Image forming apparatus
AssigneeMurata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorMasaki Kotani
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An image forming machine (1) that can select a most appropriate recording sheet. The image forming machine (1) may be a facsimile machine having a photocopy function. The facsimile machine has a 100% magnification preferred mode and a one-page-printing preferred mode. In the latter mode, an image may be reduced for printing, or two images may be combined and printed on a single sheet of paper. ROM (30) stores a plurality of print types in a predetermined order for each of these modes (PT1, PT2). The facsimile machine (1) has a plurality of paper cassettes (51, 52, 53) to store recording sheets. A controller (10) selects one of the paper cassettes which best suits for the printing under a predetermined criterion, and causes a printer (50) to print the image on one or more recording sheets supplied from the selected paper cassette.
Claims23
An image forming apparatus for printing one or more images on one or more recording sheets supplied from a particular paper cassette comprising:
- a plurality of paper cassettes for storing recording sheets of different sizes respectively;
- at least one first memory table for memorizing a plurality of print types in a predetermined order from a highest priority to a lowest priority, wherein the plurality of print types are prioritized based on a selected printing mode;
- a second memory table for memorizing a plurality of comparative print types which are to be compared with the plurality of print types respectively;
- and
- a controller for selecting a first paper cassette from the plurality of paper cassettes that stores recording sheets suited to print an image and has a print type of possible highest priority in the respective first memory table, for selecting a second paper cassette from the plurality of paper cassettes that stores recording sheets suited to print the image and has a comparative print type to be compared with the print type of the first paper cassette in the second memory table, and for selecting one of the first and second paper cassettes based on a predetermined criterion of paper waste reduction as an ultimate paper cassette.
A method of printing one or more images on one or more recording sheets supplied from a particular paper cassette comprising the steps of:
- A) providing a plurality of paper cassettes to store recording sheets of different sizes;
- B) providing at least one first memory table to memorize a plurality of print types in a predetermined order from a highest priority to a lowest priority, wherein the plurality of print types are prioritized based on a selected printing mode;
- C) providing a second memory table to memorize a plurality of comparative print types;
- D) selecting a first paper cassette from the plurality of paper cassettes that stores recording sheets suited to print an image and has a print type of possible highest priority in the respective first memory table;
- E) selecting a second paper cassette from the plurality of paper cassettes that stores recording sheets suited to print the image and has a comparative print type to be compared with the print type of the first paper cassette in the second memory table;
- F) selecting one of the first and second paper cassettes based on a predetermined criterion of paper waste reduction as an ultimate paper cassette;
- and
- G) printing the image on one or more recording sheets supplied from the ultimate paper cassette.
An apparatus for printing one or more images on one or more recording sheets supplied from a particular paper cassette comprising:
- a plurality of first means for storing recording sheets of different sizes respectively;
- second means for memorizing a plurality of print types in a predetermined order from a highest priority to a lowest priority, wherein the plurality of print types are prioritized based on a selected orating mode;
- third means for memorizing a plurality of comparative print types;
- and
- fourth means for selecting one first means from the plurality of first means that stores recording sheets suited to print an image and has a print type of possible highest priority in the second means;
- fifth means for selecting another first means from the plurality of first means that stores recording sheets suited to print the image and has a comparative print type to be compared with the print type of the one first means in the third means;
- sixth means for selecting one of the one and another first means based on a predetermined criterion of paper waste reduction as an ultimate first means;
- and
- seventh means for printing the image on one or more recording sheets supplied from the ultimate first means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.