An information processing method performs steps for an information processing apparatus to communicate with an image forming apparatus having first and second sheet output sections. The second sheet output section can be switched between a close position to serve to guide a sheet to the first sheet output section, and an open position not to guide the sheet to the first sheet output section but to stack the sheet. The method inputs a type of sheet, acquires information indicating whether the second sheet output section is in an open or closed state, and transmits image information to the image forming apparatus. When the sheet type recommends the sheet be output to the second sheet output section and the second sheet output section is in the closed state, a message is output to prompt to switch the second sheet output section into the open position before the image information is transmitted.

An information processing method performs steps for an information processing apparatus to communicate with an image forming apparatus having first and second sheet output sections. The second sheet output section can be switched between a close position to serve to guide a sheet to the first sheet output section, and an open position not to guide the sheet to the first sheet output section but to stack the sheet. The method inputs a type of sheet, acquires information indicating whether the second sheet output section is in an open or closed state, and transmits image information to the image forming apparatus. When the sheet type recommends the sheet be output to the second sheet output section and the second sheet output section is in the closed state, a message is output to prompt to switch the second sheet output section into the open position before the image information is transmitted.

A recording material processing apparatus includes a processing tray, a detecting unit, a stapling unit, an instructing unit, a control unit, a switching unit, and a notifying unit. The detecting unit detects recording material placed in the processing tray. The stapling unit executes a stapling process for the recording material placed in the processing tray. The instructing unit outputs a stapling process execution instruction. Upon receipt of the execution instruction in a state in which the detecting unit has detected a recording material inserted in the processing tray from an outside of a main body of a main body apparatus, the control unit cause the stapling process to be executed. The switching unit switches a position of the stapling unit among a plurality of positions. The notifying unit provides notification of a placement position of the recording material in the processing tray corresponding to each of the plurality of positions.

A recording material processing apparatus includes a processing tray, a detecting unit, a stapling unit, an instructing unit, a control unit, a switching unit, and a notifying unit. The detecting unit detects recording material placed in the processing tray. The stapling unit executes a stapling process for the recording material placed in the processing tray. The instructing unit outputs a stapling process execution instruction. Upon receipt of the execution instruction in a state in which the detecting unit has detected a recording material inserted in the processing tray from an outside of a main body of a main body apparatus, the control unit cause the stapling process to be executed. The switching unit switches a position of the stapling unit among a plurality of positions. The notifying unit provides notification of a placement position of the recording material in the processing tray corresponding to each of the plurality of positions.

A medium conveyance route switching device includes a support unit, a gate assembly, and a rotation mechanism. The support unit is located at a branching point of a first conveyance path, a second conveyance path and a third conveyance path where conveyance directions of a medium converge in three directions. The gate assembly includes a first to a third gate positioned on one ends of the first to the third conveyance path to guide at the branching point the medium to other conveyance paths than a conveyance path from which the medium is conveyed. The rotation mechanism includes a first actuator rotating the first gate to switch the medium conveyed from the first conveyance path to the second conveyance path or the third conveyance path, and a second actuator, when the first gate is rotated, rotating the second gate and the third gate in associated with the second gate.

A medium conveyance route switching device includes a support unit, a gate assembly, and a rotation mechanism. The support unit is located at a branching point of a first conveyance path, a second conveyance path and a third conveyance path where conveyance directions of a medium converge in three directions. The gate assembly includes a first to a third gate positioned on one ends of the first to the third conveyance path to guide at the branching point the medium to other conveyance paths than a conveyance path from which the medium is conveyed. The rotation mechanism includes a first actuator rotating the first gate to switch the medium conveyed from the first conveyance path to the second conveyance path or the third conveyance path, and a second actuator, when the first gate is rotated, rotating the second gate and the third gate in associated with the second gate.

A recording material processing apparatus includes a processing tray, a detecting unit, a stapling unit, an instructing unit, a control unit, a switching unit, and a notifying unit. The detecting unit detects recording material placed in the processing tray. The stapling unit executes a stapling process for the recording material placed in the processing tray. The instructing unit outputs a stapling process execution instruction. Upon receipt of the execution instruction in a state in which the detecting unit has detected a recording material inserted in the processing tray from an outside of a main body of a main body apparatus, the control unit cause the stapling process to be executed. The switching unit switches a position of the stapling unit among a plurality of positions. The notifying unit provides notification of a placement position of the recording material in the processing tray corresponding to each of the plurality of positions.

A recording material processing apparatus includes a processing tray, a detecting unit, a stapling unit, an instructing unit, a control unit, a switching unit, and a notifying unit. The detecting unit detects recording material placed in the processing tray. The stapling unit executes a stapling process for the recording material placed in the processing tray. The instructing unit outputs a stapling process execution instruction. Upon receipt of the execution instruction in a state in which the detecting unit has detected a recording material inserted in the processing tray from an outside of a main body of a main body apparatus, the control unit cause the stapling process to be executed. The switching unit switches a position of the stapling unit among a plurality of positions. The notifying unit provides notification of a placement position of the recording material in the processing tray corresponding to each of the plurality of positions.

A sheet sorting device includes three or more trays including a predetermined tray detachable from an apparatus main body and a tray different from the predetermined tray, a discharge unit to discharge a sheet to any one of the three or more trays, a control unit, and a tray detection unit to detect that the predetermined tray is detached from the apparatus main body. The control unit sets a sheet discharge destination such that a sheet conforming to a preset condition is discharged to the predetermined tray through the discharge unit. Where the tray detection unit detects that the predetermined tray is detached from the apparatus main body, the control unit sets a sheet discharge destination that has been set to the predetermined tray to the tray different from the predetermined tray based on a state of each of the trays other than the detached predetermined tray.

A sheet sorting device includes three or more trays including a predetermined tray detachable from an apparatus main body and a tray different from the predetermined tray, a discharge unit to discharge a sheet to any one of the three or more trays, a control unit, and a tray detection unit to detect that the predetermined tray is detached from the apparatus main body. The control unit sets a sheet discharge destination such that a sheet conforming to a preset condition is discharged to the predetermined tray through the discharge unit. Where the tray detection unit detects that the predetermined tray is detached from the apparatus main body, the control unit sets a sheet discharge destination that has been set to the predetermined tray to the tray different from the predetermined tray based on a state of each of the trays other than the detached predetermined tray.