JP2003002528A - Delivered paper sorting control device of image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain favorable workability in a sort job. SOLUTION: By providing a sort control part for interposing at least a single non-loading sort bin 21as (21at) between a sort bin 21ax to 21ay loaded in one sort job and a sort bin 21au to 21av loaded in the next sort job, a boundary between different sort jobs can be grasped immediately, and recording paper can be processed easily and accurately even if a plurality of sort jobs are executed continuously.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet discharge sort control apparatus for an image forming apparatus that controls the operation of a sort job with respect to a sort bin attached to a sheet discharge section of the apparatus main body section.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a sorter having a so-called sorting function may be attached to a sheet discharging section of a main body of the apparatus. This sorter has a sort bin provided in a plurality of stages, and the recording sheets discharged from the sheet discharge section of the apparatus main body section are sorted from the sort bin at the uppermost position toward the sort bin at the lower side in sequence. , The set number of copies is to be discharged.

At this time, when one sort job is completed and the next different sort job is carried out, the recording paper is again discharged from the sort bin at the uppermost position.
Different kinds of recording papers are mixed on the sort bin, and it takes time to distinguish them. For this reason, conventionally, a sheet presence / absence detecting unit for detecting whether or not a recording sheet exists on the sort bin is provided inside the sorter, and the recording sheet on the sort bin is completed after one sort job is completed. Unless all are removed
Eject from the sort bin that corresponds to the next column position of the last sort bin used in the previous sort job in a device that has been restricted so that it will not accept the next sort job, or in the sort job that follows one sort job. A device and the like have been developed in which the operation is started and a plurality of different types of recording sheets are not stacked in the same sort bin.

[0004]

However, even the conventional image forming apparatus configured to prevent the above-described mixture has the following problems. First, in the device like the former, which is provided with a means for detecting the presence or absence of the recording paper on the sort bin, the presence / absence detection means is additionally required, and when the image forming operation is performed by a plurality of users, Unless the recording paper is completely removed by the user, there is a possibility that the next user cannot use the recording paper.

Further, even in a device such as the latter where the next sort job is started from the sort bin at the next stage position of the previous sort job, the boundary between sort jobs cannot be recognized immediately. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the boundaries by checking the contents of the recording sheets on the sort bin one by one, which may complicate the work.

Therefore, the present invention provides a discharge sort control apparatus for an image forming apparatus, which can easily grasp the boundary between sort jobs and can obtain good workability. With the goal.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper discharge sort control apparatus, in which a sort job is operated with respect to a sort bin attached to a paper discharge section of the apparatus main body in plural stages. For each sort job, a different number of sort bins with different column positions are selected for the set number of copies, and the recording paper ejected from the paper ejecting section of the main unit of the device is loaded on the selected sort bins. And a means for storing the step position of the sort bin on which the recording sheets are stacked, and a discharge control apparatus for an image forming apparatus, comprising:
The sort control unit sets the sort bin at the stage position separated from the stage position of the sort bin where the recording sheets are finally stacked in one sort job with the interposition of at least an unloaded sort bin first in the next sort job. And a means for setting a sort bin for stacking recording sheets.

According to the sheet discharge sort control device of the image forming apparatus having the above structure, the sort bin loaded by one sort job and the sort bin loaded by the next sort job are arranged. In addition, since at least one non-loading sort bin is interposed, the boundary between different sort jobs is immediately grasped by the non-loading sort bin, and even if a plurality of sort jobs are continuously performed. The processing of recording paper is performed easily and accurately.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper discharge sort control device for an image forming apparatus, which controls the operation of a sort job for a sort bin attached to a paper discharge section of the apparatus main body in plural stages. For each sort job, select a different number of sort bins with different column positions for the set number of copies, and load the recording paper ejected from the paper ejection unit of the main unit of the device to the selected sort bin. In the paper discharge sort control device of the image forming apparatus, which comprises a sort control unit including means for storing the step position of the sorted sort bin, the sort control unit includes:
Means are provided for displaying the stacking position of the sort bin loaded in each sort job.

Further, in the paper discharge sort control device for an image forming apparatus according to a third aspect, in addition to or in place of the second aspect, the displaying means includes a display unit arranged in the apparatus main body. .

According to the sheet discharge sort control device of the image forming apparatus having the above-mentioned structure, the sort bin corresponding to each sort job is displayed. Since the sort job is immediately known, the recording paper can be easily and accurately processed even if a plurality of sort jobs are continuously performed.

Further, in the paper discharge sort control device of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the paper discharge unit of the apparatus main body is provided with:
This is for controlling the operation of a sort job with respect to sort bins attached to a plurality of stages. For each sort job, the sort bins at different column positions are selected by a set number of sets, and the apparatus main body section is selected for the selected sort bins. In the paper discharge sort control device of the image forming apparatus including a sort control unit including a unit for stacking the recording paper discharged from the paper discharge unit and a unit for storing the step position of the sort bin on which the recording paper is stacked, The sort control unit is
When the set number of copies in each sort job is greater than or equal to the reference value, the sort bin is selected so that the sort bin at the bottom position is included, and when the set number of copies in each sort job is less than the reference value, Means are provided for selecting the sort bins to include the sort bins.

According to the sheet discharge sort control device of the image forming apparatus having the above structure, the stacking sort bin by one sort job and the stacking sort bin by the next sort job are included in each sort job. Since the upper side and the lower side are distinguished according to the set number of copies,
Since the sort jobs are performed for the sorted sort bins, the recording sheets can be easily and accurately processed even when a plurality of sort jobs are continuously performed.

Further, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper discharge sort control apparatus for controlling a sort job operation for a sort bin attached to a paper discharge section of the apparatus main body in plural stages. , For each sort job, select a different number of sort bins at different column positions for the set number of copies, and load the recording paper ejected from the paper ejection unit of the apparatus main body on the selected sort bin, and set the recording paper. In a paper discharge sort control device of an image forming apparatus including a sort control unit including means for storing the stacking position of a loaded sort bin, the sort control unit is configured such that the sort paper sheets are stacked on the sort bin by one sort job. To a position different from the recording sheets stacked by another sort job.

According to the discharged sheet sort control device of the image forming apparatus having the above structure, the position of the recording sheets stacked on the sort bin is one sort job and another sort job. Since they are made different, the sort jobs are distinguished from each other, and the recording paper can be easily and accurately processed even if a plurality of sort jobs are continuously performed.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The apparatus main body 10 of the copying machine as the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a sorter 20 having a so-called sorting function for sorting the recording paper discharged from the paper discharge unit of the apparatus main body 10. It is connected. A non-sort bin 21c, which is used when the sorting function is not used, is provided at the uppermost position of the sort bin unit 21 provided in the sorter 20, and 20 sort bins 21 are provided below the non-sort bin 21c.
a1, ..., 21a20 are arranged so as to overlap in the vertical direction.

Then, with respect to the sort job instructed by the operation section of the apparatus main body section 10, sort bins 21ax to 21ay at appropriate column positions are selected corresponding to the set number of copies, and the respective sort bins 21ax to 21ax. 21a
The configuration is such that y is appropriately shifted, and more specifically, the recording paper ejected from the paper ejection unit of the apparatus main body unit 10 is stored in the selected sorting bins 21ax to 21a.
The sorting bins 21ax located at the uppermost position of y are sequentially discharged toward the lower sorting bin while being sorted into pages, and the sorting bins 21ax to 21a.
y is designed to be loaded on top.

The sort bin unit 21 includes:
.., 21a20 corresponding to each of the 20 sort bins 21a1 ,.
21b20 is attached and an LED display 21b0 is attached corresponding to the non-sort bin 21c, and the sort bins 21ax to 21ay or the non-sort bin 2 selected for the specified sort job are attached.
LED display 21bx ~ 21by or LE corresponding to 1c
The D display 21b0 is turned on.

Next, the structure of the control system for the above sorter 20 will be described. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 40 of the discharge sorting control device provided on the sorter 20 side is connected to the main body CPU 30 of the main body control device provided in the device main body section 10 described above. . Then, a conveyance sensor 41 for detecting the conveyance position of the recording paper in the sorter 20 is connected to the signal input side of the CPU 40 of the paper ejection sort control device, and it is confirmed that the recording paper is normally ejected. Paper ejection sensor 4 to detect
2a and 42b are connected. At this time, in particular, as shown in FIG. 1, the paper discharge sensor 42a is installed at the position of the paper discharge roller 20a provided on the non-sort path side, and the paper discharge sensor 42b is arranged in the sort path. It is installed at the position of the paper discharge roller 20b provided on the side.

Further, on the signal output side of the CPU 40 provided in the paper discharge sort control device, the driver circuit of the main motor 43 provided for carrying the recording paper and the sort bins 21a1, ..., 21a20 are provided. The driver circuits of the bin shift motor 44 for performing the shift operation are respectively connected, and the driver circuit of the path switching solenoid 45 for switching the transport path in the sorter 20 between the sorting mode and the non-sorting mode, and the LED display. The driver circuits of the devices 21b1, ..., 21b20 are connected.

A sorting control section having the following functions is provided as a program in the CPU 40 provided in the above-described sheet discharge sorting control device. That is, this sort control unit is arranged so that sort bins 21ax to 21a located within the range of different column positions for different sort jobs.
By selecting y by the set number of copies and shifting the selected sort bins 21ax to 21ay as appropriate, the recording papers ejected from the paper ejection unit of the apparatus main body unit 10 are sequentially stacked and the recording papers It has a control function of detecting each of the sort bins 21ax to 21ay loaded with and storing the step positions thereof.

Furthermore, in addition to the normal control function as described above, the sort control unit of the paper discharge sort control apparatus executes the previous sort when executing the next sort job performed after one sort job. It has a function of setting the sort bin 21au at the lower position with two unloaded sort bins 21as and 21at below the sort bin 21ay at the lowest position of the job as the sort start bin. That is, the set number of sort bins 21au to 21av selected in the next sort job are the same as those of the sort bins 21ax to 21ay selected in the previous sort job.
It is made to be visually distinct by interposing at.

Next, the control operation of the sort job by the sort control unit of the paper discharge sort control device will be described more specifically. As shown in FIG. 3, when the discharge bin selection processing operation is started (step 1), first, when the non-sort mode is selected in the operation section of the apparatus main body section 10 (step 2). N) By depressing the start key, the CPU 30 of the main body control device notifies the CPU 40 of the paper discharge sort control device that the non-sort mode is set, and the sort bin unit 21 of the sorter 20 is initialized. As a result, the entire sort bin unit 21 is shifted to the lowest height, and the non-sort bin 21c at the uppermost position is selected as the discharge start bin and the discharge final bin (steps 3 and 4).

Then, when the copying operation is started and the recording sheet on which the image is formed is conveyed from the apparatus main body section 10 to the sorter 20 side, in the sorter 20, the discharge path is switched to the non-sort side and all recording is performed. The sheets are discharged onto the non-sort bin 21c at the uppermost position.

On the other hand, when the sort mode is selected (Y in step 2), the CPU 30 of the main body control unit is in the sort mode to the CPU 40 of the sheet discharge sort control unit by depressing the start key. Will be notified. As a result, the sorter 20 shifts toward the discharge start bin (START BIN) position stored at that time, but the discharge start bin (START BIN) immediately after the power is turned on is the highest rank. It is set in the sort bin 21a1 at the column position.

When the recording sheet corresponding to the first page of the original is conveyed from the apparatus main body section 10 to the sorter 20, the discharge path of the sorter 20 is switched to the sort side,
The first recording paper is the top sort bin (START B
IN) 21a1 is discharged and loaded. Upon completion of this paper discharge, the sort bin unit 21 is raised by one stage and is shifted to the sort bin (START BIN + 1) 21a2 one stage below the uppermost sort bin 21a1.

Then, the succeeding recording paper is the main body 10 of the apparatus.
When the paper is conveyed further, the sort path (START BIN + 1) 21a2 located one step below the uppermost sort bin (START BIN) 21a1 with the discharge path being switched to the sort path.
The recording sheets are ejected and stacked. The bin shift operation and the ejection operation as described above are repeated for the set number of copies (COPY NUM) n instructed from the apparatus body 10 side. It should be noted that bin shifting is not performed at the time of discharging the last sheet.

Subsequently, the recording sheet corresponding to the second page of the original is conveyed, and the recording sheet is ejected to the current sorting bin (START BIN + COPY NUM-1) 21an at the lowest column position.・ Loading is done. After the paper discharge is completed, the sort bin unit 21 is downshifted and discharged to the sort bin located one step higher than the current lowest sort bin position (START BIN + COPY NUM-1) 21an. Go. Such discharging / loading operation is repeated up to the highest bin START BIN 21a1. Then, the sorting operation as described above is repeated as many times as the number of originals.

Up to this point, the operation is similar to the normal sorting operation, but in the embodiment according to the present invention, the storage of the column position for the sorting bins 21a1 to 21an which have been loaded by the completion of one sorting job described above is stored. After that, among the sort bins 21a1 to 21an used by the one sort job, the number of stages (START BIN + COPY NUM-1) of the sort bin 21an at the lowest stage position is the final discharge bin variable (ENDBIN). (Step 5).

When the next sort job is performed, the column position of the sort bin 21ax used first for the sort job is 2 from the sort bin 21an of the lowest column position in the previous sort job.
It is set to open the unloaded sort bins 21as and 21at of the stages. In other words, as the variable (START BIN) for the paper ejection start bin in the next sort job, "2" is added to the variable (END BIN) for the final ejection bin in the previous sort job (END BIN + 2) Number of bins Are set (step 6).

In this state, when the next paper discharge instruction is issued from the apparatus main body unit 10, if the sort mode is selected, the start key is pressed to discharge the paper from the CPU 30 of the main body control device. CPU4 of control device
0 is notified that the mode is the sort mode, whereby the sorter 20 switches the discharge path to the sort side, and the discharge start bin (START B
IN) position, that is, the sort bin 21an from the lowest rank position in the previous sort job to the second sort bin 2
The shift is performed toward the position where 1 as and 21 at are opened.

Therefore, the sorting bins 21ax located at the lowest position in the previous sorting job are separated by the set number of copies from the sorting bin 21ax positioned at the lower position via the two-stage non-loading sorting bins 21as and 21at. Up to 21ay, the same sort operation is sequentially repeated as many times as the number of originals.

In the sheet discharge sort control apparatus according to such an embodiment, two non-stack sort bins are interposed between the sort bin loaded by one sort job and the sort bin loaded by the next sort job. Since the boundaries between the sort jobs are immediately grasped, the recording paper can be easily and accurately processed even when a plurality of sort jobs are continuously performed.

In the present embodiment, the discharge bin display process (step 1) as shown in FIG. 4 is performed,
Sort bin 21 selected in one sort job
LED display 21bx to 21by corresponding to ax to 21ay
Is lit up.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the LED indicators 21b1, ..., 21b20 corresponding to all sort bins 21a1 ,. Is selected (Y in step 3), the sort bin used in the current sort job, that is, the discharge start bin 21a.
The LED indicators 21bx to 21by corresponding to the sort bins from x to the discharge end bin 21ay are turned on when the sort job is completed (step 4). Further, when the non-sort mode is selected (N in step 3), the LED display 2 corresponding to the non-sort bin 21c.
Lighting of 1b0 is performed (step 5).

As in the discharge sort control device as described above,
By displaying the sort bin corresponding to each sort job, the completed sort jobs can be immediately grasped, and the recording paper can be easily and accurately processed even if a plurality of sort jobs are continuously performed. It is supposed to be done.

Further, at this time, as shown in FIG. 5, on the operation panel 50 provided in the apparatus main body portion 10, the display portions 51 of the sort bins 21ax to 21ay selected by each sort job as described above are provided. The sort bins 21ax-2a corresponding to the respective sort jobs are provided.
It is also possible to display 1 ay on the operation panel 50 of the apparatus body 10.

That is, in the discharge bin display process shown in FIG. 6 (step 1), when the sort mode is selected (step 2 Y), the sort bin used in the current sort job, That is, the discharge start bin 21ax (step 3) to the discharge end bin 21
The display of the number of the step position of each sort bin up to ay (step 4) is displayed on the operation panel 50 provided in the apparatus body 10.
Is displayed on the display unit 51 (step 5).

When the non-sort mode is selected (N in step 2), the bin number erasing process is executed (step 6), and the number of sorting bins 21bx to 21by displayed on the display unit 51 is displayed. The number is deleted. Such a discharge bin display process is performed each time each sort job is completed, and is updated for each discharge bin display process.

If the sort bins 21bx to 21by corresponding to each sort job are displayed on the display unit 51 of the panel operation unit 50 as in the paper discharge sort control device according to the above-described embodiment, at the present time. Since the sort job is immediately grasped, the recording paper can be easily and accurately processed even if a plurality of sort jobs are continuously performed.

Next, the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 will be described. First, when the user presses the start key in the discharge bin selection process (step 1), the sorter 20 is notified of the sort mode type and the set number of copies set at that time.
When the non-sort mode is selected on the operation panel of 0 (N in step 2), the non-sort mode is set from the control device of the apparatus main body to the discharge sort control device by depressing the start key. You will be notified. Then, the recording paper is transferred from the apparatus body 10 to the sorter 20
When the sheet is conveyed to the sorter 20, the sheet discharge path of the sorter 20 is switched to non-sort, and all the recording sheets from the beginning to the end are discharged onto the non-sort bin 20c (step 3).

On the other hand, when the sort mode is selected (Y in step 2), the controller of the apparatus body 10 notifies the sorter 20 of the sort mode by depressing the start key, The set number of copies (COPY NUM) at that time is, for example, the reference value set to 10 copies.
It is compared with (X) (step 4). If the set number of copies (COPY NUM) is greater than or equal to the reference value (X) (Y in step 4), the variable of the paper discharge start bin (START BIN) becomes
The position including the sorting bin 21a20 at the bottom, that is, (21
-COPY NUM), the sort bin unit 21 is shifted.

Then, when the recording paper is conveyed from the apparatus main body 10 to the sorter 20 side, the paper discharge path of the sorter 20 is switched to the sort side, and in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, in FIG. Of the (21-COPY N
Paper discharge and stacking are started from the start sort bin corresponding to (UM), and stacking is sequentially performed up to the bottom sort bin 21a20. That is, when the set number of copies is large, loading is performed on the lower side of all sort bins.

Then, in the ejection bin selection process of the next sort job (step 1), the set number of copies (COPY NUM) is
If it is smaller than the above-mentioned reference value (X) (N in step 4), the variable (START BIN) of the paper discharge start bin is set in the uppermost sort bin 21a1 and the sort bin unit 2
A shift of 1 is performed. Then, when the recording sheets are conveyed from the apparatus main body 10 to the sorter 20, the discharge and stacking are started from the uppermost sort bin 21a1.

Also in the paper discharge sort control apparatus according to such an embodiment, since the non-loading sort bin is interposed between one sort job and the next sort job, the sort jobs are sorted between the sort jobs. Since the boundary is immediately grasped, the recording paper can be easily and accurately processed even when a plurality of sort jobs are continuously performed.

On the other hand, in the paper discharge sort control apparatus according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, each sort bin 21 described above is used.
An aligning rod 61 and a guide bar 62 are provided for moving the recording sheets S stacked on a1, ..., 21a20 toward the front side while inclining them. These aligning rods 61 and guide bars 62 are used for the sorting bins 21a1, ...
It is composed of a rod-shaped member that extends in a vertical direction so as to penetrate through arc-shaped and linear groove-shaped holes formed in a20, and by horizontally moving along the groove-shaped holes, Each of the above sort bins 21a1, ..., 21a20
All of the recording sheets loaded on top are moved at the same time.

Using such a sheet discharge sort control device,
The following post-processing processes are additionally executed after the operations of sheet conveyance, sheet ejection, and bin shift in the same sort mode as in the above-described embodiments.

That is, in the post-processing process shown in FIG. 10 (step 1), in the sort mode (Y in step 2), the presence / absence of recording sheets already loaded is detected, and the loading flag is checked. Since the stacking flag when the power is turned on is set to "0" (N in step 3), the first sort job ejects the recording paper.
After the stacking operation is executed as in each of the above-described embodiments, the stacking flag is set to "1" (step 5) after the recording paper is unloaded from the sort bin (step 4).

In the process flow of the above-mentioned front take-out operation, as shown in FIG. 11, the recording sheet S when the first sort job is finished is located at the position indicated by the symbol in FIG. It is loaded, and at this time, the alignment rod 61 and the guide bar 62 are moved to the positions A and X in FIG. 9 (step 1).

From this state, first, the aligning rod 61 is moved to the B position (step 2), so that the recording sheet S is pushed out and abutted to the front side lower position in FIG. Next, while the guide bar 62 is moved to the Y position in FIG. 9 (step 3), the alignment rod 61 is moved to the C position in FIG.
Is inclined to the position shown in FIG. 9 so that the corner of the recording sheet S is projected toward the front side. Finally,
The aligning rod 62 is returned to the position A in FIG. 9 and the process is completed (step 5).

When the next new sort job is started and the second sort job is finished,
Again, the post-processing process as described above is performed,
At this time, since the stacking flag is set to "1" (Y in step 3 in FIG. 10), the front eject operation is not performed, and the recording sheet S of the sort job is stacked at the position shown in FIG. It remains as it was.

That is, when the second sort job is completed, the recording sheet S of the first sort job is printed.
Is stacked at the position shown in FIG. 9, and the recording sheets S for the second sort job are stacked at the position shown in FIG. 9. Therefore, the user can easily identify the recording sheets for each sort job. It becomes possible to do.

The embodiments of the present invention have been specifically described above, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and can be variously modified without departing from the scope of the invention. Nor.

For example, in the first embodiment, two unloaded sort bins are interposed between each sort job, but one unloaded sort bin or three or more unloaded sort bins are interposed. You may do it.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the copying machine as in each of the above-described embodiments, but can be similarly applied to various other image forming apparatuses.

[0056]

As described above, the paper discharge sort control device of the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect is at least integrated between the sort bin loaded by one sort job and the sort bin loaded by the next sort job. By providing a sort control unit that interposes a non-loading sort bin, it is possible to immediately grasp the boundary between different sort jobs, and to easily and accurately process the recording paper even if a plurality of sort jobs are continuously performed. Because it ’s something that I ’ve tried to do,
Good workability can be obtained, and the reliability of the image forming apparatus can be improved.

Further, the paper discharge sort control device of the image forming apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3 is provided with the sort control unit for displaying the sort bin corresponding to the sort bin loaded by one sort job. The sort job that has been performed at the present time can be immediately grasped, and even if a plurality of sort jobs are continuously performed, the recording paper can be easily and accurately processed. Therefore, good workability can be obtained. Therefore, the reliability of the image forming apparatus can be improved.

Further, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the paper discharge sort control device of the image forming apparatus sets the stacking sort bin for one sort job and the stacking sort bin for the next sort job in correspondence with the set number of copies of each sort job. By providing a sort control unit that distinguishes between the upper side and the lower side, it is possible to immediately recognize the boundary between different sort jobs, making it easy to process recording paper even if multiple sort jobs are performed consecutively. In addition, since the work is performed accurately, good workability can be obtained, and the reliability of the image forming apparatus can be improved.

Further, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper discharge sort control device, in which the position of the recording paper stacked on the sort bin is made different between one sort job and another sort job. By providing the above, the boundary between different sort jobs can be immediately grasped, and even if a plurality of sort jobs are continuously performed, the recording paper can be easily and accurately processed. The workability can be obtained, and the reliability of the image forming apparatus can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a schematic structure of a sorter portion of a copying machine as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a structure of a paper discharge sort control device used in the sorter shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a part of a control procedure by the discharged sheet sort control device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing another part of the control procedure by the discharged sheet sort control device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

5 is an explanatory plan view showing an operation panel of the copying machine shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a paper discharge sort job according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a paper discharge sort job according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating a schematic structure of a sorter portion of a copying machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the structure of a sort bin according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a control procedure of a paper discharge sort job using the sort bin shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a control procedure of a front take-out operation in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Device body 20 Sorter 21 Sort Bin Unit 21a1, ..., 21a20 Sort bin 21b0 to 21b20 LED display 21as, 21at Unloaded sort bin 21c Non-sort bin 30 CPU 40 CPU 41 Transport sensor 42a1, ..., 42a20 Paper ejection sensor 43 Main motor 44-bin shift motor 45-pass switching solenoid 50 Operation panel 51 display 61 Matching Stick 62 Guide bar

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for controlling the operation of a sort job with respect to sort bins attached to a paper discharge section of the apparatus main body section over a plurality of stages, wherein a different number of sort bins at different column positions are selected for different sort jobs. Then, a sorting control unit including means for stacking the recording paper discharged from the paper discharge unit of the apparatus main body on the selected sorting bin, and means for storing the step position of the sorting bin on which the recording paper is stacked. In the sheet discharge sort control device of the image forming apparatus including the above, the sort control unit interposes at least an unloaded sort bin from the step position of the sort bin where the recording sheets are finally stacked in one sort job. A means for setting the sort bins at the separated column positions as the sort bins for initially loading the recording sheets in the next sort job. Sheet discharging sorting control device of an image forming apparatus characterized in that it comprises. 2. A control unit for controlling the operation of a sort job with respect to sort bins attached to a paper discharge section of the apparatus main body section over a plurality of stages, wherein sort bins having different column positions for different sort jobs are selected by a set number of copies. Then, a sorting control unit including means for stacking the recording paper discharged from the paper discharge unit of the apparatus main body on the selected sorting bin, and means for storing the step position of the sorting bin on which the recording paper is stacked. In the sheet discharge sort control device of the image forming apparatus, the sort control unit is provided with a unit for displaying the step position of the sort bins stacked in each sort job. Discharge sort control device. 3. The discharged sheet sort control apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the displaying means includes a display unit arranged in the apparatus main body. 4. A control unit for controlling the operation of a sort job with respect to sort bins attached to a paper discharge section of the apparatus main body section over a plurality of stages, wherein a different number of sort bins at different column positions are selected for different sort jobs. Then, a sorting control unit including means for stacking the recording paper discharged from the paper discharge unit of the apparatus main body on the selected sorting bin, and means for storing the step position of the sorting bin on which the recording paper is stacked. In the paper discharge sort control device of the image forming apparatus, the sort control unit selects the sort bin so as to include the sort bin at the lowest position when the set number of copies in each sort job is equal to or larger than the reference value. , If the number of copies set in each sort job is less than the standard value, the sort bins of Sheet discharging sorting control device of an image forming apparatus characterized by comprising means for performing-option. 5. A sort job operation is controlled for sort bins attached to a plurality of tiers on a paper discharge section of the apparatus main body section, and sort bins having different tier positions for different sort jobs are selected by a set number of copies. Then, a sorting control unit including means for stacking the recording paper discharged from the paper discharge unit of the apparatus main body on the selected sorting bin, and means for storing the step position of the sorting bin on which the recording paper is stacked. In the paper discharge sort control device of the image forming apparatus including the above, the sort control unit causes the recording sheets stacked on the sort bin by one sort job to be at different positions from the recording sheets stacked by another sort job. An ejected sheet sort control apparatus for an image forming apparatus, which is provided with a moving unit.