JP3346164B2 - Paper alignment device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet aligning apparatus, and more particularly, to a sheet aligning apparatus capable of processing a sheet group in two different jobs.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a copying machine having a multi-job function has been known. The multi-job function is to set two or more document groups (first job, second job, etc.) in an automatic document feeder (hereinafter, referred to as "ADF") of a copying machine so that those document groups can be successively separated. Function.

A multi-job is also used when the number of originals set on the ADF exceeds the number of sheets stacked on the tray of the ADF. The user processes the document continuously by dividing and setting the document in the first job and the second job.

[0004]

Incidentally, there is a copying machine having a function of performing post-processing of a sheet after copying. Post-processing is processing such as stapling after the discharged sheets are aligned.

In such a copying machine, even if one document group is divided into a plurality of jobs and set, the copying machine cannot recognize that the document group is divided,
There is a problem that post-processing is performed for each of the divided document groups.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet aligning apparatus which can accurately perform post-processing even when one original group is divided into a plurality of jobs.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet aligning apparatus having a stacking unit having a surface on which a plurality of sheets can be stacked, and discharging a sheet group of the first job onto the surface. A first paper discharge unit, a second paper discharge unit that discharges the paper group of the second job onto the paper group of the discharged first job,
A determination unit that determines the continuity of the first and second jobs, and post-processing performed on the paper group of the first job based on the determination result of the determination unit completes discharge of the paper group of the second job. And a post-processing unit to be performed at the time.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, post-processing is performed after the continuity of the first and second jobs is determined. Therefore, even when one document group is divided into a plurality of jobs, Post-processing can be performed accurately.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[Overall Configuration and Operation of Copying Machine] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a copying machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a photoconductor drum 10 having a photoconductor layer on an outer peripheral portion is installed at a substantially central portion of the copying machine main body 1 so as to be rotatable at a constant peripheral speed v in the direction of arrow a. ing. Around the photosensitive drum 10, a main eraser 11, a charging charger 12, a sub-eraser 13, a developing device 14 using a magnetic brush system, a transfer charger 15, a paper separating charger 16, and a blade-type cleaner 17 are arranged along the rotation direction. They are arranged in order. An optical system 20 is arranged above the photosensitive drum 10.

The photoreceptor drum 10 rotates in the direction of arrow a, and has a main eraser 11, a charging charger 12, and a sub-eraser 13, respectively.
Image end static elimination is performed, and the image of the document set on the document table glass 29 is exposed by the optical system 20. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 by the exposure is visualized as a toner image by the developing device 14.

The optical system 20 is disposed directly below the platen glass 29, and has one end exposed to a reference position SP.
The image of the original set in accordance with the illumination is illuminated while scanning, and the reflected light is exposed on the photosensitive drum 10. At the time of this image scanning, the exposure lamp 21 and the first mirror 22 move at a speed of v / m (m: copy magnification) with respect to the peripheral speed v of the photosensitive drum 10 (constant irrespective of the same magnification or magnification). Move in the direction of arrow b.

At the same time, the second mirror 23 and the third mirror 24
Move in the direction of arrow b at a speed of v / 2 m. When the copy magnification is changed, the projection lens 25 moves on the optical axis, and the fourth mirror 26 swings or rotates to correct the optical path length.

A copy sheet, that is, a copy sheet, is supplied to an upper sheet feeding section 31 of an elevator system and a lower sheet feeding section 3 of a tray system.
4 and are fed one by one from one of them based on the operator's selection. Each paper feed unit 31, 34
Are provided with paper feed rollers 32 and 35, and separation rollers 33 and 36 including a forward rotation roller and a reverse rotation roller. The paper fed from the upper paper feed unit 31 is transported by transport rollers 37b, 3
The sheet is sent out to the timing roller 38 installed immediately before the image transfer section through 7c. The paper fed from the lower paper feed unit 34 is sent out to the timing roller 38 through the transport rollers 37a, 37b, 37c.

In this copying machine, manual paper feeding is possible, and copy paper inserted from a manual paper feeding port 40 is fed by a paper feeding roller 41.
To the timing roller 38.

The sheet sent to the timing roller 38 is once waited here, and is sent to the transfer section by turning on the timing roller 38 in synchronization with the image formed on the photosensitive drum 10. The sheet adheres to the photoconductor drum at the transfer section, and the toner image is transferred by corona discharge from the transfer charger 15, and is separated from the photoconductor drum 10 by AC corona discharge from the separation charger 16 and the strength of the paper itself. You.

Thereafter, the sheet is fed to a fixing device 43 through a conveyor belt 42, where the toner is fixed, and is discharged onto a sorter 400 through a conveyance roller 44 and a discharge roller 45. On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 10 continues to rotate in the direction of the arrow a even after the transfer, and the residual toner is removed by the cleaner 17 and the residual charge is erased by the main eraser 11 to prepare for the next copy processing.

In the copying machine body 1, a re-feeding unit 50 and a paper passing path switching claw 4 for processing duplex / composite copying are provided.
7,48 are installed. The switching claw 47 is normally set at the solid line position, and guides the sheet to the sorter 400. The first side (front side) during duplex copy or composite copy
Paper on which the images of the odd number of originals have been transferred
7 is set at a position slightly rotated in the counterclockwise direction, so that the transport rollers 51a, 51b, 51c, 51
Then, the sheet is discharged to the intermediate tray 52 through d, and is stored with the image surface facing upward. After a predetermined number of sheets are stored in the intermediate tray 52, when a refeed signal is generated, the sheets are transported one by one from the bottom layer by the rotation of the refeed belt 53 and the separating roller 54. The paper is fed to 37c.

In the two-sided copy mode, the re-fed paper is sent out to the timing roller 38 while being guided upward by the switching claw 48 set at the solid line position, and is sent to the second surface (back surface). The image is transferred and fixed,
It is discharged to the sorter 400.

On the other hand, in the composite copy mode, the re-fed paper is set at a position where the switching claw 48 is slightly rotated clockwise, so that the transport roller 37d is set.
Is conveyed in the direction of arrow c. Immediately before the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the nip portion of the transport roller 37d, the transport roller 37d
Is switched to reverse rotation, whereby the sheet is sent to the timing roller 38 in a state where the sheet is turned upside down and upside down. Thereafter, the image is superimposed on the first surface (front surface), transferred, fixed, and discharged to the sorter 400.

In the copying machine body 1, the copying process is started, and the first sheet is
When the printer is in a standby state immediately before the step 8, the first sheet feeding process for feeding the second and subsequent sheets to the sheet feeding path in advance is performed.

For example, in the paper supply from the lower paper supply unit 34, the second paper is supplied to the paper supply path following the first paper, and the third paper is also supplied to the transport roller. Paper is fed until just before 37a. Such advance feed processing is performed not only in the multi-copy mode but also in the single copy mode using the ADF 160, thereby improving the copy speed.

[Structure and Operation of Sorter] Sorter 400
Is used for distributing and storing sheets, as shown in FIG.
Zero-stage bin 402, vertical transport passage 410, and each bin 40
Switching claw 420 and discharge rollers 425 and 426 corresponding to
It is composed of The sorter 400 is divided into an upper 10-stage bin and a lower 10-stage bin.

The vertical transport passage 410 is provided with the vertical guide frame 4
11, four transport rollers 415, a pinch roller 416 that is driven to rotate by being pressed against the transport rollers 415, a switching claw 420 provided corresponding to each bin 402, and a guide plate 424.
, A discharge roller 425, and a pinch roller 426 that is pressed against the roller and is driven to rotate.

The intermediate portion is communicated with guide plates 457 and 458. A guide plate 45 is provided at the entrance of the sorter 400.
1, 452, sheet receiving rollers 453, 454, and a guide plate 47 for guiding a sheet to an upper portion of the vertical conveying path 410.
2,473 are installed. In addition, transmission type photo sensors SE10 and SE1 for detecting the presence or absence of a sheet on the bin 402 for each of the upper and lower bin groups as sheet detection means.
1 and a transmissive photosensor SE13 (not shown) that detects a sheet immediately before being accommodated in each bin 402.

The switching claw 420 is rotatable around the support shaft 421 by a dedicated solenoid except for the one opposed to the lowermost bin 402. When each solenoid is turned off, the switching claw 420 is in the solid line position in FIG. Set,
The sheet is guided downward by the vertical surface 420a and the vertical guide frame 411.

The sheet is vertically conveyed by rollers 415,
Transported at 416. On the other hand, when each solenoid is turned on, the switching claw 420 is switched as shown by the dotted line at the top in FIG. 2, and the sheet is guided by the curved surface 420 b and each guide plate 424, and from the discharge rollers 425 and 426, It is discharged to the bin 402.

The switching operation of the switching claw 420 when the sort mode is selected is such that the rear end of the sheet is detected by the sensor SE13.
, And the sheets are sequentially switched from the upper one to the lower one by the number of copies (the number of copies), and the sheets are moved from the first bin 402 to the lower bin 40.
Distribute sequentially to 2.

When the grouping mode is selected, the set number of sheets are accommodated in the same bin 402, and the switching claw 420 is switched in response to the end of the set number of final copies.

The lowermost (20th) switching claw 420
The sheet is placed on the lower bin 402 on the curved surface 420b.
It is fixed at the position to guide to.

[Structure and Operation of the Finisher Unit] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the finisher unit 500 includes a stapler 520 installed on the near side and a sheet accommodated in the bin 402 on an alignment reference plate on the back side. An aligning portion 508 for making contact with the stapler 520, an extruding portion 509 for making the sheet abut on a staple reference plate 402 c serving as a reference for engaging the stapler 520, and the extruding portion 509 and the stapler 520 are attached to each bin 402. And a moving unit 700 for moving to a corresponding position.

Each of the bins 402 is set with a certain interval in the vertical direction in a state where the bins 402 are inclined and raised in the forward direction (the sheet storage direction "A"). Matching reference plate 402b
The staple reference plate 402c is formed integrally with each bin 402.

Each bin 402 has a backflow prevention plate 402a for regulating the rear end of the accommodated sheet.
Cutouts 402g and 402h in which the alignment unit 508 and the extruding unit 509 can move are formed on both sides, and cutouts 402i for the operator to take out sheets by hand are formed.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the aligning portion 508 has an aligning rod 503 and a support shaft 504 attached to both ends of the holding lever 502, and is installed so as to be rotatable on a horizontal plane with the support shaft 504 as a fulcrum. Things. The matching unit 508 is configured to be divided into two so that the upper bin group and the lower bin group can be independently processed, and includes a drive unit (for example, a solenoid) not shown.

The aligning operation is performed for each sheet stored in the bin 402. That is, each time one sheet is accommodated in the bin 402, the alignment unit 508
3, the sheet is pressed against the alignment reference plate 402b, and the alignment rod 503 and the alignment reference plate 4 are pressed.
02b is aligned with the sheet.

In the sheet storage direction, the bin 40
Due to the inclination of 2, the sheet abuts against the backflow prevention plate 402a by its own weight, and the sheet is automatically aligned.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pushing portion 509 has a pushing lever 506 and a support shaft 507 attached to both ends of a holding lever 505, and can be rotated on a horizontal plane with the support shaft 507 as a fulcrum. And a driving source (for example, a solenoid) not shown.

The extruding section 509 is movable from the uppermost bin 402 to the lowermost bin 402 to a position corresponding to each bin 402, and moves up and down in synchronization with the stapler 520. The sheet pushing operation is performed for each bin 402 after the sorting operation is completed.

That is, the extruding section 509 is moved together with the stapler 520 to the side of the bin 402 to be stapled, and pivots to the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. Press against plate 402c. As a result, the sheet moves from the alignment position P2 shown by the two-dot chain line to the staple position P3 shown by the one-dot chain line, and is engaged with the stapler 520.

The stapler 520 operates in this state, and binds sheets. Thereafter, the aligning portion 508 is again rotated inward, and the stapled sheet is pressed against the alignment reference plate 402b by the alignment bar 503. That is, the stapled sheet is returned from the stapling position P3 to the alignment position P2. This is for retracting the sheet from the stapler 520. Then, the extruding part 509 and the stapler 5
20 moves to the next bin position.

[Structure and Operation of the Stapler and the Stapler Moving Unit 700] As shown in FIG. 5, the stapler 520 has a cam 522 fixed to a motor output shaft 521, and a cam 522 which can swing about a pin 523 as a fulcrum. 522 and the head 525 are connected. The rotation of the cam 522 in the direction of the arrow g by the motor causes the head 525 to move in the direction of the arrow i via the arm 524, and the staple 526 binds the aligned sheet on the bin 402.

The staple needles 526 are straight needles hardened in parallel in a plate shape with an adhesive, and a predetermined number of staples are elastically pressed in advance in the cartridge 527 downward by a spring member (not shown). The sheets are accommodated, and are fed to the head unit by a transport belt 528 that is driven by the motor output shaft 521 one by one from the lowest layer.

The stapler 520 has a reflection type photosensor S for detecting the presence or absence of the staple 526.
When E18 is installed and the last staple 526 passes the detection point, the sensor SE18 is turned off, and it is detected that the staple 526 has disappeared. Further, the stapler 520 is provided with a photosensor SE14 for detecting the rotation speed of the staple motor. This sensor SE
Numeral 14 detects the notch 509a of the disk 529 fixed to the motor output shaft 521.

On the other hand, the stapler 520 is accommodated in a protective case 510 erected on the front of the bin 420 so as to be vertically movable. The protective case 510 has an opening / closing cover 511 at the upper end. The cover 511 is opened at the time of needle replenishment or the like, and the open / closed state is detected by the switch SW1.

In the protective case 510, the stapler 520 has rollers 543 and 544 as shown in FIG.
Is fixed to a belt 545 stretched endlessly. The belt 545 is driven in the direction of the arrow c or c 'by the driving force transmitted from the stepping motor M1 to the roller 543 via the belt 542.

The stapler 520 has an arrow c on the belt 545.
Alternatively, it moves up and down with the movement in the direction c ', and is set to a predetermined bin position. The pushing section 509 also moves in the vertical direction in synchronization with the stapler 520 via a link section (not shown).

The stapler 520 has returned to the home position corresponding to the first bin 402 at the initial position of the stapling process, and the fact that the stapler 520 has been set to this home position is detected by the photosensor SE15. In the stapling process, the stapler 520 uses the bin 40.
The bins are lowered step by step, one bin at a time, for bin 40
This is performed by binding the upper sheets 2 one by one.

The amount of movement of the stapler 520 is detected and controlled by the number of pulses for driving the stepping motor M1. When the sensor SE18 detects that the staple 526 has run out during a series of stapling processes, the stapling process is interrupted at that point, and the position of the stapler 520 is stored using the number of drive pulses up to that time.

Thereafter, the stapler 520 is moved to the home position. The operator opens the cover 511 and replaces the cartridge 527 with a new one. Completion of such a needle supply operation is detected when the sensor SE18 is turned on and the switch SW1 is turned on.

Next, the stapler 520 is moved downward by the number of stored pulses, returns to the original position, and continues stapling from there.

[Configuration and Operation of ADF] The configuration and operation of the ADF (automatic paper feed mechanism) 160 will be described below.

First, the schematic configuration and operation of the ADF 160 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The ADF 160 includes a document feeder 601, a document feeder 602, and a document discharger 6.
03, document moving unit 606 and paper discharge tray operating unit 93
(Also referred to as a shift block).

The document feeder 601 includes a leading end regulating plate 163, a pickup roller 165, a separating roller 175, a normal rotation roller 180, and a registration roller 190.
Parts other than the moving tray 161 are the cover 60 that can be opened and closed.
4 is covered. The document feeder 602 includes the document feeder 60
, A drive roller 196 disposed in the vicinity of
03, a driven roller 197 and a conveyor belt 195 which are disposed near the moving tray 161.
Are covered with a cover 166.

The document discharge unit 603 includes a reversing roller 200,
A discharge roller 210 and a discharge tray 215 are provided. Parts other than the paper discharge tray 215 are covered with a cover 605.

The document moving section 606 includes a moving tray 161 and a moving mechanism. Also, a discharge tray operation unit 93
Is composed of an operation unit for moving the paper discharge tray 215 in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface.

The ADF 160 has a structure similar to that of the transport belt 19.
Copier main body 1 so that 5 is positioned on platen glass 29.
The upper surface of the document table glass 29 can be opened by a hinge (not shown) provided on the rear side, that is, the side opposite to the operation side.

When an operator manually sets an original on the original table glass 29, the ADF 160 is lifted upward to open the upper surface of the original table glass 29. ADF1
Opening and closing of 60 is detected by sensor SE100 shown in FIG. Only when the ADF 160 is properly closed by the sensor SE100, the ADF 16
0 operation becomes possible.

Documents to be fed are stacked on the moving tray 166 with the first page facing upward. At this time, the position of the document is restricted in the width direction by the side regulating plates 159 and 162, and the leading end is regulated by the leading end regulating plate 163. The tip regulating plate 163 is rotatable about a support shaft 164 as a fulcrum. The leading edge regulating plate 163 is retracted upward from the time of feeding the first document to the time when the feeding of the final document is completed.

The pickup roller 165 and the normal rotation roller 180 are driven to rotate clockwise when feeding paper. The originals are rotated one by one from the top layer.
The paper passes through the space between the roller and the separating roller 175 and is sent to the registration roller 190. The registration roller 190 temporarily stops the fed document at its nip portion and conveys the document to the entrance of the document table glass 29 by being rotated after a predetermined time.

The transport belt 195 is driven by the driving roller 196 and the driven roller 19 so as to cover the entire surface of the platen glass 29.
7 endlessly. Conveyor belt 195
A number of backup rollers 198 are rotatably installed inside the printer to press the belt 195 against the platen glass 29. The transport belt 195 is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow d, and the original is moved to the scale 220 and the
The document is set so that the leading end of the document is aligned with a reference position (exposure reference) SP for starting exposure, which is a boundary between the two.

In the vicinity of the reversing roller 200, there are provided pinch rollers 201 and 202 and a switching claw 203 used for switching a paper passing path for reversing the original in the both-side original mode. Usually, the switching claw 203 is set at the solid line position. After the exposure of the original, the original transport belt 195 is moved in the direction of arrow d and the reversing roller 200 is moved.
Is discharged from the platen glass 29 on the basis of the counterclockwise rotation of the sheet, is guided upward by the guide plate 204 and the switching claw 203, and is discharged by the discharge roller 210 onto the discharge tray 215 having a moving mechanism. . In the case of a double-sided original, when the double-sided original is fed onto the platen glass 29 in order to copy the second side (back side) first, the switching claw 203 is rotated counterclockwise by a predetermined angle from the state shown in the drawing. First, the two-sided document is reversed and conveyed around the reversing roller 200, and is returned onto the platen glass 29 with the second surface facing downward.
At this time, the conveyor belt 195 is driven to rotate in the direction opposite to the arrow d. Furthermore, for the two-sided original, after the exposure of the second side is completed,
Reversing roller 2 again for copy processing of the first side (front side)
It is reversed and transported around 00.

Reversing roller 200 and discharge roller 210
Is driven to rotate by a discharge motor M4 (not shown).
The ADF 160 includes various sensors SE1 to S for detecting a document.
E6 is provided.

The sensors SE1 and SE2 detect the presence or absence of a document on the tray 166. The sensor SE4 is installed immediately before the registration roller 190, and detects arrival and passage of the document, and detects the length of the document in cooperation with a timer when the document is sent out from the registration roller 190.

The sensor SE5 is installed side by side with the sensor SE4, and detects the size of the document in the width direction.

Based on the document detection signals from the sensors SE4 and SE5, the size of the document includes whether it is vertically fed (the long side of the document is parallel to the transport direction) or horizontal (the short side is parallel to the transport direction). Is determined. Further, the sensor SE6 is the reverse roller 2
It is installed at the entrance of 00 and detects a document passing therethrough.

The sensor SE3 is an empty sensor for detecting that there is no document on the document tray 166 after passing the last document of the document bundle.

A sensor (not shown) for detecting the size and presence / absence of a document is provided inside the main body. A sensor S for detecting whether the moving tray 161 is at the home position
E9 is provided.

Next, the operation in a multi-job will be described. The document of the first job is set between the regulating plates 162,
The document of the second job is set on the moving tray 161. In the first job, the detection of the presence or absence of the original is performed by the sensor SE2,
The second job is performed by the sensor SE1.

The set document is processed first from the first job. In the second job, after the end of the first job is detected by the sensor SE3, the original on the second job is moved and processed by the moving tray 161.

The sensor SE1 is connected to the movable tray 16
1 and moves with the moving tray 161. The movable tray 161 is returned to the home position at a certain timing.

[Operation of Shift Tray Mechanism] The shift operation of the document discharge tray 215 by the shift block (discharge tray operating section) 93 shown in FIG. 7 is performed as follows.

When a multi-job is set,
It is detected that the last document sheet of each document bundle has been discharged.
When the movement of the document of the second job starts, the document discharge tray 215 moves in the direction perpendicular to the sheet discharge direction, and the discharged document bundle is sorted for each job.

[Configuration and Operation of Document Bundle Moving Mechanism] When the empty sensor SE3 detects the end of processing of the document bundle of the first job, the document bundle detection sensor SE1 of the second job sets the document to the document moving tray 161. When it is detected that the document is on the upper side, as shown in FIG. 8, the motor M20 rotates and the document bundle is moved by pushing the document bundle in the direction of arrow H at the rear end 161 of the document moving tray by the transmission mechanism. .

When the empty sensor SE3 detects that the document has been moved, the motor M20 stops. Thereafter, the motor M20 rotates in the reverse direction, and the home position detection sensor S
The motor M20 is driven until E9 detects that the document moving tray is at the home position. Sensor SE9
, The motor stops.

[Explanation of Panel] FIG.
0 is a front view.

Referring to the figure, the operation panel section 600 has ten keys 6 for directly setting the number of copies, the copy ratio, and the like.
01, a print key 602 for instructing the start of the copying operation, and a stop key 603 for stopping the copying operation.
And the all reset key 6 to initialize the entered settings
04, a job switching key 605 for switching the setting of the first job and the second job of the multi-job, and a job continuation key 606 for switching whether the first job and the second job of the multi-job are continuous. And a main panel 607 comprising an LCD (liquid crystal display) display unit.

The main panel 607 includes the liquid crystal display device 60
8 and a transparent touch switch 609 provided thereon.

The user can recognize the key input screen displayed on the liquid crystal display device 608 through the touch switch 609 without parallax.

The operation panel 600 has LEDs 611 and 61 which are turned on in response to operation of the job switching key 605.
2 and L which is turned on in response to the operation of the job continuation key 606
EDs 613 and 614 are provided.

On the main panel 607, a first job setting screen shown in FIG. 9 and a second job setting screen shown in FIG. 10 are switched and displayed. Main panel 607
Are divided into a display section A and a display section B.

The display section A displays the number of copies, the number of documents, the mode, the paper, the magnification, the copy density, and the sorter mode. When the user touches an item on the display unit A,
A screen for setting the contents of the item and a screen for notifying a warning are displayed on the display section B.

The display section B in FIG. 9 shows a state where a display for inputting the number of copies and the number of documents in the first job is being performed.

The display section B in FIG. 10 shows a state where a display for inputting the number of copies and the number of documents in the second job is being performed. On the display section B in the state of FIG. 10, the number of copies (number of copies) and the number of documents that can be set in the second job are displayed as a “second job available area”. The second job possible area includes an area when the number priority mode is used and an area when the bin priority mode is used. The user can set the second job within the range displayed in this portion.

When the user touches the “mode” portion of the display section A from the state of FIG. 9 or FIG. 10, (C) of FIG.
A screen for setting the mode displayed on the display section B is displayed.

Similarly, when the user touches the “paper” portion of the display unit A, the screen shown in FIG.
Will be displayed.

When the user touches the “magnification” portion of the display section A, the screen shown in FIG. 11E is displayed on the display section B.

When the user touches the “copy density” portion, a screen shown in FIG. 11F is displayed. When the user touches the “sorter mode” portion, a screen shown in FIG. 11G is displayed.

[Control Blocks of Operation Panel]
FIG. 12 is a control block diagram of the operation panel section 600.

The control block is a microcomputer 61
0, a liquid crystal display device 608, an LCD controller 620 for controlling the liquid crystal display device,
Switch 612 for a backlight that provides eight illuminations
Touch switch 609 provided on liquid crystal display device 608, numeric keypad 601, print key 602,
A stop key 603, an all reset key 604,
A job switching key 605 and a job continuation key 606 are included. The microcomputer 610 receives inputs from the sensors SE100, SE1, SE2, SE3, SE6 and other sensors.

The microcomputer 610 also has LE
D611 to 614 are controlled. A microcomputer (CPU) 610 controls the operation panel unit 600 and transmits a copy condition set by a user and a print start instruction to the print head unit via a control line.

The LCD controller 620 has the CPU 61
The liquid crystal display device 608 according to the data transmitted from 0
Output data to

A liquid crystal display device 608 provided with a backlight which is turned on / off by a switch 612 has an L level.
A key input screen is displayed according to a control signal sent from the CD controller 620. The user operates the liquid crystal display device 6
08 is displayed on the touch switch 60
The touch switch 609 is depressed by touching through the touch switch 9. The touch switch 609 has 20 display screens horizontally,
It consists of a total of 300 switches divided vertically into 15 pieces. The position data of the switch pressed by the user is C
Sent to PU 610. The CPU 610 recognizes the key pressed by the user based on the position data sent from the touch switch and the key input screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 608.

A numeric keypad 601 for inputting numerical values on the panel, a print key 602 for starting a copying operation, a stop key 603 for temporarily stopping a copying operation, and an all reset key for initializing a copying mode 604, a job switching key 605 for switching between the first job and the second job, and a job continuation key 60 for inputting whether the first job and the second job are continuous.
The CPU 610 sends a control signal to the LCD controller 620 according to the content of the recognized key in accordance with the user's instruction by 6 to switch the display content of the liquid crystal display device 608.

The LEDs 611 and 612 are turned on / off in accordance with the on / off state of the job switching key 605.
Reference numerals 613 and 614 turn on / off according to the on / off state of the job continuation key 606.

During the operation of the ADF, the ADF open / close sensor SE100 and the second tray original empty sensor SE
1. Upon receiving signals from the first tray original empty sensor SE2, the paper empty sensor SE3 before feeding, and the second tray home position detection sensor SE9, the CPU controls the ADF operation by other outputs.

[Regarding Copying Machine Control] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a main routine for controlling the copying machine shown in FIG.

Referring to the figure, when the power is turned on, the microcomputer is set to an initial state in step S1.

At step S2, a routine timer for setting the length of one cycle of the main routine to a constant value, for example, 10 msec, is set. In step S3, processing such as a key matrix of the operation panel and panel input is performed. The detailed contents will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S4, the operation of the ADF is performed. In step S5, a copy operation is performed. In step S6, a post-processing operation is performed.
The post-processing operation is an operation for performing processing such as stapling or alignment of copied paper.

In step S7, other processing (for example, trouble processing, warning processing, etc.) is performed.

In step S8, it is determined whether the timer set in step S2 has expired, and a process for keeping the time length of one cycle of the routine constant is performed. Step S8
After the processing in, the processing from step S2 is repeated.

FIG. 14 shows the panel input process (S3) of FIG.
9 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of FIG.

Referring to the figure, it is determined in step S301 whether or not job switching key 605 is on. YE
If S, the LED 612 is determined in step S302.
Is turned on, and a screen shown in FIG. 10 for setting the second job is displayed on the main panel in step S303. In step S304, the mode of the second job is input.

On the other hand, if “NO” in the step S301, the LED 611 is turned on in a step S305,
In step S306, a first job setting screen shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the main panel 607. Step S30
At 7, the mode of the first job is input.

In step S308, it is determined whether the print key 602 is on or not.
At 309, the print flag Fp is set to "1". In step S310, continuous setting of the second job (the content will be described later) is performed.

In step S311, a warning mode process for outputting a warning sound or the like is performed. In step S312, after processing such as another input is performed, the process returns to the main routine.

FIG. 15 shows the second step S304 in FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of a job mode input process.

Referring to the figure, the user inputs the number of copies under the display shown in FIG. 10 in step S320, and similarly inputs the number of originals in step S321.

The upper limits of the number of copies and the number of documents input here are set based on the number of copies and the number of documents to be processed in the first job. The upper limit is indicated by a “second job settable area” at the bottom of the display section B shown in FIG.
Will be displayed as The second job settable area changes depending on the sorter mode and the copy mode. Every time the mode is switched, the second job possible area is recalculated and displayed on the display section B. In sorter mode, the user
(1) Selection of a sort mode and a group mode, and (2) selection of a bin priority mode and a number priority mode.

As the copy mode, the user can select one-sided → one-sided copy mode, two-sided → single-sided copy mode, and one-sided →
One of the two-sided copy mode can be selected.

The group mode is a mode in which copy sheets are sorted into bins for each document. When copying is performed for a number of sheets a and a number of sheets b, b bins as shown in FIG. Is used, and a copy sheet is stocked in each bin.

The sort mode is a mode in which the same copy sheet is sorted for each bin. When copying is performed for a number of sheets a and a number of documents b, a number of bins as shown in FIG. Is used, and b copy sheets are stocked in each bin.

The bin priority mode is a mode in which the bin used in the first job is also used in the second job.
The number-of-sheets priority mode is used to save bins used in the first job to the second
This mode is not used for jobs. That is, in the bin priority mode, as shown in FIG. 19, the sheet J2 of the second job is overlaid on the sheet J1 of the first job on the sorter. In contrast, in the number priority mode, the sheet J2 of the second job and the sheet J1 of the first job are separated on the sorter as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 16, the allowable number of sheets that can be accommodated in one bin is m, the number of bins is n,
Assuming that the set number in the first job is a and the number of documents is b,
The settable area of the second job in the one-sided to one-sided copy mode is calculated as shown in Table 1.

[0115]

[Table 1]

Similarly, the settable area of the second job in the double-sided to single-sided copy mode is calculated as shown in Table 2.

[0117]

[Table 2]

The settable area of the second job in the single-sided to double-sided copy mode is calculated as shown in Table 3.

[0119]

[Table 3]

Specifically, the allowable number of sorters is 50 [sheets /
Bin] and the number of sorters is 20 [bins], the first job has a set number of 5 [sheets] and a document number of 8
The settable area of the second job after the copying of [sheets] is performed is shown below.

Table 4 shows that in the case of the one-sided → one-sided copy mode,
Table 5 shows the case of the double-sided to single-sided copy mode, and Table 6 shows the case of the single-sided to double-sided copy mode.

[0122]

[Table 4]

[0123]

[Table 5]

[0124]

[Table 6]

Returning to FIG. 15, in step S322, FIG.
When the mode key of the display section A of 0 is turned on, the display of FIG. 11C is performed in step S323. When the mode selection of FIG. 11C is performed in step 324, the settable area of the second job is recalculated in step S325 by the calculation methods shown in Tables 1 to 3. The screen B of FIG. 10 is displayed in step S326, and the value after the settable area of the second job has been calculated is displayed in the lower part of the display unit B.

If the sorter mode key on the display section A in FIG. 10 is turned on in step S327, the process proceeds to step S327.
At 328, the display of FIG. 11 (G) is performed.

When the sorter mode selection of FIG. 11G is performed in step S329, the settable area of the second job is calculated in step S330 according to the calculation methods shown in Tables 1 to 3, and in step S331, the settable area is calculated. 10
Returning to the display of (B), the value calculated as the possible area of the second job is displayed.

Other processing is performed in step S332, and the process returns to the panel input routine. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the processing in the subroutine of the warning mode in step S311 of FIG.

In this routine, if there is no input of the setting of the second job for a certain period of time after the original of the second job is set, a warning sound or a message is output to prompt the user to input the setting of the second job. This is a routine for performing processing for resetting when paper is removed in the middle.

In step S340, when the second job set detection sensor SE1 shown in FIG. 7 is detected from off to on, the job timer TMJ is started in step S341.

If it is determined in step S340 that the state from off to on is not detected, it is determined in step S342 whether the second job set detection sensor SE1 has been detected from on to off. If “YES” in the step S342, the job timer TMJ is reset in a step S343, and the process returns to the panel input routine. The process in step 342 is
This processing corresponds to the case where the paper of the second job is removed in the middle.

After the processing in step S341, in step S344, the job timer is set for a certain time (for example, 10 minutes).
0 seconds), when it is determined that the time has not elapsed (Y in S344)
ES) returns directly to the panel input routine. If it is determined in step S344 that the job timer has exceeded the predetermined time, it is determined in step S345 whether a second job has been input. YE in step S345
If S, the process directly returns to the panel input routine. If “NO” in the step S345, a warning message shown in FIG. 22 is output to the display unit B and a warning sound is output at the same time in a step S346. Thereafter, the processing is shifted to the panel input routine.

FIG. 23 is a view showing the second step S310 in FIG.
9 is a flowchart illustrating processing in a subroutine for continuous setting of jobs.

Referring to the figure, it is determined whether or not job continuation key 606 has been pressed in step S350. If YES in step S350, whether the flag F ₁₀ jobs continuous key 606 is "1" determination is made in step S351.

[0135] If YES in step S351, the flag F ₁₀ in step S352 is "0", if NO, the flag F ₁₀ in step S353 is set to "1".

[0136] whether the flag F ₁₀ in step S354 is "1" is determined, step S35 if YES
5, the continuous mode display LED 613 is turned on, and if NO, the individual mode display LED 614 is determined in step S356.
Lights up.

[0137] flag F ₁₀ in step S357 it is determined whether or not "1", if YES, the step S3
At 58, continuous mode processing is performed. Specifically, the setting contents such as the number of copies and the number of documents set in the first job are copied to the contents of the second job. By then the first job staple flag F ₁₁ to set whether or not to perform stapling at the first job in step S359 and "0", prohibiting stapling operation of the first job (post-treatment).

By the processing in step S359, the stapling processing at the end of the first job is forcibly disabled. The stapling operation after the end of the second job can be performed in the mode set in the first job.

[0139] If on the other hand the flag F ₁₀ in step S357 is "0", in order to perform the processing of the first job and the second job individually, the processing is not performed in step S358 and S359, the process returns to the main routine .

If NO in step S350,
The processing from step S357 is performed.

According to the processing shown in FIG. 23, when the continuous job mode is set by the job continuous key 606, the user can set a document group following the document group of the first job as the second job. . After the copy processing of the first job is completed, the post-processing (stapling operation) of the copied paper is not performed until the copy processing of the second job is completed. As a result, continuous processing can be performed in the first job and the second job, so that the usability of the apparatus is improved.

When the continuous mode is set, the user sets originals which are continuous in the first job and the second job, which is specifically performed as shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 24, in a copying machine employing the last page system of (A), the user sets the rear half of the original document continuous to the first job in order from the top. The first half of originals that are continuous in the second job are set in order from the top. Specifically, the continuous manuscript is
To 100, the originals of pages 1 to 50 are set in the second job in order from the top,
The originals of pages 51 to 100 are set in the job in order from the top. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5A, after the copy sheets of 1 to 100 pages are placed on each bin in order from the top, post-processing such as stapling is performed.

On the other hand, in a copying machine adopting the first page system, as shown in FIG. 24B, the user sets the first half of the continuous original document group in the first job in order from the top, and the second half. The parts are set in the second job in order from the top. Specifically, when the document group is composed of 1 to 100 pages, documents of 1 to 50 pages are set in the first job in order from the top, and 51 pages are set in the second job in order of the top. An original of 100 pages to 100 pages is set.

In this case as well, the sorter is similarly shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), post-processing such as stapling is performed after an original of 1 to 100 pages is output to each bin in order from the top.

As described above, the manner of placing a document differs depending on whether the last page system or the first page system is used, but the control can be similarly performed using either system.

[Regarding the operation of the ADF] FIG.
5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG.

Referring to the figure, in step S401, it is determined whether or not a print operation is being performed based on whether or not print flag Fp is "1". If NO, the process here is terminated.

When YES is determined in the step S401,
In step S402, it is determined whether or not a document placed manually is present by determining whether a document detection sensor SE set inside the copying machine (not shown) is on. This is to prevent the operation of the ADF from being performed if there is a manually placed document. If YES, the process here ends.

If "NO" in the step S402, it is determined whether or not the ADF opening / closing sensor SE100 is "0" in a step S403. If “YES” in the step S403, it is determined in the step S404 whether or not the original is present in the first tray paper feeding unit based on whether or not the paper empty sensor SE3 is “1”.

[0151] Reset to if YES the second tray driving timer t ₁ at step S405 "0" at step S404. Thereafter, in step S406, the ADF sheet feeding operation is started, and the process returns to the main flow.

If NO in step S404, the ADF paper feed operation routine is entered in step S407, and the operation is stopped for a certain period of time.

At step S408, sensor SE1 is "1".
, It is determined whether or not documents are stacked on the second tray. If the originals are stacked on the second tray, SE1 becomes "1", and the processing shifts to the processing of the second job. The sensor SE1 is arranged on the second tray and moves at the same time as the second tray. As a result, it is possible to detect, for example, when the user removes the original on the second tray while the tray is being moved. Also, a plurality of sensors may be provided so that the presence of the document can be detected regardless of the position of the second document.

If “YES” in the step S408, the end of the first job is determined in a step S409. The end of the first job is any one of the following four points (1) to (4). The post-processing operation of the first job is selected by selecting any one of (1), (2) and (4) as the end time from the four types of end determinations described in (1) to (4). Since the movement of the second tray starts during the process, the productivity is improved.

(1) When the document on the first tray of the ADF is empty (2) When the copy sheet of the first job is discharged from the copying machine main body (3) Post-processing of the copy sheet such as staples Completely completed (4) Timing set so that the copy paper of the second job is discharged to the bin immediately after the post-processing of the first job is completed Ease of processing at the time of paper jam (paper jam) Depending on the purpose of improving the system configuration or the productivity, the most preferable one of the above points (1) to (4) is set as the first point.
It can be set as the end of the job.

If “NO” in the step S409, the process is terminated, and if “YES”, in a step S410, since the sensor SE3 is “1”, it is determined whether or not there is a document in the ADF paper feed port. After the end of the first job, if there is an interrupted document before the second job set, the sensor SE3 becomes "1", and the process returns to the main flow to prioritize the interrupted document. If there is no document, the second tray is moved in the direction of the paper feed port in step S411.

Next, if the originals of the first job and the second job are both ejected to the same ejection tray, the two original groups are mixed. Therefore, the ejection tray is shifted by the shift block. The operation for sorting the document group is started.

Specifically, in step S420, when the start of the movement of the second tray is detected, the flow advances to step S42.
In 1, the sheet ejection tray is shifted by the shift block, the original ejected in the first job is moved, and the original is shifted from the original ejection position in the second job to be performed.

Next, in step S412, the second tray movement timer t ₁ reset when the document of the first job becomes empty on the first tray in step S405.
Is "0".

[0160] If YES, the in step S413, the jam processing detection time A is assigned to the timer t _1, if NO, the assignment is not performed.

Each time the one-cycle routine is executed, 1 is subtracted from the timer t ₁ to which A has been assigned in step S414, and the value obtained by the subtraction is assigned to the timer value t ₁ .

The jam processing detection time A is an arbitrary time margin between the time when the second tray on which the original is set starts moving and the time when it is set in the ADF paper feed unit. This is an added value, and is set by a set value corresponding to the document size detected by the document size detection unit. If the second tray continues to move for a time exceeding the value A, it is determined that a trouble has occurred in step S417 described below.

In step S415, the size of the document is detected. In step S417, a process is performed when the original of the second job is not properly moved. The details will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S419, a process of shifting the setting of the second job to the first job is performed. This processing will also be described later.

If NO in step S408, the second
This is the case where there is no document on the tray, and processing corresponding to paper empty is performed in step S418.
This processing will also be described later.

If “NO” in the step S403, an ADF opening / closing corresponding routine is executed in a step S416.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the specific processing of the ADF opening / closing routine (S416) of FIG.

This processing is for prohibiting the movement of the tray of the second job when the ADF is opened during the job processing. Specifically, step S416
In step 01, the print flag Fp is set to "0", and in step S41602, the movement of the second tray is stopped, and the process returns to the main flow.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a specific process in the second document movement failure handling routine (S417) of FIG.

This process is for coping with the occurrence of an abnormality while the original of the second job is moving.

Referring to the figure, steps S412, S
The second tray movement time timer t _1, which has been counted down in steps 413 and S414, is determined in step S4170.
At 1, it is determined whether or not it is "0".

If YES in step S41701, print flag Fp is set to "0" in step S41702. Next, in step S41703, the movement of the second tray is stopped.

If NO in step S41701, the process returns to the main routine. When these troubles are detected, step S7 shown in FIG.
A warning message is output on the panel.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the specific contents of the routine (S419) for shifting the second job setting to the first job in FIG.

This processing is for setting the contents of the second job as the first job. In step S41901, it is determined whether the second job key is ON.

If YES in step S41901,
When the second job is processed, step S41902
In step 2, the settings of the second job are copied to the settings of the first job.

On the other hand, if NO in step S41901, the process shifts to step S7 in FIG. 13 to perform a warning process urging the setting of the second job in a warning routine.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing specific processing in the paper empty handling routine (S418) of FIG.

This process is a process in the second job at the time of paper empty. Referring to the figure, when sensor SE3 of the first tray is set to "0" and it is detected that there is no more document (NO in S404), sensor S2 of the second tray is detected.
If E1 is “0” (NO in S408), the setting of the second job is canceled (cleared) in step S41801.

Thus, the setting of the second job and the re-setting of the original can be performed until the original on the first tray becomes empty. If the user removes the original set in the second job while moving the second tray, it is determined in step S41802 whether or not the second tray home position detection sensor SE9 is "1". In step S41803, the second
Move the tray to the home position.

If it returns to the home position (S
(YES in 41801), the second tray is stopped in step S41804, and the print flag Fp is set to “0” in step S41805.

After the second tray is moved to the paper feeding section in the second job, the second tray stays there until the end of the second job and stops there.
Return to home position after job is over.

When the continuous multi-job is executed (when the third job or more is executed), after the pre-feed paper empty sensor SE3 becomes "1",
It is necessary to perform control so that the second tray returns to the home position after a predetermined time.

[Regarding Post-Processing Operation] FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the processing performed in the post-processing operation (S6) of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 30, in step S601, it is determined whether or not print flag Fp is "1". If YES, the sorter is controlled in step S602.

In step S603, it is determined whether the first job has been completed. If YES, step S6
At 04, a stapling process is performed. At this time,
If the first job staple flag F ₁₁ is "0" first
No stapling is performed in the job.

The end of the first job is determined in the same manner as in step S409 in FIG.

If the answer is NO in step S601 or NO in S603, the processing here ends.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the processing in the stapler control routine (S604) of FIG.

In the copying machine according to the present embodiment, when the copy sheets of the first job and the second job are discharged to the same bin, the copy width of the original of the first job is smaller than the copy width of the original of the second job. It is characterized in that matching and stapling are performed only when the size is small.

Referring to the figure, it is determined in step S605 whether or not the job is the first job. If YES, the matching unit performs matching in step S606.
Whether the first job is completed in step S607, it is determined, stapled only when the staple flag F ₁₁ is other than "0" in the first job in step S608 if YES is performed, wherein Is completed.
If “NO” in the step S607, the process is ended here.

If NO in step S605,
In step S609, it is determined whether the width a of the copy sheet of the first job is smaller than the width b of the copy sheet of the second job. If YES, matching processing is performed in step S610, and it is determined in step S610a whether the second job has been completed.

If YES in step S610a, stapling processing is performed in step S611, and the processing ends.

If NO in step S610a, the process is terminated here. NO in step S609
If so, in step S610b, it is determined whether or not the staple mode has been selected. If so, the staple mode is canceled in step S610c, and the processing here ends.

The reason for performing the alignment and stapling process only when the copy width of the copy sheet in the second job is larger than the width of the copy sheet in the first job is as follows.

Referring to FIG. 32, when the copy sheet J2 of the second job is larger than the copy sheet J1 of the first job, when the copy sheet is pushed out by the pushing section 509, the stapler 520 pushes the copy sheet. Only the paper J2 of two jobs can be stapled.

After the stapling process shown in FIG. 32, the aligning unit 508 can align the sheets of the first job and the second job as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 33, the original of the second job is stapled at position ST.

In this embodiment, the aligning process and the stapling process are performed when the sheet of the second job is larger than the sheet of the first job. However, the sheet size of the second job is changed to the sheet size of the first job. At this time, the matching process may be performed. In this case the first
This is because when the sheet size of the job and the sheet size of the second job are the same, both cannot be stapled individually on the same tray, but only the alignment process can be performed on the same tray.

The advantages of the copying machine according to the present embodiment are as follows (1) to (3).

(1) When the width of the copy paper in the second job is equal to or larger than the width of the copy paper in the first job, even if the copy paper in the first job is stacked on the discharge tray, the same tray is used. It is possible to perform post-processing such as alignment and stapling of copy sheets of the second job.

(2) To perform copy processing exceeding the number of sheets that can be stacked on the tray of the ADF,
By dividing and stacking the original into the first job and the second job, continuous processing of the first job and the second job can be performed.

(3) Since the inputtable area of the second job is displayed on the panel based on the setting of the first job,
It is possible to prevent troubles due to inadequate input in the second job.

[0204] The input enabled area may be indicated by voice or the like. Further, in order to restrict the setting of the copy operation mode for the second job in accordance with the copy operation mode executed in the first job, for example, a sort operation was performed using all the bins of the sorter in the first job. In this case, the sorting operation may not be set in the second job.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a copying machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a sorter 400 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the finisher unit 500 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an extrusion unit 509 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of the stapler 520.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a mechanism for driving a stapler 520.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the ADF 160 of FIG.

8 is a diagram illustrating a driving mechanism of a document moving tray 161 in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the operation panel section 600.

FIG. 10 shows a second example displayed on the main panel 607 of FIG.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a job setting screen.

11 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed when an input is performed from the state of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a circuit for controlling the operation panel unit 600.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a main routine of the copying machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a process of a panel input routine (S3) of FIG.

FIG. 15 shows a second job mode input routine (S in FIG. 14);
It is a flowchart which shows the process in 304).

FIG. 16 is a view for explaining a sorter of the copying machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a state in which copying is performed for the set number a and the number of documents b in the group mode.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a state in which a copy of a number a and a number of documents b is performed in a sort mode.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a state after processing of a first job and a second job is performed in the bin priority mode.

FIG. 20 illustrates a first job and a second job in the number priority mode.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state after a job is copied.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a process in a warning mode routine (S311) of FIG.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a specific example of a warning message displayed in step S346 of FIG.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating the continuous setting of the second job in FIG. 14 (S310).
6 is a flowchart showing the process in step S1.

FIG. 24 illustrates a case where continuous job setting is performed.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of loading a document on an ADF.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the ADF.

26 is an ADF opening / closing routine of FIG. 25 (S41);
It is a flowchart which shows the process in 6).

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing processing in a second job document movement failure handling routine (S417) of FIG. 25;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing processing in a routine for shifting the second job setting to the first job (S419) in FIG. 25;

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing processing in a paper empty handling routine (S418) of FIG. 25;

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing processing in a post-processing operation routine (S6) of FIG.

FIG. 31 shows a stapler control routine of FIG. 30 (S60);
It is a flowchart which shows the process in 4).

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a specific example of the processing performed in the flowchart of FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a view for explaining processing performed after the processing in FIG. 32;

[Explanation of symbols]

 160 ADF 161 Moving tray 400 Sorter 402 Bin 500 Finisher section 508 Alignment section 509 Extruding section 520 Stapler

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-7-303163 (JP, A) JP-A-4-26971 (JP, A) JP-A-4-277163 (JP, A) JP-A-4-306669 (JP) (A) JP-A-61-140957 (JP, A) JP-A-3-73938 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65H 37/04 G03G 15/00 534 G03G 21/00 370 B65H 39/11

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A stacking unit having a surface on which a plurality of sheets can be stacked; a first discharging unit configured to discharge a sheet group of a first job on the surface; A second sheet discharging unit that discharges a sheet group of a second job onto a sheet group of one job, a determining unit that determines continuity of the first and second jobs, and a determination result of the determining unit And a post-processing means for performing post-processing performed on the sheet group of the first job at the time when the discharge of the sheet group of the second job is completed, based on the above.