JPH07110738B2 - Sorting system for copiers - Google Patents

Description

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a sorting system in a copying machine, and more particularly, to a sorting system in which sorter bins are effectively used and copying operations are efficiently performed.

"Prior Art and Its Problems" FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of an entire copying machine having a conventional sorter and an automatic document feeder (ADF). In the case of this copying machine, an appropriate number of documents D are stacked on the document tray 1 and
When the copy button is operated, the automatic document feeder 4 provided on the main body 3 of the copying machine conveys the stacked originals D from the top to the copying position of the main body 3 of the copying machine, and a predetermined number of copying operations are performed at that position. Be seen. The copied copy paper is sent to the sorter 5 attached to the side of the copying machine main body 3 and sequentially distributed and stored in the sorter bins B _{1 to} B ₁₆ . Normal Sorter B
The distribution of copy sheets to _{1 to} B ₁₆ is sent in order from the lowest sorter bin B _1, but there are two ways of thinking about this distribution method.

One of them is, for example, 5 originals and 10 copies
In the case of K, it is necessary to make a total of 50 copies, but 10 copies made for one original are sorted from the bottom sorter bin B ₁ to B ₂ , B ₃ , ... B _{10 in} order. Distribute the sheets one by one, and do the same for the next manuscript.
The number of originals, that is, 5 copies is distributed over 10 stages per stage. In this manner, the method of distributing the copied copy sheets to the sorter bin in the order of the number of copies is generally called a sort mode.

On the other hand, if you need 10 copies for one original, store the 10 copies made from the first original in the bottom sorter bin B ₁ , and for the second sorter bin B ₂ . There is a method of using a total of 5 stages of sorter bins B _{1 to} B ₅ so as to store 10 copies of the second document, in other words, distributing copy sheets to the sorter bins in order of the number of documents. And is generally called a group mode (or collate mode).

In the conventional copying machine with sorter, when an operator performs a copying operation, only the copied copy sheets are distributed in order from the lowermost sorter bin B ₁ according to the sort mode or the group mode described above. Is not being used effectively. For example only B ₁₁ using the sorter bins of B ₁ .about.B ₁₀ as described above when the distribution destination document five as in the previous example of 10 places when distributing now sort mode .about.B ₁₆ Sortabine is not used and is playing.

However, if, for example, five copies are required separately in the sort mode according to the demand of another operator (user), in the above-described conventional sorting method, the later user waits until the former user finishes the copying work. It must be done and the efficiency of copying work is extremely poor. In particular, in a copying machine provided with an automatic document feeder, document feeding is automatically continued, and as a result, distribution cannot be performed for each user and the sorter is not effectively used.

[Objective] Therefore, according to the present invention, after the idle sorter bins are effectively used and the documents of a plurality of users are set on the document tray,
It is possible to reduce the waiting time of the operator (user) by completely automating the process of feeding the originals by the automatic document feeder to the distribution of the copied copy sheets to the sorter bin. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sorter system capable of increasing the efficiency of copying operations by enabling the addition of originals by interruption.

[Configuration of the Invention] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the main means adopted by the present invention is to sequentially feed originals from a bundle of originals placed on an original tray by an automatic original feeding device to perform copy processing, and then copy. In a sorting system that sorts the copy sheets in the order of the number of copies (sort mode) or in the order of the number of originals (group mode) and sequentially distributes them into multiple sorter bins and stores them, the number of copies for each user's originals Alternatively, the planned bin number input means for inputting the sorter bin number to be used according to the sort mode or the group mode for each user set by the number of originals for each user, and the user input by the planned bin number input device 1 is added to the number of scheduled bins to be used for each user to obtain the number of actual scheduled bins to be used for each user, and Storage means for allocating and accumulating and storing for each user, and addition at an appropriate timing during the continuation of the copying process and during or after the process of distributing the copy sheet to the sorter bin from the document feeding by the automatic document feeder. According to the number of manuscripts of the user or the number of copies of the manuscript, the actual use planned bin number is corrected by allocating to the user according to the sort mode or the group mode and correcting the integrated value of the actually used bin number stored in the storage means. This means that the number of stages of the sorter bin required by the user is secured in advance as long as there is a margin, and the manuscript can be added without interrupting the copying process during the copying work or the like. It is intended for effective use.

[Examples] Next, examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, FIG. 1 is a flowchart of the entire continuous automatic copying system including a sorting system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an interrupt processing procedure in the sorting system, and FIG. 3 is the contents of the above flowchart. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the entire copying machine including a sorter and an automatic document feeder for explaining the above. Although the following embodiments describe the case where all the processing is performed using a microcomputer, the same processing procedure can be achieved by combining individual circuits. Also, the number of each processing procedure (step number)
Is represented by S1, S2, .... Here, the symbols used in the following flowcharts are defined in advance as follows. The contents defined as follows become useful data in each process, and are stored and read in the memory as appropriate.

M: Bin number for storing copy paper K; Number of bins already planned to be used N; User number G _n ; Number of original documents for N-th user C _n ; Number of required copies for N-th user L _n ; The next highest bin number in the bin used by the Nth user B; Total number of bins S; Number of copied documents for a user _Bn ; Among bins used by the Nth user Bottom bin number T; Count of number of copies V; Total of users J; Register for saving user number N of main routine in subroutine Also, in this embodiment, copy sheets are distributed in order from the bottom of the sorter bin. And First, in FIG. 1 (a), the program starts from the state where there is no original document on the original tray 1. Initialization of M = 1, K = 0, N = 1 is performed in S1. Next, in S2, the operator (user) is asked whether to distribute the first original in the sort mode or the group mode, and the operator sets the mode to any mode using the ten keys or the like. Subsequently, the operator inputs the number of originals G _n (the number of originals of the N-th user) (S3) and the number of copies C _n of the original (S4). These input numerical values are stored in the memory of the microcomputer. The means for executing the steps S3 and S4 is means for inputting the number of planned bin stages.

Next, in S5, it is determined whether the current mode is the group mode or the sort mode. If the sort mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S6. If the group mode is selected, the process proceeds to S7. In the step of S6, the calculation of L _n = K + C _n +1 is performed, and the bin number L _n next to the uppermost bin number scheduled to be used by the N-th user is obtained.

For example, if the user is the first user, N =
K = 0 with 1 remaining. Therefore, when the number of copies C _n is 3 in the sort mode, L ₁ = 4. This shows the number 4 of the empty sorter bin B ₄ above the first three stages of sorter bins B ₁ , B ₂ , B ₃ into which copy sheets are distributed as shown in FIG. Here, in S6, 1 is added (the number of bins thus obtained corresponds to the actual number of bins scheduled to be used) when an empty sorter bin as described above is set and the copied copy paper is taken out from the sorter bin. This is to prevent the user's copy paper next to it (stored in the upper bin) from being accidentally taken out.

The calculation of L _n = K + G _n +1 is carried out in S7, the next bin number of the bin number that plan to use L _n is similarly calculated.

When the calculation in S6 or S7 above is completed, the size relationship between the total number of bins B and L _n -1 is subsequently determined in S8. If B is smaller, the number of bins to be distributed is insufficient and automatic sorting is performed. In S9, a preset over display is displayed to inform the operator that the above is not performed. This preset over display is achieved by various means such as lighting of a lamp, announcement or buzzer. In this way, when the copy paper of the next user is out of the sorter bin number, in step S10, N is subtracted by one from the sum added in S14, the original number of users is corrected, and then the process proceeds to S12.

If L _n -1 at S8 is still less than the total number of bins B,
Proceeding to S11, the value of L _n obtained in S6 or S7 is regarded as the number of bins already in use and replaced with K.

Next, the computer further displays a question message on the display as to whether or not to preset the document (set on the document table 1 of the automatic document feeder 4). When a command for further presetting is given to the computer, the process proceeds to S14, increments the number of users N by 1, and then returns to S2 to sort / set the next user (S2) and store the number of originals (S).
3), storing the number of copies (S4) and calculating the next highest sorter bin number L _n to be used by this user in S6 or S7 corresponding to each mode, and this is the total number of bins B
If it is larger than B, the processing of S9 and S10 is performed. If it is B or less, the processing proceeds to steps S11 and S12.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the first user has three copy sheets and _four sorter bins including an empty sorter bin B _4.
When B _{1 to} B ₄ are already used, K = 4 in S11, and the second user sets the number of copies C _{2 in the} sort mode.
When = 5 is input, L ₂ = 4 + 5 + 1 = 10 and the number K of bins already used in the calculation is 10. That is, the sorter bin B ₁₀ becomes an empty sorter bin, and the copied copy sheets are distributed to the sorter bins B _{5 to} B _{9 corresponding} to the five stages below the sorter bin for each original number.

When it is not necessary to preset any more in S12, the preset value of N is set in S13 as the total number of users V at that time. That is, the above S5 ~ S1
The step 4 is executed by adding 1 to the planned use bin number for each user input by the planned use bin number input means to obtain the actual used bin number for each user, and the actual use. It is a storage means for allocating and accumulating the planned bin number for each user.

The following is the procedure from actual document feeding by the automatic document feeder 4 to copying and sorting work.

First, document bundles for a number of users corresponding to the total number of users V are stacked on the document tray 1 in the order of their processing. Then, when _a copy work start command is issued (the copy button is pressed) in S14a, a series of initialization is performed in S15. That is, here S = 0, N = 1, M = 1,
Initialization of B _n = 1 is performed, and the first in S16
It is determined whether the preset document of the th user should be distributed in the group mode or the sort mode. These modes have already been input in S2 for each user, and when it is determined that the mode is the sort mode, the count T of the number of copies is incremented by 1 every time one copy is made in S17. The number of copied documents S by the user
Add 1 to. Subsequently, the automatic document feeder 4 feeds the first document from the document bundle for the first user (S18), and when the document reaches the copy position, the copying operation is started ( S19). S20
Is a subroutine for further presetting using a sorter bin that another user is playing during the copying operation, which will be described later. When it is determined in S21 that the copying work for one sheet is completed, 1 is added to the count T of the number of copies in S22, and the copied copy sheets are discharged to the M-th sorter bin (S23). In S24, 1 is added to the bin number M. In the case of the first copy sheet of the first user, the copy sheet is ejected to the first-stage sorter bin in S23, and 1 is set to M in S24 in order to eject the next copy sheet second. Is being added. Then, in S25, it is determined whether or not the count T of the number of copies becomes equal to a predetermined required number of copies C _n , and if T is less than C _n , S19 to S
The copy operation of 21 is performed, and the routine of discharging the copy paper to the sorter bin one step higher is repeated in S23.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the number of copies C _{1 of the first} user
Therefore, when T becomes equal to 3 by repeating the routine from S19 to S25, the process proceeds to the next document discharging step of step S26. Thus overboard first sheet of the document is by the automatic document feeder 4 in S26 if 3 sheets of copy paper for the first sheet of the document is distributed to sorter bin of B ₁ .about.B ₃ one by one 's husband The lowest bin number of the bins used by the user of the bin number M to eject the copied copy sheet of the second original document to the sorter bin B ₁ again, in this case, the first bin ( B ₁ ) is replaced (S27), and in the following S28, it is determined whether the number of copied originals is equal to the number of originals G _n prepared by the user. If S is less than G _n , Is the same as the step of feeding the next original by the automatic document feeder 4 (S18) to the step of copying operation (S19 to S21) and the step of discharging to the sorter bin (S23) again until the required number of copies have been completed. Eject the original (S26
When the number of copied originals reaches a predetermined number of originals (G _n ), the preprocessing is performed to execute the copy processing for the next user's originals S29.
Proceed to.

In S29, the lowest bin number B _{n + 1} used by the next user (N + 1 th user) corresponding to S6 is B _{n + 1} = M.
Calculate with + C _n +1. The reason for adding 1 here is to provide an empty sorter bin for distinguishing between the uppermost bin and the lowermost sorter bin used by the adjacent users, as described above. The value of the bin number (M) that distributes the copy sheet first copied from the (N + 1th user) original is set to B _{n + 1} .

If the group mode is determined in S16, S1
The process from 7'to S29 'is performed. Of this process, S17' to S29 '
The description up to 23 'is omitted because it is the same as the processing from S17 to S23 in the sort mode. Then, in S23 ', after the copied copy paper is ejected to the Mth stage, S25'
In, it is determined whether the number of copies has reached the number of copies C _n set for the original without moving to the next stage, and all the C _n copies are ejected to the M-th stage. When the copying of the first original is completed in this way, the original is ejected in S26 ', and the next original is added to M in S24' so that it is ejected to the upper sorter bin. In S28 ', it is determined whether or not the number S of sheets has become equal to the predetermined number of originals _Gn, and the steps S17' to S28 'are repeated until S becomes equal to _Gn . S28 ′
If it is determined in step S29 that the copying of all the original documents for the user has been completed, the calculation of B _{n + 1} = M + G _n +1 is performed in S29 ′ to set the number of the sorter bin for ejecting the original document of the next user. Then, the bin number B _{n + 1} for storing the first copy sheet of the next user is set, and the bin number M for discharging the next copy sheet is set to B _{n + 1} .

N-th copy operations and sorting processing for the original user (distribution to sorter bins of copied copy paper) is added to 1 to user number N upon completion of the sort mode or the group mode as described above (S29 _a), the following To S30
When it is judged that the sorting process has been completed for all the planned users, and when it is judged that the sorting process has not been completed yet, the value of S indicating the number of copied documents is reset to 0 and the process is returned to S16. Return. If it is determined in S30 that the sorting process has been completed for all users, the process returns to step S1.

In the above processing procedure, copy operations are not performed after planning to use all sorter bins.
In some cases, some sorter bins are left idle in the upper part for copy operation and subsequent sort operation. In such a case, it is desirable that interrupt processing be performed without stopping the machine even during the copying operation so that the original preset can be added to the idle sorter bin. Subroutine S20 or S20 '
Meets these purposes, and its contents are as shown in FIG.

That is, if the operator presses the add key during the copy operation (S3
2), to save the value of N (S32 _a), with the value by adding 1 to the value of the total number of users V is stored as N in S33, either the group mode to sort mode step S34 for the document to be added Then, the number of originals to be added is input (S35), and the number of copies of the original is set (S36).

Then, in order to determine whether the number of sorter bins used by the added user is more or less than the number of idle sorter bins, the addition in S38 or S39 is performed following the determination in the group mode or the sort mode in S37. The uppermost bin number used by the user is calculated. This S38 and S
The calculation of 39 is the same as the calculation of S6 and S7. When the bin number of the additional top thus obtained is larger than the total number of bins (S40), the sorting operation cannot be performed and the preset over display is performed (S41), and only 1 is added in S33. The user number is returned to the original state (S42). If the number of bins is sufficient, the value of L obtained in S38 and S39 and stored in the memory is replaced with the preset maximum bin number K. In S44, it is determined whether or not to further preset. When presetting, the value of the user number N is incremented by 1 and the process returns to S34. When no more presetting is performed, the user number N at that time is set to V. set to (S46), and returns the value of N, which have been saved (S46 _a), jumps to S21 or S21 '.

If additional keys in the step S32 is not pressed, bypassing the step of the S32 _a ~S46 _a S21 or S
Jump to 21 '.

The above interrupt processing is not only during the copy operation,
Without interrupting the series of copying processes during the process of discharging the copied copy paper (S23, S23 ') or during document discharging (S26, S26'), can also be inserted at any time in all the processing end point in time, etc., it is omitted here because the processing is the same as the processing from S32 to S46 _a. That is, the above
The steps S37 to S46 are executed while the copying process is being continued, and while the process of distributing the copy sheet to the sorter bin from the document feeding by the automatic document feeding device is being continued or after the copying process is completed,
According to the number of manuscripts of the user or the number of copies of the manuscripts added at an appropriate timing, the integrated value of the number of bins to be actually used stored in the storage means is corrected while being assigned to this user according to the sort mode or the group mode. This is a means for correcting the number of bins to be actually used.

[Advantages of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, originals are sequentially fed from an original bundle placed on the original tray by an automatic original feeding device to perform copy processing, and copy sheets that have already been copied are reduced in number of copies. In a sort system that sorts in order (sort mode) or in the order of the number of documents (group mode) by a sorter and sequentially distributes and stores them in multiple sorter bins, the number of copies for each user's manuscript or the number of manuscripts for each user The planned bin number input means for inputting the sorter bin number to be used according to the set sort mode or group mode for each user, and the planned bin number for each user input by the planned bin number input means 1 is added to obtain the actual planned bin number for each user, and this actual planned bin number is assigned to each user and added up. A storage unit for storing the number of original documents of the user added at an appropriate timing while the copying process is being continued and the process of distributing the copy sheets to the sorter bin by the automatic document feeder is continuing or after the completion. And a planned actual use bin stage number correction means for correcting the integrated value of the planned actual use bin stage number stored in the storage means while being assigned to this user according to the sort mode or the group mode depending on the number of copies of the original. Since many users can preset the originals that they want to copy in the copier according to the sort mode or the group mode at the same time, until a single user finishes copying as in the past. The next user will not have to wait and the work efficiency will be greatly improved, and at the same time the effective use of sorter bin will be improved. Re is extremely economical. Especially when there are multiple users who have a small number of copies but need to make a large number of copies, if you preset at first, all the originals of a large number of users stacked on the original tray will be sequentially read by the automatic document feeder. The document is automatically fed and the copy operation is performed, and the manuscript can be further added without interrupting the copying process during the automatic operation of the copying machine, so that the working efficiency is remarkably improved.

Further, when taking out the copied copy sheets from the sorter bin, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience of erroneously taking out the copy sheets of other users due to the presence of empty sorter bins between the copy sheets of each user.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of the entire continuous automatic copying system including a sorting system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a procedure of interrupt processing in the sorting system, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the entire copying machine including a sorter and an automatic document feeder for performing the above. (Reference Numerals) 1 ...... document tray, 3 ...... copying machine main body 4 ...... automatic document feeder, 5 ...... sorter D ...... document B ₁ .about.B ₁₆ ...... sorter bins

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-57-33151 (JP, A) JP-A-59-7380 (JP, A) JP-A-59-77457 (JP, A)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An automatic document feeder sequentially feeds documents from a stack of documents placed on a document tray to perform copy processing, and the copied copy sheets are in the order of the number of copies (sort mode) or the number of documents. In a sorting system in which the sorters are sorted in this order (group mode), and are sequentially distributed and stored in a plurality of sorter bins, (1) For each user, the number of copies for each user's manuscript or the number of manuscripts for each user is set. A planned bin number input means for inputting the number of sorter bins planned to be used according to the sort mode or the group mode; and (2) adding 1 to the planned bin number for each user input by the planned bin number input means. A storage means for obtaining the number of actually used bin stages for each user and for allocating and accumulating the actually used number of bin stages for each user. (3) The number of manuscripts of the user or the manuscripts added at an appropriate timing during the continuation of the copying process and the continuation or the end of the process of distributing the copy sheets to the sorter bin by the automatic document feeder. According to the number of copies of the number of copies, the actual use scheduled bin number correction means for correcting the integrated value of the actual use scheduled bin number stored in the storage means while being assigned to this user according to the sort mode or the group mode. A sorting system for copying machines.