Abstract:
An image forming apparatus comprising a main body having a copy function of printing an image read from a document on a paper sheet, a printer function of printing an externally input image on a paper sheet, and a paper ejection port to eject a printed paper sheet. The apparatus also includes a paper ejection unit which has a first tray and a second tray for receiving a paper sheet ejected form the paper ejection port, and moves the trays selectively to the positions corresponding to the paper ejection port. The apparatus also includes a control panel for setting an operating condition of the apparatus, and a state key provided on the control panel and configured to operate when holding the trays at current positions.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a paper ejection unit to receive a printed paper sheet. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   A paper sheet printed by an image forming apparatus is ejected to a tray of the main body of the apparatus or a paper ejection unit (also called a finisher) equipped on the main body. The paper ejection unit has a plurality of trays, for example, two divided into upper and lower sides, to receive paper sheets ejected from the main body, and moves these trays to a paper ejection port of the main body. 
   There is a multifunction image forming apparatus (called an MFP), which has multiple functions including a printer function of printing an external image input from a network or the like on a paper sheet, in addition to an ordinary copy function of printing an image read from a document on a paper sheet. In the multifunction image forming apparatus equipped with the paper ejection unit, a paper sheet printed by the copy function is ejected to the upper side tray, and a paper sheet printed by the printer function is ejected to the lower side tray. Namely, the upper side tray is used for copying, and the lower side tray is used for printing. 
   However, at the end of printing by the printer function, the lower side tray for printing is left being set at the position corresponding to the paper ejection port of the main body. Thus, even if a copy job is input after the end of printing by the printer function, printing is not started at once. Printing will be started after the upper side tray for copying is moved to the paper ejection port of the main body (after the preparation for printing by the copy function is completed). The user must wait for a long time in front of the main body until printing is started after a copy job is input. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention has been made to solve the above problem. It is an object of the invention to provide an image forming apparatus which can start printing without having the user wait for the printing. 
   According to an aspect of the invention is to provide an image forming apparatus comprising: 
   a main body having a copy function of printing an image read from a document on a paper sheet, a printer function of printing an externally input image on a paper sheet, and a paper ejection port to eject a printed paper sheet: 
   a paper ejection unit which has a first tray and a second tray for receiving a paper sheet ejected from the paper ejection port, and moves the trays selectively to the position corresponding to the paper ejection port; 
   an operating section configured to operate when holding the trays at current positions; 
   a first control part configured to start printing by the copy function after setting the first tray at the position corresponding to the ejection port, if the operating section is not operated when a copy job for printing by the copy function is entered; 
   a second control part configured to start printing by the copy function while holding the trays of the paper ejection unit at the current positions, if the operating section is operated when a copy job for printing by the copy function is entered; and 
   a third control part configured to start printing by the printer function after setting the second tray at the position corresponding to the paper ejection port, when a print job for printing by the printer function is entered. 
   Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective showing the external view of each embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective showing the external view of each embodiment of the invention, and movement of trays; 
       FIG. 3  is a view showing the configuration of the control panel of each embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of the control circuit of each embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart for explaining the effects of a first embodiment: 
       FIG. 6  is a view showing the print setting screen in a second embodiment; 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart for explaining the effects of a second embodiment; 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart following the chart of  FIG. 7 , and 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart for explaining the effects of a third embodiment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   [1] A first embodiment of the present invention will be explained hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , a document table  2  is provided at the top of a main body  1  of an image forming apparatus, and an automatic document feeder (ADF)  3  is provided openably in the upper part of the document table  2 . A control panel  4  for setting the operating condition is provided at the same level as the document table  2 . Cassettes  5  containing various sizes of paper sheets are provided in the lower part of the main body  1 . 
   A paper sheet printed in the main body  1  is ejected to a tray (a main body tray)  7  from a paper ejection port  6  on the side of the main body  1 . A paper ejection port  8  is formed on the other side of the main body  1 , and a paper ejection unit  10  is equipped on the side with the paper ejection port  8 . The paper ejection unit  10  has an upper side tray  11  (called an upper tray) and a lower side tray  12  (called a lower tray) to receive a paper sheet ejected from the paper ejection port  8 . These trays  11  and  12  are movable upward and downward.  FIG. 1  shows the state that the upper tray  11  is set at the position corresponding to the paper ejection port  8 , and a paper sheet P is ejected to the upper tray  11 .  FIG. 2  shows the state that the trays  11  and  12  are moved upward, the lower tray  12  is set at the position corresponding to the paper ejection port  8 , and a paper sheet P is ejected to the lower tray  12 . 
   The control panel  4  has a liquid crystal display  4   a , a start key  4   b  and a state key  4   c , as main components, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The state key  4   c  serves as a control section when holding the trays  11  and  12  of the paper ejection unit  10  at the current positions. 
     FIG. 4  shows the control circuit in the main body  1 . 
   A CPU  20  is connected with a RAM  21 , a ROM  22 , a paper ejection controller  30 , a panel controller  31 , a copy controller  32 , a scanner controller  33 , a printer controller  34 , a facsimile (fax) controller  35 , and a network controller  38 . The RAM  21  is used for storing various data. The ROM  22  stores various control programs necessary to operate the main body  1 . The paper ejection controller  30  controls the paper ejection unit  10 . The panel controller  31  controls the control panel  4 . 
   The copy controller  32  controls the ordinary copy function using a scanner  36  and a printer  37 . The scanner controller  33  controls the scanner function such as a network scanner using the scanner  36 . The printer controller  34  controls the printer function such as a network printer using the printer  37 . The facsimile controller  35  controls the facsimile function using the printer  36 . 
   The network controller  38  controls data transfer with external units through a network interface  39 . The network interface  39  is provided with a LAN board and fax modem, and connected to external units such as personal computers  41  and  42  and a facsimile  43  through an external communication line  40 . 
   The CPU  20  has the following means (1)–(6) as main functions. 
   (1) A detection means for detecting whether one of the trays  11  and  12  of the paper ejection unit  10  is set at the position corresponding to the paper ejection port  8 . 
   (2) A first control means for starting printing by the copy function while holding the trays  11  and  12  at the current positions, if the state key  4   c  is not turned on and the upper tray  11  for copying is detected by the detection means, when a copy job for printing by the copy function is entered. 
   (3) A second control means for starting the printing by the copy function after setting the upper tray  11  for copying at the position corresponding to the paper ejection port  8 , if the state key  4   c  is not turned on and the lower tray  12  for the printer is detected by the detection means, when a copy job is entered. 
   (4) A third control means for starting the printing by the copy function while holding the trays  11  and  12  at the current positions, if the state key  4   c  is turned on, when a copy job is entered. 
   (5) A fourth control means for starting the printing by the printer function while holding the trays  11  and  12  at the current positions, if the lower tray  12  for the printer is detected by the detection means, when a print job for printing by the printer function is entered. 
   (6) A fifth control means for starting the printing by the printer function after setting the lower tray  12  for the printer at the position corresponding to the paper ejection port  8 , if the upper tray  11  for copying is detected by the detection means, when a print job is entered. 
   Next, explanation will be given on the effects with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 5 . 
   Whether one of the trays  11  and  12  of the paper ejection unit  10  is set at the position corresponding to the paper ejection port  8  is detected (step  101 ). 
   If the state key  4   c  on the control panel  4  is not turned on (NO in step  103 ) and the setting of the upper tray  11  is detected (YES in step  104 ) when a copy job is entered from the control panel  4  (YES in step  102 ), printing by the copy function is started (step  106 ) while the trays  11  and  12  of the paper ejection unit  10  are held at the current positions (step  105 ). The printed paper sheet P is ejected to the upper tray  11  for copying. 
   If the state key  4   c  is not turned on (NO in step  103 ) and the setting of the lower tray  12  is detected (NO in step  104 ) when a copy job is entered (YES in step  102 ), the upper tray  11  is set at the position corresponding to the paper ejection port  8  (step  107 ). After this setting, printing by the copy function is started (step  106 ). The printed paper sheet P is ejected to the upper tray  11  for copying. 
   If the state key  4   c  is turned on (YES in step  103 ) when a copy job is entered (YES in step  102 ), printing by the copy function is started while the trays  11  and  12  of the paper ejection unit  10  are held at the current positions (step  105 ). The printed paper sheet P is ejected to the preset upper tray  11  or lower tray  12 , 
   If the setting of the lower tray  12  for the printer is detected (YES in step  109 ) when a print job is input to the main body  1  from the external personal computer  41  or  42  through the communication line  40  (YES in step  105 ), printing by the printer function is started (step  111 ) while the trays  11  and  12  of the paper ejection unit  10  are held at the current positions (step  110 ). Namely, the image data input from the personal computer  41  or  42  is printed on the paper sheet P, and the printed paper sheet P is ejected to the lower tray  12  for the printer. 
   If the setting of the upper tray  11  for copying is detected (YES in step  109 ) when a print job is entered (YES in step  108 ), the lower tray  12  for the printer is set at the position corresponding to the paper ejection port  8  (step  112 ). After this setting, printing by the printer function is started (step  111 ). The printed paper sheet P is ejected to the lower tray  12  for the printer. 
   Printing by the copy function may be executed immediately after the printing by the printer function. In this case, by turning on the state key  4   c  on the control panel, the printing will be immediately started without waiting for the movement of the trays  11  and  12 . This is convenient for a busy user. As the trays  11  and  12  are not moved, the power consumption is reduced and noises is prevented. As the number of times the trays  11  and  12  are moved is decreased, the life of the paper ejection unit  10  is prolonged. 
   [2] A second embodiment will be explained. 
   The CPU  20  has the following means (11)–(20) as main functions. 
   (11) A detection means which detects which tray  11  or  12  of the paper ejection unit  10  is set at the position corresponding to the paper ejection port  8 . 
   (12) A first control means which starts printing by the copy function while holding the trays  11  and  12  of the paper ejection unit  10  at the current positions, if the state key  4   c  is not turned on and the upper tray  11  for copying is detected by the above detection means, when a copy job for printing by the copy function is entered. 
   (13) A second control means which starts printing by the copy function after setting the tray  11  for copying at the position corresponding to the paper ejection port  8 , if the state key  4   c  is not turned on and the lower tray  12  for the printer is detected by the above detection means, when a copy job is entered. 
   (14) A third control means which starts printing by the copy function while holding the trays  11  and  12  of the paper ejection unit  10  at the current positions, if the state key  4   c  is turned on, when a copy job is entered. 
   (15) A fourth control means which starts printing by the printer function while holding the trays  11  and  12  at the current positions, if the lower tray  12  for the printer is specified by the external personal computer  41  or  42  and the lower tray  12  for the printer is detected by the above detection means, when a print job for printing by the printer function is entered. 
   (16) A fifth control means which starts printing by the printer function after setting the lower tray  12  at the position corresponding to the paper ejection port  8 , if the lower tray  12  for the printer is specified by the external personal computer  41  or  42  and the upper tray  11  for copying is detected by the above detection means, when a print job is entered. 
   (17) A sixth control means which starts printing by the printer function while holding the trays  11  and  12  at the current position, if the upper tray  11  for copying is specified by the external personal computer  41  or  42  and the upper tray  11  for copying is detected by the above detector, when a print job is entered. 
   (18) A seventh control means which starts printing by the printer function after setting the upper tray  11  at the position corresponding to the paper ejection port  8 , if the upper tray  11  for copying is specified by the external personal computer  41  or  42  and the lower tray  12  for the printer is detected by the above detection means, when a print job is entered. 
   (19) An eighth control means which starts printing by the printer function after forming a route to eject the printed paper sheet P to the main body tray  7 , if the main body tray  7  is specified by the external personal computer  41  or  42 , when a print job is entered. 
   (20) A ninth control means which starts printing by the printer function while holding the trays  11  and  12  at the current positions, if the current position is specified by the external personal computer  41  or  42 , when a print job is entered. 
   The personal computers  41  and  42  have a print setting screen shown in  FIG. 6  as a section to specify selectively one of the upper tray  11 , lower tray  12  and main body tray  7 , or the current positions of the trays  11  and  12 . A window for this selective specification is provided in the lower right on the print setting screen. 
   The other configuration is the same as the first embodiment, and an explanation will be omitted. 
   Now, the effects will be explained with reference to the flowcharts of  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
   Whether one of the trays  11  and  12  of the paper ejection unit  10  is set at the position corresponding to the paper ejection port  8  is detected (step  201 ). 
   If the state key  4   c  on the control panel  4  is not turned on (NO in step  203 ) and the setting of the upper tray  11  is detected (YES in step  204 ) when a copy job is input from the control panel  4  (YES in step  202 ), printing by the copy function is started (step  206 ) while the trays  11  and  12  of the paper ejection unit  10  are held at the current positions (step  205 ). The printed paper sheet P is ejected to the upper tray  11  for copying. 
   If the state key  4   c  on the control panel  4  is not turned on (NO in step  203 ) and the setting of the lower tray  12  is detected (NO in step  204 ) when a copy job is input (YES in step  202 ), the upper tray  11  is set at the position corresponding to the paper ejection port  8  (step  207 ). After this setting, printing by the copy function is started (step  206 ). The printed paper sheet P is ejected to the upper tray  11  for copying. 
   If the state key  4   c  on the control panel  4  is turned on (YES in step  203 ) when a copy job is input (YES in step  202 ), printing by the copy function is started (step  206 ) while the trays  11  and  12  of the paper ejection unit  10  are held at the current positions (step  205 ). The printed paper sheet P is ejected to the preset upper tray  11  or lower tray  12 . In this case, printing is started immediately without waiting for movement of the trays  11  and  12 . 
   If the lower tray  12  is specified by the personal computer  41  or  42  (NO in step  209 , YES in step  210 ) and the setting of the lower tray  12  is detected (Yes in step  211 ) when a print job is input to the main body  1  from the external personal computer  41  or  42  through the communication line  40  (YES in step  208 ), printing by the printer function is started (step  213 ) while the trays  11  and  12  are held at the current positions (step  212 ). Namely, the image data input from the personal computer  41  or  42  is printed on the paper sheet P, and the printed paper sheet P is ejected to the lower tray  12 . 
   If the lower tray  12  is specified by the personal computer  41  or  42  (NO in step  209 , YES in step  210 ) and the setting of the upper tray  12  is detected (NO in step  211 ) when a print job is entered (YES in step  208 ), the lower tray  12  is set at the position corresponding to the paper ejection port  8  (step  215 ). After this setting, printing by the printer function is started (step  213 ). The printed paper sheet P is ejected to the lower tray  12 . 
   If the upper tray  11  is specified by the personal computer  41  or  42  (NO in step  209 , NO in step  210 , YES in step  216 ) and the setting of the upper tray  11  is detected (YES in step  217 ) when a print job is entered (YES in step  208 ), printing by the printer function is started (step  213 ) while the trays  11  and  12  are held at the current positions (step  218 ). The printed paper sheet P is ejected to the upper tray  11 . 
   If the upper tray  11  is specified by the personal computer  41  or  42  (NO in step  209 , NO in step  210 , YES in step  216 ) and the setting of the lower tray  12  is detected (NO in step  217 ) when a print job is entered (YES in step  208 ), the upper tray  11  is set at the position corresponding to the paper ejection port  8  (step  219 ). After this setting, printing by the printer function is started (step  213 ). The printed paper sheet P is ejected to the upper tray  11 . 
   If the main body tray  7  is specified by the personal computer  41  or  42  (NO in step  209 , NO in step  210 , NO in step  216 ) when a print job is entered (YES in step  208 ), a paper ejection route to the main body tray  7  is formed (step  220 ). After this forming, printing by the printer function is started (step  213 ). The printed paper sheet P is ejected to the main body tray  7 . 
   If the current position is specified by the personal computer  41  or  42  (YES in step  209 ) when a print job is entered (YES in step  208 ), printing by the printer function is started (step  213 ) while the trays  11  and  12  are held at the current positions (step  212 ). The printed paper sheet P is ejected to the preset tray  11  or tray  12 . By specifying the current position in this way, printing is started without waiting for movement of the trays  11  and  12 . As the trays  11  and  12  are not moved, the power consumption is reduced and noises is prevented. As the number of times the trays  11  and  12  are moved is decreased, the life of the paper ejection unit  10  is increased. 
   Printing by the copy function may be executed immediately after the printing by the printer function. In this case, the printing is started without waiting for movement of the trays  11  and  12 , by turning on the state key  4   c  on the control panel  4 . This is convenient for a busy user 
   [3] A third embodiment will be explained. 
   The state key  4   c  is eliminated from the control panel  4 . 
   The CPU  20  has the following means (31)–(36) as main functions. 
   (31) A detection means which detects which tray  11  or  12  of the paper ejection unit  10  is set at the position corresponding to the paper ejection port  8 . 
   (32) A first control means which starts printing by the copy function while holding the trays  11  and  12  at the current positions, if the number of copies is more than “two” and the upper tray  11  for copying is detected by the above detection means, when a copy job for printing by the copy function is entered. 
   (33) A second control means which starts printing by the copy function after setting the upper tray  11  for copying at the position corresponding to the paper ejection port  8 , if the number of copies is more than “two” and the lower tray  12  for the printer is detected by the above detection means, when a copy job is entered. 
   (34) A third control means which starts printing by the copy function while holding the trays  11  and  12  at the current positions, if the number of copies is “one”, when a copy job is entered. 
   (35) A fourth control means which starts printing by the printer function while holding the trays  11  and  12  at the current positions, if the lower tray  12  for the printer is detected by the above detection means, when a print job for printing by the printer function is entered. 
   (36) A fifth control means which starts printing by the printer function after setting the lower tray  12  for the printer at the position corresponding to the paper ejection port  8 , if the upper tray  11  for copying is detected by the above detection means, when a print job is entered. 
   The other configuration is the same as the first embodiment, and an explanation will be omitted. 
   Now, the effects will be explained with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 9 . 
   Whether one of the trays  11  and  12  of the paper ejection unit  10  is set at the position corresponding to the paper ejection port  8  is detected (step  301 ). 
   If the number of copies is two or more (NO in step  303 ) and the setting of the upper tray  11  is detected (YES in step  304 ) when a copy job is input from the control panel  4  (YES in step  302 ), printing by the copy function is started (step  306 ) while the trays  11  and  12  of the paper ejection unit  10  are held at the current positions (step  305 ). The printed paper sheet P is ejected to the upper tray  11  for copying. 
   If the number of copies is two or more (NO in step  303 ) and the setting of the lower tray  12  is detected (NO in step  204 ) when a copy job is input (YES in step  302 ), the upper tray  11  is set at the position corresponding to the paper ejection port  8  (step  307 ). After this setting, printing by the copy function is started (step  306 ). The printed paper sheet P is ejected to the upper tray  11  for copying. 
   If the number of copies is “one” (YES in step  303 ) when a copy job is input (YES in step  302 ), printing by the copy function is immediately started (step  306 ) while the trays  11  and  12  of the paper ejection unit  10  are held at the current positions (step  305 ). The printed paper sheet P is ejected to the preset upper tray  11  or lower tray  12 . 
   If the setting of the lower tray  12  for the printer is detected (YES in step  309 ) when a print job is input to the main body  1  from the external personal computer  41  or  42  through the communication line  40  (YES in step  308 ), printing by the printer function is started (step  311 ) while the trays  11  and  12  of the paper ejection unit  10  are held at the current positions (step  310 ). Namely, the image data input from the personal computer  41  or  42  is printed on the paper sheet P, and the printed paper sheet P is ejected to the lower tray  12  for the printer. 
   If the setting of the upper tray  11  for copying is detected (YES in step  309 ) when a print job is entered (YES in step  308 ), the lower tray  12  for the printer is set at the position corresponding to the paper ejection port  8  (step  312 ). After this setting, printing by the printer function is started (step  311 ). The printed paper sheet P is ejected to the lower tray  12  for the printer. 
   Printing by the copy function may be executed immediately after the printing by the printer function. In this case, as long as the number of copies is “one”, the printing is immediately started without waiting for movement of the trays  11  and  12 . This is convenient for a busy user. As the trays  11  and  12  are not moved, the power consumption is reduced and noises is prevented. As the number of times the trays  11  and  12  are moved is decreased, the life of the paper ejection unit  10  is increased. 
   Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.