JPH0912213A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Object] To provide an image forming apparatus in which at least one bin is emptied from a bin having paper to be ejected to facilitate discrimination of each output, thereby improving operability. [Structure] Bin sensor S1 when there is discharged paper on the bin
~ S5 is turned on. In the selectors SL1 to SL5, the output signals of the bin sensors S1 to S5 are output when the "empty 1 bin" function is off, and the output signals of the OR circuits OR1 to OR5 are turned on when the "empty 1 bin" function is on. A signal obtained by taking the logical sum of the bin sensor and the bin sensors above and below is selected and set as output signals B1 to B5. Then, the discharged paper processing device 220 is configured to discharge the paper only to the bins where the output signals B1 to B5 are off.
Control the operation of.

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 discharged paper processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus having a discharged paper processing apparatus, which also has functions of a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, etc., has a paper (paper, paper
A medium such as film that can record images. Hereinafter, the same) is known in which a bin for discharging the same can be set.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, it is difficult to distinguish the function of the sheet discharged to each bin of the discharged sheet processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as "discharged sheet"). Occasionally, there was a situation where he accidentally brought other discharged paper.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and makes it easy to distinguish each output by emptying at least one bin from the bin containing the ejected paper. Accordingly, it is an object to provide an image forming apparatus with improved operability.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is a discharged paper processing apparatus having a plurality of bins, and a discharged paper for detecting discharged paper on a bin provided for each bin of the discharged paper processing apparatus. The detection means and the control means for controlling the discharged paper processing apparatus so that at least one bin is discharged from the bin in which the discharged paper is detected by these discharged paper detecting means and the discharged paper is discharged.

[0006]

According to the present invention, at least one bin is provided for each output due to the above configuration.

[0007]

【Example】

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the entire image forming apparatus of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is an image input device (hereinafter referred to as "reader unit") for converting a document into image data,
An image output device 2 has a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes and outputs image data as a visible image on the recording paper in response to a print command (hereinafter referred to as "printer unit"). 3 is electrically connected to the reader unit 1. The external device has various functions. The external device 3 includes a facsimile unit 4 for performing facsimile transmission / reception, a file unit 5 for converting various document information into electric signals and storing the signals on a magneto-optical disk 5, a storage device 6, and a computer for connecting to an external computer. Interface section 7, formatter section 8 for converting code information from the computer into a visible image, image memory section for accumulating information from the reader section 1 and temporarily accumulating information sent from the computer 9, a LAN interface unit 11 for connecting to a LAN, a core unit 10 for controlling the above functions, and the like.

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 from the lower original onto the original glass platen surface 102. When the document 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 reflected by the mirrors 105, 106, 107 and the lens 10.
CCD image sensor section (hereinafter referred to as “CC
(Hereinafter referred to as “D”) 109.

The reflected light of the original document irradiated on the CCD 109 is photoelectrically converted here. The converted electric signal is subjected to various kinds of image processing in the image processing unit 110,
An external switching circuit (not shown) is reached.

The external switching circuit is a selector for switching the signal from the reader unit 1 to the printer unit 2 or the external device 3. In addition, the signal from the reader unit 1 and the external device 3
It also functions to connect to the printer unit 2 by selecting one of the signals from.

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 converted.
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 at the same timing as the leading edge of the developed image, and the developed image is transferred at the transfer unit 206. The transferred image is the fixing unit 2
After being fixed on the transfer paper at 07, the paper is discharged from the paper discharge unit 208 to the outside of the apparatus. The transfer paper discharged from the paper discharge unit 208 is discharged to each bin when the sort function is working in the discharge paper processing unit 220, and is normally discharged when the sort function is not working. The paper is discharged to the uppermost bin of the paper processing apparatus, but can be discharged to the bin designated by the setting. Each bin of the discharged paper processing apparatus has a bin sensor that detects the discharged paper, and can detect the presence or absence of the discharged paper.

Next, a method for outputting sequentially read images on both sides of one sheet will be described.

The sheet fixed by the fixing unit 207 is temporarily
After the sheet is conveyed to the sheet discharge unit 208, the sheet conveying direction is reversed, and the sheet is conveyed to the re-feed transfer target sheet stacking section 210 via the conveying direction switching member 209. When the next original is prepared, the original image is read in the same manner as the above process, but the transfer paper is fed from the re-transferred transfer paper stacking section 210, so that the same paper surface, Two document images can be output on the back side.

The exposed original is returned onto the original stack placed on the original feeding apparatus 101.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the display / operation panel of the display / operation unit 300 connected to the core unit 10. In this figure, reference numeral 301 denotes a display unit which displays operating states and messages. In addition, the surface of the display unit 301 is a touch panel, and it functions as a selection key by touching the surface. 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.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operating procedure of the entire system.

First, after the power is turned on, initialization is performed (s
401). The operation mode selection key is displayed on the display section 301 of the display / 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 (s402). If the selected mode is the copy mode, the process proceeds to step A.

When the copy mode is not selected, it is judged whether or not it is the facsimile transmission mode (s403), and when it is the facsimile transmission mode, the process proceeds to step B.

When the facsimile transmission mode is not selected, it is judged whether it is the file mode (s404), and when it is the file mode, the process proceeds to step C.

When the file mode is not selected, it is judged whether or not it is the input mode from the computer interface (s405). When it is the input mode from the computer interface, the process shifts to step D.

When the input mode from the computer interface is not detected, it is judged whether or not it is the facsimile reception mode (s406), and when it is the facsimile reception mode, the process proceeds to step E.

When the facsimile reception mode is not detected, the process returns to the judgment s402 of the copy mode and the selection mode judgment (s402 to s406) is repeated.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the operation procedure in the copy mode.

First, initial setting of the copy operation is performed (s
501), keys 30 input from the display / operation panel
1,302 is read and copy conditions are set (s50
2) Wait for input of the start key 303 (s503).

When the start key is pressed, the document is read by the reader unit 1 (s504) and the printer unit 2 prints (s505). The operation here is as described above.
After the printing is completed, the process returns to the initial setting s401 in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure in the facsimile transmission mode.

First, the initial setting of facsimile transmission is performed (s601), the keys 301 and 302 input from the display / operation panel are read to set the facsimile transmission conditions (s602), and the input of the start key 303 is awaited ( s603).

When the start key is pressed, the document is read by the reader unit 1 (s604) 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 (s605). After the transmission is completed, the process returns to the initial setting s401 in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operation procedure in the file mode.

First, initial setting of file operation is performed (s701), mode selection of file recording or search is displayed on the display / operation panel, and key input is waited (s702).
When the recording mode is selected, the recording condition is set (s703), and the document is read by the reader unit 1 (s70).
4) The data is sent to the file unit 5 and recorded in the storage device 6 (s705).

When the file search mode is selected in step s702, search condition setting is performed (s70
6), the file is searched from the storage device 6 (s70).
7), the result is output (s708). After recording or searching is completed, the process returns to the initial setting s401 in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the operation procedure when command data is input to the computer interface from the outside.

First, the command is received by the computer interface (s801), the data is sent to the formatter unit 8 via the core unit 10, and the data is interpreted and converted into meaningful information such as characters (s802). Next, the information is output, but if the printer unit 2 is not operating, the data is printed (s804).

If the printer unit 2 is in operation, it is stored in the image memory unit 9 (s805), and printing is performed when the printer unit 2 is not in operation (s803, s804). After outputting the data, the process returns to the initial setting s401 in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when a facsimile is received.

First, facsimile reception is performed by the facsimile unit 4 (s901), and it is determined whether the printer unit 2 is in operation (s902). If not in operation, data is sent to the printer unit 2 for printing. (S903).

If the printer unit 2 is operating in step s902, it is stored in the hard disk (not shown) of the facsimile unit 4 (s904), and is printed out when the printer unit 2 is not operating (s902). , S
903). After the printing is completed, the process returns to the initial setting s401 in FIG.

The operation is performed by selecting one of the above modes with the selection key 301 on the display / operation panel, receiving it by the facsimile section 4, or detecting a command from the outside by the computer interface section 7.

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

FIG. 10 is a setting screen for performing the function-specific setting of the discharged paper processing apparatus 220 in this embodiment. Here, 7th to 8th bins are used for facsimile (FAX) output, 9th to 10th bins are used for printer output, and 1st to 6th bins are used for copy output. It is set. In addition, here, the discharged paper processing apparatus 2
The 20 bins are called the first bin, the second bin, ... The item "empty one bin" is a function of outputting one bin between outputs of each function, and the function is turned on here. In this embodiment, the operations of the discharged sheet processing device 220 and the document feeding device 101 are performed in the core unit 10 via the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 based on the contents set on the display / operation unit 300. Are in control.

With the above settings, the discharged paper processing apparatus 2 is actually used.
FIG. 11 shows a state in which the data is output to 20.

In the diagram on the left side of FIG. 11, the printer output is discharged from the ninth bin to the tenth bin. The result of copying in the sort mode in this state is shown on the right side of FIG. In this case, the copy output is 6 from the first bin.
Since 6th bin can be output, 6 bins can be used. The number of usable bins should be calculated at the start of copying, and if the copy user sets 6 or more copies in the sort mode, a message must be issued to limit the copy to 6 copies.

If the document feeding device 101 has a document recirculation function, it is not necessary to limit the number of copies to six, and the so-called limitless sort is repeated to copy up to six copies, so that the original setting can be made on the machine. It is possible to copy up to the maximum possible number of copies.

Next, in FIG. 12, a facsimile (FA
When the output of X) has already been discharged to the 7th and 8th bins, the state when there is a printer output is shown in the diagram on the left side. In this case, the printer output is 9th bin and 10th bin.
Although the bin number is set, the function "empty one bin" is set to on, so that the printer output leaves the ninth bin and discharges to the tenth bin. Furthermore, in this state, the result of copying in sort mode is the figure on the right side. In this case, the output of copy is set from the 1st bin to the 6th bin, but it is also "empty 1 bin".
Since this function is set to ON, 5 bins from the 1st bin to the 5th bin can be used.

The function of "empty one bin" can be realized as follows. FIG. 13 shows a logic circuit for this purpose. Here, the case where there are five bins is shown. In this circuit, it is assumed that the bin sensors S1 to S5 are turned on when there is discharged paper on the bin. Selector S
In L1 to SL5, when the “empty 1 bin” function is off, the output signals of the bin sensors S1 to S5 are output, and when the “empty 1 bin” function is on, the OR circuit OR
In 1 to OR5, a signal obtained by taking the logical sum of the bin sensor and the bin sensors located above and below is selected and set as output signals B1 to B5. Then, these output signals B1 to B
The operation of the discharged paper processing device 220 is controlled so that the paper is discharged only to the bins in which 5 is off. That is, for example,
When the "empty one bin function" is on and only the bin sensor S2 is on, the output signals B1 to B3 are on. It becomes possible to do.

As described above, by detecting a bin with discharged paper, emptying one bin from that bin and carrying out the next paper discharge, the discharged paper can be easily distinguished, and another discharged paper is erroneously detected. Since it can be prevented from being carried, it is possible to significantly improve operability.

Further, by performing limitless sorting, it is possible to perform sorting processing up to the maximum number of copies that can be set by the device, and the user is not restricted by the number of sorts.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described. Here, the configuration other than that shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 is the same as that of the embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 14 is a setting screen for performing the function-specific setting of the discharged paper processing apparatus 220 in this embodiment. Here, 1st to 5th bins are used for facsimile (FAX) output, 10th bin is used for printer output, and copy output is set to use the empty bin at the time of copying. doing. The item "empty one bin" is the same as in the first embodiment, and the function is turned on here.

With the above settings, the discharged paper processing apparatus 2 is actually used.
FIG. 15 shows a state in which the data is output to 20.
In the diagram on the left side of FIG. 15, the FAX output is discharged to the first to second bins, and the printer output is discharged to the 10th bin. The result of copying in the sort mode in this state is shown on the right side of FIG. In this case, the copy output can be output from the second bin to the ninth bin.
Since the function of emptying one bin is on, the bins that can be used here are the fifth bin from the fourth bin to the eighth bin. At the start of copying, the number of usable bins should be calculated, and if the copy user sets 5 or more copies in the sort mode, a message must be issued to limit the number of copies to 5.

If the document feeding device 101 has a document recirculation function, it is not necessary to limit the number of copies to five, and the so-called limitless sort is repeated to copy up to five copies, so that the original setting is performed by the machine. It is possible to copy up to the maximum possible number of copies.

As described above, by detecting a bin having discharged paper, emptying one bin from the bin, and discharging the next paper, the discharged paper can be easily distinguished, and another discharged paper is erroneously detected. Since it can be prevented from being carried, it is possible to significantly improve operability.

Further, by detecting a bin without discharged paper and automatically changing the bin that can be used for copying, it is possible to make a copy using the bin that can be used at the maximum at that time. Become.

Further, by performing the limitless sort, it is possible to perform the sorting process up to the maximum number of copies that can be set by the device, and the user is not restricted by the number of sort copies.

Example 3 Next, Example 3 will be described. Here, the configurations other than those shown in FIGS. 16 to 18 are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 16 is a setting screen for performing the function-specific setting of the discharged paper processing apparatus 220 in this embodiment. Here, the item of "sort by function" is a facsimile (FAX).
The output bin is divided for each function of printer / copy, and the function is set to ON here. The item of "sort by output" is, for example, to divide a bin for outputting a facsimile output for each reception or a bin for outputting a printer output for each job. Here, the function is turned on (ON). ) Is set. The item "empty one bin" is the same as in the first embodiment, and the function is turned on here.

With this setting, the discharged paper processing apparatus 2 is actually
FIG. 17 shows a state in which the data is output to 20.
In the diagram on the left side of FIG. 17, the FAX output 1 is discharged to the first bin. In this state, when the next facsimile is received, the first bin is emptied and the third bin is ejected as the FAX output 2, and after that, when the printer sorts three copies of the printer output, the fifth bin To output the printer output 1 using the 7th to 7th bins. Further, when one copy is output from the printer, the printer output 2 is discharged to the 9th bin, and the state on the right side of FIG. 17 shows the state.

Further, in the diagram on the left side of FIG.
7 shows a state in which only the printer output 2 of the 9th bin is left and the sheets of other outputs are removed from the state shown in the right side of FIG. The result of performing the copy in the sort mode in this state is shown on the right side of FIG. 18. In this case, the output of the copy can be output from the first bin to the eighth bin, but the function for leaving one bin is on. The bins that can be used here are 7 bins from the 1st bin to the 7th bin. At the start of copying, the number of usable bins should be calculated, and if the copy user sets 7 or more copies in the sort mode, a message must be issued to limit the copy to 7 copies.

If the document feeding device 101 has a document circulation function, it is not necessary to limit the number of copies to seven, and the so-called limitless sort is repeated to copy up to seven copies, so that the original setting can be made by the machine. It is possible to copy up to the maximum possible number of copies.

As described above, by detecting a bin with discharged paper, emptying one bin from that bin and carrying out the next paper discharge, the discharged paper can be easily distinguished, and another discharged paper can be erroneously detected. Since it can be prevented from being carried, it is possible to significantly improve operability.

Further, by detecting a bin having no discharged paper and automatically changing the bin that can be used for copying, it is possible to make a copy using the bin that can be used at the maximum at that time. Become.

Further, by performing limitless sorting, it is possible to perform sorting processing up to the maximum number of copies that can be set by the device, and the user is not restricted by the number of sorts.

Example 4 Next, Example 4 will be described. Here, the configuration other than that shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore its explanation is omitted.

FIG. 19 is a setting screen for performing function-specific setting of the discharged paper processing apparatus 220 in this embodiment. Here, the items of "sort by function" and "sort by output" are
This is the same as the case of the third embodiment, and here, it is set to ON (ON) and OFF (OFF), respectively. The item "empty bin" is a function of setting the number of bins to be emptied for each output, and is set to 2 bins here.

With the above settings, the discharged paper processing apparatus 2 is actually
FIG. 20 shows a state in which the data is output to 20.
In the diagram on the left side of FIG. 20, the state in which the FAX output is discharged to the first bin is shown. The result of the printer output in this state is shown on the right side of FIG. 20. Since the setting for leaving 2 bins is made, the result is output to the 4th bin.

The function of emptying two bins can be realized by taking the logical sum of the upper and lower two bin sensors for each bin sensor, and otherwise configuring the same as in the first embodiment. In addition, it is possible to open an arbitrary number of bins by setting a logical sum with three upper and lower bin sensors when leaving three bins, and using a logical sum with four upper and lower bin sensors when leaving four bins. .

As described above, by detecting a bin with discharged paper, emptying an arbitrary number of bins from the bin, and carrying out the next paper discharge, the discharged paper can be easily distinguished, and another Since it is possible to prevent the discharged paper from being taken, it is possible to significantly improve the operability.

(Modification of Embodiment) In the above-described Embodiments 1 to 4, the bins that can be output are distinguished by using the logic circuit, but a table indicating whether or not there is discharged paper for each bin is created. However, a configuration may be adopted in which the discharged sheet processing apparatus is controlled so as to retrieve this and empty the bin.

[0073]

As described above, according to the present invention, since at least one bin can be emptied for each discharged sheet, the discharged sheets can be easily discriminated and it is possible to take another discharged sheet by mistake. Since it can be prevented, the operability can be remarkably improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the entire image forming apparatus.

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

[Figure 3] Plan view of the display / operation panel

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the entire system.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in a copy mode.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in a facsimile transmission mode.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in file mode.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when command data is input to the computer interface from the outside.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when a facsimile is received.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a setting screen of the display / operation panel of the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state of discharged paper according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state of discharged paper according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a logic circuit diagram for realizing the function of emptying one bin.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a setting screen of the display / operation panel of the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state of discharged paper according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a setting screen of the display / operation panel of the third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a state of discharged paper according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a state of discharged paper according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a plan view showing a setting screen of the display / operation panel of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a state of discharged paper according to the fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 220 Paper Disposal Processor 10 Core Unit

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Huang Matsunaga 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Satoru Eda 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Kya (72) Inventor Toshi Kaneko 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Nao Suzuki, 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Minoru Nada 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Akiyoshi Kimura 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Shinichi Nakamura 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Noriyuki Miyake 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Within Co., Ltd. (72) inventor Kenji Kobayashi Ota-ku, Tokyo Shimomaruko 3-chome No. 30 No. 2 Canon within Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A discharged paper processing apparatus having a plurality of bins,
Ejected paper detection means for detecting the ejected paper on the bin provided for each bin of the ejected paper processing device, and ejecting at least one bin apart from the bins in which the ejected paper is detected by these ejected paper detection means. An image forming apparatus including a control unit that controls the discharged paper processing apparatus.