Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
272 words
An image forming apparatus adapted to form an image on paper, the apparatus being operable in a manual paper feed mode and in an automatic paper feed mode, the apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming an image on paper; manual paper feed path defining means for defining a path for the passage of paper fed manually into the apparatus; automatic paper feed path defining means for defining a path for the passage of paper fed automatically into the apparatus, the manual paper feed path defining means and the automatic paper feed path defining means converging to join each other at a common junction point in their respective paths; common paper feed path defining means for defining a common path for the passage of paper fed manually and automatically into the apparatus, the common paper feed path defining means being interposed between the common junction point and the image forming means; sensing means disposed in the common paper feed path for sensing the presence and absence of paper within the common paper feed path, the sensing means providing an output signal indicative of the presence or absence of paper within the common paper feed path; means for generating a copy start signal, the copy start signal generating means being activated when the apparatus is operated in the manual paper feed mode, and being responsive to the output signal of the sensing means; and means for generating a paper feed jam signal, the paper feed jam signal generating means being activated when the apparatus is operated in the automatic paper feed mode, and being responsive to the output signal of the sensing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
272 words
An image forming apparatus adapted to form an image on paper, the apparatus being operable in a manual paper feed mode and in an automatic paper feed mode, the apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming an image on paper; manual paper feed path defining means for defining a path for the passage of paper fed manually into the apparatus; automatic paper feed path defining means for defining a path for the passage of paper fed automatically into the apparatus, the manual paper feed path defining means and the automatic paper feed path defining means converging to join each other at a common junction point in their respective paths; common paper feed path defining means for defining a common path for the passage of paper fed manually and automatically into the apparatus, the common paper feed path defining means being interposed between the common junction point and the image forming means; sensing means disposed in the common paper feed path for sensing the presence and absence of paper within the common paper feed path, the sensing means providing an output signal indicative of the presence or absence of paper within the common paper feed path; means for generating a copy start signal, the copy start signal generating means being activated when the apparatus is operated in the manual paper feed mode, and being responsive to the output signal of the sensing means; and means for generating a paper feed jam signal, the paper feed jam signal generating means being activated when the apparatus is operated in the automatic paper feed mode, and being responsive to the output signal of the sensing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
An image forming apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said copy start signal generating means generates a start signal when paper is sensed to be present within the common paper feed path by said sensing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
An image forming apparatus in accordance with claim 1, which further comprises automatic paper feeding means for automatically feeding paper to said automatic paper feed path defining means; and wherein said paper feed jam signal generating means includes timer means for generating a predetermined time interval after said automatic paper feeding means has been operated, said paper feed jam signal generating means providing said jam signal when said sensing means senses the absence of paper within the common paper feed path after the elapse of the predetermined time interval.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
An image forming apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein said automatic feeding means includes a user operable start key, and paper pick-up means which operates in response to the operation of said start key.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
An image forming apparatus in accordance with claim 1, which further comprises register means arranged in said common paper feed path and interposed between the sensing means and the image forming means.