US6236815B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Image forming apparatus and method
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1998-12-15
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Granted: 2001-05-22
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Expires: 2018-12-15
Abstract
Abstract In an image forming apparatus for reversing/discharging sheets on which images are formed, control is performed to form mirror images on sheets and discharge the sheets, on which the mirror images are formed, without reversing them in accordance with the type of sheet on which images are to be formed, thereby adjusting the output order of the sheets without increasing the sheet output time and causing any damage on the sheet.
Inventors
- 👤 Tokuharu Kaneko
- 👤 Shokyo Koh
- 👤 Mitsuhiko Sato
- 👤 Yoshihito Osari
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:49
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/0035; H04N1/00405; H04N1/00408; H04N1/00413; H04N1/00416; G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/50; G03G15/5016; G03G15/502; G03G15/5075; G03G15/5087; G03G15/65; G03G15/6552; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; G06K15/16; H04N1/00411; H04N1/0044; H04N1/00466; H04N1/00472; H04N1/00474; H04N1/00482; H04N1/00567; H04N1/00631; H04N1/00641; H04N1/04; H04N1/0402; H04N1/0408; H04N1/10; H04N1/107; H04N1/1075; H04N1/1077; H04N1/23; H04N1/2307; H04N1/2323; H04N1/2361; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/00025; G03G2215/00109; G06K2215/00; G06K2215/0082; G06K2215/0088; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/0077; H04N2201/0094
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, said image forming apparatus being selectively operable in either a first mode that discharges the sheet from said image forming means via a reversing unit for inverting the sheet or a second mode that discharges the sheet from said image forming means by bypassing the reversing unit; and a control device configured to set the first mode when a sheet to be processed by said image forming means is a first sheet type, and configured to control said image forming means to form a mirror image of the image on a second sheet type and to select the second mode when image formation is determined to occur on the second sheet type.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, said image forming apparatus being selectively operable in either a first mode that discharges the sheet from said image forming means via a reversing unit for inverting the sheet or a second mode that discharges the sheet from said image forming means by bypassing the reversing unit; and a control device configured to set the first mode when a sheet to be processed by said image forming means is a first sheet type, and configured to control said image forming means to form a mirror image of the image on a second sheet type and to select the second mode when image formation is determined to occur on the second sheet type.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
129 words
An image forming apparatus having image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, said image forming apparatus being selectively operable in either a first mode that discharges the sheet from said image forming means via a reversing unit for inverting the sheet or a second mode that discharges the sheet from said image forming means by bypassing the reversing unit, said apparatus comprising: a control device configured to set the first mode when a sheet to be processed by said image forming means is a first sheet type, and configured to control said image forming means to form a mirror image of the image on a second sheet type and to select the second mode when image formation is determined to occur on the second sheet type.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
129 words
An image forming apparatus having image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, said image forming apparatus being selectively operable in either a first mode that discharges the sheet from said image forming means via a reversing unit for inverting the sheet or a second mode that discharges the sheet from said image forming means by bypassing the reversing unit, said apparatus comprising: a control device configured to set the first mode when a sheet to be processed by said image forming means is a first sheet type, and configured to control said image forming means to form a mirror image of the image on a second sheet type and to select the second mode when image formation is determined to occur on the second sheet type.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising designation means for designating a sheet type on which an image is to be formed, wherein said control device performs control according to the sheet type designated by said designation means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising detection means for detecting a sheet type on which an image is to be formed, wherein said control device performs control according to the sheet type detected by said detection means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein said image forming means forms an image by reading an original image on a sheet by read means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein said image forming means forms an image from an external device on the sheet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein said image forming means forms a series of images consisting of a plurality of pages in order from a head page.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus according to claim 7 , further comprising stacking means for stacking, on condition that page order is maintained, formed and discharged sheets in order from a head page by said image forming means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the first sheet type includes an opaque sheet and the second sheet type includes a transparent sheet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
131 words
An image forming apparatus having image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, said image forming apparatus being selectively operable in either a first mode that discharges the sheet from said image forming means via a reversing unit for inverting the sheet or a second mode that discharges the sheet from said image forming means by bypassing the reversing unit, said apparatus comprising: a control device configured to set the first mode when a sheet to be processed by said image forming means is a first sheet type, and configured to control the image forming means to form a mirror image of the image on a second sheet type and to inhibit execution of the first mode when image formation is determined to occur on the second sheet type.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
131 words
An image forming apparatus having image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, said image forming apparatus being selectively operable in either a first mode that discharges the sheet from said image forming means via a reversing unit for inverting the sheet or a second mode that discharges the sheet from said image forming means by bypassing the reversing unit, said apparatus comprising: a control device configured to set the first mode when a sheet to be processed by said image forming means is a first sheet type, and configured to control the image forming means to form a mirror image of the image on a second sheet type and to inhibit execution of the first mode when image formation is determined to occur on the second sheet type.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 , further comprising designation means for designating a type sheet on which an image is to be formed, wherein said control device performs control according to the sheet type designated by said designation means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 , further comprising detection means for detecting the type of sheet on which an image is to be formed, wherein said control device performs control according to the sheet type detected by said detection means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein said image forming means forms an image by reading an original image on a sheet by read means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein said image forming means forms an image from an external device on the sheet.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein said image forming means forms a series of images consisting of a plurality of pages in order from a head page.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus according to claim 15 , further comprising stacking means for stacking, on condition that page order is maintained, formed and discharged sheets in order from a head page by said image forming means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the first sheet type includes an opaque sheet and the second sheet type includes a transparent sheet.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of controlling an image forming apparatus having image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, and being selectively operable in either a first mode that discharges the sheet from the image forming means via a reversing unit for inverting the sheet or a second mode that discharges the sheet from the image forming means by bypassing the reversing unit, said method comprising: a control step of (i) setting the first mode when a sheet to be processed by the image forming means is a first sheet type, and (ii) controlling the image forming means to form a mirror image of the image on a second sheet type and selecting the second mode when image formation is determined to occur on the second sheet type.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of controlling an image forming apparatus having image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, and being selectively operable in either a first mode that discharges the sheet from the image forming means via a reversing unit for inverting the sheet or a second mode that discharges the sheet from the image forming means by bypassing the reversing unit, said method comprising: a control step of (i) setting the first mode when a sheet to be processed by the image forming means is a first sheet type, and (ii) controlling the image forming means to form a mirror image of the image on a second sheet type and selecting the second mode when image formation is determined to occur on the second sheet type.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus according to claim 18 , further comprising a designation step of designating a sheet type on which an image is to be formed, wherein in said control step, control is performed according to the sheet type designated in said designation step.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus according to claim 18 , further comprising a detection step of detecting a sheet type on which an image is to be formed, wherein in said control step, control is performed according to the sheet type detected in said detection step.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the image forming means forms an image by reading an original image on a sheet by read means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the image forming means forms an image from an external device on the sheet.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein said image forming means forms a series of images consisted of a plurality of pages in order from a head page.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus according to claim 23 , wherein the image forming apparatus further comprises stacking means for stacking, on condition that page order is maintained, formed and discharged sheets in order from a head page by the image forming means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the first sheet type includes an opaque sheet and the second sheet type includes a transparent sheet.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of controlling an image forming apparatus having image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, and being selectively operable in either a first mode that discharges the sheet from the image forming means via a reversing unit for inverting the sheet or a second mode that discharges the sheet from the image forming means by bypassing the reversing unit, said method comprising: a control step of setting the first mode when a sheet to be processed by the image forming means is a first sheet type, and of controlling the image forming means to form a mirror image of the image on a second sheet type and inhibiting execution of the first mode when image formation is determined to occur on the second sheet type.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of controlling an image forming apparatus having image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, and being selectively operable in either a first mode that discharges the sheet from the image forming means via a reversing unit for inverting the sheet or a second mode that discharges the sheet from the image forming means by bypassing the reversing unit, said method comprising: a control step of setting the first mode when a sheet to be processed by the image forming means is a first sheet type, and of controlling the image forming means to form a mirror image of the image on a second sheet type and inhibiting execution of the first mode when image formation is determined to occur on the second sheet type.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus according to claim 26 , further comprising a designation step of designating a type sheet on which an image is to be formed, wherein in said control step, control is performed according to the type sheet designated in said designation step.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus according to claim 26 , further comprising a detection step of detecting a sheet type on which an image is to be formed, wherein in said control step, control is performed according to the sheet type detected in said detection step.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 26 , wherein the image forming means forms an image by reading an original image on a sheet by read means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 26 , wherein the image forming means forms an image from an external device on the sheet.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 26 , wherein the image forming means forms a series of images consisting of a plurality of pages in order from a head page.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus according to claim 31 , wherein the image forming apparatus further comprises stacking means for stacking, on condition that page order is maintained, formed and discharged sheets in order from a head page by the image forming means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 26 , wherein the first sheet type includes an opaque sheet and the second sheet type includes a transparent sheet.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
139 words
A computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for controlling an image forming apparatus having image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, and being selectively operable in either a first mode that discharges the sheet from the image forming means via a reversing unit for inverting the sheet or a second mode that discharges the sheet from the image forming means by bypassing the reversing unit, said program controlling the image forming apparatus to execute: a control step of setting the first mode when a sheet to be processed by the image forming means is a first sheet type, and of controlling the image forming means to form a mirror image of the image on a second sheet type and selecting the second mode when image formation is determined to occur on the second sheet type.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
139 words
A computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for controlling an image forming apparatus having image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, and being selectively operable in either a first mode that discharges the sheet from the image forming means via a reversing unit for inverting the sheet or a second mode that discharges the sheet from the image forming means by bypassing the reversing unit, said program controlling the image forming apparatus to execute: a control step of setting the first mode when a sheet to be processed by the image forming means is a first sheet type, and of controlling the image forming means to form a mirror image of the image on a second sheet type and selecting the second mode when image formation is determined to occur on the second sheet type.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
54 words
The medium according to claim 34 , wherein the program causes the image forming apparatus to execute a designation step of designating a sheet type on which an image is to be formed, and said program causes said control step to perform control according to the type of sheet designated in said designation step.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
54 words
The medium according to claim 34 , wherein the program causes the image forming apparatus to execute a detection step of detecting a sheet type on which an image is to be formed, and wherein the program controls said control step to perform control according to the sheet type detected in said detection step.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
26 words
The medium according to claim 34 , wherein the image forming means forms an image by reading an original image on a sheet by read means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
The medium according to claim 34 , wherein the image forming means forms an image from an external device on the sheet.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
29 words
The medium according to claim 34 , wherein the image forming means forms a series of images consisting of a plurality of pages in order form a head page.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
40 words
The medium according to claim 39 , wherein the image forming apparatus further comprises stacking means for stacking, on condition that page order is maintained, formed and discharged sheets in order from a head page by said image forming means.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
25 words
The medium according to claim 34 , wherein the first sheet type includes an opaque sheet and the second sheet type includes a transparent sheet.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
141 words
A computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for controlling an image forming apparatus having image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, and being selectively operable in either a first mode that discharges the sheet from the image forming means via a reversing unit for inverting the sheet or a second mode that discharges the sheet from the image forming means by bypassing the reversing unit, the program controlling the image forming apparatus to execute: a control step of setting the first mode when a sheet to be processed by the image forming means is a first sheet type, and of controlling the image forming means to form a mirror image of the image on a second sheet type and inhibiting execution of the first mode when image formation is determined to occur on the second sheet type.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
141 words
A computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for controlling an image forming apparatus having image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, and being selectively operable in either a first mode that discharges the sheet from the image forming means via a reversing unit for inverting the sheet or a second mode that discharges the sheet from the image forming means by bypassing the reversing unit, the program controlling the image forming apparatus to execute: a control step of setting the first mode when a sheet to be processed by the image forming means is a first sheet type, and of controlling the image forming means to form a mirror image of the image on a second sheet type and inhibiting execution of the first mode when image formation is determined to occur on the second sheet type.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
54 words
The medium according to claim 34 , wherein the program causes the image forming apparatus to execute a designation step of designating a type sheet on which an image is to be formed, and wherein the program controls said control step to perform control according o the type sheet designated in said designation step.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
54 words
The medium according to claim 34 , wherein the program causes the image forming apparatus to execute a detection step of detecting a sheet type on which an image is to be formed, and wherein the program controls said control step to perform control according to the type sheet detected in said detection step.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
26 words
The medium according to claim 42 , wherein said image forming means forms an image by reading an original image on a sheet by read means.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
22 words
The medium according to claim 42 , wherein said image forming means forms an image from an external device on the sheet.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
29 words
The medium according to claim 42 , wherein said image forming means forms a series of images consisting of a plurality of pages in order from a head page.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
40 words
The medium according to claim 47 , wherein said image forming apparatus further comprises stacking means for stacking on condition that page order is maintained, formed and discharged sheets in order from a head page by said image forming means.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
25 words
The medium according to claim 42 , wherein the first sheet type includes an opaque sheet and the second type sheet includes a transparent sheet.
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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) | 2004-05-21 | 2004-11-20 | 2005-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-21 | 2008-11-20 | 2009-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-21 | 2012-11-20 | 2013-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |