JPH0952656A - Image forming device with sorting function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve workability and operability by setting multiple bins of a sorter as a sorting unit in the paper discharge mode, and copying documents exceeding the number of pages dischargeable into one bin. SOLUTION: In the two-bin fixed mode using two bins as a sorting unit, paper is first discharged into the lower bin 120-1 of the first bin, then paper is continuously discharged into the upper bin 120-2 after the lower bin 120-1 becomes full. When documents exceeding the number of prescribed pages are copied, copies up to the prescribed pages are discharged into the lower bins of sorting units in sequence, e.g. the lower bin 120-1 of the first bin, the lower bin 120-3 of the second bin, and the lower bin 120-5 of the third bin. Copies after the prescribed pages are discharged into the upper bins of the sorting units, e.g. the upper bin 120-1 of the first bin, the upper bin 120-2 of the second bin, and the upper bin 120-4 of the third bin. The documents exceeding the number of dischargeable pages in the bins can be sorted, and the workability can be improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus equipped with an automatic document feeder and a sorter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus having an automatic document feeder (ADF) and a sorter and capable of automatically classifying copied sheets is well known. Sorting using a sorter includes sorting (collating) and stacking (sorting). However, usually, the sort and the stack are collectively called a sort function, and an apparatus for performing the sort function is also called a sorter.

[0003] The sort (collation) is for arranging copied sheets in a page order and discharging the sheets to a sorter bin, and is used, for example, when preparing meeting materials for the number of persons. On the other hand, the stack (sort) discharges the copied paper to the bin of the sorter for each same page, and is used when aligning the copies for each page of the document. The sorting function is a very convenient function that can save the trouble of sorting and organizing the copied paper.

[0004]

However, in an image forming apparatus equipped with a conventional sorter, when the number of pages of a document is equal to or larger than the number of sheets that can be discharged into each bin of the sorter, the processing is performed at once. There was a problem that it could not be done and it took time.

For example, when the number of sheets that can be discharged to one bin (each bin) of the sorter is 70, an attempt is made to copy several copies (assuming three copies here) of an original document having 100 pages in total. To do. The apparatus first makes a copy of three copies (three sheets) of the first page of the original (the first page is used for convenience even when the original is started from the bottom), and the copies are made into the first bin, the second bin, and the second bin of the sorter. Dispose in 3 bins. Then, the second page is discharged in order from the first bin of the sorter. This is sequentially continued to be copied, but when the copy of the 70th page is finished, it cannot be discharged to the bin of the sorter any more, and the copy stops. Alternatively, depending on the device, a copy stop does not occur and a jam occurs.

Therefore, in the past, when copying an original having a page number exceeding the number of sheets discharged from the bin of the sorter, the original is set to two.
It was necessary to copy it once or more times. Then, it was necessary to collect the copies made in several times later.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems in an image forming apparatus having a conventional sorter, makes it possible to form an image with the number of pages exceeding the number of sheets discharged from one bin of the sorter, and at the same time, improves workability and operation. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having improved property.

[0008]

According to the present invention, an object of the present invention is provided with an automatic document feeder and a sorter, and when copying a document of a plurality of pages, the copied sheets are automatically placed in a bin of the sorter. In an image forming apparatus with a sorting function having a mode of sorting and discharging sheets, a plurality of bins of the sorter are set as one sorting unit in the mode, and
This is solved by being able to copy an original having more pages than the number of sheets that can be discharged into one bin.

Further, it is advantageous that the number of bins that can be set as the one sorting unit can be arbitrarily set. further,
When setting a plurality of bins of the sorter as one sorting unit, it is advantageous that the number of bins as one sorting unit is automatically set by inputting the number of document pages.

Further, when a plurality of bins of the sorter are set as one sorting unit, it is advantageous that the number of bins as one sorting unit is automatically set by inputting the number of document pages.

Further, when the sheets are discharged to a plurality of bins as one sorting unit, it is advantageous to discharge the lower bin first.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the overall construction of a copying apparatus which is an embodiment of the present invention. The copying machine shown in this figure comprises a copying machine main body 100, an automatic document feeder 80 mounted on the upper part of the main body, and a sorter 110 with stapling function mounted on the side surface of the main body. A mass paper feeding unit 50 is mounted on the side surface of the main body opposite to the sorter 110.

The structure of each part of the copying apparatus will be described later, and the description will start from the sorting function according to the present invention and its mode setting. The sorter 110 with stapling function provided in the copying apparatus of this embodiment has two stapling / sorting units (hereinafter abbreviated as S / S). Each S / S
As shown in FIG. 2, the unit is equipped with 20 bins 120 to 120-19 in total. Therefore, two S /
The S section will have a total of 40 bins 120.

Each bin 120 is capable of discharging 70 sheets. Therefore, as it is, it is not possible to sort originals of 71 pages or more. Therefore, according to the present invention, a plurality of bins of the sorter are used as a sorting unit, that is, the plurality of bins are regarded as one bin and the copied sheets are ejected, so that the number of pages equal to or larger than the number of ejected sheets of the sorter bin is reached. It makes it possible to copy several manuscripts.

In the copying apparatus of this embodiment, in addition to the normal sort mode (used when there are 70 pages or less),
Number of bins with two bins as sorting units (two bins are regarded as one bin) 2-bin fixed mode and number of bins per sorting unit are arbitrarily set (number of bins regarded as one bin) There is a bin number arbitrary setting mode and a manuscript page number arbitrary setting mode in which the apparatus automatically sets the bin number for each sorting unit by setting the document page number.

In the normal sort mode, assuming that the number of copies to be made is 5, for example, 5 pages of the first page (or the last page) of the original document are copied, and the first page 120-
Paper is discharged from 0 to the fifth bin 120-4. Next, five copies of the second page are copied and similarly discharged from the first bin to the fifth bin. By repeating this for the number of pages (70 or less), five copies arranged in page order are completed. Since there are 20 bins of sorter for each S / S unit, there are 40 bins in total. Therefore, up to 40 copies can be made at once in the normal sort mode.

Next, in the case of the two-bin fixed mode in which two bins are used as a sorting unit, as shown in FIG.
The paper is discharged as if it were one bin as indicated by ……). Since two bins are used as the sorting unit, 140 sheets can be discharged in each sorting unit. The copied paper is ejected from the lower bin of each sorting unit. That is, taking the second bin as an example, first, the lower bin 120-1
First, the paper is discharged first, and when it is full (70 sheets), it is continuously discharged to the upper bin 120-2. Therefore, when copying a manuscript of 71 pages or more, copying from page 1 to page 70 is performed by the lower bin of the first bin, the lower bin of the second bin, the lower bin of the second bin, and the number of copies in order. The paper is ejected to the lower bin. And from the 71st sheet,
The paper is discharged to the upper bin of the first bin, the upper bin of the second bin, the upper bin of the second bin, and the upper bin of each sorting unit. Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, it is possible to sort documents having the number of pages exceeding the number of ejectable sheets in each bin. However, since the number of bins is half that of the normal sort mode, the number of copies that can be copied is also half (20 copies can be created by combining two S / S parts).

In the bin number arbitrary setting mode in which the number of bins for each sorting unit is arbitrarily set, the number of bins regarded as one bin is arbitrarily set by the user's input from the operation unit described later of the copying apparatus. Can be set. When the number of pages of a document exceeds 140 pages, sorting can be performed by using this mode. For example, 200
When sorting page originals, the number of bins with two bins as the sorting unit will not be sufficient even in the 2-bin fixed mode. However, with this mode, the number of bins in the sorting unit is set to 3 If set to bin, 210 sheets can be ejected in 70 sheets × 3 bins, and 200-page originals can be sorted.

When the number of bins in the sorting unit is set to 3, the three bins 120-1 to 120-2 are regarded as the first bin, and hereinafter, every 3 bins are regarded as one bin. Therefore, one S / S unit has 6 bins, and a total of 12 Sbins of two S / S units, that is, 12 units can be mass copied. Even in this mode, the lower bins are sequentially ejected to the bins for each sorting unit, so that it is easy to complete a copy by combining the ejected copies in the three bins after the completion of copying. Become. Since there are 40 bins in the two S / S units, if the number of bins in the sorting unit is 3, it is possible to simply divide 40 by 3 to obtain 13 sorting units, but the sheets were discharged into each bin. In order to prevent mistakes when combining copies, a total of 12 bins were prepared by not creating a sorting unit that straddles two S / S units.

If the number of bins for each sorting unit is set to 3 or more, it becomes possible to sort a large number of pages of documents. The action in that case is the same as the case where the number of bins in the sorting unit is set to 3 bins.

Next, in the case of the document page arbitrary setting mode, the user sets (inputs) the page number of the document, and the copying machine automatically sets the bin number of the sorting unit. For example, when a 100-page original is sorted in this mode, if the user inputs the number of pages of the original "100" using the ten-key pad on the operation unit, two bins are required to sort the 100-page original. This is automatically determined by the copying apparatus, the number of bins for each sorting unit is automatically set to 2, and the two bins are regarded as one bin, and the sorting operation is executed.

Next, the mode setting of the sort mode will be described. Mode setting is performed by the operation unit 200 (see FIG.
See). The display of the operation unit 200 is configured as a touch panel and serves as a selection key as well as a function display.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the setting screen displayed on the display 208 of the operation unit. This screen is for setting the number of bins in the sorting unit of the sorter before executing the copy only when the mass sort mode is selected. The bin number change key 309 displayed on the display 208 is pressed, the number of bins is input using the ten keys described later, and the enter key 310 is pressed to finalize the bin number.
When the setting is unnecessary, the end key 294 is pressed to end this screen.

In this embodiment, when the sorting unit is set,
The number of bins used by one S / S section of the sorter according to the input setting is displayed on the key 309. That is, the number-of-bins changing key 30 which is a touch key that can be displayed
In 9, the number of bins of the sorter is displayed. For example, if two bins are set for each sorting unit, two S / S units of one sorter
Since the number of bins in the sorter (one S / S unit) is 10 bins obtained by dividing 0 bins by the sorting unit 2, the key 309
Is displayed as "10". However, the number of bins "2" for each sorting unit may be displayed as it is. When the number of bins per sorting unit is fixed to two, a dedicated setting key is provided regardless of this setting screen so that the setting by the numeric keypad is omitted.

FIG. 4 is a screen for automatically setting the number of bins based on the number of original pages. On this setting screen, the page number change key 312 is pressed and the number of pages of the document is input using the ten keys on the operation unit. Then, the copying apparatus automatically sets the number of bins required to sort the originals with the number of pages, and the key 312 displays the number of bins set in one S / S section. Then, the confirmation key 312 is pressed to confirm the number of bins. Also, when setting is unnecessary, end key 2
Press 94 to exit this screen.

For example, when a 100-page original is sorted and copied, if the number of pages “100” is input from the screen of FIG. 4, the apparatus divides the number of pages 100 by 70, which is the number of ejectable sheets in one bin. Then, it is determined that 2 bins are necessary as a sorting unit, and the sorting unit “2” is automatically set. Then, the sorter bin number “10” based on the sorting unit “2” is displayed on the key 312. The determination of the automatic bin number setting based on the number of original pages is performed by the control unit of the copying apparatus described later.

Here, the sorting operation for setting the sorting unit will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the sorting operation when the sorting unit is fixed at 2 bins. As shown in this flowchart, it is first determined whether or not the mass sort mode is selected (step 1, hereinafter step is abbreviated as S). If it has not been selected, this control ends, and if it has been selected, it is next determined whether or not the start key has been pressed (S2). Then, the copying operation is started, and the two bins of the sorter are discharged as one bin (S3).

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the sorting operation in the case of arbitrarily setting the number of bins for each sorting unit. As shown in this flowchart, first, it is determined whether or not the mass sort mode is selected (S1). If not selected, this control ends. If it has been selected, the setting screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed, and the number of bins in the input sorting unit (here, X bins) is set (S).
2). Next, it is determined whether or not the start key is pressed (S3), the copy operation is started, and the X bin of the sorter is used as one bin to discharge the paper (S4).

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a sorting operation in the case where the number of bins is automatically set for each sorting unit based on the number of original pages. As shown in this flowchart, it is first determined whether or not the mass sort mode is selected (S
1). If not selected, this control ends. When it is selected, the setting screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed, and the number of input pages (here, X pages) is divided by 70, and when it is divisible, the quotient is set as the number of bins for each sorting unit. To do. If it is not divisible, the number obtained by adding 1 to the number of the integer part of the quotient is set as the number of bins in the sorting unit (S2). Next, it is determined whether or not the start key is pressed (S3), the copying operation is started, and if the number of bins obtained in S2 is Y, the Y bin of the sorter is used as one bin for paper ejection ( S4).

The part of the mass sort mode according to the present invention has been described above. The following is a general description of the copying apparatus of this embodiment shown in FIG. The copying apparatus according to the present embodiment has an ADF 80 and a sorter 11 centering around the copying machine main body 100.
As described above, it is configured by 0, the large-volume sheet feeding device 50, and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 100 of the copying machine includes a scanner unit 10, an image forming unit 20, a paper feeding unit 40, a fixing and paper reversing unit 60, and the like. An operation unit 200 is provided on the upper part of the main body 100.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the outline of the scanner section 10. In the scanner unit 10 shown in this figure, below the contact glass 1, a first traveling body 2 that supports the illumination lamp 7 and the first mirror 11, a second traveling body 3 that supports the second and third mirrors 3, and a lens. 5, a third traveling body 4, which supports the fourth and fifth mirrors, a sixth mirror 6, a lens thrust motor 8 for moving the lens 5 in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis, and a lens 5 in the optical axis direction. A lens optical axis motor 9 and the like are provided for this purpose.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the outline of the image forming unit 20. In the image forming unit 20 shown in this figure, an eraser 22, a potential sensor 23, and a developing unit 24 in which a toner cartridge 24a is mounted around a photoconductor drum 21 and a PT.
C (pre-transfer charger) 25, PTL (pre-transfer light) 35, transfer charger 26, separation charger 27,
Separation claw 28, P sensor 29, cleaning unit 30 having cleaning brush 31 and cleaning blade 32, quenching lamp 33, charging charger 3
4 etc. are arranged.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the outline of the paper feeding section 40. In the paper feeding unit 40 shown in this figure, the first to fourth
Trays 41 to 44, double-sided tray 46, left and right vertical transport unit 4
7, 48, a horizontal conveyance section 49, registration rollers 57, etc. are arranged. Further, a manual feed table 45 mounted on the side surface of the main body and an auxiliary transport unit 55 which is a transport unit for the paper from the large-volume sheet feeder 50 are provided. Further, a conveyance belt 58 that conveys the sheet after the toner image is transferred from the photoconductor 21 to a fixing device and a sheet reversing unit described later is provided.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the fixing and sheet reversing section 60. In the fixing and paper reversing unit 60 shown in this figure, the fixing device has a fixing roller 61, a pressure roller 62, a thermistor 63 and the like. Fixing roller 61
Two heaters 64 are built in. The sheet reversing unit has a reversing branch pawl 65, a reversing branch solenoid 66, a reversing return roller 67, a reversing tapping solenoid 68, a paper ejection branching claw 69, a paper ejection branch solenoid 70, and the like.

The operation of the copying machine main body 100 composed of the above-described respective parts will be briefly described. The photosensitive drum 21 is rotatably supported by a drum shaft (not shown), and is inverted by a copying command or the like. It rotates in the clockwise direction (the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 9). The original fed on the contact glass 1 by the ADF 80 is scanned and exposed by the first traveling body 2. The reflected light image of the document is the first to third mirrors 11, 12, and 13, the lens 5, and the fourth to sixth mirrors 1.
An image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21 via 4, 15, and 6.

The photoconductor drum 21 is charged by the charging charger 34, a latent image is formed on the photoconductor drum by the reflected light image, and the eraser 22 applies light to an unnecessary portion to be suitable for a transfer paper or a projection image. Correct to latent image. At this time, in order to obtain an image of the same size, the photosensitive drum 21
And the first traveling body 2 are driven at the same speed. The latent image on the photosensitive drum 21 is visualized as a toner image by the developing unit 24. At this time, the image density can be adjusted by applying a developing bias voltage.

On the other hand, the first to fourth trays 41, 42, 43,
The transfer papers 44, the manual feed table 45, the large-volume paper feeding device 50, or the double-sided tray 46 are stocked at predetermined timings by the paper feeding units 51 to 56, and the left and right vertical transport units 47, 48 and horizontal transport unit 4
It is sent to the registration roller 57 which has been stopped via 9 or the like. Then, at the timing when the leading edge of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 21 and the leading edge of the transfer paper coincide with each other, the registration roller 57
Is driven. By advancing or delaying this paper feeding timing by an appropriate time, a binding margin (margin) can be created at the front end or the rear end of the transfer paper.

By the way, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 21 has PTC 25, PTL 35,
It is transferred onto the transfer paper by the action of the transfer charger 26.
At this time, since the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is very smooth, the adhesive force between the photosensitive drum 21 and the transfer paper is large,
The separation charger 27 lowers the potential of the transfer paper to reduce the adhesive force between the photosensitive drum 21 and the transfer paper. Next, the transfer paper is separated from the photosensitive drum 21 by the separation claw 28,
The separated transfer paper is sent by a conveyor belt 58 to a fixing unit having a fixing roller 61 and a pressure roller 62.

In the fixing section, the heater 64 of the fixing roller 61 is on / off controlled so that the temperature detected by the thermistor 63 becomes constant. Then, heat and pressure are applied to the toner on the transfer paper, whereby the toner image is fixed on the transfer paper. The transfer paper on which the toner image has been fixed is sent to the reversing unit in the subsequent stage.

At the reversing section, the transfer paper is reversed as necessary. If reversing is not necessary, set the reversing branch solenoid 66 to O.
The FF is performed, and the reversing branch claw 65 is moved to the position where the transfer sheet advances as it is, and the transfer sheet moves toward the sheet discharging branch claw 69. In the case of reversing, the reversing branch solenoid 66 is turned on, and the transfer sheet is guided to the reversing path diagonally above (the conveying path with the reversing returning roller 67). The trailing edge of the transfer paper sent to the reverse path is the reverse branch claw 6
At the time of passing through 5, the reverse branch solenoid 66 is turned off,
When the reverse tapping solenoid 68 is turned ON, the reverse return roller 6
The driven rollers are pressed against each other, the traveling direction of the transfer sheet is reversed, and the transfer sheet moves toward the sheet discharge branch claw 69. Transfer paper is the paper output branch claw 6
By 9 the sheet is discharged in the direction of arrow A and delivered to the sorter 110 of the post-processing apparatus, or sent in the direction of arrow B and conveyed to the double-sided tray 46 or branched. At this time, when the transfer paper is sent to the sorter 110, the paper discharge branch claw solenoid 70
Is turned off, and when sending to the double-sided tray 46, the paper discharge branch claw solenoid 70 is turned on.

After the toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper, the toner image that has not been transferred is attached to the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. Therefore, the drum surface is cleaned by the cleaning unit 30 having the cleaning brush 31 and the cleaning blade 32, and the non-uniform surface potential of the photosensitive drum 21 is made constant by the quenching lamp 33.

These control timings are obtained mainly by a pulse generated in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 21 or a reference pulse for driving the photosensitive drum 21. Next, toner concentration control in the copying apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

The optical table 71 on which the contact glass 1 is arranged has a P sensor pattern 72, AD on the back surface thereof.
Four patterns, that is, an S reference pattern 73, a VL pattern 74, and a VD pattern 75 are provided. When the toner density control is performed, first, the first traveling body 2 is moved below the P sensor pattern 72, and the reflected light image thereof is formed on the photosensitive drum 21.
An image is formed on the upper surface to form a toner image. Then, the P sensor / toner image is read by the P sensor 29. P at this time
Assuming that the sensor output voltage is Vsp and the P sensor output voltage of the background portion of the photosensitive drum 21 is Vsg, Vsp is 1 / Vsg.
The value at 13 is used as the reference voltage. Then, when Vsp is the reference voltage, the proper toner density is set. In this example, Vsg is 4 volts (V), and thus Vsp
Is about 0.3 V (V) when the toner concentration is appropriate. Toner density control is performed by comparing the detected Vsp with a reference voltage.

FIG. 14 shows the relationship between Vsg and Vsp. FIG.
The graph on the left edge of indicates that the toner concentration is appropriate.
≈0.3 (V). The graph in the center shows the case where the toner concentration is lower than normal, and when the detected Vsp is higher than the reference voltage, it is determined that the toner concentration is low and toner is replenished. The graph on the right end shows the case where the toner density is higher than normal, and in this case, toner replenishment is not performed.

Next, the exposure lamp light amount control operation will be described with reference to FIG. A dimming sensor 76 is arranged near the illumination lamp 7 of the first traveling body 2. The output of this sensor is sent to the main control board 77. Photoconductor drum 21
When the electrostatic latent image (image) is formed on the upper surface, it is necessary to always keep the light quantity of the illumination lamp 7 appropriate in order to keep a stable state. Therefore, the light amount during the lamp lighting is controlled by the light control sensor 7
6. The main control plate 77 is detected according to the detected light amount.
Changes the lamp output signal and sends it to the fluorescent lamp ballast 78 to control the light amount of the illumination lamp 7.

Referring to FIG. 16, automatic image density adjustment (A
The DS) control operation will be described. A for the first traveling body 2
A DS sensor 79 is provided. When reading a document, the reflected light of the light emitted from the illumination lamp 7 onto the document is
It is detected by the DS sensor 79. This detection is performed by the first traveling body 2
Of the detected voltage (VDE) is compared with a reference value (VD0) described later.
The bias correction voltage VB (ADS) corresponding to the background density of the original is determined according to the level of VDE (bright or dark), and is added to the developing bias voltage VB to maintain an image of a constant density. The reference value (VD0) of ADS is based on the output value of the ADS sensor 79 when the ADS reference pattern 73 shown in FIG. 12 is exposed with a constant light amount. Here, the bias correction voltage VB (ADS) is obtained by the following equation, for example. However, it is 0 V (volt) at the time of manual notch. VB (ADS) =-KADS1 (VDE-VD0) + KADS2 KADS1 and KADS2 are constants.

Next, the process control will be described. The process control means the decrease of the light quantity of the illumination lamp 7, the contamination of the optical system (mirror, lens, etc.), the output fluctuation of the charging charger 34, and the photoconductor drum 21 over time.
This is a system for always obtaining a stable image by detecting the potential fluctuation of the electrostatic latent image due to the fluctuation of the sensitivity and residual potential with a potential sensor and feeding it back to each process of charging, exposure and development. Further, the stabilization of the electrostatic latent image also stabilizes the toner concentration control by the P sensor.

In FIG. 17, the potential immediately after the photosensitive drum 21 is irradiated with the quenching lamp 33 and then charged by the charging charger 34 is referred to as Vo (potential after charging). The potential after the photosensitive drum 21 is irradiated by the eraser 22 is called VR (residual potential). The potential after exposure of the VL pattern 74 shown in FIG. 12 is called VL (white portion potential), and the VD pattern 75
The potential after exposure is called VD (black portion potential).

The process control operation will be described with reference to FIG. To get a proper image, V
The potential difference between D (black portion potential) and VL (white portion potential) must always be kept constant. However, VR (residual potential) cannot be set to 0 (zero) even if the exposure output is increased, but VD,
It is possible to make the potential difference constant by adding VR to the target value of VL. Further, the surface potential is uniformly increased by VR by adding VR, but the developing bias VB is also increased by VR.
It is possible to correct the rising amount by adding the minute.

Next, the developing bias control will be described with reference to FIG. Development bias output VB during copying
Is expressed by the following equation. VB = VB (L) + VB (ADS) + VB (notch) Here, VB (L) is a value obtained by adding a constant KB (L) to VL (white part potential) detected for each copy, and a developing bias during copying. It is the reference voltage of. Since VL at this time changes depending on the residual potential (VR) of the photoconductor, it is intended to correct the potential variation of the photoconductor due to use conditions. Where V
B (L) is expressed by the following equation. Note that VB (ADS) is a correction value of the developing bias output according to the background density of the original document. VB (L) = VL + KB (L) VB (notch) is the concentration step at the time of manual notch (for example, 1 to
The developing bias is corrected according to 7). The formula is as follows. The number of notches is 1 (dark)
At 7 (thin), Kn and KB (notch) are constants. VB (notch) = {Kn × (notch number)} − KB (notch) This VB (notch) is 0 V (volt) during ADS copy.

Next, the variable power mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. The lateral magnification of the copy image is obtained by changing the stop position of the lens 5 in the optical axis direction. A lens optical axis motor 9 is used to move the lens 5 in the optical axis direction, and the lens 5 is driven via a lens optical axis belt 101. Lens optical axis home detection 10
Reference numeral 2 is used to detect the same magnification position of the lens 5. The position in the optical axis direction of the lens at the time of zooming is moved by an appropriate distance with reference to the 1x position. The distance at that time may be detected by the lens optical axis encoder 103 or by the number of pulses when the lens optical axis motor 9 is a stepping motor. The vertical magnification is changed according to the speed of the scanner (moving speed of the running body).

In the copying machine main body 100 of this embodiment, the original setting position is used as the front reference of the contact glass 1 in order to improve the original setting performance. However, the transfer paper transfer standard is the central standard. In order to deal with this, the stop position of the lens 5 in the thrust direction is changed according to the conditions of the paper size and the magnification. The lens thrust motor 8 is used for driving in the thrust direction, and the lens thrust motor 8 is used for driving. The lens thrust home detection 105 is used for A4 lateral transfer paper and position detection at the same magnification. The lens thrust direction position is moved by an appropriate distance with reference to the A4 horizontal / magnification position. The distance at that time may be detected by the lens thrust encoder 106, or may be calculated by the number of pulses when the lens thrust motor 8 is a stepping motor.

Next, referring to FIG. 20, the copying machine main body 1
The control unit of 00 will be described. Control of the copier body is C
It is performed centering on PU401. The basic program and data of the copying machine are stored in the ROM 402 in advance, and the CPU
401 calls and executes code from the ROM 402. The RAM 403 is used to store intermediate results and the like.

An A / D converter 404 is a lamp voltage of the scanner, a light emitting voltage and a light receiving voltage of a P sensor for controlling toner concentration, an output of a potential sensor for detecting the potential on the photosensitive drum 21, an automatic density adjustment of the developing device. ADS sensor output, illumination lamp light amount sensor output, photoconductor drum potential sensor output, fixing unit thermistor 64 voltage, etc.
Output signals from various sensors are converted into digital signals and C
Input to PU401. Although the fixing temperature can be detected by the thermistor voltage, the copying operation is prohibited when the fixing temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature.

The input (IN) port 405 is for inputting an output from a human body detection sensor (not shown) or a memory clear dip switch (DIPSW) to the CPU 401. Note that the human body detection sensor automatically turns on the power when a person stands in front of the copying machine,
It is for automatically turning off the power when a person leaves. When the memory clear dip switch is turned on, the RAM 403 is turned on when the copying machine is powered on.
The content of is set to a predetermined value.

The output (OUT) port 406 outputs to various solenoids and to a clutch for driving the conveying roller. The serial communication unit 407 transmits / receives commands to / from the operation unit described later, the ADF 80 or the circulating automatic document feeder RDH that can be mounted in the copying machine of this embodiment, and the S / S stapling apparatus.

The optical system control unit 408 controls the illumination lamp 7, the lens thrust motor 8 and the lens optical axis motor 9 of the scanner. High-voltage power supply unit 40
Reference numeral 9 denotes a charger, a separation charger, a transfer charger, a pre-transfer charger (PT) required for the electrophotographic process.
C), power is supplied to the developing bias.

The motor control unit 410 controls the main motor 411. The heater control unit 412 controls the heater 64 of the fixing device. The sensor sensitivity control unit 413 controls the light receiving gain of each sensor such as the P sensor, the ADS sensor, the lamp light amount sensor, and the light emitting voltage of the P sensor LED.

The timer unit 414 is used as a weekly timer to turn on / off the AC power source by measuring the present time. Next, the automatic document feeder (ADF) will be described with reference to FIG.

A document bundle (not shown) placed on the document table 81 with its image surface facing downward is sent out by the calling roller 82, and is regulated by the separation blade 83 and the separation roller 84 so that only the lowest document is fed. To be paper. When the trailing edge of the fed document passes the right scale 86, the conveyor belt 87 is stopped and the document is stopped on the contact glass 1. The document stopped on the contact glass 1 is discharged by driving the conveying belt 87 and the discharge roller 88.

In the case of a double-sided document, in order to reverse the document, the reversing solenoid 89 is turned on to open the vertical reversing guide claws 91a and 91b (move from the position shown by the solid line to the position shown by the broken line). As a result, the conveying path of the reversing loop is formed, and at the same time, the conveying belt 87 and the reversing roller 92 are turned on. The reverse rotation timing of the carry motor (not shown) is after the time when the reverse entrance detection 93 detects the front end of the document and then the front end of the document reaches the transport belt 87. The transportation motor is stopped at the time when the leading edge of the document reaches the right scale.

When the double-sided original is reversed and ejected, the original is first guided into the switchback path 94 and then ejected.
First, the reversing solenoid 89 is turned on to open the vertical reversing guide claws 91a and 91b, and the reversing discharge solenoid 95 is turned on.
Then, the reversal discharge switching claw 96 is lowered from the position indicated by the solid line to the position indicated by the broken line to form a conveyance path into the switchback path 94, and at the same time, the conveyance belt 87 and the reversal roller 92 are turned on.
N When the reverse entrance detection 93 detects the rear edge of the document,
The reverse roller 92 starts reverse rotation, and the reverse solenoid 89
Is turned off and the document is ejected.

The above operation is repeated until there is no original, that is, until the original set sensor (not shown) detects that there is no original on the original table 81. Next, the sorter 110 with stapling function will be described with reference to FIG.

The sorter 110 is a sorter to which a stapling function is added, and is capable of stapling in addition to the sorting mode and the stacking mode. Depending on the position of the receiving switching plate 115, the transfer paper discharged from the copying machine main body is switched to either the relay tray 107 or the inclined portion 113. The relay tray 107 is a tray for immediately ejecting a copy already made in the copying machine body without carrying it into the sorter when a jam occurs in the sorter. The receiving switching plate 115 is switched by a switching solenoid 116, and the relay tray 10 is switched by turning on the solenoid.
7, it is sent to the oblique portion 113 by turning off.

At the slanted portion 113, the conveyance position is changed in order to align the sheet discharge with the staple position. Since the sorter 110 staples on the front side, all the sheets are aligned on the front side. The branching claw 118 allows the sheet
It is switched depending on whether it is sent to the / S section 111 or the second S / S section 112. It should be noted that it is possible to further connect the S / S section after the second S / S section 112.

The first S / S section 111 and the second S / S section 112
Since the configuration and operation of are the same, the description will be given using the first S / S unit 111. The sheet fed upward by the branch claw 118 is stored in the bin by the deflecting claw 122 provided for each bin. FIG. 23 shows the configuration of the paper storage unit in each bin. In FIG. 23, the bin solenoid 12
3 is normally OFF, the deflecting claw 122 is held at the position indicated by the solid line by the return spring 124, and the conveying roller 12
It does not hinder the upward conveyance of the sheet by 1. When the bin solenoid 123 is turned on, the deflection pawl 12
2 moves to the position indicated by the broken line, and the sheet is conveyed along the arcuate portion of the deflecting claw 122, so that the sheet is discharged to the bin 120.

The sheets discharged into the bin are aligned by the jogger unit shown in FIG. In the sheet aligning operation by the jogger unit, first, the side plate 125 on the back side is moved to each sheet size position according to the size signal from the copying machine main body. This position is about 10 mm deeper than the far side of the paper. The paper discharged to the bin 120 is
Due to the inclination of the bin, the bin returns to the direction opposite to the discharge direction, and the trailing edge of the sheet is brought into contact with the fence 120a (see FIG. 23) of the bin to stop. After the paper is stopped, the jogger plate 126 on the front side presses the paper against the side plate 125 on the back side to align the paper. Jogger plate 1
26 is a link 128 for rotating the jogger motor 129,
It operates by transmitting it via the jogger pole 127.

A copying operation using the sorter 110 will be briefly described. The copying operation using the sorter 110 includes a normal sort mode, a stack mode, and a staple mode in addition to the above-described mass sort mode. Modes other than the mass sort mode will be described.

In the copy operation in the sort mode, one copy of the original is made for the number of copies to be reproduced, and the copies are sorted one by one into the bins of the sorter. Minutes) to make a duplicate. Therefore, in the case of this mode, it is impossible to create a copy with more copies than the empty bin.

The stack mode is a mode in which copies for the number of copies to be duplicated are made and the same page is discharged to the same bin. Therefore, the bin that is ejected during document replacement (when the page of the document moves to the next) moves. Further, since the number of sheets stacked in one bin is limited, the bin is moved to eject the sheet even when the maximum value is exceeded. That is,
1 if the number of copies exceeds the maximum number of stacks in the bin
Even for a single document, multiple bins will be used.

The stapling can be performed in either the sorting mode or the stacking mode. However, when sheets of different sizes are discharged to the same bin, the sheets cannot be aligned because the side plate 125 is at a different position, and the stapling is performed. It is impossible. Also, even when ejecting to a different bin,
When a large-sized sheet has already been discharged to the previously discharged bin, the side plate 125 cannot move to a predetermined position, and in this case also, stapling is impossible. However, when the sheets are discharged to different bins, the sheets of the same size can be stapled if the subsequent sheets are large in size.

Here, an automatic document feeder of a type different from the ADF 80 will be described as an automatic document feeder which can be mounted on the main body of the copying machine of this embodiment. FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing the outline of a circulation type automatic document feeder (RDH) 130. In the RDH 130, a bundle of documents (not shown) placed downward on the document table 131 has the lowermost sheet adsorbed by the vacuum belt 132 and is fed to the document feed port by the movement of the belt. Prior to this, the document partitioning claw 145 is once pulled in to the upper left, and reappears to be set on the document stack. The original fed in this state is fed by the original feeding roller 133 to the intermediate conveyance path 134.
Sent to and stopped temporarily. The stopped original is then restarted, and the turn roller 135 and the original conveying belt 13
It is set on the contact glass 1 by 6. In the case of continuous paper feeding, the next original is set in the intermediate conveyance path 134 by executing the original calling operation at the same time. The document set on the contact glass 1 is discharged by sending the document to the document discharge path 139 by the document conveying belt 136 and the document discharge rollers 138, but the discharge method differs between a single-sided document and a double-sided document. ing.

In the case of a single-sided original, the original on the contact glass 1 is fed by the original conveying belt 136 to the original discharge path 139.
When the reversing sensor 141 detects the trailing edge of the document once entering the paper discharge path, the switchback roller 14
0 is reversed and the document is fed back. At this time, since the discharge switching claw 137 is operated, the original is discharged to the discharge path 139.
The document is guided to the normal rotation discharge path 143 by the original discharge rollers 144.
As a result, the original is discharged onto the original stack on the original mounting table 131 in the same direction. At this time, since the document separating claws 145 are placed on the document bundle, the discharged documents are not confused.

In the case of a double-sided original, the switchback roller 140 does not rotate in the reverse direction, and the process proceeds to the reverse discharge path 142 as it is. Therefore, when the sheet is discharged onto the document table 131 and stacked again, the top and bottom are reversed. When the sheet is fed again in this state, the back surface of the contact glass 1 is exposed, and the sheet is returned to the original state by passing through the reverse sheet discharging path 142 again.

The detection of the final document is performed by the document partitioning claw 145 set on the document dropping into the partitioning claw detection sensor 146 when the final document is fed. Next, the operation unit of the copying machine for performing various inputs and settings such as mode setting will be described.

FIG. 26 shows an operation unit provided in the copying machine of this embodiment. The operation unit 200 shown in this figure includes a mode clear key 201, an interrupt key 202, a program key 203, a guidance key 204, a print key (start key) 205, and a clear / stop key 20.
6, each key of the ten-key pad 207 and the display 208 are provided.

The mode clear key 201 is a key for returning various set modes to the standard mode. By pressing the mode clear key 201, the number of copies is set to one, the density adjustment is set to automatic density, the paper feed is set to automatic paper feed selection, and the scaling ratio is set to the same size. Therefore, all functions such as double-sided copying and enlargement / reduction copying are canceled. The interrupt key 202 is pressed to make an interrupt copy. The program key 203 is a key used for registering and calling a mode frequently used by the user. Guidance key 204
Is pressed to display explanations of basic operations and functions.
A print key (start key) 205 is a key used when starting a copying operation. In this embodiment, the print key (start key) 205 also serves as a ready / wait display, and when ready, the green LED is
The red LED lights up when weighting. The clear / stop key 206 functions as a clear key during the standby of the copying operation and as a stop key during the execution of the copying operation. The clear key is pressed to release the set number of copies. The stop key is pressed when the copying operation is interrupted, and the machine is stopped when the copying operation is finished at that point. And numeric keypad 2
07 is used to set the number of copies, or to input a numerical value such as zoom magnification or binding margin.

The display 208 displays the function and status of the copying machine, various messages and the like. Although the CRT type is used in the present embodiment, other types such as a liquid crystal display can be used. A touch panel key is provided on the surface of the display 208, and functions as a selection key as well as a display. In the present embodiment, this touch panel key is used for selecting a mode, and the selected (pressed) mode key is displayed with the colors of the background portion and the character portion being inverted, and is displayed as a white character on a black background.

FIG. 27 shows an example of a touch panel detection circuit for the touch panel keys of the display 208. Table 1 is for explaining the coordinate detection by the detection circuit.

[0080]

[Table 1]

In FIG. 26, touch panel key 210
The controller 211 of the detection terminals X1, X2, Y1,
Y2 is set to a high (high level) state and each terminal is set to the state shown in Table 1. By the way, since the Y1 and Y2 circuits are pulled up by the resistor R, the touch panel key 2
When 10 is off, Y1 is +5 (V), and when it is on, it is 0 (V). Therefore, the on / off state of the touch panel key 210 can be detected from the output of the A / D converter 212. When the controller 211 detects the ON state of the panel key, it switches the mode to the measurement mode.

When detecting the coordinates, the circuits of X1 and X2 are also pulled up in the X (vertical axis) direction, and X1 is +
5 (V) and X2 become 0 (V), the potential at the input position is input to the A / D converter 212 through Y1, and the coordinate in the X direction is calculated. In the Y (horizontal axis) direction, the circuit is switched and the same calculation is performed. The detection position of the touch panel key 210 is detected by such a detection circuit.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing an example of the control system of the operation unit 200. As shown in this figure, the operation unit 2
00 is VRAM 221, CRT controller 222, C
RT223, CPU224, CGROM225, LED
Driver 226, keyboard 227, touch panel 21
6, address latch 229, ROM 230, non-volatile R
It has an AM 231, a system reset unit 232, an address decoder 228, an optical transceiver 235, etc., and is connected to the host PPC 220 by serial communication. The host PPC 220 corresponds to the copying machine main body 100 in FIG. Also, the CRT 223 is the display 208 in FIG.
27, and the touch panel 216 corresponds to the touch panel key 210 in FIG.

When the operation unit 200 receives a command (instruction) from the host PPC 220 side, it determines the contents to be displayed on the CRT 223 and the C stored in the ROM 230 in advance.
VRAM 221 by calling the code for GROM225
Expand to the top. A large number of bit patterns that are screen data are stored in the CGROM 225, and the stored patterns can be read by designating a code. The bit pattern read from the CGROM 225 is displayed as a screen on the CRT 223 via the CRT controller 222. The bit pattern development area of the screen data in the VRAM 221 is divided into some areas, and the bit pattern of a screen different from the screen currently displayed can be expanded. Therefore, VRAM
By operating the address in the display area 221
The screen on the CRT 223 can be rewritten in an instant. This enables screen development on the CRT 223.

The CRT controller 222 uses the CP
Data is exchanged with the U224, the CGROM 225, the touch panel 216, the keyboard 227 driven by the LED driver 226, the address latch 229, the address decoder 228, and the like. In addition, the CPU 224
Is address latch 229, ROM 230, non-volatile RAM
Data is exchanged with the H.231 and data is also exchanged with the address decoder 228 via the system reset unit 232. Further, the CPU 224 exchanges data with the host PPC 220 via the optical transceiver 234. FIG. 28 shows the display 208 shown in FIG.
It shows a copy setting screen displayed on the (CRT 223). In this figure, the message display 24
0 is a place to display information about the device, for example,
Display a message such as "Ready to copy" or "Copying". Set display area 241
Displays the number of copies and the like. The trial copy start key 242 is pressed when it is desired to confirm the finished copy. This key is not displayed in the trial copy prohibited state, and key input is also invalid. The density adjustment key 243 is used when manually adjusting the copy density. Automatic density key 2
Reference numeral 44 is pressed when the copy density is automatically adjusted according to the background density of the document. Reference numeral 245 denotes a tray selection key, a paper size, a remaining amount of paper, and a paper type display area, which is composed of a plurality of input keys and a display area according to the paper feed stage. When the automatic paper selection key 246 is selected, a tray that stores paper of the same size as the original is automatically selected, and the paper is fed from that tray. The paper designation scaling key 247 is used to automatically reduce or enlarge the original image in accordance with the size of the paper designated by this key. A magnification display area is provided on the left side of this key. The same size key 248 is selected when making a same size copy.

The lower half of the operation display section is divided into five columns,
From the right, keys or display areas related to scaling, double-sided, binding margin, editing, cover and interleaf, sorter are provided.

In the column relating to scaling, the standard scaling key 249 is selected when designating reduction / enlargement of the standard size. The zoom keys 250 and 251 are used to specify an arbitrary magnification in 1% steps. Dimension scaling key 252
Press to reduce or enlarge the copied image so that it has the specified dimensions. The size display area 253 displays the document size and the copy size when the size is changed.

In the column for double-sided printing, the single-sided → double-sided key 254 is used to copy a single-sided original on both sides of paper. The double-sided → double-sided key 255 is used when copying a double-sided original on both sides of paper. Both sides → One side key 256
Is used when copying a double-sided original on one side of two sheets.

In the portion relating to the binding margin, a front binding margin display area 257 is provided, and a front binding margin key 258 is arranged below it. This key is used when setting the binding margin on the paper, and can be set on either the left or right side of the paper if the size is 21 mm or less. Below the front binding margin key 258, the back binding margin size area 25
9 is provided, and the back binding margin key 260 is arranged below the key 9. This key is for back side original or back side copy,
The same setting as the front binding margin key 258 can be made.

In the column related to editing, the delete key 261 outside the edit mode is used when a part of the original is designated and the image outside thereof is erased and copied. On the contrary, the in-edit mode delete key 262 is used to erase and copy the image inside the specified portion. The edit mode center erase key 263 is selected when the central portion of the original is erased and a copy is made. Below these keys, an erase size display area 264 is provided.

In the columns relating to the cover sheet and the interleaf sheet, the cover sheet key 265 is selected when the first original sheet is copied with the cover sheet. Both cover keys 266 are selected when the first original document and the last original document are to be copied on the cover sheet.
The tab key 267 is selected when copying a designated page of a document onto a tab sheet. The slip sheet key 268 is selected when one sheet of slip sheet exclusive paper is inserted into a copy each time the original is changed.

Sort key 2 in the sorter column
69 is pressed when the sort function is used. The mass sort key 270 is selected when a large number of originals are copied using the sort function. The stack key 271 is selected when using the stack function. 4 staple keys 2
Reference numerals 72 to 275 are keys to be pressed when the stapling function is used, and stapling can be selected. When the stapling function is selected, the sort mode is automatically selected to simplify the operation. The stapling function includes an automatic stapling function and a manual stapling function. The auto-stapling function is a function that automatically executes the binding operation when the copying process is completed, and the manual stapling function is a function that executes the binding operation when the user presses the staple key.

FIG. 29 is an example of the setting content adjustment screen after the trial copy. This screen is a screen displayed on the display 208 after the trial copy, and displays only the adjustable mode among the modes selected in the trial copy, and the display mode and the input mode of the input key at the time of the adjustment are different. The items are the same. For example, if density, scaling, and binding margin are applicable modes, only that mode is displayed,
With respect to the density, each time the key 280 for making the current setting lighter or the key 281 for making it darker is pressed, the density adjustment value is changed one step at a time. Regarding the adjustment of the binding margin, the- (minus) key 284 and the + (plus) key 285 change the binding margin value set by 1 mm each time the button is pressed.

FIG. 30 is an example of a double-sided mode specification setting screen for trial copy. This screen is a screen for setting the operation specifications of the double-sided copy in the trial copy prior to executing the trial copy mode only when the double-sided mode is set in the trial copy. Single-sided copy key 290 to be selected for quick and easy confirmation by only single-sided copying, double-sided copy key 291 to be selected for copying the back side and accurately confirming the contents.
Single-sided → double-sided mode selection Original 1 sheet key 292 to be selected when copying one side of the original 1 292 original 2 sheet key to select the original to be used but to confirm the exact contents using two originals There is 293. Further, there is an end key 294 for ending this screen when setting is unnecessary.

FIG. 31 shows an example of the staple function setting / staple position adjusting screen. This screen is an example of a screen for finely adjusting the stapling position and selecting the stapling position after or before execution of the trial copy when the staple mode is selected in the trial copy. The stapling points are a back key 300 that staples one place on the upper left of the paper, a lick key 301 that staples one place diagonally on the upper left of the paper, a front key 302 that staples one place on the lower left of the paper, and a two-position key that staples two places on the left side of the paper. Select one from 303. Selected area is display area 30
8, the staple position is moved up by the key 304,
The down key 305, the left key 306, and the right key 307 are adjusted to move the staple position in the designated direction by a fixed amount each time the key is pressed.

FIG. 32 is an example of a warning screen when the following state occurs in the trial copy using the stapling function. When performing a trial copy using the stapling function, the discharge bin is moved after each execution, but a message for paper removal is displayed instead of limiting the number of empty bins.

[0097]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus with the sorting function of the present invention, since a plurality of bins of the sorter are set as one sorting unit in the sorting mode, the number of original pages is one bin. Even when the number of sheets that can be discharged is exceeded, it is possible to consider a plurality of bins as one bin and discharge the sheets, and it is possible to sort a large number of pages.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the number of bins that can be set as one sorting unit can be arbitrarily set. Therefore, the sorter bins can be used efficiently and effectively in accordance with the manuscript page, and the sorting can be performed according to the purpose. It can be performed.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the number of bins as one sorting unit is automatically set by inputting the number of original pages, it is possible to easily set the number of bins and improve operability.

According to the configuration of claim 4, since a plurality of adjacent bins are set as one sorting unit, the copy sheets after sorting processing can be easily arranged and the work efficiency can be improved.

According to the structure of claim 5, when the sheets are discharged to a plurality of bins as one sorting unit, the sheets are discharged from the lower bin. Therefore, when sorting the copy sheets after the sorting process,
It is only necessary to collect the copy sheets discharged in a plurality of bins of one sorting unit in order from the bottom, and the work efficiency can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a copying apparatus that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a case where two bins of a sorter of the copying apparatus are used as one sorting unit.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of a bin number setting screen for each sorting unit displayed on the display of the operation unit of the copying apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of a bin number automatic setting screen based on the number of document pages displayed on the display of the operation unit of the copying apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a mass sort operation when the sorting unit is fixed at 2 bins.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a mass sort operation in the case where the number of sorting unit bins is arbitrarily set.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a mass sort operation when the number of bins is automatically set according to the number of original pages.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a document reading unit of the copying apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration near an image forming unit of the copying apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the paper feeding unit of the copying apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a fixing and paper reversing unit of the copying apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an optical table of the copying apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining toner concentration control in the copying apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a graph showing a relationship between a P sensor output voltage and a reference voltage in the toner density control.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram for explaining light quantity control of an exposure lamp in the copying apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram for explaining automatic adjustment of image density in the copying apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram for explaining process control in the copying apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram for explaining a potential curve in the process control.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating a variable power mechanism in the copying apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a main body control unit of the copying apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a configuration diagram showing an automatic document feeder of the copying apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a configuration diagram showing a sorter of the copying apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a configuration diagram showing the vicinity of a paper storage portion of the sorter.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a jogger unit of the sorter.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing another example of an automatic document feeder that can be mounted on the copying apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a plan view showing the operation unit of the copying apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a circuit diagram showing a detection circuit of the touch panel of the operation unit.

FIG. 28 is a table showing the input and output states of the controller of the detection circuit.

FIG. 29 is a plan view showing a message screen displayed on the display of the operation unit shown in FIG. 27.

FIG. 30 is a plan view showing a setting content adjustment screen also displayed on the display.

FIG. 31 is a plan view showing a double-sided mode setting screen for trial copy, which is also displayed on the display.

FIG. 32 is a plan view showing a staple function setting and position adjustment screen also displayed on the display.

FIG. 33 is a plan view showing a warning screen also displayed on the display.

[Explanation of symbols]

 50 Mass Paper Feeder 80 Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) 100 Copier Main Unit 110 Staple-equipped Sorter 120 Bin 200 Operation Unit 208 Display 309 Bin Number Change Key 310 Confirm Key 312 Page Number Change Key

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yoko Fukui 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Stock company Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Masuyama 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Shares Ricoh Company (72) Inventor Ryoichi Suzuki 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image with a sorting function, comprising an automatic document feeder and a sorter, and having a mode of automatically sorting the copied sheets into a bin of the sorter and discharging the sheets when copying a document of a plurality of pages. In the forming apparatus, in the mode, a plurality of bins of the sorter are set as one sorting unit, and a document having a page number exceeding the number of sheets that can be discharged to one bin can be copied. Image forming apparatus. 2. The number of bins that can be set as the one sorting unit can be arbitrarily set.
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 3. When the plurality of bins of the sorter are set as one sorting unit, the number of bins as one sorting unit is automatically set by inputting the number of manuscript pages. 1. The image forming apparatus according to 1. 4. The plurality of bins as the one sorting unit are adjacent bins.
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the sheets are discharged to a plurality of bins as the one sorting unit, the lower bin is discharged first.