Method and apparatus for convenience copy collation during a current

Abstract

Embodiments of a electrophotographic printer with modular scanner/copier attached are shown and described, each embodiment having a paper exit system for collating convenience copies separate from the printed pages from a host device's job, for example, a computer word-processing job. The exit system includes a first paper path and a second paper path joining at a junction, with a rotating member that operates in the junction to direct the paper to the first path or to the second path, either by contacting and turning the paper or by allowing the paper to proceed unobstructed. Preferably, one of the paths is a generally horizontal path, for allowing printed/copied papers to stack horizontally on a table surface or tray. Preferably, one of the paths is a generally vertical path, for allowing the papers to accumulate in a generally vertical storage slot. The rotating member is controlled by an interrupt/queuing logic system and a mechanical switch that automatically rotates the rotating member when an interrupting convenience copy is started, so that the convenience copies will travel to the opposite path and housing port from those being used for the current, host's job. Once the interrupting job is done, the logic system automatically switches the rotating member back to its original position. A manual handle may also be used as an override, to move the rotating member to a preferred position, so that the corresponding path and port may be used until an interrupting job is started. The paper exit system is preferably used with a modular scanner that snaps or slides onto the outside of the printer between, and not covering, the printer's two output ports.