JP2000326602A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve a print job processing capability from external devices and efficiently operate a device by a method wherein the external device, which is the receiver of the outputting signal of a delivering paper, is determined by deciding a priority order in response to the attributes of the external device, which receives transmitting data or of the operator of the external device. SOLUTION: Under the state that the priority order of the transmission of an outputting request is decided by the output frequency in the past of each personal computer PC, when any paper delivering tray 9 in a paper delivering device 8 is empty, a controlling part 5 outputs sent image data upon receipt of an output instruction from the personal computer PC. Next, the output frequency of the personal computer PC, which receives the output instruction, is read from a memory 7 so as to store the count-up output frequency in the memory 7. When all the paper delivering trays 9 are in use, the controlling part 5 judges a personal computer PC by deciding the priority order on respective personal computers PC, to which the outputs to respective paper delivering trays 9 are instructed, by reading their output frequencies in reference to the memory 7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plurality of external devices which can be connected to a plurality of external devices, form an image based on transmission data from these external devices, and discharge paper after image formation. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of discharge trays.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a facsimile which is connected to an external device such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) connected to a network and forms an image based on an output instruction from each external device. A plurality of paper output trays for receiving sheets after image formation, and when all the paper output trays are in use, a uniform output is given to an external device that has issued an output instruction to each paper output tray. (See, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-230370).

[0003]

However, in the conventional image forming apparatus as described above, the attributes such as the output frequency of each external device, the reception time of the output instruction from each external device, and the extraction to each external device. Regardless of the signal transmission time, the extraction signal is transmitted uniformly to each external device that has issued the output instruction.Therefore, the network may be congested by extra transmission data, and the operator of the external device may not be able to use the output tray. When the output signal is not completed, the extraction signal is received and confused, or when the operator of the external device sends the extraction signal at an absent time, the extraction signal is sent to the operator. There was a problem that it could not be reported. For this reason, it was not possible to efficiently notify the external device of a signal for taking out the discharged paper, and it was not possible to efficiently process a print job from the external device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and is an image forming apparatus connected to an external device via a network. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving the processing capability of a print job from an external device by being able to notify the user and enabling efficient operation.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, the invention can be connected to a plurality of external devices,
In an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on transmission data from these external devices and has a plurality of discharge trays for discharging the paper after the image formation, it is determined whether all the discharge trays are in use. Detecting means for detecting, and, when the detecting means detects that all of the discharge trays are in use, according to the attribute of the external device that transmitted the transmission data or the attribute of the operator of the external device, Determining means for determining an external device to which the take-out request signal is transmitted; and take-out signal transmitting means for transmitting a take-out take-out signal to the external device determined to be the destination by the determiner. .

In the above configuration, when all of the discharge trays are detected as being in use by the detecting means, the determining means responds to the attribute of the external device that transmitted the transmission data or the attribute of the operator of the external device. Thus, it is possible to determine the external device to which the output signal of the discharged paper is transmitted. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently notify the ejection signal of the ejection sheet, and it is possible to shorten the time during which all the ejection trays are in use.

In addition, the apparatus further comprises storage means for storing an attribute of an external device to which the extraction signal is transmitted by the extraction signal transmitting means or an attribute of an operator of the external apparatus. The external device to which the output signal of the discharged paper is transmitted may be determined according to the attribute of the external device that has transmitted the data or the attribute of the operator of the external device.

The storage means stores the past output frequency results for each external device, and the determination means stores the output paper frequency in accordance with the past output frequency results for each external device stored in the storage means. The external device to which the extraction signal is transmitted may be determined.

The storage means stores the past required time from transmission of the take-out signal to the ejection of the discharged paper, and the determining means stores the past required time of each external device stored in the storage means. May be determined according to the external device to which the output signal of the discharged paper is transmitted.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of external devices can be connected to each other to form an image based on transmission data from these external devices, and to discharge a sheet after image formation. In an image forming apparatus having a paper tray,
Storage means for storing the number of used discharge trays for each external device; detecting means for detecting whether all the discharge trays are in use; and detecting means for all the discharge trays being used Deciding means for deciding an external device to which a signal for ejecting a sheet to be ejected is transmitted, and an ejection signal for transmitting an ejection signal for ejected paper to the external device which is determined as a destination by the deciding means. A transmitting unit, wherein the determining unit determines an external device to be a transmission destination according to the number of discharge trays used by the external device that has transmitted the transmission data. In this configuration, when the detection unit detects that all the output trays are in use, it is possible to transmit an output sheet removal signal according to the number of output trays used for each external device. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently notify the output paper take-out signal.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper discharge tray which can be connected to a plurality of external devices, forms an image based on transmission data from these external devices, and discharges a sheet after image formation. Detecting means for detecting whether or not all the output trays are in use; and detecting the output tray when all of the output trays are being used by the detection means. Deciding means for deciding an external device to which the output signal of the output paper is to be transmitted in accordance with the output time to the printer, Signal transmission means. In this configuration, when the detection unit detects that all the output trays are in use, an external device to be a transmission destination is determined according to an actual output time to the output tray, and the external device is determined. , A signal to take out the discharged paper can be transmitted, and therefore, the signal to take out the discharged paper can be efficiently notified.

[0012] The determining means may assign priorities in deciding the external device to which the takeout signal is to be transmitted, in order of earlier output time to the paper discharge tray.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper discharge tray which can be connected to a plurality of external devices, forms an image based on transmission data from these external devices, and discharges paper after image formation. An image forming apparatus comprising: a detection unit configured to detect whether all of the discharge trays are in use; and a removal signal transmission unit configured to transmit a removal signal of a discharged sheet to an external device. When all the output trays are detected to be in use, the external device to which the extraction signal is to be transmitted is determined according to the time or time zone at which the extraction signal is transmitted by the extraction signal transmitting means. It is something to do. In this configuration, when the detection unit detects that all the output trays are in use, the external device that is the transmission destination of the extraction signal is set according to the time or time zone at which the extraction signal is transmitted. Can be determined. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently notify a signal for taking out the discharged paper.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper discharge tray which can be connected to a plurality of external devices, forms an image based on transmission data from these external devices, and discharges paper after the image formation. The image forming apparatus includes: a detection unit that detects whether all the discharge trays are in use; and a takeout signal transmission unit that transmits a takeout signal of the discharge paper. When it is detected that the tray is being used, an extraction signal transmitted by an extraction signal transmission unit is sent to a destination of an extraction signal specified by an external device or a destination of an extraction signal set for each output tray. Is transmitted. In this configuration, when the detection unit detects that all the output trays are in use, the transmission destination of the output signal specified by the external device or the transmission of the output signal set for each output tray. An extraction signal can be transmitted to the destination. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently notify a signal for taking out the discharged paper.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus connected to a network according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of a network including a network printer (hereinafter, simply referred to as a printer). A plurality of personal computers PC (PC1 to P
Cn) and the printer 1 as an image forming apparatus is connected to the LAN 2
Connected through. The printer 1 is connected to each personal computer P
A transmission / reception device (removal request transmission means) 3 for receiving print data from the printer C and transmitting a message such as a request to retrieve discharged paper to each personal computer PC; and a printing unit 4 such as a laser printer for forming an image on paper. A control unit 5 for controlling the entire printer 1; an operation unit 6 for providing printing and other instructions to the printer body;
A storage device 7 (storage means) for storing image data to be output, attributes of each personal computer PC, attributes of an operator of the personal computer PC, and the like, and a paper discharge device 8 for discharging and storing the image-outputted paper. ing. A plurality of paper output trays 9 for sorting paper output after image formation are provided in the paper output device 8.
(9A, 9B, 9C,..., 9N). Further, the paper discharge unit 8 includes a paper discharge tray 9 (9A, 9A).
B, 9C,..., 9N).
A, 10B, 10C,..., 10N).
Each of the sensors 10 (10A, 10B, 10C,..., 10)
N) is composed of, for example, a photocoupler. These sensors 10 (10A, 10B, 10C,..., 10)
N) based on the output from each of the discharge trays 9
(9A, 9B, 9C,..., 9N), that is, whether or not there is a sheet, that is, each sheet discharge tray 9 (9A, 9B, 9C,.
.., 9N) are being used.

Next, the control according to the first embodiment when all the paper discharge trays 9 of the printer 1 having the above configuration are in use will be described with reference to FIG. In the first embodiment, the priority of sending out a retrieval request is determined based on the past output frequency (the number of past jobs) of each personal computer PC. When any of the paper discharge trays 9 (the paper discharge tray is referred to as a paper discharge bin in the flow) 9 of the paper discharge device 8 is empty (NO in # 1), the control unit 5 transmits the data from the personal computer PC. When the output instruction is received (# 2), after outputting the image data transmitted from the personal computer PC (# 3), the output frequency of the personal computer PC which has transmitted the output instruction is read from the storage device 7, and the output frequency is read. Is counted up and stored in the storage device 7 (# 4). When all the paper discharge trays 9 of the paper discharge device 8 are in use (YES in # 1), the control unit 5 refers to the storage device 7 and instructs each personal computer that instructs output to each paper discharge tray 9 The output frequency of the PC is read (# 5), and the priority is assigned to the output frequency with the highest output frequency, and the personal computer PC to which the output paper removal request is transmitted is determined (# 6). That is, the personal computer PC having the highest output frequency (number of jobs) is set as the transmission destination of the takeout request. Until the operator of the personal computer PC actually takes out the discharged paper on the paper output tray 9, the request for taking out the discharged paper on the paper output tray 9 is repeatedly transmitted to the personal computer PC (# 7 and #).
8).

According to the first embodiment, the personal computer P
A past output frequency for each personal computer PC is stored in the storage device 7 as an attribute of C, and priorities are assigned in accordance with the results of the output frequency to determine the personal computer PC to which the discharge paper removal request is transmitted. Therefore, for example, it is possible to transmit a takeout request in order from the personal computer PC having the highest output frequency in the past, and efficiently notify the takeout takeout request. As a result, the time during which all the discharge trays 9 are in use can be shortened, so that the processing capability of a print job from the personal computer PC can be improved, and efficient operation of the printer 1 can be achieved.

Next, control according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, priorities are assigned in accordance with the actual time required from when a discharge paper removal request is issued to each personal computer PC to when the discharge paper is actually removed, and a discharge paper removal request is transmitted. This is for determining the personal computer PC to be used.

In FIG. 3, when any one of the paper discharge trays 9 of the paper discharge device 8 is empty (# 1),
When the output instruction is received from the personal computer PC (# 12: NO), output processing of the image data transmitted from the personal computer PC is performed (# 13). In contrast, the control unit 5
When all of the paper discharge trays 9 of the paper discharge device 8 are in use (YES in # 11), the processing is actually performed after the previous generation of the paper discharge request to each personal computer PC stored in the storage device 7. In step # 14, the actual time required until the ejected paper is taken out is referred to, and priorities are assigned according to the actual time required to determine the personal computer PC to which the request for ejecting the ejected paper is transmitted. # 15). That is, the personal computer PC with the shortest required time is set as the transmission destination of the takeout request.
Until the operator of the personal computer PC actually takes out the discharged paper on the paper output tray 9, the request for taking out the discharged paper on the paper output tray 9 is repeatedly transmitted to the personal computer PC (# 16 and # 17). ). When the ejection of the ejected paper is completed (YES in # 17), the control unit 5 stores in the storage device 7 the time required from when the ejected paper ejection request is issued to the personal computer PC to when the ejected paper is actually ejected. (# 18).

Next, control according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the third embodiment, in accordance with an output instruction issued from each of the personal computers PC, the actual usage count (actual number of used trays) indicating how many discharge trays 9 are actually used is stored in the storage device 7. Then, priorities are assigned in accordance with the results of the number of uses, and the personal computer PC to which the request for ejecting the discharged paper is transmitted is determined.

In FIG. 4, when any one of the paper discharge trays 9 of the paper discharge device 8 is empty (# 2),
When the output instruction is received from the personal computer PC (# 22), the image data transmitted from the personal computer PC is output (# 23), and then the personal computer PC that has transmitted the output instruction from the storage device 7 is output. Is read, and the number of discharge trays 9 used for the current output processing is added to the usage frequency and stored in the storage device 7 (# 24). When all the paper discharge trays 9 of the paper discharge device 8 are in use (YES in # 21), the control unit 5 refers to the storage device 7 to output all the paper discharge trays 9 instructed to output to each paper discharge tray 9. The discharge tray use frequency of the personal computer PC is read (# 25), and priorities are assigned according to the use frequency, and the personal computer PC to which the discharge paper removal request is transmitted is determined (# 26). That is, the personal computer PC currently using (occupying) the largest number of paper discharge trays is set as the transmission destination of the removal request. And this PC P
A request to take out the discharged paper from the paper discharge tray 9 is sent to C (# 27).

Next, control according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the fourth embodiment, (A) the reception time of the output instruction issued from each personal computer PC,
(B) A personal computer to which the request for taking out the discharged paper is transmitted according to the time when the printer 1 that has received the output instruction actually outputs the paper to the paper discharge tray 9 or (C) the time when the removal request is notified. This is for determining the PC. In the present embodiment, which of the above conditions (A), (B) and (C) is used to determine the transmission destination of the retrieval request is determined by the initial setting. 7 is stored.

In FIG. 5, when one of the paper output trays 9 of the paper output device 8 is empty (# 3)
If the output instruction is received from the personal computer PC (# 32), the image data transmitted from the personal computer PC is output (# 33). Then, the control unit 5 refers to the data related to the initial setting stored in the storage device 7 and determines that the request destination is determined based on any of the above conditions (A) or (B). If judged (Y in # 34)
ES), one or both of the reception time of the current output instruction and the actual output time are stored in the storage device 7 (# 3)
5). When all the paper discharge trays 9 of the paper discharge device 8 are in use (YES in # 31), the control unit 5 sets the storage device 7
The priority order is assigned based on the reception time of the output instruction from each personal computer PC stored in the storage device 7, the output time to the actual paper output tray 9 stored in the storage device 7, or the time at which the removal request is notified. Then, the personal computer PC to which the discharge paper removal request is transmitted is determined (# 36). Then, a request to take out the discharged paper from the paper discharge tray 9 is transmitted to the personal computer PC (# 37).

In the process of step # 36, when priorities are assigned in the order of earlier reception time or output time of the output instruction stored in the storage device 7, like the conventional printer 1 connected to a network with a personal computer PC. In spite of the fact that the output to the discharge tray 9 instructed by the personal computer PC is not completed, a situation occurs in which a request to take out the discharged paper is transmitted to the personal computer PC which has issued the output instruction. PC that received this
The operator is not confused. Also, # 3
In the case where priorities are assigned based on the time at which the removal request is notified in the processing of step 6, the personal computer PC is connected to the printer 1 as in the conventional printer 1 connected to the network.
Can be prevented from being transmitted at the time when the operator is absent, so that the removal request can be reliably notified to the operator of the personal computer PC.

Next, control according to a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the fifth embodiment, the destination of the take-out request is specified in the message (command) of the output instruction issued from each personal computer PC, or the destination of the take-out request is specified for each paper output tray 9. A retrieval request is transmitted only when there is an initial setting.

In FIG. 6, when one of the paper discharge trays 9 of the paper discharge device 8 is empty (# 4)
When the output instruction is received from the personal computer PC (# 42), the image data transmitted from the personal computer PC is output (# 43). On the other hand, when all the paper discharge trays 9 of the paper discharge device 8 are in use (Y in # 41)
ES), the control unit 5 confirms whether or not there is designation in the message of the output instruction from each personal computer PC about the notification destination of the takeout request (# 44).
(YES at 4), and sends a request to take out the discharged paper from the paper discharge tray 9 to each of the designated personal computers PC (# 4).
5) If there is no designation (NO in # 44), it is confirmed whether or not there is an initial setting for the notification destination of the take-out request (# 46). If there is an initial setting of the notification destination for each paper discharge tray 9 (YES in # 46), a request to take out the discharge paper is transmitted to the personal computer PC of the set notification destination (# 47), and the notification is made. If there is no initial setting (#
(NO at 46), the process ends without transmitting the takeout request. Thereby, the operator of the personal computer PC can use the printer 1
Even if the user returns to his / her seat after the output instruction to the user, the notification of the takeout request can be confirmed on the monitor of the personal computer PC near his / her seat.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the first to third embodiments, the past output frequency of each personal computer PC, the time required from the issuance of the takeout request to the takeout, and the use frequency of the discharge tray are stored. To determine the destination of the personal computer PC to which the output paper removal request is sent, the past output frequency for each operator of the personal computer PC, the time required from the transmission of the removal request to the removal, or the number of times the discharge tray is used. It is also possible to store the information and assign priorities in accordance with these results to determine the personal computer PC to which the request for ejecting the discharged paper is transmitted. Thereby, even when a plurality of operators use each personal computer PC, it is possible to efficiently notify the removal request according to the characteristics of each operator.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, when all the paper output trays are detected as being in use, the attribute of the external device that transmitted the transmission data or the attribute of the operator of the external device is set. It is possible to determine the external device to which the output signal of the output paper is transmitted by assigning priorities according to the priority. For example, the output frequency of each external device is used as the attribute of the external device, By transmitting a discharge paper removal signal to the printer, it is possible to efficiently notify the discharge paper removal signal. As a result, the time during which all the discharge trays are in use can be shortened, so that the processing capability of a print job from an external device can be improved and efficient operation of the device can be achieved. Also,
Network congestion due to extra transmission data can be prevented.

Further, by further providing storage means for storing the attribute of the external device to which the take-out signal is to be transmitted or the attribute of the operator of the external device, the efficiency of the take-out signal of the discharged paper can be improved based on the past results. Can be informed. In addition, the same effect as described above can be obtained by storing the past output frequency record for each external device and determining the external device to which the output signal of the discharged paper is transmitted according to the record. In addition, by storing the result of the time required from the transmission of the past take-out signal to the taking-out of the discharge sheet, and determining the external device to which the discharge-sheet take-out signal is to be transmitted according to the result, the same operation as described above is performed. The effect of is obtained.

Further, the number of used paper discharge trays for each external device is stored, and the external device to be the destination is determined according to the number of used paper. A signal for ejecting the discharged paper can be transmitted, and the same effect as described above can be obtained.

Also, by determining the external device to which the output signal of the discharged paper is transmitted in accordance with the actual output time to the paper output tray, the conventional image forming apparatus is connected to the external device via a network. In addition, even though the output to the paper output tray specified by the external device is not completed, a situation occurs in which a signal for taking out the discharged paper is transmitted to the external device that has issued the output instruction. Can be prevented, and the operator of the external device receiving this can be prevented from being confused. In addition, the same effect as described above can be obtained by assigning priorities in determining the external device to which the takeout signal is to be transmitted in the order of earlier output time to the paper output tray.

Further, by determining the external device to which the extraction signal is to be transmitted in accordance with the time or time zone at which the extraction signal is transmitted, a conventional image forming apparatus connected to a network with the external device is determined. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the operator of the external device transmits the extraction signal at a time when the user is absent, and it is possible to reliably notify the operator of the external device of the extraction signal.

Further, by transmitting the take-out signal to the destination of the take-out signal specified by the external device or to the destination of the take-out signal set for each paper output tray, the operator of the external device can be operated. It is possible to surely know the notification of the extraction signal.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a network including a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating control according to the first embodiment of the printer.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating control according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating control according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating control according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating control according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer (image forming apparatus) 3 Transmission / reception apparatus (take-out signal transmission means) 5 Control part (detection means, determination means) 7 Storage device (storage means) 9 Discharge tray PC Personal computer (external device)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takashi Munakata 2-3-1-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus that can be connected to a plurality of external devices, forms an image based on transmission data from these external devices,
In an image forming apparatus having a plurality of discharge trays for discharging sheets after image formation, detecting means for detecting whether all the discharge trays are in use, and detecting all the discharge trays by the detecting means Is determined to be the destination of the output paper ejection request signal according to the attribute of the external device that transmitted the transmission data or the attribute of the operator of the external device when it is detected that the external device is in use. And a take-out signal transmitting means for transmitting a take-out signal to the external device determined as the transmission destination by the determination means. 2. The storage device according to claim 1, further comprising: a storage unit configured to store an attribute of an external device to which the extraction signal is transmitted by the extraction signal transmission unit or an attribute of an operator of the external device. The external device to which the output signal of the discharged paper is transmitted is determined according to the attribute of the external device that has transmitted the transmitted transmission data or the attribute of the operator of the external device. The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 3. The storage unit stores a past output frequency record for each external device, and the determination unit stores a past output frequency record for each external device stored in the storage unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an external device to which the output signal of the discharge sheet is transmitted is determined. 4. The storage means stores a result of a required time from transmission of a past take-out signal to take-out of a discharged sheet, and the determining means stores a past required time for each external device stored in the storage means. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an external device to which the output signal of the discharge sheet is transmitted is determined according to a result of the time. 5. An image forming apparatus that can be connected to a plurality of external devices, forms an image based on transmission data from these external devices,
In an image forming apparatus having a plurality of discharge trays for discharging sheets after image formation, storage means for storing the number of discharge trays used for each external device, and whether all the discharge trays are in use Detecting means for detecting whether or not all the output trays are being used by the detecting means; and determining means for determining an external device to which a discharge signal of the discharge sheet is to be transmitted, Output signal transmission means for transmitting an output signal of the output sheet to the external device determined as the transmission destination by the determination means, wherein the determination means determines whether or not the external device which has transmitted the transmission data uses the output tray. An image forming apparatus wherein an external device to be a transmission destination is determined according to the number of used devices. 6. An image forming apparatus that can be connected to a plurality of external devices, forms an image based on transmission data from these external devices,
In an image forming apparatus having a paper discharge tray for discharging sheets after image formation, a detection unit that detects whether all the paper discharge trays are in use, and all the paper discharge trays are detected by the detection unit A determination unit that determines an external device to which a discharge signal of a discharge sheet is to be transmitted in accordance with an output time to a discharge tray when it is detected that the device is in use; and a transmission destination that is determined by the determination unit. And a take-out signal transmitting means for transmitting a take-out paper take-out signal to an external device. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the determination unit determines an external device to which a takeout signal is to be transmitted in the order of earlier output time to the discharge tray. . 8. An image forming apparatus that can be connected to a plurality of external devices, forms an image based on transmission data from these external devices,
In an image forming apparatus having a paper discharge tray for discharging paper after image formation, a detecting means for detecting whether all the paper discharge trays are in use, and an output paper removal signal to an external device And a take-out signal transmitting unit that transmits a take-out signal by the take-out signal transmitting unit when all the output trays are detected to be in use by the detecting unit. An image forming apparatus characterized in that an external device to which the takeout signal is transmitted is determined accordingly. 9. An image forming apparatus that can be connected to a plurality of external devices, forms an image based on transmission data from these external devices,
In an image forming apparatus having a paper discharge tray for discharging paper after image formation, a detection unit for detecting whether all the paper discharge trays are in use, and a removal signal for transmitting a paper removal signal. A transmission unit, wherein when the detection unit detects that all of the discharge trays are in use, a transmission destination of a discharge signal instructed by an external device, or a discharge signal set for each discharge tray An image forming apparatus characterized in that an extraction signal is transmitted by the extraction signal transmitting means to the transmission destination.