US4476486A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Image recording system utilizing a plurality of recording units
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1981-12-07
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Granted: 1984-10-09
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Expires: 2001-12-07
Abstract
Abstract An image recording apparatus of the invention has a number of recording units for recording image data of the same or different colors on one or more recording media; a counter to set the number of copies to be produced; and a switch device which selects the recording units to be used in a current recording operation according to the number of copies to be produced and statuses of the respective recording units. A number of copies can be produced simultaneously by the recording units within a period of time shorter than a period of time required for sequentially recording the same number of copies. Dichromatic or polychromatic recording may be freely selected or combined with monochromatic recording by selecting feed paths and an auxiliary path for guiding the recording paper sheet.
Inventors
- 👤 Naoki Ayata
- 👤 Noboru Koumura
- 👤 Seiji Saito
- 👤 Hidetoshi Suzuki
- 👤 Kunitaka Ozawa
- 👤 Koji Kazuma
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 17:15
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/23; H04N1/2307; H04N1/2361; H04N1/32; H04N1/32502; H04N1/32523; H04N1/32539; H04N1/32545; H04N1/3255; H04N1/32555; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/0077; H04N2201/0081; H04N2201/0082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
An image recording system comprising: a plurality of recording units for recording on a plurality of recording media; means for setting a recording number; and means for selecting at least one of said recording units to be used for recording, accodding to the recording number set by said recording number setting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
An image recording system comprising: a plurality of recording units for recording on a plurality of recording media; means for setting a recording number; and means for selecting at least one of said recording units to be used for recording, accodding to the recording number set by said recording number setting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of recording units are operable to record simultaneously on a plurality of recording media.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of recording units are operable to record the same image data.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said recording unit selecting means selects all of said recording units when the recording number set in said recording number setting means is greater than the number of said recording units.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said recording units are selected according to a predetermined priority when the recording number set in said recording number setting means is smaller than the total number of said recording units.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
An image recording system comprising: a plurality of recording units for recording on a plurality of recording media; a plurality of holders each associated with one of said plurality of recording units for holding said recording media; and means for selecting at least one of said recording units for recording; said recording units being selected for recording by said selecting means according to a predetermined priority, and the capacities of said holders being set according to said priority.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
78 words
An image recording system comprising: a plurality of recording units for recording on a plurality of recording media; a plurality of holders each associated with one of said plurality of recording units for holding said recording media; and means for selecting at least one of said recording units for recording; said recording units being selected for recording by said selecting means according to a predetermined priority, and the capacities of said holders being set according to said priority.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of recording units are operable to record simultaneously on a plurality of recording media.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of recording units are operable to record the same image data.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
83 words
An image recording system comprising: a plurality of recording units for recording on a plurality of recording media; means for setting a recording number; means for detecting if each of said recording units is in a usable condition; and means for selecting at least one of said recording units to be used for recording according to an output from said detecting means, said selected recording unit or units performing recording a number of times equal to the number set by said setting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
83 words
An image recording system comprising: a plurality of recording units for recording on a plurality of recording media; means for setting a recording number; means for detecting if each of said recording units is in a usable condition; and means for selecting at least one of said recording units to be used for recording according to an output from said detecting means, said selected recording unit or units performing recording a number of times equal to the number set by said setting means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system according to claim 9, wherein said recording unit selecting means selects at least one of said recording units to be used by comparing the number of said recording units which are in unsable condition and the recording number set in said setting means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
72 words
An image recording system comprising: a plurality of recording units for recording on a plurality of recording media; a plurality of holders each associated with one said recording unit for holding said recording media; means for detecting the amount of said recording media held in each of said holders; and means for selecting at least one said recording unit to be used for recording according to an output from said detecting means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
72 words
An image recording system comprising: a plurality of recording units for recording on a plurality of recording media; a plurality of holders each associated with one said recording unit for holding said recording media; means for detecting the amount of said recording media held in each of said holders; and means for selecting at least one said recording unit to be used for recording according to an output from said detecting means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system according to claim 11, wherein said recording unit selecting means selects, according to a priority, said recording unit with which said holder, holding the greatest amount of said recording media, is associated.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system according to claim 11, wherein said recording unit selecting means selects all of said recording units independently of the output from said detecting means when the recording number is greater than the total number of said recording units.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
78 words
An image recording system comprising: a plurality of recording units for recording on a plurality of recording media; means for generating a plurality of pieces of recording data; and data selecting means for selectively supplying said plurality of pieces of data to said plurality of recording units, said data selecting means further selecting data from said plurality of pieces of recording data, and selecting at least one of said recording units to which the selected data is supplied.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
78 words
An image recording system comprising: a plurality of recording units for recording on a plurality of recording media; means for generating a plurality of pieces of recording data; and data selecting means for selectively supplying said plurality of pieces of data to said plurality of recording units, said data selecting means further selecting data from said plurality of pieces of recording data, and selecting at least one of said recording units to which the selected data is supplied.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 14, wherein said plurality of pieces of recording data are obtained by color separation of an image of an original and contain different color data.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 14, wherein said data selecting means selectively supplies one or a combination of a plurality of pieces of data to said recording unit or units selected thereby.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 14, wherein said plurality of recording units is operable to record simultaneously on a plurality of recording media.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
70 words
An image recording system comprising: a plurality of recording units for recording on a plurality of recording media; and means for generating recording data to be recorded by said recording units; each of said plurality of recording units having first recording measn for recording said data in a first color, and a least one of said recording units having second recording means for recording said data in a second color.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
70 words
An image recording system comprising: a plurality of recording units for recording on a plurality of recording media; and means for generating recording data to be recorded by said recording units; each of said plurality of recording units having first recording measn for recording said data in a first color, and a least one of said recording units having second recording means for recording said data in a second color.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 18, wherein said first recording means and said second recording means are operable both independently of each other and simultaneously.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 18, wherein a recording color for each of said plurality of recording units can be selected.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 18, wherein said first recording means performs image recording in black color.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
60 words
An image recording system comprising: a plurality of recording units for recording on a plurality of recording media; and means for generating recording data for said recording units; at least one of said recording units being operable to record said recording data generated by said generating means in a different color from the colors in which other recording units record.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
60 words
An image recording system comprising: a plurality of recording units for recording on a plurality of recording media; and means for generating recording data for said recording units; at least one of said recording units being operable to record said recording data generated by said generating means in a different color from the colors in which other recording units record.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
An image recording system according to claim 22, wherein said plurality of recording units are operable to record simultaneously on a plurality of recording media.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
93 words
An image recording system comprising: a first recording unit for recording first image data on a recording medium; a second recording unit for recording second image data on another recording medium; first and second main feeding means, each associated with one of said recording units, respectively for feeding said recording medium and said other recording medium to said first and second recording units and exhausting said respective recording media after recording; and auxiliary feeding means for feeding said recording medium to said second recording unit after recording thereon by said first recording unit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
93 words
An image recording system comprising: a first recording unit for recording first image data on a recording medium; a second recording unit for recording second image data on another recording medium; first and second main feeding means, each associated with one of said recording units, respectively for feeding said recording medium and said other recording medium to said first and second recording units and exhausting said respective recording media after recording; and auxiliary feeding means for feeding said recording medium to said second recording unit after recording thereon by said first recording unit.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 24, wherein said first recording unit and said second recording unit record in different colors.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
63 words
A system according to claim 24, wherein said auxiliary feeding means comprises switching means for guiding said recording medium from said first main feeding means to said second main feeding means and alternatively for causing said recording medium to be fed only by said first main feeding means and said other recording medium to be fed only by said second main feeding means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system according to claim 25, wherein said first recording unit and said second recording unit each have holders respectively for holding said recording medium and said other recording medium and exhausting members respectively for receiving said recording medium and said other recording medium after recording.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
74 words
An image recording system comprising: means for electrically reading an image of an original and generating an output signal representative thereof; means for operating on an output signal from said reading means to generate a plurality of image signals representing different color data; means for recording color images based on said plurality of image signals from said operating means; and selecting means for selectively supplying said plurality of image signals to said recording means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
74 words
An image recording system comprising: means for electrically reading an image of an original and generating an output signal representative thereof; means for operating on an output signal from said reading means to generate a plurality of image signals representing different color data; means for recording color images based on said plurality of image signals from said operating means; and selecting means for selectively supplying said plurality of image signals to said recording means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 28, wherein said electrical reading means has a first detection element for detecting light of short wavelength and a second detection element for detection light of long wavelength.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 28, wherein said operating means generates a plurality of image signals representing different color data.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 28, wherein said electrical reading means reads the image of said original and discriminates between two colors comprising the image.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 28, wherein said recording means records an image, based on said plurality image signals, in black or red color.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
58 words
An image recording system comprising: a plurality of recording units for recording on a plurality of recording members; and means for selecting at least one of said recording units according to a predetermined priority; said plurality of recording units each accommodating a recording agent for image recording on the recording member in an amount corresponding to said priority.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
58 words
An image recording system comprising: a plurality of recording units for recording on a plurality of recording members; and means for selecting at least one of said recording units according to a predetermined priority; said plurality of recording units each accommodating a recording agent for image recording on the recording member in an amount corresponding to said priority.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 33, wherein said recording units are each provided with a vessel having capacity sufficient to accommodate the amount of the recording agent.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 33 wherein said selecting means selects one or more of said recording units in accordance with the number recordings to be made by said system.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
79 words
An image recording system comprising: means for electrically reading an image of an original; means for converting image information representing the image read by said reading means to a digital signal; a plurality of recording units for recording an image based on the digital signal from said converting means; and means for selecting a number of said plurality of recording units to be enabled for image recording; said selected number of recording units being simultaneously operable for image recording.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
79 words
An image recording system comprising: means for electrically reading an image of an original; means for converting image information representing the image read by said reading means to a digital signal; a plurality of recording units for recording an image based on the digital signal from said converting means; and means for selecting a number of said plurality of recording units to be enabled for image recording; said selected number of recording units being simultaneously operable for image recording.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 36, including means for setting the recording number to be recorded by said recording units.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 36, including means for detecting an abnormality in any one of said recording units.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
47 words
An image recording system comprising: means for electrically reading an image of an original; means for storing data representing the image read by said reading means; and a plurality of recording units each for recording an image based on the same image data from said storage means.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
47 words
An image recording system comprising: means for electrically reading an image of an original; means for storing data representing the image read by said reading means; and a plurality of recording units each for recording an image based on the same image data from said storage means.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 39 wherein each of said plurality of recording units records the image in a different color from others of said recording units.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3588322A
Cited
US4251153A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-10-09 | 1988-04-09 | 1988-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-09 | 1992-04-09 | 1992-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-09 | 1996-04-09 | 1996-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |