Reproduction machine using fiber optics communication system

Claim 1

In an electrostatic type reproduction machine for producing copies of original documents having a plurality of copy processing elements and a plurality of control devices for operating said components to produce copies, said electrostatic machine comprising a substantial source of electrical noise and transients, the combination of: a. a master controller having an arithmetic and logic control means for actuating said control devices in accordance with sensed copy processing parameters and a stored operational program to produce said copies, said control devices being remote from said master controller, and b. interface means remote from said master controller and connected in a communication path between said master controller and said controller devices for transmitting control signals therebetween, said interface means including a plurality of area controllers, at least one of said area controllers comprising a programmable controller, said controllers sensing operation of said copy processing elements and actuaing said control devices, and fiber optic link means transmitting said control signals between said master controller and said area controllers, said fiber optic link means isolating and protecting said master controller and said programmable area controller from said electrical noise and transients of said machine.