Recording apparatus

Claim 2

A recording apparatus for recording a visible image on a recording medium based on digital image data comprising: editing means, including a memory means, for editing the digital image data and storing the edited digital image data in an image editing area of a predetermined size in said memory means; image forming means for forming an image in accordance with the edited digital image data, said image forming means including means for emitting a light beam and means for modulating the light beam in accordance with the edited digital image data; supply means for supplying the recording medium to the image forming means; detecting means for detecting breadth of the recording medium to output a breadth signal; and determination means in response to said breadth signal for determining the size of the image editing area independent of the length of the recording medium, said determination means determining the size of the image editing area before the editing means edits and stores the digital data in the image editing area.

Claim 3

A recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supply means includes a member for regulating position of the recording medium in its breadthwise direction and said detection means detects the position of said position regulating member.

Claim 4

A recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said determination means stops the operation of the image forming means when there is no breadth signal from the said detection means.

Claim 5

A recording apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said determination means gives an alarm indication while stopping the operation of the image forming means.

Claim 6

A recording apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said alarm indication is provided by lighting of an indicator indicating the empty of the recording medium within the supply means.

Claim 7

A recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: accommodating means for accommodating a plurality of recording medium therein, said supply means supplying a recording medium from said accommodating means to said image forming means.

Claim 8

A recording apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said detecting means is provided at said accommodating means.

Claim 9

A recording apparatus for making a record by scanning a light beam modulated in accordance with digital image data comprising: editing means, including a memory means, for editing the digital image data and storing the edited digital image data in an image editing area of a predetermined size in said memory means; image forming means for forming an image in accordance with the edited digital image data, said image forming means including means for emitting a light beam and means for modulating the light beam in accordance with the edited digital image data; receiving means for receiving a recording medium to be supplied to the image forming means, said receiving means including movable regulating members for regulating the received position of the recording medium in a breadthwise direction of the receiving means and in a lengthwise direction of the receiving means, independently; breadth detection means for detecting the position of the position regulating member in the breadthwise direction to output a breadth signal; length detection means for detecting the position of the position regulating member in the lengthwise direction to output a length signal; determining means in response to signal from both the breadth detection means and the length detection means for determining size of the image editing area, said determination means determining the size of the image editing area before the editing means edits and stores the digital data in the image editing area; alternative determination means in response only to the signal from the breadth detection means for determining size of the image editing area when the position regulating member in the lengthwise direction locates out of predetermined positions; and control means in response to a signal from the determination means and the alternative determination means for changing the size of the image editing area.

Claim 10

A recording apparatus for making a record by scanning a light beam modulated in accordance with digital image data comprising: editing means, including a memory means, for editing the digital image data and storing the edited digital image data in an image editing area of a predetermined size in said memory means; image forming means for forming an image in accordance with the edited digital image data, said image forming means including means for emitting a light beam and means for modulating the light beam in accordance with the edited digital image data; receiving means for receiving a recording medium to be supplied to the image forming means, said receiving means including movable regulating members for regulating the received position of the recording medium in a breadthwise direction of the receiving means and in a lengthwise direction of the receiving means, independently; breadth detection means for detecting the position of the position regulating member in the breadthwise direction to output a breadth signal; length detection means for detecting the position of the position regulating member in the lengthwise direction to output a length signal; determining means in response to signal from both the breadth detection means and the length detection means for determining size of the image editing area, said determination means determining the size of the image editing area before the editing means edits and stores the digital data in the image editing area; alternative determination means in response only to the signal from the breadth detection means for determining size of the image editing area when the position regulating member in the lengthwise direction locates out of predetermined positions; and control means in response to a signal from the determination means and the alternative determination means for changing the size of the image editing area.

Claim 11

A recording apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said control means controls the image forming means so that a operation of the image forming means is stopped when there is no signal from the determination means or alternative determination means.

Claim 12

A recording apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said control means gives an alarm indication while stopping the operation of the image forming means.

Claim 13

A recording apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said alarm indication is provided by lighting of an indicator indicating the empty of the recording medium within the supply means.

Claim 14

A recording apparatus for recording a visible image on a recording medium based on digital image data comprising: editing means, including a memory means, for editing the digital image data and storing the edited digital image data in an image editing area of a predetermined size in said memory means; image forming means for forming the visible image on the recording medium in accordance with the edited digital image data; supply means for supplying the recording medium to the image forming means; detection means for detecting the breadth of the recording medium in order to output a breadth signal, and determining means in response to said breadth signal for determining the size of the image editing area independent of the length of the recording medium, said determination means determining the size of the image editing area before the editing means edits and stores the digital data in the image editing area.

Claim 15

A recording apparatus for recording a visible image on a recording medium based on digital image data comprising: editing means, including a memory means, for editing the digital image data and storing the edited digital image data in an image editing area of a predetermined size in said memory means; image forming means for forming the visible image on the recording medium in accordance with the edited digital image data; supply means for supplying the recording medium to the image forming means; detection means for detecting the breadth of the recording medium in order to output a breadth signal, and determining means in response to said breadth signal for determining the size of the image editing area independent of the length of the recording medium, said determination means determining the size of the image editing area before the editing means edits and stores the digital data in the image editing area.

Claim 16

A recording apparatus as claimed in claim 12, further comprising: accommodating means for accommodating a plurality of recording medium therein, said supply means supplying a recording medium from said accommodating means to said image forming means.

Claim 17

A recording apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein said detecting means is provided at said accommodating means.

Claim 18

A recording apparatus for making a record in accordance with digital image data comprising: editing means including a memory means, for editing the digital image data and storing the edited digital image data in an image area of a predetermined size in said memory means; image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium in accordance with the edited digital data; receiving means for receiving a recording medium to be supplied to the image forming means, said receiving means including movable regulating members for regulating the received position of the recording medium in its breadthwise direction and in its lengthwise direction, independently; breadth detection means for detecting the position of the position regulating member in the breadthwise direction to output a breadth signal; length detection means for detecting the position of the position regulating member in the lengthwise direction to output a length signal; determination means in response to signal from both the breadth detection means and the length detection means for determining size of the image editing area; alternative determination means in response only to the signal from the breadth detection means for determining size of the image editing area when the position regulating member in the lengthwise direction locates out of predetermined positions, said determination means and said alternative determination means determining the size of the image editing area before the editing means edits and stores the digital data in the image editing area, and control means in response to a signal from the determining means and the alternative determination means for changing the size of the image editing area.

Claim 19

A recording apparatus for making a record in accordance with digital image data comprising: editing means including a memory means, for editing the digital image data and storing the edited digital image data in an image area of a predetermined size in said memory means; image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium in accordance with the edited digital data; receiving means for receiving a recording medium to be supplied to the image forming means, said receiving means including movable regulating members for regulating the received position of the recording medium in its breadthwise direction and in its lengthwise direction, independently; breadth detection means for detecting the position of the position regulating member in the breadthwise direction to output a breadth signal; length detection means for detecting the position of the position regulating member in the lengthwise direction to output a length signal; determination means in response to signal from both the breadth detection means and the length detection means for determining size of the image editing area; alternative determination means in response only to the signal from the breadth detection means for determining size of the image editing area when the position regulating member in the lengthwise direction locates out of predetermined positions, said determination means and said alternative determination means determining the size of the image editing area before the editing means edits and stores the digital data in the image editing area, and control means in response to a signal from the determining means and the alternative determination means for changing the size of the image editing area.

Claim 20

A recording apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium; means for supplying the recording medium to the image forming means; breadth detection means for detecting the breadth of the recording medium to output a breadth signal; length detection means for detecting the length of the recording medium to output a length signal; determination means in response to signals from both the breadth direction means and the length detection means for determining the size of an image area; indicating means for indicating when no length signal is output by the length detection means; alternative determination means, which operates in response only to the signal from the breadth detection means, for determining the size of the image area when no length signal is output by the length detection means; and means for controlling the image forming means in accordance with the image area size determined by said determination means when both the breadth signal and the length signal are output, and for controlling the image forming means in accordance with the image area size determined by said alternative determination means when no length signal is output.

Claim 21

A recording apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium; means for supplying the recording medium to the image forming means; breadth detection means for detecting the breadth of the recording medium to output a breadth signal; length detection means for detecting the length of the recording medium to output a length signal; determination means in response to signals from both the breadth direction means and the length detection means for determining the size of an image area; indicating means for indicating when no length signal is output by the length detection means; alternative determination means, which operates in response only to the signal from the breadth detection means, for determining the size of the image area when no length signal is output by the length detection means; and means for controlling the image forming means in accordance with the image area size determined by said determination means when both the breadth signal and the length signal are output, and for controlling the image forming means in accordance with the image area size determined by said alternative determination means when no length signal is output.

Claim 22

A recording apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium; first detecting means for detecting the length of the recording medium in a first direction and generating a first signal; second detecting means for detecting the length of the recording medium in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and generating a second signal; determination means for determining the size of the recording medium in response to the first signal and the second signal; informing means for informing an operator that the determination of the size is impossible when at least one of the first and second signals is not generated; alternative determination means for determining the size of the recording medium in response to one of said signals when another signal is not generated; and control means for controlling the image forming means in accordance with the determined size by said determination means when both the first and second signals are generated, and for controlling the image forming means in accordance with the size determined by said alternative determination means when one of said signals is not generated.

Claim 23

A recording apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium; first detecting means for detecting the length of the recording medium in a first direction and generating a first signal; second detecting means for detecting the length of the recording medium in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and generating a second signal; determination means for determining the size of the recording medium in response to the first signal and the second signal; informing means for informing an operator that the determination of the size is impossible when at least one of the first and second signals is not generated; alternative determination means for determining the size of the recording medium in response to one of said signals when another signal is not generated; and control means for controlling the image forming means in accordance with the determined size by said determination means when both the first and second signals are generated, and for controlling the image forming means in accordance with the size determined by said alternative determination means when one of said signals is not generated.

Claim 24

A recording apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium; means for supplying the recording medium to the image forming means; breadth detection means for detecting the breadth of the recording medium to output a breadth signal; length detection means for detecting the length of the recording medium to output a length signal; determination means in response to signals from both the breadth direction means and the length detection means for determining the size of an image area; operable means for generating selection output; setting means for selectively setting said apparatus in a special mode or a normal mode in accordance with the selection output of said operation means; alternative determination means in response only to the signal from the breadth detection means for determining the size of the image area when no length signal is output by the length detection means in said special mode; and control means for controlling the image forming means in accordance with the determined image area size, said control means inhibiting said image forming means from forming an image when no length signal is output by the length detection means when said recording apparatus is set in said normal mode.

Claim 25

A recording apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium; means for supplying the recording medium to the image forming means; breadth detection means for detecting the breadth of the recording medium to output a breadth signal; length detection means for detecting the length of the recording medium to output a length signal; determination means in response to signals from both the breadth direction means and the length detection means for determining the size of an image area; operable means for generating selection output; setting means for selectively setting said apparatus in a special mode or a normal mode in accordance with the selection output of said operation means; alternative determination means in response only to the signal from the breadth detection means for determining the size of the image area when no length signal is output by the length detection means in said special mode; and control means for controlling the image forming means in accordance with the determined image area size, said control means inhibiting said image forming means from forming an image when no length signal is output by the length detection means when said recording apparatus is set in said normal mode.

Claim 26

A recording apparatus as claimed in claim 18, a second control means for inhibiting said image forming means from forming an image when no breadth signal is output by the breadth detection means whether said recording apparatus is set in the special mode or set in the normal mode.

Claim 27

A recording apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium; first detecting means for detecting the length of the recording medium in a first direction and generating a first signal; second detecting means for detecting the length of the recording medium in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and generating a second signal; determination means for determining the size of the recording medium in response to the first signal and the second signal; alternative determination means for determining the size of the recording medium in response to said first signal when said second signal is not generated; selecting means for selecting one of a first and a second operation mode; and control means for controlling the image forming means to perform an image forming operation in accordance with the size determined by said determination means when said first and second signals are both generated, for controlling said image forming means to perform the image forming operation in accordance with the size determined by said alternative determination means said second signal is not generated if said first operation mode is selected, and for prohibiting said image forming means from performing the image forming operation if said second operation mode is selected.

Claim 28

A recording apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium; first detecting means for detecting the length of the recording medium in a first direction and generating a first signal; second detecting means for detecting the length of the recording medium in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and generating a second signal; determination means for determining the size of the recording medium in response to the first signal and the second signal; alternative determination means for determining the size of the recording medium in response to said first signal when said second signal is not generated; selecting means for selecting one of a first and a second operation mode; and control means for controlling the image forming means to perform an image forming operation in accordance with the size determined by said determination means when said first and second signals are both generated, for controlling said image forming means to perform the image forming operation in accordance with the size determined by said alternative determination means said second signal is not generated if said first operation mode is selected, and for prohibiting said image forming means from performing the image forming operation if said second operation mode is selected.

Claim 29

A recording apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein said control means inhibits said selecting means from changing a selected operation mode during an image forming operation by said image forming means.

Claim 30

A recording apparatus as claimed in claim 20, further comprising informing means for informing that the determination of the size is impossible when at least one of the first and second signals are not generated.

Claim 31

A recording apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium; first detecting means for detecting the length of the recording medium in a first direction and generating a first signal; second detecting means for detecting the length of the recording medium in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and generating a second signal; determination means for determining the size of the recording means in response to the first signal and the second signal; alternative determination means for determining the size of the recording medium in response to the first signal when the second signal is not generated; and control means for controlling the image forming means in accordance with the determined size, said control means inhibiting said image forming means from performing an image forming operation regardless of the generation of the second signal when the first signal is not generated.

Claim 32

A recording apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium; first detecting means for detecting the length of the recording medium in a first direction and generating a first signal; second detecting means for detecting the length of the recording medium in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and generating a second signal; determination means for determining the size of the recording means in response to the first signal and the second signal; alternative determination means for determining the size of the recording medium in response to the first signal when the second signal is not generated; and control means for controlling the image forming means in accordance with the determined size, said control means inhibiting said image forming means from performing an image forming operation regardless of the generation of the second signal when the first signal is not generated.

Claim 33

A recording apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium; means for supplying the recording medium to the image forming means; breadth detection means for detecting the breadth of the recording medium and outputting a breadth signal; length detection means for detecting the length of the recording medium to output a length signal; determination means, in response to both the breadth signal and the length signal, for determining the size of an image area when the length signal is compatible with the breadth signal; alternative determination means, in response only to the breadth signal, for determining the size of an image area when the length signal is not compatible with the breadth signal; and means for controlling the image forming means in accordance with the determined image area size.

Claim 34

A recording apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium; means for supplying the recording medium to the image forming means; breadth detection means for detecting the breadth of the recording medium and outputting a breadth signal; length detection means for detecting the length of the recording medium to output a length signal; determination means, in response to both the breadth signal and the length signal, for determining the size of an image area when the length signal is compatible with the breadth signal; alternative determination means, in response only to the breadth signal, for determining the size of an image area when the length signal is not compatible with the breadth signal; and means for controlling the image forming means in accordance with the determined image area size.

Claim 35

The recording apparatus of claim 24 wherein said alternative determination means determines a smallest size of all possible size of image areas.

Claim 36

A recording apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium; first detecting means for detecting a first dimension of the recording medium in a first direction; second detecting means for detecting a second dimension of the recording medium in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; determination means for determining the size of the recording means from the first and second dimensions when the first and second dimensions correspond to a predetermined combination; alternative determination means for determining the size of the recording medium from only one of the first and second dimensions when the first and second dimensions do not correspond to the predetermined combinations; and control means for controlling the image forming means in accordance with the determined size.

Claim 37

A recording apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium; first detecting means for detecting a first dimension of the recording medium in a first direction; second detecting means for detecting a second dimension of the recording medium in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; determination means for determining the size of the recording means from the first and second dimensions when the first and second dimensions correspond to a predetermined combination; alternative determination means for determining the size of the recording medium from only one of the first and second dimensions when the first and second dimensions do not correspond to the predetermined combinations; and control means for controlling the image forming means in accordance with the determined size.

Claim 38

The recording apparatus of claim 26 wherein said alternative determination means determines a smallest size of all possible sizes of image areas.