JPS62189479A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain the number of printouts required on which images are formed in a short time by forming the number of images which can be contained among required images and then displaying the alarm that the unformed remain der are formed if the number of formed images which an input means inputs exceeds the capacity of a containing means. CONSTITUTION:An original is set to an automatic original feeder 21, the number of sheets which exceeds a load amount per bottle is set, and the copy key of a display/operation part 17 in a copying machine 16 is pressed. Then the copying machine 16 judges whether the number of printouts exceeds the load amount per bottle from the size of the original led in the automatic original feeder 21. If so, the copying machine 16 quickly copies within the load amount per bottle. Upon the completion it outputs the alarm and caution that the copying of the remainder will be made to the display/operation part 17 to inform an operator. Thus, even if the number of printouts which exceeds the capacity in terms of containing is set, they can be obtained in a short time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a storage means for storing sheets on which images have been formed.

[Prior art]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a sorter or the like is sometimes connected to a recording device such as a copying machine. Sorters generally have multiple bins, and each bin has a limited sheet capacity. Conventionally, in such an apparatus, if the number of sheets exceeds the number of sheets that can be stacked in each bin, a warning is simply issued and no image forming operation is performed.

〔the purpose〕

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its purpose is to be able to obtain a desired number of image-formed sheets in a short time even if the number of image-formed sheets is inputted to be more than the storage capacity. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that is capable of providing an image forming apparatus.

〔Example〕

Examples of the present invention are shown below.

As shown in FIG. 1, two bin movable sheet sorting devices 19 and 20 (hereinafter referred to as sorter 1 and sorter 2) are connected to the copying device 16, and the sorter 119 is connected to a first sorter fixed to the bin frame 6. The sorter 220 is equipped with the 25th bin 8 from the bin, and the sorter 220 is provided with the 26th bin 11 to the 50th bin 12 fixed to the bin frame 6.
25 sheets each can be sorted.

Further, an automatic document feeder 21 is connected to the copying device 16.

FIG. 2-1 shows a block diagram of serial communication between the copying machine and the sorter. In the copying machine, the copying machine control circuit displays the set number of copies, the number of copies, etc. on the display section in order to notify the operator of the input of the desired number of copies by means such as a key, or to start copying. /Stop, cassette size selection, and commands are taken in from the operation unit, and also controls the copying sequence, automatic document feeder, and sorter I via serial communication. The sorter 1 control circuit sends and receives data to and from the copying device and the sorter 2 via serial communication, outputs various information to the display section, and controls the sorter 1 operation sequence. The sorter 2 control circuit sends and receives data to and from the sorter 1 via serial communication, outputs various information to the display section, and controls the sorter 2 operation sequence. 5REQI.

S A CK 1 is a serial communication request signal between the copying machine and sorter 1, a serial communication start signal, and 5SOUT
I.

5SIN1 is a serial communication line between the copying machine and sorter 1, 5CNNTl is a sorter 1 connection signal, and 5ON1 is a sorter 1 power supply remote signal. 5REQ2 and 5ACK2 are serial communication request signals between sorter 11 and sorter 2, respectively.
Serial communication start signal, 5SOUT2, 5SIN2 are serial communication lines between sorter 1 and sorter 2, 5CNNT2
is the sorter 2 connection signal, and 5ON2 is the sorter 2 power supply remote signal. Immediately after the copying machine is turned on, the 5ONI
Turn on the signal. In the sorter 1, when the 5ON1 signal is turned on, the switching power supply is turned on, and the sorter 1 control circuit is turned on. Therefore, sorter 1 immediately turns on the 5ON2 signal. In the sorter 2, when the 5ON2 signal is turned on, the switching power supply is turned on, and the sorter 2 control circuit is turned on. The copying device is sorter 1. After a certain period of time in which the switching power supply of the sorter 2 is expected to start up, serial communication is started with the sorter 1.

FIG. 3-1 is an example of a sorter serial communication interface circuit. The sorter control microcontroller is a one-chip microcontroller (for example, NECμC0M87A) equipped with an asynchronous serial interface function, built-in backup RAM, A/D conversion function, and programmable square wave output function.
D, etc.) can be used.

The asynchronous serial communication speed (baud rate) is determined by the microcontroller's internal clock and the output from the external clock oscillator OCR, and is determined by the output from the microcomputer's internal clock and external clock oscillator OCR.
Switch which one to use inside the microcontroller by setting (Fig.-1). Therefore, asynchronous serial communication can be selectively performed using a plurality of baud rates. Note that the baud rate setting must be the same on the sending and receiving sides in asynchronous serial communication.

FIG. 3-1 also shows an example of a sorter conveyance motor drive circuit. PO2 is a programmable rectangular wave output terminal, AVcc is an A/D conversion reference voltage input terminal, and ANo is an A/D conversion input terminal. The voltage value set by the transport speed setting volume SV is input to terminal ANo, and AN.

The transport motor (DC motor) is pulse-driven by outputting a pulse with a duty ratio according to the input value from PO2, and the effective value of the applied voltage is changed to change the transport motor rotation speed and the transport speed is varied. .

FIG. 3-2 shows the relationship between the transport speed setting volume voltage value and the transport motor drive pulse duty ratio.

FIG. 4 shows an asynchronous serial communication time chart and an asynchronous serial communication data format.

The same field data is transmitted and received twice within one serial communication, the data is compared, and if they are equal, the data is confirmed, and next time, another field data is transmitted and received twice in the same way. If the received data is not finalized due to some error occurring during the process, the same field data will be transmitted and received in the same manner next time.

5-1, 5-2, 6-1, and 6-2 show the structure of each field data and the control signal name, meaning, and role.

A serial communication control flowchart is shown below in FIG. 7-1. The operation will be explained below according to this flowchart.

After the power is turned on, the sorter 1 control microcontroller performs RAM initialization, input/output board initialization, etc., and then sequentially executes operation sequence control, serial communication error check, and serial communication data storage, while SI'2EQ1 is manually operated from the copying machine control microcontroller. Wait for (Step 1~
4). Furthermore, a timer interrupt routine is activated at predetermined intervals by an internal timer interrupt of the microcomputer. In the timer interrupt routine, the contents of the microcontroller's input ports (various sensor input states, etc.) are stored in the input port buffer provided in RAM, and the contents of the output port buffer provided in RAM (various load drive conditions, etc.) are stored in the input port buffer provided in RAM. information, etc.) to the output port of the microcomputer (step 151-15)
2). The copying machine control microcomputer sends a 5REQI signal to the sorter 1 control microcomputer at the start of serial communication. When the sorter 1 control microcomputer receives the 5REQI signal, it immediately generates an internal interrupt and executes the 5REQI interrupt routine. In the 5REQI interrupt routine, the data reception interrupt and data reception are enabled, and the SACKI signal is sent to the copying machine control microcomputer (steps 5 to 9).
). When the copying machine control microcomputer receives the S ACK 1 signal, it transmits the first transmission data to the sorter 1 control microcomputer. When the sorter 1 control microcomputer receives the first data, it immediately generates an internal interrupt and executes the data reception interrupt routine (Figure 7-2.7-3).

The data reception interrupt routine checks whether there is a parity error or not.
After determining whether the received data is an error code or not, if the received data is normal, the received data is temporarily stored in the verify register provided in the RAM, and the same field data as the received data is set in the transmit register. , If the received data is abnormal, it counts the inter-main unit communication error counter provided in the RAM, sets an error code in the transmission register, enables data transmission interrupts, and terminates the interrupt routine. (Steps 15-24). When the first data transmission is completed, the sorter 1 control microcomputer executes the transmission interrupt routine (Figure 7-4).
Execute. In the data transmission interrupt routine, when the first transmission is completed, the data reception interrupt and data reception are enabled, and the transmission interrupt routine is ended (steps 48 to 51). When the copying machine control microcomputer receives the first transmission data from the sorter 1 control microcomputer, it performs an error check, and if there is no error, the same data as the first transmission data is sent to the sorter 1 control microcomputer as the second transmission data. Send to. When the sorter 1 control microcomputer receives the second data, it immediately generates an internal interrupt and executes a data reception interrupt routine.

The data reception interrupt routine checks whether there is a parity error or not.
After determining whether the received data is an error code or not, and whether it is equal to the first data, if the received data is normal, the received data is stored in the receive buffer provided in the RAM, and the first data is stored in the transmit register. Set the same data as the first transmission data in the transmission register as the second transmission data, and if the received data is abnormal, set an error code in the transmission register, enable the data transmission interrupt and data transmission, and set the reception interrupt. The input routine is ended (steps 15, 16, and 25-32).

When the second data transmission is completed, the sorter 1 control microcomputer executes a data transmission interrupt routine. In the data transmission interrupt routine, when the second transmission is completed, the main unit reception data processing flag is set, the inter-main unit communication error counter is decreased, and the 5ACK1 signal is turned off. Furthermore, sorter 2
is connected, the 5ACK2 interrupt is enabled for serial communication with the sorter 2 control microcomputer, the 5REQ2 signal is turned on, and the data transmission interrupt routine is ended. If sorter 2 is not connected, serial communication with the copying machine control microcomputer is performed again.
Set the sorter 2 communication error counter to 0FFH and 5REQ
The I interrupt is enabled and the data transmission interrupt routine is ended (steps 48. 49. 52-60).

The sorter 2 control microcomputer is 5 from the sorter 1 control microcomputer.
Upon receiving the REQ2 signal, it immediately becomes ready to receive data and turns on the SACK2 signal. When the sorter 1 control microcomputer receives the 5ACK2 signal, it generates an internal interrupt and executes the SACK2 interrupt routine (Figure 7-1). In the S ACK 2 interrupt routine, field data to be transmitted is set in the transmission register, and data transmission interrupt and data transmission are enabled (steps 10 to 14). As soon as the sorter 1 control microcomputer completes the first data transmission, it immediately issues a data transmission interrupt (7th-
Execute (Figure 4). In the data transmission interrupt, the data reception interrupt and data reception are enabled and the process ends (steps 48, 49, 52, 61). When the sorter 2 control microcomputer receives the first data, it performs an error check, and if there is no error, it sends the same field data to the sorter 1 control microcomputer.

When the sorter 1 control microcomputer receives the first data, it generates an internal interrupt and executes a data reception interrupt. In the data reception interrupt routine, after determining whether there is a parity error and whether or not the received data is an error code, if the received data is normal, the received data is temporarily stored in a verify register provided in the RAM, and then transmitted. 1st in register
The same data as the first time is set, the data transmission interrupt and data transmission are enabled, and the interrupt routine ends.

If the received data is abnormal, count the communication error count between two wharfs provided in the RAM, and
Turn off the EQ2 signal and set 5R in preparation for the next serial communication.
The EQ1 interrupt is enabled and the process ends (steps 33 to 38, 46, and 47).

As soon as the sorter 1 control microcomputer finishes the second data transmission, it generates an internal interrupt and executes the data transmission interrupt routine. In the data transmission interrupt routine, the data reception interrupt is enabled and the interrupt routine is ended (steps 48, 49, 52, and 61).

When the sorter 2 control microcomputer receives the second data, it performs an error check, and if there is no error, it transmits the same data as the first transmission data to the sorter 1 control microcomputer.

When the sorter 1 control microcomputer receives the second data, it generates an internal interrupt and executes a data reception interrupt routine. In the data reception interrupt routine, whether or not there is a parity error,
After determining whether the received data is an error code or not, and whether it is the same as the first data, if the received data is normal,
Store the received data in the reception buffer provided in the RAM, set the sorter 2 reception data flag processing flag, reduce the sorter 2 communication error counter, turn off the 5REQ2 signal, and end the serial communication with the sorter 2. 5 in preparation for the next serial communication with the copying machine control microcomputer.
The REQI interrupt is enabled and the interrupt routine ends. If the received data is abnormal, count the sorter 2 communication error counter, terminate the serial communication with the sorter 2, enable the 5REQI interrupt, and interrupt The routine ends (steps 39-47).

Furthermore, a communication error check routine in the MAIN routine checks whether the communication has ended within the set time and whether the communication error counter is in the count end state (communication abnormal state) (step 3).

In the communication error check, it is first determined whether the 5REQI signal has been received from the copying machine control microcomputer within a predetermined time, and if it has been received within a predetermined time, it is determined whether the serial communication has ended within the set time. Move on to the judgment step.

If it is not received within a predetermined time, the inter-body communication error counter is counted, and serial communication with the sorter 1 control microcomputer is performed.

First, it is determined whether or not the sorter 2 is connected, and if it is, the SACK 2 interrupt is enabled and the 5REQ2 signal is turned off in order to perform serial communication with the sorter 2 control microcomputer. If the sorter 2 is not connected, the inter-sorter 2 communication error counter 2 is set to OFFH, and the 5REQI interrupt is enabled in preparation for the next serial communication with the copying machine control microcomputer. If serial communication has not finished within the set time, first disable data transmission/reception interrupts, then determine whether the communication is with the copying machine interrupt microcontroller, and if so, first S
The ACK 1 signal is turned off, the inter-body communication error counter is counted, and then it is determined whether the sorter 2 is connected.

If the sorter 2 is connected, the 5ACK2 interrupt is enabled and the 5REQ2 signal is turned on in order to perform serial communication with the sorter 2 control microcomputer.

If the sorter 2 is not connected, the sorter 2 communication error counter is set to 0FFH, and the 5REQI interrupt is enabled in preparation for the next serial communication with the copying machine control microcomputer. If serial communication is in progress with the sorter 2 control microcomputer, turn off the 5REQ2 signal, count the sorter 2 communication error counter, and enable the 5REQI interrupt in preparation for the next serial communication with the copying machine control microcomputer. (Steps 114-126). Next, check the communication error counter. If the inter-machine communication error counter has finished counting (OFF) (), it is determined that the serial communication with the copying machine control microcomputer is in an abnormal state, and the inter-machine communication normal display is turned off. Similarly, the communication error counter between two sorters has finished counting (OF
FH), it is determined that the serial communication with the sorter 2 control microcomputer is in an abnormal state, the sorter 2 communication normal display is turned off, and the sorter 2 power supply remote signal 5ON2 is turned off (steps 127 to 132).

Further, data received through serial communication is processed by a serial communication data store routine within the MAIN routine (step 4). The details are shown in Figures 7-5 to 7-8. If the main body received data processing flag is set, the flag is first reset and the field designation of the received data is determined. In the case of the 1st and 2nd fields, the received data is stored in the received data area provided in the RAM. In the case of the third field, the received data is stored in the reception data area provided in the RAM, and if the sent data is copy setting number data, the lower 4 bits of the copy setting number data consisting of 12 bits are updated. do. If not, update the size data. In the case of the fourth field, the received data is stored in the reception data area provided in the RAM, and if the data sent is copy setting number data, the middle 4 bits of the copy setting number data consisting of 12 bits are stored. Update. In the case of the 6th field, the received data is stored in the reception data area provided in the RAM, and if the sent data is copy setting number data, the upper 4 bits of the copy setting number data consisting of 12 bits are updated. do. In the case of the sixth field, the received data is stored in the received data area provided in the RAM, and the lower 4 bits of the RAM address consisting of 8 bits are updated. In the case of the seventh field, the received data is stored in the received data area provided in the RAM, the upper 4 bits of the RAM address consisting of 8 bits are updated, and the process ends (steps 62 to 76).

Here, the RAM address sent by serial communication is determined in advance as a RAM 7" address on the sorter 1 control microcomputer side that can be read on the copying machine side (this example 0
(FF00H to 0FFFFH256 bytes) The lower 8 bits of the 16-bit address are set on the copying machine side and transmitted along with the serial data. The same applies to sorter 1 and sorter 2 (steps 62 to 76).

If the sorter 2 received data processing flag is set,
Reset the flag and determine the field designation of the received data. 1st. In the case of 2 fields, the received data is stored in RAM.
The data is stored in the receive data area provided within the data area. In the case of the third field, store it in the reception data area provided in the reception data RAM, and if the sent data is total bin number data, update the lower 4 bits of the total bin number data consisting of 12 bits, Otherwise, the lower 4 bits of the sorter storage sheet number data consisting of 12 bits are updated. In the case of the 4th field, the received data is stored in the received data area provided in the RAM, and if it is total bin number data, the middle 4 bits of the total bin number data consisting of 12 bits are updated, otherwise 12 Updates the middle 4 bits of the data on the number of sheets stored in the sorter, which consists of bits. In the case of the 5th field, the received data is stored in the received data area provided in the RAM, and if it is total bin number data, the upper 4 bits of the total bin number data consisting of 2 bits are updated, otherwise it is 2 bits. The upper 4 bits of the sorter storage number data consisting of are updated.

In the case of the sixth field, the received data is stored in the received data area provided in the RAM, and the lower 4 bits of the RAM data consisting of 8 bits are updated.

In the case of the seventh field, the received data is stored in the received data area provided in the RAM, and the upper 4 bits of the RAM data consisting of 8 bits are updated.

The total number of bins data mentioned here is data indicating the number of sortable bins of each sorter. In this embodiment, the number of bins that can be sorted, 25, is sent from the sorter 2 to the sorter 1, and the sorter l
further adds the number of sortable bins, 25, and transmits the number of sortable bins, 50, to the copying device.

However, if the communication between sorter L and sorter 2 is abnormal, sorter L
ignores the number of sortable bins of sorter 2, 25, and transmits the number of sortable bins of sorter 1 itself, 26, to the copying apparatus. Further, data on the number of sheets stored in the sorter is stored in a backup area of RAM, and when the copying machine wants to know the number of sheets stored in the sorter (for example, when the copying machine wants to know the number of sheets stored in the sorter).

When correcting the number of copies after ear device or sorter JAM), REQ
Send the signal to sorter l. When sorter 1 receives the REQ signal, it transmits the REQ signal to sorter 2. When sorter 2 receives the REQ signal from sorter 1, it sends data on the number of sheets stored in sorter 2 up to that point to sorter 1, and sorter 1 adds the number of sheets stored in sorter 1 itself to the number data and copies the data. Send to device.

Therefore, the copying apparatus can grasp the number of sheets stored in the sorter via serial communication.

Therefore, even if the power of the sorter is turned off for JAM processing, the number of sheets stored in the sorter up until the time the JAM occurs can be known, so the copying apparatus can correct the number of copies remaining after the JAM. In addition, there is bin position data as other data stored in the backup area of the RAM. RAM
Store the bin position data in the backup area of (
As a result, the bin position is not cleared even when the power is turned off. Therefore, since the bin position data is backed up, the bin can be quickly moved to its home position. The above-mentioned RAM data is 8-bit data designated by the RAM address transmitted from the copying machine to sorter 1 and from sorter 1 to sorter 2. By transmitting a RAM address from the copying machine to sorter 1 and from sorter 1 to sorter 2, the 8-bit data specified in the RAM address is transferred from sorter 1 to the copying machine and sorter 2.
to sorter l. By doing so, the copying apparatus can read the RAM contents of sorter 1, and sorter 1 can read the RAM contents of sorter 2.

Next, the display output/key manual routine (FIGS. 7-10) in the copying machine control device microcomputer will be explained. First, if the copying machine is in the process of copying, it checks whether the copy stop key is pressed, and if it is, it stops the copying operation, or else (if it does not accept any other keys, it continues the copying operation). Display output/
Ending the key manual routine (steps 133-135)
). If copying is not in progress, each key is checked. First, if the copy start key is pressed, the copy operation sequence is started, other key manual input is prohibited, and the display output/key manual input routine is ended (stop 133).
, 136, 137). If the reset key is pressed, the number display and SRAM address display OO are output to the display section. If the set number clear key is pressed, the number display l is output to the display section. If the numeric keypad is pressed, input the set number of sheets and output it to the number display section (step 133.
136. 138-138).

If the trouble key is pressed, then the numeric keypad is determined to be a RAM address input, and the numeric keypad setting value is output to the display section as a RAM address input. If the trouble key is pressed again, the RAM address input is output and the 6th data to be sent to the sorter I is sent. 7th
Set the RAM address input in the field and read the received data from sorter 1 in the RAM of the 6th and 7th fields.
Output the data to the RAM data display section. Further, if the serial communication with the sorter 1 is abnormal, the sorter 1 power supply remote signal 5ONI is turned off and the sorter unusable display is turned on (steps 144 to 150).

Next, the conveyance motor control routine will be explained. In the transport motor control routine (FIGS. 7-11), the transport speed is varied by driving the transport motor of the sorter in pulses. When operating or stopping the sorter transport motor 2, this routine is started. Should I first turn off the pulse output and then operate the transport motor 2?
It is determined whether the motor is to be stopped, and if the motor is to be stopped, the transport motor control routine is immediately terminated.

If the transport motor 2 is to be operated, first a pulse cycle is set in the microcomputer's internal timer. Next, set the pulse low level time according to the value set by the transport speed setting volume Sv in the internal timer of the other microcomputer,
Turn on pulse output. Then, the programmable rectangular wave output terminal of the microcomputer outputs a low level for the pulse low level time set from the pulse start, and then outputs a high level for the difference of the low level time from the pulse period. This operation continues until the pulse output is turned off (steps 153 to 158).

Control signals are transmitted and received through the serial communication described above to operate the sorter. Below is section 8 regarding its operation.
This will be described with reference to Figures-1 to 9-2. Sorter operation modes include non-sort mode, sort mode (reverse sort mode), and collate mode.

1. Non-sort mode (2 originals, 3 copies) (see Figure 8-1.8-2) When the copy key on the display/operation section 17 of the copying device 16 is pressed, the copy setting number of copies data (3 copies) is displayed. The operating mode (non-sort mode) is sent from the copying device 16 to the sorter 119 via serial communication, and then to the BCR.

A 5STRT signal is sent. The sorter 119 that receives the BCR signal moves to the non-sort home position. When the sorter 119 completes the bin movement, the copying device 16
Send a 5STBY signal to. The copying device 16 is a sorter 119
When receiving the 5STBY signal from , the sorter 119 turns off the BCR signal and moves on to the copying operation, and since the BCR signal is turned off, the sorter 119 switches the low deflection plate 3 to the non-sort side and operates the transport motor 2 . The sheet is detected by copying machine paper ejection sensor 1.
8, a PDP signal is sent to the sorter 119. The sorter 119 starts a JAM timer from the time this PDP signal changes from on to off, and monitors whether the PDP signal reaches the non-sort paper sensor 13 of the sorter 119. The sorter 119 does not raise the bins even when sheets are fed. The copying device 16 prints a set number of sheets, and after the paper is ejected, the automatic document feeder 21
Then set the next original at the exposure position of platen 17 and set the number of sheets and operation mode (non-sort mode) to sorter 1.
After sending to 19, send BCR and 5STRT signals.

When the sorter 119 receives the BCR signal from the copying device 116, it turns off the 5STBY signal and sends the 0SRT signal to the copying device 16 until the sheets of the previous original are completely delivered to the sorter 119. At this time, when the last copied sheet of the previous original is stored in the sorter 119, the 03RT signal is turned off and the 5STB
Turn on the Y signal. When the copying device 16 receives the 5STBY signal from the sorter 119, it turns off the BCR signal and starts copying onto the sheet that was previously fed. Copying device 16
When the copy operation is finished, the original is ejected to the tray and the 5ST
After turning off the RT signal and confirming that the 5STRT signal is off, the sorter 119 turns off the 5STBY signal to the copying device 16 after the third sheet passes the non-sort paper sensor 13, turns off the transport motor 2, and moves the low deflection plate 3 to the sorter side. Switch.

In this embodiment, the loading capacity per bin of the sorter is 25 sheets if the sheet size is larger than A4, and up to 50 sheets if the sheet size is A4 or smaller.

For example, when an A3 original is set on the automatic document feeder 21 for a one-size copy, the number of sheets exceeding the loading capacity per bin is set to 50, and the copy key on the display/operation section 17 of the copying device 16 is pressed. The copying device 16 is an automatic document feeder 2
Based on the original size drawn in 1, it is determined whether the set number of copies exceeds the loading capacity per bin.

If the number exceeds the limit, the copying device 16 immediately copies up to 25 sheets per bin, and after copying 25 sheets, displays/operates the number of remaining sheets to be copied, 25, and a warning/notice to make the remaining copies. It is output to section 17 and notified to the operator.

2. Sort mode (reverse sort mode) (2 originals, 30 copies) (Refer to Figure 9-1.9-2) When the copy key on the display/operation section 17 of the copying device 16 is pressed, the copy setting number data is displayed. (30 sheets) and the operation mode (sort mode) are sent from the copying device 16 to the sorter 119 via serial communication, and then BCR.

A 5STRT signal is sent. Sorter 1 by BCR signal
19 sends the number data of 5 sheets exceeding the number of sortable sheets, 25, to the sorter 220, and then sends the BCR and 5STRT signals to the sorter 220. Sorter 119 that received the BCR signal
, the sorter 220 moves the bins to their respective sort home positions (see FIG. 9-1 (■)). When the bin movement of the sorter 220 is completed, a 5STBY signal is sent to the sorter 119.

When the sorter 119 completes the bin movement and receives the 5STBY signal from the sorter 220, it sends the 5STBY signal to the copying device 16. When the copying machine receives the 5STBY signal from the sorter 119, it turns off the BCR signal and starts the copying operation, and the sorter 119 turns off the sorter 1 as the BCR signal turns off.
The transport motor 2 is operated and the low deflection plate 3 is switched to the sorting side. While the sheet is passing through the copying device paper discharge sensor 18, a PDP signal is sent to the sorter 119. Sorter 119 is this P
A JAM timer is started from the time when the DP signal changes from on to off, and the arrival of sheets to the sorted paper sensor 14 of the sorter 119 is monitored. The bin motor 5 is operated every time a sheet passes the sorting paper sensor 14 until 25 sheets arrive at the sorting paper sensor 14 of the sorter 119.
Raise the bottles one by one (see Figure 9-1 ■) Sorter 119
After storing 25 sheets, the sorter 119 moves to the bridge 10 and turns off the BCR signal to the sorter 220, thereby operating the transport motor 2 of the sorter 220.

The 26th sheet from the copying device 16 is this bridge 1.
0 to the sorter 220. At this time, sorter 119 simultaneously sends a PDP signal to sorter 220, so that sorter 220 activates a JAM timer in order to detect a JAM between sorter 119 and sorter 220 (see No. 9-1).

The sorter 220 operates the bin motor 5 to raise the bin by one bin each time the 26th to 29th sheet passes the sorted paper sensor 14 (see FIG. 9-1 (2)). When the 30th sheet passes through the sorter 220, the number data of 5 sheets sent from the sorter 119 and the number of 5 sheets sorted by the sorter 220 match, so the bin is prohibited from rising. After copying the set number of sheets, the copying device 16 sets the next document from the automatic document feeder 21, similarly sends the number of sheets data and operation mode (sort mode) to the sorter 119, and then outputs the BCR, 5S.
Send TRT signal.

The sorter i19 turns off the 5STBY signal and at the same time sends the 03RT signal to the copying device 16 until the previous original sheet is completely loaded into the sorter 220. At this time, when the last sheet of the previous document passes through the sorter 119, data on the number of surplus sheets to be sorted and the operation mode (sort mode) are sent to the sorter 220, and then BCR and 5STRT signals are sent.

The sorter 119 checks that the number of sheets sent previously matches the set number of copies, and that the bridge 10 has a bin position.
Since the STRT signals are continuous, after data on the number of classified surplus sheets is transmitted to the sorter 220, the operation mode is set to reverse sort mode. The sorter 220 turns off the 5STBY signal to the sorter 119 and transmits the 05RT signal until the last sheet of the previous document is stored. When the last sheet is stored, the bin position (fifth bin) of the sorter 220, the number of sheets of the next original (5 sheets), and the number of stored sheets of the previous original (5 sheets) match,
Since the 5STRT signals are continuous, the operation mode is set to reverse sort mode, the 08RT signal is turned off, and the 5STBY and R3RT signals are sent to the sorter 119.

When the sorter 119 receives the 5STBY signal from the sorter 220 and confirms that the reverse sort mode of the sorter 119 has been established, it sends the 5STBY and RSRT signals to the copying device 16. The copying device 16 starts copying onto the paper previously fed, and first starts sorting from the sorter 220.

The sorter 220 lowers each sheet one bin at a time, contrary to the sorting mode (see Figure 9-1 ■).
.

When the copying device 16 finishes copying the surplus number of sheets (5 sheets) and receives the RSRT signal from the sorter 119, the sorting passes through the bridge 10 and is stored in the sorter 220, and the sorter 119 moves from the bridge to the 25th bin. The copying operation is stopped for a certain period of time longer than the moving time, and the fifth sheet is completely sent to the sorter 119. Sorter 119
When the fifth sheet is sent to bridge 10, sorter 2
Send BCR and 5STRT signals to 20. When the sorter 220 receives the BCR signal, it turns on the O5R↑ signal and turns off the 5STBY signal until the sheets on the bridge 10 are stored. Since the sorter 220 is in the reverse sort mode, when it receives the BCR signal, it switches the operation mode to the sort mode, and since the bin is at the sort home position, when the 5th sheet is stored, it resets the 03RT signal and switches to the 5ST.
A BY signal is sent to the sorter 119. After the sorter 119 sends the BCR and 5STRT signals to the sorter 220, it prohibits bin movement until the 03RT signal from the sorter 220 is turned off. After the sorter 119 confirms that the 03RT signal is turned off, the sorter 220 moves to the 25th bin, operates the bin motor 5 every time a sheet from the 6th to the 300th passes the sorted paper sensor 14, and moves to the 1 bin. Sort the sheets while lowering the bins (see Figure 9-1 ■, ■
). After the copying device 16 finishes copying and discharges the original onto the tray of the automatic document feeder 21, it turns off the 5STRT signal to the sorter 119. After the 300th sheet passes through the sorting paper sensor 14, the sorter 119 sends RSRT to the copying device 16, 5STBY.
Turn off the signal and stop the transport motor 2.

3. Collate mode (2 originals, 3 copies) (see Figure 10-1.10-2) When the copy key on the display/operation section 17 of the copying device 16 is pressed, the set number of copies data (3 copies) is displayed. The operation mode (collate mode) is sent from the copying device 16 to the sorter 119 via serial communication, and then the BCR, 5STRT signals are sent. The sorter 119 that receives the BCR signal moves the bins to the sort home position (see Fig. 1O-1 (■)). Sorter 119 sends a 5STBY signal to copying device 16 until bin movement is complete.

When the copying device 16 receives the SSTBY signal from the sorter 119, it turns off the BCR signal and starts the copying operation, and the sorter 119 switches the paper damage prevention plate 3 to the sorting side because the BVR signal is turned off. Operate the transport motor 2. While the sheet is passing through the copying device paper ejection sensor 18, the sorter 119
sends a PDP signal to. The sorter 119 starts a JAM timer from the time this PDP signal changes from on to off, and monitors the arrival of the sorted paper sensor 14 of the sorter 119. After copying the set number of sheets, the copying device 16 sets the next document from the automatic document feeder 21, sends the number of sheets data and the operation mode (collate mode) to the sorter 119, and then sends the BSFT and 5STRT signals.

When the sorter 119 receives the BSFT signal from the copying device 16, it turns off the 5STBY signal, and the sheet of the previous original is transferred to the sorter 1.
The 03RT signal is sent to the copying machine 16 until the copying machine 19 is completely loaded. At this time, when the last sheet of the previous document is stored in the sorter 119, the 08RT signal is turned off and the 5STBY signal is turned on. The copying device 16 is 5STBY from the sorter 119.
When it receives the signal, it turns off the BSFT signal and starts copying onto the sheet that was previously fed. Sorter 119 is BSF
After confirming that the T signal is off, raise the l bin (see No. 10-
Figure 1 ■). When the copying device 16 completes the copying operation, it discharges the original onto the tray of the automatic document feeder 21, and performs the 5STRT.
After confirming that the 5STRT signal is off, the sorter 119 turns off the 5STBY signal to the copying device 16 after the third sheet has passed the sorted paper sensor 14, and turns off the conveyance motor 2.

〔effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, even if the number of image-formed sheets is set to be greater than the storable number, it is possible to obtain a desired number of image-formed sheets in a short time.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the connection relationship between a copying machine having an automatic document feeder and a sorter, and Fig. 2-1 shows a copying machine and a sorter 1.
．． Block diagram showing the control unit of 2, Fig. 2-2, Fig. 3-1
The figure is a block diagram showing details of the control section of the sorter, No. 3-2.
The figure shows the relationship between the conveyance motor drive pulse duty ratio and the conveyance speed setting volume value, Figure 4 is a control flowchart of asynchronous serial communication using an asynchronous serial communication timer, and Figure 8-1 is the operation of the sorter in non-sort mode. FIG. 8-2 is a timing chart in non-sort mode, FIG. 9-1 is a diagram explaining sorter operation in sort mode, FIG.
Figure 2 is a timing chart in sort mode, the first
0-1 is a diagram explaining the operation of the sorter in the collate mode, and FIG. 10-2 is a timing chart in the collate mode. In the figure, 2 is a conveyance motor, 3 is a paper damage prevention plate, 10 is a bridge, 15 is a sorter, 16 is a copying device, 17 is a display and operation section, and 21 is an automatic document feeder. Figure 5-7 Figure 5-20 Sork l-# copy rJ Theta 2- Sorter 1 謬'ye-e Figure 8-/Zuto

Claims (1)

[Claims] an image forming means for forming an image on the sheet; a storage means for storing the sheet on which the image has been formed by the image forming means;
an input means for inputting a desired number of images to be formed, and when the number of images to be formed inputted by the input means exceeds the number of sheets that can be stored in the storage means, images are formed up to the number of sheets that can be stored, and then images are formed for the remaining number of sheets; An image forming apparatus comprising: a control means for causing a warning display to be performed.