The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 02, 2004
Filed:
Oct. 04, 1999
Hiranaga Yamamoto, Nara, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
An image formation apparatus to ensure provision of sheets used in a host mode process and a guest mode process without increasing the number of sheet cassettes to be mounted at a sheet feed unit and to prevent tedious task due to increase in the sheet feed frequency is provided. In the image formation apparatus, the main CPU identifies the accommodated number of sheets n in the sheet cassette every time one copy mode image formation process ends. This value n is compared with a set value of the number of sheets N read out via a sub CPU. When value n is equal to or less than value N, the copy mode image formation process is interrupted until the sheet cassette is replenished with sheets while waiting for input of image data associated with the guest mode image formation process. When image data associated with the guest mode image formation process is input from an external device during this period, the guest mode image formation process is executed.