US4370052A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Copying apparatus with detachable sorter
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1980-04-10
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Granted: 1983-01-25
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Expires: 2000-04-10
Abstract
Abstract A copying apparatus with a detachable sorter capable of detecting the receiving capacity of the sorter and controlling the function or display of the apparatus accordingly. Also the data concerning the sorter bins are manually set on the apparatus for controlling the function or display of the apparatus accordingly.
Inventors
- 👤 Katsumi Murakami
- 👤 Katsushi Furuichi
- 👤 Toshio Honma
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:02
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/65; G03G15/6538; B; B65; B65H; B65H43/00; B65H2408/00; B65H2408/10; B65H2408/11; B65H2408/118
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
A copying apparatus, comprising: a detachable sorter having plural storage bins; means for detecting the number of usable bins of said sorter; means for generating a detection signal representative of said number of usable bins in said sorter; and means for controlling the operation of said apparatus in response to the detection signal from said detecting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
57 words
A copying apparatus, comprising: a detachable sorter having plural storage bins; means for detecting the number of usable bins of said sorter; means for generating a detection signal representative of said number of usable bins in said sorter; and means for controlling the operation of said apparatus in response to the detection signal from said detecting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means comprises: a connector for transmitting the bin number signal from said signal generator to the main body of the copying apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A copying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said detecting means further comprises: means for adding the bin number signal from a succeeding sorter and that from a preceding sorter, said connector being adapted to transmit the additional signal thus obtained to the preceding sorter or the main body of the copying apparatus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said function control means is adapted to prohibit the copying operation when the number of usable bins detected by said detecting means is less than the desired copy number.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A copying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprises means for displaying sorter selection, said means being switched to a pre-determined display mode when the number of usable bins detected by said detecting means is less than the desired copy number.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
90 words
A copying apparatus, comprising: a detachable sorter having plural storage bins; means for manually setting the number of usable bins in said sorter; and means for controlling the operation of said apparatus in response to the number of usable bins set by said setting means, said control means including: means for setting a desired number of copies; and means for controlling the operation of said apparatus when the copy number set by said copy setting means exceeds the number of usable bins in said sorter set by said setting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
90 words
A copying apparatus, comprising: a detachable sorter having plural storage bins; means for manually setting the number of usable bins in said sorter; and means for controlling the operation of said apparatus in response to the number of usable bins set by said setting means, said control means including: means for setting a desired number of copies; and means for controlling the operation of said apparatus when the copy number set by said copy setting means exceeds the number of usable bins in said sorter set by said setting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A copying apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said setting means is enabled when said sorter is connected to the main body of the copying apparatus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A copying apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising instructing means for enabling the use of said sorter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A copying apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said setting means is adapted to set the last available bin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A copying apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said operation control means is adapted to prohibit the copying operation when the number of usable bins set by said setting means is smaller than the desired copy number.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A copying apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising means for activating a display when the number of usable bins set by said setting means is smaller than the desired copy number.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A copying apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said setting means is adapted to select the sorting start bin.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A copying apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said operation control means is adapted to start storage of copy sheets from a selected bin.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
A copying apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said operation control means is adapted to control said apparatus in response to the renewed storage capacity resulting from the selection of the sorting start bin.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
A copying apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said operation control means is adapted to enable storage of copy sheets of a determined number in a determined bin set by said setting means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
A copying apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said means for controlling is adapted to activate a display in response to the detected renewed storage capacity resulting from the selection of the sorting start bin.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
56 words
An image reproducing apparatus, comprising: means for reproducing an image on a recording member; sorting means having plural storage bins for storing recording members having a reproduced image thereon; means for arbitrarily selecting a certain bin; and means for storing said recording members in succeeding bins up to said selected certain bin in said sorting means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
56 words
An image reproducing apparatus, comprising: means for reproducing an image on a recording member; sorting means having plural storage bins for storing recording members having a reproduced image thereon; means for arbitrarily selecting a certain bin; and means for storing said recording members in succeeding bins up to said selected certain bin in said sorting means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
An image reproducing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said storing means stores the recording members in succeeding bins up to said certain bin in said sorting means and remaining recording members in a separate position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
83 words
An image reproducing apparatus, comprising: means for reproducing an image on a recording member; sorting means connected to said reproduction means by a plurality of signal lines and having plural storage bins for recording members having a reproduced image thereon, said sorting means being provided with means for generating a coded signal indicative of a greater amount of data than the number of said signal lines; and means for controlling the operation of said image reproducing means in response to said coded signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
83 words
An image reproducing apparatus, comprising: means for reproducing an image on a recording member; sorting means connected to said reproduction means by a plurality of signal lines and having plural storage bins for recording members having a reproduced image thereon, said sorting means being provided with means for generating a coded signal indicative of a greater amount of data than the number of said signal lines; and means for controlling the operation of said image reproducing means in response to said coded signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said codes signal indicates the storage capacity of said sorting means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said control means is adapted to prohibit the function of said image reproducing means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
47 words
A copying apparatus, comprising: a detachable sorter having plural storage bins; means for setting the maximum number of usable bins in said plural storage bins; and means for controlling the operation of said apparatus in response to the maximum number of bins set by said setting means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
47 words
A copying apparatus, comprising: a detachable sorter having plural storage bins; means for setting the maximum number of usable bins in said plural storage bins; and means for controlling the operation of said apparatus in response to the maximum number of bins set by said setting means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said setting means comprises means for selecting a start bin and means for selecting an end bin.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
53 words
An image reproducing apparatus, comprising: means for reproducing an image on a recording member; sorting means having plural storage bins for recording members having a reproduced image thereon; means for storing said recording members in succession to a certain bin in said sorting means; and means for arbitrarily setting said certain bin manually.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
53 words
An image reproducing apparatus, comprising: means for reproducing an image on a recording member; sorting means having plural storage bins for recording members having a reproduced image thereon; means for storing said recording members in succession to a certain bin in said sorting means; and means for arbitrarily setting said certain bin manually.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
44 words
A copying apparatus, comprising: a detachable sorter having plural storage bins; means for detecting the storage capacity of said sorter and generating a detection signal in accordance therewith; and means for activating a display in response to the detection signal from said detecting means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
44 words
A copying apparatus, comprising: a detachable sorter having plural storage bins; means for detecting the storage capacity of said sorter and generating a detection signal in accordance therewith; and means for activating a display in response to the detection signal from said detecting means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
42 words
A copying apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said detecting means comprises: a bin number signal generator provided on said sorter; and a connector for transmitting the bin number signal from said signal generator to the main body of the copying apparatus.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
A copying apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said function control means is adapted to prohibit the copying operation when the storage capacity detected by said detecting means is less than the desired copy number.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
39 words
A copying apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising means for displaying sorter selection, said means being switched to a predetermined display mode when the storage capacity detected by said detecting means is less than the desired copy number.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-01-24 | 1986-07-26 | 1987-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-24 | 1990-07-26 | 1991-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-24 | 1994-07-26 | 1995-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |