EP0121332A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Controllers
Assignee: Bradbury Geoffrey Roland
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Filing: 1984-03-01
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-03-01
Abstract
Abstract A controller for controlling the operation of a copying machine and maintaining records of its operation, in which a user inputs an encoded signal into the device corresponding to a particular user which is checked for allowability and if accepted enabling the copying machine, the machine normally being disabled. Then during operation each cycle of operation is counted and the count summed in one of number of memories, one associated with each possible encoded signal. Thus the copier will only work when a correct code is input and will then automatically keep a record of the number of copies made for that client and keep a running total. At the end of an accounting period one can then determine the total number of copies to be attributed to that code.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Neumann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:34
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/342; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/02; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/30; G07C9/32; G07C9/33; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/02; G07F7/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A device to control the operation of a copying machine (as herein defined) which device has input means for a user to input an encoded signal into the device corresponding to a particular user, comparator means within the device to check that the input is one of a number of allowable inputs, acceptance of the input by the comparator means initiating enabling means, which normally disable the copying machine, to permit the normal operation of the copying machine, counting means for counting each cycle of operation of the copying machine, a number of memories, one associated with each possible encoded signal, in which the total count of the counting means during any use of the copying machine whilst that encoded signal is accepted by the comparator means is summed and stored, and means for reading the count in each memory.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
140 words
A device to control the operation of a copying machine (as herein defined) which device has input means for a user to input an encoded signal into the device corresponding to a particular user, comparator means within the device to check that the input is one of a number of allowable inputs, acceptance of the input by the comparator means initiating enabling means, which normally disable the copying machine, to permit the normal operation of the copying machine, counting means for counting each cycle of operation of the copying machine, a number of memories, one associated with each possible encoded signal, in which the total count of the counting means during any use of the copying machine whilst that encoded signal is accepted by the comparator means is summed and stored, and means for reading the count in each memory.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
A device as claimed in Claim 1 in which the comparator means check the input is an allowable input and additionally check the memory associated with that allowable input to determine if a pre-set maximum count has been reached in that memory, whereby the enabling means are not initiated even for an allowable input if the total pre-set maximum number of copies have already been made for that input.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 further comprising timing means for allowing the enabling means to again disable the copying machine a pre-set period of time after the enabling means are initiated or if copies are then made a pre-set period of time after the last copy was made.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
21 words
A device as claimed in any preceding claim having means for obtaining the totals in each memory at any particular time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as claimed in Claim 4 in which after the total from each memory have been obtained, means are provided to re-set all of the memory totals to zero.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
34 words
A device as claimed in any preceding claim having a back-up power supply for the memories so as to retain the information in the memories in the event of power loss for the device.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
66 words
A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the input means include a keyboard for entering the encoded signal in the form of a number or the like, a display for providing a visible record of the entries made through the keyboard and/or displaying the total in any memory, and a printer for obtaining a written record of the totals in all the memories.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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