US4796301A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image transmission apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1985-11-19
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Granted: 1989-01-03
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Expires: 2005-11-19
Abstract
Abstract An image transmission apparatus for light-signal image transmission is easy to install and relocate and ensures reliable transmission between a plurality of readers in remote locations and a central recorder. Each reader provides data signals and command signals for controlling the operation of the recorder from the quantized image data of an original. The amplified and frequency-modulated signals proceded by image or command header signals are transmitted to the recorder. A signal intensity from the reader may be discriminated to be above a minimum acceptable level before being recorded, with an indicator of a recorder provided to warn an operator of an unacceptable low level, thereby preventing low-quality recording; a recording state may be indicated to the operator by a lamp or a buzzer. The recorder may further have a transmission request register and a priority encoder for resolving a contention arising when two or more readers simultaneously request service, by generating and assigning priority codes to each reader. The priority codes may be either predetermined, for example, so as to give one reader emergency priority over all other readers, or may be arbitrarily set according to demand.
Inventors
- 👤 Shunichi Uzawa
- 👤 Tetsuzo Mori
- 👤 Noboru Koumura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 17:42
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/0035; H04N1/00405; H04N1/00488; H04N1/0049; H04N1/32; H04N1/32609; H04N1/32625; H04N1/32635; H04N1/32646; H04N1/32651; H04N1/32657
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
An image transmission system comprising: a plurality of image data output means each for transmitting light signals representing image data on a wireless basis and for receiving light signals representing control data related to transmission of the image data; image data input means for receiving the light signals representing image data from one of said plurality of image data output means and for transmitting the light signals representing control data to all of said image data output means on a wireless basis; and image processing means, connected to said image data input means, for processing image data represented by the light signals received by said image data input means, wherein the light signals representing control data are transmitted from said image data input means with lesser directivity than that with which the light signals representing image data are transmitted from said image data output means, and wherein said image data input means transmits the light signals representing control data for selecting any one of said image data output means to all of said plurality of image data output means, and the selected image data output means transmits the light signals representing image data to said image data input means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
An image transmission system comprising: a plurality of image data output means each for transmitting light signals representing image data on a wireless basis and for receiving light signals representing control data related to transmission of the image data; image data input means for receiving the light signals representing image data from one of said plurality of image data output means and for transmitting the light signals representing control data to all of said image data output means on a wireless basis; and image processing means, connected to said image data input means, for processing image data represented by the light signals received by said image data input means, wherein the light signals representing control data are transmitted from said image data input means with lesser directivity than that with which the light signals representing image data are transmitted from said image data output means, and wherein said image data input means transmits the light signals representing control data for selecting any one of said image data output means to all of said plurality of image data output means, and the selected image data output means transmits the light signals representing image data to said image data input means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the light signals representing image data and the light signals representing control data are transmitted by respective associated light signals having mutually different wave lengths.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said image data output means has reading means for reading an original image to generate the light signals representing image data representing the original image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said image processing means performs image formation based on the light signals representing image data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said image data input means has a common receiving unit through which it receives the light signals representing image data transmitted from said plurality of image data output means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
125 words
An image transmission system, comprising: a plurality of means, controlled independently of each other, for individually providing image data; a transmitting unit for transmitting light signals representing the image data provided by said plurality of image data providing means through a common transmitting unit; and image processing means for receiving the light signals transmitted from said transmitting means and for processing the image data represented by the received light signals, wherein said transmitting unit is controlled to permit transmission of the light signals representing the image data from one of said image data providing means according to a predetermined priority procedure, in the event that at least two of said plurality of image data providing means simultaneously provide the image data to said transmitting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
125 words
An image transmission system, comprising: a plurality of means, controlled independently of each other, for individually providing image data; a transmitting unit for transmitting light signals representing the image data provided by said plurality of image data providing means through a common transmitting unit; and image processing means for receiving the light signals transmitted from said transmitting means and for processing the image data represented by the received light signals, wherein said transmitting unit is controlled to permit transmission of the light signals representing the image data from one of said image data providing means according to a predetermined priority procedure, in the event that at least two of said plurality of image data providing means simultaneously provide the image data to said transmitting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system according to claim 6, wherein said transmitting unit is controlled not to transmit light signals representing image data from said image data output means from which light signals representing image data have most recently been provided and transmitted.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system according to claim 6, further comprising means for selecting a specified one or ones of said plurality of image data output means, wherein said transmitting unit is controlled to prohibit transmission of the image data from the image data output means selected by said selected means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 6, wherein said image data output means has means for reading an original image to produce the image data.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 6, wherein said image processing means performs image formation based on the image data.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 6, wherein said transmitting unit transmits the image data in the form of a light signal on a wireless basis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
222 words
An image transmission system comprising: image signal output means for converting image data into an image-representing light signal to be transmitted on a wireless basis, said image signal output means including first converting means for converting a light signal incident thereon into an electrical signal; light-receiving means for receiving light signals from said image signal output means, said light-receiving means including second converting means for converting received light signals into electrical signals and reflecting means for reflecting received light signals back to said image signal output means; image processing means, connected to said light-receiving means, for processing the electrical signals from said second converting means; and detecting means, connected to said first converting means, for detecting a condition of a light signal reflected back to said image signal output means, wherein said image signal output means is operable to transmit a test light signal prior to transmission of the image-representing light signal and said detecting means is operable to detect the condition based on an electrical signal from said first converting means generated in response to the test light signal reflected back to said image signal output means, wherein said image signal output means and said detecting means cooperate to prevent transmission of an image-representing light signal if said detecting means detects that the test light signal is in an improper condition.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
222 words
An image transmission system comprising: image signal output means for converting image data into an image-representing light signal to be transmitted on a wireless basis, said image signal output means including first converting means for converting a light signal incident thereon into an electrical signal; light-receiving means for receiving light signals from said image signal output means, said light-receiving means including second converting means for converting received light signals into electrical signals and reflecting means for reflecting received light signals back to said image signal output means; image processing means, connected to said light-receiving means, for processing the electrical signals from said second converting means; and detecting means, connected to said first converting means, for detecting a condition of a light signal reflected back to said image signal output means, wherein said image signal output means is operable to transmit a test light signal prior to transmission of the image-representing light signal and said detecting means is operable to detect the condition based on an electrical signal from said first converting means generated in response to the test light signal reflected back to said image signal output means, wherein said image signal output means and said detecting means cooperate to prevent transmission of an image-representing light signal if said detecting means detects that the test light signal is in an improper condition.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 12, wherein said detecting means detects the intensity of the test light signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 12, further comprising means for displaying the condition detected by said detecting means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 12, wherein said image signal output means has reading means for reading an original image to generate the image data representing the original image.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 12, wherein said image processing means performs image formation based on the electrical signal.
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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) | 1992-01-03 | 1992-07-04 | 1993-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-01-03 | 1996-07-04 | 1997-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-01-03 | 2000-07-04 | 2001-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |