Patent US4922294A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4922294A
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US
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Image forming apparatus
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1988-11-03
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Granted: 1990-05-01
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Expires: 2008-11-03
Abstract
Abstract An image forming apparatus equipped with a sensor for detecting the requirement of replenishment and exchange of expendable supplies, parts and the like and an image forming structure capable of forming on the same sheet of paper a prewarning image in addition to a regular image formed corresponding to an original or image information to be copied. The image forming structure receives different control depending on whether or not the sensor is detecting the requirement of replenishment and exchange, wherein if the sensor is not detecting the requirement, it forms only a regular image while when the sensor detects the requirement, it forms a prewarning image together with a regular image thereby indicating the requirement of replenishment and exchange by the prewarning image on the same sheet on which a regular image is formed.
Inventors
- 👤 Hidekazu Nakagami
- 👤 Masashi Sakamoto
- 👤 Hiroshi Ozawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 03:11
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/55; G03G15/553
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a first image forming means for forming a first image corresponding to an original or image information to be copied on a sheet; a detecting means for detecting a specific condition of the image forming apparatus; a second image forming means for forming a second image indicative of said specific condition; and a control means for controlling said first and second image forming means to form the second image together with the first image on the sheet in accordance with the detection of said specific condition by said detecting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a first image forming means for forming a first image corresponding to an original or image information to be copied on a sheet; a detecting means for detecting a specific condition of the image forming apparatus; a second image forming means for forming a second image indicative of said specific condition; and a control means for controlling said first and second image forming means to form the second image together with the first image on the sheet in accordance with the detection of said specific condition by said detecting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
95 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a first image forming means for forming a first image corresponding to an original or image information to be copied on a sheet; a detecting means for detecting near emptiness of expendable supplies used in forming the first image; a second image forming means for forming a predetermined second image indicative of said near emptiness; and a control means for controlling said first and second image forming means to form the second image together with the first image on the sheet in accordance with the detection by said detecting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
95 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a first image forming means for forming a first image corresponding to an original or image information to be copied on a sheet; a detecting means for detecting near emptiness of expendable supplies used in forming the first image; a second image forming means for forming a predetermined second image indicative of said near emptiness; and a control means for controlling said first and second image forming means to form the second image together with the first image on the sheet in accordance with the detection by said detecting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said second image forming means forms said second image in different color from the color of said first image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
106 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a first image forming means for forming a first image corresponding to an original or image information to be copied on a sheet; a detecting means for detecting various conditions which require supply of expendable supplies used in forming the first image; a second image forming means for forming a predetermined second image indicative of one of said conditions; and a control means for controlling said second image forming means upon the detection by said detecting means so as to form the second image which has the message corresponding to the condition detected together with the first image on the sheet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
106 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a first image forming means for forming a first image corresponding to an original or image information to be copied on a sheet; a detecting means for detecting various conditions which require supply of expendable supplies used in forming the first image; a second image forming means for forming a predetermined second image indicative of one of said conditions; and a control means for controlling said second image forming means upon the detection by said detecting means so as to form the second image which has the message corresponding to the condition detected together with the first image on the sheet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said condition is near emptiness of expendable supplies or near fulfillment of a receptacle of waste.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
87 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image forming means; a detecting means for detecting a condition which require supply of expendable supplies; a memory means for storing image data corresponding to an appointed image indicative of said condition; and a control means for controlling said image forming means to form an image which corresponds to an image information to be formed and said appointed image in conformity with said image data on the same sheet in accordance with the detection of said condition by said detecting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
87 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image forming means; a detecting means for detecting a condition which require supply of expendable supplies; a memory means for storing image data corresponding to an appointed image indicative of said condition; and a control means for controlling said image forming means to form an image which corresponds to an image information to be formed and said appointed image in conformity with said image data on the same sheet in accordance with the detection of said condition by said detecting means.
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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) | 1993-04-30 | 1993-10-30 | 1994-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-30 | 1997-10-30 | 1998-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-30 | 2001-10-30 | 2002-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |