JP2006027760A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of effectively using a waiting time in which a tray is moving. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming device having a plurality of recording paper discharge trays to discharge recording paper to a desired tray by moving the trays and having a copying function comprises an image forming part 200 forming images on the recording paper, a job administration part 105 holding information on the tray discharging the recording paper to each job and determining whether the present job is a copied job or not, a lifting mechanism part 605 moving the tray discharging the recording paper to the recording paper discharge position of a device body, and a printing control part 106 counting the copies of the recording paper discharged to the tray in each job. When the present job is stored in the job administration part 105 to be a copied job, the lifting mechanism part 605 prohibits the movement of the tray until it is counted by the printing control part 106 that the recording paper of specified copies is discharged, and then the tray is moved to the recording paper discharge position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a plurality of trays as recording paper discharge locations, and discharging the recording paper to a target tray by moving the trays.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine or a printer, or a multifunction machine having these functions are provided with a plurality of trays (bins) for discharging recording paper. The plurality of trays are (one) tray (non-sort bin) for discharging recording paper without sorting (sorting), and (multiple) trays for discharging recording paper after sorting (sorting). (Sort bin). In the case of a normal image forming job (copy job, print job, etc.), the recording paper is ejected to a non-sort bin, and in the case of an image forming job designated to be ejected to a sort bin, the recording paper is The paper is discharged to (one of) sort bins corresponding to the recording paper. Specifically, for example, based on a PC (personal computer) that is an output source in a print job and a user name when logging in to the PC, the recording paper is ejected to those associated with those of the sort bins. .

Further, in the image forming apparatus having a plurality of trays as described above, the recording paper is discharged to the target tray by moving the position of each tray and positioning the target tray at the recording paper discharge position of the main body of the image forming apparatus. There are two types, one is a method for providing a recording paper conveyance path from the recording paper discharge position of the image forming apparatus main body to each tray, and the other is a method for discharging the recording paper to a target tray without moving the tray. As the recording paper discharge tray (bin) of the former method, for example, there is a technique described in Patent Document 1.
JP-A-10-291724

  However, in the above-described image forming apparatus that moves the tray, it takes time to move the target tray to the recording paper discharge position, and a waiting time is generated while the tray moves, and time is wasted. Is done.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that can effectively use a waiting time while a tray is moving.

  An image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is provided with a plurality of trays as recording paper discharge locations, and the recording paper is discharged to a target tray by moving the tray, and the image is recorded on the recording paper. An image forming unit to be formed; a selecting unit that selects a tray for discharging recording paper; a moving unit that moves the tray selected by the selecting unit to a recording paper discharging position of the apparatus main body; and A copy number counting unit that counts the number of copies of the recording sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit; and the tray until the counting unit counts that at least one copy of the recording sheet has been discharged. After the counting means counts that the at least one copy of the recording paper has been discharged without moving the recording paper, the selecting means Is the selected tray which comprises a control means for controlling said moving means to move the recording sheet discharge position Te.

  According to this configuration, the tray for discharging the recording paper on which the image is formed by the image forming unit is selected by the selecting unit, and the tray is moved to the recording paper discharge position of the apparatus main body by the moving unit. However, the moving means is controlled so that the tray is not moved by the control means until at least one copy of the recording paper of the image forming job has been discharged is counted by the control means. The control unit controls the tray so that the tray is moved to the recording paper discharge position by the moving unit, so that the recording paper discharged before the tray is moved can be used (for example, confirmation of the formed image). By performing this during the tray movement time, the tray movement time can be used effectively.

  An image forming apparatus according to a second aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the control unit interrupts during execution of another image forming job and performs recording in priority to the other image forming job. The at least one copy of the recording paper is discharged without moving the tray until the counting unit counts that at least one copy of the recording paper has been discharged for the image forming job for discharging the paper. After the count is counted by the counting means, the moving means is controlled so as to move the tray selected by the selecting means to the recording paper discharge position.

  According to this configuration, the tray is moved by the control means until at least one copy of the recording paper of the image forming job interrupted during execution of another image forming job is discharged by the number counting means. Since the moving means is controlled so that the selected tray is moved to the recording paper discharge position by the moving means, the recording paper discharged before the movement of the tray is used. By performing the requirements that can be advanced (for example, confirmation of the formed image) during the movement time of the tray, the movement time of the tray can be used effectively.

  An image forming apparatus according to claim 3 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising setting means for an operator to set the number of copies, wherein the control means is set by the setting means. The counting means counts that the set number of recording sheets are discharged without moving the tray until the counting means counts that the number of recording sheets have been discharged. Then, the moving means is controlled to move the selected tray to the recording paper discharge position.

  According to this configuration, the tray is moved until the number of copies of the recording paper set by the operator using the setting unit is counted by the number of copies counting unit for the current image forming job. The control means controls the movement means so that the tray selected by the selection means is then moved to the recording paper discharge position, so that the control means controls the movement means. Only the paper can be discharged before moving the tray, and an image forming apparatus more suitable for the operator's needs can be provided.

  An image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the total number of recording sheets discharged in the image forming job is acquired before the recording sheets are discharged. The control means controls the moving means so as not to move the tray regardless of the preceding item when the total number of sheets acquired by the acquiring means is equal to or less than a predetermined number. Is.

  According to this configuration, when the total number of discharged recording sheets acquired by the acquiring unit is equal to or less than the predetermined number, even when the predetermined number of copies or more are discharged, all the recording sheets are discharged. Since the tray is not moved by the control means, when a relatively small number of sheets equal to or less than the predetermined number is discharged, the tray is not moved regardless of the number of copies to be discharged. It is possible to avoid an excessively long situation and provide a highly convenient image forming apparatus.

  An image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein a start time calculating means for calculating a time until the discharge of the recording paper in the image forming job is started. And a movement time calculation means for calculating a time for moving the selected tray to the recording paper discharge position, and the control means until the discharge calculated by the start time calculation means is started. When the time is longer than the moving time calculated by the moving time calculating means, the moving means is controlled to move the selected tray to the recording paper discharge position regardless of the preceding item. It is.

  According to this configuration, when the time until the discharge of the recording paper calculated by the discharge time calculation unit is longer than the time calculated by the movement time calculation unit, the number of copies of the discharged recording paper or / Since the selected tray is moved to the recording paper discharge position regardless of the total number of recording papers to be discharged, the invention according to claims 1 to 4 allows the predetermined number of recording papers to be recorded. The situation in which the time until the discharge of all the recording papers is completed without extending the discharge time is avoided, and the predetermined amount is compared with the case where the inventions according to claims 1 to 4 are implemented. Since it is possible to shorten the time until the discharge of all the recording sheets is completed without changing the timing at which the discharge of the number of recording sheets is started, it is possible to provide a highly convenient image forming apparatus.

  An image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the image forming job currently being executed, the image forming job to be executed next thereto, and these When there is a standby job to be executed after the end of two jobs, it is determined whether or not the tray from which the recording paper is discharged in the currently executed job is the same as the tray from which the recording paper is discharged in the standby job. A determination unit, and the control unit, when the determination unit determines that the tray is the same, regardless of which tray the recording paper is discharged in the next job, The moving means is controlled so as not to move the tray.

  According to this configuration, the tray positioned at the recording paper discharge position with respect to the current image forming job, and the recording paper discharge position with respect to the image forming job two times after the current image forming job. Whether the trays are the same or not is determined by the determination means, and if it is determined that they are the same, the number of ejected recording sheets, and / or the total number of ejected recording sheets, or / and the ejection of recording sheets are started. Regardless of whether the tray movement is completed or not, the selected tray is moved to the recording paper discharge position, thereby reducing unnecessary movement of the tray and shortening the time until completion of the discharge. be able to.

  According to the first or second aspect of the invention, the tray for discharging the recording paper on which the image is formed by the image forming means is selected by the selecting means, and the tray is moved to the recording paper discharge position of the apparatus main body by the moving means. Is done. However, the moving means is controlled so that the tray is not moved by the control means until at least one copy of the recording paper of the image forming job has been discharged is counted by the control means. The control unit controls the tray so that the tray is moved to the recording paper discharge position by the moving unit, so that the recording paper discharged before the tray is moved can be used (for example, confirmation of the formed image). By performing this during the tray movement time, the tray movement time can be used effectively.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, until the number of copies of the recording paper set by the operator using the setting unit is discharged for the current image forming job is counted by the number of copies counting unit. The control means controls the movement means so as not to move the tray, and then the control means controls the movement means so that the tray selected by the selection means is moved to the recording paper discharge position. Only the desired number of sheets of recording paper can be discharged before moving the tray, and an image forming apparatus more suited to the needs of the operator can be provided.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the total number of discharged recording sheets acquired by the acquiring unit is equal to or less than the predetermined number, all the recording sheets are discharged even when the predetermined number of copies are discharged. Since the tray is not moved by the control means for discharging, the tray is not moved regardless of the number of copies to be discharged when a relatively small number of sheets equal to or less than the predetermined number is discharged. It is possible to avoid a situation where the tray movement time is too long, and to provide a highly convenient image forming apparatus.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the time until the discharge of the recording paper calculated by the discharge time calculating unit is longer than the time calculated by the moving time calculating unit, the discharged recording is performed. The selected tray is moved to the recording paper discharge position regardless of the number of paper copies and / or the total number of recording papers to be discharged. Compared with the case where the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is avoided by avoiding a situation in which the time until the discharge of all the recording sheets is completed without accelerating the time for discharging the number of recording sheets. Thus, it is possible to shorten the time until the discharge of all the recording sheets is completed without changing the timing when the predetermined number of recording sheets are started to be discharged. Therefore, it is possible to provide a highly convenient image forming apparatus. it can.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the tray positioned at the recording paper discharge position for the current image forming job, and the recording paper for the image forming job two times after the current image forming job. Whether or not the trays positioned at the discharge position are the same is determined by the determination means. If it is determined that the trays are the same, the number of discharged recording sheets or / and the total number of discharged recording sheets or / and recording The selected tray is moved to the recording paper discharge position regardless of whether or not the movement of the tray is completed before the paper discharge is started. The time can be shortened.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing an internal configuration of a multifunction peripheral as an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The multifunction device 1 has functions such as a copy (copying) function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The multi-function device 1 is installed at a lower part of the main body 2, a main body 2 having an image forming unit 200, an original transport mechanism 3 serving as an original presser and an original reading unit 4 installed at the upper part of the main body 2. The sheet feeding section 5 and the bin section 6 installed on one side of the main body section 2 are included.

  The document transport mechanism 3 includes a document placement unit 301, a carry-in drive unit 302 including a pair of transport rollers, a transport roller pair 303, a discharge roller pair 304, a paper discharge table 305, and a document that detects the presence or absence of a document. A detection switch 306 is provided, and the originals placed on the original placement unit 301 are automatically conveyed one by one in contact with the contact glass 402, and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 305 after exposure scanning of the originals. .

  The document reading unit 4 includes a scanner unit (not shown) that generates image data from an optically acquired document image, and includes a contact glass 401 and a contact glass 402 on an upper surface thereof. Then, the document reading unit 4 reads image data obtained from a document placed on the contact glass 401 or a document transported so as to be in contact with the contact glass 402 by the document transport mechanism 3 with a scanner unit. It outputs to the image memory | storage part 12 (FIG. 2) mentioned later.

  The paper feeding unit 5 includes paper feeding cassettes 501 and 502 and manual paper feeding units 503 that store paper of each size and vertical and horizontal types. The paper feeding unit 5 includes a conveyance path 504 that conveys paper from the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 to the image forming unit 200, and a conveyance path 505 that conveys paper from the manual paper feeding unit 503 to the image forming unit 200. . Each of the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 and the manual paper feed unit 503 includes pickup rollers 506, 507, and 508 for taking out the stored paper (recording paper), and a pair of paper feed rollers for feeding the paper one by one to the transport path. 509, 510, 511.

  The conveyance path 504 includes a conveyance roller pair 512 and 513 that conveys a sheet, and a registration roller pair 514 that causes the sheet conveyed in front of the image forming unit 200 to stand by at a predetermined position. Further, the transport path 505 joins the transport path 504 on the upstream side of the registration roller pair 514.

  The image forming unit 200 includes a drum-shaped photosensitive member 201 that is rotatably supported, a charging unit 202 disposed around the photosensitive member 201, a developing unit 203, a cleaning unit 204, and a laser scanning unit 205. A transfer roller 206 and a fixing roller pair 207. The charging unit 202 uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor 201 to a predetermined potential. The laser scanning unit 205 irradiates the surface of the photoconductor 201 with a laser beam based on the image data transmitted from the control unit 10 (FIG. 2), and forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor 201.

  The developing unit 203 attaches toner to the electrostatic latent image to make the image appear. The transfer roller 206 transfers the exposed toner image to a sheet. The fixing roller pair 207 The toner image transferred to the paper is fixed. The cleaning unit 204 cleans toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 201 after image transfer.

  In addition, a paper discharge unit 208 is provided at the upper part of the main body 2, and the paper conveyed from the fixing roller pair 207 is conveyed by the discharge roller pair 209 and discharged to the paper discharge unit 208. The discharge roller pair 210 discharges the sheet conveyed from the fixing roller pair 207 to the bin 6 and discharges the sheet by a discharge branch guide 211 driven according to a control signal from the control unit 10. The direction can be switched between the discharge roller pair 209 side and the discharge roller pair 210 side.

  When images are formed on both sides of the recording paper, the image forming unit 200 forms an image on one side of the recording paper, and the recording paper is nipped between the discharge roller pair 209. In this state, the discharge roller pair 209 is reversed to switch back the recording paper, and the recording paper is sent to the paper transport path L and transported again to the upstream area of the image forming unit 200. Then, the recording paper is discharged to the paper discharge unit 208 or conveyed to the bin unit 6.

  The bin unit 6 includes a sort bin 622 composed of a plurality of bins, a non-sort bin 623 composed of a single bin, and an elevating mechanism 605, and the recording paper carried in from the discharge roller pair 210 of the main body unit 2 is fed into the non-sort bin 623 or Drain into the appropriate bin of the sort bins 622. In this embodiment, the recording paper is discharged to the non-sort bin 623 when using the copying function, and the recording paper is discharged to one of the sorting bins designated by the print requesting source when using the printer function. I will do it. This sort bin designation is determined according to an information processing apparatus such as a PC (personal computer) or / and a login user name of the print instruction source, and is transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the multifunction device 1. It is assumed that the data is passed to the multifunction device 1 as one of the instruction data. The elevating mechanism 605 elevates the positions of the non-sort bin 623 and the sort bin 622 so that the instructed bin is positioned at the recording paper discharge port (position of the discharge roller pair 210) of the main body according to the control signal from the control unit 10. To do.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram mainly showing a functional configuration of the multifunction machine 1 according to the present invention. Here, the functional configuration of the multi function device 1 will be described, particularly limited to the copying function and the printer function. The multifunction device 1 includes an operation unit 11, a document reading unit 4, an image storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, an image forming unit 200, a bin unit 6, and a control unit 10. Here, the document reading unit 4, the image forming unit 200, the bin unit 6, and the control unit 10 are the same as those shown in FIG. The operation unit 11 is used by an operator to input an instruction to the multifunction device 1 and is a user interface of the multifunction device 1. The operation unit 11 is used to input the number of copies, a copy start instruction, and the number of ejected copies before bin movement, particularly in the present invention. Here, the number of copies is a number indicating how many copies of the same copy are made, and is input using a numeric keypad provided in the operation unit. The copy start instruction is an instruction to start copying, and is input by pressing a start key provided in the operation unit 11. The number of copies before bin movement means that, for copying, before the bin is moved so that the recording sheet is discharged to the bin where the recording sheet should be discharged (non-sort bin 623), The number of copies (recording paper) to be discharged to the bin that is positioned is input using a numeric keypad.

  The image storage unit 12 stores image data read by the document reading unit 4 and image data received by the communication unit 13, and includes a RAM (random access memory) or the like. The communication unit 13 is connected to a communication line such as a network, and performs communication between the multifunction device 1 and another information processing apparatus. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 13 receives a print request (request to use the printer function of the multifunction device 1) to the multifunction device 1 from a PC (personal computer) or the like connected to the multifunction device 1 via a network. Used for. When the communication unit 13 receives image data as a print request, the communication unit 13 writes the image data in the image storage unit 12.

  The control unit 10 is for controlling the entire multifunction device 1, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing a program executed by the CPU, and a work of a program executed by the CPU. It consists of RAM (Random Access Memory) used for areas and the like. The control unit 10 includes a copy number storage unit 101, a pre-bin movement discharge number storage unit 102, a printer control unit 103, a copy control unit 104, a job management unit 105, a print control unit 106, a bin lifting control unit 107, and a recording paper discharge start. A time calculation unit 108, a bin movement time calculation unit 109, and a bin movement reference number storage unit 110 are provided.

  The copy number storage unit 101 stores the number of copies input to the operation unit 11. When the operation unit 11 receives an input of the number of copies, the operation unit 11 writes the number of copies in the copy number storage unit 101. The pre-bin movement discharge number storage unit 102 stores the number of pre-bin transfer discharge units input to the operation unit 11. When the operation unit 11 receives an input of the number of discharge units before bin movement, the operation unit 11 writes the number of discharge units before bin movement into the discharge unit number storage unit 102 before bin movement.

  The printer control unit 103 controls a printer function in the multifunction machine 1. The printer control unit 103 receives, from the communication unit 13, print job data related to a print request received from a PC or the like connected to a communication line. The print job data includes at least an address (image data address) in the image storage unit 12 in which image data of the print job is stored, the number of image pages, the number of output copies, and the bin number of the sort bin for discharging the recording paper. It is. When receiving the print job data, the printer control unit 103 transmits, as (print) job data, the fact that the print job has occurred, the image data address, the number of pages, the number of output copies, and the discharge bin number to the job management unit 105. To do. The discharge bin numbers are, for example, 1 to 4 in order from the top of the sort bin 622.

  The copy control unit 104 controls a copy function in the multifunction machine 1. When the operation unit 11 receives an input of a copy start instruction, the operation unit 11 transmits the copy start instruction to the copy control unit 104. When receiving the copy start instruction, the copy control unit 104 instructs the document reading unit 4 to read the document. When the image reading unit 4 receives a document reading instruction from the copy control unit 104, the image reading unit 4 reads the document and writes the image data in the image storage unit 12. After reading the document, the image reading unit 4 transmits the address (image data address) in the image storage unit 12 where the image data of the read image is stored and the number of pages of the read image to the copy control unit 104. . Upon receiving the image data address and the number of pages, the copy control unit 104 reads the number of copies from the copy number storage unit 101, and indicates that a copy job has occurred as (copy) job data, the image data address, the number of pages, and the number of copies. (Number of output copies) is transmitted to the job management unit 105. At substantially the same time, the copy control unit 104 transmits a recording paper discharge start time calculation instruction, the number of pages, and the number of copies to the recording paper discharge start time calculation unit 108. At substantially the same time, the copy control unit 104 transmits a bin movement time calculation instruction to the bin movement time calculation unit 109.

  The job management unit 105 stores the job management table shown in FIG. 3, and writes job data as a new row in the job management table when job data is received from the printer control unit 103 and the copy control unit 104. The job type column 51 of the job management table stores an identifier indicating whether the job in the row is a printer job or a copy job. The image data address 52 stores the head address of the image storage unit 12 in which the image data of the job in the row is stored. The page number column 53 stores the total number of pages of the job image (one copy) in the row. The output number column 54 stores the number of output images (the number of copies) of the job in the row. The total output number column 55 stores the total number of discharged recording sheets for the job in the row. The number of copies column 561 of the output completed information column 56 stores the number of copies for which the job of the line has already been discharged. The number-of-sheets column 562 of the output completed information column 56 stores the number of sheets that have already been ejected among the currently ejected copies of the job in the row. That is, when “2” is entered in the number of copies column 561 of the output completed information column 56 and “7” is entered in the number of copies column 562 of the output completed information column 56, the two copies have already been completely ejected. Indicates that the seventh sheet has been discharged. The discharge bin number column 57 stores a number indicating a bin for discharging the recording paper of the job in the row.

  The job management unit 105 updates the output completed information 56 in the first row of the job management table every time it receives information from the print control unit 106 that one recording sheet has been discharged. The job management unit 105 determines whether the job currently being executed by the bin lifting control unit 107 (first line of the job management table) is a printer job or a copy job, and a printer job. The discharge bin number is transmitted to the bin lifting control unit 107.

  When the job management unit 105 receives from the printer control unit 103 that the print job has occurred, the image data address, the number of pages, the number of output copies, and the output bin number, the job management table shown in FIG. A new line is created after the current line (or the first line if there is no line already filled in), and the print job data is written. Specifically, the job type column 51 indicates that the job is a print job, the image data address column 52 receives the received image data address, the page number column 53 receives the received page number, and the output number column 54 receives it. In the number of output copies, total output number column 55, a value obtained by multiplying the number of pages in the page number column 53 and the number of output copies in the output number column 54 in the same row, the number of copies column 561 and the number of copies column 562 in the output completed information column 56 are displayed. The initial value is “0”, and the received discharge bin number is written in the discharge bin number column 57.

  When the job management unit 105 receives from the copy control unit 104 the fact that a copy job has occurred, the image data address, the number of pages, and the number of copies, the job management unit 105 creates a new first row in the job management table shown in FIG. Write the data of this copy job. Specifically, the job type field 51 indicates that the job is a copy job, the image data address field 52 indicates the received image data address, the page number field 53 indicates the received page number, and the output number field 54 indicates the received copy. The number of copies, total output number column 55 is a value obtained by multiplying the number of pages in the page number column 53 of this line by the number of copies in the output number column 54, and the number of copies column 561 and the number of copies column 562 of the output information 56 are initial values. Write “0” for each. In the case of a copy job, nothing is written in the discharge bin number column 57. When the discharge bin number column 57 is blank, it indicates the output to the non-sort bin 623. When writing copy job data to the job management table, if the job management table already contains data (if there is already a row), write the copy job data to be written to the first row and the existing data Shift the rows after in order.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the print control unit 106 controls printing (forming an image on a recording sheet). The print control unit 106 checks the job management table of the job management unit 105 and, when a job (row) is described, transmits an instruction to form and discharge an image on a recording sheet to the image forming unit 200. . In response to this, the image forming unit 200 reads image data from the image storage unit 12 and performs image formation. Each time one page is printed, the print control unit 106 sends a message to that effect to the job management unit 105. In response to this, the job management unit 105 receives the job described in the first row of the job management table. The number of copies 561 and the number of copies 562 of the output completed information 56 are updated. Further, when the job currently being printed is a copy job, the print control unit 106 reads the number of pre-bin movement ejected copies from the bin pre-bind eject number storage unit 102 and moves this bin for one image forming job. When the number of recording sheets for the number of the previous discharge units has been printed, an instruction to move the bin is transmitted to the bin lifting control unit 107.

  When the recording paper discharge start time calculation unit 108 receives an instruction to calculate the recording paper discharge start time from the copy control unit 104, the recording paper discharge start time calculation unit 108 calculates the recording paper discharge start time, and controls the calculated recording paper discharge start time to raise and lower the bin. To the unit 107. The recording paper discharge start time calculation unit 108, for example, the number of output copies, the number of pages, and the like, which are stored in the recording paper discharge start time calculation unit 108 in advance based on the number of output copies and the number of pages of an image to be printed The recording paper discharge start time is obtained by obtaining the recording paper discharge start time corresponding to the above conditions (number of output copies, number of pages) from the table showing the relationship. If the recording paper discharge start time can be obtained by a calculation formula, it may be calculated by calculation. The multifunction device 1 scans the original and discharges the recording paper. For example, the multifunction device 1 performs image processing for displaying an image clearly and has a 2-in-1 function (an image that displays two pages on one page). Function to synthesize). For this reason, usually, the recording paper discharge start time becomes longer as the number of pages increases.

  When the bin movement time calculation unit 109 receives a bin movement time calculation instruction from the copy control unit 104, the bin movement time calculation unit 109 calculates and calculates the time (bin movement time) required to move the non-sort bin to the recording paper discharge port. The bin moving time is transmitted to the bin lifting control unit 107. The bin movement time calculation unit 109 acquires the bin movement time from a table indicating the relationship between the current position of the non-sort bin and the bin movement time, which the bin movement time calculation unit 109 holds in advance based on the position of the non-sort bin before the movement. To do.

  The bin movement reference number storage unit 110 is a predetermined reference value (upper limit) of the total number of discharged recording papers in a copying job when discharging the recording sheets without moving the non-sort bin until the discharging of all the recording sheets is completed. Value), for example, “10 sheets” is stored. This number may be set by the user using the operation unit 11.

  The bin lifting / lowering control unit 107 controls the lifting / lowering of the bin of the bin unit 6. The bin lifting control unit 107 receives the discharge bin number of the job currently being executed from the job management unit 105, so that the printing mechanism is always discharged to the designated sort bin for print jobs. 605 is controlled. The bin lifting control unit 107 basically does not move the bin for the copy job until the number of recording sheets discharged before bin movement is discharged. Is controlled at the recording paper discharge port. Regardless of this, however, if the total number of ejected recording sheets for the copy job is less than or equal to the bin movement reference number, the bins are not moved until all the ejected recording sheets for the copying job are completed. However, regardless of this, if the movement of the bin is completed before the discharge of the recording paper is started, the non-sort bin is moved to the recording paper discharge port. However, regardless of this, it was positioned at the output tray of the next job of this copy job and the recording paper outlet before the start of this copy job (the current print job did not interrupt the copy job) If the tray is the same, do not move the tray.

  In order to execute the bin lifting operation for the copy job, the bin lifting control unit 107 instructs the positioning of the non-sort bin from the print control unit 106, the recording paper discharge start time calculated by the recording paper discharge start time calculation unit 108, and bin movement. Based on the bin movement time calculated by the time calculation unit 109 and the bin movement reference number stored in the bin movement reference number storage unit 110, it is determined whether or not to move the non-sort bin to the recording paper discharge port. Details of this control will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of bin lifting control when a copy job is executed in the multifunction machine 1. It is assumed that “1” is set as an initial value for the number of discharged copies “N” before bin movement and “0” is set as an initial value for the number of discharged copies “S”. In step S1, the operation unit 11 checks whether or not an input of the number of discharge units before bin movement has been received. If the input has been received (YES in step S1), the operation unit 11 proceeds to step S2. In step S <b> 2, the operation unit 11 writes the input value of the number of discharge units before bin movement into the number of discharge units before bin movement “N” in the bin number of discharge units before bin movement storage unit 102. In step S1, when the input of the number of ejected bins before bin movement is not accepted (NO in step S1) and when the process of step S2 is completed, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S3, the operation unit 11 checks whether or not it is accepted that the start key of the operation unit 11 has been pressed (NO in step S3), and if accepted (YES in step S3), copying. Assuming that a job has been received, the operation unit 11 transmits to the copy control unit 104 that a copy job has been received. At this time, when the operation unit 11 accepts that the copy number for the copy job is input to the operation unit 11, the operation unit 11 writes this copy number in the copy number “Smax” of the copy number storage unit 101. The copy control unit 104 instructs the document reading unit 4 to read the image of the copied document when receiving a notification that the copy job has been received. In response to this, the document reading unit 4 reads an image from the copied document, and writes the image data of the read image in the image storage unit 12. The document reading unit 4 transmits the address of the image data written in the image storage unit 12 and the number of image pages to the copy control unit 104. The copy control unit 104 transmits the copy job data (job data) to the job management unit 105, and the job management unit 105 adds the copy job to the head (first line) of the job management table, and the process proceeds to step S4. .

  In step S4, the copy control unit 104 instructs the recording paper discharge start time calculation unit 108 to calculate the time required for starting the recording paper discharge in the copy job. In response to this, the recording paper discharge start time calculation unit 108 calculates the time until the recording paper discharge starts, and transmits the result to the bin lifting control unit 107. Further, the copy control unit 104 instructs the bin movement time calculation unit 109 to calculate the time required to move the non-sort bin 623 to the recording paper discharge port. After calculating the bin moving time, the bin moving time calculating unit 109 transmits the result to the bin lifting control unit 107. The bin raising / lowering control unit 107 compares both times, and when the discharge start time is equal to or shorter than the bin moving time (YES in step S4), the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, the print control unit 106 acquires job data of a job (in this case, the above-described copy job) described in the first row of the job management table from the job management unit 105, and discharges based on this data. An image formation instruction for the next copy “S + 1” of the completed copy “S” 561 is transmitted to the image forming unit 200. In response to this, the image forming unit 200 forms the “S + 1” portion of the image data in the image storage unit on the recording paper, and the recording paper is discharged from the recording paper discharge port. In step S6, the print control unit 106 transmits a message to that effect to the job management unit 105 every time one page is printed, and the job management unit 105 updates the output completed information 56 based on this information. Here, since one copy is output, the number of discharged copies 561 “S” is updated to “S + 1”. In step S <b> 7, if the number of ejected copies 561 “S” reaches the number of output copies 54 “Smax” (NO in step S <b> 7), the print control unit 106 ends the process.

  In step S7, if the number of copies “S” that has already been discharged has not reached the number of copies “Smax” (YES in step S7), the process proceeds to step S8. In step S <b> 8, the print control unit 106 reads the pre-bin movement discharge number storage unit 102 from the pre-bin movement discharge number storage unit 102, reads the pre-bin movement discharge number “N”, and the job management unit 105, and compares the two. If the number of copies 561 “S” is the same as the number of discharged copies “N” before bin movement (YES in step S8), the print control unit 106 transmits an instruction to move the non-sort bins to the recording paper discharge port to the bin lifting control unit 107. Then, the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, the bin lifting control unit 107 acquires the total number of discharged sheets 55 from the job management unit 105, reads out the bin movement reference number from the bin movement reference number storage unit 110, and compares the two. If the total number of discharged sheets is larger than the bin movement reference number in step S9 (NO in step S9), and if the discharge start time is longer than the bin moving time in the branch in step S4 (NO in step S4), step S10 Proceed to

  In step S10, the bin lifting control unit 107 checks whether the next job is waiting (the job management table has two or more rows) by the job management unit 105, and if it is waiting (step S10). YES), the process proceeds to step S11. In step S11, the bin lifting control unit 107 determines whether the job management unit 105 interrupts the print job being executed by the current copy job (the number of copies 561 of the job output information 56 in the second row of the job management table). Alternatively, whether or not the number of sheets 562 is “0” is checked, and if not interrupted (NO in step S11), the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the bin lifting control unit 107 acquires the discharge bin number of the next job (the discharge bin number 57 in the second row of the job management table) by the job management unit 105, and this and the current recording paper discharge port. Check if the discharge bin located at is the same. In step S12, if the currently set bin is not the same as the bin of the next job (NO in step S12), if the next job is not waiting in the branch of step S10 (NO in step S10), step In the branch of S11, when the copy job is interrupted during the execution of the print job (YES in Step S11), the process proceeds to Step S13. When the processing of step S13 is completed, if the bin currently set in the branch of step S12 is the same as the bin of the next job (YES in step S12), the number of ejected copies 561 “S” is branched in the branch of step S8. ”And the number“ N ”of bins before bin movement are not the same (NO in step S8), and in the branch of step S9, if the total number of discharged sheets is equal to or less than the bin movement reference number (YES in step S9), the process proceeds to step S5. Return.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the copying function is used in the multifunction machine 1, the recording paper is basically discharged at the start of the copying job until a predetermined number of recording sheets are discharged. This is performed for bins that have already been positioned at the recording paper discharge port, and is performed for non-sort bins after a predetermined number of recording sheets have been discharged. However, if the total number of recording sheets ejected by this copying job is less than or equal to the predetermined number, all recording sheets will be ejected from the bin that has already been positioned at the recording sheet ejection port at the start of this copying job. Done. However, if the non-sort bin can be moved to the recording paper discharge port before the discharge of the recording paper is started, all the recording paper is discharged to the non-sort bin regardless of the above. However, regardless of all of the above, the recording paper discharge bin designated for the job waiting next to this copying job is the bin already positioned at the recording paper discharge opening at the start of this copying job. If they are the same, all the recording sheets are discharged to this bin. Therefore, by performing the requirement (for example, confirmation of the formed image) that can be advanced using the recording paper discharged before the bin movement during the tray movement time, the tray movement time can be used effectively. By implementing the present invention, it is possible to avoid an excessively long time for moving the tray during the entire discharge time, and to extend the time until the discharge of all the recording sheets is completed, and to reduce unnecessary movement of the tray.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the thing of the said embodiment, The aspect described below can be employ | adopted. In the present embodiment, only the copying function and the printer function in the multi-function peripheral have been described. However, even when a facsimile function is added, it can be dealt with in substantially the same manner as in the present embodiment. For this purpose, the facsimile function may be handled in the same manner as the printer function. In the present embodiment, the recording paper is discharged to the non-sort bin in the case of the copy function, and is discharged to the sort bin in the case of the printer function. Alternatively, if there is a specific designation in the copy function, it may be discharged to the sort bin.

  In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the movement of the bin for the copy job. However, this is not necessarily a copy job, and may be another printer job, a facsimile job, or the like.

1 is a schematic side view illustrating a mechanical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the job management table in one Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP (image forming device)
4 Document reading unit (acquisition means)
200 Image forming unit (image forming means)
105 Job management section (selection means, copy count counting means)
106 Print control unit (number of copies counting means)
107 Bin lifting control unit (determination means)
108 Recording paper discharge start time calculation unit (start time calculation means)
109 Bin movement time calculation unit (movement time calculation means)
11 Operation unit (setting means)
605 Lifting mechanism (moving means)
622 sort bin (tray)
623 Non-sort bin (tray)

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus comprising a plurality of trays as recording paper discharge locations, and discharging the recording paper to a target tray by moving the trays,
Image forming means for forming an image on recording paper;
A selection means for selecting a tray for discharging the recording paper;
Moving means for moving the tray selected by the selection means to a recording paper discharge position of the apparatus main body;
A copy number counting unit that counts the number of copies of the recording paper that has been discharged to the tray in each image forming job and on which an image is formed by the image forming unit;
After the counting means counts that the at least one copy of the recording paper is discharged without moving the tray until the counting means counts that at least one copy of the recording paper has been discharged An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the moving unit to move the tray selected by the selecting unit to the recording paper discharge position.   The control means interrupts during execution of another image forming job, and at least one copy of the recording paper is discharged for the image forming job for discharging the recording paper in preference to the other image forming job. The tray is not moved until counted by the counting means, and the tray selected by the selection means is recorded after the counting means counts that the at least one copy of the recording paper has been discharged. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving unit is controlled to move to a paper discharge position. It further comprises setting means for the operator to set the number of copies,
The control means does not move the tray until the count means counts that the number of recording sheets set by the setting means has been discharged, and the number of recording sheets set by the setting means. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving unit is controlled to move the selected tray to the recording paper discharge position after the counting unit counts that the sheet is discharged. An acquisition unit for acquiring the total number of recording sheets to be discharged in an image forming job before discharging the recording sheets;
The said control means controls the said moving means not to move the said tray irrespective of the previous term, when the said total number of sheets acquired by the said acquisition means is below a predetermined number. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above. Start time calculating means for calculating a time until the discharge of the recording paper in the image forming job is started;
A moving time calculating means for calculating a time for moving the selected tray to the recording paper discharge position;
When the time until starting the discharge calculated by the start time calculating means is longer than the moving time calculated by the moving time calculating means, the control means does not select the selection regardless of the preceding paragraph. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving unit is controlled to move the tray that has been moved to the recording paper discharge position. If there is an image forming job that is currently being executed, an image forming job that is executed next, and a standby job that is executed after the end of these two jobs, the recording paper is discharged in the currently executing job. Determination means for determining whether or not the tray in which the recording paper is discharged in the standby job is the same, and
When the determination unit determines that the trays are the same, the control unit moves the tray regardless of which tray the recording paper is discharged in the next job. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving unit is controlled so as not to exist.

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