Image-forming apparatus

Abstract

An image forming apparatus capable of grouping a plurality of sheet storage units for feeding sheets of a same type in an image forming operation. The image forming apparatus includes a plurality of storage units for storing sheets and a sheet feeder operable to feed the sheets from the plurality of storage units. The apparatus also includes a grouping unit allowing a user to group the storage units based on the type of sheets. A controller controls the sheet feeder to feed sheets from the group of storage units such that when one storage unit becomes empty, the controller controls the sheet feeder to feed sheets from another storage unit of the group of storage units.

1 . An image-forming apparatus operable to form images on sheets in an image forming operation, comprising: 
 a plurality of storage units configured to store the sheets;    a sheet feeder operable to feed the sheets from the plurality of storage units;    a controller operable to group the plurality of storage units into a group of storage units and controlling the sheet feeder to selectively feed the sheets from the group of storage units in the image forming operation.    
   
   
       2 . The image-forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller groups the plurality of storage units in accordance with a sheet type.  
   
   
       3 . The image-forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises a selecting unit operable to select a storage unit from the plurality of storage units to be classified into the group of storage units.  
   
   
       4 . The image-forming apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the selecting unit is configured to select at least two storage units to be classified into the group of storage units.  
   
   
       5 . The image-forming apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the controller is configured to group the plurality of storage units into at least two groups of storage units.  
   
   
       6 . The image-forming apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the selecting unit includes a selection key facilitating selecting the storage unit to be classified into the group of storage units.  
   
   
       7 . The image-forming apparatus according to  claim 6 , further comprising a main body including an operating unit, wherein the selecting key is provided on the operating unit.  
   
   
       8 . The image-forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a main body, wherein the sheet feeder is detachably attached to the main body, and wherein the plurality of storage units are housed in the sheet feeder.  
   
   
       9 . The image-forming apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the sheet feeder includes a plurality of sheet feeders connected in series to the main body.  
   
   
       10 . An image-forming apparatus operable to form images on sheets, comprising: 
 a main body;    a plurality of sheet cassettes configured to store the sheets; and    at least one sheet deck connected in series to the main body and housing the plurality of sheet cassettes, the sheet deck operable to feed the sheets from the sheet cassettes,    wherein the plurality of sheet cassettes are classified into at least one group of sheet cassettes, and responsive to one of the sheet cassettes in the group of sheet cassettes being empty, the sheet deck feeds the sheets from another one of the sheet cassettes in the group of sheet cassettes.    
   
   
       11 . The image-forming apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of sheet cassettes is classified into the group of sheet cassettes in accordance with a kind of sheets stored by the sheet cassettes.  
   
   
       12 . The image-forming apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the kind of sheets includes a size of the sheets.  
   
   
       13 . The image-forming apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising a selecting unit operable to select the sheet cassette to be classified into the group of sheet cassettes.  
   
   
       14 . A method for feeding sheets in an image forming apparatus comprising: 
 providing a plurality of cassettes configured to store the sheets;    grouping the plurality of cassettes into a group of cassettes; and    feeding the sheets from one of the cassettes in the group of cassettes, and when the one of the cassettes is empty, feeding from another one of the cassettes in the group of cassettes.    
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the grouping step includes grouping the plurality of cassettes in accordance with a type of sheets stored in the cassette.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the grouping step includes grouping at least two cassettes in the group of cassettes.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the grouping step includes grouping the plurality of cassettes into at least two groups of cassettes.