Image forming apparatus
US6788426B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 17, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 7, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 11, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H2557/352
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Record sheets on which an image is formed on the basis of image data supplied from a terminal apparatus, are efficiently discharged to a bin. A post-process section of a digital copier which is used in conjunction with at least first to third computers includes first to third bins, fourth and fifth bins, and a sixth bin, respectively, which are designated for the first, second, and third computers. To each of the bins, a priority of discharging to the bin a record sheet which is to be discharged to another bin is assigned. The section is configured so that, for each of the bins, the number of record sheets housed in the bin can be detected. For example, a record sheet on which an image due to the third computer is drawn is usually housed in the sixth bin. If the sixth bin is full, the record sheet is discharged to one of bins which are not the sixth bin and which are not the first and fourth bins respectively dedicated to the first and second computers, i.e., one of the second, third, and fifth bins.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.