JP3050116B2 - Image recording apparatus and image recording system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus and an image recording system, and more particularly, to an image recording apparatus provided with a plurality of bins for accommodating sheets on which images are recorded, and the image recording apparatus and information processing apparatus. And an image recording system comprising:

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an output device of an information processing apparatus such as a workstation or a personal computer, an image representing a processing result (for example, a document) by the information processing apparatus is recorded on paper. 2. Description of the Related Art Printers for outputting data are known. In recent years, for the purpose of distributing information and load, a plurality of information processing apparatuses such as workstations and personal computers can be connected to each other via a network, and various resources such as printers connected to the same network can be shared. Such information processing systems have become widespread, and user demands for printers have been diversifying year by year.

[0003] Further, in a printer connected to a network as described above, an unspecified number of users are required to record an image on a sheet, and each of the users records an image on a sheet in response to a request from each user. Therefore, assuming that only a single bin is provided as a bin for accommodating sheets of paper on which images are recorded, different types of sheets on which images are respectively recorded are placed on a single bin in response to requests from different users. This means that when the user takes out the paper from the bin, it is necessary to sort the paper and the like, and the work may be very complicated.

[0004] Based on the above, printers provided with a plurality of bins for accommodating paper sheets have recently appeared on the market in order to respond to diversifying user demands. It has not been clarified whether various functions of a user can be satisfied by providing a function of discharging in a proper discharging mode. Further, a technique for avoiding the mixture of sheets when a plurality of bins are provided with a function of discharging in various discharge modes has not been clarified.

In connection with the above, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-187181 discloses that, when a copying machine having a plurality of bins is to be subjected to a copying process in the sort mode, the copying process is first executed in the sort mode. If the print result of the copy process remains in the bin, one bin is opened from the bin where the print result of the previous copy process remains, and each bin after the next bin is used (for example, the first bin). If the print result remains in the third bin, the copy process is performed by opening the fourth bin and using the fifth and subsequent bins). A technique that repeats the above is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-282141 discloses that a copying machine having an interrupt key for interrupting a copy process being executed and performing another copy process is executed before an interrupt instruction is issued. If the sum of the number of bins used in the first copying process and the number of copies specified in the second copying process executed according to the interrupt instruction is equal to or less than the total number of bins provided in the copying machine Discloses that a sort mode can be selected in the second copy processing.

However, all of the techniques described in the above publications are based on application to a copier, and if a printer is provided with a discharging function in any discharging form, a user of the printer can use the discharging function. Are not described in the above-mentioned publication, and no suggestion is made as to how the above-mentioned various conditions can be satisfied and how to avoid mixing of sheets when a new function is provided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and has as its object to provide an image recording apparatus capable of discharging paper so as to satisfy various user requirements regarding paper discharge.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to discharge a sheet so as to satisfy various demands of the user regarding the sheet discharge, and to prevent an image of different types from being mixed in the same bin. It is an object to obtain a recording device and an image recording system.

[0010]

Means for Solving the Problems] image recording apparatus according to the invention of claim 1, wherein in order to achieve the above object, and discharge of the paper
As an output form, a plurality of sheets on which images are recorded
Sorter mode that discharges in bins and images are recorded
Mailbox mode that ejects printed paper to a specific bin
Is provided, and recording means for recording an image on a sheet based on input data, and a sheet discharge unit having a plurality of bins for receiving sheets on which the image has been recorded by the recording means, wherein Discharge mode designating means for designating a sorter mode or a mailbox mode, and each bin of the sheet discharging section
A bottle status management means for managing usage of the paper on which the image has been recorded by the recording means, as well as discharged to the sheet discharge unit according to the discharge mode that is specified by the discharging mode designating means, the discharge form specified By means of discharge
When the sorter mode is specified, the bin status
Sorter mode and mailbox mode by management means
Check bins determined to be empty in any of
And that the paper on which the image is recorded is in the empty state.
Discharging means for discharging to the confirmed bin .

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the paper discharge mode
As a sorter mode outputted separately a plurality of paper on which an image has been recorded in a plurality of bins, and a sheet having an image recorded thereon mailbox mode for discharging the particular bin provided
Have been. Also, the paper output section has a large number of bins.
And a discharge mode designating unit for designating a sorter mode or a mailbox mode, and the discharging unit discharges a sheet to a sheet discharging unit in accordance with the discharging mode specified by the discharging mode specifying unit. . The specification of the discharge mode by the discharge mode specifying unit can be automatically performed based on an instruction from the user or based on an instruction from the user such as the number of print copies.

Thus, when the sorter mode is designated by the discharge mode designation means, for example, when recording a prescribed number of images of a prescribed document comprising a plurality of pages on a sheet, the images of the respective pages of the prescribed document are copied. Since the recorded paper is discharged in a plurality of bins, the user does not need to sort the discharged paper.

[0013] When the mailbox mode is designated by the ejection mode designation means, the sheet on which the image of the predetermined document is recorded is ejected to a specific bin when the image of the predetermined document is recorded on the sheet. . Here, for example, if a plurality of bins are assigned in advance to each user or each group of users, a sheet on which an image is recorded based on data input from a specific user is always discharged to a fixed bin. Therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a sheet on which a highly confidential document image is recorded in accordance with an instruction from a predetermined user is exposed to the eyes of another user or another user in a different group. .

In the mailbox mode, when the user specifies a bin as a discharge destination, for example, the user specifies a bin as a discharge destination to be different for each job or for each type of document. It is also possible. In this case, paper on which an image is recorded based on data input as different jobs from the same user will be discharged to different bins for each job and for each type of document. This eliminates the need for the user to sort the documents for each job or document type.

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a discharge mode designating means for designating the sorter mode or the mailbox mode as the discharge mode of the sheet on which the image is recorded, and the sheet on which the image is recorded is designated. As described above, it is possible to discharge sheets so as to satisfy various user requests regarding sheet discharge, as described above.

When the sorter mode and the mailbox mode are provided as the discharge mode as described above, the image is recorded in the discharge mode (sorter mode or mailbox mode) designated by the user via the discharge mode designating means. Since the bin as the discharge destination of the sheet is determined, the image recording apparatus according to the present invention is used in an environment where a plurality of users can each input data for recording an image on the sheet, and the discharge mode If the discharging unit simply discharges according to the discharging mode specified by each user via the specifying unit, there is a possibility that paper on which an image is recorded by data input from different users may be mixed in the same bin.

For this reason, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that
Bin status management means for managing the usage status of each bin
And the sorter
If the mode is specified, the discharging means will
Either sorter mode or mailbox mode depending on the stage
Also check the bottles that has been determined as a vacant state in, the field
Check that the paper on which the image is recorded is in the empty state.
Discharge into a bottle.

Thus, the sorter mode can be used as the discharge mode.
If is specified, the paper on which the image is
Empty in both data mode and mailbox mode
Is discharged only to bins that are determined to be
Avoid mixing papers of different users in one bin
can do.

The bin state management means can be configured to include a sensor attached to each bin and detecting whether or not paper remains in each bin. Further, if there is a bin which is currently empty but it is clear that the paper will be ejected within a predetermined period, the bin state management means determines that the use state of the bin is in use. Can be .

An image recording apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention.
Is a form of paper ejection, where multiple
Sorter mode for discharging paper into multiple bins, and
Mail box for discharging paper on which images are recorded to a specific bin
Mode is provided, based on the input data.
Recording means for recording an image on paper based on the recording means, and the recording means
Multiple bins to accommodate paper with images recorded on
Equipped with a paper discharge section and the sorter mode or mail box.
Discharge mode designating means for designating a paper mode,
Bin status management means for managing the usage status of each bin at the outlet
Discharging the paper on which the image is recorded by the recording means in the discharge mode
The paper according to the discharge mode specified by the specifying unit
Discharge to the discharge section, and by the discharge mode designation means
When mailbox mode is specified as the discharge mode
The sorter mode and menu by the bin state management means.
In any of the box modes
Bin or already used by the same user
Check the bin in the status, and remove the paper on which the image is
Bin or the same user who has confirmed that the
Drained into a bottle confirmed to be used for
And discharge means for discharging.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first aspect of the present invention is provided.
In the same way as for
Mode that specifies the data mode or mailbox mode
Specifying means is provided to discharge the paper on which the image
As it was made to discharge according to the output form, as described above
In addition, it meets various user requirements regarding paper discharge.
The paper can be discharged as follows.

The invention of claim 2 is the same as the invention of claim 1
Equipped with similar bin status management means,
The mailbox mode is specified as the discharge mode by the column.
If the waste is discharged, the bin
Free in both mode and mailbox mode
Bins that are judged to be in a state or already used by the same user.
Check the bin that is being used, and check the bin
Place the paper in the bin or empty
Confirm that it is already in use by the user
Discharge into a bottle.

As a result, the mail box can be discharged as a discharge mode.
If the print mode is specified, the paper
Is in either sorter mode or mailbox mode.
To the bin that is judged to be empty even if
It only drains into bins that are already used
Papers of different users are mixed in the same bin
Can be avoided.

In the mailbox mode, the finger
Paper was ejected to a different bin from the specified specific bin
In this case, the user is notified of the paper discharge destination (for example,
(Displayed on display means as in claim 3).
No.

The third aspect of the present invention provides the second aspect of the present invention.
In the invention, the bins are managed by bin state management means.
A display unit for displaying a use state of the paper discharge unit;
It is characterized by:

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a bin state management system is provided.
Displays the status of use of the paper discharge section managed by the column .
Therefore, based on the information displayed on the display means, for example,
When the user places the paper on which the image is recorded in another bin in the same bin.
Select the discharge mode so that it does not mix with user paper
It is possible to do. This allows different bins in the same bin.
It is possible to avoid mixing paper of different users
And that the user is mixed with other user's paper
If you select a discharge mode so that there is no
Paper is discharged to the bin
Output destination to avoid mixing with other user's paper.
The bin is automatically changed as compared to
The user can easily remove the paper on which the image is recorded.
Can be.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording system comprising the image recording apparatus according to the first or second aspect, and a display unit for displaying information, and outputs data to the image recording apparatus. An information processing apparatus, wherein the image recording apparatus outputs to the information processing apparatus information indicating a use state of the paper discharge unit managed by the bin state management means. With
The information processing apparatus displays the use state of the paper discharge unit on the display unit based on information input from the image recording device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording system including the image recording apparatus according to the first or second aspect , and the image recording apparatus satisfies various requirements of a user regarding sheet discharge. It is possible to discharge the paper in such a manner. Further, in the invention according to claim 4, data and the like for the image recording apparatus to record an image on a sheet are output from the information processing apparatus, and output of the data and the like from the information processing apparatus is performed according to a user instruction. In the invention according to Item 4, the image recording apparatus includes an output unit that outputs information indicating a use state of the sheet discharge unit managed by the bin state management unit to the information processing apparatus. Is displayed on the display unit based on the information input from the display unit, so that, for example, based on the information displayed on the display unit, the user can set the paper on which the image is recorded in another bin in the same bin. It is possible to select a discharge mode or the like so as not to be mixed with the user's paper.

[0029] Thus, similar to the third aspect, it is possible to prevent the paper of different users from being mixed in the same bin and to prevent the user from being mixed with the paper of another user. If the discharge mode is selected via the processing device, the sheet is discharged to the bin assumed by the user in the selected discharge mode, so that the bin as the discharge destination is used to avoid mixing with the paper of another user. The user can easily take out the sheet on which the image is recorded, as compared with the case where is automatically changed. In addition, the user needs to go to the place where the image recording device is provided in order to confirm the usage status of the paper discharge unit, as compared with the case where the usage status of the paper discharge unit is displayed on the display unit of the image recording device. , The burden on the user can be reduced.

[0030]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an image recording apparatus 10 according to the present invention. Image recording device 10
Includes a recording unit 14 that records an image on the paper 12 and an image supply unit 16 that controls the operation of the recording unit 14. The recording unit 14 and the image supply unit 16 operate when predetermined DC or AC power is supplied from a power supply unit 18 connected to a commercial power supply (not shown).

The recording section 14 is composed of a laser beam printer or the like, and receives various operation command signals 20 and an image signal 22 representing data of an image to be recorded from the image supply section 16. Then, an image is recorded on one side or both sides of the sheet 12 according to the input image signal 22, and the sheet 12 on which the image is recorded is discharged to the outside. The recording unit 14 also includes a state signal 24 indicating the state of each unit (for example, the size of paper stored in a cassette tray (not shown), whether or not a fixing unit (not shown) has reached a fixing temperature), and the image supply unit 1.
A synchronization pulse 26 for synchronizing with the
Output to

As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of keys for the operator to input commands and the like and a display unit for visually confirming the processing status are provided on the front of the main body of the image recording apparatus 10. An operation panel 28 is provided. The operation panel 28 is connected to the image supply unit 16, and an instruction input by an operator operating a key on the operation panel 28 is input from the operation panel 28 to the image supply unit 16 as an instruction signal 30. The image supply unit 16
Then, an instruction signal 32 representing a response to the instruction signal 30 and information to be displayed on the display unit is output to the operation panel 28. In addition, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or L
ED or the like can be used.

When a host such as a personal computer or a workstation (corresponding to the information processing apparatus according to claim 5) requests the image recording apparatus 10 to perform printing, the image recording apparatus 10 transmits the image to the image recording apparatus 10. The print information to be output is configured to be input by a plurality of systems. FIG. 1 shows an example in which print information can be input in two systems. As terminals for inputting print information, a host interface (I / F) terminal 34 and a network interface (I / F) terminal 36 are provided. Are provided. The print information is composed of text data and the like and represents print data representing the contents of the document to be printed, and various designations relating to printing such as the number of pages of the document to be printed, the number of copies, the size of the paper 12 to be printed, and the like. And job control information to be represented.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a schematic configuration of the host with reference numeral 94. The host 94 is a CPU 94A,
A ROM 94B, a RAM 94C, and an input / output port 94D are provided, and these are connected to each other via a bus. A display 94 for displaying various information as the display means according to claim 5 is provided at the input / output port 94D.
E, a keyboard 94F for inputting various kinds of information, and a communication control unit 94 connected to an external device such as the image recording device 10 directly or via a network to control communication with the outside.
G is connected.

The host I / F terminal 34 is connected to the image recording device 1
This terminal is used to connect the host 0 to the host via a communication cable, and is used, for example, when print information is input from a host such as a personal computer (not shown) via a dedicated cable. The network I / F terminal 36 is a terminal used when connecting the image recording apparatus 10 to a network to which a plurality of hosts such as personal computers and workstations are connected. The network connectable via the network I / F terminal 36 includes a digital network such as ISDN and a LAN such as Ethernet. When a connection is made to a network via the network I / F terminal 36, print information may be input from each of a plurality of hosts connected to the network.

As described above, the image recording apparatus 10 has the host I
There is a possibility that printing is requested from a host such as a personal computer or a workstation via the / F terminal 34 or the network I / F terminal 36 and print information is input. The contents of the job control information included in the print information output from various hosts are not necessarily unified. For example, in a certain host, the size of the paper 12 and the size of the characters are finely specified by the job control information. On the other hand, another host may not be able to perform the above-mentioned designation by the job control information.

In consideration of the above case, the image recording apparatus 10 is capable of inputting various instructions relating to printing via the operation panel 28, and the operation panel 28 instructs the input various instructions. Image supply unit 1 as signal 30
6 is output. Further, even when various instructions are input as job control information from the host, various instructions can be input via the operation panel 28 separately. In this case, it is possible to always give priority to an instruction input as job control information from the host via the communication line, to give priority to an instruction input via the operation panel 28, and to input the instruction later in time. It is also possible to give priority to the given instruction. Further, various specifications relating to printing may be set and stored in advance as defaults, and for example, among the various specifications relating to printing, for items for which no particular instruction is given, printing may be performed using default values.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image supply unit 16 includes a CPU 40 which plays a central role in various controls.
The CPU 40 is connected to the system bus 42. A panel interface (I / F) circuit 44 is connected to the system bus 42. The panel I / F circuit 44 is a circuit for interfacing with the operation panel 28.
When instruction signal 30 is input from operation panel 28, instruction information corresponding to instruction signal 30 is output from panel I / F circuit 44, and the output instruction information is output to system bus 42.
Transferred on. Further, instruction information for displaying predetermined information on the display of the operation panel 28 is transferred to the panel I / F circuit 44 via the system bus 42 and is transmitted from the panel I / F circuit 44 as the instruction signal 32 to the operation panel 2.
8 is output.

A host interface (I / F) circuit 46 and a non-volatile storage device (NVM:
Non-Volatile Memory) 48 is connected. Host I
The / F circuit 46 is connected to the host I / F terminal 34 and the network I / F terminal 36, and the host I / F terminal 3
4 and print information input via the network I / F terminal 36 according to the RS232C standard or the Centronics interface. The NVM 48 is a storage device backed up by a battery (not shown), and can retain stored data even when the power of the image recording apparatus 10 is turned off.

A RAM 50 is connected to the system bus 42. The RAM 50 is a working memory, and a part of the storage area is used as a work memory 50A for temporarily storing data and the like necessary for performing various controls of the image recording apparatus 10, and a storage area Is used as a receiving memory 50B for temporarily storing data and the like input via the host I / F circuit 46, and another part of the storage area is a character pattern described later. Electronic editing such as pasting the character pattern or image read from the memory 54 in correspondence with the recording position on the paper 12 to generate bit map data for one page to be recorded on the paper 12 Page memory 50 for performing
Used as C.

A program memory 52 and a character pattern memory 54 are also connected to the system bus 42. The program memory 52 is a non-volatile memory,
Various programs for controlling the image recording apparatus 10 are stored. The character pattern memory 54 is also constituted by a non-volatile memory, and various types of font data (character pattern data) used when printing is performed.
Is stored.

A recording unit interface (I / F) circuit 58 and a bit map controller 60 are connected to the system bus 42. The recording unit I / F circuit 58
The image data temporarily stored in the page memory 50C is sequentially read to generate an image signal 22, and the generated image signal 22 is output to the recording unit 14. The state signal 24, the synchronization pulse 26, and the operation command signal 20 (see FIG. 1) are transmitted to and received from the recording unit 14 via the recording unit I / F circuit 58. The bitmap controller 60 is connected to the page memory 50C and the recording unit I / F circuit 58, and controls the transfer of image data between the page memory 50C and the recording unit I / F circuit 58.

Since the image recording apparatus 10 can be connected to various hosts as described above, programs and character patterns corresponding to various job control information and print data sent from various hosts are required. May be. For this reason, the image recording apparatus 10 is provided with a program memory 6 constituted by a ROM in an IC card format or a SIMM format.
2 and the character pattern memory 64 are detachable. Program memory 62 and character pattern memory 64
A plurality of are prepared in advance according to the type of host to be connected or for realizing special functions required by the operator, and are selectively mounted and used according to the situation.

Further, the image recording apparatus 10 can be provided with additional host I / F terminals. When a new host interface becomes necessary with the addition of the host I / F terminal, the host I / F circuit 66 is added in accordance with the requested host interface (for example, a Centronics interface or Ethernet). . Further, the image recording device 10 can be provided with an additional hard disk 68 if necessary. The hard disk 68 is used for adding a character pattern, storing form data and logo data, storing data input from a host computer, and the like.

Next, the configuration of the recording unit 14 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the recording unit 14 includes a recording control unit 72. The recording control unit 72 includes the image supply unit 16 and the paper supply unit 7.
4, connected to the printing unit 76 and the paper discharging unit 78, respectively.
The operation command signal 20, the image signal 22, the status signal 24, and the synchronization pulse 26 are transmitted to and received from the image supply unit 16, and the operations of the paper supply unit 74, the printing unit 76, and the paper discharge unit 78 are controlled.

As shown in FIG. 4, the image recording apparatus 10 is provided with a plurality of trays 80A, 80B, 80C, and 80D.
2 are accommodated. Further, on the side surface (the left side surface in FIG. 4) of the image recording apparatus 10, a manual feed tray 86 on which sheets of various sizes can be set is also provided. The paper feeding unit 74 detects the size of the paper set in each of the trays 80A to 80D and the manual feed tray 86, and when the feeding of the paper 12 of the predetermined size is instructed, the paper of the predetermined size is set. Paper 1 from the specified tray
2 is taken out and supplied to the printing unit 76.

The image signal 22 output from the image supply unit 16 is input to the printing unit 76 via the recording control unit 72. The printing unit 76 stores the paper 12 supplied from the paper feeding unit 74.
The image is recorded by a known electrophotographic method based on the input image signal 22, and the paper 12 on which the image is recorded is discharged to the paper discharge unit 78. Note that the printing unit 76 corresponds to the recording unit of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the image recording apparatus 10 has a standard tray 82 (default tray) provided on the upper surface of the main body, and a plurality of discharge bins 84 provided further above the standard tray 82. . The paper discharging unit 78 is configured to print the printing unit 7 in accordance with an instruction from the recording control unit 72.
6 is discharged to either the standard tray 82 or the plurality of discharge bins 84.

Each of the discharge bins 84 includes
A sensor 86 for optically detecting the presence or absence of a sheet above is attached. The sensor 86 is connected to the recording control unit 72, and a detection result by the sensor 86 is output to the CPU 40 of the image supply unit 16 via the recording control unit 72. Further, in order to distinguish the respective discharge bins 84, different bin numbers are assigned to the respective discharge bins 84 in advance.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, by inputting the job control information included in the print information received from the host or the job control information via the operation panel 28, the number of print copies, the number of printed pages,
In addition to the paper size, the paper discharge form (the discharge destination is the standard tray 82
And whether or not to perform electronic sorting), a print mode (sorter mode or mailbox mode), and a discharge bin 84 as a discharge destination of a print result.
Bin number can be specified. The print mode described above corresponds to the “discharge mode” of the present invention.

As will be described in detail later, when the sorter mode is specified as the print mode and a plurality of discharge bins 84 are specified as the discharge destination, all of the specified plurality of discharge bins 84 are empty. If so, the plurality of designated output bins 84 are used as sorters, and the printing result is partially output to each output bin 84 (collation). If the sorter mode is specified as the print mode and the plurality of output bins 84 are specified as the output destination, but at least one of the specified output bins 84 is not empty, or Even if the sorter mode is specified as the output bin 84 and the output bin 84 as the output destination is not specified, if the number of empty output bins 84 is equal to or greater than the specified number of print copies, these output bins 84 Is used as a sorter, and the print result is partially discharged to each discharge bin 84.

When the mailbox mode is designated as the print mode, the discharge bin 84 having the predetermined bin number as the discharge destination or the discharge bin 84 having the bin number designated as the discharge destination is in an empty state. If so, the print result is discharged to the discharge bin 84. When the electronic sort is designated as the paper discharge mode, the print results are discharged in the order corresponding to the collation. In this case, the discharge destination is to discharge to the specific discharge bin 84 when the specific discharge bin specified as the discharge destination is empty, and to discharge when the mailbox mode is not specified. The sheet is discharged to the standard tray 82.

Next, management of the state of the discharge bin 84 by the CPU 40 of the image supply unit 16 will be described. RAM5
0, as shown in the following Table 1,
The use state (whether in use in the sorter mode, in use in the mailbox mode, or not in use) of each discharge bin 84, the user name in use, and other information (for example, the size of the stored paper). The storage area for storing the bin state management information composed of the following items is provided.

[0053]

[Table 1]

As described above, the result of detection of the presence or absence of paper by the sensor 86 attached to each paper discharge bin 84 is input to the CPU 40 via the recording control unit 72. CP
In U40, as described later, when printing processing is started with a predetermined discharge bin 84 as a discharge destination, the "use state" of the bin state management information is changed to "in use", and other information such as a user name is changed. (May also be performed when printing for discharging a predetermined discharge bin 84 is reserved). When the detection result of the sensor 86 for the predetermined discharge bin 84 changes from “paper present” to “paper no”, the CPU 40 changes the “use state” of the predetermined discharge bin 84 to “unused”. I do.

As described above, the CPU 40 manages the current state of each discharge bin 84 based on the bin state management information. Note that the above processing corresponds to the bin state management means described in claim 2.

Next, the data reception processing executed by the CPU 40 of the image supply unit 16 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step 100, it is determined whether or not there is an access from outside. This determination is affirmative when a signal is received from the host via the host I / F terminal 34 or the network I / F terminal 36, or when the operation panel 28 is operated to instruct the display of the state of the discharge bin 84. In the next step 102, the above-mentioned bin state management information is fetched from the RAM 50.

In step 104, if the external access is the reception of a signal from the host, the printer information including the bin status management information is transmitted to the accessed host. The transmission of the printer information is described in claim 5
This is processing corresponding to the output means described in (1). The printer information includes, for example, the tray 80A in addition to the bin state management information.
The information is configured to include information such as the size of the paper set in 80D. Therefore, the host, based on the received printer information, as shown in FIG.
Table 90A, tray 80 indicating the use state of each output bin 84
Table 9 showing the size of the paper set in A to 80D
Printer status display / print request window 9 including 0B etc.
0 is a display (for example, the display 9 shown in FIG. 1).
4) and so on.

The above-described processing corresponds to claim 5 in which “the use state of the sheet discharge unit is displayed on the display unit”. In this case, the user refers to the table 90A and the table 90B in the window 90, so that the user does not go to the place where the image recording apparatus 10 is disposed, and the use state of each paper discharge bin 84, The size and the like can be easily recognized, and the appropriate discharge destination, print mode, and the like can be determined.

For example, in printing a plurality of copies, if the number of empty discharge bins is equal to or larger than the number of copies to be printed, it can be determined that the print result can be discharged to the discharge bin 84 in the sorter mode, and the empty discharge bin 84 can be determined. If the number of bins is smaller than the number of copies to be printed, the print result is printed by electronic sorting on the standard tray 82.
Can be determined to be better. If the user wants to use the mailbox mode, the user can use the empty output bin 84 or the output bin 8 which is already in use.
If the output bin 4 exists, it can be determined that the discharge bin 84 can be designated as a discharge destination. If there is no discharge bin 84 as described above, it is determined that the discharge destination should be set to the standard tray 82. be able to.

Then, the user selects the standard tray 84 or the discharge bin 84 as the discharge destination (when the discharge bin 84 is selected, the user also selects the sorter mode or the mailbox mode as the print mode, and discharges the discharge destination. The user also selects the paper bin number (however, in the sorter mode, the discharge bin number of the discharge destination is optional), and instructs execution of printing after specifying other settings such as the number of copies and the paper size. I do. Accordingly, the host prints print information including job control information including information such as a discharge destination and a print mode specified by the user and print data representing the content of a document to be printed. It is transmitted to the device 10.

When the accessed host is a host that does not have a function of receiving the printer information transmitted from the image recording apparatus 10 and displaying the information on a display or the like, or according to the job control information. If the host cannot specify the discharge destination, the print mode, and the like, the processes in steps 102 and 104 are not performed.

In step 104, if the external access is an instruction to display the state of the paper discharge bin 84 by operating the operation panel 28, the bin state management information Is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 28. This processing corresponds to the display means of the third aspect. In this case, the user can determine an appropriate discharge destination, a print mode, and the like based on the information displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 28. As described above, the processing in step 104 corresponds to the display unit according to the third aspect.

In the next step 106, it is determined whether or not there is received data. This determination is made when the host requests to receive print information via the host I / F terminal 34 or the network I / F terminal 36 or when the operation panel 2
When the job control information is input via the key of No. 8, the result is affirmative. When the above determination is denied, the above determination is repeated. However, when the above determination is affirmed, the process proceeds to step 108 to determine whether or not there is an empty area in the reception memory 50B of the RAM 50.

If there is no free space in the reception memory 50B, the process returns to step 106, and waits until a free space is formed in the reception memory 50B. If there is a free space, the process proceeds to step 110. In step 110, when the host has requested the reception of the print information, the print request from the host is accepted, and the print information sequentially transmitted from the host is received by the host I / F circuit 46 or the host I / F circuit 66. Then, the received print information is transferred to the empty area of the reception memory 50B via the system bus 42 as reception data. When job control information is input via a key on the operation panel 28, the input is accepted and the input job control information is transmitted to the reception memory 50B via the panel I / F circuit 44 and the system bus 42. Forward.

In the next step 112, data analysis / printing / discharge processing is started (details will be described later), and in step 114 it is determined whether or not the job has been completed. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 106 and the above processing is repeated. If the determination is positive, the processing ends.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The data analysis / print / discharge processing executed in U40 will be described. In step 120, the job control information corresponding to the print to be executed is analyzed from among the various information stored in the reception memory 50B, and the designated number of print copies, number of print pages, paper size,
The discharge mode, print mode, user name, and the like are determined, and the determination result is stored in the RAM 50. A part of the processing in step 120 corresponds to the discharge mode designating means of the present invention.

In the print information transmitted from the host, the description position and the description method of the job control information are based on a print description language (for example, PostScript, HPGL, 201H, E).
(SCP, PCL5, ART, etc.), the job control information is not deleted even after analyzing the contents of the job control information in step 120, and is received after bitmap data is created from print data in a later process. The job control information is deleted from the memory 50B.

In the next step 122, step 120
It is determined whether the print request from the host is a print request for discharging the print result to the discharge bin 84 based on the result of the processing in. If the sort mode or the mailbox mode is not specified as the print mode, it can be determined that the print result is a print request to be discharged to the standard tray 82, so the determination is denied, and the process proceeds to step 124. In step 124, based on the processing result in step 120, it is determined whether or not the electronic sort is specified as the paper discharge mode. If this determination is also denied, in step 126, "print / discharge processing to standard tray with electronic sort mode off" is performed.

This processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step 170, a bitmap data creation process is started. This bitmap data creation processing will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. The bitmap data creation process is executed in parallel with other processes including the process shown in FIG.

In step 320, the designated number of printed pages is substituted for the variable P. In the next step 322, the counter N is set to an initial value (= 1). In step 324, it is determined whether or not there is a free area of one page or more in the page memory 50C. If the determination is negative, the page memory 50
It waits until an empty area of one page or more is generated in C. If the determination in step 324 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 326, where the data is stored in the page memory 50C based on the print data (text data, etc .: corresponding to the "input data" of the present invention) stored in the reception memory 50B. To create bitmap data for the Nth page, and save the created bitmap data in the page memory 50C.

In the next step 328, the counter N is counted up, and it is determined whether or not the value of the counter N is equal to or less than the value of the variable P (the number of printed pages). If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 324, and the above processing is repeated. As a result, bitmap data is sequentially created from the first page to the last page from the print data, and is stored in the page memory 50C.

On the other hand, in parallel with the above processing, in the "print / discharge processing to standard tray with electronic sort mode off" shown in FIG. 7, the number of copies specified in step 172 is substituted for variable b, and At 174, the designated number of printed pages is substituted for the variable p, and the initial values (= 1) are further substituted for the counters m and n (steps 176, 178).

At step 180, it is determined whether or not the bitmap data of the m-th page has been created by the bitmap data creation process started earlier. If the creation of the bitmap data has not been completed, the creation is completed. Wait until. If the determination in step 180 is affirmative, step 18
2 and the bitmap data of the m-th page created and recorded in the page memory 50C is stored in the recording unit I / F.
The data is transferred to the recording unit 14 via the circuit 58. In the next step 184, the paper size is notified to the recording unit 14, and
An instruction is issued to print the m-th page, and to instruct the standard tray 82 to discharge the print result of the m-th page.

As a result, the notified paper size is input to the paper supply unit 74 via the recording control unit 72, and is supplied to the paper supply unit 74.
Then, the tray on which the paper of the input paper size is set is determined, and the paper is taken out from the determined tray and supplied to the printing unit 76. The printing unit 76 includes the image supply unit 16
The bitmap data of the m-th page transferred from the printer is input via the recording control unit 72, and the printing unit 76 prints an image on a sheet supplied from the paper feeding unit 74 based on the input bitmap data. Is recorded and discharged to the paper discharge unit 78.
The paper discharge unit 78 is notified of the standard tray 82 as a discharge destination via the recording control unit 72, and the paper discharge unit 78 is notified of the paper (print result) discharged from the print unit 76 as the discharge destination. The sheet is discharged to the standard tray 82.

In the next step 188, the counter n is counted up. In step 190, it is determined whether or not the value of the counter n is equal to or less than the value of the variable b (= the number of copies). If the printing of a plurality of copies is designated, the determination is affirmative, and the flow returns to step 182 to print the m-th page again. If the determination in step 190 is negative, step 192
Then, in step 192, the bitmap data of the m-th page stored in the page memory 50C is deleted (erased), and in the next step 196, the value of the counter m is counted up.

In step 196, it is determined whether the value of the counter m is equal to or less than the value of the variable p (= the number of printed pages). If the determination is affirmative, the process returns to step 178, where only the value of the counter n is returned to the initial value, and the above processing is repeated. As a result, the document to be printed is printed by the designated number of print copies and the number of printed pages, and is sequentially discharged to the standard tray 82. If the determination in step 196 is negative, the process ends.

In the data analysis / printing / discharge processing shown in FIG. 6, if the determination in step 124 is affirmative (that is, if it is designated to discharge to the standard tray 82 with the electronic sort), step Proceeding to 128, “Electronic sort mode on, print / discharge process to standard tray”
I do. This processing will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

The difference between the "print / discharge process to standard tray with electronic sort mode on" and the process of FIG. 7 described above is that after all processes are completed, pages 1 to m The bit map data of all pages of the eye is stored in the page memory 50.
If the point to be deleted from C (step 226) and the designated number of print copies is two or more, the first page to the m-th page are to be printed one by one for each page (steps 208 to 220). The same number of times as the number of printed copies is repeated (the determination as to whether the same number of times has been repeated is step 224). As described above, the printing of each page is repeatedly performed in the order corresponding to the so-called collation, and the printing result is discharged to the standard tray 82 in the printing order. Will be

In the data analysis / printing / discharging process shown in FIG. 6, if the determination in step 122 is affirmative, the process shifts to step 130 to determine whether the designated print mode is the mailbox mode or the sorter mode. I do. If it is determined that the designated print mode is the sorter mode, the flow shifts to step 132 to perform "print / discharge processing in sorter mode". This processing corresponds to the discharging means of the present invention. Hereinafter, this processing will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

At step 350, bin state management information is fetched from the RAM 50. In the next step 351, b (b: the number of print copies) output bins 8 are set as output destinations of the print result.
It is determined whether or not 4 is specified. If the determination is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 352, where it is determined whether or not all the discharge bins 84 specified as the print result discharge destination are empty based on the bin state management information taken in earlier. If this determination is also affirmative, in step 353, the bin numbers of the designated b discharge bins 84 are set as the bin numbers X _{1 to} X _b of the discharge bins 84 as the discharge destination. Move to 356.

On the other hand, step 351 or step 352
Is negative (that is, when the discharge bin 84 as the discharge destination of the print result is not specified, and when the discharge bin 84 as the discharge destination is specified, but is specified) If at least one of the bins is not empty, the process proceeds to step 354, where the number c of empty bins (use status is unused) is counted based on the bin status management information taken in earlier. Then, it is determined whether or not the number of empty bins c is equal to or larger than the designated number of print copies b.

If the determination is affirmative, step 355 is executed.
Then, from among the empty discharge bins 84, b discharge bins 84 for discharging the print result are determined in accordance with a predetermined priority order, and the bin number X of the discharge bin 84 as the discharge destination is determined. After setting _{1 to Xb} , the process proceeds to step 256. In setting the bin number, for example, when the discharge bin 84 as the discharge destination is specified, the bin number of the discharge bin 84 specified as the discharge destination among the empty discharge bins 84 Can be set preferentially, and when a discharge bin as a discharge destination is not specified, for example, the bin numbers can be set in ascending order of the bin numbers. This processing corresponds to the discharging means described in claim 4 in more detail.

In step 356, of the bin state management information, the use state of the discharge bin 84 determined as the discharge destination is set to "sorter in use" and information such as a user name is set (this processing is performed by the bin of the present invention). corresponds to the state management unit), the next step 358, performs "printing / output processing in the sorter mode to output bin" number of copies b, and discharge destination bin number as X ₁ to X _b. This processing will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

In the “sorting mode, the printing /
The difference between the “discharge processing” and the processing of FIG. 7 described above is that when the printing of the m-th page is instructed to the recording unit 14 in step 244, the m-page Point that the recording unit 14 is instructed to discharge the print result of No. to the discharge bin 84 of the bin number = Xn, and when the value of the counter n is larger than the value of the variable b (= the number of print copies) in step 250 In addition, it is determined whether or not there is a remaining number of copies (described later) in step 251 and the bitmap data is deleted only when it is determined that there is no remaining number of copies (in this case, it is determined that there is no remaining number of copies). The bin number Xn is notified to the paper discharge unit 78 via the recording control unit 72, and the paper discharged from the print unit 76 (print result) in the paper discharge unit 78.
Is discharged to the discharge bin 84 of the bin number notified as the discharge destination.

In the above process, printing of each page is continuously performed b times. During this time, the value of the counter n is counted up from the initial value (= 1) in step 238 every time.
Therefore, in the process shown in FIG. 10, one copy of the print result is discharged to each of the b empty discharge bins 84 of bin numbers X _{1 to} X _b (collated), and as specified by the job control information. Will be performed.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 16 as an example, printing is performed by the user A in a state where the respective discharge bins 84 of bin numbers 3, 5, 7, and 8 are in use (a state in which sheets are stored). Even when the printing of the number of copies = 5 is requested in the sorter mode, regardless of whether each of the discharge bins 84 of the bin numbers 3, 5, 7, and 8 is using the sorter or the mailbox, for example, the bin number 1, The print result is discharged in the sorter mode with the five discharge bins 84 of 2, 4, 6, and 9 being the discharge destinations.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the sorter mode can be used even when the empty output bins 84 are intermittently present and the empty output bins 84 are not continuous. Even in the case where the printing in the sorter mode is requested in the above state, the printing result is discharged in the sorter mode using the vacant discharge bins 84 that exist discretely. The destination of the print result is b
If the number of the output bins 84 is specified and all the output bins 84 are empty, the printing result is output using the specified b output bins 84 as the output destinations. No.

If the determination in step 354 is negative, the process proceeds to step 360, where the number of empty bins c
Is determined to be 2 or more. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 362, and the “print / discharge process to standard tray with electronic sort mode on” described above (see FIG. 8).
And the process proceeds to step 380. As described above, in this process, printing of each page is repeatedly performed in the order corresponding to the collation, and the printing result is displayed in the standard tray 82 in the printing order.
Therefore, although the print destination where the print result is actually discharged is different from the discharge destination (discharge bin 84) assumed by the user in advance, the print result is discharged in a form close to the designation by the job control information. Will be.

On the other hand, if the determination in step 360 is affirmative, the c discharge bins 84 in the empty state in step 364 are set as the discharge destinations of the print result, and the discharge bins 84 as discharge destinations are set. setting the bin number X ₁ ~X _c. In step 368, of the bin state management information, the use state of the discharge bin 84 determined as the discharge destination is set to “sorter in use”, and information such as a user name is set.
In the case of 0, the number of print copies is c, and the output destination bin numbers are X _{1 to} X _c , and the printing / outputting of the output bin to
Paper discharge process "(see FIG. 10). Thereby, one copy of the print result is discharged to each of the c empty discharge bins 84 of the bin numbers X _{1 to} X _c . Since the number of copies c to be printed in this process is smaller than the designated number of copies b, the determination in step 251 of the flowchart of FIG. 10 is denied, and the bitmap data is not deleted.

In the next step 372, the number of remaining copies d to be printed is obtained by subtracting the number of empty bins c from the number of prints b, and it is determined in step 374 whether the number of remaining copies d is greater than one. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 376, where the number of copies is set to d, and the above-described “print / discharge process to standard tray with electronic sort mode on” (see FIG. 8) is performed, and step 380 is performed. Move to.
If the determination in step 374 is denied, the remaining copy number d is 1, so the "print / discharge processing to standard tray with electronic sort mode off" described earlier in step 378 (see FIG. 7). And the process proceeds to step 380.
As described above, the print result is discharged in a form close to the designation by the job control information.

At step 380, the paper discharge information is output. That is, when the process of step 380 is executed, the print result is discharged only to the standard tray 82 or the print result is discharged to the discharge bin 84 and the standard tray irrespective of the designated print mode being the sorter mode. 82 and is different from the discharge destination (discharge bin 84) assumed by the user in advance. Therefore, step 3
At 80, a message notifying the user of the changed discharge destination is printed on paper and discharged to the standard tray 82, or
Alternatively, the message is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 28. The information for notifying the changed discharge destination may be transmitted to the host.

In the data analysis / print / discharge processing of FIG. 6, if the designated print mode is the mailbox mode, steps 130 to 13 are executed.
Then, the process proceeds to step S4, where printing / discharge processing is performed in the mailbox mode. This processing also corresponds to the discharging means of the present invention.
Hereinafter, this processing will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

At step 400, bin state management information is fetched from the RAM 50. In step 402, it is determined whether or not a specific discharge bin has been designated by the user as a print result discharge destination. If the determination is affirmative, step 404
And based on the bin status management information
It is determined whether the discharge bin specified by the user as a discharge destination is empty or has already been used by the same user. If this determination is also affirmative, the bin number of the discharge bin designated by the user as the discharge destination is set as the discharge destination bin number X in step 406, and the process proceeds to step 420.

On the other hand, step 402 or step 404
If the determination in step (1) is negative, the process proceeds to step 408,
Based on the user name of the user who has requested the image recording apparatus 10 to print, it is determined whether or not a specific output bin is set as a default output destination of the print result of the user. If this determination is affirmative, step 41
Then, based on the bin state management information taken in earlier, it is determined whether or not the default discharge bin 84 is empty. If this determination is also affirmed, the bin number of the discharge bin specified by default is set as the discharge bin number X in step 406, and the process proceeds to step 420.

Step 408 or step 410
If the determination of is negative, the process proceeds to step 412,
Based on the bin status management information taken in earlier, it is determined whether or not there is an empty output bin 84. If the determination is affirmative, in step 414, the discharge bin number X is set to
The bin number of the empty discharge bin 84 is set, and the process proceeds to step 420. In step 414, when there are a plurality of empty discharge bins 84, the discharge bins 84 are discharged from the empty discharge bins 84 according to a predetermined priority (for example, ascending bin numbers). The discharge bin 84 as the destination is selected.

As described above, as shown in FIG. 17 as an example, in a state where each of the paper discharge bins 84 of bin numbers 1 to 3 and 5 to 8 is in use (a state where sheets are stored), the user gives a mailbox. Even when printing in the mode is requested, for example, bin numbers 4, 9, and 10 are used regardless of whether each of the output bins 84 with bin numbers 1-3, 5-8 are using the sorter or the mailbox. Either is set as the discharge bin number X (except when the discharge bin 84 already in use is designated as the discharge destination by the same user), and the discharge bin of the discharge bin number X is described later. The print result is discharged to 84. This processing corresponds to the discharging means described in claim 4 in more detail.

If the determination in step 412 is also negative (there is no empty discharge bin 84), the flow shifts to step 416, based on the bin state management information taken in earlier. Out of the used output bins 84
The paper discharge bin 8 whose attributes (for example, the user name used, the paper size, etc.) match the print processing to be executed.
4 is determined. If the judgment is affirmative,
In step 418, the used discharge bin 84 whose attribute matches the print processing to be executed is set as the discharge destination bin number X, and the process proceeds to step 420.

In step 420, of the bin status management information, the use status of the discharge bin 84 corresponding to the discharge bin number X determined as described above is set to “mailbox in use” and information such as the user name is used. Set. In the next step 422, it is determined whether or not the electronic sort is specified as the paper discharge mode. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 434 after performing “printing / discharging processing on paper discharge bin X with electronic sort mode off” (see FIG. 12) in step 424. The difference between the “printing / discharge processing to the discharge bin X with the electronic sort mode off” and the processing of FIG.
4 instructs the printing of the m-th page and instructs the discharge bin 84 of bin number = X as the discharge destination.

The bin number X is notified to the paper discharge unit 78 via the recording control unit 72, and the paper (print result) discharged from the print unit 76 is notified to the discharge unit 78 as the discharge destination. The paper is discharged to the paper discharge bin 84 of number X. As a result, the document to be printed is printed by the specified number of print copies and the number of printed pages, and is sequentially discharged to the discharge bin 84 of the bin number X.

If the determination in step 422 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step 426, where "print / discharge processing to discharge bin X with electronic sort mode on" (see FIG. 13). The process moves to step 434 later. The difference between the “print / discharge processing for the discharge bin with the mailbox mode on / electronic sort mode on” and the processing of FIG. The point is that the page is instructed to be printed, and the paper discharge bin 84 with the bin number = X is specified as the discharge destination. The bin number X is notified to the paper discharge unit 78 via the recording control unit 72. The paper discharge unit 78 uses the paper (print result) discharged from the print unit 76 as the bin number X notified as the discharge destination. The paper is discharged to a paper discharge bin 84. As described above, printing of each page is repeatedly performed in the order corresponding to the collation, and the print result is discharged to the discharge bin 84 of the bin number X in the printing order.

On the other hand, in the print / discharge processing in the mailbox mode in FIG. 11, if the determination in step 416 is negative (that is, the mailbox mode is designated, but there is no empty discharge bin 84, If it is not preferable to discharge to any of the used discharge bins 84), the process proceeds to step 428, and it is determined whether or not the electronic sort is specified as the discharge mode. If the determination is negative, the “print / discharge process to standard tray with electronic sort mode off” described above (see FIG. 7) is performed in step 430, and if the determination is affirmative, Step 43
In step 2, after performing the “print / discharge process to standard tray with electronic sort mode off” described above (see FIG. 8), the process proceeds to step 434.

In the above-described processing, the actual discharge destination is determined by the user unless the print result is discharged to the discharge bin designated by the user as the discharge destination (when the determination in step 404 is affirmed). There is a possibility that the discharge destination (discharge bin 84) is different or different from the assumed discharge destination (discharge bin 84). Therefore, in step 434, except for the case described above,
Outputs the paper ejection information. Specifically, a message notifying the user of the changed discharge destination is printed on paper and discharged to the standard tray 82, or the message is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 28. The information for notifying the changed discharge destination may be transmitted to the host.

In the above description, the case where "collation" is performed in "printing / discharging process to paper discharge bin in sorter mode" has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Each page of the plurality of copies of the document is transferred to a plurality of output bins 8.
It is also possible to apply a form (so-called stacker) for separately discharging to No. 4.

Further, in the above, the standard tray and the discharge bin discharge the print result so that the printing surface faces downward.
The so-called face-down type tray has been described as an example in which printing and paper discharging are performed in ascending order of page numbers. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The print result is ejected so that it faces
In the case of a so-called face-up type tray, printing and discharging may be performed in descending order of page numbers.

Further, when a plurality of copies of a certain document are discharged to the standard tray 82 or a single discharge bin 84 by electronic sorting, the documents are transferred to the standard tray 82 along a direction orthogonal to the discharge direction to the standard tray 82. If the discharge position is changed (a so-called offset catch tray), particularly when the sorter mode is specified, but the empty discharge bin 84 is insufficient, the discharge mode is closer to the discharge mode specified by the user. Is preferable because the printing result is discharged.

In the above description, an example has been described in which, in the mailbox mode, a case where the user specifies a bin number as a discharge destination and a case where no bin number is specified are allowed to coexist. The bin number as a discharge destination may be made to be always specified by the user. Instead of having the user specify the bin number as the discharge destination, the bin number may be specified for each user or for each group of users. The discharge bin may be determined as the discharge destination based on the default bin number.

Further, in the above, an example has been described in which the discharge mode designation means sets the discharge mode (print mode) based on the input job control information. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of letting the user specify the print mode, for example, a sorter mode is set when printing of a plurality of copies is instructed, and a mailbox mode is set when printing is requested by a specific user. The discharge mode may be automatically set.

Further, in the above description, the state of each paper discharge bin 84 indicated by the bin state management information is displayed on the display of the host or the display section of the operation panel 28, but the present invention is not limited to this. In particular, when the user requests printing via a host disposed relatively close to the image recording apparatus according to the present invention, the state of each output bin 84 may be changed. It is also possible to omit the display of the state of each discharge bin 84 since it is easy to visually recognize the output bins. Also in this case, if the image recording apparatus is provided with a function corresponding to the bin state management means, it is possible to prevent print results of different users from being mixed in the same discharge bin 84. Needless to say.

Further, in the above description, a print result of a different job is output to the discharge bin 84 unless the mailbox mode is specified as the print mode and the discharge bin 84 used by the same user is specified as the discharge destination. The example in which control is performed so as not to be mixed in the
The bin state may not be managed by 6 or the like, and the sorter mode or the mailbox mode may be set and discharged simply according to the designation from the user or automatically as described above. In this case, there is a possibility that print results of different jobs may be mixed in the discharge bin 84. Claim 1 of the present invention also includes such an embodiment.

[0110]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a sheet on which an image is recorded is used as a sheet discharging mode.
Sorter mode for discharging in a predetermined form into a plurality of fixed bins,
And a printer that discharges paper on which images are recorded to a specific bin.
In addition to providing a box mode, sorter mode or menu
Set the discharge mode specification means to specify the
Status of each bin in the paper output section
The paper on which the image is recorded by the recording means
When the paper is discharged to the paper discharge section according to the
When the sorter mode is specified as the discharge mode
Is in either sorter mode or mailbox mode.
Check the bins that are determined to be empty even if they are
Check that the recorded paper is empty
This is an excellent effect that the paper can be discharged so as to satisfy various demands of the user regarding the paper discharge.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the paper discharge mode and
The paper on which the image is recorded
Sorter mode to discharge in the form of and images recorded
Set the mailbox mode to discharge paper to a specific bin.
Along with the kicking, the sorter mode or the mail box mode
Ejection type designation means is provided for each bin in the paper ejection section.
The status of use is managed by the bin status management means and recorded
The paper on which the image was recorded in
Paper to the paper output area, and mail
If box mode is specified, the bin status
Sorter mode and mailbox mode
In all cases, bins that are determined to be empty or identical
Check which bins are already in use by the user,
Check that the paper on which the image is recorded is in the empty state
Bin already used by the same bin or the same user
Since it was decided to discharge to the bottle that confirmed that
To meet various user requirements regarding paper ejection
This has an excellent effect that the paper can be discharged .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the use status of the paper discharge section managed by the bin state management means is displayed. This has the effect that the user can easily take out the sheet on which is recorded.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the image recording apparatus comprises:
The information processing apparatus further includes an output unit that outputs information indicating a use state of the sheet discharge unit managed by the bin state management unit to the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus outputs the information based on the information input from the image recording apparatus. Since the use status of the copy is displayed on the display unit, it is possible to discharge the paper so as to satisfy various requirements of the user regarding the paper discharge, and to avoid mixing different types of paper in the same bin. Has an excellent effect that

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 is a block diagram showing an outline of an image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image supply unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a recording unit.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing the appearance of the image recording apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a data reception process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating data analysis / printing / discharge processing.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating “print / discharge processing to a standard tray with the electronic sort mode off”.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating “print / discharge processing to a standard tray when the electronic sort mode is on”.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating “print / discharge processing in sorter mode”.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating “printing / discharge processing to a discharge bin in a sorter mode”.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating “print / discharge processing in mailbox mode”.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating “printing / discharge processing to discharge bin X with electronic sort mode on”.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating “printing / discharging process to discharge bin X with electronic sort mode off”.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a bitmap data creation process.

FIG. 15 is an image diagram showing an example of a printer status display / print request window displayed on a display of a host computer.

FIG. 16 is an image diagram illustrating an example of a discharge bin that can be used as a discharge destination when printing in the sorter mode is requested in a state where some discharge bins are in use.

FIG. 17 is an image diagram illustrating an example of a discharge bin that can be used as a discharge destination when printing in the mailbox mode is requested in a state where some of the discharge bins are in use.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 image recording device 16 image supply unit 40 CPU 76 printing unit 78 paper discharge unit 84 paper discharge bin 86 sensor

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Taiichi Furukawa 3-7-1, Fuuchi, Iwatsuki-shi, Saitama Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Iwatsuki Office (72) Inventor Kenji Kawana 3-7-1, Fuuchi, Iwatsuki-shi, Saitama No. Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Iwatsuki Office (72) Inventor Ichiro Konno 3-7-1 Funai, Iwatsuki City, Saitama Prefecture Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Iwatsuki Office (72) Inventor Yoshinori Gunji 3-7-1 Fuwa, Iwatsuki City, Saitama Prefecture No. Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Iwatsuki Office (56) References JP-A-7-336481 (JP, A) JP-A-8-2790 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) ) B65H 39/00-39/16

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] An image is recorded as a paper discharge mode.
Sorter that discharges multiple sheets of paper into multiple bins
And the paper on which the image is recorded is discharged to a specific bin.
A mailbox mode for recording an image on a sheet based on input data; and a paper discharge unit having a number of bins for accommodating the sheet on which the image is recorded by the recording unit. and parts, and a discharge mode specifying means for specifying the sorter mode or mailbox mode, the bin status for managing the use state of each bin of the sheet discharge unit
A management unit configured to discharge the sheet on which the image is recorded by the recording unit to the sheet discharge unit according to a discharge mode specified by the discharge mode specifying unit;
If sorter mode is specified as the discharge mode,
Sorter mode and mail box
Is determined to be empty in any of the
Check the bin, and place the paper with the image
An image recording apparatus, comprising: a discharging unit that discharges the toner to a bin that has been confirmed . 2. An image is recorded as a paper discharge mode.
Sorter that discharges multiple sheets of paper into multiple bins
And the paper on which the image is recorded is discharged to a specific bin.
That mailbox mode is provided, the paper discharge, comprising: a recording means for recording an image on a sheet based on input data, the number of bins for accommodating the sheet on which an image has been recorded by said recording means and parts, and a discharge mode specifying means for specifying the sorter mode or mailbox mode, the bin status for managing the use state of each bin of the sheet discharge unit
Management means, and discharges the sheet on which the image is recorded by the recording means to the sheet discharge section in accordance with the discharge mode specified by the discharge mode specifying means;
When mailbox mode is specified as the discharge mode
The sorter mode and menu by the bin state management means.
In any of the box modes
Bin or already used by the same user
Check the bin in the status, and remove the paper on which the image is
Bin or the same user who has confirmed that the
Drained into a bottle confirmed to be used for
An image recording apparatus comprising: 3. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a display unit that displays a use state of the paper discharge unit managed by the bin state management unit. 4. An image recording system comprising: the image recording apparatus according to claim 1; and an information processing apparatus including a display unit for displaying information and outputting data to the image recording apparatus. The image recording apparatus further includes an output unit configured to output information indicating a use state of the sheet discharge unit managed by the bin state management unit to the information processing apparatus. An image recording system, comprising: a display unit that displays a use state of the paper discharge unit based on information input from a recording device.