Image forming apparatus

#This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-310186, filed on Oct. 25, 2005, the entire subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.

#Aspects of the invention relate to an image forming apparatus which forms an image on a recording sheet.

#In a related image forming apparatus, a recording sheet on which a desired image has been formed is discharged on a discharge tray provided on the left side or the right side outside an apparatus body. In case of this sheet discharge manner, it is necessary to secure, in addition to arrangement space for the apparatus body, arrangement space for the discharge tray. Therefore, recently, there is proposed an image forming apparatus of an inner discharge type, which discharges a recording sheet on which an image has been formed onto an inner discharge part provided in the apparatus body. In the inner discharge type image forming apparatus, since the upper portion of the inner discharge part is covered, a user cannot recognize visually a small-sized recording sheet unless a user does not look in the inner discharge part.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multifunction device according to a first aspect of the invention;

#FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the multifunction-device;

#FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the multifunction device in a state where a document cover is opened;

#According to an aspect of the invention, an image forming apparatus comprises: an inner discharge part which discharges a recording sheet on which an image has been formed; a size determining unit which determines whether or not a size of the recording sheet to be discharged in the inner discharge part is smaller than a predetermined size; and a notification unit which indicates that the size of the recording sheet is smaller than the predetermined size based on a determination by the size determining unit.

#According to another aspect of the invention, the image forming apparatus is capable of receiving facsimile data and recording the facsimile data on the recording sheet, wherein the notification unit indicates only if the facsimile data is recorded on the recording sheet.

#According to still another aspect of the invention, the image forming apparatus further comprises: a recording sheet detecting unit which detects whether or not the discharged recording sheet exists in the inner discharge part; and a notification stop unit which stops the indication by the notification unit if the recording sheet detecting unit has determined that the recording sheet does not exist in the inner discharge part.