Patent US4811053A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4811053A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Copy counter and image forming apparatus having copy counter
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1987-11-19
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Granted: 1989-03-07
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Expires: 2007-11-19
Abstract
Abstract An image forming apparatus having a presettable counter and a display device for displaying the contents of the counter, in such arrangement that when copying operation is carried out in the automatic paper feed mode, the content of the counter is decreased by "1" at a time, and when copying is made in the manual paper feed mode, the content of the counter is increased by "1" at a time. For operation in the automatic feed mode, as is the case with the prior-art arrangement, a required number of copies to be made is preset into the counter and the remaining necessary number of copies to be made is displayed on the display device. When operation is performed in the manual feed mode, the number of copies already made is preset in the counter, and when the contents of the counter reaches the required total number of copies, paper feeding will be stopped.
Inventors
- 👤 Masazumi Ito
- 👤 Kimihiko Higashio
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:06
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/02; G03G15/00; G03G15/50; G03G15/5016; G03G15/502
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
An image forming apparatus comprising; means for forming an image on a sheet, first sheet feeder means for storing a plurality of sheets therein and feeding them to the image forming means one at a time. second sheet feeder means for feeding to the image forming means sheets supplied manually one at a time, means for selecting either a first mode in which copying operation is performed by using the first sheet feeder means or a second mode in which copying operation is performed by using the second sheet feeder means, numeric value input means, numeric value display means, means for outputting a signal corresponding to the operation of the image forming means, means for subtracting "1" at a time from a numeric value inputted from the numeric value input means in response to said signal when the first mode is selected and for displaying the result of said subtraction on the numeric value display means, and means for adding "1" at a time to a numeric value inputted from the numeric value input means in response to said signal when the second mode is selected and for displaying the result of said addition on the numeric value display means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
An image forming apparatus comprising; means for forming an image on a sheet, first sheet feeder means for storing a plurality of sheets therein and feeding them to the image forming means one at a time. second sheet feeder means for feeding to the image forming means sheets supplied manually one at a time, means for selecting either a first mode in which copying operation is performed by using the first sheet feeder means or a second mode in which copying operation is performed by using the second sheet feeder means, numeric value input means, numeric value display means, means for outputting a signal corresponding to the operation of the image forming means, means for subtracting "1" at a time from a numeric value inputted from the numeric value input means in response to said signal when the first mode is selected and for displaying the result of said subtraction on the numeric value display means, and means for adding "1" at a time to a numeric value inputted from the numeric value input means in response to said signal when the second mode is selected and for displaying the result of said addition on the numeric value display means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
An image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second sheet feeder means comprise a sheet insertion port, and a freely openable and closable door which causes the sheet insertion port to be exposed when the door is in its opened state and which covers the sheet insertion port when the door is in its closed state.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
An image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said selection means has means for detecting the opening and closing of the door and are adapted to select the first mode when the closed state of the door is detected and to select the second mode when the opened state of the door is detected.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising means for displaying a specified numeric value in response to the selection of the second mode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said specified numeric value is "0".
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
An image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a means for initiating timing at the end of an operation of said image forming means, and setting means for displaying said specified numeric value on said numeric value display means when no image formation is initiated in succession within a predetermined period of time after the end of the image forming operation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
An image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said specified numeric values are different between the ones of the first mode and the second mode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
An image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said specified numeric value is "1" when operation is in the first mode and "0" when operation is in the second mode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
An image formng apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a clear key, and setting means for displaying said specified numeric value on said numeric value display means in response to the operation of the clear key.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
An image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said specific numeric values are different between the ones of the first and second modes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
An image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said specific numeric values is "1" when operation is in the first mode and "0" when operation is in the second mode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
154 words
An image forming apparatus comprising; means for forming an image on a sheet, first and second sheet feeder means for feeding sheets to said image forming means, means for selecting wither the first sheet feeder means or the second sheet feeder means, numeric value input means, numeric value display means, means for outputting a signal in response to the operation of the image forming means, means for subtracting "1" at a time from a numeric value inputted from the numeric value input means in response to said signal when the first feeder means is selected and for displaying the result of said subtraction on the numeric value display means, and means for adding "1" at a time to a numeric value inputted from the numeric value input means in response to said signal when the second feeder means is selected and for displaying the result of said addition on the numeric value display means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
154 words
An image forming apparatus comprising; means for forming an image on a sheet, first and second sheet feeder means for feeding sheets to said image forming means, means for selecting wither the first sheet feeder means or the second sheet feeder means, numeric value input means, numeric value display means, means for outputting a signal in response to the operation of the image forming means, means for subtracting "1" at a time from a numeric value inputted from the numeric value input means in response to said signal when the first feeder means is selected and for displaying the result of said subtraction on the numeric value display means, and means for adding "1" at a time to a numeric value inputted from the numeric value input means in response to said signal when the second feeder means is selected and for displaying the result of said addition on the numeric value display means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
64 words
An image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 12, further comprising; means for initiating timing at the end of an operation of said image forming means, and setting means for displaying a specified numeric value on said numeric value display means when no image formation is initiated in succession within a predetermined period of time after the end of the image forming operation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
An image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein said specified numeric values differ depending on the sheet feeder means selected.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
An image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein said specified numeric value is "1" when the first sheet feeder means is selected and "0" when the second sheet feeder means is selected.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
An image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 12, further comprising; a clear key, and means for displaying a specified numeric value on said numeric value display means in response to the selection of the second sheet feeder means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
An image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein said specified numeric value is "0".
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
145 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: means forming an image on a sheet, first sheet feeder means and second sheet feeder means for feeding sheets to said image forming means, means for selecting either the first sheet feeder means on the second sheet feeder means, means for displaying numeric values relating to the number of times of image formation, first setting means for displaying a first numeric value on said numeric value display means when no image forming is initiated in succession within a predetermined period of time after the end of an image forming operation using the first sheet feeder means, and second setting means for displaying a second numeric value on said numeric value display means when no image forming is initiated in succession within a predetermined period of time after the end of an image forming operation using the second sheet feeder means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
145 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: means forming an image on a sheet, first sheet feeder means and second sheet feeder means for feeding sheets to said image forming means, means for selecting either the first sheet feeder means on the second sheet feeder means, means for displaying numeric values relating to the number of times of image formation, first setting means for displaying a first numeric value on said numeric value display means when no image forming is initiated in succession within a predetermined period of time after the end of an image forming operation using the first sheet feeder means, and second setting means for displaying a second numeric value on said numeric value display means when no image forming is initiated in succession within a predetermined period of time after the end of an image forming operation using the second sheet feeder means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
59 words
An image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 18, wherein the first sheet feeder means stores a plurality of sheets and automatically delivers the sheets one at a time to the image forming means, while the second sheet feeder means delivers to the image forming means each sheet manually inserted into an insertion port for manual sheet feeding.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
An image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 18, wherein the first numeric value is "1" and the second numeric value is "0".
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
123 words
An image forming apparatus comprising; means for forming an image on a sheet, first sheet feeder means and second sheet feeder means for feeding sheets to said image forming means, means for selecting either first sheet feeder means or second sheet feeder means, means for displaying a numeric value related to the number of times of image formings, a clear key, first control means for displaying first numeric value on said numeric value display means in response to the operation of the clear key when the first sheet feeder means is selected, second control means for displaying second numeric value on said numeric value display means in response to the operation of the clear key when the second sheet feeder means is selected.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
123 words
An image forming apparatus comprising; means for forming an image on a sheet, first sheet feeder means and second sheet feeder means for feeding sheets to said image forming means, means for selecting either first sheet feeder means or second sheet feeder means, means for displaying a numeric value related to the number of times of image formings, a clear key, first control means for displaying first numeric value on said numeric value display means in response to the operation of the clear key when the first sheet feeder means is selected, second control means for displaying second numeric value on said numeric value display means in response to the operation of the clear key when the second sheet feeder means is selected.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
58 words
An image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 21, wherein said first sheet feeder means stores a plurality of sheets therein and automatically delivers them one at a time to the image forming means, and second sheet feeder means delivers to the image forming apparatus the sheets manually inserted into an insertion port for manual sheet feeding.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
An image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 21, wherein the first numeric value is "1" and the second numeric value is "0".
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
131 words
A counter for sheet counting mounted in an image forming apparatus comprising; means for inputting an arbitrary number manually, numeric value display means, means for inputting a signal at every image forming operation, means for selecting either first mode or second mode, means for subtracting "1" at a time from a numeric value inputted form said numeric value input means in response to said signal when operation is in the first mode and for displaying the result of the subtraction on the numeric value display means, and means for adding "1" at a time to a numeric value inputted from said numeric value input means in response to said signal when operation is in the second mode and for displaying the result of the addition on said numeric value display means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
131 words
A counter for sheet counting mounted in an image forming apparatus comprising; means for inputting an arbitrary number manually, numeric value display means, means for inputting a signal at every image forming operation, means for selecting either first mode or second mode, means for subtracting "1" at a time from a numeric value inputted form said numeric value input means in response to said signal when operation is in the first mode and for displaying the result of the subtraction on the numeric value display means, and means for adding "1" at a time to a numeric value inputted from said numeric value input means in response to said signal when operation is in the second mode and for displaying the result of the addition on said numeric value display means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
68 words
A counter as set forth in claim 24, further comprising a clear key, means for displaying first numeric value on said numeric value display means in response to the operation of the clear key when the first mode is selected and means for displaying second numeric value on said numeric value display means in response to the operation of the clear key when the second mode is selected.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
A counter as set forth in claim 25, wherein the first numeric value is "1", and the second numeric value is "0".
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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) | 1992-03-06 | 1992-09-05 | 1993-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-03-06 | 1996-09-05 | 1997-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-03-06 | 2000-09-05 | 2001-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |