JPS6218462B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

The present invention relates to a collator device that collects copy sheets by dividing them into predetermined sections. A conventional collator, for example, a collator that separates and collects copy paper discharged from a copying machine, is composed of a large number of sorting bins and a distributor that selectively distributes and supplies copy paper to each bin in a predetermined operation sequence. Ru. Conventionally, copy paper with a number of copies X greater than the number of bins A of the collator is not given to the collator and is ejected to the output tray of the copying machine, so the copy paper on the output tray must be sorted by hand. Also, if the number of pages Y is greater than the number of sheets stored in each bin B, the excess will be ejected onto the paper output tray, so this must be separated and added to the copy paper of each copy taken out from each bin. There is a problem that it must be done. The first object of the present invention is to increase the sorting capacity of such a collator. The sorting capacity of the collator can be increased by increasing the size of the collator itself and increasing the number A of bins and the number B of sheets each bin can accommodate, but the shape of the collator naturally has a limit. A second object of the present invention is to increase the separation capacity of the collator without making the shape of the collator particularly large. A third object of the present invention is to separately store as many copy sheets as possible in a collator, and to facilitate the operator in organizing the copy sheets when the number of copy sheets exceeds the storage capacity of the collator. be. To achieve the above object, the collator device of the first invention of the present application includes a plurality of sheet storage bins;
a distributor for selectively feeding sheets into one bin;
Surplus sheet loading platform; display means for displaying the supply of sheets to the bin and surplus sheet loading platform; the number of copy sheets that can be stored in the sheet storage bin is sent to the distributor, and the other copy sheets are sent to the surplus sheet a copy sheet supply control means for supplying copy sheets to a stacking table and energizing the display means to display when supplying copy sheets to the surplus sheet stacking table; Each of the sheets sent sequentially is skipped n-1 in the order of bin arrangement, n=1,
2, 3, . . . sheet distribution control means for sequentially storing the sheets in the bins. According to this, when the total number of copy sheets (number of original pages Y x number of copies When the number of copy sheets exceeds the number B of sheets stored in one bin, one set (copy)
The number n of bins that can store the number of copy sheets is set, and one set (copy) of copy sheets can be stored in n adjacent bins. Total number of copy sheets XY
When the number AB exceeds the total number of sheets stored in all the bins of the collator, the number of copy sheets within AB is stored in n adjacent bins per set, and the remaining copy sheets are discharged to the surplus sheet stacking table. Therefore, the sheets are collected in a manner that makes the most of the collator's storage capacity, and in an easy-to-organize manner by distributing one set (Y sheets) to n adjacent bins. When distributing the sheets to the bins and the surplus sheet stacking table because the sheets exceed the total storage capacity, the display means indicates that the sheets are to be supplied to the bins and the surplus sheet stacking table. Therefore, when the number of copies exceeds the capacity of the collator, copying is not possible (collator capacity exceeded).
Moreover, the operator can recognize how the copy sheets are distributed by the display means, and can correctly and efficiently take out and organize the sheets after copying. Operator usability is improved. The collator device according to the second invention of the present application includes, in addition to the elements of the collator device according to the first invention, means for detecting the number α of bins storing copy sheets, and also includes sheet distribution control. When all the bins do not contain copy sheets, the means energizes the distributor to distribute each of the sheets sequentially sent to the distributor into n-1 bins in the order in which the bins are arranged. When copy sheets are stored in bin number α, the distributor is energized and each of the sheets sequentially sent to the distributor is transferred to a bin that does not contain copy sheets. n in the order of arrangement of
-It is intended to be accommodated in sequence, one at a time. According to the second invention, in addition to the effects of the first invention, when a copy sheet that has already been copied in one way still exists in the collator, the next, another way of copying is performed. When copying is instructed, for the bins that do not store copy sheets, that is, if α is the number of bins that store copy sheets, then A
Copy sheets are similarly stored in the -α bin with A replaced by A-α. That is, without waiting for the previous one type of copy sheet to be taken out from the bin, the next one type of copy sheet is stored,
Collator operating efficiency is high. Since the next set of copy sheets is stored in a different bin from the previous set of copy sheets, different sets of copy sheets will not be mixed on the bin of the collator. Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1a shows a mode in which a collator 9 embodying the present invention is installed in a copying machine 100. In FIG. 1a, the copying machine 100 includes a contact glass plate 1
The image of the original on 1 is illuminated by the halogen lamp HLA on the carriage, which is scanned in the direction of the solid arrow in the figure, is received by the first mirror FMI, and is illuminated by the second mirror FMI.
SMI, in-mirror lens IMI and third mirror
The light is reflected by the TMI and projected onto the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1. The drum 1 is rotated counterclockwise during exposure, and its surface is uniformly charged by a charger 2. This electrical charge is partially erased by exposure, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image. The latent image is developed into a toner image by the developing device 4, and the recording paper that is fed from one of the cassettes CAS1 to CAS3 to the registration roller 6 section by selective energization of one of the paper feed rollers PS1 to PS3 is a toner image. In synchronization with the arrival of the image position (the leading edge of the document), the toner image is sent below the transfer charger 7, where the toner image is transferred onto the recording paper. The recording paper is separated from the surface of the drum 1 by a separation roller 8, passes through a fixing heater HEP section, and is sent to a paper discharge tray _IS2 , a spare cassette CAS3, or a collator 9 according to the paper discharge setting. After the transfer, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is neutralized by a static eliminating charger 5 and cleaned by a cleaning roller 10. As shown in FIG. 1a, this copying machine 100 has an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as a document feeder or simply referred to as a feeder) 3 that can be attached to and removed from the copying machine 100.
Further, the collator 9, which is a sheet sorting and collecting device, is detachable. When the feeder 3 is attached, the micro switch OFD is turned on, and the presence of the feeder 3 is detected. When the collator 9 is attached, the micro switch SD is turned on, and the presence of the collator 9 is detected. Ru. A keyboard is provided on the top surface of the copying machine 100 (behind the feeder 3), and the surface of the keyboard is shown in FIG. 1b. In FIG. 1b, 20 is a power supply switch;
21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 are various key switches, 30 ₁ to 30 ₃ , 3
1-43 and 55-57 are various indicator lights, 44-
47 is a 7-segment, 2-digit display unit, and 29 is a knob for setting density. Each of these elements on the keyboard and the copier 100
To give an overview of the operation relationship, power switch 2
When 0 is turned on, the microcomputer that constitutes the central control unit of the copying machine is first powered on, and then the microcomputer turns on the power to each part of the copying machine in a predetermined sequence, and the feeder 3 if installed. Then, power on collator 9 is turned on. When the key 25 is pressed, the lamp 32 lights up and the paper cassette is set to CAS1.
When the key 26 is pressed, the lamp 33 is lit and the paper feed cassette is set to CAS2, and when the key 27 is pressed, the lamp 34 is lit and the paper feed cassette is set to CAS3. When the key 28 is pressed, the lamp 57 lights up and the paper is set to the cassette CAS3.
If the key 28 is not pressed, if SD is off, the paper will be ejected to the paper ejection tray IS ₂ , if SD is on, the lamp 42 will be lit, and the paper will be ejected according to the number of originals, i.e. pages, as described later. The number Y and the set number of sheets, that is, the number of copies X, are determined for the collator 9 and/or the paper discharge tray _IS2 . When the key 23 is pressed, the lamp 55 lights up. When the number keys on the numeric keypad 22 are operated in this state, the number of copies X is stored internally and displayed on the display unit 44. When the clear key is pressed in this state, the number of copies X is Cleared, the display unit 44 displays "00". When the key 24 is pressed, the lamp 55 is turned off and the lamp 56 is turned on.
In this state, the number of pages Y is input by operating the numeric keypad 22 and is stored internally. The ready lamp 31 is turned on (green) when the copying machine is ready for copying, and the other indicator lamps 35 to 38
is lit when there is an abnormality inside the copying machine. The lamp 39 is lit when the OFD is on, and the lamps 40 and 41 are lit when there is an abnormality in the feeder 3. Lamp 43 is collator 9
The lamp ₃₀₁ is lit when a paper jam occurs in the printer, and when X and Y are input by operating the keys 22, the central control unit of the copying machine determines that the paper can be ejected only to the collator after calculations described later. Lamp 30 ₂ is lit when the collator cannot accommodate it alone, and lamp 30 ₃ is lit when the SD
is off and output is set to output tray IS ₂ (lamp 5).
7 is off). When the print key 21 is pressed while the ready lamp 31 is on, the copying operation starts.
When the feeder 3 is attached, the copying machine 100 instructs the feeder 3 to supply and eject the original, waits for the original to be fed onto the contact glass plate 11, and then starts copying. When OFD is off,
When the print key 21 is pressed, the copying operation starts immediately. Next, FIG. 1c shows the coupling relationship of the electric circuits in the combination shown in FIG.
The connection relationship between the collator 9 and the collator 9 will be explained. The central control unit of the copying machine 100 has an input/output port 53.
a, semiconductor read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM) 53b, semiconductor read/write memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM)
) 53, semiconductor central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as
53d (referred to as a CPU) and a clock pulse oscillator 53e. Input/output port 53
The above-mentioned key switch, indicator lamp, and display unit are connected to a via the input/output interface, and the devices and circuits of each part of the copier are similarly connected via the interface. via amplifiers) 50, 52 and photocouplers 51, and further connectors 48 ₁ , 4
The feeder 3 and the collator 9 are connected via 8 ₂ , 49 ₁ , 49 ₂ . The photocoupler 51 is used because some of the connectors 48 ₁ and 48 ₂ are exposed to the outside of the copying machine 100, and the distance between the feeder 3, collator 9, and interface 50 is relatively long, making it easy to pick up noise between them. , Moreover, since the noise of feeder 3 and collator 9 is easy to ride,
This is to block such noise. The configuration of the central control unit of collator 9 is
As shown in the figure. Similarly to the central control unit of the copying machine 100, the central control unit of the collator 9 also includes an input/output port 91a, a ROM 91b, a RAM 91c, a CPU
91d and a clock pulse oscillator 91e, devices and circuits inside the collator 9 are connected to the input/output port 91a via an interface, and the input/output port 91a is connected to the connector ₄₉₂ via the interface. There is.
In addition, a data selector 92 is provided at the input/output port 91a.
is connected to the data selector 92, and a group A of 2-digit, 7-segment display units 9d ₁ to 9d _A are connected to the data selector 92 . Each of these display units 9d ₁ to 9
d _A is 1 in each bin 9a as shown in Figure 1e.
They are placed near the bins in a one-to-one relationship. In addition, the collator 9 houses A number of bins 9a, as well as a distributor consisting of a paper guide 9b, a belt 9d, a pulley and a motor 9c, and a fixed position control unit, as shown in the outline in FIG. 1a. Contains the motor drive circuit. The paper guide 9b is moved through the pulley and belt by the forward and reverse rotation of the motor 9c.
is driven up and down and is stopped at a position where it guides and advances the paper to one selected bin under fixed position control. As for the distributor, as is conventionally known, one paper guide and one paper guide drive solenoid are arranged at the paper inlet of each bin, and selective energization of one solenoid moves one paper guide into the paper path. A structure in which the paper is guided to one bin by being driven from a retracted position to a position across the paper path may also be used. The central control unit of the feeder 3 is also composed of a microcomputer, and the central control unit of the feeder 3 is also composed of a microcomputer.
The automatic control operation is performed by exchanging data with the central control unit of the controller, but since this is not relevant to the main points of the present invention, a detailed explanation will be omitted. ROM 53 of the central control unit of the copier 100
In addition to program data for performing the power-on sequence operation described above, various operation control program data and constant data are stored in fixed memory in b. The following describes the operation settings of the central control unit of the copying machine 100 related to the present invention, namely, the exchange of data with the collator 9 when the number of copies X and the number of pages Y are input, and X, Y, Number of bins A of collator 9 and number of copies stored in the bin B
The following will focus on the settings for discharging sheets to the collator 9 based on the correlation. In addition, the ROM of the central control unit of collator 9
91b contains various operation program data and constant data including power-on sequence program data for turning on power to each part of the collator 9 in a predetermined order in response to power-on of the central control unit from the copying machine 100. It is a fixed memory, and in its constant data, the bin 9a that the collator 9 has
There is a number A of sheets of copy paper that can be stored in one bin, and a number B of copy papers that can be stored in one bin. In the following, the collator 9 will be mainly described with reference to the parts related to the present invention, namely, the copy paper information from the copying machine and the operation settings corresponding to copy paper input. For convenience of explanation, the RAM 53c, 91c and/or
The area in the internal RAM of the CPUs 53d and 91d that stores temporary data is called a register, and the registers are named as shown in Table 1 below.

[Table] First, an outline of the paper discharge setting operation of the central control unit of the copying machine 100 is shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, and will be explained. When the number of copies X and the number of pages Y are input by operating the numeric keypad 22, they are stored in registers x and y, respectively, and displayed on display units 44 and 46, respectively. and lamp 5
Check whether or not 7 is lit (that is, check whether paper ejection is specified to spare cassette CAS3). If not, check whether collator 9 is installed by turning SD on and off. If collator 9 is not installed, paper output is set to output tray IS ₂ and lamp 30 ₃
lights up and says ``Copies will be ejected to the output tray.''
is displayed and waits for the print key 31 to be pressed. When collator 9 is connected, it instructs collator 9 to transfer data representing A and B, receives them, and stores them in registers a and b, respectively. So B≧Y? In other words, the number of pages Y
Check whether the entire set of copies (one section) can be stored in one bin. And can it be stored, that is, B≧Y? If =YES, clear register c and set all its memory bits to "0", and determine whether A≧X? I see. In other words, it is checked whether the total number X can be stored in all bins A or not.
Can it be stored there, that is, A≧X? = YES, the <sub>number</sub> of bin allocations register x,
The contents of y, c, d, e and f are given to collator 9. Collator 9 stores them each in its own identically named register. Copy machine 10
The 0 side then clears the register g and waits for the arrival of a copy start pulse that is issued prior to the start of the 1 copy operation. B≧Y? If = NO, all Y pages cannot be stored in one bin, so find the minimum number n required to store Y pages (find the minimum number n that satisfies nB≧Y), Store in register c.
Therefore, register c is the number n of bins to be allocated to one copy (page Y) when one bin overflows.
will be retained. When n bins are assigned to one copy in this way, the number of copies that can be stored in the collator 9 is equal to or less than A/n. Therefore, the maximum m that satisfies mn≦A, that is, the number of copies that can be completely stored without running out, m
Find ≦A/n, store it in register e, and m
≧X? In other words, check whether the specified number of copies X is less than or equal to the number of storable copies m, and determine whether m≧X? =YES In other words, if it is possible to store copy X, the number of copies X to be stored is stored in register f, and all copies of Y pages of copy X can be stored in collator 9, and the lamp <sub>301</sub> is lit and a message saying "copies are placed in collator" is displayed. The contents of registers x, y, c, d, e, and f are given to collator 9. Collator 9 stores them in its own registers x, y, c, d, e and f, respectively. m≧X? = NO, it is not possible to store Xm copies, so the number m of copies that can be stored is stored in register f, and the lamp 30 <sub>2</sub>
lights up to display "Copies will be ejected to the collator and output tray", and registers x, y, c, d,
Give the contents of e and f to collator 9. By the way, I omitted the explanation, but is B≧Y? = YES, and even if one copy of Y pages can be stored in one bin, A≧X? = NO, that is, the specified number of copies
is larger than the number of bins A, the copy of the X-A section cannot be stored in the collator 9, so the register d
The number of copies A that can be stored is stored in memory, the lamp <sub>302</sub> is turned on, and the message "Copies are ejected to the collator and output tray" is displayed, and the contents of registers x, y, c, d, e, and f are stored in the collator 9. give to After giving the contents of registers x, y, c, d, e, and f to the collator 9 in this way, the copying machine 1
00 determines the paper ejection to the collator or paper ejection tray by a judgment operation based on the contents of each register each time a copy start pulse arrives, and in response to the first copy start pulse, the collator 9 A start signal is given to the collator 9 for a standby setting command. After the collator 9 clears the required registers in response to the start signal and positions the distributor at the first bin, a sheet sensor (not shown) placed at the entrance of the collator 9 detects the arrival of a copy. Each time, the incoming copies are collected separately by its own judgment operation based on the contents of each register.
Note that when a paper jam occurs in the collator 9, the collator 9 notifies the copying machine 100 of this, and the copying machine 100 lights up the lamp 43 to display the paper jam in the collator 9, and sets the paper output to the paper output tray <sub>IS2.</sub> Shi lamp 30 <sub>1</sub> and 30
Change to the error display mode display in which <sub>3</sub> flashes alternately. Next, the central control unit of the copying machine 100 will explain the paper ejection settings in the copying machine 100. When a copy start signal (one pulse at the start of one copy operation) arrives, the sum of the contents of register g plus 1 is added to the register. Update memory to g. That is, the count value of the copy start signal is stored in register g. (Moving to Figure 2b)
Is the content of register c 0? I see. As shown in Figure 2a, B≧Y? = register c when YES
is cleared and all bits in that memory are 0, so the question ``Are the contents of register c 0?
YES”, it is assumed that B≧Y and one copy of Y pages can be stored in one bin, and then “The contents of register d are
mosquito? ” or see. If this is YES, as can be seen from FIG. 2a, since A≧X, all copies can be stored in the collator 9, and the paper discharge is determined to be the collator 9. Is the content of register g, that is, the count value i of the copy start signal, i=X? I see. In other words, it is checked whether the copy operation has started X times or not. If the copy start pulse has not yet been reached X times, the process returns to waiting for the arrival of the copy start pulse shown in FIG. Reach the judgment of , and repeat this process. Then, when i=X, that is, the count value of the copy start pulse reaches the set number of copies X, register g is cleared. In this loop that proceeds with B≧Y and A≧X, all copies are given to collator 9, and clearing register g has no special meaning. “Is the content of register c 0?=YES”, that is, B≧Y, “Is the content of register d is X?=NO”, that is, when A<X, the count value i of register g is A+1≦i≦X. Since the copy belongs to the section (X-A) that cannot be stored in collator 9, i≧A+1? =NO, that is, when i≦A, the paper discharge is set to the collator 9, but when i≧A+1, the paper discharge is set to the paper discharge tray _IS2 . And i≧A+1?
= YES and i _< Clear i. As a result, when the next copy start pulse arrives, is i≧A+1? = NO, the paper discharge is set to collator 9. In this way,
When B≧Y and A<X, one copy of Y pages is stored in each of the A bins of the collator 9, and AY of the XY copies (copies of A with all copies) is given to collator 9, and X-A
(X-A)Y copies of the portion will be ejected to the paper ejection tray IS ₂ without division. Next, when "Is the content of register c 0? = NO", that is, when the number n of multiple bins to be allocated to one part is stored in register c, then "The content of register f is If the determination is X, this means that m≧X as shown in FIG. Since it is possible to store XY sheets), it is determined that all copies are to be ejected to the collator 9. In this flow, there is no particular meaning in clearing register g with i=X after the flow. If the question "Is the content of register f X?" is NO, this means that m is stored in register f, as shown in Figure 2a, and if m<X, the copy of the X-m portion is This means that it cannot be stored in collator 9. Therefore, in this case, when i=X, register g is cleared, and when 1≦i≦m, paper ejection is set to collator 9,
If m+1≦i≦X, the paper is set to be ejected to the paper ejection tray _IS2 . As a result, copies of m copies and Y pages with the same page numbers are provided to the collator 9, and (Xm)Y copies are discharged to the paper discharge tray _IS2 . Next, the sorting and collection control by the central control unit of the collator 9 of the copies given to the collator 9 with the above-described paper discharge setting of the copying machine 100 will be explained with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b. do. First, referring to FIG. 3a, when the central control unit of the collator 9 receives a request from the copying machine 100 to transfer data representing A and B, the central control unit of the collator 9
The data is stored in its own registers a and b from the ROM 91b and provided to the copying machine 100. Then, from the copying machine 100, registers x, y,
Receive memory data of c, d, e and f,
They are stored in their own registers x, y, c, d, e, and f, respectively. Then, it waits for a start signal indicating the start of a copying operation to arrive from the copying machine 100. When the start signal arrives, the paper guide 9b of the distributor is set to the standby position for guiding the paper to the first bin, registers h, l and p are cleared,
The register g is cleared and the process waits until a paper sensor (not shown) at the paper inlet of the collator 9 detects paper, that is, copy paper. When copy paper arrives, 1 is added to the contents of register g and the sum is updated and stored in memory. In other words, copy detection pulses are counted. Then, it is determined whether the contents of register c are 0 or not. When B<Y, the process moves to the flow shown in FIG. 3b. And B≧Y
At this time, like register g, the i-th counter register that performs addition memory of 1 is set to the clock pulse count start mode.
Note that A number of counters from No. 1 to No. A are connected to the input/output port 91a, and the count over setting value of each counter is determined when copying is detected at the entrance of the collator 9 for the No. 1 counter. from 1st
The time t ₁ from when the copy is detected at the entrance of the collator 9 until the copy is completely stored in the second bin, t ₂ at the second counter.
The third counter calculates the time t ₃ from when the copy is detected at the entrance of the collator 9 until it is stored in the third bin, and the No. A counter measures the time t 3 from when the copy is detected at the entrance to the collator 9 to when it is stored in the third bin. The time _tA until storage in the A-th bin is completed may be used. In any case, the start of counting of counter i means t _i
This means the start of time counting, which means the start of monitoring the time from the entrance of the collator 9 of the copy to be stored in the i-th bin until the completion of storage in the i-th bin. When B≧Y, the distributor is in a standby state and is in a position to guide the paper to the first bin, and the copy is completely stored in the first bin _t1 after the inlet of the collator 9 detects the copy. , t ₁ after detecting the first copy, that is, when counter No. 1 has counted over, move the paper guide 9b to the 1+1 bin position, detecting the second copy, and then t ₂ , that is, when counter No. 1 counts over, move the paper guide 9b to the position of the 1st + 2nd bin, detect the jth copy, and after t _j , that is, when counter No.
Move the paper guide 9b to the position of the bin. Then, j is the number of bins used for storage stored in register d A (when A<X) or X (A≧X
When j≧A or Monitoring of this copy detection pulse and counting when the pulse arrives (addition memory of copy pulse to register g) are carried out by counters 1 to 1.
This is performed when neither A nor X is counted over, and every time the paper guide 9b is repositioned. Every time the count value i reaches the contents A or X of register d, register g
The content i of is cleared. This repeats only the counters from number 1 to number A or number t ₁ to t _A
Or for use in timed counting of _tX .
As explained earlier, the copying machine 100 uses the collator 9
Since the copies that cannot be stored in the output tray IS 2 are ejected to the output tray IS ₂ , the collator 9 receives all incoming copies.
The contents are sequentially and repeatedly stored in the first bin to the A or X bin (when the content of the register d is A, the A bin, and when the content is X, the X bin). Therefore, when B≧Y and A≧X, each copy of Y page of X portion is stored in each of the 1st bin to the
When Y and A<X, copies of Y pages of A section are stored one by one in each of the first to A bins. When B<Y, n bins are allocated to store one copy, so copies that arrive sequentially are stored in the 1st bin, 1+n bin, 1+2n bin,
..., that is, if the copy number is i,
(i-1) Stored in n+1 bin, number of copies that can be stored is m
(m<X) or X (m ≥ Store in the 1st bin, 1+n bin, 1+2n bin, etc. Each time a copy is stored in the m-th bin, 1 is added to the contents of register p to update memory, and the number r of stored pages is stored in register p. Then, when r≧B, that is, when B copies are stored in each of the storage bins mentioned above, 1 is added to the contents of register l and the memory is updated. That is, of the n bins assigned to one copy, the number k of bins in which B sheets have been stored is stored in register l. In this way, when k=1, that is, the 1st bin, the 1+n bin, the 1+2n bin,
...After storing B copies in each of the (i-1) n+1 bins, the paper guide 9b of the distributor is first placed in the second bin position, and then the second
Bin, 2nd+n bin, 2nd+2n bin, ...(i-1)th n+1+[1] bin, where [1]=
[k], sequentially stores copies up to i=m, and
When the number of copies stored in the bin becomes B (that is, r≧
(k+1)B), add 1 to the contents of register l and update memory (k→k+1, that is, change k=1 to k=2
), then the 3rd bin, the 3rd+n bin, the 3rd+
2n bin, . . . stores the copy in the (i-1)th (i-1) n+1+[2] bin. If the storage bin number is generally q, it can be expressed as q=(i-1)n+1+[k]. And as mentioned above, the memory of register f is m
, clear register g at i=m and set i=
Return to 0 and set q=(i-1)n in the range 1≦i≦m
Store the copy in the +1+[k] bin, and r≧(k+
1) When it comes to B, that is, if the bin that has been giving copies of n groups of bins stores B copies, then out of the n bins of 1 group, B copies will be stored in register l. The number k of bins that have been stored is updated in memory, and q=(i-1)n+1
Set the copy to be stored in the +[k] bin.
Note that if the memory of register f is X, m may be replaced with X in the above description. In this way, when B Copies of B pages are given to the bins in order from the bin with the lowest number. and m
When ≧X, the total number X is stored in the collator 9, and when m<X, copies of m copies of Y pages are stored in the collator 9, and copies of (X-m) copies of Y pages are stored in the paper output tray IS ₂ It is discharged to the top. Although not shown in the flow shown in Figure 3b,
In the following part of the flow in the figure, select the distributor No.q+n.
In the step "Set up to store copies in the bin", then q=(i-1)n+1+
i is given to the display unit _9dq associated with the q-th bin represented by [k] and latched.
In this case, i represents the part number called the i-th part. Therefore, the n display units associated with each of the n adjacent bins represent the unit numbers stored in those n bins. The operator can therefore determine at a glance how the parts of the copy are distributed among the bins of the collator 9. Note that the data in these display units is cleared when the start signal arrives. Next, a modification of the above-described embodiment will be described. 1
When one user uses the copying machine 100 and finishes using it, another person continues to make copies without turning off the power. If there is still a copy of the previous user (e.g. collator 9)
and ejecting copies from output tray IS ₂ ). Therefore, in one modification, the above-mentioned mode of use is further provided with a timer (which may utilize a clock pulse addition memory based on ROM program data), and when the timer times out, the copying machine 100 and the collator 9
In either case, the various registers mentioned above are cleared, and the number of copies X and number of pages Y are
When the print key 21 is pressed with or without such input, the copying machine 100 and collator 9 ignore the time-out of the timer until the subsequent series of copying operations are completed, and register a is the previous number of used bins α(A,
X, or m, that is, if there is n memory in register c, the value nX or
nm, if there is no memory for n in register c, the value obtained by subtracting the contents of register d (A or , the waiting position may be determined by referring to the contents of the waiting position setting register. In another modification, collator 9
a sensor for detecting whether there is a sheet in each bin;
≧Y? Prior to determining the presence or absence of sheets in each bin, the sheet storage bin number is memorized in a register, and on the copying machine 100 side, A is stored in register a.
The value A−α obtained by subtracting the number α of sheet storage bins from the above value may be stored in memory, and this may be treated as A in the above description to set the sheet discharge. Similarly, on the collator 9 side, A is stored in register a.
- Memory α and RAM91c or CPU91
An i conversion table is created (memory) in the internal RAM of d, and in the step of "add 1 to the contents of register g and update memory", the i conversion table skips the α sheet storage bins. A basic count value i is created, and the empty bin with the lowest number is set in the waiting position setting register.
No. β may be stored in memory, and when setting the standby position of the paper guide 9b, the paper guide may be set in the bin No. β by referring to the memory of this standby position setting register. If the previous copy still remains in the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th, and 11th of collator 9, which has 20 (A) bins from 1st to 20th bins, use the i conversion table creation method. To explain, if the content γ of register g is taken as an address, γ=
When 1, the memory data is set to 3; when γ=2, the memory data is set to 4; when γ=3, the memory data is set to 7; when γ=4, the memory data is set to 8
Then, when γ=5, the memory data is set to 9, γ=
6 sets the memory data to 10, γ=7 sets the memory data to 12, all the bins after number 12 are empty, so γ=8 sets the memory data to 13,...γ=i
+5, ..., create a table that defines the memory data, and update the memory by adding 1 to the contents (i) of register g (i=
i + 1)'', the ROM 91b performs the i conversion of ``read memory data i _X from the i change table using the contents (i) of register g as an address, and update the memory data to register g.''
All you have to do is change the program data. By installing one sheet detection means such as a photo sensor in each bin, it is possible to detect whether or not there is a sheet in each bin almost simultaneously, but by installing the sheet detection means in the scanning mechanism, One or two or three sheet detection means can detect the presence or absence of sheets in all bins. Such a sheet detection mechanism is shown in FIG. 4a. In this sheet detection mechanism, a light emitting element
Sheet detection head with fixed PE and photodetector PR
The SH is driven up and down along the arrangement of the bins 9a by a motor M via a wire and a pulley, and the detection position is set by a photo sensor PS through a slit in a slit plate fixed to the rotating shaft of the motor M.
It is determined by detecting the slit and counting the slit detection pulses. Alternatively, the head SH may be fixed to a wire to which the paper guide 9b is fixed, and the head SH may be driven up and down along the arrangement of the bins 9a using the paper guide 9b drive mechanism of the distributor. In the bin 9a, the image side of the copy faces downward, but in the case of double-sided copying, there is also an image on the upper side of the copy paper on the bin 9a. Therefore, the detection of the copy paper by the head SH is set so that the corner part of the copy paper is detected by the light emitting element PE and the light receiving element PR, as shown in FIG. It is preferable to set the detection so that the copy paper blocks the optical path between the light emitting element PE and the light receiving element PR. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the central control unit of the copying machine 100 and the collator 9, which are composed of a microcomputer, control the number of sheets that can be stored in the collator and the number of copies, the sheet discrimination given to the collator, and the control of each part. However, these controls are performed only by the central control unit of the copying machine 100 or the collator 9, and the other is provided with the necessary data and lamp energization as necessary. A signal may also be given. Also, Figure 2a,
A part of the sheet discharge setting calculation shown in FIG. 2b can be programmed into the central control unit of the collator 9, or a part of the sheet classification collection control calculation shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b can be programmed into the central control unit of the copying machine 100. You may also do so. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the arrival of a copy is detected on the collator 9 side and the operation reference amount i is created because there is a time delay between the start of copying or paper ejection in the copying machine 100 and the acceptance of the copy in the collator 9. Because there is. If the shift register or RAM delays the data by the time delay, the collator 9 side can omit copy detection and create the operation reference amount i based on the output data of the shift register or RAM. The sheet classification collection control calculation may be performed, or this calculation may also be shared with the copying machine, and the paper guide 9b may be positioned based on the output data of the shift register or RAM. However, in general, in the case of copying machines,
The central control unit is responsible for a considerable number of control calculations and timing settings, and it may be difficult to determine the timing for collator 9 control. Therefore, the operation control of the sheet ejection and collator 9 control shown in FIGS. 2a to 3b described above is rather controlled by the collator 9.
The central control unit of the copier 1
The central control unit of 00 is simplified so that it gives X, Y, start signals, copy start pulses, etc. to the collator 9, receives data from the collator, and performs the necessary display and paper ejection settings, as shown in Figure 2a and below. Preferably, the flow is directed to a central control unit of the collator 9. In this case as well as in the above-described embodiments or modifications, when the collator 9 is provided with an overflow tray, the copying machine 100 gives all copies to the collator 9 if it is set to eject sheets to the collator 9; Copies that cannot be stored in the bin may be ejected to an overflow tray. This is, for example, the second b of the copying machine 100.
Copy distribution corresponding to the paper discharge setting flow shown in the figure can be easily performed by performing copy distribution at a position within the collator 9 closest to the copy entrance. In this case, it is recommended that the flow shown in FIG. 2a be performed by the central control unit of the copying machine, and the flow corresponding to that shown in FIGS. 2b, 3a, and 3b be performed by the central control unit of the collator 9. preferable.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1a is a side sectional view showing a combination of a collator and a copying machine embodying the present invention, FIG. 1b is an enlarged plan view showing a keyboard on the top surface of the copying machine, and FIG. 1c is a first
FIG. 1D is a block diagram showing the electric circuit structure inside the copier in the combination shown in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1D is a block diagram showing the electric circuit structure inside the collator, and FIG. 1E is an external perspective view of the collator. 2a and 2b are operation flowcharts of the paper ejection setting and paper ejection control of the copying machine 100 in the embodiment of the combination shown in FIG. It is a flowchart showing control operation. FIG. 4a is a perspective view showing a sheet detection mechanism used in a modified embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 4b and 4c are perspective views showing the arrangement of sheet sensors therein. 1: Photosensitive drum, 2: Charger, 3:
Feeder, 4: Developing device, 5: Static elimination charger,
6: Registration roller, 7: Transfer charger, 8:
Separation roller, 9: Collator, 9a: Bin (sheet storage bin), 9b: Paper guide, 9c: Motor, 9d: Belt (9b, 9c, 9d: distributor), 10: Cleaning roller, 11: Contact glass plate, HEP: Fixing heater, CAS1~
CAS3: Cassette, PS1~PS3: Paper feed roller,
IS ₁ : Document output tray, IS ₂ : Copy sheet output tray (surplus sheet loading platform), OFD, SD: Micro switch, 20: Power switch, 21: Print start key switch, 22 to 28: Various key switches, 30 ₁ to 30 ₃ : indicator light (30 ₂ : display means), 31 : ready lamp, 30 ₁ to 30 ₃ ,
32-43, 55-57: Various indicator lights, 44-4
7,9d ₁ to 9d _A : 2-digit 7-segment display unit, 53d: Semiconductor central processing unit (copy sheet supply control means), 91d: Semiconductor central processing unit (sheet distribution control means), SH: Sheet detection head, PE : Light emitting element, PR: Light receiving element, M: Motor, SP: Slit plate, PS: Photo sensor (SH, PE, PR, M, SP: means for detecting the number of bins α).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of sheet storage bins 9a; Distributors 9b, 9c, 9d that selectively supply sheets to one bin; Surplus sheet loading platform IS ₂ ; Sheet bin and surplus sheet loading Display means 30 ₂ for displaying the supply to the table; supplies the number of copy sheets that can be stored in the sheet storage bin to the distributor, supplies other copy sheets to the surplus sheet stacking table, and displays the number of copy sheets that can be stored in the sheet storage bin; Copy sheet supply control means 53d that energizes the display means when supplying copy sheets to the stand; and energizes the distributor to send each of the sheets sequentially fed to the distributor into the bin. n-1 in arrangement order
A collator device comprising: a sheet distribution control means 91d for sequentially storing sheets into bins in batches, n=1, 2, 3, . . . 2. A plurality of sheet storage bins 9a; Distributors 9b, 9c, 9d that selectively supply sheets to one bin; Excess sheet loading platform IS ₂ ; Displaying the supply of sheets to the bin and surplus sheet loading platform Display means 30 ₂ for supplying the number of copy sheets that can be stored in the sheet storage bin to the distributor, other copy sheets to the surplus sheet loading platform, and supplying the copy sheets to the surplus sheet loading platform. copy sheet supply control means 53d for displaying and energizing the display means; for energizing the distributor, each of the sheets sequentially fed to the distributor is set to n-1 in the order of bin arrangement;
Sheet distribution control means 91d for sequentially storing copy sheets in bins at intervals of one of n=1, 2, 3, . . .; means for detecting the number α of bins storing copy sheets SH, PE, PR, M, SP; and when all the bins do not contain copy sheets, the distributor is energized and each of the sheets sequentially sent to the distributor is delivered to n- in the order in which the bins are arranged.
When copy sheets are stored in bins one after the other and the copy sheets are stored in the bin number α, the distributor is energized so that each of the sheets sequentially sent to the distributor is distributed in the order in which the bins are arranged. Sheet distribution control means 91 that sequentially stores copy sheets into bins that do not store copy sheets.
A collator device comprising d;