US5075786A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Printer apparatus with sheet supply selecting means
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1990-05-17
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Granted: 1991-12-24
•
Expires: 2010-05-17
Abstract
Abstract An image forming apparatus including a mechanism for forming a visual image on a sheet of paper and a plurality of sheets supply mechanisms each including a sheet storage cassette detachably incorporated therein. A detector for detecting the attaching operation of the sheet storage cassettes in each of the sheets supply mechanisms is also provided. An automatic selecting circuit, which is responsive to the detector, automatically selects the sheets supply mechanisms for which the attaching operation has been detected by the detector. A signal is generated to disable the automatic selecting circuit. The disabling signal enables operation without a cassette attached to the sheets supply mechanism irrespective of the sheet size selected.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshikazu Ikenoue
- 👤 Yukio Tadauchi
- 👤 Takashi Morikawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:03
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/65; G03G15/6502; G03G15/6508; G03G15/50; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/00362; G03G2215/00367; G03G2215/00379; G03G2215/00383; G03G2215/00535; G03G2215/00603; G03G2215/00611; G03G2215/00628; G03G2215/00717; G03G2215/00725; G03G2215/00784
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A printer apparatus comprising a) image forming means for forming a visible image on a print sheet, b) plurality of sheet supply means each comprising a sheet storage cassette detachably incorporated therein, c) data supply means for supplying data including image data relating to the image to be formed by said image forming means and control data designating one of said sheet supply means, d) detecting means for detecting whether the sheet storage cassette is present in each of said sheet supply means, e) first selecting means responsive to information from said detecting means for selecting one of the sheet supply means, the presence of which has been detected by said detecting means, f) second selecting means responsive to said control data for selecting the sheet supply means designated by the control data, and g) control means for prohibiting operation of said first selecting means after any of said sheet supply means has been selected by said second selecting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A printer apparatus comprising a) image forming means for forming a visible image on a print sheet, b) plurality of sheet supply means each comprising a sheet storage cassette detachably incorporated therein, c) data supply means for supplying data including image data relating to the image to be formed by said image forming means and control data designating one of said sheet supply means, d) detecting means for detecting whether the sheet storage cassette is present in each of said sheet supply means, e) first selecting means responsive to information from said detecting means for selecting one of the sheet supply means, the presence of which has been detected by said detecting means, f) second selecting means responsive to said control data for selecting the sheet supply means designated by the control data, and g) control means for prohibiting operation of said first selecting means after any of said sheet supply means has been selected by said second selecting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
171 words
A printer apparatus comprising a) a printer module comprising image forming means for forming a visible image on a print sheet, a plurality of sheet supply means each for supplying a print sheet to said image forming means, signal generating means for generating a designation signal designating one of said sheet supply means, and first selecting means responsive to said designation signal for selecting one of said sheet supply means designated by said designation signal, b) data supply means provided independently of said printer module and operative to supply to said printer module data including image data relating to the image to be formed by said image forming means and control data designating one of said sheet supply means, said printer module further comprising c) second selecting means responsive to said control data for selecting the sheet supply means designated by the control data, and d) control means for prohibiting operation of said first selecting means after any of said sheet supply means has been selected by said second selecting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
171 words
A printer apparatus comprising a) a printer module comprising image forming means for forming a visible image on a print sheet, a plurality of sheet supply means each for supplying a print sheet to said image forming means, signal generating means for generating a designation signal designating one of said sheet supply means, and first selecting means responsive to said designation signal for selecting one of said sheet supply means designated by said designation signal, b) data supply means provided independently of said printer module and operative to supply to said printer module data including image data relating to the image to be formed by said image forming means and control data designating one of said sheet supply means, said printer module further comprising c) second selecting means responsive to said control data for selecting the sheet supply means designated by the control data, and d) control means for prohibiting operation of said first selecting means after any of said sheet supply means has been selected by said second selecting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
165 words
A printer apparatus comprising a) a printer module comprising image forming means operative to form a visible image on a print sheet, a plurality of sheet supply means each for supplying a print sheet to said image forming means, signal generating means for generating a designation signal designating one of said sheet supply means, and first selecting means responsive to said designation signal for selecting one of said sheet supply means designated by said designation signal, b) data supply means provided independently of said printer module and operative to supply to said printer module data including image data relating to the image to be formed by said image forming means and control data designating one of said sheet supply means, said printer module further comprising c) second selecting means responsive to said control data for selecting the sheet supply means designated by the control data, and d) control means for prohibiting operation of said first selecting means when said image forming means is in operation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
165 words
A printer apparatus comprising a) a printer module comprising image forming means operative to form a visible image on a print sheet, a plurality of sheet supply means each for supplying a print sheet to said image forming means, signal generating means for generating a designation signal designating one of said sheet supply means, and first selecting means responsive to said designation signal for selecting one of said sheet supply means designated by said designation signal, b) data supply means provided independently of said printer module and operative to supply to said printer module data including image data relating to the image to be formed by said image forming means and control data designating one of said sheet supply means, said printer module further comprising c) second selecting means responsive to said control data for selecting the sheet supply means designated by the control data, and d) control means for prohibiting operation of said first selecting means when said image forming means is in operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
161 words
A printer apparatus comprising a) image forming means for forming a visible image on print sheet, b) a plurality of sheet supply means each comprising a sheet storage cassette detachably incorporated therein, c) detecting means for detecting whether the sheet storage cassette is present in each of said sheet supply means, d) first selecting means responsive to information from said detecting means for selecting one of the sheet supply means, the presence of which has been detected by said detecting means, e) data supply means for supplying data including image data relating to the image to be formed by said image forming means, first control data designated one of said sheet supply means, and second control data effective to disabling said first selecting means, f) second selecting means responsive to said first control data for selecting the sheet supply means designated by the control data, and g) control means responsive to said second control data for disabling said first selecting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
161 words
A printer apparatus comprising a) image forming means for forming a visible image on print sheet, b) a plurality of sheet supply means each comprising a sheet storage cassette detachably incorporated therein, c) detecting means for detecting whether the sheet storage cassette is present in each of said sheet supply means, d) first selecting means responsive to information from said detecting means for selecting one of the sheet supply means, the presence of which has been detected by said detecting means, e) data supply means for supplying data including image data relating to the image to be formed by said image forming means, first control data designated one of said sheet supply means, and second control data effective to disabling said first selecting means, f) second selecting means responsive to said first control data for selecting the sheet supply means designated by the control data, and g) control means responsive to said second control data for disabling said first selecting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
172 words
A printer apparatus comprising a) a printer module comprising image forming means for forming a visible image on a print sheet, a plurality of sheet supply means each for supplying a print sheet to said image forming means, signal generating means for generating a designation signal designating one of said sheet supply means, and first selecting means responsive to said designation signal for selecting one of said sheet supply means designated by said designation signal, b) data supply means provided independently of said printer module and operative to supply to said printer module data including image data relating to the image to be formed by said image forming means, first control data designating one of said sheet supply means, and second control data effective to disabling said first selecting means, said printer module further comprising c) second selecting means responsive to said first control data for selecting the sheet supply means designated by the control data, and d) control means responsive to said second control data for disabling said first selecting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
172 words
A printer apparatus comprising a) a printer module comprising image forming means for forming a visible image on a print sheet, a plurality of sheet supply means each for supplying a print sheet to said image forming means, signal generating means for generating a designation signal designating one of said sheet supply means, and first selecting means responsive to said designation signal for selecting one of said sheet supply means designated by said designation signal, b) data supply means provided independently of said printer module and operative to supply to said printer module data including image data relating to the image to be formed by said image forming means, first control data designating one of said sheet supply means, and second control data effective to disabling said first selecting means, said printer module further comprising c) second selecting means responsive to said first control data for selecting the sheet supply means designated by the control data, and d) control means responsive to said second control data for disabling said first selecting means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
139 words
A printer apparatus comprising a) a printer module comprising image forming means for forming a visible image on a print sheet, a plurality of sheet supply means each for supplying a print sheet to said image forming means, and first selecting means for selecting one of said sheet supply means, b) data supply means provided independently of said printer module and operative to supply to said printer module data including image data relating to the image to be formed by said image forming means and control data designating one of said sheet supply means, said printer module further comprising c) second selecting means responsive to said control data for selecting the sheet supply means designated by the control data, and d) control means for prohibiting operation of said first selecting means when said image forming means is in operation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
139 words
A printer apparatus comprising a) a printer module comprising image forming means for forming a visible image on a print sheet, a plurality of sheet supply means each for supplying a print sheet to said image forming means, and first selecting means for selecting one of said sheet supply means, b) data supply means provided independently of said printer module and operative to supply to said printer module data including image data relating to the image to be formed by said image forming means and control data designating one of said sheet supply means, said printer module further comprising c) second selecting means responsive to said control data for selecting the sheet supply means designated by the control data, and d) control means for prohibiting operation of said first selecting means when said image forming means is in operation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
143 words
An image forming apparatus comprising a) means for forming a visible image on a print sheet, b) a plurality of sheet supply means each comprising a sheet storage cassette detachably incorporated therein, c) detecting means for detecting the attaching operation of the sheet storage cassette in each of said sheet supply means, d) first selecting means responsive to said detecting means for automatically selecting the sheet supply means the attaching operation of which has been detected by said detecting means, e) signal generating means for generating a designation signal which designates one of said sheet supply means, f) second selecting means responsive to said designation signal for selecting the sheet supply means designated by the signal, and g) control means for prohibiting operation of said first selecting means after any of said sheet supply means has been selected by said second selecting means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
143 words
An image forming apparatus comprising a) means for forming a visible image on a print sheet, b) a plurality of sheet supply means each comprising a sheet storage cassette detachably incorporated therein, c) detecting means for detecting the attaching operation of the sheet storage cassette in each of said sheet supply means, d) first selecting means responsive to said detecting means for automatically selecting the sheet supply means the attaching operation of which has been detected by said detecting means, e) signal generating means for generating a designation signal which designates one of said sheet supply means, f) second selecting means responsive to said designation signal for selecting the sheet supply means designated by the signal, and g) control means for prohibiting operation of said first selecting means after any of said sheet supply means has been selected by said second selecting means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
167 words
A printer apparatus including a plurality of sheet feeding means each comprising a sheet storage cassette detachably incorporated therein, first selecting means for selecting one of said sheet feeding means and image forming means for forming a visible image on a copy sheet fed from the selected one of said sheet feeding means, said image forming means forming the visible image based on an electrical image data supplied from data supply means, said selecting means selecting one of said sheet feeding means in response to a selection data supplied from the data supply means, said printer apparatus comprising a) detecting means for detecting the attaching operation of the sheet storage cassette in each of said supply means, b) second selecting means responsive to said detecting means for selecting the sheet supply means the attaching operation of which has been detected by said detecting means, and c) control means responsive to a special signal supplied from said data supply means for prohibiting operation of said second selecting means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
167 words
A printer apparatus including a plurality of sheet feeding means each comprising a sheet storage cassette detachably incorporated therein, first selecting means for selecting one of said sheet feeding means and image forming means for forming a visible image on a copy sheet fed from the selected one of said sheet feeding means, said image forming means forming the visible image based on an electrical image data supplied from data supply means, said selecting means selecting one of said sheet feeding means in response to a selection data supplied from the data supply means, said printer apparatus comprising a) detecting means for detecting the attaching operation of the sheet storage cassette in each of said supply means, b) second selecting means responsive to said detecting means for selecting the sheet supply means the attaching operation of which has been detected by said detecting means, and c) control means responsive to a special signal supplied from said data supply means for prohibiting operation of said second selecting means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
171 words
A printer apparatus including a plurality of sheet feeding means each comprising a sheet storage cassette detachably incorporated therein, first selecting means for selecting one of said sheet feeding means and image forming means for forming a visible image on a copy sheet fed from the selected one of said sheet feeding means, said image forming means forming the visible image based on an electrical image data supplied from data supply means, said selecting means selecting one of said sheet feeding means in response to a selection data supplied from the data supply means, said printer apparatus comprising a) detecting means for detecting the attaching operation of the sheet storage cassette in each of said supply means, b) second selecting means responsive to said detecting means for selecting the sheet supply means the attaching operation of which has been detected by said detecting means, and c) control means for prohibiting operation of said second selecting means after any of said sheet supply means has been selected by said first selecting means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
171 words
A printer apparatus including a plurality of sheet feeding means each comprising a sheet storage cassette detachably incorporated therein, first selecting means for selecting one of said sheet feeding means and image forming means for forming a visible image on a copy sheet fed from the selected one of said sheet feeding means, said image forming means forming the visible image based on an electrical image data supplied from data supply means, said selecting means selecting one of said sheet feeding means in response to a selection data supplied from the data supply means, said printer apparatus comprising a) detecting means for detecting the attaching operation of the sheet storage cassette in each of said supply means, b) second selecting means responsive to said detecting means for selecting the sheet supply means the attaching operation of which has been detected by said detecting means, and c) control means for prohibiting operation of said second selecting means after any of said sheet supply means has been selected by said first selecting means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
152 words
A printer apparatus including a plurality of sheet feeding means each comprising a sheet storage cassette detachably incorporated therein, first selecting means for selecting one of said sheet feeding means, and image forming means for forming a visible image on a copy sheet fed from the selected one of said sheet feeding means, said image forming means forming the visible image based on an electrical image data supplied from data supply means, said selecting means selecting one of said sheet feeding means in response to a selection data supplied from the data supply means, said printer apparatus comprising a) signal generating means for generating a signal designating one of said sheet supply means, b) second selecting means responsive to said designating signal for selecting the sheet supply means designated by said signal, and c) control means for prohibiting operation of said second selecting means when said image forming means is in operation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
152 words
A printer apparatus including a plurality of sheet feeding means each comprising a sheet storage cassette detachably incorporated therein, first selecting means for selecting one of said sheet feeding means, and image forming means for forming a visible image on a copy sheet fed from the selected one of said sheet feeding means, said image forming means forming the visible image based on an electrical image data supplied from data supply means, said selecting means selecting one of said sheet feeding means in response to a selection data supplied from the data supply means, said printer apparatus comprising a) signal generating means for generating a signal designating one of said sheet supply means, b) second selecting means responsive to said designating signal for selecting the sheet supply means designated by said signal, and c) control means for prohibiting operation of said second selecting means when said image forming means is in operation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
120 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a) means for forming a visible image on a print sheet; b) a plurality of sheet supply means each comprising a sheet storage cassette detachably incorporated therein; c) detecting means for detecting the attaching operation of the sheet storage cassette in each of said sheet supply means and generating a first signal; d) means for generating a second signal independent from said first signal; e) automatic selecting means responsive to said first signal for automatically selecting any one of the sheet supply means for which the attaching operation has been detected by said detecting means; and f) control means responsive to said second signal for disabling said automatic selecting means irrespective of said first signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
120 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a) means for forming a visible image on a print sheet; b) a plurality of sheet supply means each comprising a sheet storage cassette detachably incorporated therein; c) detecting means for detecting the attaching operation of the sheet storage cassette in each of said sheet supply means and generating a first signal; d) means for generating a second signal independent from said first signal; e) automatic selecting means responsive to said first signal for automatically selecting any one of the sheet supply means for which the attaching operation has been detected by said detecting means; and f) control means responsive to said second signal for disabling said automatic selecting means irrespective of said first signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a controller, and wherein said second signal is supplied from the controller which is separate from said image forming apparatus.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said controller supplies image data, and said image forming means forms a visible image on a print sheet in accordance with said image data.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-12-23 | 1995-06-24 | 1995-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-23 | 1999-06-24 | 1999-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-12-23 | 2003-06-24 | 2003-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |