input mode from the computer interface is not detected, it is judged whether it is the facsimile reception mode (s
9-6), in the facsimile reception mode, jump to step E. When the facsimile reception mode is not detected, the process returns to the judgment s9-2 of the copy mode, s
The selection mode determination from 9-2 to s9-6 is repeated.

When the copy mode is selected in the judgment of step s9-2 shown in FIG. 9, the flow shown in FIG. 10 is started.

First, in the initial setting of the copy operation, the number of output copies is input (s10-1), the keys input from the operation panel are read, and the copy conditions are set (s10-).
2) Wait for the input of the start key 303 (s10-
3). Then, when the start key is pressed, the document feeding apparatus 101 determines whether the document can be circulated (s10-
4) If the document cannot be circulated, jump to step XC.
When the documents can be circulated, the number of trays assigned by function or group is compared with the number of output copies input in s10-1 (s10-5). If the number of trays is larger, the process proceeds to step XB. If the number of output copies is larger, the process jumps to step XA.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart when the number of output copies is larger in step s10-5.

First, in the initial setting (s11-1), the paper output direction is vertical (for example, A4 paper), the top of the sort tray is 1, the number of the sort tray to be discharged is s, and the initial setting is s. = 1. Next, it is determined whether or not there is a document that has not been copied (s11-2). When there is a document, the document is fed (s11-3), the document is read by the reader unit 1 (s11-4), and the paper is output. The direction is determined (s11-5), and when it is landscape (for example, A4R paper), the image shown in FIG. 7 is rotated (s11-6) and printed (s11-).
7) Do. Further, when the output direction of the paper is vertical, printing of s11-7 is performed, the paper is discharged (s11-8), and the process returns to step s11-2.

If there is no document in s11-2, s = s
+1 (s11-9) is calculated to determine whether the number of output copies input in s10-1 has been copied (s11-
10). When the copying of the input number of output copies is completed, the process returns to step F (s9-1 initial setting). When the input number of output copies is not copied, s ≦ the number of trays is determined (s11-11), and if NO, the process is the tray movement in FIG. 6 or the paper discharge direction conversion in FIG. 8 (s11-
12) is performed. Regarding the conversion of the paper discharge direction, when the vertical setting is currently set, the horizontal direction is set, and when the horizontal setting is set, the vertical direction is set. Then, s = 1 is set (s11-13), and the sheet is switched to the tray number s as described in FIG. 5 (s11-14). Also, YES in s11-11
If so, s11-14 is directly performed. Then, the process returns from s11-14 to s11-2 and performs the same processing.

FIG. 12 shows step s10-5 of FIG.
6 is a flowchart when the number of trays is larger in.

First, it is determined whether or not there is a document that has not been copied (s12-1). If there is no document, the process returns to step F (initial setting of s9-1). If there is a document, the document is fed ( s12-2), the reader unit 1 reads the document (s12-3), and the printer unit 2 prints (s12-).
4) is performed to determine whether the number of output copies input in s10-1 has been copied (s12-5). If the input number of output copies has not been copied, the process returns to s12-3 and s12
-3 to s12-5 are repeated. If the input number of output copies is being copied, the process returns to step s12-1 to repeat the same processing.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart when the circulating DF is not installed in step s10-4 of FIG.

First, in the initial setting (s13-1), the paper output direction is vertical (for example, A4 paper), the top of the sort tray is 1, the number of the sort tray to be discharged is s, and the initial setting is s. = 1. Further, the number of stored originals is set to M, and M = 0 is set as an initial setting. Next, the document is fed (s13-2), the document is read by the reader unit 1 (s13-3), and the content of the document is stored (s13-).
4), M = M = + 1 is calculated (s13-5), printing (s13-6) and paper ejection (s13-7) are performed. Then, it is determined whether or not there are unread originals (s13-
8) If there are unread originals, s13-2
Then, the process returns to the document feeding of, and when there is no unread document, the calculation of s = s + 1 is performed (s13-9).

Subsequently, it is judged whether or not the output copy number input in s10-1 has been copied (s13-10), and when the copy of the input output copy number is completed, step F
Return to (initial setting of s9-1). When the input number of output copies is not copied, s ≦ the number of trays is determined (s13
-11), if NO, process 1 (s13-12), which is the movement of the tray in FIG. 6 or the conversion of the paper discharge direction in FIG. 8, is performed.
Regarding the conversion of the paper discharge direction, when the vertical setting is currently set, the horizontal direction is set, and when the horizontal setting is set, the vertical direction is set. Then, s = 1 is set (s13-13), and switching is performed so that the sheet is discharged to the tray number s as described in FIG. 5 (s13).
-14). If YES in s13-11, s1 directly
Perform 3-14 and proceed to step XD.

The contents of the M-th sheet are sequentially output from step XD (s13-15), and the output direction of the paper is determined (s13).
-16), and for landscape (for example, A4R paper), the image is rotated (s13-17) in FIG. 8 and printed (s13-18).
To do. When the output direction of the paper is vertical, printing of s13-18 is performed, and after discharging (s13-19), M = M-1 is calculated (s13-20), and M> 0 is determined. (S
13-21), if YES, returns to s13-15, NO
If so, return to s13-9.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart when the facsimile transmission mode is selected.

First, the initialization of facsimile transmission is set (s14-1), and the key 3 input from the operation panel is entered.
01 and 302 are read and the facsimile transmission conditions are set (s14-2), and the input of the start key 303 is awaited (s
14-3). When the start key is pressed, the document is read by the reader unit 1 (s14-4) and the image data is sent to the facsimile unit 4. The facsimile unit 4 performs facsimile transmission according to the set format and the determined protocol (s14-5). After the transmission is completed, the process returns to the initial setting s9-1.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart when the file mode is selected.

First, initialization setting of file operation is performed (s15-1), mode selection of file recording or search is displayed on the operation panel, and key input is awaited (s15-2). If the recording key is selected, set the recording conditions (s
15-3), the document is read from the reader unit 1 (s15-
4), data is sent to the file section 5 and recorded in the external storage device 6 of the file (s15-5). When the file search key is selected in s15-2, the search condition is set (s15-6), the file is searched from the external storage device 6 (s15-7), and the result is output. . After recording or searching is completed, the process returns to the initial setting s9-1.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart when command data is input to the computer interface from the outside.

First, the command is received by the computer interface (s16-1), the data is sent to the formatter unit 8 via the core unit 10 for interpretation, and the information is expanded in the bit map memory (s16-2). Then, s1
In the processing of 6-3, it is determined whether the printer is in operation and waits for the operation to end. When the operation is completed, an appropriate paper is selected and paper feeding is started (s16-4). Paper is fed from the paper cassette 204 or 205 and moves to the transfer position 206. Here, the image developed in the bitmap memory in the process of s16-2 is rotated and read by a method described later according to the information such as the orientation and size of the paper. The read image information is sent to the exposure control unit 201 and printed (s16-5). At the time of printing, when a paper discharge device capable of sorting by function is attached, information such as the paper discharge position of the printer specified in the user mode (not shown) is sent and printed. The printing part is common to each operation described so far. Then, after outputting the data, the process returns to the initial setting s9-1.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart when a facsimile is received.

First, facsimile reception is performed by the facsimile unit 4 (s17-1), and it is determined whether the printer unit 2 is operating (s17-2). If not, data is sent to the printer unit 2. , Printed (s17-
3). At the time of printing, when a paper discharge device capable of sorting by function is attached, information such as the FAX paper discharge position designated in a user mode (not shown) is sent and printed. If the printer unit 2 is operating in s17-2, it is stored in the hard disk of the facsimile unit 4 (s17-
4) When the printer unit 2 is not operating, it is printed out (s17-2, s17-3). After printing,
Return to the initial setting s9-1.

The above-described modes are selected by the selection key 30 on the operation panel.
The operation is performed by selecting 1 or receiving by the facsimile unit 4, or by detecting a command from the outside in the computer interface unit 7.

Note that some of these operations can be operated in combination at the same time, and some of them can be operated independently at the same time, and the core section 10 controls the priority setting and the like.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A tray is assigned in response to an image formation output request, the original is circulated and read, or the content of the image formation signal stored in the storage means is circulated and input to the image formation means to form an image, and the image formed recording The medium can be placed and accommodated in a tray to which the sheet discharging means is assigned. For example, recording media for image formation and output from different inputs can be sequentially accommodated in different trays. It is possible to sort and store in the street. Moreover, even when the number of output copies is larger than the assigned number of trays, sorted paper discharge processing can be performed, and the function of the image forming apparatus having a composite function can be effectively exhibited.

Specifically, the number of trays to which the determination means is assigned is compared with the number of output copies, and the document is circulated by a reading device which can circulate the document based on the comparison result. When the number of output copies is larger than the assigned number of trays, the paper discharge process can be performed without delay because the signals are stored by the storage means that stores the signals, the stored contents are circulated, and the images are formed and the paper is discharged. .

Therefore, even when the number of copies is larger than the allocated number of trays, the effect that the paper discharge process can be correctly performed is exhibited.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing configurations of a reader unit and a printer unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of an operation panel arranged in the reader section shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating document circulation in the document feeder shown in FIG.

5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a sorter 220 shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of tray shifting according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of image rotation processing in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image rotation process example in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of each functional processing procedure in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart when a copy mode is selected in the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 10 when the copy mode in the embodiment is selected.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart following FIG. 10 when a copy mode is selected in the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 10 when the copy mode in the embodiment is selected.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart when a facsimile transmission mode is selected in the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart when the selected file mode is selected in the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart in the external input mode in the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart in the facsimile reception mode in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Reader Unit with Document Circulation Device 2 Image Output Device 3 External Device Unit 4 Facsimile Unit 5 File Unit 6 External Storage Device 7 Computer Interface Unit 8 Formatter Unit 9 Image Memory Unit 10 Core Unit for Controlling Each Function

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Satoshi Kaneko 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Satoru Eda 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Within the corporation

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image signal output means for reading an image of an original to output an image signal, an image communication means for transmitting and receiving the image signal, and an image forming process by processing the image signal. An image signal processing unit that outputs an image forming signal, a storage unit that stores the image forming signal, an image forming unit that inputs the image forming signal and forms an image on a recording medium, and a recording medium on which the image is formed are mounted. Paper discharge means having a plurality of trays to be accommodated, tray designating means for allocating trays for accommodating and accommodating recording media, judgment means for comparing the number of allocated trays with the number of output copies, and control for controlling the operation of each means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a recording medium on which an image is formed by allocating a tray in response to an image forming output request and performing circular reading of a document under the control of the control unit. Image forming apparatus characterized by placing accommodated in a tray assigned paperless means. 2. A document is circulated by the document circulation device under the control of the control means to form an image, and one copy of the recording medium is placed and accommodated for each assigned tray. The image forming apparatus described. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper discharging unit moves a tray, on which a recording medium is placed and accommodated, in a horizontal direction with respect to a floor under the control of the control unit. . 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contents of the image forming signal stored in the storing unit are rotated 90 degrees by one copy and input to the image forming unit under the control of the control unit to form an image. The image forming apparatus described. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means controls the sheets to be sorted and stored one by one up to the assigned number of trays, and to store and store one copy at a time. The image forming apparatus described. 6. A reading means for reading an image of a document and outputting an image signal, an image communication means for transmitting and receiving the image signal, and an image signal processing means for processing the image signal and outputting an image forming signal for forming an image. A storage means for storing the image forming signal, an image forming means for inputting the image forming signal to form an image on a recording medium, and a discharging means having a plurality of trays for accommodating and storing the image formed recording medium. A tray designating means for allocating a tray for mounting and storing the recording medium,
Determination means for comparing the number of allocated trays with the number of output copies,
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a control unit that controls the operation of each unit, wherein the control unit controls the tray to correspond to an image formation output request, and the contents of the image forming signal stored in the storage unit. An image forming apparatus, which circulates and inputs to an image forming unit to form an image. 7. The image according to claim 6, wherein the paper discharging means moves the tray accommodating and storing the recording medium in the horizontal direction with respect to the floor for each copy output under the control of the control means. Forming equipment. 8. The control unit controls the content of the image forming signal stored in the storage unit to rotate by 90 degrees for each partial output, circulates the content, and inputs the image to the image forming unit to form an image. Item 6. The image forming apparatus according to Item 6.