The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 07, 2004
Filed:
Oct. 17, 1997
Takashi Yamanaka, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Toyoaki Nanba, Higashiosaka, JP;
Tomomi Tanaka, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Masao Matsui, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
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.