JPH10330018A - Sheet stacker device and picture forming device provided therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To clarify the section of the output result of each job without sacrifying the original loading capacity of each bin by confirming the loading state of a paper and switching the bin which is the discharge object of the paper and also discharging a partition paper to the bin which is a new discharge object, based on the detected result of the loading state. SOLUTION: Based on the detection result of a loading amount detection sensor whether whole bins are fully loaded or not and when the whole bins are not fully loaded is judged in S1, and whether an output data is existed or not is judged in S2. And when the output data is existed, whether the bin set as a present carrying destination is fully loaded or not is judged in S3. As the result of the judgement, at the full loading case, whether the paper during carrying in the machine is existed or not is judged in S4 and at no paper case, the bin which is a discharge destination is moved in S5 and whether the paper is existed or not on a bin, to be, set as a new destination is judged in S7 and when the paper is existed, the partition paper produced in a printer is discharged to the bin to be set as the discharge destination in S8.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a sheet stacker having a plurality of bins and an image forming apparatus having the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Output results (sheets) are output to an image forming apparatus or the like.
In order to efficiently sort sheets, a sheet stacker device having a plurality of bins is provided as a standard or as an option.

Some of such sheet stackers and image forming apparatuses have an automatic switching function of automatically switching the discharge destination to another bin when one bin becomes full and continuing discharge. There are the following methods 1 and 2 for such automatic switching. Method 1 When switching a bin, if paper has already been discharged to the next bin, that bin is skipped and discharged to the next bin. In this way, the paper that has already been discharged (ie, the output result of the previously executed job) and the paper that is discharged later (the output result of the job to be executed later) are not mixed. Can be prevented. Method 2 When the bin is switched, a type in which the next bin starts discharging the paper stacked on the paper discharged in the next bin unless the bin is already full.

[0004]

The above-mentioned prior art has the following problems.

In an apparatus adopting the method 1, a bin from which at least one sheet has been discharged is excluded from the subject of "automatic bin switching". Therefore, there is a problem that the number of bins that can be used decreases and the number of sheets that can be continuously discharged decreases. Further, the apparatus adopting the method 2 has a drawback that it is mixed with paper output from another job and is difficult to distinguish.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet stacker apparatus and an image forming apparatus having the same, which can clarify the division of output results of each job without sacrificing the original capacity of each bin. I do.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention has been made to achieve the above-mentioned object, and a first aspect of the present invention is that a partition sheet is discharged to discharge a sheet bundle stacked in a bin. In the sheet stacker device shown in the drawings, a plurality of bins accommodating discharged paper, switching means for switching a bin from which paper is to be discharged, loading status detecting means for detecting a loading status of paper in each of the bins,
A partition paper supply unit that discharges the partition paper to the bin, and based on a detection result of the stacking status detection unit, check a paper stacking state in the bin that is a discharge target of the paper at that time. Control means for causing the switching means to switch the bin to which paper is to be discharged in response to the switching, and discharging the partition paper by the partition paper supply means to a new bin to be discharged with the switching. A sheet stacker device is provided.

The control means determines, based on the detection result of the loading status detection means, whether or not paper already exists in a new bin to be discharged, and as a result of the determination, the paper already exists. It is preferable that the partition paper is discharged only when the above conditions are satisfied.

It is preferable that the control means switches the bin to which the paper is to be discharged if the bin to be discharged at that time is in a full state as a result of the confirmation of the loading state.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying a sheet along a predetermined path and finally discharging the sheet, and a sheet fed and conveyed by the sheet feeding and conveying means. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image during sheet feeding and conveyance; and the sheet stacker device according to the above-described embodiment that stores sheets discharged by the sheet feeding and conveying unit. Is provided.

The operation will be described.

The control means confirms the paper loading state in the bin from which the paper is to be discharged at that time based on the detection result of the loading status detection means. Then, according to the confirmation result (for example, when the bin is full),
The bin for which the paper is to be discharged is switched by the switching unit. Further, the partition paper supply means is controlled to discharge the partition paper to a new bin to be discharged. However, based on the detection result of the stacking status detection means, it is determined whether or not paper has already been present in the bin to be newly discharged, and then the paper is discharged only when paper already exists. You may do so.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The present embodiment is a printer including a detachable paper discharge stacker 4000. First, an outline of a printer 1000 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that FIG. 1 illustrates a state in which the discharge stacker device 4000 is removed.

The printer 1000 receives and stores print information (character codes, etc.), form information, macro instructions, and the like supplied from an externally connected host computer, and stores corresponding characters in accordance with the information. A pattern or a form pattern is created, and an image is formed on a recording medium such as recording paper.

The operation panel 1012 is provided with operation switches for receiving a user's operation, an LED display, and the like.

A printer control unit 1001 controls the entire printer 1000 and analyzes character information and the like supplied from a host computer. The printer control unit 1001 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern,
02 is output.

The laser driver 1002 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1003, and turns on / off the laser light r emitted from the semiconductor laser 1003 according to an input video signal.

The laser beam r is oscillated in the left-right direction by the rotary polygon mirror 1005 to scan and expose the electrostatic drum 1006. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1006. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 1007 disposed around the electrostatic drum 1006, and then transferred to a separately supplied recording sheet.

A cut sheet is used as the recording paper. The cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 1008 mounted on the LBP 1000, taken in the apparatus by a paper feed roller 1009, a transport roller 1010 and a transport roller 1011, and supplied to the electrostatic drum 1006. In the present embodiment, as described later, a specific image is formed on the cut sheet stored in the cassette 1008, and the cut sheet is used as a partition sheet to be discharged to the discharge stacker 4000.

The printer 1000 has at least one or more card slots (not shown). By using this card slot, an optional font card and a control card (emulation card) having a different language system can be connected in addition to the built-in font.

Next, the configuration of the paper discharge stacker 400 is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

The paper output stacker 4000 has three bins (upper bin 4001, middle bin 4002, lower bin 40).
03). Upper bin 4001, middle bin 40
The lower bin 02 and the lower bin 4003 are connected to each other via a vertical moving unit 4005. Each bin 4001, together with the vertical moving part 4005, is driven by the driving force of the driving motor 4006.
By moving 4002 and 4003 up and down, the bin to be discharged at that time can be changed.
The sheet discharged from the printer 1000 is sent to the stacker device 4000 via the stacker connection unit 4010. Therefore, when the paper is discharged, the paper is discharged and stacked in the bin at the position of the stacker connection portion 4010.

Each of the upper bin 4001, the middle bin 4002, and the lower bin 4003 has a load detection sensor 4004 for detecting the load of each bin. The loading amount detection sensor 4004 transmits the detection result to the control unit 1.
001.

The discharge stacker 4000 operates according to an instruction from the control unit 1001 of the printer 1000.

Next, the control configuration of the printer 1000 and the connection relationship with the host computer 3000 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the control configuration of the printer 1000 will be described.

The printer 1000 includes a control unit 100
1, a paper discharge stacker 4000, a printing unit 17, an operation unit 1012, and a paper feeding / conveying unit 23. Further, the external memory 14 can be mounted as needed.

The paper feeder 23 is provided with a paper cassette 1008
The paper feed roller 1009 and the transport roller 101 described above are for feeding and transporting the cut sheet stored in the
0, 1011 and a motor for driving them.

The discharge stacker 4000 has already been described.

The printing unit 17 forms an image on a sheet in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 1001, and includes the above-described electrostatic drum 1006, laser driver 1002, developing unit 1007, and the like.

The control unit 1001 controls the printer 10
00, the CPU 12 and the RO
M13, a printing unit I / F 16, a RAM 19, a memory controller (MC) 20, a sheet feeding / conveying unit I / F 22 and a stacker I / F 24. Further, a system bus 15 for connecting these components to each other is provided.

The ROM 13 includes a font ROM, a program ROM, and a data ROM. R for font
The OM stores font data and the like used when generating output information. The data ROM stores information used on the host computer 3000 and the like.
In the present embodiment, a specific image is formed on a normal sheet and used as a partition sheet. Data of the specific image is stored in the data ROM. A control program executed by the CPU 12 and the like are stored in the program ROM. The control program for the sheet discharge stacker 4000 is also stored in the program ROM.

The RAM 19 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 12, and is used as, for example, an output information development area, an environment data storage area, and an NVRAM. Further, information indicating the state of the sheet discharge stacker 4000 is also stored in the RAM 19. The RAM 19 is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by attaching an optional RAM to an additional port (not shown).

The printing unit I / F 16 controls the printing unit 17 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 12.

The paper feed / conveyance section I / F 22 controls the paper feed / conveyance section 23 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 12.

The stacker I / F 24 controls the discharge stacker 4000 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 12.

The input unit 18 is connected to the host computer 300
0 is executed.

The external memory 14 is connected as an option, and is used to store font data, emulation programs, form data, and the like. The external memory 14 includes a memory controller (MC) 2
The access is controlled by 0. As the external memory 14, specifically, a hard disk (H
D), IC cards and the like.

The external memory 14 is not limited to one, and at least one external memory is provided. In addition to the built-in fonts, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages of different languages can be connected. Is configured. Furthermore, NVRA (not shown)
M, and may store printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1012.

The operation panel 1012 is provided with operation switches for receiving user operations, an LED display, and the like.

The CPU 12 realizes various functions by executing programs and the like stored in the ROM 13 and the RAM 19. For example, it has a function of comprehensively controlling access to various devices connected to the system bus 15. Further, it has a function of outputting an image signal as output information to a printing section (printer engine) 17 connected via a printing section interface 16. Further, the CPU 12 is configured to communicate information and the like in the printer 1000 to the host computer 3000 by communicating with the host computer 3000 via the input unit 18. Further, a function is provided for controlling the discharge stacker device 4000 via the stacker I / F 24. Further, the sheet feeding / conveying section 23 is connected via the sheet feeding / conveying section I / F 22.
Is controlled to discharge the partition paper to the paper discharge stacker 4000 as necessary. Also, at this time, a function of forming a specific image for a partition sheet on the cut sheet fed by the sheet feeding / conveying section 23 by controlling the printing section 17 via the printing section I / F 16 is provided. I have.

Next, the host computer 3000 will be described.

The host computer 3000 has a
00, keyboard 9, CRT 10, and external memory 1
1 is included.

The main body 2000 includes a CPU 1, a RAM 2,
OM3, keyboard controller (KBC) 5, CR
T controller (CRTC) 6, memory controller (MC) 7, and printer controller (PRTC) 8
It is comprised including. A keyboard (KB) 9, a CRT display (CRT) 10, and an external memory 11 are connected as needed.

The CPU 1 executes the program RO of the ROM 3
M based on the document processing program stored in M
It has a function to execute document processing in which images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed. Further, it has a function of controlling each device connected to the system device 4 as a whole. For example, by executing processing (rasterizing) of an outline font on the display information RAM set on the RAM 2, the WYS on the CRT 10 is executed.
IWYG is possible. Further, the CPU 1 has a CRT
Based on a command specified by a mouse cursor (not shown) or the like displayed on the display 10, various registered windows are opened to execute various data processing.

The RAM 2 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 1.

The ROM 3 includes a font ROM, a program ROM, and a data ROM. The program ROM stores a control program of the CPU 1 and the like. The font ROM stores font data and the like used in document processing. The data ROM stores various data used when performing document processing or the like.

The keyboard controller (KBC) 5
It controls key input from a keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown).

The CRT controller (CRTC) 6
The display of the RT display (CRT) 10 is controlled.

The memory controller (MC) 7 controls access to the external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) and a floppy disk (FD). The external memory 11 has a boot program,
Various applications, font data, user files, editing files, and the like are stored.

The printer controller (PRTC) 8
It is for executing communication control processing with the printer 1000, and is connected to the printer 1000 via a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface) 21.

The "switching means" in the present invention is realized by the drive motor 4006 or the like. The “loading state detection unit” corresponds to the load amount detection sensor 4004. The “partition sheet supply unit” corresponds to the sheet feeding / conveying unit 23 and the printing unit 17. “Sheet conveyance unit” refers to the sheet conveyance unit 2
3 (for example, the feed roller 1009 and the transport roller 101
0, 1011), and the control unit 1001. The “image forming unit” is realized by the printing unit 17, the control unit 1001, and the like.

Next, the operation will be described.

The main feature of the present embodiment lies in the control of the discharge stacker 4000. Therefore, here, the paper ejection stacker 4000 will be mainly described with reference to FIG.

First, the control unit 1001 determines whether or not all the bins are full based on the detection result of the load detection sensor 4004 (step S1). As a result of the determination, if all the bins are full, the process ends because the paper cannot be discharged as it is. Actually, a full operator call is issued to urge the user to take action, but the description of such processing is omitted here. On the other hand, if all the bins are not full, the control unit 10
In step 01, the process proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, the control unit 100
1 determines whether there is output data. If there is no output data as a result of the determination, the process waits for reception and analysis of the output data while repeating the process of step S2.
On the other hand, if the result of determination is that there is output data, control unit 1001 proceeds to step S3.

At step S3, the control unit 10
01 determines whether or not the bin currently set as the carry-out destination is full. If the result of this determination is that the paper is not full, the flow proceeds to step S9, where normal output and paper discharge are performed. On the other hand, if the result of the determination is full, the control unit 1001 proceeds to step S4.

In step S4, the control unit 10
No. 01 determines whether there is a sheet being conveyed inside the image forming apparatus at that time. The judgment about such a point is made for the following reason. That is, when the printer 1000 starts operating from the standby state, there is no paper in the apparatus at the time of outputting the first sheet.
However, since it takes time to convey the paper, if continuous printing is being performed, feeding of the previous page or the previous page has been started when a certain page is to be discharged, and the bin 4001 is moving inside the machine. , 4002, and 4003, there is a state in which a sheet that has not been discharged yet exists. Therefore, it is necessary to confirm whether or not there is a sheet moving in the machine.

If the result of determination in step S4 is that there is a sheet in the machine, control unit 1001 waits for the sheet to be discharged while repeating the processing of step S4. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S4 is that there is no paper in the machine, processing proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, the control unit 10
No. 01 operates the drive motor 4006 to move the bin in order to change the bin that is the discharge destination. In this case, which bin to select / set as the next destination is
The selection is made according to the priorities provided in advance by the control unit 1001. However, the selection / setting method is not limited to this. Subsequently, the control unit 10
01 determines whether or not the bin set as a new discharge destination is full (step S6). If the result of the determination is that the new carry-out destination (bin) is full, the control unit 1001 returns to step S5 and moves the bin again. Since it is known from the result of the determination in step S1 that there is a bin that is not full,
By repeating steps S5 and S6, a bin that is not full should be found.

Next, the control unit 1001 executes step S
Then, the process proceeds to step S7, where it is determined whether a sheet is already present on the bin set as a new discharge destination. If the result of this determination is that there is a sheet, control unit 1001 proceeds to step S8.

In step S8, the control unit 10
In step 01, the sheet feeding unit 23 is operated to feed the cut sheets stored in the cassette 1008, and the printing unit 17 is controlled to form a specific image for partition paper on the sheets. Then, the partition paper thus created is discharged to the bin set as the discharge destination at this time. After the sheet is fed, the process proceeds to step S9.

As a result of the determination in step S7,
If there is no paper, the process proceeds directly to step S9.

In step S9, the control unit 10
01 controls each unit to perform printing and paper discharge. In this case, the partition paper discharged in step S8 becomes a partition between the paper already existing on the bin and the paper to be discharged. Therefore, the output result of another job (sheet bundle) performed so far can be easily distinguished from the output result of a job to be executed (sheet bundle).

According to the embodiment described above, the separation between the output result of a certain job (sheet bundle) and the output result of another job (sheet bundle) becomes clear. Further, since the bins, which only slightly load the sheets, do not become unusable, the loading capacity of each bin can be fully utilized.

In the above-described embodiment, the paper fed from the image forming apparatus is used as a partition. However, the paper discharge stacker itself may have a mechanism for independently feeding the partition paper to the bin. It should be noted that, as the partition paper, a special partition paper different in color, size and shape from normal paper may be used.

The discharge stacker may be constructed separately from the image forming apparatus, or may be provided in the image forming apparatus itself.

In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 1001 of the image forming apparatus controls the discharge stacker. However, the control of the discharge stacker may be performed by a control unit provided in the discharge stacker itself. However, in this case, it is necessary to transmit and receive a signal indicating a job break to and from the image forming apparatus.

The present invention is not limited to laser beam printers and ink jet printers.
It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to printers of other printing methods. In addition, the apparatus itself may be a single device, a system including a plurality of devices, or a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN, as long as the functions of the present invention are performed. It does not matter.

[0071]

As described above, in the sheet stacker and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the separation between the output result of one job (sheet bundle) and the output result of another job (sheet bundle) becomes clear. Further, since the bins, which only slightly load the sheets, do not become unusable, the loading capacity of each bin can be fully utilized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a sheet discharge stacker device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus and a connection relationship with a host computer.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control operation by a control unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 CPU 13 ROM 16 Printing unit I / F 17 Printing unit 19 RAM 22 Paper feeding and conveying unit I / F 23 Paper feeding and conveying unit 24 Stacker I / F 1000 Printer 1001 Control unit 3000 Host computer 4000 Discharge stacker 4001, 4002 4003 bin 4004 loading amount detection sensor 4005 vertical moving part 4006 drive motor 4010 stacker connection part

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A sheet stacker device that indicates a break between sheet bundles stacked in a bin by discharging a partition sheet, wherein a plurality of bins accommodating the discharged sheets and a bin from which the sheets are to be discharged are defined. Switching means for switching; loading status detecting means for detecting the loading status of paper in each of the bins; partition paper supplying means for discharging the partition paper to the bin; At this time, the paper loading state in the bin for which the paper is to be discharged is checked, and the bin for which the paper is to be discharged is switched by the switching means according to the check result, and a new discharge target is And a control means for discharging the partition paper to the bin set by the partition paper supply means. 2. The control means determines whether or not paper is already present in a bin to be newly discharged based on the detection result of the loading status detection means, and as a result of the determination, the paper already exists. The sheet stacker device according to claim 1, wherein the partition paper is discharged only when the sheet stacking is performed. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control unit switches the bin to which the sheet is to be discharged when the bin to be discharged at that time is in a full state as a result of the confirmation of the stacking state. The sheet stacker device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. A sheet is fed and conveyed along a predetermined path,
A sheet feeding and conveying means for finally discharging, an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet fed and conveyed by the sheet feeding and conveying means in the course of the sheet feeding and conveying, and a sheet to be discharged by the sheet feeding and conveying means An image forming apparatus, comprising: the sheet stacker device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet stacker accommodates a sheet.