Image forming apparatus
US6496281B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 19, 1999 |
| Grant date | Dec 17, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 19, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/00586
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Image forming apparatus including a paper return device for feeding a sheet of paper ejected from a paper output port opening in a main body of the apparatus to its outside back to a paper feeding port also opening in the main body to its outside. For double-sided copying operation, the sheet of paper ejected from the paper output port carrying an image on one side only is returned to the paper feeding port and fed again to an image former from the paper feeding port so that it is not necessary to provide a dedicated paper path for re-feeding the paper. The apparatus includes a paper sensor which senses the paper inserted into the paper feeding port and outputs a paper sensing signal, a discriminator for judging whether the paper return device is in an operating condition, and a paper feed controller which controls a driver for driving a paper feeder such that the paper feeder initiates a paper feed operation when the paper sensing signal is output while the paper return device is in its operating condition.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.