A method for evaluating stacking or sorting integrity at an output device of a high-speed apparatus that processes media includes: acquiring an audio data substantially in real-time from the output device of the high-speed apparatus while the high-speed apparatus is in operation, by use of an audio sensor located at the output device; transforming by a processor, the audio data to into a stacking or sorting integrity value; and if the stacking or sorting integrity value exceeds a predetermined threshold, stopping by the processor a document transport of the high-speed apparatus. An apparatus for evaluating stacking or sorting integrity at an output device, and a system for evaluating stacking or sorting integrity at an output device of a high-speed apparatus are also described.

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section, a discharging roller pair, a plurality of trays, a guide member, and a controller. The image forming section forms an image on each of a plurality of sheets. The discharging roller pair discharges each of the sheets. The sheets discharged by the discharging roller pair are to be stacked on the trays (first through third trays). The guide member guides each of the sheets from the discharging roller pair toward a discharge destination tray among the plurality of trays. Every time the discharging roller pair discharges one of the sheets, the controller controls the guide member to change the discharge destination tray. The trays are configured such that leading ends of the sheets are superposed on one another.

Provided is an image forming apparatus and a sorting method allowing paper sheets to be sorted by size or thickness from a bundle of documents that have been already printed with no need for adding a sensor, or the like, or during the time for printing preparation, or the like. The image forming apparatus includes a first detecting part, a paper discharging part and a control part. The first detecting part detects the pass of an edge part of the document. The control part determines the length of a document along the direction of conveyance from the time required from the moment when the document reaches the first detecting part to the moment when it pass the first detecting part, determining the sorting destination.

Provided is an image forming apparatus and a sorting method allowing paper sheets to be sorted by size or thickness from a bundle of documents that have been already printed with no need for adding a sensor, or the like, or during the time for printing preparation, or the like. The image forming apparatus includes a first detecting part, a paper discharging part and a control part. The first detecting part detects the pass of an edge part of the document. The control part determines the length of a document along the direction of conveyance from the time required from the moment when the document reaches the first detecting part to the moment when it pass the first detecting part, determining the sorting destination.

A recording medium ejecting device includes ejecting trays, a guiding member and a switching mechanism. The guiding member is switchable between a first posture to permit ejection of a recording medium on one ejecting tray and a second posture to restrict the ejection of the recording medium on the one ejecting tray. The switching mechanism switches the guiding member between the first posture and the second posture. The switching mechanism includes pulleys, a driving belt and a pressing member. The driving belt is wound around the pulleys. The pressing member presses the guiding member. The driving belt includes a contactable area configured to be contactable with each of the pulleys and a contact restricted area whose contact with each of the pulleys is restricted. The pressing member catches the contact restricted area from both an outer face side and an inner face side.

A recording medium ejecting device includes ejecting trays, a guiding member and a switching mechanism. The guiding member is switchable between a first posture to permit ejection of a recording medium on one ejecting tray and a second posture to restrict the ejection of the recording medium on the one ejecting tray. The switching mechanism switches the guiding member between the first posture and the second posture. The switching mechanism includes pulleys, a driving belt and a pressing member. The driving belt is wound around the pulleys. The pressing member presses the guiding member. The driving belt includes a contactable area configured to be contactable with each of the pulleys and a contact restricted area whose contact with each of the pulleys is restricted. The pressing member catches the contact restricted area from both an outer face side and an inner face side.

A controller of a printing apparatus is configured to determine whether there is a stack-full tray, restrict discharging of the printing sheet to the stack-full tray and reduce the number of copies made in the sort printing process, store the page number of the page currently printed in association with a stack-full tray, obtain image data corresponding to the page associated with the stack-full tray onwards when it is determined that the full stack status of the stack-full trays is released, and the obtained print images with making the tray of which status is changed from the full status to the non-full status.

A controller of a printing apparatus is configured to determine whether there is a stack-full tray, restrict discharging of the printing sheet to the stack-full tray and reduce the number of copies made in the sort printing process, store the page number of the page currently printed in association with a stack-full tray, obtain image data corresponding to the page associated with the stack-full tray onwards when it is determined that the full stack status of the stack-full trays is released, and the obtained print images with making the tray of which status is changed from the full status to the non-full status.

A sheet sorting apparatus includes a second tray arranged below a first tray detachable from a main body having a first discharge port corresponding to the first tray and a second discharge port corresponding to the second tray, a discharge unit, a tray detecting unit, and a control unit. The discharge unit discharges a sheet toward the first or second discharge port. In a state that the first tray is detached from the main body and the discharge unit discharges sheets from the first discharge port to the second tray and then the first tray is detected as attached to the main body, the control unit selects a discharge destination of a second sheet, subsequent to a first sheet discharged and stacked first after the first tray is attached to the main body, such that the second sheet is stacked on a tray having the first sheet thereon.

A sheet sorting apparatus includes a second tray arranged below a first tray detachable from a main body having a first discharge port corresponding to the first tray and a second discharge port corresponding to the second tray, a discharge unit, a tray detecting unit, and a control unit. The discharge unit discharges a sheet toward the first or second discharge port. In a state that the first tray is detached from the main body and the discharge unit discharges sheets from the first discharge port to the second tray and then the first tray is detected as attached to the main body, the control unit selects a discharge destination of a second sheet, subsequent to a first sheet discharged and stacked first after the first tray is attached to the main body, such that the second sheet is stacked on a tray having the first sheet thereon.