JP3587490B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is applied to a facsimile, a printer, a digital copier, and the like, and particularly relates to an image forming apparatus having a post-processing (sorting) device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been a demand for a smaller size and a smaller space in an image forming apparatus, particularly in recent years. For this reason, it has been considered that a paper discharge port provided on a side surface of a copying machine is provided between the inside of the machine (scanner and plotter) to realize space saving.
[0003]
In the case of a digital copying machine, an electronic sort that realizes a sort function for automatically sorting output transfer paper without using a peripheral device has been put to practical use. On the other hand, there is also a demand for a function using a conventional sorter (finisher) such as a staple function.
[0004]
For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 4-58670 of the prior art discloses an invention relating to a rotary sort in which a sort function is realized without using a sorter by discharging the copied paper so that the longitudinal direction of the copy is partly perpendicular to each other. Has been disclosed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to prevent rotation sorting when one transfer sheet is not present, thereby preventing the copy result from being sorted.
[0005]
Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-38889 of the second prior art discloses an invention in which sorting is continued by using another discharge bin even if a stackover or the like occurs in a mechanical sorter.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-mentioned prior art 1 is an invention relating to rotational sorting among the electronic sorting functions, but does not consider a combination with a mechanical sorter or a staple function. Further, Conventional Example 2 is an invention relating to a mechanical sorter, in which even if a part of a plurality of sort bins becomes unusable, the sort function is continued using another bin. However, there is a problem that there is no effect in the case where all the bins cannot be used or in the case of a finisher which realizes a sorting function using one shift tray.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus having two sorting methods and having improved reliability.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a sorter that sorts discharge sheets by moving a discharge tray to the left and right with respect to a discharge direction of the discharge sheets, and a sorter that sorts the discharge sheets. A rotating sorter that sorts the discharged paper by alternately switching between a long paper feed cassette and a short paper feed cassette at the same time, and outputs the output image information by changing the direction by 90 degrees for each copy. It is characterized in that the sorter and the rotation sorter are used properly depending on the case.
[0009]
In addition, the above-mentioned selection means that when the sorter discharge tray fails and sorting cannot be performed, the rotary sorter automatically performs the rotary sort. It is preferable to prohibit sorting by moving the paper discharge tray.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 13 show an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
[0012]
FIG. 1 shows a layout diagram in a digital copier to which the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment is applied.
As shown in FIG. 1, the present system includes a double-sided document feeding device, an image reading device, an image forming device, a double-sided unit, a post-processing device, and the like. In FIG. 1, an arrow (←) indicates a transport path for discharging paper in the apparatus and a transport path for discharging paper to the post-processing apparatus. The portion where the in-machine paper ejection is performed is ejected on the back side of the hatched portion according to the conveyance path indicated by the arrow (←) in FIG.
[0013]
FIG. 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the system, and FIG. 3 shows an example of the software configuration of the system controller. The operation unit 620, the image forming device 603, the image reading device 601, the RAM 630, the ROM 602, and the document feeding device 700 are controlled by the CPU 101 in the system controller. A duplex unit having a reversing mechanism for performing duplex printing and a post-processing device (finisher) for stapling transfer paper after image formation are controlled by independent CPUs (not shown). In addition, they exchange information while performing handshake with the CPU 101 in the system controller using a control signal line. The individual operations and configurations of the double-sided unit, the image storage device, and the post-processing device are well known and will not be described in detail.
[0014]
The terms used commonly in this case are explained and defined below.
[0015]
“Image reading device” has the following meaning.
The "image reader" used in digital copiers has the function of irradiating a document with a light source, converting the reflected light into electrical signals using a "solid-state imaging device = CCD", and performing necessary image processing. Is used.
[0016]
“Image forming apparatus” has the following meaning.
An "image forming apparatus" used in a digital copying machine is an apparatus that forms an image image transmitted by an electric signal on plain paper, thermal paper, or the like by means of electrophotography, heat transfer, thermal transfer, ink jet, or the like.
[0017]
“Extended function” or “application (abbreviated as application)” has the following meaning.
An important feature of a digital copying machine is that an image is converted into an electric signal and read, and the electric signal is restored by an image forming apparatus. By providing means for changing and transmitting the electric signal read at this time in various ways, it can be applied to fields other than the copying machine. In addition to the above-described FAX and printer, the application range of a scanner, a file system, and the like is very wide. These extensions are referred to as "applications".
[0018]
“Video signal” has the following meaning.
The electric signal of the image converted by the above-mentioned “image reading device”, the electric signal of the image inputted to the “image forming device”, and the signal for synchronizing with the electric signal of the image are collectively referred to as “video signal”. Express.
[0019]
“Control signal” and “command” have the following meanings.
In order to exchange a “video signal” between an “image reading device”, an “image forming device”, and an “application”, it is necessary to exchange information between the devices. This means is referred to as "control signal" or "command" issuance.
[0020]
“System”, “system control”, and “system controller” have the following meanings.
In recent digital copiers, not only one application 900 but also a plurality of applications have been installed simultaneously. A digital copier sharing one resource in this manner is referred to as a “system”, and controllers for controlling the system are referred to as “system control” and “system controller 902”.
[0021]
“Resource (or resource)” has the following meaning.
Functional units shared by a plurality of applications are expressed as “resource” and “resource”. The above-described system controller 902 performs system control on a resource-by-resource basis. The resources managed by the digital copier of this case include “image reading device”, “image forming device”, “operation unit”, “memory”, and “peripheral device (DF = document feeder, sorter, etc.)”.
[0022]
“Electronic sort (or rotating electronic sort)” has the following meaning.
A mode in which image data of a set document is stored in an image storage device (memory) in place of a conventional sorter device in order to save space, and copies are automatically sorted to the same discharge port. In order to further improve the operability, paper sheets of the same size and different paper directions are fed for each number of copies, and the image data stored in the image storage device is rotated 90 degrees to form an image, and output is performed. In some cases, the result (copied paper) is alternately changed and discharged one copy at a time. This is hereinafter referred to as a rotating electronic sort.
[0023]
<Basic operation>
Regarding the operation of the post-processing device (finisher) applied to the present embodiment, the technology itself is already known. For this purpose, a brief description will be given with reference to FIGS. 4 shows the outline of the finisher, FIG. 5 shows the state of the surface discharge of the finisher, FIG. 6 shows the state of the staple tray, FIG. 7 shows the state of the finisher inverted discharge, and FIG. 8 shows the state of the discharge from the staple tray.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 4, when the normal paper discharge is performed, the recording paper discharged from the copying machine main body is discharged on the front surface through a path indicated by an arrow in FIG. At this time, the paper discharge tray is lowered according to the stacked amount of the discharged recording paper.
When performing the stapling operation, the recording paper discharged from the copying machine main body is made to stand by in a staple tray provided in the post-processing device, as shown in FIG. The stapling process is executed at the time when all the sheets are set on the staple tray.
[0025]
The recording sheet group on which the stapling process has been performed is discharged to a discharge tray of a post-processing device as shown in FIG. The paper discharge tray is lowered according to the amount of discharged recording paper.
When mechanical sorting is performed, the recording paper discharged from the copying machine main body is once conveyed to a staple unit and turned over as shown in FIG. The paper discharge tray is configured to shift to the left and right with respect to the direction in which the recording paper is discharged. Sorting is performed by shifting the paper tray left and right.
[0026]
Next, the operation of “electronic sort” will be briefly described. Since the control of the electronic sort itself is a known technique, a description using a flowchart will be omitted.
[0027]
First, the control performed by the application layer will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, an “image storage device (hereinafter, referred to as a memory unit)” is mounted on the system controller.
When performing the electronic sorting process, the copy application instructs the system controller to transfer the image data read by the image reading device to the memory unit.
[0028]
When reading of one document is completed, an instruction to transfer image data from the “image reading device” to the “memory unit” is given to the next document, and this operation is repeated by the number of documents desired by the operator.
The read original is stored in a storage unit held by the memory unit, and the page management of the stored image data can be logically controlled by the copy application.
[0029]
When the reading of all the originals is completed, the copy application issues a logical instruction to the memory unit to output “page 1” and “page 2”, and transfers the stored image data to the image forming apparatus. Let it. In the case of the electronic sort function, the read originals are sequentially output to the image forming apparatus by FIFO or LIFO, and when the transfer of all the image data is completed, the originals are sequentially output to the image forming apparatus again from the beginning (or the end). By repeating this operation for the number of copies designated by the operator, the sorted recording sheets are output by the specified number of copies at the discharge port.
[0030]
Further, in the case of the rotation sort, the transfer paper of the same size and the different paper direction is fed for each number of copies, the image data stored in the memory unit is rotated 90 degrees to form an image, and the output result (copy Sheets) are alternately turned one by one and discharged.
[0031]
Next, various operation examples will be described below.
<Operation example 1>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the control of the sort copy.
When the assorted copy is started (5102), it is checked whether or not the output tray of the finisher is abnormal (5103). If the output is normal, the normal sort output is performed by shifting the output tray, and the rotation is performed at this time. No sorting is performed (5104). If it is determined in step 5103 that there is an abnormality, rotation sort output is performed to implement the sorting process (5105). FIG. 10 shows a normal sort output process (5104), and FIG. 11 shows a rotational sort output (5105) to the post-processing device.
[0032]
In FIG. 10, all the originals to be copied are read by the image reading device and stored in the image storage device (5202, 5203). Thereafter, the transfer paper is transferred by the image forming device for each document information stored in the image storage device. , And discharge it to a paper discharge tray (5204). When the recording operation for one copy is completed (5205), the discharge tray is shifted (5206), and this operation is repeated for the number of copies specified by the operator (5207).
[0033]
In FIG. 11, all the documents to be copied are read by the image reading device and stored in the image storage device (5302, 5303). Thereafter, the transfer paper is transferred by the image forming device for each document information stored in the image storage device. , And discharge it to the paper discharge tray (5304). If the recording operation of one copy is completed (5305), and if all the copying operations are not completed (5306), the developing direction (or output direction) of the page memory in the image storage device is 90 degrees (or 270 degrees). At the same time, the transfer sheets stored in the sheet cassettes having the same size and different directions are fed (5307). This operation is repeated for the number of copies specified by the operator (5306).
[0034]
<Operation example 2>
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the control of the operation example 2.
When assorted copying is started (6002), it is determined whether or not rotation sorting is instructed by the operator (6003), and if so, rotation sorting is output (6004), and at this time, the discharge tray is not shifted. If the rotation sort is not designated in 6003, a normal electronic sort output for shifting the paper discharge tray is performed (6005).
[0035]
<Operation example 3>
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the control of the operation example 3.
When sorting copy is started (7002), it is determined whether or not rotation sorting has been instructed by the operator (7003). If so, rotation sorting output processing is performed (7004). At this time, stapling has been instructed. Is also ignored. If rotation sorting has not been instructed, it is determined whether stapling has been instructed (7005). If so, stapling processing is performed (7006). If the instruction has not been given, the normal sort processing is performed by shifting the discharge tray (7007). As a result, when a mechanical sorter is attached to the digital copying machine as shown in the present embodiment, both digital sorting and mechanical sorting are provided.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a sorter that sorts discharge sheets by moving a discharge tray left and right with respect to a discharge direction of discharge sheets, and an image forming apparatus. The image information stored in the data storage means is output by changing the direction by 90 degrees for each copy, and at the same time, the discharge sheet is sorted by alternately switching between the long paper feed cassette and the short paper feed cassette. Then, the sorter and the rotation sort are selectively used depending on the sorting state. Therefore, when mechanical sorting by shifting the output tray is not possible, the sorting is automatically switched to the electronic sorting to perform the sorting process, so that the sorting copy can be performed even when the output tray cannot be used due to a failure or the like. Operability and productivity are improved.
[0037]
According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, the above-mentioned proper use means that when the discharge tray of the sorter fails and cannot be sorted, the rotation sort automatically performs the rotation sort. When sorting is performed, sorting by moving the sorter discharge tray is prohibited. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decrease in productivity due to the shift operation of the discharge tray and a further shift of the rotation-sorted discharge sheets, thereby preventing the discharge sheets from being aligned.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a layout in a copier when an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied to a digital copier.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a system.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of software of a system controller.
FIG. 4 is a view schematically showing a finisher.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state of surface discharge of the finisher.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state of a staple tray.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state of finisher reversal discharge.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state of discharge from a staple tray.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a control of a sort copy in the operation example 1;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure example of a sort output process.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure example of a rotation sort output process.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating control of an operation example 2;
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the control of the operation example 3;
[Explanation of symbols]
101 CPU
601 Image reading device 602 ROM
603 Image forming apparatus 620 Operation unit 630 RAM
700 Document feeder 900 Application
902 System controller

Claims (3)

A sorter that sorts the discharged paper by moving the discharge tray to the left and right with respect to the discharge direction of the discharged paper, and outputs the image information stored in the image data storage unit by changing the direction by 90 degrees for each copy. A sorter for sorting discharged sheets by alternately switching between a long sheet feed cassette and a short sheet feed cassette at the same time, and selectively use the sorter and the rotary sort means according to the sorting state. An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the sorter cannot be sorted due to a failure of a discharge tray of the sorter, the rotary sorter automatically performs the rotary sort. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the sorting is performed by the rotation sorting unit, the sorting is prohibited by moving the sorter by moving a discharge tray.

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