Patent US4958188A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4958188A
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US
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Image forming apparatus with one reset switch for resetting one type of trouble and a second reset switch for resetting a second type of trouble
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1988-12-27
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Granted: 1990-09-18
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Expires: 2008-12-27
Abstract
Abstract An image forming apparatus which, when a trouble is detected, discriminates between a minor trouble and a serious one which may cause a high extent of damage and puts a copying operation in an inoperative state, so that in case of the minor trouble a first reset switch operable by an operator is operated to release the inoperative state and in case of the serious trouble a second reset switch operable by a maintenance staff is operated to release the inoperative state so as not to allow the operator to release the inoperative state caused by the serious trouble, thereby preventing aggravation of damage caused by the trouble.
Inventors
- 👤 Hirohisa Miyamoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:25
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/50; G03G15/55
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: image processing means including a plurality of discrete operating elements cooperable with one another; trouble detecting means for detecting trouble occurring in each of said elements; apparatus stop means for putting said apparatus in an inoperative state when said trouble is detected; a first switch operable by an operator; a second switch provided at a different position from said first switch; discriminating means for discriminating between a first kind of said trouble and a second kind thereof; and releasing means for releasing said inoperative state in response to said first switch when said first kind of trouble occurs, and for releasing said inoperative state in response to said second switch when said second kind of trouble occurs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: image processing means including a plurality of discrete operating elements cooperable with one another; trouble detecting means for detecting trouble occurring in each of said elements; apparatus stop means for putting said apparatus in an inoperative state when said trouble is detected; a first switch operable by an operator; a second switch provided at a different position from said first switch; discriminating means for discriminating between a first kind of said trouble and a second kind thereof; and releasing means for releasing said inoperative state in response to said first switch when said first kind of trouble occurs, and for releasing said inoperative state in response to said second switch when said second kind of trouble occurs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second switch is operated by a maintenance staff.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
85 words
An image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising; a power switch for supplying and cutting off electric power to said apparatus; storage means for storing therein the occurrence of said second kind of trouble; first control means for putting said apparatus in the inoperative state in the case where said second kind of trouble is stored in said storage means when said power switch is closed; and second control means for clearing said storage means in response to said second switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
106 words
An image forming apparatus comprising; image processing means including a plurality of discrete operating elements cooperable with one another; trouble detecting means for detecting trouble occurring in each of said elements; apparatus stop means for putting said apparatus in an inoperative state when said trouble is detected; a releasing switch being operable by an operator; discriminating means for discriminating between a first kind of said trouble and a second kind thereof; and releasing means for releasing said inoperative state in response to said releasing switch when said first kind of trouble occurs, and for making said releasing switch inoperable when said second kind of trouble occurs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
106 words
An image forming apparatus comprising; image processing means including a plurality of discrete operating elements cooperable with one another; trouble detecting means for detecting trouble occurring in each of said elements; apparatus stop means for putting said apparatus in an inoperative state when said trouble is detected; a releasing switch being operable by an operator; discriminating means for discriminating between a first kind of said trouble and a second kind thereof; and releasing means for releasing said inoperative state in response to said releasing switch when said first kind of trouble occurs, and for making said releasing switch inoperable when said second kind of trouble occurs.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of releasing the inoperative state for an image forming apparatus which comprises image processng means including a plurality of discrete operating elements cooperable with one another, trouble detecting means for detecting trouble occurring in each of said elements, apparatus stop means for putting said apparatus in an inoperative state when said trouble is detected, and a releasing switch operable by an operator, said method comprising the steps of; discriminating between a first kind of said trouble and a second kind thereof; releasing said inoperative state in response to said releasing switch when said first kind of trouble occurs; and making said releasing switch inoperable when said second kind of trouble occurs.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of releasing the inoperative state for an image forming apparatus which comprises image processng means including a plurality of discrete operating elements cooperable with one another, trouble detecting means for detecting trouble occurring in each of said elements, apparatus stop means for putting said apparatus in an inoperative state when said trouble is detected, and a releasing switch operable by an operator, said method comprising the steps of; discriminating between a first kind of said trouble and a second kind thereof; releasing said inoperative state in response to said releasing switch when said first kind of trouble occurs; and making said releasing switch inoperable when said second kind of trouble occurs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
119 words
A controlling method for an image forming apparatus which comprises image processing means including a plurality of discrete operating elements cooperable with one another, trouble detecting means for detecting trouble occurring in each of said elements, and apparatus stop means for putting said apparatus in an inoperative state when said trouble is detected, said method comprising the steps of; discriminating between a first kind of said trouble and a second kind thereof; inputting a first release instruction; releasing said inoperative state in response to said first release instruction when said first kind of trouble occurs; inputting a second release instruction; and releasing said inoperative state in response to said second release instruction when said second kind of trouble occurs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
119 words
A controlling method for an image forming apparatus which comprises image processing means including a plurality of discrete operating elements cooperable with one another, trouble detecting means for detecting trouble occurring in each of said elements, and apparatus stop means for putting said apparatus in an inoperative state when said trouble is detected, said method comprising the steps of; discriminating between a first kind of said trouble and a second kind thereof; inputting a first release instruction; releasing said inoperative state in response to said first release instruction when said first kind of trouble occurs; inputting a second release instruction; and releasing said inoperative state in response to said second release instruction when said second kind of trouble occurs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
134 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: image processing means including a plurality of discrete operation elements cooperable with one another; trouble detecting means for detecting trouble occurring in each of said elements; apparatus stop means for putting said apparatus in an inoperative state when said trouble is detected; a first switch operable by an operator, said first switch provided at an operator accessible place; a second switch provided at a place where said operator is hard to access; discriminating means for discriminating between a first kind of said trouble and a second kind of said trouble; and releasing means for releasing said inoperative state in response to said first switch when said first kind of trouble occurs, and releasing said inoperative state in response to said second switch when said second kind of trouble occurs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
134 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: image processing means including a plurality of discrete operation elements cooperable with one another; trouble detecting means for detecting trouble occurring in each of said elements; apparatus stop means for putting said apparatus in an inoperative state when said trouble is detected; a first switch operable by an operator, said first switch provided at an operator accessible place; a second switch provided at a place where said operator is hard to access; discriminating means for discriminating between a first kind of said trouble and a second kind of said trouble; and releasing means for releasing said inoperative state in response to said first switch when said first kind of trouble occurs, and releasing said inoperative state in response to said second switch when said second kind of trouble occurs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
An image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 7, further comprising: cover means for covering said second switch such that said second switch is hard to access by the operator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
An image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said cover means is fixed to a housing of the apparatus by a screw.
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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) | 1993-09-17 | 1994-03-19 | 1994-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-09-17 | 1998-03-19 | 1998-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-09-17 | 2002-03-19 | 2002-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |