U.S. patent application number 09/273976 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-25 for image forming system including sorter unit.
Invention is credited to HASEGAWA, SHIZUO, KODAMA, HIROKAZU, SUZUKI, KATSUNARI, WATANABE, MASAO, YAGINUMA, MASATOSHI.
Application Number | 20020097413 09/273976 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27520925 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020097413 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WATANABE, MASAO ; et
al. |
July 25, 2002 |
IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM INCLUDING SORTER UNIT
Abstract
An object of the present invention is to improve an efficiency
in using bins in a sorter of an image forming system, to which a
plurality of personal computers are connected. If the number of the
receptacles appointed in accordance with the receptacle appointment
command or the number of sets of sheets to be sorted is larger than
the number of empty receptacles, offset sorting is performed in
which the position, at which the recording sheets are received, is
shifted in the same receptacle. If the appointed number of the
receptacles or the number of sets of sheets to be sorted is smaller
than the number of empty receptacles, a normal sorting process is
performed in such a manner that the bins are allotted in accordance
with the position of the bins appointed with the command for
appointing receptacles or the number of sets of sheets to be
sorted.
Inventors: |
WATANABE, MASAO;
(KAWASAKI-SHI, JP) ; HASEGAWA, SHIZUO;
(URAYASU-SHI, JP) ; YAGINUMA, MASATOSHI; (TOKYO,
JP) ; SUZUKI, KATSUNARI; (KAWASAKI-SHI, JP) ;
KODAMA, HIROKAZU; (KAWASAKI-SHI, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FITZPATRICK CELLA HARPER & SCINTO
30 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA
NEW YORK
NY
10112
US
|
Family ID: |
27520925 |
Appl. No.: |
09/273976 |
Filed: |
March 22, 1999 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09273976 |
Mar 22, 1999 |
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08916371 |
Aug 22, 1997 |
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5913015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
358/1.12 ;
358/1.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2511/30 20130101;
B65H 2511/51 20130101; B65H 2511/515 20130101; B65H 2220/01
20130101; B65H 2220/02 20130101; B65H 2220/01 20130101; B65H
2220/01 20130101; B65H 2220/01 20130101; B65H 2220/01 20130101;
B65H 2511/412 20130101; B65H 2511/30 20130101; B65H 2557/12
20130101; B65H 2511/415 20130101; G03G 2215/00907 20130101; B65H
2511/412 20130101; B65H 2511/415 20130101; B65H 2551/13 20130101;
B65H 39/10 20130101; H04N 1/32507 20130101; H04N 1/00204 20130101;
B65H 2511/51 20130101; H04N 1/00567 20130101; G06K 15/16 20130101;
H04N 1/00663 20130101; H04N 1/00633 20130101; B65H 2511/414
20130101; H04N 2201/0082 20130101; B65H 33/08 20130101; B65H
2511/515 20130101; B65H 2511/414 20130101; B41J 13/106 20130101;
H04N 1/00641 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/1.12 ;
358/1.15 |
International
Class: |
G06F 015/00; B41J
001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 24, 1995 |
JP |
027477/1995 |
Jan 24, 1995 |
JP |
027478/1995 |
Jan 24, 1995 |
JP |
027480/1995 |
Jan 24, 1995 |
JP |
027476/1995 |
Feb 27, 1995 |
JP |
063411/1995 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An information processing apparatus including: image forming
means, which visualizes an image, inputted from an external unit
connected to a network, on sheets so that recording sheets having
the image thereon is formed; receptacle-appointment-command
receiving means for receiving a receptacle appointment command
issued by said external unit; a plurality of receptacles for
receiving the recording sheets outputted from said image forming
means; sorting and receiving means for sorting the receiving the
recording sheets into said receptacles in accordance with the
receptacle appointment command; and sheet detection means each
provided for each of said receptacles so as to detect existence of
a recording sheet in said receptacle, said information processing
apparatus comprising: usable receptacle determining means for
determining usable receptacles from the plural receptacles in
accordance with a result of detection performed by said sheet
detection means; and information transmission means for notifying
the usable receptacles determined by said usable receptacle
determining means to said external unit.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an image forming system
including a sorter unit and permitting a plurality of personal
computers to be connected.
[0003] 2. Related Background Art
[0004] An information processing apparatus of a type connected to
external units, such as computers and/or facsimile apparatuses on a
network, and having a mail box sorter for sorting and receiving
recording sheets outputted from the connected apparatus has been
considered to enable the receptacles (bins) for receiving the
recording sheets to be appointed from the external apparatus by
using driver software.
[0005] However, an information processing apparatus of the
foregoing type cannot appoint bins from an external apparatus only
when all of appointed bins have no sheet. Therefore, sorting has
been inhibited though empty bins exist which are not used by a
user. If the number of empty bins is smaller than that of sets of
sheets to be sorted, sorting has been inhibited. The foregoing
structure prevents improvement in the efficiency of using the bins
in the mail box sorter.
[0006] Moreover, the external apparatus is not always provided with
the driver software and therefore the recording sheets are
discharged to a predetermined receptacle if the external unit has
no driver software. That is, an information processing apparatus of
the foregoing type has been provided with a special receptacle
called a "non-sort bin" into which recording sheets are discharged
if no recording sheet receptacle is appointed.
[0007] However, in a viewpoint of performing sorting of recording
sheets and receiving of the same at an extremely satisfactory
efficiency, the space for the fixedly provided non-sort bin
prevents the improvement in the efficiency.
[0008] When an external apparatus appoints bins, it simply appoints
the bin, at which the receipt is started, and the number of sets of
sheets to be sorted. Therefore, if one sheet is left in a bin, the
bin, at which the receipt is started, cannot be appointed and the
receipt is inhibited. The foregoing fact deteriorates the
efficiency in using the bins in the mail box sorter.
[0009] Since any receptacle has no display means although a
plurality of network users share the mail box sorter, the user who
has caused the recording sheets to be discharged to the receptacle
cannot be detected frequently.
[0010] In the case where a plurality of receptacles for receiving
the recording sheets are appointed from an input apparatus by using
printer driver software, a stop bin (a bin at which sorting is
ended) cannot be appointed though a start bin (a bin at which
sorting is started) can be appointed arbitrarily. That is, the
range of the receptacles to be used cannot be appointed. Therefore,
the number of bins is unintentionally increased and thus the range
of the receptacles, which can be used by another input apparatus,
is limited undesirably.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide an image
forming system capable of overcoming the foregoing problems.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
image forming system capable of improving an efficiency in using
bins in a sorter thereof.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
image forming system capable of easily detecting a unit, which has
issued appointment of recording sheets received in the bins in the
sorter.
[0014] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will
be evident from the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments described in conjunction with the attached
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of
an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the mail box sorter 11
shown in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the relationship between
a CPU of the copying machine 12 and a CPU of the mail box sorter 11
shown in FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing offset sorting;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the overall process for receiving
recording sheets;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of display of a state
of allotment;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a bin allotment process shown in
FIG. 5;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the overall operation for
receiving recording sheets to be performed in a case where a
command for appointing receptacles is not received;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a bin empty state determining
routine shown in FIG. 8;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a non-sort bin determining
routine shown in FIG. 8;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an essential structure of
the information processing apparatus according to another
embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the overall operation for
receiving recording sheets to be performed in a case where a
command for appointing receptacles is not received;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a flow chart of a bin empty state determining
routine shown in FIG. 4;
[0028] FIG. 14 is a flow chart of the non-sort bin determining
routine shown in FIG. 4;
[0029] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of display of a
non-sort bin;
[0030] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 17 is a basic flow chart of recording sheet receptacle
determination control according to the foregoing embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 18 is a flow chart of the bin empty state determining
routine shown in FIG. 4;
[0033] FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing a recording sheet receptacle
determining routine;
[0034] FIG. 20 is a flow chart of a recording sheet receptacle
determining routine according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0035] FIG. 21 is a schematic view showing transmission and receipt
of signals between computers 13, 14 and 15 each having driver
software and the body of a copying machine 12;
[0036] FIG. 22 is a schematic view showing the relationship between
the CPU in the copying machine 12 and the CPU in the mail box
sorter 11;
[0037] FIG. 23 is a flow chart of a process to be performed by
driver software according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0038] FIG. 24 is a flow chart of a process to be performed by
driver software according to another embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0039] FIG. 25 is a flow chart of a process to be performed by
driver software according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0040] Referring to the drawings, embodiments of the present
invention will now be described.
[0041] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic structure of
an information processing system including an information
processing apparatus according to first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 represents a
network, such as a LAN. A copying machine 12, to which a mail box
sorter 11 is connected, terminal computers 13 and 14, a terminal
computer 15, to which a scanner 16 is connected, a facsimile
apparatus 17 and a printer 18 are connected to the network 10.
[0043] On the foregoing network 10, an image can be outputted from
the copying machine 12, the terminal computers 13, 14 and 15, the
facsimile apparatus 17 or the printer 18. Line communication with
an external network is performed by the facsimile apparatus 17. The
copying machine 12 is arranged to independently reads or outputs an
image. Each of the terminal computer 15, capable of fetching an
image from the scanner 16, and the terminal computer 13 has driver
software capable of driving all units on the network of the system
according to this embodiment. Each of the terminal computers 13 and
15 is able to transmit an image through a line connected to the
facsimile apparatus 17.
[0044] Moreover, a document processed by the terminal computer 13
or the terminal computer 15 can be printed by the printer of the
copying machine 12 and received by a predetermined receptacle (to
be described later) of the mail box sorter 11. An image read by the
copying machine 12 can be edited by the terminal computer 15 and
outputted from the printer 18.
[0045] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the mail box sorter 11
shown in FIG. 1.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 2, reference numeral 21 represents an
inlet port through which recording sheets outputted from the
copying machine 12 are introduced. A single-sheet conveyance
passage 22 is connected to the recording-sheet inlet port 21. A
plurality of receptacles (bins) 23-1 to 23-12 for receiving the
recording sheets are disposed downstream from the single-sheet
conveyance passage 22. Between the recording-sheet inlet port 21
and the bins 23-1 to 23-12, there is disposed a sheet-bundle
conveyance unit 24 for conveying a recording sheet bundle.
[0047] Single sheets are branched by a flapper (not shown) through
the single-sheet conveyance passage 22 and received in each of
appointed receptacles. In a case where a recording sheet bundle is
conveyed to a position upstream from the mail box sorter 11 due to
finishing, the sheet bundle is received by the sheet-bundle
conveyance unit 24. Then, the sheet-bundle conveyance unit 24 is
vertically moved so that the recording-sheet bundle is received by
appointed receptacles.
[0048] The bins 23-1 to 23-12 have corresponding sheet sensors 25-1
to 25-12, each of which detects existence of a sheet therein, and
display portions 26-1 to 26-12 for displaying the receptacle
numbers and non-appointed bins (non-sort bins). Each of the sheet
sensors 25-1 to 25-12 outputs High ("1") if a sheet exists in the
receptacle and outputs Low ("0") if no sheet exists. Each of the
display portions 26-1 to 26-12 displays numerals, characters,
and/or marks and formed by liquid crystal or a light emitting
diode.
[0049] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the relationship between
a CPU in the copying machine 12 and a CPU in the mail box sorter 11
shown in FIG. 1.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 3, reference numeral 31 represents an
external-unit controlling CPU disposed in the body of the copying
machine 12. Reference numeral 32 represents a sorter controlling
CPU disposed in the mail box sorter 11.
[0051] The external-unit controlling CPU 31 is a CPU for
controlling external units, that is, the terminal computers 13, 14
and 15, the facsimile apparatus 17 and the printer 18. The
external-unit controlling CPU 31 transmits a control signal from
the body of the copying machine to the sorter controlling CPU 32.
The external-unit controlling CPU 31 controls a printing standby
state, a state of use of the network 10, a state of bins which are
being used, the count of recording sheets, a state of recording
sheets (whether a single sheet or a bundle of sheets) and the count
of the sheet sets. Moreover, the external-unit controlling CPU 31
receives a command for appointing receptacles for receiving the
recording sheets issued by an external unit connected to the
network 10.
[0052] The sorter controlling CPU 32 is a CPU for controlling the
communication between the body of the copying machine 12 and the
mail box sorter 11. The sorter controlling CPU 32 detects a state
where a sheet exists in each of receptacles 23-1 to 23-12 and
counts the total number of the recording sheets received by the
receptacles 23-1 to 23-12. Moreover, the sorter controlling CPU 32
responds to the command for appointing receptacles issued by the
external-unit controlling CPU 31 so as to perform control for
maximizing the productivity in the sorting operation.
[0053] The sorter controlling CPU 32 comprises a usable receptacle
determining means for selecting usable receptacles from the
plurality of receptacles in accordance with information indicating
whether sheets exist and supplied from a sheet sensor 26; and an
information transmission means for notifying the usable receptacles
determined by the usable receptacle determining means.
[0054] The operation (an information processing method) of this
embodiment will now be described.
[0055] A receiving operation will now be described.
[0056] A state where no sheet exists in the mail box sorter 11 is
determined to be an initial state. In this embodiment, an image
processed by the terminal computer 13 is transmitted to the copying
machine 12 in the initial state, and the recording sheets are
sorted into 6 bins from a fifth bin (the receptacle 23-5) to a
tenth bin (the receptacle 23-10).
[0057] When an image is, in the foregoing state, transmitted from
the facsimile apparatus 17, which has not the function of issuing
the command for appointing receptacles, and thus the recording
sheets are, through the copying machine 12, outputted so as to be
received by the mail box sorter 11, the recording sheets are
received by the first bin (the receptacle 23-1) to the fourth bin
(the receptacle 23-4) or the eleventh bin (the receptacle 23-11) to
the twelfth bin (the receptacle 23-12) (a non-sort bin setting
process).
[0058] When an image processed by the terminal computer 15 is
outputted to the copying machine 12 and five sets of recording
sheets are sorted so as to be received by the mail box sorter 11 in
a case where only the third bin (the receptacle 23-3) and the
fourth bin (the receptacle 23-4) are empty, three sets are received
by the third bin and two sets are received by the fourth bin as
shown in FIG. 4 in such a manner that the bins for receiving the
sets are shifted whenever it receives one set (the foregoing
operation is a characteristic of the present invention and called
"offset sorting" (receptacle controlled sorting). The number of
sets to be offset-sorted and the number of bins to be used are
determined by the sorter controlling CPU 32 in accordance with a
predetermined criterion (see FIG. 7).
[0059] To perform the foregoing receiving operation, the following
software process is performed in this embodiment.
[0060] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the overall recording sheet
receiving process according to this embodiment.
[0061] When power is supplied to the copying machine 12 and the
mail box sorter 11, the sorter controlling CPU 32 monitors issue of
the command for appointing receptacles from the external unit on
the network 10 (step S11).
[0062] In step S12 whether the command for appointing receptacles
has been received when an image has been supplied from the external
unit is determined. If the command for appointing receptacles has
been received, the operation proceeds to step S13.
[0063] In step S13 a bin allotment process, to be described later,
is performed. As a result of the bin allotment process, the display
portions 26-1 to 26-12 respectively display states of allotment
performed by the sorter controlling CPU 32 (step S14), for example,
as shown in FIG. 6. Then, the foregoing routine is ended.
[0064] If the external unit has no function of issuing the command
for appointing receptacles or the same has not issued the command
for appointing receptacles, that is, if no command for appointing
receptacles has been issued from the external unit and therefore
the command for appointing receptacles has not been received when
an image has been supplied from the external unit (step S12), a
non-sort bin setting process, to be described later, is performed
(step S14), and the determined non-sort bin is displayed as the
non-sort bin (step S15). Then, this routine is ended. The non-sort
bin according to this embodiment is determined, for example, as
shown in FIG. 6, to be the eleventh bin and display "no sort" is
performed.
[0065] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the bin allotment process (step
S13) shown in FIG. 5.
[0066] In step S21 whether the number of bins or the number of sets
of sheets to be sorted, each of which has been appointed in
accordance with the received command for appointing receptacles is
larger than the number of empty bins which are not used. The number
of the empty bins has been previously recognized by the sorter
controlling CPU 32 in accordance with information supplied from the
sheet sensors 25-1 to 25-12. If the number of the appointed bins or
the that of sets sheets to be sorted is smaller than the number of
the empty bins, the operation proceeds to step S22 so that a normal
sorting process is performed in such a manner that allotment of
bins is performed in accordance with the positions of the bins or
the number of the sets of sheets to be sorted appointed in
accordance with the command for appointing receptacles. Note that
the usable bins for receiving the recording sheets have been
determined by the sorter controlling CPU 32 and notified to the
external unit.
[0067] If the number of the appointed bins or the number of the
sets of sheets to be sorted is larger than the number of the empty
bins, each set of sheets to be sorted cannot be received by each
bin in a physical viewpoint (normally one set is received by one
bin). To perform the foregoing offset sorting operation, the
operation proceeds to step S23. In step S23 number n obtained by
subtracting the number of empty bins from the number of the
appointed sets of sheets to be sorted is stored; the appointed
number of sets is divided by n stored in step S23; and obtained
value is stored as k.
[0068] Each bin receives the number of the sets obtained by adding
1 to k. If the number of sheets in (k+1) sets is larger than the
number of sheets which can be received by one bin, the recording
sheets cannot be received in a physical viewpoint. Accordingly, in
step S25 the number of sheets in (k+1) sets and the maximum number
of sheets which can be received by one bin are subjected to a
comparison. If the number of sheets in (k+1) sets is larger than
the maximum number of sheets which can be received by one bin, the
operation proceeds to step S26 so that sorting being impossible is
alarmed and notified to the external unit on the network 10 and
sorting being impossible is displayed. If the number of sheets in
(k+1) sets is, in step S25, smaller than the maximum number of
sheets which can be received by one bin, the operation proceeds to
step S27 so that the foregoing offset sorting process is
performed.
[0069] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the non-sort bin setting process
(step S14) shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a bin empty
state determining routine shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a flow chart
of a routine for determining a non-sort bin shown in FIG. 8.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 8, in the non-sort bin setting process,
there are sequentially performed a bin empty state determining step
(step S41) for determining whether a recording sheet exists in each
of the bins 23-1 to 23-12, and a non-sort bin determining step
(step S42) for determining the non-sort bin in accordance with the
result of determination performed in the bin empty state
determining step.
[0071] In the bin empty state determining routine shown in FIG. 9,
the bin number is stored as n and the number of bins is stored as
nmax in step S51; and sheet existence state S in the bin is stored
such that if a sheet exists, then S=1 is stored and if no sheet
exists, then S=0 is stored. Then, n is set to 0 (step S52), and n
is increased by one so that n=n+1 is set (step S53).
[0072] In step S54 whether a sheet exists (S=1) in a bin of present
interest is determined in accordance with information supplied from
the sheet sensor of the bin of present interest. If a sheet exists,
the operation proceeds to step S55. If no sheet exists, the
operation proceeds to step S56.
[0073] In step S55 a determination is performed that a sheet exists
in the bin of present interest and "1" is set (S1 (n)=1). In step
S56 a determination is performed that no sheet exists in the bin of
present interest and "0" is set (S1 (n)=0).
[0074] The operation proceeds to step S57 so that whether the all
bins have been subjected to foregoing bin empty state determination
is determined (n>nmax+1). If a non-determined bin exists, the
operation returns to step S53. If all bins have been subjected to
the foregoing determination, the foregoing routine is ended.
[0075] In the non-sort bin determining routine shown in FIG. 10,
the non-sort bin is stored as S (n) (step S61), and n is set to 0
(step S62). Then, n is increased by one so that n=n+1 is set (step
S63).
[0076] To search for a state where the bin of interest has no sheet
and vertically adjacent bins have sheets, the following steps S64
to S68 are performed.
[0077] In step S64 a determination is performed whether the bin of
present interest has been determined to have a sheet (S1 (n)=1) in
the foregoing bin empty state determining routine. If the foregoing
bin has no sheet, the operation proceeds to step S65.
[0078] In step S65 whether a bin just upper than the bin of present
interest has a sheet (S1 (n-1)=1) is determined. If a sheet exists,
the operation proceeds to step S66 so that whether a sheet exists
(S1 (n+1)=1) in the bin just below the bin of present interest is
determined. If S1 (n+1)=1 in step S66, the bin of interest has no
sheet and the vertically adjacent bins have sheets. Therefore, the
bin of present interest is determined to be the non-sort bin
(Sn(n)=n) (step S67) and the foregoing routine is ended.
[0079] If S1 (n)=1 in step S64, if S1 (n-1)=0 in step S65 or if S1
(n+1)=0 in step S66, the operation proceeds to step S68 so that
whether all bins have been determined is determined (n>nmax+1).
If a non-determined bin exists, the operation returns to step S63.
If all bins have been determined, the foregoing routine is
ended.
[0080] As described above, this embodiment enables the bins for
receiving recording sheets outputted from a terminal on a network
can be flexibly allotted regardless of the number of sets of sheets
to be sorted appointed by a user of the network. Thus, the
efficiency in using the bins in the mail box sorter 11 can be
improved.
[0081] FIGS. 11A and 11B are block diagrams showing an essential
portion of an information processing apparatus according to a
second embodiment of the present invention.
[0082] Although the first embodiment has the structure such that
the offset sort bin is determined by using a software program, this
embodiment has a structure that the offset sort bin is determined
by hardware.
[0083] Referring to FIG. 11A, reference numeral 41 represents a
comparator, 42 represents a shift register, 43 represents a counter
and 44 to 47 represent subtractors. Referring to FIG. 11B,
reference numeral 48 represents a decoder, 49 represents a
multiplier and 50 represents a comparator.
[0084] The comparator 41 is supplied with information about a state
where a recording sheet exists in each of the bins 23-1 to 23-12
detected by the sheet sensors 25-1 to 25-12. The shift register 42
is supplied with pulses for one clock for one bin so that its
output is shifted in accordance with the number of the clocks. The
number of the clocks are counted by the counter 43 and the value
counted by the counter 43 represents the number of bins having no
sheet.
[0085] The pulses for one clock to be supplied to the shift
register 42 correspond to one bin of the mail box sorter 11 in a
physical viewpoint. By sequentially shifting the pulses for one
clock, bins of the mail box sorter 11 having no sheet are
searched.
[0086] By using the subtractors 44 to 47 to subtract the number
obtained by the counter 43 from the number of the sets of sheets
appointed from the network 10, the number of sets to be
offset-sorted is determined. Borrow signals, each indicating
whether the result of the subtraction is a minus value, are fetched
from the subtractors 44 to 47.
[0087] By decoding the plural borrow signals by the decoder 48,
they are converted into the number of sets of sheets to be
offset-sorted, that is, a sub-set code, which is then transmitted
to the sorter controlling CPU 32. The multiplier 49 multiplies the
number of sets and the number of sheets in one set to monitor the
maximum number of sheets, which can be received by the receptacle.
If the number of sheets is larger than the maximum number of
sheets, which can be received, alarm signal ALARM is transmitted
from the comparator 50.
[0088] The thus-determined offset bin displays, on the display
portion thereof, the ID of a user and the number of sets as shown
in FIG. 6.
[0089] Another embodiment will now be described. This embodiment
has the structure which is the same shown in FIG. 1 to 3.
[0090] The sorter controlling CPU 32 is a CPU for controlling the
communication between the body of the copying machine 12 and the
mail box sorter 11. The sorter controlling CPU 32 detects a state
where a sheet exists in each of receptacles 23-1 to 23-12 and
counts the total number of the recording sheets received by the
receptacles 23-1 to 23-12. Moreover, the sorter controlling CPU 32
responds to the command for appointing receptacles issued by the
external-unit controlling CPU 31 so as to perform control for
maximizing the productivity in the sorting operation.
[0091] The sorter controlling CPU 32 comprises a selection control
means (see FIGS. 4 to 6) for selecting a predetermined receptacle
as a non-sort bin from the receptacles 23-1 to 23-12 in accordance
with information indicating whether sheets exist and supplied from
the sheet sensor 26 when the command for appointing receptacles has
not been supplied. When the command for appointing receptacles has
not been supplied, the recording sheets are discharged to the
receptacle (the non-sort bin) selected by the selection control
means.
[0092] The operation (an information processing method) of this
embodiment will now be described.
[0093] A state where no sheet exists in the mail box sorter 11 is
determined to be an initial state. In this embodiment, an image
processed by the terminal computer 13 is, in the foregoing initial
state, transmitted to the copying machine 12, and the recording
sheets are sorted into 6 bins from a fifth bin (the receptacle
23-5) to a tenth bin (the receptacle 23-10).
[0094] When an image is transmitted from the facsimile apparatus
17, which has not the function for issuing the command for
appointing receptacles, and thus the recording sheets are, through
the copying machine 12, outputted so as to be received by the mail
box sorter 11, the recording sheets are received by the first bin
(the receptacle 23-1) to the fourth bin (the receptacle 23-4) or
the eleventh bin (the receptacle 23-11) to the twelfth bin (the
receptacle 23-12).
[0095] If the external unit has no function of issuing the command
for appointing receptacles or has not issued the command for
appointing receptacles, that is, if the command for appointing
receptacles has not been issued from the external unit and
therefore the command for appointing receptacles has not been
received, the recording sheets are received by determining the
non-sort bin in accordance with a flow chart shown in FIGS. 12, 13
and 14. FIG. 12 is a flow chart of the recording sheet receiving
operation to be performed when the command for appointing
receptacles has not been received. FIG. 13 is a flow chart of a bin
empty state determining routine shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is a flow
chart of a non-sort bin determining routine shown in FIG. 12.
[0096] As shown in FIG. 12, the operation for receiving recording
sheets to be performed when the command for appointing receptacles
has not been received comprises three steps. That is, the operation
consists of a bin empty state determining step (step S71) for
determining whether a recording sheet exists in each of the bins
23-1 to 23-12, a non-sort bin determining step (step S72) for
determining the non-sort bin in accordance with the result of
determination performed in the bin empty state determining step,
and a non-sort bin display step (step S73) for displaying the
determined bin being a non-sort bin.
[0097] In the bin empty state determining routine shown in FIG. 13,
the bin number is stored as n and the number of bins is stored as
nmax in step S81; and sheet existence state S in the bin is stored
such that if a sheet exists, then S=1 is stored and if no sheet
exists, then S=0 is stored. Then, n is set to 0 (step S82), and n
is increased by one so that n=n+1 is set (step S83).
[0098] In step S84 whether a sheet exists (S=1) in a bin of present
interest is determined in accordance with information supplied from
the sheet sensor of the bin of present interest. If a sheet exists,
the operation proceeds to step S85. If no sheet exists, the
operation proceeds to step S86.
[0099] In step S85 a determination is performed that a sheet exists
in the bin of present interest and "1" is set (S1 (n)=1). In step
S86 a determination is performed that no sheet exists in the bin of
present interest and "0" is set (S1 (n)=0).
[0100] The operation proceeds to step S87 so that whether the all
bins have been subjected to foregoing bin empty state determination
is determined (n>nmax+1). If a non-determined bin exists, the
operation returns to step S83. If all bins have been subjected to
the foregoing determination, the foregoing routine is ended.
[0101] In the non-sort bin determining routine shown in FIG. 14,
the non-sort bin is stored as S (n) (step S91), and n is set to 0
(step S92). Then, n is increased by one so that n=n+1 is set (step
S93)
[0102] To search for a state where the bin of interest has no sheet
and vertically adjacent bins have sheets, the following steps S94
to S98 are performed.
[0103] In step S94 a determination is performed whether the bin of
present interest has been determined to have a sheet (S1 (n)=1) in
the foregoing bin empty state determining routine. If the bin has
no sheet, the operation proceeds to step S95.
[0104] In step S95 whether a bin just upper than the bin of present
interest has a sheet (S1 (n-1)=1) is determined. If a sheet exists,
the operation proceeds to step S96 so that whether a sheet exists
(S1 (n+1)=1) in the bin just below the bin of present interest is
determined. If S1 (n+1)=1 in step S96, the bin of interest has no
sheet and the vertically adjacent bins have sheets. Therefore, the
bin of present interest is determined to be the non-sort bin
(Sn(n)=n) (step S97) and the foregoing routine is ended.
[0105] If S1 (n)=1 in step S94, if S1 (n-1)=0 in step S95 or if S1
(n+1)=0 in step S96, the operation proceeds to step S98 so that
whether all bins have been determined is determined (n>nmax+1).
If a non-determined bin exists, the operation returns to step S93.
If all bins have been determined, the foregoing routine is
ended.
[0106] The thus-determined non-sort bin is displayed, for example,
as shown in FIG. 15. FIG. 15 shows an example in which the tenth
bin is determined to be the non-sort bin.
[0107] As described above, this embodiment enables the non-sort bin
to flexibly be allotted in accordance with the state of receipt in
each receptacle. Thus, the efficiency in using the bins in the mail
box sorter 11 can be improved.
[0108] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing an essential portion of
the structure of the information processing apparatus according to
another embodiment.
[0109] Although the foregoing embodiment has the structure such
that the non-sort bin is determined by using a software program,
this embodiment has a structure that the non-sort bin is determined
by hardware.
[0110] Referring to FIG. 16, reference numeral 71 represents a
comparator, 72 represents a shift register, 73 represents an
up-counter, and 74 represents a D-latch.
[0111] The comparator 71 is supplied with information about a state
where a recording sheet exists in each of the bins 23-1 to 23-12
detected by the sheet sensors 25-1 to 25-12. The shift register 72
is supplied with pulses for one clock for one bin so that its
output is shifted in accordance with the number of the clocks.
[0112] The comparator 71 subjects the outputs from the sheet
sensors 25-1 to 25-12 and the output from the shift register 72 to
a comparison so that the comparator 71 transmits a coincidence
signal only when the bin of interest has no sheet and the
vertically adjacent bins have sheets.
[0113] The number of the clocks are counted by the counter 73 and
the contents of the D-latch 74 are rewritten in response to the
coincidence signal supplied from the comparator 71. The count of
pulses obtained by the counter 73 and the bin address are the
same.
[0114] The pulses for one clock to be supplied to the shift
register 72 as described above correspond to one bin of the mail
box sorter 11 in a physical viewpoint. By sequentially shifting the
pulses for one clock, the state where the bin of interest of the
mail box sorter 11 has no sheet and the vertically adjacent bins
have sheets is searched. When the foregoing state is searched, the
bin of interest is determined to be the non-sort bin.
[0115] If a plurality of the foregoing state exist, the bin of
interest in the final state is determined to be the non-sort bin.
If the state where the vertically adjacent bins have sheets and the
bin of interest has no sheet does not exist, the final bin is
determined to be the non-sort bin. Then, inhibition of appointment
of the determined non-sort bin is notified to the terminals on the
network having the driver software.
[0116] Since the structure of this embodiment employs the upcounter
and increment of the bin number, the bin having the largest bin
address among the bins of interest having no sheet is automatically
determined to be the non-sort bin. However, the determination of
the non-sort bin is not limited to this if a down-counter is used
or another address determining means is employed.
[0117] Another embodiment of the present invention will now be
described. Also in this embodiment, the structure is the same as
that shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.
[0118] The external-unit controlling CPU 31 is a CPU for
controlling external units, that is, the terminal computers 13, 14
and 15, the facsimile apparatus 17 and the printer 18. The
external-unit controlling CPU 31 transmits a control signal from
the body of the copying machine 12 to the sorter controlling CPU
32. The external-unit controlling CPU 31 controls a printing
standby state, a state of use of the network 10, a state of bins
which are being used, the count of recording sheets, a state of
recording sheets (whether a single sheet or a bundle of sheets) and
the count of the sheet sets. Moreover, the external-unit
controlling CPU 31 receives a printer driver command for appointing
the receptacle for receiving recording sheets issued by the
external unit connected to the network 10. The printer driver
command is an output command (including a command to appoint the
number of sets of sheets, and a command for appointing receptacles)
issued by any one of the external units. A printer driver command
from an external unit, which cannot appoint the receptacle, does
not include the command for appointing receptacles.
[0119] The sorter controlling CPU 32 is a CPU for controlling the
communication between the body of the copying machine 12 and the
mail box sorter 11. The sorter controlling CPU 32 detects a state
where a sheet exists in each of receptacles 23-1 to 23-12 and
counts the total number of the recording sheets received by the
receptacles 23-1 to 23-12. Moreover, the sorter controlling CPU 32
responds to the command for appointing receptacles issued by the
external-unit controlling CPU 31 so as to perform control for
maximizing the productivity in the sorting operation.
[0120] The sorter controlling CPU 32 comprises a selection control
means for selecting a predetermined receptacle from the plural
receptacles 23-1 to 23-12 in accordance with information supplied
from the sheet sensors 25-1 to 25-12 if the command for appointing
receptacles has not been supplied when an image has been supplied
from the external unit; and a priority-order determining means for
determining the priority order of the use-permitted receptacles
including the predetermined receptacle selected by the selection
control means with respect to the external unit in accordance with
the state of use of the apparatus.
[0121] The operation (an information processing method) of this
embodiment will now be described.
[0122] The control for determining the receptacles for receiving
the recording sheets according to this embodiment is performed in
accordance with a flow chart shown in FIGS. 17, 18 and 19. FIG. 17
is a basic flow chart of the control for determining the recording
sheet receptacles. FIG. 18 is a flow chart of a routine for
determining the bin empty state shown in FIG. 17. FIG. 19 is a flow
chart of a routine for determining the receptacles for receiving
the recording sheets.
[0123] As shown in FIG. 17, the control of the determination of the
recording sheet receptacle consists of three steps. That is, a bin
empty state determining routine (step S101) for determining whether
a recording sheet exists in each of the bins 23-1 to 23-12, a
recording sheet receptacle determining routine (step S102) for
determining the recording sheet receptacles in accordance with the
result of the determination performed in the bin empty state
determining routine, and a recording sheet receptacle display
routine (step S103) for transmitting, to the external unit,
information about the determined receptacles and displaying the
same.
[0124] In the bin empty state determining routine shown in FIG. 18,
initialization is performed in steps S111 and S112. That is, the
bin number is stored as n and the number of bins is stored as nmax
in step S111; and sheet existence state S in the bin is stored such
that if a sheet exists, then S=1 is stored and if no sheet exists,
then S=0 is stored. Then, n is set to 0 in step S112, and bin
number n is increased by one so that n=n+1 is set in step S113. In
step S114 whether a sheet exists (S=1) in a bin of present interest
is determined in accordance with information supplied from the
sheet sensor of the bin of present interest. If a sheet exists, the
operation proceeds to step S115. If no sheet exists, the operation
proceeds to step S116.
[0125] In step S115 a determination is performed that a sheet
exists in the bin of present interest and "1" is set (S1 (n)=1). In
step S116 a determination is performed that no sheet exists in the
bin of present interest and "0" is set (S1 (n)=0). The operation
proceeds to step S117 so that whether the all bins have been
subjected to foregoing bin empty state determination is determined
(n>nmax+1). If a non-determined bin exists, the operation
returns to step S113. If all bins have been subjected to the
foregoing determination, the foregoing routine is ended.
[0126] In the recording sheet receptacle determining routine shown
in FIG. 19, the bin number (Sb (n)) of the recording sheet
receptacle is stored in step S121. Then, the number m of sets of
sheets to be outputted, which has been required from the external
units and number f1 of surplus sets generating if the number of
sets is larger than the number of empty bins are set. In step S122
the bin number is increased by one (n=n+1), and the operation
proceeds to step S123.
[0127] In step S123 the state of the bin of present interest is
determined in accordance with information about whether a sheet
exists in each bin determined in the bin empty state determining
routine. If the foregoing bin has no sheet, the bin number is
stored in the bin number Sb (n) for receiving the recording sheets
in step S124.
[0128] In step S125 whether receptacles for all sets of sheets have
been determined is determined. If the determination has not been
performed, whether the bin number of the bin of present interest
coincides with the number of all bins is determined in step S126.
If they do not coincide with each other (n<nmax+1), the
operation returns to step S121. If they coincide with each other,
the number of the bins is smaller than the number of the sets of
sheets and a surplus number of sets exists. Therefore, the number
(m-1) of the surplus sets is stored as the number f1 of the surplus
set (step S127) and this routine is ended.
[0129] If the determination process in step S125 has been performed
that the receptacles for all sets have been determined, information
indicating whether standby for a next output exists is acquired
from the external-unit controlling CPU 31 shown in FIG. 3 (step
S128). If any standby unit does not exist, this routine is ended.
If the standby state exists, the operation proceeds to step S129 so
that the number of sets waiting for a next output is read from the
external-unit controlling CPU 31, the read number of sets being
stored as the number m of sets. Then, the operation returns to step
S122.
[0130] In the recording sheet receptacle display routine (step
S101), information about the recording sheet bin for each set
determined in the recording sheet receptacle determining routine
and information about the sets, which cannot be received, are
received. As for the sets, the receptacles of which have been
determined, information about the receptacle for each set is,
through the network, transmitted to the external unit. The external
unit displays the supplied information.
[0131] In the foregoing system environment, an assumption is
performed that the terminal computer 13 having printer driver
software capable of appointing the receptacle has transmitted, to
the copying machine 12, data of an image processed by the terminal
computer 13 such that the bins 23-1 to 23-5 receive five sets of
sheets. Another assumption is performed that the terminal computer
14 having the printer driver software has appointed output of two
sets of sheets of an image processed by the terminal computer 14
and the terminal computer 15 has appointed output of one set of
sheets of an image fetched from the scanner 16 without appointment
of the receptacle.
[0132] At this time, an assumption is performed that all bins have
no sheet in the initial state, and the control for determining the
recording sheet receptacle shown in FIG. 17 is started and a
determination is performed in the bin empty state determining
routine that all bins have no sheet. In the recording sheet
receptacle determining routine, the receptacle for receiving the
recording sheets from each external unit is determined. In this
embodiment, an assumption is performed that the output commands are
received by the copying machine 12 in a sequential order as the
terminal computer 13, the terminal computer 14 and the terminal
computer 15. Thus, in step S121 shown in FIG. 19, m=5 is stored so
that recording sheets from the terminal computer 13 are received by
the bins 23-1 to 23-5 in accordance with the flow shown in FIG.
19.
[0133] Since a next terminal which intends to output the recording
sheets exists in step S128 (the terminal computer 14 waits for
outputting), two sets of sheets to be outputted from the terminal
computer 14 is set to m in step S129. Thus, recording sheets
outputted from the terminal computer 14 are received by the bins
23-6 to 23-7 in accordance with the flow shown in FIG. 19.
Similarly, recording sheets from the terminal computer 15 are
received by the bin 23-8.
[0134] As described above, according to this embodiment, the
receptacles for receiving the recording sheets outputted from each
external unit can automatically be determined regardless of whether
the command for appointing receptacles has been issued from a
external unit, and the recording sheets can continuously be
sorted.
[0135] Another embodiment of the present invention will now be
described.
[0136] This embodiment has a structure such that even if the same
receptacles for receiving recording sheets outputted from external
units, capable of appointing the receptacles, are appointed, are
appointed, the priority order is determined and the external unit,
whose output receptacle is changed, is supplied with information
about the change and the determined receptacles.
[0137] An assumption is performed that the external-unit
controlling CPU 31 has received, from the terminal computer 13, an
output command for appointing receptacles such that five sets of
recording sheets of an image processed by the terminal computer 13
are received by the first to fifth bins. Simultaneously, another
assumption is performed that the terminal computer 15 has issued an
output command for appointing receptacles such that three sets of
recording sheets of an image fetched by the scanner 16 are received
by the first to third bins. In the foregoing case, since the same
receptacles are appointed by the two external units, either of the
two commands must be given priority. In this case, an assumption is
performed that the output command from the terminal computer 13 has
been issued first, and the first output command is given
priority.
[0138] Specifically, the external-unit controlling CPU 31, which
has received the output command from the external unit, acquires,
from the output command, the number of sets and the printer driver
command, such as a command for appointing receptacles. In this
embodiment, information indicating that the contents of the command
from the terminal computer 13 are such that the sets of sheets to
be sorted is five and the first to fifth bins are appointed to
receive the recording sheets.
[0139] In accordance with the bin empty state determining routine
shown in FIG. 18, a determination is performed that all bins in the
mail box sorter 11 have no sheet. In accordance with the recording
sheet receptacle determining routine shown in FIG. 19, the
receptacle for receiving sheets to be outputted from the terminal
computer 13 are determined to be the first to fifth bins. In
accordance with the recording sheet receptacle display routine
(step S103 shown in FIG. 17), the recording sheet receptacles being
the first to fifth bins is notified to the terminal computer 13
through the network 10.
[0140] Then, information is received which indicates that the
contents of the command issued by the terminal computer 15 are such
that the number of sets is three and the appointed receptacles are
the first to third bins. Since the recording sheets of data from
the terminal computer 13 have been maintained in the receptacles,
the first to fifth bins in the mail box sorter 11 cannot be used in
accordance with the bin empty state determining routine and the
sixth to twelfth bins can be used.
[0141] As a result, the receptacles for receiving the recording
sheets of data from the terminal computer 15 are determined to be
the sixth to eighth bins in accordance with the routine for
determining the recording sheet receptacles. Then, in accordance
with the recording sheet receptacle display routine, information
about change of the recording sheet receptacles from the appointed
first to third bins to the sixth to eighth bins is transmitted
through the network 10.
[0142] Another embodiment will now be described.
[0143] This embodiment has a structure such that the information
processing system according to the foregoing embodiments is
arranged in such a manner that if the recording sheet receptacles
have not been appointed by the external unit, usable receptacles
(receptacles permitted to be used) are allotted in the descending
order. Specifically, a routine for determining the recording sheet
receptacles is formed by combining the routines shown in FIGS. 19
and 20.
[0144] Referring to FIG. 20, in step S131 whether an appointment of
an output, that is, an appointment of receptacles is contained in
the printer driver command received from an external unit is
determined. If no receptacle has been appointed, a determination is
performed that the external unit has not appointed a receptacle.
Then, the operation proceeds to step S132 and following steps to
give a priority to the output from the foregoing external unit. If
the output has been appointed, the operation proceeds to step S121
shown in FIG. 19. In the foregoing case, a loop is formed in such a
manner that the number of next sets of recording sheets is stored
in step S129 and then the operation proceeds to step S131 shown in
FIG. 20.
[0145] In step S132 the receiving bin is set to Sb (1), the number
of sets of recording sheets required by the external unit is set to
m, and the number of surplus sets is set to f1. In step S133 the
number f1 of surplus sets is set to "0" (f1=0). Then, 1 (appointed
bin) and n (the bin number) are increased (n=n+1, 1=1+1 in steps
S134 and S135). In step S136 information of each bin determined in
the bin empty state determining routine is read. If the bin of
present interest is not empty, the operation returns to step S135.
If the bin of present interest is empty, the operation proceeds to
step S137 so that the bin number=1 is stored in the appointed bin
Sb (1).
[0146] If the number (1) of the appointed bins and the number (m)
of sets of recording sheets coincide with each other in step S138,
whether standby for output exists is determined in step S139. If
standby for the output exists, the number m of the next output is
stored in step S140 and the operation returns to step S131. If no
standby exists, this routine is ended.
[0147] If 1<m in step S138, the bin numbers, to each of which a
reference has been made, and the number of all bins are subjected
to a comparison in step S141. If the bin numbers are smaller than
the number of all bins, the operation returns to step S134 and the
same flow is repeated. If all bins have been determined, the number
f1 of surplus sets is set to m-1 in step S142 and this routine is
ended.
[0148] Another embodiment of the present invention will now be
described. The structure of this embodiment is the same as that
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0149] In this embodiment, each of the computers 13, 14 and 15
contains printer driver software capable of controlling the mail
box sorter 11. The printer driver software appoints a start bin, a
stop bin and the number of sets to be printed (the number of sets
to be discharged). Moreover, the printer driver software has a
function for displaying information of each signal transmitted from
the body of the copying machine 12 on a display apparatus, such as
a monitor.
[0150] In a case where an image read by the scanner 16, the
facsimile apparatus 17 or the copying machine 12 by using the
computer 13 or a sentence processed by the computer 13 is printed
by the printer of the copying machine 12 and sorted by the mail box
sorter 11 into bins, the printer driver software in the computer 13
starts operating and thus a command for appointing bins (the
command for appointing receptacles) is transmitted to the copying
machine 12.
[0151] When the copying machine 12 receives the bin appointment
command, the empty bin numbers and the number of empty bins within
the appointed range of bins are, as sorter status signal,
transmitted to the computer 13.
[0152] If the received number of empty bins is larger than the
inputted number of sets to be printed, the driver software permits
printing in such a manner that the received information and the bin
appointment command are included in the printer driver command and
transmitted to the copying machine 12. The copying machine 12
receives the printer driver command and starts printing in
accordance with a printing queue processed by the printer driver
command. Thus, the recording sheets are sorted.
[0153] If the number of empty bins is smaller than the number of
sets to be printed, the driver software causes the display unit to
display an alarm or an inhibition. According to circumstances,
display of selection of sorting in the offset sorting operation is
also displayed. The offset sorting is a method of shifting the
positions of a plurality of printed sets of sheets in one bin.
[0154] FIG. 22 is a schematic view showing the relationship between
the CPU in the copying machine 12 and the CPU in the mail box
sorter 11.
[0155] Referring to FIG. 22, reference numeral 31 represents an
external-unit controlling CPU disposed in the body of the copying
machine 12, and 32 represents a sorter controlling CPU disposed in
the mail box sorter 11.
[0156] The external-unit controlling CPU 31 controls a printing
standby state, a state of use of the network 10, a state of bins
which are being used, the count of recording sheets, a state of
recording sheets (whether a single sheet or a bundle of sheets) and
the count of the sheet sets. Moreover, the external-unit
controlling CPU 31 receives a command for appointing receptacles
and the printer driver command transmitted by an external unit
connected to the network 10 so as to transmit a control signal to
the sorter controlling CPU 32.
[0157] The sorter controlling CPU 32 is a CPU for controlling the
communication between the body of the copying machine 12 and the
mail box sorter 11. The sorter controlling CPU 32 detects a state
where a sheet exists in each of receptacles 23-1 to 23-12 and
transmits empty bin information to the external-unit controlling
CPU 31. Moreover, the sorter controlling CPU 32 counts the total
number of the recording sheets received by the receptacles 23-1 to
23-12. Moreover, the sorter controlling CPU 32 responds to the
command for appointing receptacles issued by the external-unit
controlling CPU 31 so as to perform control for maximizing the
productivity in the sorting operation.
[0158] The operation of this embodiment will now be described.
[0159] When the external-unit controlling CPU 31 receives the bin
appointment command, information of the command is converted into a
control signal and the control signal is transmitted to the
external-unit controlling CPU 31. When the sorter controlling CPU
32 receives the control signal, information from each of the sheet
sensors 25-1 to 25-12 in each bin is fetched and empty bin
information is transmitted to the external-unit controlling CPU
31.
[0160] The external-unit controlling CPU 31 converts the empty bin
information into a sorter status signal and transmits the signal to
the computer 13, 14 or 15. When the computer 13, 14 or 15 receives
the sorter status signal and the driver software confirms the
information indicated by the sorter status signal, the driver
software displays the information on the display unit, permission
of printing, alarm, inhibition and selection of the offset sorting
mode.
[0161] When a user confirms the display, performs an input with
respect to the display or selects the offset sorting mode, the
driver software converts information about the operation performed
by the user into a bin appointment command to be includes in a
printer driver command together with the sorter status information.
Then, the driver software transmits the printer driver command to
the external-unit controlling CPU 31 in the body of the copying
machine 12.
[0162] When the external-unit controlling CPU 31 receives the
printer driver command, the external-unit controlling CPU 31 makes
a print queue for performing printing and sorting of recording
sheets and transmits a novel control signal to the sorter
controlling CPU 32.
[0163] FIG. 23 is a flow chart of a process to be performed by the
driver software according to this embodiment.
[0164] In this routine, when the program is started, the bins for
receiving the recording sheets are appointed by causing, in steps
S152 to S154, the computer 13, 14 or 15 to input start bin B1, stop
bin B2 and the number S of sets to be printed. Then, the driver
software performs the empty bin process in step S155 and receives,
from the copying machine 12, information about the bin numbers and
the number of bins disposed between the start bin B1 and the stop
bin B2 appointed in the empty bin process.
[0165] Then, the operation proceeds to step S156 so that the driver
software determines whether the number of empty bins, which is the
content of the received empty bin information, is smaller than the
number S of sets to be printed. If the number of empty bins is
larger than the number S of sets to be printed, the driver software
transmits a printer driver command in step S158 to perform printing
and sorting of recording sheets. Then, the copying machine 12
transmits a printing end signal to the computer 13, 14 or 15, and
the operation of the driver software is ended.
[0166] If the number of empty bins is, in step S156, smaller than
the number S of sets to be printed, an alarm is issued to the
display unit in step S157. In the foregoing case, the process for
inhibiting the setting operation may be performed in place of
performing the process for issuing the alarm.
[0167] Another embodiment of the present invention will now be
described.
[0168] This embodiment has a structure such that the foregoing
information processing system has the flow of the process shown in
FIG. 23 and to be performed by the driver software shown in FIG. 23
is replaced by the flow of the process shown in FIG. 24.
[0169] In steps S162 to S166 the same process as that of the
foregoing embodiment from step S152 to S156 is performed. If the
number of empty bins is determined in step S166 to be smaller than
the number S of sets to be printed, the selection of sorting can be
performed by offset sorting in step S167.
[0170] In a case where the sorting is performed by offset sorting,
or in a case where the number of empty bins is larger than the
number of sets of sheets to be printed, the printer driver command
is transmitted (step S168) so that printed sheets and recording
sheets are sorted.
[0171] In a case where sorting by means of the offset sorting is
not performed, the operation returns to input of the start bin in
step S162 and the sorting bins are again set.
[0172] This embodiment may be combined with the foregoing
embodiment such that the alarm is issued prior to performing
selection of sorting by the offset sorting in step S167.
[0173] Another embodiment of the present invention will now be
described.
[0174] This embodiment has the structure such that the information
processing system according to the foregoing embodiment has an
arrangement that the flow of the process to be performed by the
driver software shown in FIG. 23 is replaced by that shown in FIG.
25.
[0175] The driver software according to this embodiment performs
the empty bin process in step S172 so that information of all bins
in the mail box sorter 11 is received from the copying machine 12
so that the driver software acquires information about empty bins.
In steps S173 to step S175 the computer 13, 14 or 15 is used to
input the start bin B1, the stop bin B2 and the number S of sets of
sheets to be printed. Then, the operation proceeds to step S176 so
that the number of sets of sheets to be printed and the number of
empty bins are subjected to a comparison. If the number of empty
bins is larger than the number S of sets of sheets to be printed,
the printer driver command is transmitted in step S178 so that
printing and sorting of recording sheets are performed.
[0176] If the number of empty bins is, in step S176, smaller than
the number S of sets of sheets to be printed, an alarm is issued to
the display unit in step S177. Then, the operation returns to step
S173 so that setting of sorting bins is performed again.
[0177] This embodiment may be combined with the foregoing
embodiment such that the comparison of the number of sets of
sheets, to be printed, and the number of empty bins is performed or
an alarm is issued, and then selection of sorting by the offset
sorting can be performed.
[0178] Although the invention has been described in its preferred
form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that
the present disclosure of the preferred form can be changed in the
details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of
parts without departing from the spirit and the scope of the
invention as hereinafter claimed.
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