Patent ID: 6963721
Filing Date: 2005-11-08
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus for forming image of an original on a sheet, comprising: a plurality of feeders that feed sheets; a memory unit that stores priorities between a plurality of sheet types other than sheet sizes and stores sheet sizes and sheet types other than sheet sizes in association with said plurality of feeders; a selector that selects one of said plurality of feeders to be used for a sheet feeding operation in accordance with at least one of the sheet sizes, the sheet types other than sheet sizes, or the priorities stored in said memory unit; and a controller that controls the feeder selecting operation of said selector, wherein said controller is operable to inhibit said selector from selecting another feeder that contains sheets of a sheet size different from a sheet size of sheets of the selected feeder, after selecting the one feeder, in both a first case where the another feeder contains sheets of a sheet type different from a sheet type of sheets of the selected feeder based on at least the priorities stored in said memory unit, and a second case where the another feeder contains sheets of a same sheet type as the sheet type of the sheets of the selected feeder based on at least the sheet types stored in said memory unit.