JP2009109552A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of ejecting paper, while clearly separating jobs, even when there is a specific job, with the conditions for immediately removing a paper ejected on a paper ejection tray. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes an image forming section that forms an image on paper, based on a job; a shifting means that shifts paper, with the image formed thereon, to one of a plurality of paper ejecting positions perpendicular to the direction of conveyance; a paper ejection tray on which paper is stacked after image formation; a storage section that stores set information regarding the paper ejecting position; and a control section that controls the shift means so that the paper with the image formed thereon is shifted, based on the set information. When the specific job is to be executed, the control section exerts control so that the paper ejecting position coincides with the paper ejecting position, used in the job, prior to or after the specific job. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  Recent general image forming apparatuses have a job offset function. The job offset function is a function for alternately discharging the paper discharge position for each job. By using this job offset function, even when a plurality of jobs are continuously formed, the discharge between the different jobs becomes clear. Therefore, the user can easily take out the discharged paper.

  However, when a plurality of jobs in which a job using the job offset function and a job not used are continuously formed, the separation between the jobs is not always clear.

Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that includes a plurality of paper discharge trays. According to the image forming apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228707, control is performed to separate the paper into different paper discharge trays for the job using the job offset function and the job not using the job offset function.
By separating the paper discharge destination according to whether or not the job offset function is applied, it is possible to solve the problem of unclear separation between jobs as described above.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-116129

However, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, if there is a specific job, for example, a job for image confirmation, among the jobs discharged by the job offset function, the above problem cannot be solved. However, the separation between jobs is unclear.
When a job for image confirmation or the like is executed, the paper discharged to the paper discharge tray is immediately taken out. Therefore, after the paper for this job is taken out, the paper discharge position is the same before and after this job, so the separation between jobs becomes unclear.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of discharging paper with a clear separation between jobs even when there is a specific job on the assumption that the paper is taken out immediately after being discharged to a paper discharge tray. Is to provide.

According to the invention of claim 1,
An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on a job;
Shift means for shifting the paper on which the image is formed to any one of a plurality of paper discharge positions in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction;
A paper discharge tray for stacking paper discharged after image formation;
A storage unit for storing setting information of the discharge position;
A control unit that controls the shift unit to shift the image-formed paper based on the setting information;
The control unit, when executing a specific job, controls the paper discharge position so that the paper discharge position is the same as one of the paper discharge positions of the jobs before and after the specific job. An image forming apparatus is provided.

According to the invention of claim 2, in the invention of claim 1,
The controller changes the discharge position setting information before executing the job and executes the job. If the executed job is the specific job, the control unit displays the discharge position setting information. If the changed and executed job is not the specific job, the discharge position of the job executed next to the specific job is determined by changing the setting information of the discharge position. An image forming apparatus having the same position as a job discharge position is provided.

According to the invention of claim 3, in the invention of claim 1,
If the job is not the specific job, the control unit does not change the discharge position setting information before executing the job, and if the job is the specific job, the control unit does not change the discharge position setting information. By changing the setting information of the paper discharge position before the execution of the specific job, the paper discharge position of the specific job is made the same as the paper discharge position of the job executed before the execution of the specific job. An image forming apparatus is provided.

According to the invention described in claim 4, in the invention described in any one of claims 1-3,
The specific job is any one of an image confirmation job for confirming an image of the job, an image quality confirmation job for confirming image quality using a predetermined image, and an interrupt job executed by interruption. An image forming apparatus is provided.

According to the present invention, two predetermined paper discharge positions are alternately switched, and the paper of the executed job is discharged to the paper discharge tray. At that time, the paper discharge position of the paper for the specific job is the same as the paper discharge position of the job executed before or after the specific job.
By controlling the paper discharge position when a specific job is executed in this way, even when the paper for this specific job is taken out immediately after paper discharge, the separation between jobs is clearly defined. It becomes possible to stack sheets on the sheet discharge tray.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the optimum configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Although details will be described later, in the first embodiment, a description will be given of a case where the paper is discharged by shifting the paper discharge position of a specific job to a paper discharge position different from the paper discharge position of the previous job.

First, an image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The image forming apparatus 100 includes a main body 1, a post-processing apparatus 2 and a large capacity tray unit 3 that are optionally connected thereto. An input unit 20 and an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) unit 40 are provided on the upper surface of the main body 1.

FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 100.
The control board 10, the input unit 20, the scanner unit 30, the ADF unit 40, and the printer unit 50 illustrated in FIG. 2 are functions included in the main body 1 illustrated in FIG. Hereinafter, each unit constituting the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The control board 10 includes a control unit 11, a program memory 12, a storage unit 13, a nonvolatile memory 14, a reading processing unit 15, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) control IC 16, a compression / decompression IC 17, an image memory (DRAM) 18, and a writing process. The unit 19 is provided.

  The control unit 11 reads a system program and various processing programs stored in the program memory 12 and develops them in the storage unit 13, and controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the developed programs.

Further, the control unit 11 stores the job setting information input via the input unit 20 in the storage unit 13. The job setting information includes, for example, information about whether the job offset function is set or whether the job is a specific job.
Here, the specific job is a job on the premise that the sheet that has been executed and discharged to the discharge tray is immediately taken out. Examples of the specific job include an image confirmation job for confirming an image related to the job, an image quality confirmation job for confirming image quality using a predetermined chart, an interrupt job, and the like.
The control unit 11 reads the job setting information from the storage unit 13 and notifies the printer unit 50 or the post-processing control unit 71 of the job setting information, and performs control to shift the paper discharge position based on the job setting information.

  The program memory 12 includes a nonvolatile memory such as a semiconductor, and stores a system program corresponding to the image forming apparatus 100 and various processing programs including a job offset processing program that can be executed on the system program. The program is stored in the form of program code readable by a computer, and the control unit 11 sequentially executes operations according to the program code.

  The storage unit 13 is configured by a RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage unit 13 serves as a temporary storage area for programs, input / output data, parameters, and the like read from the program memory 12 in various processes executed and controlled by the control unit 11.

The nonvolatile memory 14 stores various setting data related to the image forming apparatus 100.
The read processing unit 15 converts the analog image signal read by the scanner unit 30 into digital image data and outputs the digital image data to the DRAM control IC 16.

Based on the control from the control unit 11, the DRAM control IC 16 compresses the image data input from the reading processing unit 15 and the image data input from the print controller unit 60 by the compression / decompression IC 17, and the compressed image data Is written in the compression memory 18a of the image memory 18 and temporarily stored.
When there is an instruction to output image data from the control unit 11, the DRAM control IC 16 decompresses the output-instructed image data stored in the compression memory 18 a by the compression / decompression IC 17 and outputs the decompressed image data to the write processing unit 19.
Further, the DRAM control IC 16 outputs control data input from the print controller unit 60 to the control unit 11.

The compression / decompression IC 17 is an IC that performs image data compression processing and decompression processing under the control of the DRAM control IC 16.
The image memory 18 is constituted by a DRAM and has a compression memory 18a. The compression memory 18a temporarily stores the image data compressed by the compression / decompression IC 17 under the control of the DRAM control IC 16.

  The writing processing unit 19 generates a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal based on the image data input from the compression / decompression IC 17 and outputs it to the printer unit 50.

The input unit 20 includes an input display control unit 21 and an LCD 22.
The input display control unit 21 receives a display signal from the control unit 11 and performs display control on the LCD 22. In addition, an operation signal input from the touch panel on the LCD 22 is output to the control unit 11.

  The LCD 22 displays various setting screens, image status display, operation status of each function, and the like on the screen in accordance with an instruction of a display signal input from the input display control unit 21. On the LCD screen, a pressure-sensitive (resistive film pressure type) touch panel with transparent electrodes arranged in a grid is configured, and the XY coordinates of the force point pressed with a finger or a touch pen are detected by the voltage value. The obtained position signal is output to the input display control unit 21 as an operation signal.

Here, with reference to FIG. 3, an input screen D1 for turning ON / OFF the setting of the job offset function in the LCD 22 is shown.
On the input screen D1, a button for setting a paper discharge mode is displayed. Among these buttons, when the “sort sort B1” or “sort group B2” button is pressed by the user, the job offset function is set to ON. The information set here is included in the job setting information by the control unit 11 and stored in the storage unit 13.

  The input unit 20 includes other operation buttons such as numeric buttons (not shown), function buttons for switching various settings and operation modes, and a start button. An operation signal generated by the button operation is input from the input display control unit 21 to the control unit 11. Output to.

  The scanner unit 30 includes a scanner control unit 31 and a scanner 32. The scanner control unit 31 receives a control signal from the control unit 11 and drives and controls each unit of the scanner 32. The scanner 32 includes a platen glass, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and a light source, reads the image of the paper by imaging the reflected light of the light illuminated and scanned from the light source to the paper by the CCD and photoelectrically converting it, The read analog image signal is output to the reading processing unit 15.

  The ADF unit 40 includes an ADF control unit 41 that controls each part of the ADF unit 40 based on a control signal input from the control unit 11. The ADF unit 40 allows the paper placed on the paper tray T <b> 1 (see FIG. 1) Automatic feeding one by one on the platen glass.

The printer unit 50 includes a printer control unit 51 and a print unit 52.
The printer control unit 51 receives a control signal from the control unit 11 and controls the operation of each unit of the print unit 52. Further, the printer control unit 51 detects the occurrence of a jam in the print unit 52, the jam position and the release of the jam, and outputs this jam detection information to the control unit 11. Further, the printer control unit 51 counts the number of sheets fed for each job and outputs the counted number to the control unit 11. Further, the printer control unit 51 relays data communication between the control unit 11 and the post-processing control unit 71.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the print unit 52 supplies an LD (Laser Diode) 81, a photosensitive drum 82, a charger 83, a developing unit 84, a transfer unit 85, a fixing unit 86, and paper. A sheet feeding tray 87, a conveying means for conveying a sheet according to a conveying path (shown by a bold line in FIG. 1), various rollers including a registration roller 89, a conveying path switching plate 90, and a reversing unit 91. Etc. are provided.

  Based on the control from the printer control unit 51, the transport unit of the print unit 52 feeds paper of the type, size, and orientation used in the job from the corresponding paper feed trays 87 (87a to 87e) and feeds the paper. The conveyed paper is conveyed on the conveyance path.

Further, in image formation, the following processing is performed by the control operation of the printer control unit 51.
The charger 83 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 82. The LD 81 irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 82 with laser light based on the PWM signal input from the writing processing unit 19. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image is formed.

Thereafter, the developing device 84 causes the toner to adhere to the area including the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 82. Then, the transfer unit 85 forms an image by transferring toner onto the sheet conveyed from the sheet feed tray 87. The fixing device 86 fixes the image, and the paper discharge roller 94 sends the image-formed paper to the post-processing device 2.
When performing duplex printing, the conveyance path switching plate 90 conveys the paper on which one side is printed to the reversing unit 91. The reversing unit 91 reverses the front and back and conveys them again to the photosensitive drum 82. Thereafter, the printer control unit 51 controls each unit by the above-described processing to form an image on the surface after reversal, and after fixing, the image is sent to the post-processing device 2 by the discharge roller.

A plurality of sensors (not shown) are provided on the conveyance path of the printing unit 52. These sensors generate sensor signals and output them to the printer controller 51 when the paper passes. The printer control unit 51 detects that a jam has occurred between the two sensors when the sensor signal that should be detected next after the sheet passes through one sensor does not turn on even after a predetermined time has passed. Information is output to the control unit 11.
Further, the printer control unit 51 counts the number of sheets fed by counting sensor signals output from sensors provided in the vicinity of the paper feed roller for each job, and outputs them to the control unit 11.

The post-processing apparatus 2 includes a post-processing control unit 71 that controls each unit of the post-processing apparatus 2 based on a control signal input from the control unit 11 via the printer control unit 51, a shift unit, a post-processing unit 104, A paper roller 105, a first paper discharge tray Ta1, and a second paper discharge tray Ta2 are provided.
The post-processing unit 104 performs stapling processing and punching processing on the paper. The shift unit includes a shift member 102 including an intermediate stacker 101 and an alignment plate, and a conveyance roller 103. The shift members 102 are provided at both ends in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, abut against the end of the paper temporarily stopped by the intermediate stacker 101, and correct the skew of the paper and are orthogonal to the transport direction. The sheet is shifted to a predetermined position on the left side or the right side. The shifted sheet is conveyed by the conveyance roller 103. The first paper discharge tray Ta1 has a sensor SE that detects the presence or absence of paper discharged and stacked.

  The post-processing control unit 71 includes a system memory corresponding to the control unit and the post-processing device 2 and a program memory that stores various executable processing programs, and a RAM.

The control unit of the post-processing control unit 71 drives and controls each unit in cooperation with a program stored in the program memory based on the input control signal. Then, post-processing such as stapling processing, saddle stitching processing, and half-folding processing is performed, and the paper is discharged to the instructed discharge tray Ta (first discharge tray Ta1 or second discharge tray Ta2).
A plurality of sensors are provided on the conveyance path of the post-processing device 2 as shown in FIG. 1. Like the printer control unit 51, the post-processing control unit 71 detects a jam by the sensor and uses this information to print the information to the printer. Output to the control unit 51.

  The print controller unit 60 includes an I / F 61, a data conversion unit 62, and the like. The I / F 61 is a communication interface for connecting to the communication network N, such as a NIC (Network Interface Card) or a modem, and transmits / receives data to / from the host device 200. The data conversion unit 62 converts print data input via the I / F 61 into image data in a data format that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 100 in a predetermined page description language, and outputs the image data to the DRAM control IC 16 together with the control data. .

Here, FIG. 4 shows an input screen D2 for turning ON / OFF the setting of the job offset function in the host apparatus 200.
Similar to the input screen D1 of FIG. 3, the user can set the paper discharge mode on the input screen D2. The user can turn on the job offset function by clicking and checking the “offset” check box with the mouse or the like among the displayed setting items. As with the input screen D1, the information set here is included in the job setting information and stored in the storage unit 13.

By turning on the job offset function on the input screens D1 and D2 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the control unit 11 performs paper discharge control as shown in FIG.
Hereinafter, the paper discharge control in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation of the first paper discharge control.
By executing the processing shown in FIG. 5, a paper discharge image shown in FIG. 6 to be described later is realized. Further, the process shown in FIG. 5 is a process performed for each job when a plurality of jobs are executed.

First, the control unit 11 performs job execution start processing (step S1).
In the job execution start process, for example, the control unit 11 reads job setting information temporarily stored in the storage unit 13.
The job setting information includes setting information regarding ON / OFF of the job offset function, setting information regarding the number of discharged sheets, and the like.
Based on the job setting information, the control unit 11 performs paper feed processing, image formation processing, paper discharge processing, and the like in subsequent processing.

Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not sheets are stacked on the paper discharge tray Ta1 (step S2). When the control unit 11 determines that no paper is stacked on the paper discharge tray Ta1 (step S2; NO), the control unit 11 stores in the storage unit 13 setting information of a default paper discharge position, for example, the “right” paper discharge position. (Step S5), and the process proceeds to step S6.
On the other hand, when it is determined that sheets are stacked on the discharge tray Ta1 (step S2; YES), the control unit 11 determines whether or not the job offset function is ON from the read job setting information (step S2). S3).

  If the job offset function is not ON (step S3; NO), that is, if it is OFF, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S6 and performs paper feed processing (step S6).

  On the other hand, when the job offset function is ON (step S3; YES), the control unit 11 stores the discharge position setting information different from the discharge position of the previously processed job in the storage unit 13 (step S4). Note that the previously processed job refers to the most recent job that has been executed before the job to be processed this time among a series of continuous jobs composed of a plurality of jobs.

  By changing the setting information of the paper discharge position in step S4, the control unit 11 shifts the paper to different paper discharge positions for the previously processed job and the job to be processed this time and discharges the paper.

The control unit 11 sets and stores the information on the paper discharge position in the storage unit 13, and then performs a paper feed process for feeding paper from the paper feed tray 87 (step S6).
Then, the control unit 11 performs image forming processing of an image related to the job on the fed paper (step S7).

The control unit 11 discharges the image-formed sheet to the discharge tray Ta1 based on the setting information of the discharge position (step S8). Note that the setting information stored in the storage unit 13 in the processing in step S5 or S4 is used as the setting information of the paper discharge position.
Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not all of the jobs have been discharged (step S9).

When all the paper discharges are not completed (step S9; NO), the control unit 11 proceeds to step S6 and repeats the processes of steps S6 to S9 until the paper discharge is completed and executes the job. .
When all the paper discharges are completed (step S9; YES), the control unit 11 determines whether or not the job executed this time is a specific job (step S10).
For determining whether the job is a specific job, the control unit 11 determines whether the job is a specific job of an image confirmation job, an image quality confirmation job, or an interrupt job based on the job setting information.

  When the job executed this time is a specific job (step S10; YES), the control unit 11 stores the discharge position different from the current job, that is, the same discharge position as the job processed last time. 13 is changed and stored (step S11), and the process proceeds to the next step S12.

On the other hand, when the job executed this time is not a specific job (step S10; NO), the control unit 11 does not change the setting information of the discharge position stored in the storage unit 13 and keeps the current state without changing the setting information. The process proceeds to S12 to determine whether there is a next job (step S12). If there is a next job (step S12; YES), the process proceeds to step S1, and the next job is continuously executed in the same flow. If there is no next job (step S12; NO), an end process is performed (step S13), and the flow of this process is ended (END).
Note that the termination processing includes, for example, processing in which the control unit 11 notifies the printer unit 50 or the post-processing control unit 71 of job completion or deletes the job setting information from the storage unit 13.

Here, as a result of the processing in steps S10 to S11 when the job processed this time is a specific job, the setting information of the discharge position is converted into the same discharge position as the discharge position of the job processed last time. It is stored in the storage unit 13. As a result, the discharge position of the job to be processed next time is further changed in step S4 to be the same discharge position as the specific job.
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 6, a description will be given of a paper discharge image of paper discharged in a series of continuous jobs including a plurality of jobs including a specific job.

FIG. 6 shows a first discharged image when the sheet is discharged by the image forming apparatus 100.
The paper discharge image shown in FIG. 6 shows a paper discharge image on the paper discharge tray Ta1 when jobs are executed in the order of jobs J1 to J4 using the job offset function. Further, the discharge position setting information stored in the storage unit 13 when the jobs J1 to J4 are executed is shown on the right side of FIG.

The sheet of job J1 is discharged to the discharge tray Ta1 after the discharge position setting information is set to the right of the default value.
The sheet of job J2 is discharged to the discharge tray Ta1 after the discharge position setting information is changed from right to left.
Up to this point, in the paper discharge tray Ta1, the sheets of the jobs J1 and J2 are in a state of being stacked on the paper discharge tray Ta1 with clear separation between jobs.

After the paper for job J2 is ejected, the paper for image confirmation job, image quality confirmation job or interrupt job (specific job) J3 is ejected.
The sheet of job J3 is discharged to the discharge tray Ta1 after the discharge position setting information is changed from left to right. Note that the sheet by the job J3 is discharged from the discharge tray Ta1 immediately after being discharged.
After the paper of job J3 is discharged, the setting information of the discharge position is changed from right to left.

The sheet for job J4 is discharged to the discharge tray Ta1 after the discharge position setting information has been changed from left to right.
As a result, the sheet is discharged to the same discharge position as the sheet of job J3. After the jobs J1 to J4 are executed, the sheets of the job J1, the job J2, and the job J4 are loaded on the paper discharge tray Ta1.
As shown in FIG. 6, even after the paper for job J3 is taken out, the separation between the jobs is clear.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, sheets of a job executed by alternately switching between two predetermined discharge positions are discharged to the discharge tray Ta1. In addition, the discharge position of the paper discharged when a specific job is executed is different from the discharge position of the job executed before that specific job, Identical.
By controlling the paper discharge position when a specific job is executed in this way, even when the paper for this specific job is taken out immediately after paper discharge, the separation between jobs is clearly defined. It becomes possible to stack sheets on the discharge tray Ta.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the optimum configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, a case will be described in which a sheet is discharged without shifting the discharge position of a specific job from the discharge position of a previous job. In the second embodiment, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100, the main body 1 and the like described in the first embodiment is the same, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  With reference to FIG. 7, the processing operation of the second paper discharge control will be described.

First, the control unit 11 performs job execution start processing (step S21).
The processing here is the same as step S1 in FIG.

Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not sheets are stacked on the paper discharge tray Ta1 (step S22). If the control unit 11 determines that no paper is stacked on the paper discharge tray Ta1 (step S22; NO), the control unit 11 stores in the storage unit 13 setting information of a default paper discharge position, for example, the “right” paper discharge position. (Step S26), and the process proceeds to step S27.
On the other hand, when it is determined that sheets are stacked on the paper discharge tray Ta1 (step S22; YES), the control unit 11 determines whether or not the job offset function is ON from the read job setting information (step S22). S23).

  If the job offset function is not ON (step S23; NO), that is, if it is OFF, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S27 and performs paper feed processing (step S27).

On the other hand, when the job offset function is ON (step S23; YES), the control unit 11 determines whether or not the job to be processed this time is a specific job (step S24).
Note that the determination process as to whether or not the job is a specific job is the same as step S10 in FIG.

  When the job to be processed this time is not a specific job (step S24; NO), the control unit 11 changes the discharge position setting information different from the discharge position of the previously processed job and stores it in the storage unit 13 (step S24). S25).

  On the other hand, when the job to be processed this time is a specific job (step S24; YES), the control unit 11 does not change the paper discharge position of the job to be processed this time, and proceeds to step S27 to discharge the previously processed job. Paper discharge processing is performed based on the paper position setting information. That is, the paper is discharged to the same paper discharge position as that of the previously processed job.

After the process of step S24 or step S25, the control unit 11 performs a paper feed process for feeding paper from the paper feed tray 87 (step S27).
Then, the control unit 11 performs image forming processing of an image related to the job on the fed paper (step S28).

Based on the setting information of the paper discharge position, the control unit 11 discharges the image-formed paper onto the paper discharge tray Ta1 (step S29).
In addition, the control unit 11 determines whether or not all of the paper has been discharged based on the job setting information (step S30).

  When all the paper discharge of the job has not been completed (step S30; NO), the control unit 11 proceeds to step S27 and repeats the processing of steps S27 to S30 until all the paper discharge is completed.

If all of the jobs are discharged (step S30; YES), the control unit 11 proceeds to the next step S12 and determines whether there is a next job (step S31). If there is a next job (step S31; YES), the process proceeds to step S21, and the next job is continuously executed in the same flow. If there is no next job (step S31; NO), an end process is performed (step S32), and the flow of this process is ended (END).
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 8, a description will be given of a paper discharge image of paper discharged in a series of continuous jobs including a plurality of jobs including a specific job.

FIG. 8 shows a second paper discharge image.
The paper discharge image shown in FIG. 8 shows a paper discharge image on the paper discharge tray Ta1 when the jobs are executed in the order of jobs J11 to J44 using the job offset function. Further, the discharge position setting information stored in the storage unit 13 when the jobs J11 to J44 are executed is shown on the right side of FIG.

The sheet for job J11 is discharged to the discharge tray Ta1 after the discharge position setting information is set to the right of the default value.
The sheet of job J22 is discharged to the discharge tray Ta1 after the discharge position setting information is changed from right to left.
Up to this point, in the paper discharge tray Ta1, the sheets of the jobs J11 and J22 are in a state of being stacked on the paper discharge tray Ta1 with clear separation between jobs.

After the paper for job J22 is ejected, the paper for image confirmation job, image quality confirmation job, or interrupt job (specific job) J33 is ejected.
The sheet of job J33 is discharged to the discharge tray Ta with the discharge position setting information left. Therefore, the sheet for job J33 is discharged to the same discharge position as the sheet for job J22. Note that the sheet by the job J33 is immediately discharged from the discharge tray Ta1 after being discharged.
After the paper of job J33 is discharged, the setting information of the discharge position remains on the left.

The sheet of job J44 is discharged to the discharge tray Ta1 after the discharge position setting information is changed from left to right.
After the jobs J11 to J44 are executed, the sheets of the jobs J11, J22, and J44 are loaded on the paper discharge tray Ta1.
As shown in FIG. 8, even after the paper for job J33 is taken out, the separation between the jobs is clear.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, two predetermined discharge positions are alternately switched, and the sheets of the executed job are discharged to the discharge tray Ta1. The discharge position of the paper discharged when a specific job is executed is the same as the discharge position of the job executed before the specific job.
In this way, by controlling the paper discharge position when a specific job is executed, even when the paper for this specific job is taken out immediately after paper discharge, the paper is discharged with a clear separation between jobs. It becomes possible to load sheets on the paper tray Ta1.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus. 2 is a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of an input screen. It is a figure which shows an example of an input screen. It is a flowchart explaining 1st paper discharge control. It is a figure which shows the 1st paper discharge image. 10 is a flowchart illustrating second paper discharge control. It is a figure which shows the 2nd paper discharge image.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 10 Control board 20 Input part 11 Control part 13 Memory | storage part 1 Main body

Claims (4)

An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on a job;
Shift means for shifting the paper on which the image is formed to any one of a plurality of paper discharge positions in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction;
A paper discharge tray for stacking paper discharged after image formation;
A storage unit for storing setting information of the discharge position;
A control unit that controls the shift unit to shift the image-formed paper based on the setting information;
The control unit, when executing a specific job, controls the paper discharge position so that the paper discharge position is the same as one of the paper discharge positions of the jobs before and after the specific job. Image forming apparatus.   The controller changes the discharge position setting information before executing the job and executes the job. If the executed job is the specific job, the control unit displays the discharge position setting information. If the changed and executed job is not the specific job, the discharge position of the job executed next to the specific job is determined by changing the setting information of the discharge position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus has the same position as a job discharge position.   If the job is not the specific job, the control unit does not change the discharge position setting information before executing the job, and if the job is the specific job, the control unit does not change the discharge position setting information. By changing the setting information of the paper discharge position before the execution of the specific job, the paper discharge position of the specific job is made the same as the paper discharge position of the job executed before the execution of the specific job. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The specific job is any one of an image confirmation job for confirming an image of the job, an image quality confirmation job for confirming image quality using a predetermined image, and an interrupt job executed by interruption. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

Images