JP3892453B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

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

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

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

  However, in the above-described image forming apparatus that moves the tray, it takes time to move the target tray to the recording paper discharge position, so the user may not want to move the tray.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus that performs switching of a discharge tray to meet the needs of a user.

  An image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is provided with a plurality of trays as recording paper discharge locations, and the recording paper is discharged to a target tray by moving the tray, and the image is recorded on the recording paper. An image forming unit to be formed, a selecting unit for selecting a tray for discharging the recording paper on which an image is formed by the image forming unit, and the tray selected by the selecting unit is moved to a recording paper discharging position of the apparatus main body. A copy unit value acquisition unit for acquiring a copy value of a recording sheet to be discharged in an image forming job before discharging the recording sheet, and a copy number in which the copy value acquired by the copy value acquisition unit is set in advance In the following cases, the apparatus includes control means for controlling the moving means so as not to move the tray.

  According to this configuration, since the tray is not moved by the control unit when the total number of copies of the recording paper acquired by the copy number acquisition unit is equal to or less than the preset number of copies, the preset number of copies is set. When a relatively small number of copies equal to or less than the numerical value is discharged, the tray is not moved, and it is possible to avoid a situation where the tray moving time is too long in the entire discharging time, and to provide a highly convenient image forming apparatus. it can.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit interrupts during execution of another image forming job, and records the image with priority over the other image forming job. If the copy value acquired by the copy value acquisition unit is less than or equal to the preset copy value for an image forming job for discharging paper, the moving unit is set so as not to move the tray. It is something to control.

  According to this configuration, the tray is moved by the control means when the total number of copies of the recording paper of the image forming job interrupted during execution of another image forming job is equal to or less than the preset number of copies. Therefore, when a relatively small number of copies equal to or less than a preset number is discharged, the tray is not moved, avoiding the situation that the tray moving time is too long during the entire discharging time, and is highly convenient. An image forming apparatus can be provided.

  An image forming apparatus according to a third aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the total number value of the recording sheets discharged in the image forming job is acquired before the recording sheet is discharged. And further comprising an acquiring means, wherein the control means, when the total number value acquired by the total number value acquiring means is less than or equal to a preset number value, the copy number acquired by the copy number acquisition means. Even when there is more than the preset value, the moving means is controlled so as not to move the tray.

  According to this configuration, since the tray is not moved by the control unit when the total number of ejected sheets of recording paper acquired by the number acquisition unit is equal to or less than the preset number of sheets, the preset number of sheets is not changed. When discharging a relatively small number of sheets equal to or less than the numerical value, the tray is not moved, and it is possible to avoid a situation where the tray moving time is too long in the entire discharging time, and to provide a highly convenient image forming apparatus. it can.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising a plurality of trays as recording paper discharge locations, and discharging the recording paper to a target tray by moving the tray, wherein the image is recorded on the recording paper. An image forming unit to be formed, a selecting unit for selecting a tray for discharging the recording paper on which an image is formed by the image forming unit, and the tray selected by the selecting unit is moved to a recording paper discharging position of the apparatus main body. The total number value acquired by the moving means, the total number of sheets of recording paper to be discharged in the image forming job before the recording paper is discharged, and the total number of values acquired by the total number of values acquisition means are preset. And a control means for controlling the moving means so as not to move the tray when the value is equal to or less than the set number of sheets.

  According to this configuration, since the tray is not moved by the control unit when the total number of discharged recording sheets acquired by the number acquiring unit is equal to or less than a preset relatively small number of sheets, the total discharge is not performed. It is possible to avoid a situation in which the proportion of the tray movement time in the time increases, and to provide a highly convenient image forming apparatus.

  An image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein a start time calculating means for calculating a time until the discharge of the recording paper in the image forming job is started. And a moving time calculating means for calculating a time for moving the selected tray to the recording paper discharge position, and the control means calculates the moving time calculated by the moving time calculating means as Regardless of the preceding item, the moving means is controlled to move the selected tray to the recording paper discharge position when it is shorter than the time until the discharge starts calculated by the start time calculating means. It is.

  According to this configuration, when the time calculated by the movement time calculation unit is shorter than the time calculated by the discharge time calculation unit until the recording paper discharge starts, Regardless of the number of discharged sheets, the selected tray is moved to the recording paper discharge position, so that the time when the recording paper is discharged by the invention according to claims 1 to 4 is not accelerated. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation where only the switching is not performed, and to change to a desired tray without changing the timing when the discharge of the recording paper is started as compared with the case where the inventions according to claims 1 to 4 are implemented. Since the recording paper is discharged, a highly convenient image forming apparatus can be provided.

  An image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the image forming job currently being executed, the image forming job to be executed next thereto, and these When there is one or more standby jobs to be executed after the end of two jobs, the tray further includes a tray determination unit that determines which tray to discharge the recording paper in the standby job. In consideration of the tray discriminated by the tray discriminating means, it is determined whether or not to move the tray for the next job.

  According to this configuration, it is determined whether to move the tray of the next job in consideration of which discharge tray is for each waiting job. The tray can be moved to meet your needs.

  An image forming apparatus according to a seventh aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the control unit is controlled not to move the tray by the control unit. However, if the time for moving the selected tray to the recording paper discharge position is between the recording paper discharges, the moving means is controlled to move the tray at this time. is there.

  According to this configuration, when there is a sufficient time between discharges of the recording paper, the tray is moved at this time. Therefore, in any one of claims 1 to 6, even when the tray cannot be moved, The tray can be moved so as not to affect the recording paper discharge time.

  An image forming apparatus according to an eighth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the number of occurrences of image forming jobs in the image forming apparatus in a preset time zone is counted. A frequency calculating unit that calculates an occurrence frequency of the image forming job; and the control unit, when the occurrence frequency of the current time period calculated by the frequency calculating unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined frequency, Regardless of the preceding item, the moving means is controlled to move the selected tray to the recording paper discharge position.

  According to this configuration, since the recording paper is always discharged to a desired tray in a time zone where the frequency of occurrence of jobs is high, the recording paper of a plurality of jobs is discharged to the same tray one after another, or the trays are connected to the recording paper. It is possible to prevent the recording sheets of a plurality of jobs from being discharged one after another in a state where they are not positioned at the discharging position, and to prevent the discharged recording sheets from becoming complicated.

  An image forming apparatus according to a ninth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects or the fifth aspect, wherein the image in the image forming apparatus is set in a preset time zone. The apparatus further comprises a frequency calculation means for calculating the occurrence frequency of the image formation job by counting the number of occurrences of the formation job, and the control means is responsive to the occurrence frequency of the current time period calculated by the frequency calculation means, The preset value is set.

  According to this configuration, by setting a smaller value for the preset copy value in a time zone where the frequency of occurrence of jobs is high, more job recording sheets are discharged to a desired tray. Further, the recording paper of a plurality of jobs is discharged to the same tray one after another, or the recording paper of a plurality of jobs is discharged one after another in a state where the tray is not positioned at the recording paper discharge position. Furthermore, according to this configuration, the recording sheets for a plurality of jobs are discharged one after another to the same tray, or the recording sheets for a plurality of jobs are discharged one after another in a state where the tray is not positioned at the recording sheet discharge position. This can occur only for a job with a smaller number of ejected copies, so that the ejected recording paper can be prevented from becoming complicated.

  An image forming apparatus according to a tenth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the third to seventh aspects, wherein the number of occurrences of image forming jobs in the image forming apparatus in a preset time zone is counted. A frequency calculating unit that calculates an occurrence frequency of the image forming job; and the control unit sets the preset number of sheets according to the occurrence frequency of the current time period calculated by the frequency calculating unit. To do.

  According to this configuration, by setting a smaller value to the preset number of sheets in a time zone where the frequency of occurrence of jobs is high, a larger number of job recording sheets are discharged to a desired tray. Further, the recording paper of a plurality of jobs is discharged to the same tray one after another, or the recording paper of a plurality of jobs is discharged one after another in a state where the tray is not positioned at the recording paper discharge position. Furthermore, according to this configuration, the recording sheets for a plurality of jobs are discharged one after another to the same tray, or the recording sheets for a plurality of jobs are discharged one after another in a state where the tray is not positioned at the recording sheet discharge position. This can occur only for jobs with a smaller number of discharged sheets, so that the discharged recording paper can be prevented from becoming complicated.

  According to the first or second aspect of the invention, the tray is not moved by the control means when the total discharge number of the recording paper obtained by the number of copies obtaining means is equal to or less than the preset number of copies. Therefore, when a relatively small number of copies equal to or less than a preset number of copies is discharged, the tray is not moved, avoiding a situation where the tray moving time is too long during the entire discharging time, and a highly convenient image. A forming apparatus can be provided.

  According to the invention described in claim 3 or 4, when the total number of discharged sheets of recording paper obtained by the number obtaining means is equal to or less than a preset number of sheets, the tray is not moved by the control means. Therefore, when a relatively small number of sheets equal to or less than a preset number of sheets is discharged, the tray is not moved, avoiding a situation where the tray moving time is too long during the entire discharging time, and a highly convenient image. A forming apparatus can be provided.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the time calculated by the moving time calculating unit is shorter than the time calculated by the discharging time calculating unit until the discharge of the recording paper is started, Since the selected tray is moved to the recording paper discharge position regardless of the total number of discharged copies or the total number of discharged sheets, the time when the recording paper is discharged is accelerated by implementing the invention according to claims 1 to 4. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation where only tray switching is not performed and to provide a highly convenient image forming apparatus.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, since it is determined whether or not to move the tray of the next job in consideration of the discharge tray for each waiting job, it is less wasteful. In addition, the tray can be moved to meet the needs of the user.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when there is sufficient time between recording sheets, the tray is moved at this time. Therefore, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the tray cannot be moved. In addition, the tray can be moved so as not to affect the recording paper discharge time.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the recording paper is always discharged to a desired tray in a time zone where the frequency of occurrence of jobs is high, the recording papers of a plurality of jobs are discharged to the same tray one after another. Further, it is possible to prevent the recording sheets of a plurality of jobs from being discharged one after another in a state where the tray is not positioned at the recording sheet discharge position, and to prevent the discharged recording sheets from becoming complicated.

  According to the invention described in claim 9, by setting a smaller value to the preset copy value in a time zone where the frequency of job occurrence is high, more job recording sheets are discharged to a desired tray. Is done. Further, the recording paper of a plurality of jobs is discharged to the same tray one after another, or the recording paper of a plurality of jobs is discharged one after another in a state where the tray is not positioned at the recording paper discharge position. Furthermore, according to this configuration, the recording sheets for a plurality of jobs are discharged one after another to the same tray, or the recording sheets for a plurality of jobs are discharged one after another in a state where the tray is not positioned at the recording sheet discharge position. This can occur only for a job with a smaller number of ejected copies, so that the ejected recording paper can be prevented from becoming complicated.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in a time zone where the frequency of job occurrence is high, a smaller value is set for the preset number of sheets, so that more sheets of recording paper are discharged to a desired tray. Is done. Further, the recording paper of a plurality of jobs is discharged to the same tray one after another, or the recording paper of a plurality of jobs is discharged one after another in a state where the tray is not positioned at the recording paper discharge position. Furthermore, according to this configuration, the recording sheets for a plurality of jobs are discharged one after another to the same tray, or the recording sheets for a plurality of jobs are discharged one after another in a state where the tray is not positioned at the recording sheet discharge position. This can occur only for jobs with a smaller number of discharged sheets, so that the discharged recording paper can be prevented from becoming complicated.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram mainly showing a functional configuration of the multifunction machine 1 according to the present invention. Here, the functional configuration of the multi function device 1 will be described, particularly limited to the copying function and the printer function. The multifunction device 1 includes an operation unit 11, a document reading unit 4, an image storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, an image forming unit 200, a bin unit 6, and a control unit 10. The operation unit 11 is used by an operator to input an instruction to the multifunction device 1 and is a user interface of the multifunction device 1. The operation unit 11 is used for inputting the number of copies and a copy start instruction, particularly in the present invention. Here, the number of copies is a number indicating how many copies of the same copy are made, and is input using a numeric keypad provided in the operation unit. The copy start instruction is an instruction to start copying, and is input by pressing a start key provided in the operation unit.

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

  The control unit 10 is for controlling the entire multifunction device 1, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing a program executed by the CPU, and a work of a program executed by the CPU. It consists of RAM (Random Access Memory) used for areas and the like. The control unit 10 includes a copy number storage unit 101, a copy control unit 102, a printer control unit 103, a job management unit 104, a print control unit 105, a bin lifting control unit 106, a recording paper discharge start time calculation unit 107, and a bin movement time calculation. Unit 108, bin movement reference number storage unit 109, bin movement reference number storage unit 110, bin movement reference time storage unit 111, time zone definition storage unit 112, date and time counter unit 113, job counter unit 114, job frequency calculation unit 115, A job frequency storage unit 116 and a bin movement reference product time unit 117 are provided.

  The copy number storage unit 101 stores the number of copies input to the operation unit 11. When the operation unit 11 receives an input of the number of copies, the operation unit 11 writes the number of copies in the copy number storage unit 101.

  The copy control unit 102 controls a copy function in the multifunction machine 1. When the operation unit 11 receives an input of a copy start instruction, the operation unit 11 transmits the copy start instruction to the copy control unit 102. When receiving a copy start instruction, the copy control unit 102 instructs the document reading unit 4 to read the document. When the document reading unit 4 receives a document reading instruction from the copy control unit 102, the document reading unit 4 reads the document and writes the image data in the image storage unit 12. When the document reading unit 4 reads the document, the document reading unit 4 transmits the address (image data address) in the image storage unit 12 where the image data of the read image is stored and the number of pages of the read image to the copy control unit 102. . Upon receiving the image data address and the number of pages, the copy control unit 102 reads the number of copies from the copy number storage unit 101 and, as (copy) job data, indicates that a copy job has occurred, the image data address, the number of pages, and the number of copies. (Number of copies) is transmitted to the job management unit 104. At substantially the same time, the copy control unit 102 transmits a recording paper discharge start time calculation instruction, the number of pages, and the number of copies to the recording paper discharge start time calculation unit 107. At substantially the same time, the copy control unit 102 transmits a bin movement time calculation instruction to the bin movement time calculation unit 108.

  The printer control unit 103 controls a printer function in the multifunction machine 1. The printer control unit 103 receives, from the communication unit 13, print job data related to a print request received from a PC or the like connected to a communication line. The print job data includes at least an address (image data address) in the image storage unit 12 in which image data of the print job is stored, the number of image pages, the number of output copies, and the bin number of the sort bin for discharging the recording paper. It is. When receiving the print job data, the printer control unit 103 transmits, as (print) job data, the fact that the print job has occurred, the image data address, the number of pages, the number of output copies, and the discharge bin number to the job management unit 104. To do. The discharge bin numbers are, for example, 1 to 4 in order from the top of the sort bin 622.

  The job management unit 104 stores the job management table shown in FIG. 3 and writes job data as a new row in the job management table when job data is received from the printer control unit 103 and the copy control unit 102. The job type column 51 of the job management table stores an identifier indicating whether the job in the row is a printer job or a copy job. The image data address 52 stores the head address of the image storage unit 12 in which the image data of the job in the row is stored. The page number column 53 stores the total number of pages of the job image (one copy) in the row. The output number column 54 stores the number of output images (the number of copies) of the job in the row. The total output number column 55 stores the total number of discharged recording sheets for the job in the row. The number of copies column 561 of the output completed information column 56 stores the number of copies for which the job of the line has already been discharged. The number-of-sheets column 562 of the output completed information column 56 stores the number of sheets that have already been ejected among the currently ejected copies of the job in the row. That is, when “2” is entered in the number of copies column 561 of the output completed information column 56 and “7” is entered in the number of copies column 562 of the output completed information column 56, the two copies have already been completely ejected. Indicates that the seventh sheet has been discharged. The discharge bin number column 57 stores a number indicating a bin for discharging the recording paper of the job in the row.

  The job management unit 104 updates the output information 56 on the first line of the job management table every time it receives information from the print control unit 105 that one sheet of recording paper has been discharged. When the job management unit 104 receives from the printer control unit 103 that the print job has occurred, the image data address, the number of pages, the number of output copies, and the output bin number, the job management table shown in FIG. A new line is created after the current line (or the first line if there is no line already filled in), and the print job data is written. Specifically, the job type column 51 indicates that the job is a print job, the image data address column 52 receives the received image data address, the page number column 53 receives the received page number, and the output number column 54 receives it. In the number of output copies, total output number column 55, a value obtained by multiplying the number of pages in the page number column 53 and the number of output copies in the output number column 54 in the same row, the number of copies column 561 and the number of copies column 562 in the output information column 56 The initial value is “0”, and the received discharge bin number is written in the discharge bin number column 57.

  When the job management unit 104 receives from the copy control unit 102 that the copy job has occurred, the image data address, the number of pages, and the number of copies, the job management unit 104 newly creates the first row of the job management table shown in FIG. Write the data of this copy job. Specifically, the job type field 51 indicates that the job is a copy job, the image data address field 52 indicates the received image data address, the page number field 53 indicates the received page number, and the output number field 54 indicates the received copy. The number of copies, total output number column 55 is a value obtained by multiplying the number of pages in the page number column 53 of this line by the number of copies in the output number column 54, and the number of copies column 561 and the number of copies column 562 of the output information 56 are initial values. Write “0” for each. In the case of a copy job, nothing is written in the discharge bin number column 57. When the discharge bin number column 57 is blank, it indicates the output to the non-sort bin 623. When writing copy job data to the job management table, if the job management table is already filled with data (if there is already a row), the copy job data to be written is written to the first row and the existing data Shift the rows after in order.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the print control unit 105 controls printing (forming an image on a recording sheet). The print control unit 105 checks the job management table of the job management unit 104, and when a job (row) is described, transmits an instruction to form and discharge an image on a recording sheet to the image forming unit 200. . In response to this, the image forming unit 200 reads image data from the image storage unit 12 and performs image formation. Each time one page is printed, the print control unit 105 sends a message to that effect to the job management unit 104. In response to this, the job management unit 104 receives the job described in the first row of the job management table. The number of copies 561 and the number of copies 562 of the output completed information 56 are updated. In addition, the print control unit 105 acquires a discharge bin number from the job management unit 104 if the job is a printer job or a copy job and a printer job, and sends it to the bin lifting control unit 106. Instructs the movement of the bin by transmitting.

  When the recording paper discharge start time calculation unit 107 receives an instruction to calculate the recording paper discharge start time from the copy control unit 102, the recording paper discharge start time calculation unit 107 calculates the recording paper discharge start time and controls the calculated recording paper discharge start time to be moved up and down by the bin. To the unit 106. The recording paper discharge start time calculation unit 107, for example, the number of output copies, the number of pages, and the like, which are stored in the recording paper discharge start time calculation unit 107 in advance based on the number of output copies and the number of pages of an image to be printed The recording paper discharge start time is obtained by obtaining the recording paper discharge start time corresponding to the above conditions (number of output copies, number of pages) from the table showing the relationship. If the recording paper discharge start time can be obtained by a calculation formula, it may be calculated by calculation. The multifunction device 1 scans the original and discharges the recording paper. For example, the multifunction device 1 performs image processing for displaying an image clearly and has a 2-in-1 function (an image that displays two pages on one page). Function to synthesize). For this reason, usually, the recording paper discharge start time becomes longer as the number of pages increases.

  When the bin movement time calculation unit 108 receives the bin movement time calculation instruction from the copy control unit 102, the bin movement time calculation unit 108 calculates and calculates the time (bin movement time) required to move the non-sort bin to the recording paper discharge port. The bin moving time is transmitted to the bin lifting control unit 106. The bin movement time calculation unit 108 obtains the bin movement time from a table indicating the relationship between the current position of the non-sort bin and the bin movement time, which the bin movement time calculation unit 108 holds in advance based on the position of the non-sort bin before movement. To do.

  The bin movement reference number storage unit 109 is a predetermined reference value (upper limit) of the total number of ejected recording sheets when the recording sheet is ejected without moving the non-sort bin until the ejection of all the recording sheets is completed in the copying job. Value), for example, “10 sheets” is stored. This number may be set by the user using the operation unit 11.

  The bin movement reference number storage unit 110 is a predetermined reference value (upper limit) for the total number of copies of the recording paper when discharging the recording paper without moving the non-sort bin until the discharge of all the recording paper is completed in the copying job. Value), for example, “5 copies” is stored as the bin movement first reference number. Also, if the current job's output bin and the output bin of the second job are the same, the entire output of the recording paper when the non-sort bin is moved for the next copy job and the recording paper is discharged A predetermined reference value (lower limit) of the number of copies, for example, “10 copies” is stored as the bin movement second reference number. These numbers of copies may be set by the user using the operation unit 11.

  Whether the bin movement reference time storage unit 111 discharges the recording paper without moving the non-sort bin for the next copy job when the discharge bin of the current job and the discharge bin of the second job are the same. As a reference for determination, a predetermined reference value (upper limit value) of the movement time of the non-sort bins, for example, “5 seconds” is stored as the bin movement reference time. These numbers of copies may be set by the user using the operation unit 11.

  The time zone definition storage unit 112 stores a definition of how to delimit (predetermined) a time range (time zone) for obtaining an occurrence frequency (job occurrence frequency) of an image forming job generated in the multifunction device 1. It is. This is, for example, morning, afternoon, etc. (that is, Monday morning) for each day of the week. This definition may be defined by the user from the operation unit 11.

  The date and time counter unit 113 measures the date and time (including the day of the week).

  The job counter unit 114 receives the fact that a job has occurred from the copy control unit 102 or the printer control unit 103, and thereby receives the number of jobs in the time zone defined in the time zone definition storage unit 112 (that is, for example, Monday morning) The number of jobs that occurred during the process) is counted.

  The job frequency calculation unit 115 calculates the job occurrence frequency in the time zone defined in the time zone definition storage unit 112. The job frequency calculation unit 115 divides the number of jobs in the time zone defined in the time zone definition storage unit 112 counted by the job counter unit 114 by the time (length) of the time zone, thereby obtaining a unit time. The number of jobs per (for example, 1 hour) is calculated, and this is set as the job occurrence frequency. For this purpose, the past job occurrence frequency in the same time zone stored in the job frequency storage unit 116 to be described later is taken into account (for example, the average of the past job occurrence frequency and the job occurrence frequency calculated this time is taken). The job occurrence frequency may be calculated.

  The job frequency storage unit 116 stores the job occurrence frequency calculated by the job frequency calculation unit 115.

  The bin movement reference frequency storage unit 117 stores a reference value (bin movement reference frequency) for determining whether or not to move a desired bin to the recording paper discharge port based on the job occurrence frequency. The bin movement reference frequency may be set by the user using the operation unit 11.

  The bin raising / lowering control unit 106 controls the raising / lowering of the bin of the bin unit 6. The bin raising / lowering control unit 106 receives the discharge bin number of the job to be executed from the job management unit 104, so that the printing paper is always discharged to the designated sort bin for the print job. 605 is controlled. The bin lifting / lowering control unit 106 controls the movement of the bin as follows for a copy job. If the total number of copies of recording paper for the copy job is less than the first reference number of bin movement, and if the total number of discharged sheets is less than the reference number of bin movement, the bin is printed until all of the copy paper is discharged. Do not move. Regardless of this, if the movement of the bin is completed before the discharge of the recording paper is started, the non-sort bin is moved to the recording paper discharge port. However, regardless of this, it is positioned at the discharge tray of the next job of this copy job and the recording paper discharge port before the start of this copy job (the current print job does not interrupt the copy job). If the tray is the same, do not move the tray. Also in this case, if the bin movement time for this copy job is within the bin movement reference time, and if the total number of copies of the recording paper for this copy job is equal to or greater than the bin movement second reference number, the non-sort bin is selected. Move to the recording paper outlet. Further, when discharging a plurality of copies, the bins are moved if there is time to move the bin between discharges of the respective portions. In addition, when the job occurrence frequency in the current time period stored in the job frequency storage unit 116 is higher than the bin movement reference frequency stored in the bin movement reference frequency storage unit 117, the bin lifting control unit 100 The non-sort bin is always moved to the recording paper discharge port, and if it is low, the bin is moved according to the above control.

  In order to execute the bin lifting operation for the copy job, the bin lifting control unit 106 instructs the positioning of the non-sort bin from the print control unit 105, the recording paper discharge start time calculated by the recording paper discharge start time calculation unit 107, and bin movement. The bin moving time calculated by the time calculating unit 108, the bin moving reference number stored in the bin moving reference number storage unit 109, the bin moving first reference number and the bin moving second reference stored in the bin moving reference number storage unit 110 Based on the number of copies and the bin movement reference time stored in the bin movement reference time storage unit 111, it is determined whether or not to move the non-sort bin to the recording paper discharge port. Details of this control will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  4, 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the flow of bin lifting control when a copy job is executed in the multifunction machine 1 according to this embodiment. It is assumed that “1” is assigned to the initial value of the number “S” (S-th part) of the part to be printed. Steps S2 to S4 are processing for calculating the job occurrence frequency of the time zone definition including the current (current time). The calculation of the job occurrence frequency here is for bin raising / lowering control for a job received in the future (not a job processed in the flowchart). Steps S5 to S13 are processing for determining whether or not to move the bin. If the bin is moved, the process proceeds to step S15 through step S14. If the bin is not moved, the process proceeds to step S15 without passing through step S14. Steps S15 to S20 are processing for bin movement control during recording paper discharge.

  In step S1, the operation unit 11 checks whether or not it is accepted that the start key of the operation unit 11 has been pressed (NO in step S1), and if accepted (YES in step S1), copying. Assuming that a job has been received, the operation unit 11 transmits to the copy control unit 102 that a copy job has been received. At this time, when the operation unit 11 accepts that the copy number for the copy job is input to the operation unit 11, the operation unit 11 writes the copy number “Smax” in the copy number storage unit 101. The copy control unit 102 instructs the document reading unit 4 to read the image of the copy document when receiving a notification that the copy job has been received. In response to this, the document reading unit 4 reads an image from the copied document, and writes the image data of the read image in the image storage unit 12. The document reading unit 4 transmits the address of the image data written in the image storage unit 12, the number of documents, and the like to the copy control unit 102. The copy control unit 102 reads the number of copies from the copy number storage unit 101. The copy control unit 102 transmits the image data storage address, the number of originals, the number of copies, and the like as the data (job data) of the copy job to the job management unit 104. The job management unit 104 starts the first (first line) of the job management table. ) Is added to this (copy) job data, and the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, since the copy control unit 102 has accepted the job, the copy control unit 102 transmits a message to that effect to the job counter unit 114. In response to this, the job counter unit 114 acquires the current date and time (current time) from the date and time counter unit 113, checks the time zone definition storage unit 112, acquires the time zone definition including the current time, and the time zone. Is incremented by the job counter (held by the job counter unit 114). When the first job is received in the current time zone, “1” is substituted into the job counter. The job counter unit 114 similarly counts the occurrence of a print job using the same job counter. In step S3, the job counter unit 114 checks the date and time counter unit 113 and the time zone definition storage unit and detects that the time zone during which the job is counted has ended (YES in step S3). Proceed to step S4. In step S <b> 4, the job counter unit 114 transmits the value of the job counter to the job frequency calculation unit 115. When the job frequency calculation unit 115 receives the value of the job counter, the job frequency calculation unit 115 checks the time zone definition storage unit 112 and the date / time counter unit 113 to acquire the time zone definition for the received counter value, and the time zone The occurrence frequency of the job is calculated. For this purpose, for example, the value of the received job counter may be divided by the length of the time zone (for example, 5 hours) to calculate the number of jobs per unit time. The job frequency calculation unit 115 writes the calculated job frequency in the job frequency storage unit 116 together with the time zone definition.

  In the branch of step S3, if the time period during which the job is counted has not ended (NO in step S3), and if the process of step S4 ends, the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the bin lifting control unit 106 checks the time zone definition storage unit 112 and the date / time counter unit 113 to acquire a time zone definition including the current time, and stores the job occurrence frequency in that time zone as the job frequency. Read from unit 116. Also, the bin lifting control unit 106 acquires the bin movement reference frequency from the bin movement reference frequency storage unit 117 and compares it with the job occurrence frequency. If the job occurrence frequency is lower than the bin movement reference frequency (NO in step S5), the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S <b> 6, the copy control unit 102 instructs the recording paper discharge start time calculation unit 107 to calculate the time required to start recording paper discharge in the copy job. In response to this, the recording paper discharge start time calculation unit 107 calculates the time until the recording paper discharge starts, and transmits the result to the bin lifting control unit 106. In addition, the copy control unit 102 instructs the bin moving time calculation unit 108 to calculate the time required to move the non-sort bin 623 to the recording paper discharge port. After calculating the bin moving time, the bin moving time calculating unit 108 transmits the result to the bin lifting control unit 106. The bin raising / lowering control unit 106 compares both times, and when the discharge start time is shorter than the bin moving time (NO in step S6), the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, the bin lifting control unit 106 obtains the number of output copies of the job from the job management unit 104, reads the first reference number of bin movements from the bin movement reference number storage unit 110, compares them, and compares the number of output copies. Is greater than the bin movement first reference number (NO in step S7), the process proceeds to step S8. In step S <b> 8, the bin lifting control unit 106 obtains the number of ejected copies and the total number of the job from the job management unit 104 to calculate the total number of ejected sheets, and calculates the bin movement reference number from the bin movement reference number storage unit 109. Read and compare both. If the total number of discharged sheets is larger than the reference number of bin movement (NO in step S8) and if the bin movement time is equal to or shorter than the discharge start time in the branch of step S6 (YES in step S6), the process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S9, the bin lifting control unit 106 checks whether or not the next job is waiting (the job management table has two or more rows) by the job management unit 104, and if it is waiting (step S9). YES), the process proceeds to step S10. In step S10, the bin lifting control unit 106 determines whether the job management unit 104 interrupts the print job being executed by the current copy job (the number of output jobs or the number of output copies of the job in the second row of the job management table). Is not “0”), and if not interrupted (NO in step S10), the process proceeds to step S11. In step S11, the bin raising / lowering control unit 106 obtains the discharge bin number of the next job (the discharge bin number in the second row of the job management table) by the job management unit 104. It is checked whether or not the positioned discharge bin is the same, and if it is the same (YES in step S11), the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, the bin lifting control unit 106 reads the bin movement reference time from the bin movement reference time storage unit 111, compares this with the bin movement time calculated in step S6, and the bin movement time is the bin movement reference time. If it is below (NO in step S12), the process proceeds to step S13. In step S13, the bin lifting control unit 106 reads the bin movement second reference number from the bin movement reference number storage unit 110, and compares this with the number of discharge units acquired in step S7. When the number of discharged copies is equal to or greater than the second reference number of bin movement (YES in step S13), in the branch of step S5, when the job occurrence frequency is equal to or higher than the bin movement reference frequency (YES in step S5), If the next job is not waiting (NO in step S9), if the job is interrupted in the branch of step S10 (YES in step S10), the bin currently set in the branch of step S11 If the bin of the next job is not the same (NO in step S11), and if the bin movement time is equal to or less than the bin movement reference time in the branch of step S12 (YES in step S12), the process proceeds to step S14. move on.

  In step S14, the print control unit 105 instructs the bin lifting control unit 106 to move the bin. The bin lifting control unit 106 acquires the discharge bin number of the job from the job management unit 104, instructs the lifting mechanism unit 605 to position the bin with the bin number at the recording paper discharge port, and the elevator rear unit 605 Move the bin to the recording paper outlet. If the number of ejected copies is equal to or less than the bin movement first reference number in step S7 (YES in step S7), and if the total number of values is equal to or less than the bin movement reference number in step S8 (YES in step S8), step In the branch of S13, when the number of discharged parts is smaller than the number of bin movement second reference parts (NO in Step S13), and when the process of Step S14 is completed, the process proceeds to Step S15.

  In step S15, the print control unit 105 transmits an instruction to the image forming unit 200 for each page so as to perform image formation for the job, and the image forming unit 200 thereby prints an image on a recording sheet for each page. Form and discharge from the recording paper outlet. When one copy of the recording paper has been printed, the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the job management unit 104 increments the number of output copies in the job management table. In step S17, the bin lifting / lowering control unit 106 checks whether or not the movement of the bin is completed, and if not completed (NO in step S17), the process proceeds to step S18. In step S18, the bin raising / lowering control unit 106 compares the bin moving time acquired from the bin moving time calculating unit 108 with the time until the next unit starts discharging, and when the bin moving time is shorter ( YES at step S18), the process proceeds to step S19. The time to start discharging the next unit is the time corresponding to the printing mode such as single-sided printing or double-sided printing (in particular, the discharge interval between each page instead of the discharge interval between each unit). Are stored in advance. In step S19, the bin lifting control unit 106 controls to move the non-sort bin to the recording paper discharge port. If the movement of the bin is completed in the branch of step S17 (YES in step S17), if the movement time of the bin is longer in the branch of step S18 (NO in step S18), and the process of step S19 is performed. If completed, the process proceeds to step S20. In step S20, the print control unit 105 checks whether the number of copies to be printed “S” is less than or equal to the number of copies “Smax”. If “S” is less than or equal to “Smax” (YES in step S20). ), The process returns to step S15 to print the next copy. If “S” is larger than “Smax” (NO in step S20), printing is terminated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the discharge of the recording paper in the multi-function device 1 is basically a set value (the number of bin movement first reference copies) in which the number of recording paper discharged by the job is set in advance. In the following cases, the process is performed for a bin that has already been positioned at the recording paper discharge port at the start of the job, and when the number of copies exceeds a preset value, the process is performed for a desired bin. However, if the total number of sheets of recording paper ejected by the job is equal to or less than a preset number of sheets (the same reference number of sheets in the bin), the bin already positioned at the recording paper ejection port at the start of the job The recording paper is discharged. However, if the desired bin can be moved to the recording paper discharge port before the recording paper discharge is started, the recording paper is discharged to the desired bin regardless of the above. However, regardless of all the above, if the bin designated for the job waiting next to the job is the same as the bin already positioned at the recording paper discharge port at the start of the job All the recording sheets are discharged to this bin. Even in this case, when the bin movement time for the job is within a predetermined time (bin movement reference time), and the second copy value (the number of all the discharge sheets of the recording paper for the job is preset) When the number of bin movement second reference copies is equal to or greater, the recording paper is discharged to a desired bin. Further, when discharging a plurality of copies, the bins are moved if there is time to move the bin between discharges of the respective portions. Further, if the time zone in which the job is received is a time zone in which the frequency of occurrence of the job is high, the recording paper is always discharged to a desired bin.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the first embodiment, the recording paper is always discharged to a desired bin if the job occurrence frequency in the time period when the job is received is equal to or higher than a predetermined frequency (bin movement reference frequency). In the form, if the job occurrence frequency is higher, a smaller value is set for the first reference number of bin movement and the reference number of bin movement.

  In the present embodiment, the job movement reference frequency storage unit 117 stores a job movement first reference frequency and a job movement second reference frequency greater than the job movement first reference frequency. These two types of reference frequencies serve as a reference for changing the bin movement reference number and the bin movement first reference number according to the high job generation frequency.

  The bin movement reference sheet number storage unit 109 sets the bin movement reference sheet number as a first sheet number value, a second sheet number value smaller than the first sheet value, and a third sheet value smaller than the second sheet value. Remember the type. The first sheet number value corresponds to the case where the job occurrence frequency is lower than the job movement first reference frequency, and the second sheet number value is equal to or higher than the job movement first reference frequency and the job movement second reference frequency. The third sheet number value corresponds to the case where the job occurrence frequency is equal to or higher than the job movement second reference frequency. Further, the bin movement reference number storage unit 110 has a first copy number, a second copy value smaller than the first copy value, and a third copy value smaller than the second copy value as the bin movement first reference number. Three types of copy values are stored. The first part value corresponds to a case where the job occurrence frequency is lower than the job movement first reference frequency, and the second part number is a job occurrence frequency equal to or higher than the job movement first reference frequency and higher than the job movement second reference frequency. The third copy value corresponds to the case where the job occurrence frequency is equal to or higher than the job movement second reference frequency.

  7, 8, and 6 (FIG. 6 is shared with the first embodiment) are flowcharts showing the flow of bin lifting control when a copy job is executed in the multifunction machine 1 according to the present embodiment. . Steps denoted by the same numbers as in the first embodiment perform the same processing as in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, only processing different from that of the first embodiment will be described. Steps S31 to S39 are processes for setting the bin movement first reference number of copies and the bin movement reference number of sheets based on the frequency of occurrence of the job in the time zone in which the job occurred.

  In step S31, the bin lifting control unit 106 checks the time zone definition storage unit 112 and the date / time counter unit 113 to obtain a time zone definition including the current time, and stores the job occurrence frequency in that time zone as the job frequency. Read from unit 116. Also, the bin lifting control unit 106 acquires the bin movement first reference frequency from the bin movement reference frequency storage unit 117 and compares it with the job occurrence frequency. If the job occurrence frequency is lower than the bin movement first reference frequency (YES in step S31), the process proceeds to step S32. In step S <b> 32, the bin lifting control unit 106 determines to use the first one of the three types of copy values stored in the bin movement reference number storage unit 110 as the bin movement first reference number for the job. To do. In step S33, the bin lifting control unit 106 determines to use the first one of the three types of sheet values stored in the bin movement reference number storage unit 109 as the bin movement reference number for the job. In the branch of step S31, when the job occurrence frequency is equal to or higher than the bin movement first reference frequency (NO in step S31), the process proceeds to step S34.

  In step S34, the bin lifting control unit 106 acquires the bin movement second reference frequency from the bin movement reference frequency storage unit 117, and compares it with the job occurrence frequency. If the job occurrence frequency is lower than the bin movement second reference frequency (YES in step S34), the process proceeds to step S35. In step S35, the bin lifting / lowering control unit 106 determines to use the second one of the three types of copy values stored in the bin movement reference number storage unit 110 as the bin movement first reference number for the job. To do. In step S36, the bin lifting control unit 106 determines to use the second one of the three types of sheet values stored in the bin movement reference number storage unit 109 as the bin movement reference number for the job. If the job occurrence frequency is equal to or higher than the bin movement second reference frequency in the branch of step S34 (NO in step S34), the process proceeds to step S37.

  In step S37, in step S37, the bin lifting control unit 106 uses, for the job, the third one of the three types of copy values stored in the bin movement reference number storage unit 110 as the bin movement first reference number. Decide to do. In step S38, the bin raising / lowering control unit 106 determines to use the third one of the three types of sheet values stored in the bin movement reference number storage unit 109 as the bin movement reference number for the job. When the process of step S33 is completed, when the process of step S36 is completed, and when the process of step S38 is completed, the process proceeds to step S6.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the discharge of the recording paper in the multi-function device 1 is basically a set value (the number of bin movement first reference copies) in which the number of recording paper discharged by the job is set in advance. In the following cases, the process is performed for a bin that has already been positioned at the recording paper discharge port at the start of the job, and when the number of copies exceeds a preset value, the process is performed for a desired bin. However, if the total number of sheets of recording paper ejected by the job is equal to or less than a preset number of sheets (the same reference number of sheets in the bin), the bin already positioned at the recording paper ejection port at the start of the job The recording paper is discharged. However, if the desired bin can be moved to the recording paper discharge port before the recording paper discharge is started, the recording paper is discharged to the desired bin regardless of the above. However, regardless of all the above, if the bin designated for the job waiting next to the job is the same as the bin already positioned at the recording paper discharge port at the start of the job All the recording sheets are discharged to this bin. Even in this case, when the bin movement time for the job is within a predetermined time (bin movement reference time), and the second copy value (the number of all the discharge sheets of the recording paper for the job is preset) When the number of bin movement second reference copies is equal to or greater, the recording paper is discharged to a desired bin. Further, when discharging a plurality of copies, the bins are moved if there is time to move the bin between discharges of the respective portions. Also, if the job occurrence frequency is higher in the time period when the job is received, a smaller value is set for the first reference number of bin movement and the reference number of bin movement, and if the job occurrence frequency is higher, more jobs are recorded. As the paper is discharged into the desired bin, the bin is not moved only for jobs with fewer copies and / or fewer sheets.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the thing of the said embodiment, The aspect described below can be employ | adopted. In this embodiment, the case where a copy job is executed is described as an example of a multifunction machine having only a copy function and a printer function. However, this is not necessarily a copy job. It may be. Further, even when the facsimile function is added to the function of the multifunction machine, or when the facsimile function is replaced with the printer function, it can be dealt with in substantially the same manner as in the present embodiment. For this purpose, the facsimile function may be handled in the same manner as the printer function. In the present embodiment, the recording paper is discharged to the non-sort bin in the case of the copy function, and is discharged to the sort bin in the case of the printer function. Alternatively, if there is a specific designation in the copy function, it may be discharged to the sort bin.

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

  In the present embodiment, as a consideration for waiting job bins, the bin designated for the job waiting next to the copy job to be started is already positioned at the recording paper discharge port at the start of the copy job. If it is the same as the bin that has been printed, the recording paper of the copy job to be started is discharged from this bin, and even in this case, the bin moving time for this copy job is a predetermined time (bin If it is within the movement reference time) and if the total number of copies of the recording paper for this copy job is equal to or greater than the preset second copy value (bin movement second reference number of copies), the recording paper is loaded into the non-sort bin. Although the control is made so that the paper is discharged, the method described above is not necessarily limited as long as the bin of the copy job is determined in consideration of the bin of the standby job. For example, statistics of bins ejected in a standby job may be taken, and if recording paper is frequently ejected to a specific bin, the recording paper ejection may be fixed to that bin.

  In this embodiment, the bins are moved when there is a bin moving time between the discharges of the respective parts. However, this is not necessarily the interval between the discharges of the respective parts, but may be between the discharges of the respective pages. . Further, in this embodiment, it is checked whether or not there is time to move the bin completely to the target position between discharges of each part, and if there is time, the bin is moved completely. For example, it is checked whether or not there is time to move the bin by one stage between discharges of each part, and if there is time, the bin is moved by one stage (or at least one stage). The bins may be moved one step at a time to finally complete the movement to the target position. In addition, the bin is moved little by little at each interval by moving the bin by the amount that can be moved between the discharge of each page and each part (avoid stopping the bin at the position where the recording paper cannot be discharged) Then, the movement to the target position may be finally completed.

1 is a schematic side view illustrating a mechanical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the job management table in one Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP (image forming device)
104 Job management unit (selection means, tray discrimination means)
106 Bin Lifting Control Unit (Control Unit)
107 Recording paper discharge start time calculation unit (start time calculation means)
108 Bin movement time calculation unit (movement time calculation means)
115 Job frequency calculation unit (frequency calculation means)
11 Operation unit (unit value acquisition means)
200 Image forming unit (image forming means)
4 Document reading section (total number value acquisition means)
605 Lifting mechanism (moving means)
622 sort bin (tray)
623 Non-sort bin (tray)

Claims (10)

An image forming apparatus comprising a plurality of trays as recording paper discharge locations, and discharging the recording paper to a target tray by moving the trays,
Image forming means for forming an image on recording paper;
Selecting means for selecting a tray for discharging the recording paper on which an image is formed by the image forming means;
Moving means for moving the tray selected by the selection means to a recording paper discharge position of the apparatus main body;
A copy value acquisition means for acquiring the copy value of the recording paper discharged in the image forming job before discharging the recording paper;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the moving unit so as not to move the tray when the copy number acquired by the copy value acquisition unit is equal to or less than a preset copy value.   The control means interrupts during execution of another image forming job, and the copy value obtained by the copy value obtaining means for an image formation job that discharges recording paper in preference to the other image forming job. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving unit is controlled so as not to move the tray when the value is equal to or less than the preset value. A total number value acquisition means for acquiring the total number of recording papers to be discharged in an image forming job before discharging the recording paper;
The control means, when the total number value acquired by the total number value acquisition means is less than or equal to a preset number value, the copy number acquired by the copy number acquisition means is preset. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving unit is controlled so as not to move the tray even when the number of copies is larger than the number of copies. An image forming apparatus comprising a plurality of trays as recording paper discharge locations, and discharging the recording paper to a target tray by moving the trays,
Image forming means for forming an image on recording paper;
Selecting means for selecting a tray for discharging the recording paper on which an image is formed by the image forming means;
Moving means for moving the tray selected by the selection means to a recording paper discharge position of the apparatus main body;
A total number value acquisition means for acquiring the total number of recording papers to be discharged in an image forming job before discharging the recording paper;
An image forming unit comprising: a control unit configured to control the moving unit so that the tray is not moved when the total number value acquired by the total number value acquiring unit is equal to or less than a preset number value. apparatus. Start time calculating means for calculating the time until the discharge of recording paper in an image forming job starts;
A moving time calculating means for calculating a time for moving the selected tray to the recording paper discharge position;
When the time for the movement calculated by the movement time calculation means is shorter than the time until the discharge calculated by the start time calculation means, the control means does not select the selection regardless of the preceding paragraph. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving unit is controlled to move the tray that has been moved to the recording paper discharge position. When there is an image forming job that is currently being executed, an image forming job that is executed next to it, and one or more standby jobs that are executed after the completion of these two jobs, the recording paper is ejected by the standby job. A tray discriminating means for discriminating which tray to perform
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines whether to move the tray for the next job in consideration of the tray determined by the tray determination unit. .   Even when the control means is controlled not to move the tray by the control means, the time for moving the selected tray to the recording paper discharge position is between the recording paper discharges. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving unit is controlled to move the tray at this time. A frequency calculating means for calculating the occurrence frequency of the image forming job by counting the number of occurrences of the image forming job in the image forming apparatus in a preset time zone;
When the occurrence frequency of the current time zone calculated by the frequency calculation unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined frequency, the control unit removes the selected tray from the recording paper discharge position regardless of the previous item. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving unit is controlled so as to be moved to the position. A frequency calculating means for calculating the occurrence frequency of the image forming job by counting the number of occurrences of the image forming job in the image forming apparatus in a preset time zone;
The control unit sets the preset value in accordance with the occurrence frequency of the current time zone calculated by the frequency calculation unit. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above. A frequency calculating means for calculating the occurrence frequency of the image forming job by counting the number of occurrences of the image forming job in the image forming apparatus in a preset time zone;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit sets the preset number value according to the occurrence frequency of the current time period calculated by the frequency calculation unit.

Images