JPH1013585A - Digital copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the operation and to reduce mis-copy by providing the copying machine at a lower cost than that of a changeover method by a solenoid through the adoption of carrying path changeover with opening / closing of a mechanical paper discharge door and by taking the correspondence above. SOLUTION: In the case of conducting straight paper discharge, transfer paper with an image formed thereon is discharged on a front side to a straight paper discharge section 30 according to a carrier path in the arrow in figure by opening a paper discharge door 7 at the entrance of paper discharge. Furthermore, in the case of conducting in-machine paper carrying, the paper discharge door 7 at the entrance of paper discharge is closed to discharge a rear side of the transfer paper with the image formed thereon to the in-machine paper discharge section 20 according to the carrying path in the arrow in figure. The carrying path is switched to straight paper discharge/in-machine paper discharge mechanically depending on the opening/closing state of the paper discharge door 7, and the front side of the paper is discharged in the case of executing straight paper discharge and the rear side of the paper is discharged in the case of executing in-machine paper discharge.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a digital copying machine,
More specifically, the present invention relates to an electronic sort function in a digital copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been a demand in the market for miniaturization and space saving of copying machines. For this reason, it has been proposed to provide a paper discharge port provided in the side of the copying machine between the inside of the machine (scanner and plotter) to realize space saving. Further, in the case of a digital copying machine, a sort function for automatically sorting output transfer paper is realized without using a peripheral device, as seen in Ricoh's product Imagio MF150 (hereinafter, referred to as MF150). An interleaving operation is desired for the electronic sorting operation.

[0003]

Thus, in the case of realizing both the straight discharge mode and the in-machine discharge mode, when the discharge door is opened and closed during the electronic sorting job, If the transport path is changed on the way, the output result at the paper discharge port cannot be output in the page order desired by the operator.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a method of controlling the actual switching of the transport path by using a solenoid can be considered. In the present invention, however, the switching of the transport path by opening and closing a mechanical discharge door is considered. By doing so, a machine that is lower in cost than the switching method using a solenoid is provided, and further, by addressing the above-described problem, operability is improved and erroneous copying is reduced.

When the operator selects the electronic sort mode, naturally, the purpose is to sort the recording paper. In this case, in addition to the desired number of copies, the page order of the recording paper must be matched. There is. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the operability is improved by keeping the order of the original pages and the order of the pages of the output recording paper irrespective of the state of the paper discharge port of the machine.

[0006] In the case of electronic sorting, if straight discharge / in-machine discharge is switched on the way, print output results cannot be obtained as expected, even though the operator intends to sort. According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, when the discharge door is opened and closed during the copying operation, the copying operation is temporarily stopped, and a warning is given to the operator so that the order of the recording sheets is not changed, and the sorting is performed. The operability is improved so that there is no mistake in the page order.

According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, if the discharge door is opened and closed during the copy operation, the copy operation is prohibited. , The operability is improved by making it possible to discharge the paper regardless of the state of the paper discharge port of the machine.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an original reading apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an operation unit, a paper feed cassette,
It has an extended function (application), a manual feed door open / close detection unit, a discharge door open / close detection unit, an image storage device that can be electronically sorted, and an original feeder (ADF) that feeds from the first page of the original. When the discharge door is open, the transfer paper output from the image forming apparatus is discharged (straight discharge) to a discharge portion on the side of the machine so that the print surface faces upward, while the discharge door is closed. In the closed state, the transfer paper output from the image forming apparatus is discharged (in-machine discharge) so that the print surface faces down to an in-machine discharge unit provided in the machine, and the image is transferred to the image forming apparatus in the digital copier system. At the start of the “electronic sort operation” in which the image forming is performed after reading the image data of all the originals into the image storage device by the reading device, if the discharge door is open, the reading is performed. From the last data of the document, image formation is performed in the page order (LIFO = Last In First Out) in the first page direction. Thereafter, the image formation is performed for the number of copies specified by the operator. If the document is in the closed state, the page order from the first page to the last page of the read document (FIFO = First In First Out)
The image formation is performed thereafter, and thereafter, the image formation is performed for the number of copies specified by the operator,
The operability is improved by keeping the document page order and the output recording sheet page order from being different irrespective of the state of the paper discharge port of the machine.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the open / close state of the discharge door during the execution of the print operation in the electronic sort mode is determined by the state of the discharge door when the operator gives a copy start instruction. If it is different from the open / closed state, the electronic sort print is interrupted, the copy operation is prohibited, and the open / closed state of the discharge door is changed to the open / closed state of the discharge door when the copy start instruction in the electronic sort mode is given. Is displayed on the operation unit, so that if the discharge door is opened or closed during the copying operation, the copying operation is temporarily stopped, and the order of the recording paper does not change. As described above, the operator is warned, and the operability is improved by eliminating the mistake in the sorting page order.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, in the copy operation prohibited state, the open / close state of the discharge door is changed when the copy start instruction in the electronic sort mode is given. When the printer returns to the state, it returns to the copy operation permission state. Therefore, when the discharge door is opened and closed during the copy operation, the copy operation is temporarily stopped and the order of the recording paper is changed. A warning is given to the operator so as not to cause the error, and the operability is improved by eliminating errors in the sorting page order.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the digital copying machine having the electronic sort function according to the first aspect of the present invention, the electronic sort mode is started with the discharge door open.
When the print output after reading all the originals is being printed by the LIFO, if a factor (such as a jam or an instruction to stop the copy operation by the operator) that temporarily interrupts the print output occurs, then, If the discharge door is closed when the print restart instruction is given, the remaining print output is printed out by the FIFO, so that the output is output regardless of the state of the discharge port of the machine. The operability is improved by correcting the page order to be performed and discharging the sheet.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the digital copying machine having the electronic sorting function according to the first aspect of the present invention, the electronic sorting mode is started with the discharge door closed.
When the print output after reading all the originals is being printed by the FIFO, if a factor (a jam, an instruction to stop the copying operation by the operator, etc.) that temporarily interrupts the print output occurs, then, If the discharge door is open when the print restart instruction is given, the remaining print output is printed out by the LIFO, so that the system can be output regardless of the state of the discharge port of the machine. The operability is improved by correcting the output page order and discharging the paper.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, terms used in the description of the present invention will be explained and defined. "Document reading device", "Image reading device": A "document (or image) reading device" used in a digital copier irradiates a document with a light source, and reflects the reflected light by a "solid-state imaging device = CCD". This device has the function of converting it into a signal and performing necessary image processing. "Image forming apparatus": An "image forming apparatus" used in a digital copying machine converts an image sent by an electric signal by means such as electrophotography, heat sensitivity, thermal transfer, and ink jet.
This is a device for forming on plain paper, thermal paper, etc. “Extended function” or “application (abbreviated as application)”: A major feature of a digital copying machine is that an image is converted into an electric signal and read, and the electric signal is restored by an image forming apparatus. At this time, by having means for changing and transmitting the read electric signal in various ways, it can be applied to fields other than the copying machine. In addition to the aforementioned fax and printer,
The reading range of scanners and file systems is very wide.
These extensions are referred to as "applications".

"Video signal": an electric signal of an image converted by the above-mentioned "image reading apparatus", an electric signal of an image inputted to the "image forming apparatus", and a signal for synchronizing with an electric signal of the image. The signals are collectively referred to as a “video signal”. "Control signal""command": In order to exchange "video signal" between "image reading device", "image forming device", and "application", it is necessary to transmit information between devices. This means is referred to as "control signal" or "command" issuance. "System", "system control", "system controller": In the latest digital copying machines, not only one application but also a plurality of applications have been installed simultaneously. As described above, a digital copying machine sharing one resource is referred to as a "system", and controllers for controlling the system are referred to as "system control" and "system controller".

"Foreground (application)": A system equipped with a plurality of applications often has only a very limited number of operation units. In such a case, it is necessary to surrender the operation unit for an application used by the user. At this time, the application to which the display right of the operation unit has been passed is expressed as “foreground (application)”. Almost all key input notifications are sent from the system to the foreground application, and its own “virtual screen” is displayed on the real operation unit. "Background (app)": On the other hand, an application without display right is expressed as "background application", but "background application" does not interrupt its operation only because it has no display right . For example, even if the printer application is in the background, if there is print data from the host PC, print output can be attempted if the "image forming apparatus" is empty. A limited key notification is sent from the system to the background application, and display on the “virtual screen” is permitted. “Idle state”: As described above, the state where the “image forming apparatus” is idle is expressed as “idle state”. The system manages the “idle state” on a resource-by-resource basis.

"Virtual screen": A screen prepared for each application is expressed as a "virtual screen". Accordingly, there are a plurality of virtual screens, but only one is displayed on the real screen at all times. “Resource” or “resource”: A functional unit shared by a plurality of applications is expressed as “resource” or “resource”. The above-described system controller performs system control on a resource-by-resource basis. The resources managed by the digital copier of this case are “image reading device”, “image forming device”, “operation unit”, “memory”, and “peripheral device (DF = document feeder, sorter, etc.)”.

"Insertion output" or "interleave": mainly used for explaining the operation at the time of image output. Normally, the image output does not execute other operations until a series of operations having the same purpose (= 1 job) is completed. For example,
In the latest digital copiers, functions are combined, and copier +
FAX or printer or a combination of more than one is integrated into one. However, most of them output in function units (= job units), for example, so as to switch to printer output after the copy function ends.
On the other hand, inserting another job output into the output of one job and outputting it is referred to as “interleave”.
For example, printer output is realized without stopping machine operation during output of a copying machine. No digital copier has realized this function yet. “Mode”: “Mode” indicates that the application has the display right. For example, if the printer has the display right, it is expressed that the digital copying machine is operating in the printer mode. “Mode transition” “mode transition”: The point at which the above-described mode is switched is expressed as “mode transition” or “mode transition”.
The mode transition is controlled by the system. "User setting": When the system becomes complicated, it is necessary to individually deal with each user. Since it is impossible to satisfy all of these responses at the time of factory shipment, response in the market becomes indispensable. Therefore, it is usually equipped with non-volatile RAM,
Although the system can be set according to customer requirements, this function is referred to as “user setting”. "Job": Indicates a series of copying operations desired by the operator.
That is, the job from the start to the end of the mode set on the operation unit by the operator corresponds to a job.

"In-machine paper discharge" / "straight paper discharge" / "paper discharge system": In recent years, there has been a demand for miniaturization and space saving of copiers. For this purpose, conventionally, there has been proposed a paper discharging method in which a paper discharging port provided on the side of the machine is provided between the inside of the machine (scanner and plotter) to realize space saving. Is referred to as “in-machine discharge”. On the other hand, the conventional paper discharge port provided on the side of the machine is called "straight paper discharge". Switching between the paper ejection method of "in-machine paper ejection" and "straight paper ejection" can be performed by controlling the switching of the conveyance path using a solenoid or by opening and closing the mechanical paper ejection door as in the present invention. A switching method can be considered. The “in-machine discharge” method and the “straight discharge” method are collectively referred to as a “discharge method”.

"Electronic sorting": In order to save space, image data of a set original is stored in an image storage device (memory) in place of a conventional sorter device, and a copy is automatically sent to the same paper exit. This is the mode for sorting. Further, in order to improve the operability, the same size and the paper direction of the copy paper are fed for each number of copies, and the image data stored in the image storage device is rotated by 90 degrees to form an image. In some cases, the output result (copied paper) is alternately turned one by one and discharged. "Copy operation prohibited state" / "Copy operation enabled state": In general, in the case of a copying machine, a copy operation start instruction is given by pressing a copy start key (print start key) on the operation unit. The copy start key is provided with two types of LEDs, green and red. When a copy operation is possible (copy operation enabled state), the green LED is turned on and pressing of the copy start key is effective. Is notified to the operator. On the other hand, when the copying operation cannot be performed (copying operation prohibited state), the red LED is turned on to notify the operator that pressing the copy start key is invalid.

FIG. 1 is an external view for explaining an example of a digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a paper discharge conveyance path in the machine. The figure shows a state when the straight discharge is selected, and the figure (B) shows a state when the in-machine discharge is selected. In the figure, 1 is a document placing table, and 2 is a document feeder (ADF). Reference numeral 3 denotes a document reading device, 4 denotes an operation unit, 5 denotes a manual feed port, 6 denotes an in-machine discharge port, 7 denotes a discharge door, 8 denotes a paper cassette 1, 9 denotes a paper cassette 2, and 10 denotes an image forming apparatus. (Digital copier), 1
1 is an ADF drive motor, 12 is a scanner drive motor, 1
3 is a laser diode, 14 is a polygon (motor / mirror), 15 is a writing mirror, 16 is a photoreceptor, 17 is a developing unit, 18 is a transfer unit, 20 is an in-machine paper discharge unit, 21 is a paper feed port, and 22 is a transport. Roller, 23 is a manual feed roller, 24 is a registration roller, 25 is a fixing unit, 26 (26a, 2
6b) is a transport roller, and 30 is a straight paper discharge unit.

FIG. 2 (A) shows a case where a straight sheet is discharged.
As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the transfer paper on which the image has been formed is opened by opening the paper discharge door 7 on the paper discharge port side to the straight paper discharge unit 30 according to the transport path indicated by the arrow in FIG. , Is discharged on the front side. In addition, when carrying in-machine paper, as shown in FIG. 2B, the transfer paper on which the image is formed is closed by closing the discharge door 7 on the side of the above-described paper discharge port. The paper is discharged to the paper unit 20 on the back side according to the transport path indicated by the arrow in FIG. As described above, in the present invention, the transport path is mechanically switched between straight discharge / in-machine discharge according to the open / close state of the discharge door 7, and the front discharge is performed when the straight discharge is performed, and the back surface is discharged when the in-machine discharge is performed. The paper is ejected.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a software configuration of a system to which the digital copying machine according to the present invention is applied. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 31 denotes various applications, 32 denotes a system control layer,
Reference numeral 33 denotes a resource (device). In the case of a digital copying machine, various applications such as a FAX application and a printer application can be installed in addition to a copy application by configuring a multitasking system. It is characterized by the use of the electronic sorting function of the application, and therefore does not explain the functional description of other applications or resource arbitration between applications.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration in which a CPU is provided for each application 31 and a system control layer 32 and a device control layer (system controller) 34 are connected to one CPU.
Each application, the system control layer, and each resource (operation unit, memory unit, image forming apparatus, image reading apparatus) have a CPU, and commands from the system controller 34 to each controller are transmitted to a control signal line. It can also be configured by transmitting it. As shown in FIG. 4, a manual feed door open / close detection switch 35 and a discharge door open / close door detection switch 36 are connected to a system controller 34. The system controller 34 detects the open / closed state of these doors and notifies each application of the state.

Next, before describing the specific configuration of the present invention, the operation of the "electronic sort" will be briefly described (the control of the electronic sort itself is a well-known technique, and will be described using a flowchart. Is omitted). First,
Control performed by the application layer will be described. FIG.
As shown in (1), a “memory unit (MSU)” is mounted on the system controller. When performing the electronic sorting process, the copy application instructs the system controller to transfer the image data read by the image reading device to the memory unit. When reading of one document is completed, an instruction to transfer image data from the "image reading device" to the "memory unit" is given to the next document, and this operation is repeated by the number of documents desired by the operator. The read original is stored in a storage unit held by the memory unit. The page management of the stored image data can be logically controlled by the copy application.

When reading of all originals is completed,
The copy application, for the memory unit (MSU),
Logical instructions such as outputting “page 1” and outputting “page 2” are issued, and the stored image data is transferred to the image forming apparatus. In the case of the electronic sort function, the read originals are sequentially output to the image forming apparatus by FIFO or LIFO, and when the transfer of all image data is completed, the originals are sequentially output to the image forming apparatus again from the beginning (or the end). By repeating this operation for the number of copies specified by the operator, the sorted recording sheets are output at the discharge port for the specified number of copies.

Next, the control performed by the memory unit will be briefly described with reference to FIG. The memory unit is
A page memory for storing image data (a configuration that can be added with a connector), an IBC (image buffer controller) for controlling input / output of image data, and encoding (compression processing) of image data stored in the page memory. It is configured by DICEP for controlling the decryption (expansion processing) of the data. This page memory unit is shown in FIG.
It is controlled by a memory unit (MSU) shown in FIG. When the application layer uses the MSU, the application request is issued to the system controller by adding its own application ID and the page number to be input / output to / from the MSU as the image data ID to the MSU usage conditions. The system controller checks the usage conditions sent from the application, issues an operation request to the controller necessary for the usage conditions, and causes the controller to execute the processing. When the application layer issues an input request for image data, the system controller issues an operation request to the MSU with the application ID, the page number of image data to be input, and input conditions (memory area used for input, video bus selection mode, etc.). Put out. MSU
Receives a request from the system controller,
It is checked whether the same ID as the image data ID (the application ID and the page number of the input image data) exists in the ID of the currently input image data.

If the same ID is found, the MSU determines that I
D overwrites the currently input area with the image data from the application (in this case, if the memory area used for the requested input is larger than the currently input area, another input Since the image data may be destroyed, it is notified to the system controller that the input is not possible, and the memory input operation is not performed.) If the same ID does not exist, the MSU stores the image data from the application in the free area of the page memory (in this case, if the memory area used for the requested input is larger than the free area of the page memory, Since all image data cannot be stored, the system controller is notified that input is not possible, and the memory input operation is not performed.

As a result of the above check, if it is determined that the memory can be input, the MSU sets input conditions for the IBC, selects an image data bus, and sets the memory layer in a memory input enabled state for the requested application layer. Notify. The image data output from the application layer is input to the IBC through the video bus selected by the MSU in the IPU. The IBC sequentially stores image data from a video bus in a designated image area on a memory, and stores image data for an image input area (main scanning length and sub-scanning length) set in the MSU in a page memory. , MSU is notified of the end of memory input by an internal register (status register). When the MSU checks this status, the MSU notifies the system controller that the memory input has been normally completed, and the system controller notifies the requested application layer that the memory input has been normally completed. On the other hand, if an error occurs while the IBC is storing the image data in the memory, an internal register (status register) notifies the MSU of a memory input abnormality. When the MSU checks this status,
The system controller notifies the system controller of the abnormal termination of the memory input, and the system controller notifies the application layer which has requested that the memory input has terminated abnormally.

Next, a case where the application layer issues a compression request for image data stored in the page memory will be described. When the application layer issues a compression request to the image data stored by the memory input request, the system controller sends an application ID to the MSU, a page number of the image data to be compressed, and compression conditions (memory area to be compressed, compression method). etc)
Is issued as an operation request. When receiving the request from the system controller, the MSU first confirms that the image data to be compressed exists in the page memory (if not, the MSU compresses the image data to the requested application layer via the system controller). Notifying that there is no target image data), and securing a compressed data storage memory area in the page memory area (if it cannot be secured, M
The SU notifies the requested application layer via the system controller that the compression operation cannot be performed), and starts the compression operation.

The compression operation is performed by the MSU when the IBC and DICE
For P, conditions necessary for the compression operation, such as the area of the page memory to be compressed, the compression method, and the address of the compressed data storage memory area where storage of the compressed data is started, are set in the register. At this time, the address of the compressed data storage memory area where storage of the compressed data is started is stored in the RAM area for use in decompression processing, memory area release processing, and the like. When the necessary data is set in the register, the MSU sets a compression start command to the IBC in the register. Upon receiving the compression start from the MSU, the IBC operates the DICEP by the CEPI / F, and converts the coded data coded by the DICEP into
The data is sequentially stored from the start address of the compressed data storage memory area designated by the MSU. This operation is continued until all the image data in the designated memory area is encoded and stored.

During the compression process, the MSU always has IBC and D
The status register of ICEP is monitored and DI
When reading from the status register that the encoding of the image data in the memory area specified by the CEP has been completed, the operation of the IBC is stopped and the compression operation is terminated (at this time, the MSU determines the end of the compressed data from the DICEP). The address is read from the DICEP register, and RA
M area). Then, the MSU notifies the requested application layer via the system controller that the compression operation has been completed. During the compression process, IB
When it is read from the status register that the abnormality has occurred in C and DICEP, the operation of IBC is stopped and the compression operation is forcibly terminated. Then, the MSU notifies the requesting application layer via the system controller that the compression operation has abnormally ended. In addition,
As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, even when a system configuration in which the copy application has a memory unit is used, the same effect can be expected, so that a plurality of system configurations can be considered. The configuration and operation will be described below for each claim.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a paper discharge state at the time of electronic sorting (FIG. 6 (A) shows a document reading order,
FIG. 6B shows the output order of the straight sheet ejection, FIG. 6C shows the output order of the in-machine sheet ejection), FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the original reading operation, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flow at the time of operation. The flowchart of FIG. 8 describes an operation in which the number of output copies is one, but the operation is repeated by the number of copies desired by the operator.

After all the originals have been read by the operation of the flowchart of FIG. 7, image output starts. In this case, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Reverse the order of the manuscript (LIF
In step O), an instruction is issued to the memory unit to execute the output (corresponding to the straight discharge in FIG. 6B). On the other hand, if the discharge door is in the closed state, the memory unit is instructed to execute the output in the same order (FIFO) as the order of the read originals (corresponding to the in-machine discharge in FIG. 6C). By repeating this operation the number of times specified by the operator, it is possible to output the desired number of copies of the recording paper without changing the order of the read original.

(Inventions of Claims 2 and 3) Next, FIGS.
The invention of claims 2 and 3 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11, if the state of the discharge door changes during the image recording operation from the state at the start of the image recording operation, the image recording operation is interrupted. After the interruption, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12, a warning screen is output until the state becomes the same as the state of the discharge door at the start of the image recording operation. Hereinafter, the display of the operation unit in each state will be specifically described. Although the state of the discharge door when the operator gives an instruction to start the electronic sort mode is open, the state of the door during the copying operation or during the stop of the copying operation is changed to the state shown in FIG. When it is determined that the paper door opening / closing detection means 36 is in the closed state, an alert is output as shown in FIG. Further, the state of the copy operation or the stop state of the copy operation is shown in FIG. 4 regardless of the state of the discharge door when the operator gives the instruction to start the electronic sort mode. When it is determined by the "discharge door open / close detection" means 36 that the state is open, an alert is output as shown in FIG. During the output of the alert screen in FIG. 9 or FIG. 10, the start key is set to an invalid state display (print button is in a red state) in order to inhibit the copying operation, and this instruction is ignored even if the operator gives a copying start instruction. . When the operator returns the state of the discharge door to the state of the discharge door when the first copy start instruction is given according to the contents of the alert display during the output of the alert screen of FIG. 9 or FIG. When the operation returns to the copy operation accepting state and the copy start instruction is given again, the copy operation (recording operation) is restarted from the suspended state.

(Inventions of Claims 4 and 5) Next, the inventions of Claims 4 and 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 13, FIG. 13A shows the order of document reading, FIG. 13B shows the output order in the case of straight discharge → internal discharge, and FIG. 13C shows the order of internal discharge → straight discharge. This is the order of output for paper. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14, when the state of the discharge door changes from the state of the image recording operation start during the image recording operation, the image recording operation is interrupted. After the interruption, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 15, a warning screen is output until the state becomes the same as the state of the discharge door at the start of the image recording operation.

(Invention of Claim 4) First, the operation of the invention of Claim 4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 (A)
After reading the original in the order shown in FIG. 13B, image output is started as shown in FIG. 13B. In this case, at the start of copying, since the discharge door is open, recording on transfer paper is performed. Is performed, the memory unit is instructed to execute output in the reverse order of the read original (from the last page of the original = LIFO output). During this operation, when the copying operation is temporarily stopped due to some cause (for example, a jam, an instruction to stop copying by an operator, a paper end, etc.), and a copying start instruction is given again, the discharge door is closed. If so, an instruction is given to the memory unit to execute output sequentially from the first page of the read original when recording on the transfer paper. Regarding the output of the final number of copies desired by the operator, when the output to the previous page where the output to the straight discharge is normally performed is completed, the copying operation is completed and the job is completed (FIG. 13B). Because the fourth page of the original is output to the straight discharge section,
The output of the final number of copies to the in-machine paper discharge unit is completed on the third page).

(Invention of claim 5) Next, the operation of the invention of claim 5 will be described with reference to FIG. After reading all the originals in the order shown in FIG.
As shown in (2), the image output is started. In this case, since the paper discharge door is closed at the time of starting copying, when recording on the transfer paper, the order of the read originals (from the original first page = An instruction is issued to the memory unit to execute the output. During this operation, if the copying operation is temporarily stopped due to some cause (for example, a jam, an instruction to stop copying by an operator, paper end, etc.), and a copying start instruction is given again, the discharge door is opened. If so, when recording on a transfer sheet, an instruction is given to the memory unit to sequentially execute output from the last page of the read original. Regarding the output of the final number of copies desired by the operator, when the output to the next page where the output to the in-machine paper output unit is normally performed is completed, the copying operation is completed and the job is completed (FIG. 13C). In this case, since the third page of the original is output to the internal discharge unit, the output of the final copy number to the straight discharge unit is completed on the fourth page. By the way, when the recording paper is discharged to both the straight paper discharge section and the internal paper discharge section, a warning (warning that the recording paper is also output inside the apparatus) message is output as shown in FIG. It is also conceivable to improve operability.

[0038]

According to the present invention, since the transport path is switched by opening and closing the mechanical discharge door, a machine which is lower in cost than the switching method using the solenoid can be provided. By doing so, it is possible to improve operability and reduce miscopying.

The case where the operator selects the electronic sort mode is, of course, for the purpose of sorting recording paper. At this time, it is necessary to adjust the page order of the recording paper in addition to the desired number of copies. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the operability can be improved by keeping the order of the original pages and the order of the pages of the output recording paper irrespective of the state of the paper discharge port of the machine.

In the case of the electronic sort, if the straight paper discharge / in-machine paper discharge is switched on the way, the print output result cannot be obtained as expected, even though the operator intends to sort. According to the second aspect of the invention, when the discharge door is opened and closed during the copying operation, the copying operation is temporarily stopped,
The operator is warned so that the order of the recording papers is not different,
The operability can be improved so that there is no mistake in the sorting page order.

In the second and third aspects of the present invention, the copy operation is prohibited. In the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, the order of pages output by the system is irrespective of the state of the discharge port of the machine. By performing the correction, the operability can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view illustrating an example of a digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram for explaining a paper discharge conveyance path of the copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of a system to which the digital copying machine according to the present invention is applied;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration corresponding to the software configuration shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a memory unit.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a paper discharge state during electronic sorting.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation example when reading a document.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operation example at the time of image recording.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an operation unit in a copy prohibited state.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another display example of the operation unit in a copy prohibited state.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an image recording operation according to the second and third aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart (continued from FIG. 11) for describing an image recording operation according to the second and third aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a paper discharge state during electronic sorting.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of image recording according to the fourth and fifth aspects of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart (continued from FIG. 14) for explaining the operation of image recording in the inventions of claims 4 and 5;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the operation unit in a copy enabled state.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an operation unit at the end of electronic sorting.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference numeral 1: Document mounting table, 2: Document feeder (ADF), 3 ...
Document reading device, 4 operation unit, 5 manual feed port, 6
... in-machine discharge port, 7 ... discharge door, 8 ... paper feed cassettes 1, 9
... Paper cassettes 2, 10 ... Image forming apparatus (digital copying machine), 11 ... ADF drive motor, 12 ... Scanner drive motor, 13 ... Laser diode, 14 ... Polygon (motor / mirror), 15 ... Write mirror, 16 ... Photoconductor,
17: developing unit, 18: transfer unit, 20: in-machine paper discharge unit, 21
... Paper feeding port, 22 ... Transport roller, 23 ... Manual feed roller, 2
4 registration roller, 25 fixing unit, 26 (26
a, 26b): Conveyance rollers, 30: Straight discharge section.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An original reading apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an operation section, a paper feed cassette, an extended function, a manual paper feed door open / close detecting means, a discharge door open / close detecting means, an electronic sortable image storage device, and a document A document feeder that feeds paper from the first page is provided, and when the discharge door is open,
The transfer paper output from the image forming apparatus is discharged (straight discharge) to the paper output unit on the side of the machine so that the print surface faces upward, while the output paper is output from the image forming apparatus when the paper discharge door is closed. In a digital copying machine system, the transfer paper to be discharged is discharged (in-machine discharge) such that the print surface faces down to an in-machine discharge unit provided inside the machine.
At the start of the "electronic sort operation", in which the image reading is performed by reading the image data of all the originals into the image storage device by the original reading device, if the discharge door is open, the first page from the final data of the read original is read. Image formation in the order of pages (LIFO = Last In First Out) in the direction, and thereafter, the image formation is performed for the number of copies instructed by the operator. A digital copying machine which forms images in the order of pages (FIFO = First In First Out) from the first page of the original to the end page direction, and thereafter forms the images for the number of copies specified by the operator. 2. An electronic sort print is executed when the open / close state of the discharge door during execution of the print operation in the electronic sort mode is different from the open / close state of the discharge door when the operator gives a copy start instruction. The operation is interrupted, the copy operation is prohibited, and the open / close state of the paper discharge door is returned to the open / close state of the paper discharge door when the copy start instruction in the electronic sort mode is given. The digital copier according to claim 1, wherein 3. In the copy operation prohibited state, when the open / close state of the sheet discharge door returns to the open / close state of the sheet discharge door when the copy start instruction in the electronic sort mode is given, the copy operation is permitted. 3. The digital copying machine according to claim 2, wherein the digital copying machine returns. 4. In a digital copying machine having the electronic sort function, an electronic sort mode is started with a discharge door open, and a print output after reading all originals is printed by a LIFO. If a factor that temporarily interrupts print output occurs when
2. The digital copying machine according to claim 1, wherein when a print restart instruction is given, if the discharge door is in a closed state, the remaining print output is printed out by FIFO. 5. In a digital copying machine having the electronic sort function, an electronic sort mode is started with a discharge door closed, and a print output after reading all originals is printed by a FIFO. If a factor that temporarily interrupts print output occurs when
2. The digital copying machine according to claim 1, wherein when the print restart instruction is given, if the discharge door is open, the remaining print output is printed out by LIFO.