JP2696913B2 - Copier - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sorter having a plurality of copy paper discharge bins and having a function of automatically distributing and discharging copy paper, and a plurality of original groups. And a multi-job function having an automatic document feeder (hereinafter, referred to as ADF) for performing copy processing in accordance with the order described above and discharging each of them to a predetermined document discharge bin.

[Conventional technology]

In a copier equipped with an ADF, for example, the time required for a user to wait for a turn by automatically and sequentially processing copying operations for a plurality of individual documents set on a plurality of paper feed trays. Various devices that have a so-called multi-job function that eliminates waste are developed.

For example, the present applicant has filed Japanese Patent Application No. 62-321924 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
No. 371), for a group of documents that do not need to be copied immediately, regardless of the order in which the documents are set, priority is given to copying other document groups, and there are no other document groups waiting to be copied. A copier having a so-called multi-job function, which is configured to start a copying process in a case, has been proposed.

In particular, in a copying machine having such a multi-job function, a user is more convenient by using a sorter that sorts copy sheets for each document group and discharges the copy sheets to a bin.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

By the way, in the copying machine as described above, the copying process is often performed in an unmanned state. For this reason, after completion of the copying process, the user of the copying machine can clearly determine in which bin the original document copied by the user and the copied copy paper (hereinafter referred to as a copy) obtained from the original document are discharged. Hard to do. In particular, since the bins of the sorter are stacked one above the other in the vertical direction, the inside of the sorter is very difficult to see, so it is necessary to sequentially take out and examine the copies discharged to each bin. Further, when so-called sorting or grouping is performed, the copy is distributed to a plurality of bins and discharged, so that one or some of the bins may be forgotten.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a copier in which the bins from which a document and a copy obtained from the document are discharged can be easily identified after completion of the copying process. Aim.

[Means for solving the problem]

A copying machine according to a first aspect of the present invention has a plurality of copy paper discharge bins, a sorter having a plurality of processing modes relating to distribution of copied copy paper to the plurality of discharge bins, and a plurality of document discharges. Having a bin, performing a copy process of a plurality of document groups in a predetermined order, and among the plurality of document discharge bins,
In a copying machine having an automatic document feeder for discharging a processed document to a predetermined bin for each document group, a document discharge bin from which the document group has been discharged and a copy sheet copied from this document group. A display unit is provided for displaying the discharged copy paper discharge bins of the sorter in association with the respective discharge bins.

In the copying machine according to a second aspect of the present invention, the display means includes a first display means provided in the automatic document feeder corresponding to each of the document discharge bins, and the display means corresponding to each of the copy paper discharge bins. And a second display means provided in the sorter, and displays corresponding to the second display means.

[Action]

In the copying machine according to the first aspect of the present invention, after the copy processing is completed, information correlated with the discharge bin from which the original is discharged and the discharge bin from which the copy paper obtained therefrom is discharged, for example, the same information Is displayed.

In the copying machine according to the second aspect of the present invention, the first information display means and the second information display means can display information associated with each other.

(Example of the invention)

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front view showing the configuration of a copying machine according to the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as the apparatus of the present invention).

The copying machine main body 1 is mounted on a desk 30, and an ADF 300 is mounted on an upper portion thereof, and sorters 600 and 650 are mounted on a right side thereof.

In the figure, reference numeral 2 denotes a photosensitive drum having a photoconductive layer on the outer peripheral surface, which is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow a. A charging charger 3 is disposed above the photosensitive drum 2, and applies a charge of a constant potential (positive charge in this embodiment) to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2.

An image exposure device 9 is provided above the photosensitive drum 2 and the charger 3 and below the document table 35. The image exposure device 9 includes an exposure lamp 10, a movable mirror 1
It is composed of 1, 12, 13, a lens 14, a reflection mirror 15, etc.
The first slider including the exposure lamp 10 and the movable mirror 11 and the second slider including the movable mirrors 12 and 13 are moved in the direction of the arrow b by driving the slider driving motor 17.

In other words, the light emitted from the exposure lamp 10 scans the original placed on the original platen 35 in the direction of the arrow b by the movement of the first slider, and the reflected light is moved by the movable mirror.
After passing through the lens 14 through the movable mirrors 12 and 13 of the second slider, respectively, and passing through the lens 14 and being reflected by the reflection mirror 15 to reach the photosensitive drum 2, an electrostatic charge corresponding to the original image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. A latent image is formed.

The moving speed of the first and second sliders is
V / n and V / 2n (where n is the copy magnification) for the peripheral speed V (constant irrespective of the same magnification and reduction / enlargement).

At the time of reduction / enlargement, the lens movement motor 16 is driven,
In FIG. 1, the lens 14 showing the same-magnification position is in the direction opposite to the arrow b when enlarging, that is, in the direction away from the photosensitive drum 2, and in the same direction as arrow b when shrinking, that is, in Each is moved in the approaching direction. The movement of each part of the image exposure device 9 is detected by sensors S0, S1, and the like.

A developing device 4 is provided at a position on the rotation direction side of the photosensitive drum 2 of the charging charger 3. The developing device 4 visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 by a magnetic brush method into a toner image.

A transfer charger 5 is provided below the photosensitive drum 2, that is, at a position on the photosensitive drum rotation direction side of the developing device 4. The transfer charger 5 applies an electric field to the copy paper (not shown) conveyed in the direction of the arrow c from the lower surface thereof, and the developing device 4 causes the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 to be developed. Transfer to copy paper. A separation charger 6 is provided at a position on the photosensitive drum rotation direction side of the transfer charger 5.
Is provided.

The separation charger 6 applies an AC electric field to the copy sheet immediately after the transfer, thereby removing the charge of the copy sheet and separating the copy sheet from the surface of the photosensitive drum 2.

A cleaning device 7 is provided at a position on the photosensitive drum rotation direction side of the separation charger 6. The cleaning device 7 removes toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 by a blade method.

An eraser lamp 8 is provided between the cleaning device 7 and the charger 3. The eraser lamp 8 removes electric charges remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 by light irradiation in order to prepare for the next copying process.

Reference numerals 18 and 19 denote an upper cassette and a three-stage paper feed unit for storing copy paper, respectively, which are detachably attached to upper and lower paper feed ports of the copying machine body 1, respectively. Is provided with a paper feed roller 20 for sending out copy sheets and a plurality of size detection switches 181 for detecting the size of the copy sheets stored in the upper cassette 18.

The three-stage paper feed unit 19 is a cassette having a paper feed roller (not shown) and a size detection switch (not shown).
191, 192 and 193 are mounted on the common transport unit 190,
The paper is fed from the upper side of the transport unit 190 to the paper feed port below the upper cassette 18 of the copying machine main body 1.
The paper feed port is provided with a paper feed roller 21 and a plurality of size detection switches 194, similarly to the upper paper feed port. In addition, instead of the three-stage paper feed unit 19, a paper feed cassette similar to the upper paper feed slot can be attached to the lower paper feed port. At this time, the copy paper stored in the paper feed cassette is fed Roller 21
And the size of the copy sheet is detected by the size detection switch 194.

That is, the upper cassette 18 and the three-stage paper feed unit 19 can be used to select and use four types of copy paper or portrait, landscape, etc., and these are detected by using a magnet, for example. This is performed by each size detection switch.

The above-mentioned paper feed rollers 20, 21 are connected to motors 31, 32, respectively, so that they are driven to rotate.The copy paper sent out from the cassette abuts against the timing roller pair 22 and is temporarily stopped. Thereafter, the toner image is fed between the photosensitive drum 2 and the transfer charger 5 as shown by an arrow c in synchronization with the rotation timing of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 2. Here, the copy paper on which the toner image has been transferred is sent to the fixing device 24 by the transport belt 23.

The fixing device 24 fuses and fixes the toner image to the copy paper by heat. The copy paper on which the toner image has been fixed passes through the roller pair 25 and is fed into the sorter 601 from the paper discharge port 26 of the copier body 1. A sensor 27 for detecting the discharge of the copy sheet from the copying machine main body 1 is provided at the discharge port 26.

Now, the sorters 600 and 650 (hereinafter, referred to as the first part) according to the main part of the present invention.
The first sorter is connected to the copying machine main body 1, and the second sorter is connected to the first sorter by a bridge 700.

The first sorter 600 (or the second sorter 650) includes a plurality of bins for storing copied copy sheets (copies) discharged in the sorting mode or the grouping mode.
620 (or 670) are juxtaposed in the height direction.
(Or 670) are provided with sensors 698A to 698T (or 699A to 699T) for detecting the presence or absence of the conveyed copy sheet. Roller pair 604 (or 654) at the copy paper entrance
And a sensor 612 (or 662) for detecting the copy sheet fed into the sorter. Immediately after the roller pair 604, the copy sheet is conveyed to the non-sort path 614 (or 664) or sorted. A switching claw 603 (or 653) for switching whether to convey to the passage 615 (or 665) is provided.

The sort passage 615 (or 665) is provided with an endless transport belt 60 for transporting the copy sheet to the paper discharge unit 605 (or 655).
9 (or 659) and retractable tape 613 (or 663)
And a sort passage 615 (or 665).
Is transferred by the sensor 610 (or 660). The paper discharge unit 605 (or 655) includes a paper discharge roller pair 606 (or 656) for discharging copy paper to each of the bins 620 (or 670), and each bin 620 is driven by a bin moving motor (not shown). (Or 670) intermittently vertically.

The non-sort path 614 (or 664) is formed so as to discharge the copy sheet above the uppermost bin 620 (or 670), and the path 614 (or 664) is provided with a relay roller pair 607 (for this). Or 657), a discharge roller pair 608 (or 658), and a sensor 611 (or 661) for detecting the conveyance of the copy sheet. Each of these roller pairs has a sorter motor 601
(Or 651).

At the discharge position of the pair of discharge rollers 608, there is provided a carry-in entrance of the copy sheet of the above-mentioned bridge 700 having a transport passage 701 therein. Transported copy paper to the transport path 701,
Alternatively, a switching claw 703 for switching whether to convey the sheet to the sheet discharge unit 702 formed on the inclined portion of the bridge 700 is provided.

The transport path 701 of the bridge 700 is formed by a plurality of roller pairs and guide plates, and the terminal end of the transport path 701, that is, the paper discharge port of the bridge 700 is connected to the copy paper transport port of the second sorter. And the paper discharge roller pair 658 of the second sorter
A paper output tray 750 is attached to the paper output port provided with.

That is, when either the sorting mode or the grouping mode is set by connecting and using the first sorter and the second sorter as described above, the copy sheet is conveyed through the sort path 615 and the sheet discharge unit 605 Are distributed to each bin 620, and all of the bins 620 of the first sorter are used. If more bins are required, the copy sheet is transported through the non-sort path 614 and sent to the second sorter by the bridge 700. It is housed in the bin 670.

The ADF 300 includes a document conveyance control unit 301 for moving and stopping the document on the document table 35, a document supply unit 302 for supplying the document here, and a document discharge for receiving the document sent from the conveyance control unit 301. It comprises a part 303 and the like.

The document conveyance control unit 301 conveys a document by a rotating belt 305 driven by a motor 306. A sensor 307 is provided on the entrance side of the document to detect paper feeding. On the other hand, a sensor 308 is provided on the exit side to detect discharge.

The document supply unit 302 includes document feed units 401, 402, and 403 that can be separated from each other. Unit 401 is a document transport control unit
The unit 402 is connected to the unit 401, and the unit 403 is connected to the unit 402.

The unit 401 (402, 403) includes a document tray 411 (412, 413) on which a plurality of documents can be placed, a feed roller 431 (432, 433) for feeding the documents one by one, and rollers 451a, 451b (452a) for feeding the documents. , 452b, 453a, 453b) and an operation panel 461 (462, 463). Feed roller
431 (432,433), rollers 451a, 451b (452a, 452b, 453a, 4
53b) is the motor 441 (44
Document detection sensor 421 (422,42) driven by
3) detects the presence or absence of a document on the document tray 411 (412, 413).

FIG. 2 shows a specific example of the document feeding unit. FIG. 2 shows the unit 401 and the unit 402 immediately to the right thereof.

As is apparent from the unit 402, connecting portions for connecting the units to each other are formed at the front and rear of the casing. At the front end of the casing, connecting claws 402a, 402a projecting forward at both ends in the width direction are provided, and these are fitted into connecting holes 401a, 401a formed at the rear end of the casing. Electrically coupled by connectors 402c, 401c, power and signal channels are established between the units. The unit 401 connected to the document transport control unit 301 is also basically connected to the connector 40.
2c, and can be electrically coupled to the transport control unit 301, but for more reliable coupling, the cable 406 is led out from the unit 401, and the signal line connector 407 and the power supply connector 40
8 may be connected to the transport control unit 301 or the copying machine body 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the document discharge unit 303 has multiple discharge trays 511 to 515 in the vertical direction, and the document discharge units 501, 502, and 504 can be separated from each other in units of the discharge trays.
503, 504, 505.

The discharge unit 501 is connected to the document transport control unit 301, the discharge unit 502 is connected to the unit 501, the unit 503 is connected to the unit 502, the unit 504 is connected to the unit 503, and the unit 505 is connected to the unit 504, from below. A conveyance path 506 for the discharged document is established upward. Each of the discharge units has switching claws 531 and 53 for switching between guiding the document to the conveyance path 506 and the discharge tray.
2,533,534,535 are provided.

A roller pair 54 for sending out the original to the conveyance path 506 is also provided.
1,542,543,544,545 are provided. Switching claw 531 ~
Each of the 535 operates with an electromagnetic solenoid connected to it. The roller pairs 541 to 545 are basically operated by a small motor provided in each unit. However, a motor (not shown) externally attached to the The operation may be performed by the driving force of the motor of the control unit 301. Each output tray 511-515
The detectors 521 to 525 provided below each detect the presence or absence of a document on each paper discharge tray.

 FIG. 3 shows a specific example of the document discharge unit.

The connection claws 550, 550 formed on the lower surface of the casing of the document discharge unit 502 are fitted into the connection holes 551, 551 formed on the upper surface of the casing of the document discharge unit 501, and the two units 501 are connected to each other.
502 is mutually connected. Electrically, a male connector (not shown) provided to protrude downward from the lower surface of the casing, and a female connector provided at the upper portion of the casing
552c. The elongated holes 561 and 562 in the width direction, together with the elongated holes on the lower surface of the casing, serve as entrances and exits when a document passes between the units. Hereinafter, similarly, units are sequentially connected to the upper side of each unit.

A document reversing unit (hereinafter, referred to as an R unit) 350 is attached to the left side of the document discharging unit 501. When copying a document having images on both sides, the R unit 350 reverses a document that has been copied on one side. And put the platen 35 again
A reversing motor 352 and a document detection sensor 351 for driving the motor are provided inside. The document discharged from the document table 35 is placed at the rear end of the document transport control unit 301 with the document discharge units 501 to 505 and the R unit 35.
A switching claw 304 for switching to 0 is provided.

Each of the document discharge units 501 to 505 has a document discharge unit data display 571 to 5
75 are provided.

FIG. 4 shows an operation panel 70 provided at the front of the platen 35.
2 shows the layout.

In the figure, 71 is a print key for starting a copying operation,
Numeral 72 is a display of the number of copies. Numeric keys 80 to 89 are mainly used for input setting of the number of copies. Numeral 90 denotes a key for interrupt copying, and numeral 91 denotes a clear / stop key for releasing a numeral or interrupting copying. Paper select key 92
Is a key for selecting the upper and lower paper feed ports, and when either is selected, the size of the paper loaded in the cassette 18 or each of the cassettes 191 to 193 of the three-stage paper feed unit 19 is determined by the size detection switch 181 or The paper size display portions 92a to 92d are detected by detection switches provided on the cassette, and are turned on. Use the exposure up / down key 9
It can be set stepwise by the operation of 3,94. 93a is a display unit for displaying the set density.

100 to 103 are keys for selecting a copy magnification, which are operated when reducing or enlarging the copy as displayed in the vicinity. When one of these keys 100 to 103 is selected and operated, one of the corresponding display sections 100a to 102a is turned on. Reduction,
In a normal case where enlargement is not selected, the initial mode is the same size, and the display unit 103a is turned on. The operation panel 70
In addition, an operation key (not shown) for copying a two-sided original is provided.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing operation panels 461, 462, and 463 provided in each of the document feeding units 401, 402, and 403, respectively. Since the operation panels 461, 462, and 463 have the same configuration, the operation panel 461 will be described here.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 470 denotes a display unit for displaying the number of copies for one document. When a set key 476 is operated after a numerical value is set by an increment key 471 and a decrement key 472 for setting the number of copies, The display value of the display unit 470 at that point is set as the number of copies, and the display unit 476a indicates that the setting of the number of copies has been completed.
Lights up.

In the figure, reference numeral 476b denotes a reservation number registration key, which is used for registering the order of copying originals as a reservation number.
That is, similarly to the setting of the number of copies described above, when a numerical value is set by the increment key 471 and the decrement key 472 and the reservation number registration key 476b is operated, the display value at that time on the display unit 470 is changed to the reservation number. Is set as

A display unit 475 for displaying the number of documents is provided on the right side of the display unit 470, and the number of documents is set by the increment key 473 and the decrement key 474.

Reference numerals 478, 479, 480, and 481 denote key switches for selecting and setting a document processing mode in a multi-job described below. When these switches are not operated, copying is performed by a document feeding unit including a document tray on which documents are set. Are performed in the order in which the originals are set.

Each of the multi-job modes 1 to 4 has a common feature such that when a document whose job mode is set in another document feeding unit is lost and a blank time occurs in the copying machine, copying of the set document is started. It is configured.

Job 1 is a mode in which once the job is started, conveyance of the original to the original platen 35 is prohibited and copying is not permitted even if an original is set in the original feeding unit until copying of the set original is completed. is there. If this is set, for example, when the number of documents and the number of copies are small, the document feeding unit becomes empty quickly, which is advantageous for later users.

After the job is started, if a document is set in another document feeding unit after the job is started, a predetermined number of copies of one document being copied at that time are made.
In this mode, the job is interrupted and copying of a document set in another document feeding unit is permitted.

In job 3, when a document is set in another document feeding unit after the job is started, one copy of one document being copied at that time is copied, and then the job is interrupted and the other document is stopped. This is a mode in which copying of a document set in the feeding unit is permitted.

Job 4 is a mode in which the copy completion time of the set document can be designated. When one of the key switches 478 to 481 is selected, the corresponding display unit 478a to 481a is turned on to set the corresponding job mode. Reference numeral 484 denotes a time display unit for displaying a copy completion time set when the job 4 is selected.
Performed by 2 and decrement key 483.

FIGS. 6 (a), (b) and (c) are block diagrams of a control circuit of the apparatus of the present invention. The microcomputer 201 (CPU1) for controlling a copying operation and the microcomputer 202 (CPU2) for controlling a scanning optical system. ), A microcomputer 253 (CPU 3) for controlling the ADF 300 and a microcomputer 280 (CPU 4) for controlling the first and second sorters.

The CPU 1 (201) includes a switch matrix 203 including switch groups of operation panel keys and various sensors, a copy number display unit 72, and LEDs 92a to 92d, 93a for various displays.
…, 103a are connected via a decoder 207, and
The size detection switch 18 for detecting the size of copy paper
Also connected are a sensor 27 for detecting the paper discharge from the paper discharge port 1194 and the paper discharge port 26. A not-shown main motor, a developing motor, a timing roller clutch, clutches for upper and lower feed rollers 21 and 22,
The respective drive circuits (not shown) of the charging charger 3, the transfer charger 5, and the like are connected. Further, the interrupt signal input terminal INT and the data input terminals SIN and SOUT are connected to the CPU2 (202)
And performs data communication with each other.

The CPU (202) includes a scan motor control circuit 205 for controlling the drive of the slider drive motor 17, a zoom lens control circuit 206 for controlling the drive of the lens movement motor 16, and a sensor S0 for scanning control. S1
Etc. are connected.

FIG. 6B shows the CPU 3 (253) for controlling the ADF 300.
The signal bus 260 for the document feeding unit and the signal bus 270 for the document discharging unit are connected to the CPU 3 (253). For the document transport control section,
Sensors 307, 308 and R unit 3 at least in the input port
Fifty document detection sensors 351 are connected, and a drive unit of a conveyance belt motor 306 and a reversing motor 352 is connected to an output port.

The signal bus 260 is configured to be extendable via the connector section C1. The connector section C1 is a female connector 40 shown in FIG.
1c and a male connector 402c. The signal bus 260 includes an input / output extension IC 261 built in each document feeding unit.
262 are connected in parallel.

For this diffusion IC, for example, 8243 manufactured by Intel Corporation can be applied. The diffusion IC 261 has a copy number display section 470 and a setting completion display section 47 on the operation panel of this unit via a driver.
6a, the number of originals display unit 475, the display units such as the job display units 478a to 481a, the time display unit 484, and the sorter mode display units 491 to 493 are connected, and the operation units such as the keys 471 to 474,476,478 to 481,490 are connected. I have. The document sensor 421 in the unit 401 is connected to an input terminal, and the document sending motor 441 is connected to an output terminal via a driver. The connection configuration of the extension IC 262 and the unit 403 built in the other unit 402 is completely the same.

Similarly to the bus 260, the signal bus 270 can be extended via the connector C2. The connector section C2 comprises a male connector 551c and a female connector 552c in FIG. The input / output extension ICs 271, 272,... Built in each document discharge unit are connected in parallel to the signal bus 270. Discharge unit 501
Basically, the original sensor 521
And a solenoid for operating the document feed path switching claw 531
Further, each original discharge unit 501 also shown in FIG.
To 505 are connected.

The extension ICs of the other discharge units 502, 503,... Have exactly the same connection configuration.

FIG. 6C shows a CPU 4 for controlling the first and second sorters.
It is a block diagram of (280).
The sensors 612 and 662 for detecting that the copy paper is loaded into the first sorter or the second sorter, respectively, and also the non-sort tray, that is, the bridge 700 or the paper discharge unit 702 and the paper discharge tray 7
Sensors 611 and 661 for detecting the transport to the bin 50 and sensors 610 and 660 for detecting the transport to the sort tray, that is, the bin 620 or 670 are also connected. The output ports are connected to the sorter motors 601, 651, the switching claws 603, 653, 70
A solenoid or the like for operating each of the three is connected.

Further, the data display unit 1001 is provided to the CPU 4 via the driver 1000.
~ 1040 are connected. These data display sections 1001
1040, as shown in FIG. 9, 1001 to 1020 are the first.
Each bin 650 of the sorter 600 and 1021 to 1040 are provided corresponding to each bin 670 of the second sorter 650, respectively.

The CPUs 3 and 4 are connected to buses 275 and 285, respectively.
The communication with the CPU 1 is performed via the.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a RAM map defining a storage area of a RAM built in the CPU 3 (253).

The row number corresponds to the number of the document feeding unit, and the column number is the presence or absence of a document, the status of copying or not, the order of copying, the number of copies, the discharge unit number, the job mode, the number of documents, and the reservation number. Corresponds to the parameter. One partition of the matrix has a length of one byte.

The meaning of the parameter is
If there is a manuscript, it is “1”; otherwise, it is “0”.

“Copying” is “1” if the document group is currently being copied, and “0” otherwise.

“Order” indicates the order in which the document group of the document feed unit should be copied.

The “number of copies” is the number of copies for each sheet of the document group.

The “discharge unit number” indicates the number of the document discharge unit from which the document sent from the document feed unit is discharged, and is previously associated with the feed unit on a one-to-one basis.

“Job mode” is the mode number shown in FIG. 5, and “0” indicates a state in which the job mode is not set.

The “number of documents” indicates the number of documents set in each document feeding unit.

The “reservation number” indicates a relative order of the original group with respect to another original group to be copied.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a mode switching panel 570 provided in each of the sorters 600 and 650. By pressing a switch 270, a sorting mode, a grouping mode, and a non-sort mode are sequentially switched and set. However, the mode set at that time is sequentially changed to the sorting mode by the indicator 271, the grouping mode by the indicator 272, and the non-sort mode by the indicator 273. Instead, it is lit and displayed.

FIG. 9 shows data display units 1001 to 1020 provided in the respective bins 620 of the first sorter 600, and similar data display units 1021 to 1040 are provided in the second sorter 650. These data display units 1001 to 1020, 1021 to 104
0 is the CPU 4 (28) as shown in FIG.
0) is connected via the driver 1000.

Next, based on the flowcharts in FIG.
A control procedure by the PU3 and the CPU 4 will be described.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the CPU 1.

When the power is turned on, the CPU1 is reset and the program starts, first, in step S1, the RAM is cleared,
Initialization of various registers and initialization for setting each device to the initial mode are performed.

Next, the internal timer is started in step S2. This internal timer determines the time required for one cycle of the main routine irrespective of the content of processing in each subroutine described below, and its value is set in advance in step S1 of the intended setting.

Next, the subroutines shown in steps S3 to S6 are sequentially called, and when the processing of all the subroutines is completed, the process returns to step S2 after waiting for the internal timer to stop in step S7. Various timers used in each subroutine are counted using the length of time required for this one routine.

After calling all the subroutines relating to the copying operation, CPU 1 executes step S6 to execute CPU2, CPU3 and CPU4.
Performs data communication with.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a paper select routine of step S3.

When the paper select key 92 is turned on when copying is not being performed (steps S31 and S32), if the first sheet feeding (cassette 18 side) is currently selected at the on edge, the uppermost sheet of the three-stage sheet feeding unit 19 is selected. If the paper feed unit is the top paper feed unit of the three-stage paper feed unit 19, the middle paper feed unit is the same, and if the middle paper feed unit is selected, the lower paper feed unit is the same. However, if the lower paper feed unit of the three-stage paper feed unit 19 is selected, the first paper feed is selected, and the loaded paper feed size is detected by the size detection switch provided in each paper feed unit ( Steps S33 to S39), the detected paper size LED 92a
Are turned on (step S40).

When a cassette is attached to the second paper supply port instead of the three-stage paper supply unit 19, upper and lower paper supply ports are alternately selected by the same processing.

12 and 13 show detailed flowcharts of the copy operation routine.

The copy start flag in this flow is set when starting the copy operation. The manual flag is set when an appropriate paper (paper) cannot be found by automatic paper selection (APS).

When the ADF is not installed at the on-edge of the print key 71 in step S41, the copy start flag is immediately set to "1" (step S43). A
If the DF is used, when the manual flag is "0", the ADF ready signal from the ADF is determined, and when this is "1", the ADF start signal is set to "1" (steps S44 to S46). On the other hand, when the manual flag is "1", as described later, if it is determined that there is no compatible paper by automatic paper selection, the manual flag is reset to "0" by turning on the print key 71. The copy start flag is set to "1" (steps S47, S48).

When the print key 71 is not on-edge, if the ADF is used, the document home position signal from the ADF is determined in step S50. Find the cassette that contains it. As a result, if there is a suitable paper (manual flag = “0”), the copy start flag is set to “1” (step S53).

Next, in FIG. 13, the copy start flag is determined first. If the result is "1", the main motor, the developing motor, the charging and the transfer chargers are turned on, the roller clutch CL of the selected paper feed port is turned on, and the copy start flag is returned to "0". Timer A (TA), Timer B
(T−B) is set (block 10).

Here, the timer A controls the on-time of the clutch of the paper feed roller 20 or the paper feed roller of the three-stage paper feed unit. Timer B controls the start of the scan.

In block 11, the determination of the timer A is performed, and the paper feed roller clutch is turned off when the time is up. In block 12, the determination of the timer B is performed, and the scan signal is set to "1" when the time is up. In block 13, when the timing signal becomes "1", the timing roller
The clutch 22 is turned on, and the timer C (TC) is set. The timer C controls the operation of the timing roller 22 synchronized with the image formation. At block 14, the end of the timer C is determined, and when the time is up, the charging charger, the scan signal, and the timing roller clutch are turned off.
In block 15, it is determined whether the return signal transmitted when the first slider attempts to return to the home position is "1". When the return signal becomes "1", it is determined whether the multi-copy copy has been completed, and the process is terminated. If not, the copy start flag is set to "1" again. If completed, the developing motor and the transfer charger are turned off after waiting for the home position signal transmitted when the first slider returns to the home position,
Set the timer D (T-D). In block 16, the end of the timer D is determined, and the main motor is turned off when the time is up. In the final block 17, a logical signal is output for actual operation.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an automatic paper selection routine in the above-described copy operation routine.

In step S501, the multiplication result of the document size and the magnification is A
The contents are stored in a register, then the contents are compared with the actual size data of the paper size in the upper paper feed port and the paper feed port of the three-stage paper feed unit, and if there is a suitable paper feed port, it is selected ( Steps S502 to S509). If not, the manual flag is set in step S510, and the process returns to the main routine.

FIG. 15 is a general flowchart of a program in the CPU 3 (253) for controlling the operation of the ADF.

When the program starts, in step A1, the internal RAM
Initial setting, such as clearing of the register and setting of various registers, is performed.

Next, the internal timer is started, and the subroutines (steps A3 to A10) shown here are sequentially called.

In the final step A11, the end determination of the internal timer is performed,
When it is determined that the processing has been completed, the timer is started again (step A2), and the loop is repeatedly executed. The time of one routine formed by the loop is used to count a software timer.

Note that data communication with the CPU is based on the interrupt request IN from the CPU.
By T, this is performed by step A12 of the interrupt routine independently of this main routine.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are flowcharts of a mode setting routine of step A4 for setting the job mode and the sorter mode, and are determined by input operation and data based on calculations in the memory area in the RAM map shown in FIG. The following shows the processing to be performed.

First, in step A401 or step A403, key 47
At the on-edge of 1 (or 472), the numerical value displayed on the display unit 470 for the number of copies is incremented (or decremented) (step A402 (or A404). Then, step A4)
Similarly, the display number of the number of documents is incremented (or decremented) by 05 to A408, and the display number (LED) 476a is turned on by the on-edge of the set key 476 using the display value of the display unit 470 as a set value (step). A409, A41
0).

When the setting of the number of copies and the number of documents are completed, a mode memory routine, which will be described later, is called (step A411). Then, in step A391 or A393, the key 471 (or 472) is turned on by the display of the number of copies. The display value of the display unit 470 is incremented (or decremented) (step A392 (or A39).
Four). Then, at the on-edge of the reservation number registration key 476b, the numerical value displayed on the display unit 470 is written into the RAM address 1 as the reservation number (steps A395, A396).

Thereafter, the job and the sorter mode are selected by the blocks A1 to A6 shown in FIG. 17, and the setting is performed.

First, LE on the edge of key 478 (or 479,480,481)
If D478a (or LEDs 479a, 480a, 481a) is off, it is turned on, and the job mode of RAM address 1 is set to 1 (or 2, 3, 4).

Here, a case where a document is set in the document feeding unit 401 is shown as an example, and the RAM address N (=
1) corresponds to the unit number N (= 1).

On the other hand, if the LED 478a (or the LEDs 479a, 480a, 481a) is on, it is turned off and the job mode of the RAM address 1 is 0, that is, the job setting is released. When job 4 is set in block A4, the block
When the key 482 (or 483) is turned on by A5, the display time of the display unit 484 is increased (or decreased), and the copy end time is set.

In the next block A6, the sorter mode is set.
At the on edge of key 490, if LED 491 is on, it is turned off, LED 492 is turned on, and RAM
If the sorter mode of address 1 is set to 2, that is, the grouping mode, and the LED 492 is on, it is turned off and the LED 493 is turned on, and the sorter mode is set to 3,
That is, if the non-sort mode is set and the LED 493 is on, it is turned off and the LED 491 is turned on, and the sorter mode is set to 1, that is, the sorting mode.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the mode memory routine.

First, in steps A412 to A416, the other units 402,
The order of copying of the document is determined depending on whether or not a document is set in 403. That is, the data in the “document presence / absence” area of the RAM addresses 2 and 3 is checked first, and “0” “0”
If it is "1", "0""1" is "2", "1""1" is "3"
Are set in the “order” area of N = 1. That is, in this example, the order of copying is usually set to the order of setting the originals.

When the order setting is completed, “1” is displayed in the “Original” area, “0” is displayed in the “Copying” area, and the value of the display section 470 is displayed in the “Number of copies” area in the “Number of originals” area. The value of the part 475 is set respectively (step A
417-A420). Next, in order to determine the discharge destination of this document, the following discharge tray search routine is called, and A
Set the register value to "Ejection unit number" in RAM address 1.
Store in area. If the A register is "0",
Since there is a document in all trays of the output unit, set the output tray wait flag to “1” (step
A421-A424).

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the discharge tray search routine.

First, in step A425, the A register is reset, and the value of 5, 4,... 1 is set in this A register by turning off the document presence / absence sensors 525, 524, 521 of the discharge tray, that is, by detecting the absence of the document (steps A426 to A435). As can be seen from this flow, the automatic assignment of the discharge trays has a priority, and the priority is sequentially reduced from the upper stage to the lower stage. This is because the upper document is easier to remove for the user as in the sorter of the copying machine of the present invention.

When the processing of the mode set routine in step A4 (FIGS. 16 and 17) in FIG. 15 is completed as described above, the document removing routine in step A5 is called next. This is to automatically advance the order of documents that are lower than the order of the removed document when the loaded document is removed in the middle for some reason. There is no waste of time for processing decisions on a deleted document.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a document removal routine.

For example, of the three document feed units 401 to 403, 401
When the document detection sensor 421 is turned off due to the removal of the document, the off edge (step A501) causes the address 1 of the RAM area shown in FIG. 7, that is, information on the document loaded in the document feeding unit 401. Of which
The "copying" parameter is checked (step A50).
2). If the result is "0", that is, if copying is not in progress, this RAM
All areas other than the "order" area of address 1 are cleared (step A503). Then, the area of "document presence / absence" is checked in the order of RAM addresses 2 and 3 (steps A504 and A50).
8) If the result is "1", that is, if the original is set, the area of "copying" is checked (step
A505, A509), if the result is "0", that is, if copying is not being performed, it is checked whether the value of each "order" area is larger than the value of the "order" of address 1 (step S505).
A506, A510), if the result is large, the value of the "order" area of each address is decremented by "1" (steps A508, A511).

Similarly, for each of the other document feed units 402 and 403, the same processing as described above is performed by the off-edge of the respective document detection sensors 422 and 423, and a number after the `` number '' set for the removed document is set. The "number" of each original document is incremented by "1".

Step A6 in FIG. 15 is an ADF ready control routine for notifying the copier of whether or not it can start itself from the ADF 300, and as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 21, an original is placed in one of the original trays. It can be started when it is set and any document discharge tray is empty, and the ADF ready signal is set to "1". On the other hand, if a new star cannot be formed at this time, the ADF ready signal is set to "0" (step A609). This is determined by determining which document tray contains the document based on “1” in “Presence” on the RAM map. If it is not “Copying” (not “1”), then the output tray The ADF ready signal is set to "1" only when it is determined by the search routine that there is no document in any of the output trays (step A
608).

Step A7 in FIG. 15 is a document size detection routine, which is called when APS (automatic paper selection function) or AMS (dynamic magnification selection function) is applied and the document size is automatically determined. Using the sensor 307 and a software timer, the standard document size is determined according to the range of the actual size.

That is, as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 22, the on-edge of the sensor 307 at the document entrance side of the document conveyance control unit 301 which detects the loading of the document (step A7).
1) The software timer DU starts timing (step A7)
2) When the sensor is turned off (step A73), the timer of software timer DU is stopped (step A7).
Four). Then, the length of the document is calculated based on the count value of the timer DU and the document conveying speed (step A75), and stored in the B register (step A75). Thereafter, the size of the document is determined by sequentially comparing the stored value of the B register with the vertical and horizontal sizes of the B5 and A4 plates (step A7).
6).

Step A8 in FIG. 15 is a document control routine, and a flowchart is shown in FIG.

Here, processing relating to document feeding and discharging is performed. First, whether or not a document is present in the selected document feeding unit is detected by a corresponding sensor of 461 to 463,
If there is a document, then the ADF start signal from CPU 1 is set to "1" or the ADF start request is set to "1", that is, if any of the document discharge trays is empty and the ADF can be started, it is selected. The “Copying” area of the RAM address of the document feed unit is set to “1” (step
A801 to A804), if the front side flag is determined and the mode is to copy the front side of the document, the front side flag is set to “1”, and the transport belt motor 306 and the document feed motor of the corresponding document feed unit are turned on. (Steps A805 to A80
7). If the ADF start signal is “0” and the ADF start request is also “0” in step A802, a document feed flag, that is, a flag for controlling the start of feeding of the second and subsequent documents, is determined. If it is "1", this is reset and both motors 306 are turned on (steps A803, A808, A809).

With the above processing, document feeding starts, and then the CP
The two-sided original signal from U1 is determined (step A810). If this signal is "0", that is, if it is a one-sided copy, the original feeding process routine is called (step A811). In this case, the document feed reversal process routine is called (step A812).

 FIG. 24 shows the document feed processing routine.

First, when a document is fed, a sensor 307 provided at the end of the document feed control unit 301 on the side of the document feed unit 401 detects this, and the flag K is set to "1" at the on-edge thereof. A1 starts (steps A821, A82
2). The timer A1 is provided to turn off the document feed motor, that is, to prevent the next document from being sent out before the end of a predetermined process. The time to reach is set.

Next, the flag K is determined. If the flag K is "1", the off-edge of the sensor 307, that is, the trailing edge of the document is detected to reset the flag K and start the timer A2 (steps A823 to A825). . The timer A2 is set with the time required for the trailing edge of the document to reach the document edge fixed position on the document table 35. And by the time-up of timers A1 and A2,
The document feed motor and the transport belt motor 306 are turned off, respectively, and a signal indicating that the document has been set at the home position is output.
Sent to CPU 1 (steps A826-A830).

FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing a document feed reversal processing routine of the step A812.

First, a document is fed, and the solenoid of the switching claw 304 provided at the end of the document transport control unit 301 on the R unit 350 side and the reversing motor 352 of the R unit 350 are turned on by the on edge of the sensor 307, and the timer D1 is started. (Steps A831 to A833). That is, the switching claw 304 is switched so that the document is sent to the R unit 350 side, and the R unit 350 is driven. The timer D1 is provided for exactly the same purpose as the timer A1 in FIG. 20, and the document feed motor is turned off when the timer D1 times out (step A8).
34, A835).

Next, when the on-edge of the document detection sensor 351 of the R unit 350 is detected while the transport belt motor 306 is rotating forward, that is, when the leading edge of the document enters the R unit 350, the flag K is set. (Steps A836 to A838). When the off-edge of the document detection sensor 351 is detected by the setting of the flag K, that is, when the entire trailing edge of the document enters the R unit 350, the flag K is reset and the transport belt motor 306 is rotated in the reverse direction (step). A839-A842).

Next, when the on-edge of the document detection sensor 351 is detected again during the reverse rotation of the transport belt motor 306, that is, when the inverted document starts to come out of the R unit 350, the timer D2 is started (steps A843 to A845). In the timer D2, a time period from when the inverted original is detected by the original detection sensor 351 to when the conveyance belt 305 during reverse rotation reaches a predetermined copy position on the original table 35 is set.

When the timer D2 expires, the solenoid of the switching claw 304, the conveying belt motor 306, and the reversing motor 352 are all turned off, and a document original position signal is sent to the CPU 1 (steps A846 to A850).

As described above, in the present routine for copying a double-sided document, the document is first reversed, and copying is first started from the back side of the document.

This is done so that the copying paper on the front side is left behind, so that the copy sheet is not turned upside down and discharged onto a discharge tray such as a sorter.

Now, in FIG. 23, the original is set at the home position by the original feed processing routine of step A811 or the original feed reversal processing routine of step A812, and it is determined whether the scanning of the predetermined number of copies has been completed. If so, the scan end flag is set (step
A813, A814).

In the case of a double-sided document, the scanning of one side, that is, the back side in step A812 is performed for a predetermined number of sheets, and the copy paper having only the back side copied is stocked in the copying machine main body 1 and the front side is described later. When copying is performed, the copy sheet is fed again.

Then, a double-sided original signal is determined in step A816,
If the result is "0", that is, a single-sided document, the front side flag and the scan end flag are reset, and the document discharge processing routine is called (steps A818 and A819).

If the two-sided document signal is "1" and the front side flag is "1", that is, if only the back side of the two-sided document has finished copying, the document reversing process routine is called (step A8).
16, A817, A820).

FIG. 26 shows a flowchart of the document reversal processing routine of step A820.

First, when the scan end flag becomes "1", it is reset (steps A851, A852), and then the switching claw 304
Is excited, the transport belt motor 306 is rotated forward, and the reverse motor 352 of the R unit 350 is turned on (steps A853 and A854). Thus, the document is transported into the R unit 350.

Subsequent processing is substantially the same as the document feed reversing process routine in step A812. The double-sided document whose back side has been copied and the front side is on the top is reversed by the R unit 350 and the back side is positioned on the top of the document table. Discharged on 35, timer C
The document is set at a fixed position and the front side flag is reset (steps A855 to A869).

After copying the front side of the two-sided document,
Since step A817 in FIG. 23 is "0", the scan end flag is reset as in the case of the one-sided document, and the document discharge processing routine of step A819 is called.

FIG. 27 shows a flowchart of the document discharge processing routine.

First, it is determined whether or not a document remains in the selected document feeding unit. If so, the document feed flag is set to "1". If not, the conveyance belt motor 306 is turned on. Timer B is started (steps A870 to A872). The timer B is for controlling the transport belt motor 306 when sending the document to the discharge unit, but a discharge sensor 308 may be used instead.

Next, the discharge tray control routine (step A873) shown in FIG. 27 is called. This routine controls the paper passage path 506 of the discharged document so that the discharged document is discharged to a document discharge unit selected in advance. When the document feed flag is set to "1", the document is fed and the transport belt motor 306 is turned on, and the transport belt 305 simultaneously transports a new document and the copied document, and the latter The document is subjected to the processing of a discharge tray control routine.

The discharge tray control routine is described in the flowchart of FIG.
As shown in the figure, according to the number preset in the area of the "discharge unit number" in the RAM map in FIG. 7, the electromagnetic solenoid for operating the discharge path switching claws 531 to 535 in FIG. 1 is turned on.・ Control off.

For example, if the discharge destination of the currently fed document is the unit number “5” (step A892), the switching claw 53
1 to 534 are turned on, and 535 is turned off (step A893).
As a result, the conveyance path 506 passes from the bottom to the top without any trouble. When the document comes into contact with the switching claw 535, the document is discharged to the tray 515.

Now, for the final exposed document,
In A874, the conveyance belt motor 306 is turned off by the expiration of the timer B, and the R of the selected document feeding unit is turned off.
The "copying" area of the AM address is set to "0" and the "document presence / absence" area is set to "0" (steps A875 to A8).
77). Next, the order update routine of step A878 is called. In this routine, as shown in FIG. 29, when the copy processing for all the originals set in one unit is completed, the contents of the order area of the RAM address are decremented and the copy order is advanced by one. .

In this embodiment, a configuration in which three document feeding units are connected is shown, and the order is determined to be 2 or 3. If the order is 2, the order is raised to 1; if the order is 3, the order is increased to 2 (steps A894 to A899). When a new document is set in a unit which has already been processed, 3 is set in the "sequence" for the document by the mode memory routine of FIG.

When the processing of the order updating routine is completed, it is determined in step A879 in FIG. 27 whether or not there is another original feeding unit waiting for copying. It is determined which one is set (step A880). That is, when the processing of one document feeding unit is completed and the processing of the unit set in the next order is started, the registration of the job mode of the unit is determined, and if this is not registered,
The ADF start request is set to “1” in that order, and the processing is started (step A883). However, if any one of the jobs 1 to 4 is registered in the unit, it is determined whether or not there is another copy waiting document feeding unit (step A811). The unit is selected with priority (step A882), and the process is started.

If there is no other document feed unit waiting for copy in step A881, that is, if a blank occurs in the multi-job of the copying machine, the process of the document feed unit in which the job mode is registered is started.

The original feeding unit in which the job mode in which the processing has been started in this manner is registered is subjected to a predetermined processing by the job management routine of step A3 in FIG. 15 as described above.

Step A9 in FIG. 15 is a document discharge unit display routine, and its flowchart is shown in FIG.

When the ADF starts, a reservation number is displayed on one of the data display units 571 to 575 (see FIG. 3) of the original discharge units 501 to 505 selected for the original group to be processed, and the CPU 4 for the sorter is displayed. The reservation number is transmitted to (280) (steps A950 to 952).

Next, when copying is completed,
When the original is removed from 501 to 505, the software timer X starts measuring a predetermined time (steps A953 and A954),
The reservation number of the document discharge unit from which the document has been removed and the document removal signal are transmitted to the CPU 4 (steps A955, A95
6). When the timer X finishes measuring the predetermined time, the document discharge unit 501 (502 to 50) from which the document is removed is removed.
The display of the reservation number in the data display section 571 (572 to 575) of 5) disappears (step A958).

And furthermore, a copy removal signal is sent from CPU4,
If the original having the same reserved number as the removed copy still remains in any of the original discharge units 501 to 505, the data display unit 57 of the original discharge units 501 to 505
1 to 575 are blinked (steps A959 to A961).

Through such processing, it is possible to confirm which document discharge unit 501 to 505 the document group copied by the ADF has been discharged by displaying the reservation number. Further, the reservation number is displayed for a predetermined time even after the document is removed. If a copy obtained from the original group is removed first, the original output unit from which the original of the copy is discharged
Since the reservation numbers displayed at 501 to 505 blink, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to copy both the original and the copy.

Now, the control operation of the sorter of the copying machine according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 31 shows a CPU 4 for controlling the first and second sorters.
It is a general flowchart of the program by (280).

When the program starts, the built-in RA
Initial settings such as clearing of M and setting of various registers are performed. Next, an internal timer is started, a mode switching process is performed in step S802, a sort process subroutine is called in step S803, a sorter motor process subroutine is called in step S804, and a tray display subroutine is called in order in step S805. It is determined in step S807 that the internal timer has ended. If the timer has ended, the timer is started again (step S801), and the loop is repeatedly executed. Used for timing.

If there is an interrupt request from CPU1, communication with CPU1 is performed in step S808.

FIG. 32 shows a flowchart of the mode switching process in step S802 in FIG.

This mode switching processing is performed by operating the switching key 270 to switch the sorting mode, grouping mode, non-sorting mode,
While switching to the sorting mode again,
LEDs 271 to show that each mode is set
LED 273 is turned on sequentially.

FIGS. 33 and 34 are flowcharts showing the sort processing routine of step S802.

First, if the "sorter mode" of the RAM address of the original feeding unit selected in step S810 is 1, that is, if the sorting mode is the sorting mode, then whether the "job mode" is set to one of 1 to 4 is determined. Is determined (step S811). If any of them is set, in step S812, a bin having a value obtained by subtracting the number of copies from the last bin number of the sorter + 1 is designated as the initial bin, that is, the first bin of a series of bins to be used.

That is, since the number of bins of the job required in the sorting mode is equal to the number of copies, the last bin number of the maximum number of usable bins in the system, that is, in this embodiment, the bins of the first sorter in order from the uppermost bin Numbers are assigned, and the number of the original bin is calculated by subtracting the number of originals from the number obtained by adding 1 to the number assigned to the lowermost bin of the second sorter. A series of bins from the designated initial bin to the last bin at the bottom of the second sorter is allocated for the job.
However, when the number of copies exceeds the total number of available bins, the initial bin is 1, that is, the first bin.

When the initial bin is designated, it is next determined whether or not the sorter is a double-run as shown in the present embodiment (step S81).
3) In the case of a cascade, it is determined whether the designated initial bin is in the first sorter. If there is, the flag F is set to "1" and the process proceeds to step S820. This step
Step S820 also proceeds here when the job mode is not set in step S811, that is, when the sorter is in the normal use state.

On the other hand, in the case of a single sorter that is not a cascade, or in the case where the initial bin is not in the first sorter, that is, in the case of being in the second sorter, the process proceeds to step S815.

That is, when the normal sorter is used and the job mode is set and the initial bin is designated in the first sorter, the process proceeds to step S820, and the job mode is set and the initial bin is designated in the second sorter. Otherwise, in the case of a single sorter, the process proceeds to step S815.

Then, in steps S820 and S821, or in steps S815 and S816, the off edge of the sensor 610, that is, whether the copy sheet is discharged from the sort path 615 to the first bin (initialized during normal use) or the designated initial bin. Is detected, and if the over flag indicating whether the number of copies has exceeded the number of bins is "0", in the former case, the bin number of the first sorter is incremented (step S822), and In this case, the bin number of the single sorter or the second sorter is incremented, and the flag G is set to "1" (step
S817, S818), the copy paper is sorted into each bin.

In the former case, when the bin number of the first sorter becomes the last bin number of the first sorter + 1 (step
S823), that is, all available bins of the first sorter have been exceeded before copy sheets are discharged by the number of copies during normal use, or the last bin of the first sorter is designated from the initial bin specified by the job mode setting. When all the copy sheets are stored up to the bin and the second sorter is to be used next, it is determined in next steps S824 and S825 whether or not the multiple sorter is used and whether or not the flag F is set. You.

When the second sorter is to be used next according to the setting of the job mode, it is determined in step S813 that there is a cascade, and since the flag F is set in step S819, the initial bin of the first sorter is selected ( In step S827), the bin number is returned to the initial bin for the copy sheet of the second document, and then the bin number of the second sorter is incremented (step S828). Further, in the case of a multiple sorter during normal use, the first bin of the first sorter is similarly selected (step S826), and the bin number of the second sorter is incremented.

Here, if it is not a continuous run at the time of normal use, it is determined in step S838 that the bin number exceeds the maximum value, that is, all available bins of the single sorter have been exceeded,
The overflag is set, the non-sort mode of the single sorter is selected (steps S839, S840), and the excess copy paper is discharged to the non-sort tray. This non-sort mode is similarly selected when the last bin number of the second sorter is exceeded in a cascade, in which case the first sorter is used.
Performed by a sorter.

When the discharge for the number of copies of the first original copy sheet is completed in this way (step S829),
Next, the flag G is determined (step S830). If the flag G is set, that is, if sorting from the initial bin specified in the single sorter or the second sorter to each final bin has been completed, step S830 is performed. The initial bin specified again in S831 is selected, and then the flag G
Is reset to "0" (step S832), and sorting of the copy sheet of the second document is performed in the same manner.

On the other hand, when the flag G is not set, that is, at the time of normal use, or the second bin from the initial bin specified in the first sorter,
When the sorting up to the last bin of the sorter is completed, the first bin of the second sorter is selected, the overflag is reset (steps S833, S834), and the flag F is determined in the next step S835. Since the flag F is not set during normal use, the first bin of the first sorter is selected (step S836), and if it is set, it is reset (step S837), and the second sheet is similarly set. Sorting of copy sheets of the original is performed.

Now, in step S810, if the “sorter mode” is not 1, but is 2, that is, if the grouping mode is set, the “job mode” is set to 1 as in the case of the sorting mode as shown in FIG. 4, the processing in the grouping mode is performed depending on whether the sorter is set to any one or the sorter is in a normal use state.

First, when the job mode is set, in step S843, a bin having a value obtained by subtracting the number of documents from the last bin number of the sorter + 1 is similarly designated as the initial bin.
That is, the number of bins of the job used in the grouping mode is equal to the number of documents, and a series of bins from the initial bin to the final bin specified in this way are allocated for the job.

Next, when the sorter is a single sorter or the initial bin is designated in the second sorter in a cascade, the flag H is set to "1" (steps S844 to S846). Then, the off-edge of the sensor 610 is detected in the same manner as in normal use, the overflag is determined, and a predetermined number of copy sheets are discharged to the initial bin, and when this is completed, the flag H is set. As a result, the bin number of the single sorter or the second sorter is incremented, the flag H is reset, and the copy sheets are grouped into each bin up to the last bin (steps S847 to S853).

On the other hand, at the time of normal use, or when the initial bin is designated in the first sorter, the bin number of the first sorter is incremented in step S851, and the copy sheets are similarly grouped into each bin. In the case of moving to the bin of the second sorter in a cascade, the determination is made in steps S854 and S855, and the bin number of the second sorter is incremented (step S856).

Note that when the bin number exceeds the maximum value of the system during normal use, that is, when the last bin is exceeded, an overflag is set. The mode is selected (steps S857 to S859).

If the "sorter mode" is not 2 in step S841, that is, if 1, the non-sort mode is selected in step S860.

FIG. 35 shows a flowchart of the sorter motor processing routine in step S803 in FIG.

First, when the leading edge of the copy sheet to be discharged is detected by the on-edge of the sensor 27 at the discharge port 26 of the copying machine main body 1 (step S861), the sorter motor 601 or 601 is disconnected.
651 are turned on, and then the timer S is canceled (steps S862, S863). When the trailing edge of the copy sheet is detected by the off edge of the sensor 27, the timer S is started (steps S864 and S865).

In the timer S, a time until the copy sheet is conveyed through the path in the sorter and distributed to each bin is set in advance, and the time is up, and the sorter motor is turned off (step S866, step S866). S867).

FIG. 36 shows a flowchart of the tray display routine of step S805 in FIG.

When copying starts, sorter bins 620,629…, 670,67
The reservation number (see step A952 in FIG. 30) transmitted from the CPU 3 is displayed on any of the data display sections 1001 to 1040 of the bins used for discharging the copy among 0. A971).

Next, when the copy processing is completed and the copy is removed from the bin, the software timer Y starts measuring a predetermined time and transmits a copy removal signal to the CPU 3 (steps A972 to A974, step A959 in FIG. 30). reference). If a copy with the same reservation number as the removed copy remains in another bin, the data display section of that bin flashes and a warning is issued so that the user does not forget to take the copy (steps A975 and A976). ). Then, in step A977, the timer Y
Is completed, the reservation number display on the data display section of the bin from which the copy has been removed disappears (step A978).

Thereafter, when a document removal signal is transmitted from the CPU 3 (see step A956 in FIG. 30), it is checked whether or not there is a copy with the same reservation number as the removed document, and if so, the data of that bin is checked. The display unit blinks to guide the position (steps A979 to A981).

In summary, a document feeding unit in which the job modes 1 to 4 are set is set to itself when the copying operation of the document in all of the other document feeding units is completed and the copier has an idle time. The copying operation of the copied document is started.
Then, according to the preset number of originals, the number of copies, and the sorter processing mode, the necessary number of bins for the copy sheets are allocated from the last bin of the sorter, and the copy sheets are stored in these bins. That is, copy paper that is not immediately required is stored in the first place where the normal sorter is used.
The bins are contained in a series of bins, including the last bin that is furthest away from the bin. During the copying operation including the discharging process to the sorter or after the copying is completed, if a document is set without setting a job mode in another document feeding unit, the copy sheet for the new document is , It is configured to be used and stored as usual from the first bin of the sorter.

Further, the reservation numbers registered in the bin from which the original is discharged and the bin from which the copy of the original is discharged are displayed together after the copy is completed. Therefore, if the user finds either the original or the copy, the user can easily find the bin from which the copy or the original is discharged according to the reservation number displayed there.

When the original is removed first, the bin containing the copy flashes, and when the copy is removed first, the bin containing the original blinks. Warn the user.

In addition, in the case where sorting is performed, if the original is removed, all bins containing copies will issue a warning in the same manner as described above, and a copy of any of the sorted copies will be taken. If you leave, the display of the bin with the same number flashes and a warning is issued, so it is hard to forget to take a copy.

Furthermore, in the case where a plurality of originals to be copied are set in advance, by registering the original reception number, after the copy is completed, the number is set to the original discharge bin and the copy discharge bin. Since both are displayed, the user can take out his / her original and copy from the apparatus at a glance.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the same number is displayed as a means for associating a document discharge bin with a copy paper discharge bin or a means for associating each copy paper discharge bin with respect to the same document group. Alternatively, of course, a configuration in which display is performed according to the shape is also possible.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, in the copying machine according to the first aspect of the present invention, when multi-job processing is performed, a display in which a group of originals and copy sheets obtained therefrom are mutually associated with the output bins from which the output bins are output. Since the operation is performed, the user can easily find the discharge bin from which the document and the copy sheet are discharged.

In the copying machine according to the second aspect of the present invention, the first information display means provided on the copy paper discharge bin and the second information display means provided on the document discharge bin perform information display associated with each other. By doing so, it is possible to make the group of originals and the corresponding copy sheets seem to correspond at a glance.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 is a fragmentary front view showing the structure of a copying machine according to the present invention, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are partial external perspective views, FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 (a), 6 (b) and 6 (c) are block diagrams of the main parts of the control circuit, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a RAM map of a RAM built in the CPU, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a data display section arranged in each bin of the sorter, and FIGS. 10 to 36 are flowcharts showing control procedures of the CPU. 1. Copy machine body, 201, 202, 253, 280 CPU, 300 A
DF (Automatic Document Feeder), 401 to 403: Document feed unit, 501 to 505: Document discharge unit, 571 to 575: Data display, 600,650: Sorter, 620,670: Bin

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] A sorter having a plurality of copy paper discharge bins and having a plurality of processing modes relating to distribution of copied copy paper to the plurality of discharge bins; and a plurality of document discharge bins. An automatic document feeder for performing a copying process on a plurality of document groups in a predetermined order and discharging a processed document to a predetermined bin for each document group among the plurality of document discharge bins; And a display means for displaying a document discharge bin from which the document group is discharged and a copy paper discharge bin of the sorter from which the copy paper copied from the document group is discharged by associating the respective discharge bins with each other. A copying machine characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. A copying machine according to claim 1, wherein said display means comprises: first display means provided in an automatic document feeder corresponding to each of the document discharge bins; The second provided on the sorter corresponding to each
And a display means for displaying corresponding images.