Method and apparatus for output sheet handling capable of effectively switching ejection trays

An output sheet handling apparatus having a large capacity ejection mode, comprising:

• a plurality of outlet means each for ejecting a recording sheet having an image thereon, said plurality of outlet means including at least one straight outlet means for ejecting a recording sheet;
• a plurality of receiving means for receiving plural recording sheets ejected from said plurality of outlet means and including at least one receiving means for receiving said recording sheet from at least two outlet means among said plurality of outlet means;
• tray switching means for switching one of said plurality of receiving means in operation to another;
• outlet switching means for switching one of said plurality of outlet means in operation to another;
• and
• controlling means for controlling said tray switching means and said outlet switching means to minimize a total distance traveled by said one of said plurality of receiving means in operation and said another during switching in accordance with a finishing mode selected when said large capacity ejection mode is selected.

A method for handling output sheet by using an output sheet handling apparatus having a large capacity ejection mode, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a straight outlet for ejecting a recording sheet;
• providing a finisher outlet for ejecting one of a recording sheet and a stack of recording sheets which are processed in a complex finishing mode, said finisher outlet arranged under said straight outlet;
• providing a first ejection tray which is movable to said straight outlet and said finisher outlet to receive said recording sheet from one of said straight outlet and said finisher outlet;
• providing a second ejection tray under said first ejection tray, said second ejection tray having a greater loading capacity than said first ejection tray and being movable to said finisher outlet to receive said recording sheet from said finisher outlet, a standby position where said second ejection tray stays at idle while said first ejection tray is in operation at said finisher outlet, and a bottom position where said second ejection tray loaded to a full capacity stays, said bottom position being under said standby position;
• providing a plurality of ejection trays;
• and
• minimizing a total distance traveled by one of said first and second ejection trays in operation and one of the plurality of ejection trays during an ejection tray switching operation in accordance with a finishing mode selected when said large capacity ejection mode is selected.