Abstract: Aspects for providing an out of paper indication by a printer are described. The aspects include controlling paper ejection during a print job to provide an out of paper indication with a last sheet of a paper supply in a printer. The controlling of the paper ejection further includes starting ejection of a page of the print job, determining if the page being ejected comprises the last sheet, completing ejection of the page when the page does not comprise the last sheet, and stopping ejection of the page when the page does comprise the last sheet. Additionally, the partial ejection of the last sheet is maintained until paper is added to the paper supply.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for selectively picking two or more types of imaging media in an imaging apparatus having only a single pick roller while simultaneously supporting each type of imaging media on the imaging apparatus, wherein such media is ready for picking. The imaging media can be supported in respective media trays while supported on the imaging apparatus. The apparatus includes an actuating mechanism that is configured to selectively position each of the media trays relative to the pick roller, one-at-a-time, to facilitate picking by the pick roller of the selected imaging media. Methods include simultaneously supporting a plurality of types of imaging media on an imaging device having a single pick roller, and selectively picking either the first imaging media or the second imaging media from the respective media tray.

Abstract: An article dispensing mechanism in which a plurality of stacks are mounted on a platform. Each has a plurality of articles such as paper sheets. The platform is moved from an article feeding position to a non-feeding position. An article feeding mechanism is mounted above a stack at the article feeding position. The article feeding mechanism feeds an article from the top of a stack at said article feeding position. When a stack at the article feeding position is devoid of articles, the platform is moved from the feeding position to the non-feeding position to present another stack to the feeding position.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for selectively picking two or more types of imaging media in an imaging apparatus having only a single pick roller while simultaneously supporting each type of imaging media on the imaging apparatus, wherein such media is ready for picking. The imaging media can be supported in respective media trays while supported on the imaging apparatus. The apparatus includes an actuating mechanism that is configured to selectively position each of the media trays relative to the pick roller, one-at-a-time, to facilitate picking by the pick roller of the selected imaging media. Methods include simultaneously supporting a plurality of types of imaging media on an imaging device having a single pick roller, and selectively picking either the first imaging media or the second imaging media from the respective media tray.

Abstract: A sheet feed cassette adapted to be installed within a sheet feed unit of an image forming apparatus such as, for example, a copier as a printer. The cassette includes a frame including at least a side frame and a bottom frame. A bottom plate is provided above the bottom frame including collapsible guide walls for positioning four separate stacks of sheets within the cassette on the plate. Each of the walls are adapted to collapse thereby allowing each of the four stacks of sheets individually to be moved within the cassette to be in contiguous relation to a feeder unit for feeding individual sheets from a single stack of sheets that is positioned within the cassette into the apparatus. A feeding device moves each of the four stacks from different positions within the cassette to the feeder unit so that individual sheets can be fed to the apparatus for each of the four stacks.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of paper feed control that can selectively feed paper in such a manner as to be able to reduce the first copy time as much as possible when there is more than one paper tray that holds the same size paper. The apparatus includes an image forming section, two or more paper accommodating sections, a paper feed means provided for each of the paper accommodating sections, and a paper feed control section for performing paper feed control so as to reduce the first copy time. The paper accommodating sections include a first paper accommodating section whose paper transport time to the image forming section is shorter and a second paper accommodating section whose paper transport time to the image forming section is longer. Paper feed control is performed so that the paper consumption in the first paper accommodating section whose paper transport time to the image forming section is shorter is reduced, thereby increasing the opportunity of being able to shorten the first copy time.

Abstract: A method of detecting the amount of remaining sheets of paper in a paper feeding cassette of a printing apparatus, wherein the printing apparatus receives a paper feeding cassette having a knock-up plate on which paper is placed, and which pivots as paper is removed therefrom, a pickup roller installed in the printing apparatus which elastically moves up and down within a predetermined range to contact the paper, the pickup roller being made to rotate in close contact with the paper to sequentially feed the paper into the printing apparatus, a lifting mechanism which lifts the knock-up plate step by step according to the consumption of paper, thereby placing the loaded paper against the pickup-roller, calculating a difference in the number of operations of the lifting mechanism for lifting the knock-up plate toward the pickup roller when a maximum number of sheets of paper is loaded into the paper feeding cassette and when only a single sheet of paper is placed in the paper feeding cassette, calculating an am

Abstract: Featured is a sheet feed unit including a first transport path in which is transported a first sheet, a second transport path and a protrusion. A second sheet is transported in the second transport path and guided at a prescribed angle relative to the first transport path. The protrusion is located or fixed at a confluence of the first transport path and the second transport path. The protrusion also has a guide surface that is placed to allow the second sheet to be guided along the first transport path.

Abstract: In order to control the ejection of sheets from input compartments in a paper output device belonging to a printing or photocopying system, verification occurs as to whether a previously processed sheet has been removed as soon as it has been established that at least one input compartment is almost empty. Ejection of the sheet immediately following according to the order of processing occurs thereafter. These steps are repeated until the input compartment is empty. The printing operation is then stopped.