US4167322A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrostatic copying system having monitoring devices
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1978-07-31
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Granted: 1979-09-11
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Expires: 1998-07-31
Abstract
Abstract A plurality of electrostatic copying machines (12), (13), (14), (16) are interconnected by bus lines (19), (21), (22). Each copying machine (12), (13), (14), (16) is provided with a sensor unit (23) for sensing various status parameters of the copying machine (12), (13), (14), (16) such as whether the copying machine (12), (13), (14), (16) is available for use, the copy sheet size, the number of copies made, the number of copy sheets remaining, etc. Each copying machine (12), (13), (14), (16) is further provided with a display unit (17) for displaying the status parameters of all of the copying machines (12), (13), (14), (16). A microcomputer (31) is provided at one of the copying machines (12) for storing and processing the status parameters and producing a hard copy.
Inventors
- 👤 Takashi Yano
- 👤 Tatsuo Tani
- 👤 Nachio Seko
- 👤 Hiroyuki Idenawa
- 👤 Isao Nakamura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:08
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/50; G03G15/5075; G03G15/5079
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
An electrostatic copying apparatus including a plurality of electrostatic copying machines and being characterized by comprising a plurality of sensor means connected to the copying machines respectively for sensing at least one copying machine status parameter, display means connected to the copying machines respectively and interconnection means for interconnecting all of the sensor means and display means in such a manner that each display means displays the status parameters of all of the copying machines.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
An electrostatic copying apparatus including a plurality of electrostatic copying machines and being characterized by comprising a plurality of sensor means connected to the copying machines respectively for sensing at least one copying machine status parameter, display means connected to the copying machines respectively and interconnection means for interconnecting all of the sensor means and display means in such a manner that each display means displays the status parameters of all of the copying machines.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, in which the at least one status parameter comprises at least one of whether the respective copying machine is available for copying and a copy sheet size of the respective copying machine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, in which the at least one status parameter comprises at least one of a number of copies made by the respective copying machine, a number of remaining copy sheets and an amount of remaining toner.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, in which the interconnection means comprises computing means provided in one of the copying machines and a bus line interconnecting the computing means with all of the sensor means and display means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as in claim 4, in which the computing means comprises a microcomputer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as in claim 4, further comprising printing means for printing the status parameters of all of the copying machines.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as in claim 6, in which said one of the copying machines comprises a photoconductive member, the printing means comprising imaging means for radiating a light image corresponding to the status parameters onto the photoconductive member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as in claim 7, in which the imaging means comprises a liquid crystal overlay and a light source for radiating light through the overlay onto the photoconductive member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as in claim 8, in which the light source comprises a strobe.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, in which each display means comprises a display unit and selector means for controlling the display unit to display only selected status parameters.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-09-10 | 1983-03-12 | 1983-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-09-10 | 1987-03-12 | 1987-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-09-10 | 1991-03-12 | 1991-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |