Image forming apparatus and method of controlling same

A method of controlling an image forming apparatus for forming a plurality of images successively on recording mediums, the apparatus comprising intermediate transfer means capable of retaining an image corresponding to an image to be formed, transfer means for transferring the retained image on the intermediate transfer means onto a recording medium, and reversing means for reversing the recording medium so that an image is to be formed on the rear side of the recording medium having the image transferred onto the front side thereof, wherein said method comprises:

• a control step for controlling a sequence of forming the plurality of images depending on image forming conditions when the plurality of images are formed successively on both sides of the recording mediums under cooperation with the reversing means,
• wherein the sequence of forming the plurality of images comprises a first sequence when an image forming condition indicates that the recording mediums have such size and orientation so that images for more than one recording medium can be formed on the intermediate transfer means at a time, and the sequence of forming the plurality of images comprises a second sequence when the image forming condition does not indicate that the recording mediums have such size and orientation so that images for more than one recording medium can be formed on the intermediate transfer means at a time.

A storage medium storing control programs for forming a plurality of images successively on recording mediums by an image forming apparatus comprising intermediate transfer means capable of retaining an image corresponding to an image to be formed, transfer means for transferring the retained image on the intermediate transfer means onto a recording medium, and reversing means for reversing the recording medium so that an image is to be formed on the rear side of the recording medium having the image transferred onto the front side thereof,

• wherein said storage medium stores program codes for a control step for controlling a sequence of forming the plurality of images depending on image forming conditions when the plurality of images are formed successively on both sides of the recording mediums under cooperation with the reversing means, and wherein the sequence of forming the plurality of images comprises a first sequence when an image forming condition indicates that the recording mediums have such size and orientation so that images for more than one recording medium can be formed on the intermediate transfer means at a time, and the sequence of forming the plurality of images comprises a second sequence when the image forming condition does not indicate that the recording mediums have such size and orientation so that images for more than one recording medium can be formed on the intermediate transfer means at a time.