JPH11202691A - Image forming apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] (with correction) [PROBLEMS] To improve work efficiency by eliminating the trouble of removing an output sheet to an image forming apparatus every time one output bin for outputting an output sheet is full. . SOLUTION: When the number of output sheets of the image forming apparatus exceeds the maximum number of stacked sheets of one of a plurality of output bins of the sorting apparatus (YES in step S303), the number of output copies of the print job is sorted. When the number of empty bins of the apparatus is exceeded (N in step S304)
O) A warning message to the effect that the printed paper is to be removed is displayed to the host computer which has issued the output request (step S305). Is notified to the host computer that performed the operation (Step S30).
7), the output bin is changed (step S30)
8).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method for outputting output sheets, each having an image formed on a plurality of output bins provided in a sorting apparatus, one by one.

[0003]

In recent years, various digital copying machines have become widespread. A host computer is connected to the digital copying machine via various interface devices, and image data transmitted from the host computer is transmitted. 2. Description of the Related Art An image processing system capable of outputting with a digital copying machine has been developed.

Conventionally, a digital copying machine is provided with a sorting device having a plurality of output bins, and when image data is printed out on output paper by using the sorting function of the sorting device, the output paper loaded on the output bin is output. When the number of sheets exceeds the maximum number of sheets to be stacked in the output bin, the user is warned to remove the output sheets stacked in the output bin, and the print output is interrupted until the output sheets are removed.

In the case where the digital copying machine at the output destination is connected to a network such as the various interfaces described above, when the digital copying machine is forced to interrupt the print output as described above, the user can perform the print output. Even if it is judged that the printing has been completed and the printout is taken, it is found that the printout was not possible due to an error for the first time at that point, and then the printout must be performed again, or another user prints out to the digital copier. Is issued, there is a problem that the print job of another user is not performed because the previous job is incomplete, and the work of the user is inefficient.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and when forming an image on an output sheet with a predetermined number of output sheets per copy and a predetermined number of output copies, one output paper sheet is output. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving work efficiency by eliminating the trouble of removing an output sheet to the image forming apparatus every time the output bin becomes full.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising: a sorting apparatus having a plurality of output bins; And a plurality of output bins, and an output unit for outputting the output paper on which the image has been formed one by one to each of the plurality of output bins, and an image connected to a host computer. In the forming apparatus, a loading status in which the loading status of the output paper is detected in each of the plurality of output bins to detect whether each of the plurality of output bins is empty or full. Detecting means, and selecting means for selecting one of the empty output bins detected by the stacking state detecting means, wherein the output means is configured to output one of the output sheets. If the output bin is detected by the loading state detection unit to be in the full state, and the number of output copies is equal to or less than the number of empty output bins detected by the loading state detection unit, the output paper Is changed to one of the empty output bins selected by the selection means, and the output of the output paper is continued.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the output unit outputs one of the empty output bins selected by the selection unit to which the output sheet is output. When output of the output sheet is continued in place of the output bin, the apparatus further comprises a first notifying unit for notifying the host computer that the output bin has been changed.

In the image forming apparatus according to a third aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, one output bin to which the output sheet is output is detected by the loading state detecting unit to be in the full loading state. In this case, when the number of output copies exceeds the number of empty output bins detected by the stacking status detection means, the output paper stacked in one output bin from which the output paper is output is removed. It is characterized by further comprising a second notification means for displaying a warning on the host computer.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the output of the empty state detected by the loading state detecting means when the output of the image forming means is started. If the number of bins exceeds twice the number of output copies and one of the output bins to which the output paper is output is detected by the loading state detection means to be in the full state, the output of the empty state is performed. The apparatus further comprises a third notifying unit for notifying the host computer that the output bin has been changed immediately without comparing the number of bins with the number of output units.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the selection means detects the output in the plurality of output bins detected by the loading state detection means. The paper stacking state is stored as a management table, and one of the empty output bins is selected based on the management table.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming method, wherein an image is formed on an output sheet with a predetermined number of output sheets per copy and a predetermined number of output copies, and the image formation is performed on each of a plurality of output bins. An output step of outputting output sheets one by one, wherein a stacking state of the output sheets is detected in each of the plurality of output bins, and each of the plurality of output bins is empty. A loading status detection step of detecting whether the loading bin is full or not, and one of the empty output bins detected in the loading status detection step.
Selecting one of the output bins, and in the output step, when one output bin on which the output paper is output is detected to be in the full load state in the stacking state detection step, the output copy number is set to If the number of output bins in the empty state detected in the loading status detection step is equal to or less than the number of output bins in the empty state, one output bin to which the output paper is output is changed to one of the empty output bins selected in the selection step. The output of the output sheet is continued.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method of the sixth aspect, the output step includes outputting one of the empty output bins selected in the selecting step to the output sheet. When outputting the output sheet on which the image is formed in place of one output bin is continued, the method further includes a first notification step of notifying a host computer that the output bin has been changed.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method of the sixth or seventh aspect, one output bin to which the output sheet is output is detected as being in the full state by the stacking state detecting step. If the number of output copies exceeds the number of empty output bins detected in the loading status detection step, the output paper stacked in one output bin from which the output paper is output is removed. The method further includes a second notification step of displaying a warning on the host computer.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, the output of the empty state detected in the loading state detecting step at the start of the output of the image forming step. If the number of bins exceeds twice the number of output copies and one of the output bins to which the output paper is output is detected to be in the full state in the stacking state detection step, the output in the empty state is output. The method further includes a third notification step of notifying the host computer that the output bin has been changed immediately without comparing the number of bins with the number of output units.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method according to any one of the sixth to ninth aspects, the selecting step includes the step of setting the output in the plurality of output bins detected by the loading state detecting step. The method further comprises storing a paper stacking state as a management table, and selecting one of the empty output bins based on the management table.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and an image processing apparatus connected thereto will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and an image processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus.

Image forming apparatus 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention
Reference numeral 1 denotes a sorting device having a plurality of output bins, and forms an image on an output sheet by a predetermined number of output sheets per copy and a predetermined number of output copies (image forming means). Put the image-formed output paper in a bin 1
Output one by one (output means). In each of the plurality of output bins, the number of output sheets output to the output bin is detected, and the output bin is empty or the output number reaches the maximum load capacity of the output bin. An output paper sensor is provided as a loading state detecting means for detecting whether the sheet is loaded (full loading state).

The image processing apparatus 1 is connected to the image forming apparatus 21. The image processing apparatus 1 is connected to the host computer 2 via an interface cable 3 connected to an external interface (I / F) 4. Have been.

In the image processing apparatus 1, an external I / O
A first CPU bus 5 is connected to F4. The first CPU bus 5 has a bus controller 7 and a first CPU bus.
8, a first memory 9 and an I / O bus controller 10 are connected to each other. An I / O bus 11 is connected to the I / O bus controller 10, and a floppy disk drive (FDD) 1 is connected to the I / O bus 11.
2. A hard disk drive (HDD) 13 and a liquid crystal (LCD) controller 14 are connected to each other.

The bus controller 7 further includes a second C
The PU bus 6 is connected, and a frame memory 15, a second CPU 16, a second memory 17, and an engine interface 19 are connected to the second CPU bus 6, respectively. Here, the frame memory 15 and the engine interface 19 are connected to each other via a video bus. The image forming apparatus 19 is connected to the engine interface 19 via an interface cable 20.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 1 is provided separately from the image forming apparatus 21, but the image processing apparatus 1 may be incorporated in the same housing as the image forming apparatus 21. .

The first CPU 8 controls I / O connected to other than the image forming apparatus 21 connected to the outside. Also,
The I / O bus controller 10 includes an FDD 12, an HDD 13, and an LCD controller 1 connected to the I / O bus 11.
4, and general-purpose I / O such as an operation unit (not shown) are controlled.

The second CPU 16 controls the image forming apparatus 21 and develops image data stored in the frame memory 15. The second memory 17 is a program memory, and a control program is loaded from the HDD 13 via the bus controller 7 when the power is turned on. Further, the second memory 17 is also used for communication with the first CPU 8.

The engine interface 19 controls the image forming apparatus 21 while performing various settings. On the other hand, the video bus 18 is a bus dedicated to images, and the second CPU 1
6, the image data stored in the frame memory 15 is sent to the engine interface 19 through the video bus 18 and further sent to the image forming apparatus 21.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of processing when a print job output request is made such that the number of output sheets per copy exceeds the maximum number of stacked sheets in each output bin in the sorting apparatus of the image forming apparatus 21. (A) shows the case where the number of output units is equal to or less than the number of empty output bins, and (b) shows the case where the number of output units exceeds the number of empty output bins.

The image forming apparatus 21 has five output bins 51.
(A1, A2, B1, B2, B3) and a sorting device having output bins 51 (A1, A2, B3).
1, B2, and B3) have a maximum number of three.

When the number of output copies is equal to or less than the number of empty output bins (FIG. 2A), for example, in the image forming apparatus 21, an image on an output sheet 52 of 6 copies and 2 copies is output. If the formation is performed, three output sheets are output to the output bins A1 and A2 until the number of output sheets reaches three (the left side in FIG. 1A), and the number of empty output bins at this time is three. ((B1), (B2), (B3)). Next, when the fourth output sheet 52 is output to the output bin A1, the number of output sheets 52 in the output bin A1 exceeds the maximum stacking number of the output bin A1, and at this time, the number of output copies of the output sheet 52 ( 2) empty output bins (B1), (B2), (B3)
, The output bins are shifted from A1 and A2 to (B
Change to 1) and (B2) and continue to output the output paper.

If the number of output copies exceeds the number of empty output bins (FIG. 2B), for example, the image forming apparatus 21
Output paper 52 with 6 copies per copy and 2 copies per copy
If the number of output sheets is up to three (left side in FIG. 2A), three output sheets are output to output bins A1 and A2, and the number of empty output bins at this time Are three ((B1), (B2), (B3)). Next, when the fourth output sheet 52 is output to the output bin A1, the number of output sheets 52 in the output bin A1 exceeds the maximum stacking number of the output bin A1, and at this time, the number of output copies of the output sheet 52 ( 3) exceeds the number of empty output bins (B1) and (B2), a warning is displayed to the requesting host computer to remove the paper, and the output is performed after the paper is removed by the user. To continue.

Hereinafter, an image forming process executed by the image forming apparatus 21 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an image forming process executed by the image forming apparatus 21 according to the embodiment of the present invention. This processing is executed when a print job output request that exceeds the maximum number of output bins in the sorting device of the image forming apparatus 21 is made.

First, in step S301, the image forming apparatus 21 outputs one developed image data to one output bin of a plurality of output bins of the sorting apparatus. Next, in step S302, it is determined whether or not all of the print jobs have been completed. If all of the print jobs have been completed, the present process is immediately terminated. It is determined whether or not the maximum number of stacked sheets of the one output bin is exceeded (full load state).

If it is determined in step S303 that the number of output sheets does not exceed the maximum stacking number of the one output bin, steps S301 and subsequent steps are repeated. If the number of output sheets exceeds the maximum number, the flow advances to step S304 to determine the number of output copies of the print job and the output number. The number of empty output bins of the sorting apparatus detected by the paper sensor is compared with the number of empty output bins, and if the number of output copies exceeds the number of empty output bins (corresponding to FIG. 2B), the host computer that has issued the output request Is displayed (step S305, second notification means), and it is determined whether or not the output paper stacked in the corresponding output bin has been removed by the output paper sensor (step S305). Step S306). After the output paper stacked in the corresponding output bin is removed (step S3
(YES in 06), the process of step S301 and subsequent steps is repeated.

On the other hand, if the number of output copies is equal to or less than the number of empty output bins in step S304 (corresponding to FIG. 2A), one of the empty output bins detected by the output paper sensor is selected. (Selection means), and notifies the host computer that has issued the output request that the output bin is changed to one of the empty output bins (step S307, first output bin).
), The output bin is changed (step S308), and the process ends.

According to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 21
If the output number of sheets exceeds the maximum number of stacked sheets of one of the plurality of output bins of the sorting apparatus (YES in step S303), the number of output copies of the print job exceeds the number of empty bins of the sorting apparatus. (NO in step S304), the host computer that has issued the output request is warned with a warning message to remove the printed paper (step S305).
If the number of output copies of the print job is equal to or less than the number of empty bins of the sorting apparatus, the host computer that has issued the output request is notified that the output bin is to be replaced with one of the empty output bins (step S307). The change is performed (step S308).

Hereinafter, an image forming process executed by an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a management table indicating the state of output bins, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an image forming process executed by the image forming apparatus 21 according to another embodiment of the present invention. This processing is performed by the image forming apparatus 21.
This is executed when a print job output request is made that exceeds the maximum number of output bins of the sorting device.

In the above embodiment, when the output number exceeds the maximum number of output bins, the number and state of the output bins are checked during the actual output, and a message to remove the paper is sent to the host. Although it is determined whether to display on the computer or change the output bin and continue output,
In another embodiment of the present invention, the actual output processing is performed after checking the required number of output copies and the current state of the output bins at the start of printing, and determining whether or not the output bins can be changed.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the output paper sensor checks the output paper stacking state of each output bin of the sorting apparatus before printing, and obtains a bin status management table as shown in FIG. . In this table, the bin number indicates each output bin. The use job is the name of a print job that uses the output bin, and the status indicates what state the output bin is currently in. The continuation indicates to which bin the output bin is continuously output as a result of the output bin being full. In this example, Job1 uses bins 1, 2 and 9, 10 and Job2 uses bins 3-5. The bins 6 to 8 and 11, 12 are not used. J
In the case of ob1, the output bin becomes full while the bins 1 and 2 are being output, and the output is continuously performed to the bins 9 and 10, and the output is completed. Job 2 is currently outputting to bins 3 to 5, and even if the output number exceeds the maximum number of output bins, the output can be continued using bins 6 to 8. When the paper in the output bin is removed, the corresponding output bin entry is cleared.

In the process of FIG. 5, first, in step S501,
Then, it is determined whether or not the number of empty output bins is at least twice the number of output copies based on the bin status management table of FIG.
If so, an enable flag indicating that the output bin can be changed is set (step S50).
2) If less than twice, the process immediately proceeds to step S503.

In step S503, the image forming apparatus 21
Outputs one developed image data to one output bin among a plurality of output bins of the sorting apparatus. Next, in step S504, it is determined whether or not all of the print jobs have been completed. If all of the print jobs have been completed, the present process is immediately terminated. It is determined whether or not the maximum number of stacked sheets of the one output bin is exceeded.

If it is determined in step S505 that the output number does not exceed the maximum number of stacked sheets in the one output bin, steps S503 and subsequent steps are repeated.
In step S506, it is determined whether or not the enable flag is set. If the enable flag is not set (corresponding to FIG. 2B), the printed paper is removed from the host computer that has issued the output request. A warning message is displayed (step S507), and it is determined whether or not the output sheets stacked in the corresponding output bin have been removed by the output sheet sensor (step S508).
After the output paper stacked in the corresponding output bin is removed (YES in step S508), the processing in step S503 and subsequent steps is repeated.

On the other hand, if the enable flag is set at step S506 (corresponding to FIG. 2A), one of the empty output bins is selected based on the bin status management table of FIG. (Selecting means) notifying the host computer which has issued the output request that the output bin is to be changed to one of the empty bin output bins (step S509, third notifying means), and executing the output bin change Then (step S510), the processing of step S501 and subsequent steps is executed.

According to the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the number of empty output bins is at least twice the number of output copies based on the bin status management table (FIG. 4).
An enable flag indicating that the output bin can be changed is set (step S502). If the number of output sheets exceeds the maximum number of stacked sheets of the one output bin (YES in step S505), the empty state is set. Without comparing the number of output bins with the number of output copies (step S50).
6) Immediately notify the host computer that the output bin is to be changed (step S509).

[0043]

As described above in detail, according to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, when one output bin to which an output sheet is output is detected by the loading state detecting means to be in the full state, When the number of output copies is equal to or less than the number of empty output bins detected by the stacking status detecting means, one output bin to which output paper is output is changed to one of the empty output bins selected by the selecting means. Since the output of the output sheet is changed and the output of the output sheet is continued, one output bin to which the output sheet is output becomes full when the image formation on the output sheet is performed with a predetermined number of output sheets and a predetermined number of output copies. Each time, it is possible to save the trouble of removing the output sheet to the image forming apparatus, thereby improving the work efficiency.

According to the image forming apparatus of the second aspect, the output means replaces one of the empty output bins selected by the selection means with one output bin to which the output paper is output, and outputs the output paper. When continuing, the first notification means can notify the host computer that the output bin has been changed.

According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, when one of the output bins to which the output paper is output is detected by the stacking state detecting means to be in the full loading state, the number of output copies is:
If the number of empty output bins detected by the loading status detecting means exceeds the number of empty output bins, the host computer issues a warning to remove the output paper stacked in one output bin to which the output paper is output by the second notification means. Can be displayed.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the number of empty output bins detected by the stacking state detecting means at the start of the output of the image forming means exceeds twice the number of output copies, the output paper is reduced. When one of the output bins to be output is detected as being full by the loading state detecting means, the output of the output bin is immediately performed by the third notifying means without comparing the number of empty output bins with the number of output copies. The host computer can be notified that the bin has changed.

According to the image forming method of the present invention, when one output bin for outputting an output sheet is detected to be full in the loading state detection step, the number of output copies is detected in the loading state detection step. If the number of empty output bins is equal to or less than the number of empty bins, the output bin to which the output paper is output is changed to one of the empty output bins selected in the selection step, and the output of the output paper is continued. Therefore, image formation on output paper
When a predetermined number of copies are output with a predetermined number of copies per copy, work efficiency is reduced by eliminating the need to remove the output paper to the image forming apparatus every time one output bin to which output paper is output becomes full. Can be achieved.

According to the image forming method of the present invention, the output means replaces one of the empty output bins selected in the selection step with one output bin to which the output paper is output, and outputs the output paper. When continuing, the host computer can be notified that the output bin has been changed by the first notification step.

According to the image forming method of the present invention, when one output bin for outputting an output sheet is detected to be full in the stacking state detecting step, the number of output copies is increased in the stacking state detecting step. If the number of empty output bins detected exceeds the number of empty bins detected, a warning is displayed on the host computer to remove output paper stacked in one output bin to which output paper is output by the second notification step. it can.

According to the ninth aspect, when the number of empty output bins detected in the stacking status detection step at the start of image formation output exceeds twice the number of output copies, the output paper is output. When one of the output bins is detected to be full in the loading state detection step, the third notification means immediately compares the output bins without comparing the number of empty output bins with the number of output copies. Can be notified to the host computer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of processing when a print job output request is made such that the number of output sheets per copy exceeds the maximum number of stacked sheets in each output bin in the sorting device of the image output device 21; Shows the case where the number of output units is equal to or less than the number of empty output bins, and FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an image forming process executed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a management table indicating a state of an output bin.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an image forming process executed by an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing apparatus 2 Host computer 21 Image forming apparatus

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI B65H 43/06 B65H 43/06 G03G 15/00 534 G03G 15/00 534

Claims (10)

[Claims] A sorting device having a plurality of output bins; an image forming means for forming an image on output paper with a predetermined number of output sheets per copy and a predetermined number of output copies; and an image forming means for each of the plurality of output bins. Output means for outputting the formed output sheets one by one, and in the image forming apparatus connected to the host computer, the stacking status of the output sheets is detected in each of the plurality of output bins. Loading state detecting means for detecting whether each of the plurality of output bins is empty or full, and one of the empty output bins detected by the loading state detecting means. Selection means for selecting one of the output bins, wherein the output bin is configured to detect that one output bin to which the output sheet is output is in the full loading state by the stacking state detection unit. If the number of output copies is equal to or less than the number of output bins in the empty state detected by the stacking state detecting means, one output bin to which the output paper is output is set to the empty bin selected by the selecting means. An image forming apparatus, wherein the output paper is changed to one of the output bins and the output of the output paper is continued. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the output unit replaces one of the empty output bins selected by the selection unit with one output bin to which the output paper is output, and continues outputting the output paper. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first notifying unit that notifies the host computer that the output bin has been changed. 3. When the one output bin to which the output sheet is output is detected by the loading state detecting means to be in the full loading state, the number of output copies is detected by the loading state detecting means. When the number of output bins exceeds the number of output bins, a second notification unit is displayed on the host computer for displaying a warning to the effect that the output paper stacked in one output bin from which the output paper is output is removed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The output sheet is output when the number of empty output bins detected by the stacking status detection unit at the start of output of the image forming unit exceeds twice the number of output copies. When one of the output bins is detected to be in the full load state by the loading state detection means,
3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a third notifying unit for notifying the host computer that the output bin is to be changed immediately without comparing the number of the empty output bins with the number of output copies. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The storage means stores, as a management table, the loading status of the output sheets in the plurality of output bins detected by the loading status detection means, and outputs the empty state based on the management table. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the bins is configured to be selected. 6. An image forming step of forming an image on an output sheet with a predetermined output number per copy and a predetermined number of output copies, and outputting the output paper on which the image has been formed to each of a plurality of output bins one by one. And an output step of detecting the stacking status of the output sheets in each of the plurality of output bins, and determining whether each of the plurality of output bins is empty or in a fully loaded state. A loading status detection step of detecting whether or not the output paper is present, and a selection step of selecting one of the empty output bins detected in the loading status detection step, wherein the output paper is output in the output step. If one output bin is detected to be in the full state in the loading state detection step, and the number of output copies is equal to or less than the number of empty output bins detected in the loading state detection step, , For the output An image forming method, wherein one output bin to which paper is output is changed to one of empty output bins selected in the selection step, and output of the output paper is continued. 7. The output step of outputting the image-formed output sheet by replacing one of the empty output bins selected in the selection step with one output bin to which the output sheet is output. 7. The image forming method according to claim 6, further comprising a first notification step of notifying the host computer that the output bin has been changed when continuing. 8. When one output bin to which the output sheet is output is detected to be in the full state by the stacking state detecting step, the number of output copies is detected by the empty state detected in the stacking state detecting step. When the number of output bins in the state exceeds the number of output bins, the method further includes a second notification step of displaying a warning to the host computer to remove the output sheets stacked in one output bin from which the output sheets are output. 8. The image forming method according to claim 6, wherein: 9. The output sheet is output when the number of empty output bins detected in the stacking state detection step at the start of output of the image forming step exceeds twice the number of output copies. When one of the output bins is detected to be in the full load state in the loading state detection step, the output bin is changed immediately without comparing the number of the empty output bins with the number of output units. 9. The image forming method according to claim 6, further comprising a third notification step of notifying a computer. 10. The selection step stores, as a management table, a loading state of the output sheets in the plurality of output bins detected by the loading state detection step, and outputs the empty state based on the management table. The image forming method according to claim 6, further comprising a step of selecting one of the bins.