US4583834A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Copying apparatus
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1978-09-08
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Granted: 1986-04-22
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Expires: 1998-09-08
Abstract
Abstract A plurality of copying machines (12), (13), (14) are connected to a computer (39). Each copying machine (12), (13), (14) comprises sensor means (16), (17), (18), (19), (21), (22), (23), (24) for sensing various operating parameters thereof such as a total number of copies produced, machine malfunctions, amounts of remaining copy sheets and toner, etc. These parameters are all transmitted to the computer (39) which processes and prints them out. In response to a copying machine malfunction the computer (39) feeds back to the malfunctioning copying machine instructions for correction. The instructions are displayed at the copying machine. The computer (39) further computes the degree of degeneration of the photoconductive element of each copying machine (12), (13), (14) and controls the imaging exposure intensity and developing bias voltage in accordance therewith.
Inventors
- 👤 Nachio Seko
- 👤 Tatsuo Tani
- 👤 Hiroyuki Idenawa
- 👤 Takashi Yano
- 👤 Isao Nakamura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:27
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/55; G03G15/50; G03G15/5075; G03G15/5079; G03G15/553; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/00025; G03G2215/00088; G03G2215/00092
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A copying apparatus including a plurality of copying machines each having sensor means for sensing operating parameters thereof, characterized by comprising: storage means provided in each copying machine respectively for storing the parameters thereof; computing means; and transmission means for transmitting the parameters from the storage means of all of the copying machines to the computing means; the computing means comprising display means for displaying the parameters of all of the copying machines and being constructed to operate on the parameters in a predetermined manner.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A copying apparatus including a plurality of copying machines each having sensor means for sensing operating parameters thereof, characterized by comprising: storage means provided in each copying machine respectively for storing the parameters thereof; computing means; and transmission means for transmitting the parameters from the storage means of all of the copying machines to the computing means; the computing means comprising display means for displaying the parameters of all of the copying machines and being constructed to operate on the parameters in a predetermined manner.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, in which the transmission means is constructed to transmit the parameters of the copying machines to the computing means in sequence.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, in which the display means comprises a printer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
120 words
A copying apparatus including a plurality of copying machines each having sensor means for sensing operating parameters thereof, characterized by comprising: storage means provided in each copying machine respectively for storing the parameters thereof; computing means for operating on the parameters in a predetermined manner; and transmission means for transmitting the parameters from the storage means of all of the copying machines to the computing means; the parameters including at least two of the following parameters: a total number of copies, numbers of copies of different sizes, a sheet jam, a fixer overheating condition, an exposure lamp overheating condition, a number of remaining copy sheets, an amount of remaining toner, an amount of photoconductive element use and an identification code.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
120 words
A copying apparatus including a plurality of copying machines each having sensor means for sensing operating parameters thereof, characterized by comprising: storage means provided in each copying machine respectively for storing the parameters thereof; computing means for operating on the parameters in a predetermined manner; and transmission means for transmitting the parameters from the storage means of all of the copying machines to the computing means; the parameters including at least two of the following parameters: a total number of copies, numbers of copies of different sizes, a sheet jam, a fixer overheating condition, an exposure lamp overheating condition, a number of remaining copy sheets, an amount of remaining toner, an amount of photoconductive element use and an identification code.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
95 words
A copying apparatus including a plurality of copying machines each having sensor means for sensing operating parameters thereof, characterized by comprising: storage means provided in each copying machine respectively for storing the parameters thereof; computing means; and transmission means for transmitting the parameters from the storage means of all of the copying machines to the computing means; the parameters including malfunction conditions of the copying machines, the computing means being constructed to compute and feed to a malfunctioning copying machine instructions for correcting the malfunction, each copying machine comprising display means for displaying the instructions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
95 words
A copying apparatus including a plurality of copying machines each having sensor means for sensing operating parameters thereof, characterized by comprising: storage means provided in each copying machine respectively for storing the parameters thereof; computing means; and transmission means for transmitting the parameters from the storage means of all of the copying machines to the computing means; the parameters including malfunction conditions of the copying machines, the computing means being constructed to compute and feed to a malfunctioning copying machine instructions for correcting the malfunction, each copying machine comprising display means for displaying the instructions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
87 words
A copy apparatus including a plurality of copying machines each having sensor means for sensing operating parameters thereof, charactrized by comprising: storage means provided in each copying machine respectively for storing the parameters thereof; computing means; and transmission means for transmitting the parameters from the storage means of all of the copying machines to the computing means; the parameters comprising an amount of photoconductive elements use, the computing means being constructed to compute a degree of photoconductive element degeneration and control the copying machines in response thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
87 words
A copy apparatus including a plurality of copying machines each having sensor means for sensing operating parameters thereof, charactrized by comprising: storage means provided in each copying machine respectively for storing the parameters thereof; computing means; and transmission means for transmitting the parameters from the storage means of all of the copying machines to the computing means; the parameters comprising an amount of photoconductive elements use, the computing means being constructed to compute a degree of photoconductive element degeneration and control the copying machines in response thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as in claim 6, in which each copying machine comprises means for controlling at least one of an imaging exposure intensity and a developing bias voltage in response to the computed degree of photoconductive element degeneration.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
87 words
A copying apparatus including a plurality of copying machines each having sensor means for sensing operating parameters thereof, characterized by comprising: storage means provided in each copying machine respectively for storing the parameters thereof; computing means for operating on the parameters in a predetermined manner; and transmission means for transmitting the parameters for the storage means of all of the copying machines to the computing means; the computing means comprising a computer and processing means for processing the parameters prior to feeding the parameters to the computer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
87 words
A copying apparatus including a plurality of copying machines each having sensor means for sensing operating parameters thereof, characterized by comprising: storage means provided in each copying machine respectively for storing the parameters thereof; computing means for operating on the parameters in a predetermined manner; and transmission means for transmitting the parameters for the storage means of all of the copying machines to the computing means; the computing means comprising a computer and processing means for processing the parameters prior to feeding the parameters to the computer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as in claim 8, in which the processing means comprises a central processing unit, a read-only memory containing an operating program and a random-access memory for temporarily storing the 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) | 1989-04-21 | 1989-10-21 | 1990-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-21 | 1993-10-21 | 1994-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-21 | 1997-10-21 | 1998-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |