Copying apparatus

Claim 2

A copying apparatus comprising: image forming means; means for inputting a plurality of copy conditions; means for inputting a copy instruction; means for automatically setting the input plurality of copy conditions selectively to a predetermined state if the subsequent copy instruction is not input within a predetermined period of time after operation of the image forming means; and time setting means for setting said predetermined period of time suited for the input copy conditions.

Claim 3

A copying apparatus comprising: image forming means; paper feed means including a first paper feed portion and a second paper feed portion; sheet receiving means; means for inputting a plurality of copy conditions; means for inputting a copy instruction; copy control means for controlling a first copy operation responsive to a copy instruction for printing, by said image forming means, a sheet fed from the first paper feed portion under the input copy conditions, thereby to store said sheet in said second paper portion, and a second copy operation responsive to the subsequent copy instruction after said first copy operation for printing, by said image forming means, a sheet fed from said second paper feed portion under the input copy conditions, thereby to discharge said sheet to said sheet receiving means; and means for automatically setting the input plurality of copy conditions selectively to a predetermined state by setting a first group of copy conditions to a predetermined state if a copy instruction for the second copy operation is not input within a first predetermined period of time after the first copy operation, and a second group of copy conditions to a predetermined state if a copy instruction for the first copy operation is not input within a second predetermined period of time after the second copy operation.

Claim 4

A copying apparatus comprising: image forming means; paper feed means including a first paper feed portion and a second paper feed portion; sheet receiving means; means for inputting a plurality of copy conditions; means for inputting a copy instruction; copy control means for controlling a first copy operation responsive to a copy instruction for printing, by said image forming means, a sheet fed from the first paper feed portion under the input copy conditions, thereby to store said sheet in said second paper portion, and a second copy operation responsive to the subsequent copy instruction after said first copy operation for printing, by said image forming means, a sheet fed from said second paper feed portion under the input copy conditions, thereby to discharge said sheet to said sheet receiving means; and means for automatically setting the input plurality of copy conditions selectively to a predetermined state by setting a first group of copy conditions to a predetermined state if a copy instruction for the second copy operation is not input within a first predetermined period of time after the first copy operation, and a second group of copy conditions to a predetermined state if a copy instruction for the first copy operation is not input within a second predetermined period of time after the second copy operation.

Claim 5

A copying apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said image forming means comprises a first path for guiding a sheet of copy paper to the second paper feed portion with the first face having been printed by the first copy operation, said first face being directed upward, and a second path for guiding the sheet of copy paper with said first face being directed downward.

Claim 6

A copying apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein the same face of a sheet of copy paper is printed on by both the first copy operation and the second copy operation.

Claim 7

A copying apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein different faces of a sheet of copy paper are printed on by the first copy operation and the second copy operation.

Claim 8

A copying apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said first predetermined period of time is longer than said second predetermined period of time.

Claim 9

A copying apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein the number of the first group of copy conditions is smaller than the number of the second group of copy conditions.

Claim 10

A copying apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein, if a copy instruction for the second copy operation is not input within said first predetermined period of time after the first copy operation, said means for setting selectively said copy conditions sets a sheet discharge mode for discharging the sheets of copy paper in the second paper feed portion to said sheet receiving means without performing the second copy operation.

Claim 11

A copying apparatus comprising: image forming means; paper feed means including a first paper feed portion and a second paper feed portion; means for receiving sheets of copy paper; means for inputting a plurality of copy conditions; means for inputting a copy instruction; copy control means for controlling a first copy mode for performing an operation responsive to a copy instruction for printing, by said image forming means, a sheet fed from said first paper feed portion under the input copy conditions, thereby to discharge said sheet to said sheet receiving means, and a second copy mode for performing a first copy operation responsive to a copy instruction for printing, by said image forming means, a sheet fed from said first paper feed portion under the input copy conditions, thereby to store said sheet in said second paper feed portion, and a second copy operation responsive to another copy instruction after said first copy operation for printing, by said image forming means, a sheet fed from said second paper feed portion under the input copy conditions, thereby to discharge said sheet to said sheet receiving means; and means for automatically setting the input plurality of copy conditions selectively to a predetermined state, by setting the plurality of copy conditions selectively to predetermined states if a copy instruction is not input within a first predetermined period of time after the operation of the first copy mode, or within a second predetermined period of time after the first copy operation of the second copy mode, or within a third predetermined period of time after the second copy operation of the second copy mode.

Claim 12

A copying apparatus comprising: image forming means; paper feed means including a first paper feed portion and a second paper feed portion; means for receiving sheets of copy paper; means for inputting a plurality of copy conditions; means for inputting a copy instruction; copy control means for controlling a first copy mode for performing an operation responsive to a copy instruction for printing, by said image forming means, a sheet fed from said first paper feed portion under the input copy conditions, thereby to discharge said sheet to said sheet receiving means, and a second copy mode for performing a first copy operation responsive to a copy instruction for printing, by said image forming means, a sheet fed from said first paper feed portion under the input copy conditions, thereby to store said sheet in said second paper feed portion, and a second copy operation responsive to another copy instruction after said first copy operation for printing, by said image forming means, a sheet fed from said second paper feed portion under the input copy conditions, thereby to discharge said sheet to said sheet receiving means; and means for automatically setting the input plurality of copy conditions selectively to a predetermined state, by setting the plurality of copy conditions selectively to predetermined states if a copy instruction is not input within a first predetermined period of time after the operation of the first copy mode, or within a second predetermined period of time after the first copy operation of the second copy mode, or within a third predetermined period of time after the second copy operation of the second copy mode.

Claim 13

A copy apparatus in accordance with claim 9, wherein said second predetermined period of time is longer than said third predetermined period of time.

Claim 14

A copy apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein said third predetermined period of time is equal to said first predetermined period of time.

Claim 15

A copy apparatus comprising: image forming means; paper feed means for feeding sheets of copy paper to said image forming means; sheet receiving means for receiving the sheets of copy paper printed by said image forming means; sheet transport means for sending the printed sheets selectively to said paper feed means or to said sheet receiving means; manual input means for manually inputting a plurality of copy conditions; means for inputting a copy instruction; copy control means including a first control means and a second control means, said first control means being responsive to a copy instruction for printing, by said image forming means, a sheet of copy paper fed from said paper feed means under the input copy conditions, and sending said sheet to said sheet receiving means, and said second control means being responsive to a copy instruction for printing, by said image forming means, a sheet of copy paper fed from said paper feed means under the input copy conditions, and sending said sheet to said paper feed means; a first timer set at the end of the copy operation by said first control means; a second timer set at the end of the copy operation by said second control means, a set period of time of said second timer being longer than a set period of time of said first timer; and means for automatically setting the input plurality of copy conditions selectively to a predetermined state, by setting a first group of copy conditions to a predetermined state if a copy instruction is not input within the set period of time of said first timer, or a second group of copy conditions to a predetermined state if a copy instruction is not input within the set period of time of said second timer.

Claim 16

A copy apparatus comprising: image forming means; paper feed means for feeding sheets of copy paper to said image forming means; sheet receiving means for receiving the sheets of copy paper printed by said image forming means; sheet transport means for sending the printed sheets selectively to said paper feed means or to said sheet receiving means; manual input means for manually inputting a plurality of copy conditions; means for inputting a copy instruction; copy control means including a first control means and a second control means, said first control means being responsive to a copy instruction for printing, by said image forming means, a sheet of copy paper fed from said paper feed means under the input copy conditions, and sending said sheet to said sheet receiving means, and said second control means being responsive to a copy instruction for printing, by said image forming means, a sheet of copy paper fed from said paper feed means under the input copy conditions, and sending said sheet to said paper feed means; a first timer set at the end of the copy operation by said first control means; a second timer set at the end of the copy operation by said second control means, a set period of time of said second timer being longer than a set period of time of said first timer; and means for automatically setting the input plurality of copy conditions selectively to a predetermined state, by setting a first group of copy conditions to a predetermined state if a copy instruction is not input within the set period of time of said first timer, or a second group of copy conditions to a predetermined state if a copy instruction is not input within the set period of time of said second timer.

Claim 17

A copying apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein said first group of copy conditions include the number of sheets to be printed and a magnification.

Claim 18

A copying apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein said second group of copy conditions include forbidding an operation of said image forming means.

Claim 19

A copying apparatus in accordance with claim 14, wherein said second group of copy conditions further include the number of sheets to be printed and a magnification.

Claim 20

A copying apparatus comprising: image forming means including a photoconductive member; paper feed means for feeding sheet of copy paper to said image forming means; sheet receiving means for receiving sheets of copy paper printed by said image forming means; sheet transport means for sending the printed sheets of copy paper selectively to said paper feed means or to said sheet receiving means; manual input means for manually inputting a plurality of copy conditions; means for inputting a copy instruction; copy control means including a first control means and a second control means, said first control means being responsive to a copy instruction for printing, by said image forming means, a sheet of copy paper fed from said paper feed means under the input copy conditions, and sending said sheet to said sheet receiving means, and said second control means being responsive to a copy instruction for printing, by said image forming means, a sheet of copy paper fed from said paper feed means under the input copy conditions, and sending said sheet to said paper feed means; a first timer set at the end of the copy operations by said first control means; a second timer set at the end of the copy operation by said second control means, a set period of time of said second timer being longer than a set period of time of said first timer; and means for applying aftertreatment to said photoconductive member to cause a surface potential of said photoconductive member to be uniform during operation of said first timer of said second timer.

Claim 21

A copying apparatus comprising: image forming means including a photoconductive member; paper feed means for feeding sheet of copy paper to said image forming means; sheet receiving means for receiving sheets of copy paper printed by said image forming means; sheet transport means for sending the printed sheets of copy paper selectively to said paper feed means or to said sheet receiving means; manual input means for manually inputting a plurality of copy conditions; means for inputting a copy instruction; copy control means including a first control means and a second control means, said first control means being responsive to a copy instruction for printing, by said image forming means, a sheet of copy paper fed from said paper feed means under the input copy conditions, and sending said sheet to said sheet receiving means, and said second control means being responsive to a copy instruction for printing, by said image forming means, a sheet of copy paper fed from said paper feed means under the input copy conditions, and sending said sheet to said paper feed means; a first timer set at the end of the copy operations by said first control means; a second timer set at the end of the copy operation by said second control means, a set period of time of said second timer being longer than a set period of time of said first timer; and means for applying aftertreatment to said photoconductive member to cause a surface potential of said photoconductive member to be uniform during operation of said first timer of said second timer.

Claim 22

A copying apparatus comprising: image forming means including a photoconductive member; means for inputting a plurality of copy conditions; means for applying aftertreatment to said photoconductive member to cause a surface potential of said photoconductive member to be uniform within a predetermined period of time after operation of said image forming means; and a variable time setting means for setting said predetermined period of time out of a plurality of possible times, the set time being suited for the specific input copy conditions.

Claim 23

A copying apparatus comprising: image forming means including a photoconductive member; means for inputting a plurality of copy conditions; means for applying aftertreatment to said photoconductive member to cause a surface potential of said photoconductive member to be uniform within a predetermined period of time after operation of said image forming means; and a variable time setting means for setting said predetermined period of time out of a plurality of possible times, the set time being suited for the specific input copy conditions.

Claim 24

A copy apparatus comprising: image forming means including a photoconductive member; paper feed means including a first paper feed portion and a second paper feed portion; means for receiving a sheet of copy paper; means for inputting a plurality of copy conditions; means for inputting a copy instruction; copy control means for controlling a first copy mode for performing an operation responsive to a copy instruction for printing, by said image forming means, a sheet of copy paper fed from said first paper feed portion under the input copy conditions, thereby to discharge said sheet to said sheet receiving means, and a second copy mode for performing a first copy operation responsive to a copy instruction for printing, by said image forming means, a sheet fed from said first paper feed portion, thereby to store said sheet in said second paper feed portion, and a second copy operation responsive to another copy instruction after said first copy operation for printing, by said image forming means, a sheet fed from said second paper feed portion under the input copy conditions, thereby to discharge said sheet to said sheet receiving means; means for applying aftertreatment to said photoconductive member to cause a surface potential of said photoconductive member to be uniform within a predetermined period of time after operation of said image forming means; and a variable time setting means for setting said predetermined period of time out of a plurality of possible times, the set time being suited for the specific input copy conditions.

Claim 25

A copy apparatus comprising: image forming means including a photoconductive member; paper feed means including a first paper feed portion and a second paper feed portion; means for receiving a sheet of copy paper; means for inputting a plurality of copy conditions; means for inputting a copy instruction; copy control means for controlling a first copy mode for performing an operation responsive to a copy instruction for printing, by said image forming means, a sheet of copy paper fed from said first paper feed portion under the input copy conditions, thereby to discharge said sheet to said sheet receiving means, and a second copy mode for performing a first copy operation responsive to a copy instruction for printing, by said image forming means, a sheet fed from said first paper feed portion, thereby to store said sheet in said second paper feed portion, and a second copy operation responsive to another copy instruction after said first copy operation for printing, by said image forming means, a sheet fed from said second paper feed portion under the input copy conditions, thereby to discharge said sheet to said sheet receiving means; means for applying aftertreatment to said photoconductive member to cause a surface potential of said photoconductive member to be uniform within a predetermined period of time after operation of said image forming means; and a variable time setting means for setting said predetermined period of time out of a plurality of possible times, the set time being suited for the specific input copy conditions.

Claim 26

A copying apparatus having the capability of producing single or double-sided copies, comprising: means for receiving an image; means for forming an image indicative of the image received by the receiving means; means for inputting a plurality of copy conditions to the copying apparatus; means for inputting copy instructions, said copy instructions functioning together with the copy conditions to control the copying operation of the copying apparatus; means for automatically setting the input plurality of copy conditions selectively to a predetermined state if the subsequent copy instruction is not input within a predetermined period of time after operation of the image forming means; a variable time setting means for setting said predetermined period of time out of a plurality of possible times, the set time being suited for the specific input copy conditions; and plurality of paper feeding means, said plurality including means for feeding paper of a first size, means for feeding paper of a second size, and means for feeding paper of either the first or second size which has already had an image formed on one side from the image forming means.

Claim 27

A copying apparatus having the capability of producing single or double-sided copies, comprising: means for receiving an image; means for forming an image indicative of the image received by the receiving means; means for inputting a plurality of copy conditions to the copying apparatus; means for inputting copy instructions, said copy instructions functioning together with the copy conditions to control the copying operation of the copying apparatus; means for automatically setting the input plurality of copy conditions selectively to a predetermined state if the subsequent copy instruction is not input within a predetermined period of time after operation of the image forming means; a variable time setting means for setting said predetermined period of time out of a plurality of possible times, the set time being suited for the specific input copy conditions; and plurality of paper feeding means, said plurality including means for feeding paper of a first size, means for feeding paper of a second size, and means for feeding paper of either the first or second size which has already had an image formed on one side from the image forming means.

Claim 28

The copying apparatus of claim 19, further comprising: means for forming an image on one side of paper having either the first or second size during a first copy operation and then forming an image on the other side of said piece of paper during a second copy operation; means for receiving sheets of paper on which an image has been formed by the image forming means; and means for discharging sheets of paper to the receiving means if a copy instruction for the second copy operation is not input within a first predetermined period of time after the first copy operation, said means for inputting said copy conditions set a sheet discharge mode for discharging the sheets of copy paper in the feeding paper of either a first or second size means to said sheet receiving means without performing the second copy operation.