Patent US5086309A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5086309A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Image forming apparatus
Assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
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Filing: 1990-07-02
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Granted: 1992-02-04
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Expires: 2010-07-02
Abstract
Abstract A page printer and system including a page printer. The page printer and each paper handling accessory device within the system includes a control unit. The control unit of the printer includes a main control unit and an auxiliary control unit. The main control unit supplies at least recording format data associated with the recording format of the recording data to the auxiliary control unit. The main control unit also inspects the specifications of each accessary device which have been previously stored in the auxiliary control unit to place the system in a standby state prior to receiving instructions to begin printing. The auxiliary control unit stores the specifications associated with each optional device and the recording format data and controls the operation of the page printer and each accessary device.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuhiko Iida
- 👤 Masahiro Koiwai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:13
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; G06K15/16; G06K15/12; G06K15/1204; G06K2215/00; G06K2215/0002; G06K2215/0005; G06K2215/0008; G06K2215/0062; G06K2215/0065; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S347/00; Y10S347/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
An image forming apparatus in combination with at least one optical device and an external device, comprising: recording means for recording images on pages of recording medium based on recording data; first control means for storing at least two pages of recording data and associated format data from the external device and for inspecting specifications of said at least one optional device; and second control means for controlling operation of said recording means and said at least one optional device based on said associated format data and specifications of said at least one optional device, said second control means including first storage means for storing format data associated with at least two pages of recording data provided by said first control means and second storage means for storing specifications of said at least one optional device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
An image forming apparatus in combination with at least one optical device and an external device, comprising: recording means for recording images on pages of recording medium based on recording data; first control means for storing at least two pages of recording data and associated format data from the external device and for inspecting specifications of said at least one optional device; and second control means for controlling operation of said recording means and said at least one optional device based on said associated format data and specifications of said at least one optional device, said second control means including first storage means for storing format data associated with at least two pages of recording data provided by said first control means and second storage means for storing specifications of said at least one optional device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said image forming apparatus is a page-type printer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one optional device includes at least one of an automatic sheet feeder and a sorter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second control means includes means for producing a timing signal to coordinate the operation of said recording means and said at least one optional device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said at least one optional device includes means for receiving the timing signal produced by said second control means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said at least one optional device includes at least one of an automatic sheet feeder and a sorter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said external device includes a host computer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
88 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said recording means includes an optical beam write means for producing a modulated light beam representing the recording data, photosensitive drum means for receiving said modulating light beam to form a latent image thereon; toner developing means for depositing toner on said photosensitive drum means to change said latent image to a toner image, transfer means for transferring the toner image to said recording medium and fixing means for permanently fixing said toner image to said recording medium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said first storage means is operable for producing instructions and wherein said second storage means stores specifications of said at least one optional device according to said instructions from said first control means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said at least one optional device includes a specification storage circuit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one optional device includes at least one of an automatic sheet feeder and a sorter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one optional device includes a specification storage circuit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said at least one optional device includes means for receiving the timing signal produced by said second control means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said external device includes a host computer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
88 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said recording means includes an optical beam write means for producing a modulated light beam representing the recording data, photosensitive drum means for receiving said modulating light beam to form a latent image thereon; toner developing means for depositing toner on said photosensitive drum means to change said latent image to a toner image, transfer means for transferring the toner image to said recording medium and fixing means for permanently fixing said toner image to said recording medium.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first storage medium is operable for producing instructions and wherein said second storage means stores specifications of said at least one optional device according to said instructions from said first control means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
113 words
An image forming apparatus in combination with at least one optional device and an external device, comprising: recording means for recording images on pages of recording medium based on recording data; first control means for storing at least two pages of recording data and associated format data from the external device and for inspecting specifications of said at least one optional device; and second control means for controlling operation of said recording means and said at least one optional device based on said associated format data, said second control means including storage means for storing format data associated with at least two pages of said recording data provided by said first control means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
113 words
An image forming apparatus in combination with at least one optional device and an external device, comprising: recording means for recording images on pages of recording medium based on recording data; first control means for storing at least two pages of recording data and associated format data from the external device and for inspecting specifications of said at least one optional device; and second control means for controlling operation of said recording means and said at least one optional device based on said associated format data, said second control means including storage means for storing format data associated with at least two pages of said recording data provided by said first control means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said image forming apparatus is a page-type printer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein said second control means includes means for producing a timing signal to coordinate the operation of said recording means and said at least one optional device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said at least one optional device includes at least one of an automatic sheet feeder and a sorter.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein said external device includes a host computer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
88 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein said recording means includes an optional beam write means for producing a modulated light beam representing the recording data, photosensitive drum means for receiving said modulated light beam to form a latent image thereon; toner developing means for depositing toner on said photosensitive drum means to change said latent image to a toner image, transfer means for transferring the toner image to said recording medium and fixing means for permanently fixing said toner image to said recording medium.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said second control means includes means for producing a timing signal to coordinate the operation of said recording means and said at least one optional device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said at least one optional device includes at least one of an automatic sheet feeder and a sorter.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said external device includes a host computer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
88 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said recording means includes an optical beam write means for producing a modulated light beam representing the recording data, photosensitive drum means for receiving said modulated light beam to form a latent image thereon; toner developing means for depositing toner on said photosensitive drum means to change said latent image to a toner image, transfer means for transferring the toner image to said recording medium and fixing means for permanently fixing said toner image to said recording medium.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
112 words
An image forming apparatus in combination with at least one optional device and an external device, comprising: recording means for recording images on pages of recording medium based on recording data; first control means for storing at least two pages of recording data and associated format data from the external device and for inspecting specifications of said at least one optional device; and second control means for controlling operation of said recording means and said at least one optional device based on said associated format data and specifications of said at least one optional device, said second control means including storage means for storing specifications of said at least one optional device.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
112 words
An image forming apparatus in combination with at least one optional device and an external device, comprising: recording means for recording images on pages of recording medium based on recording data; first control means for storing at least two pages of recording data and associated format data from the external device and for inspecting specifications of said at least one optional device; and second control means for controlling operation of said recording means and said at least one optional device based on said associated format data and specifications of said at least one optional device, said second control means including storage means for storing specifications of said at least one optional device.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein said image forming apparatus is a page-type printer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein said second control means includes means for producing a timing signal to coordinate the operation of said recording means and said at least one optional device.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein said at least one optional device includes at least one of an automatic sheet feeder and a sorter.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein said at least one optional device includes a specification storage circuit.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein said at least one optional device includes means for receiving the timing signal produced by said second control means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 32, wherein said external device includes a host computer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
88 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein said recording means includes an optical beam write means for producing a modulated light beam representing the recording data, photosensitive drum means for receiving said modulated light beam to form a latent image thereon; toner developing means for depositing toner on said photosensitive drum means to change said latent image to a toner image, transfer means for transferring the toner image to said recording medium and fixing means for permanently fixing said toner image to said recording medium.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
36 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein said second control means includes means for producing a timing signal to coordinate the operation of said recording means and said at least one optional device.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein said at least one optional device includes at least one of an automatic sheet feeder and a sorter.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein said at least one optional device includes a specification storage circuit.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
29 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein said at least one optional device includes means for receiving the timing signal produced by said second control means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein said external device includes a host computer.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
88 words
The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein said recording means includes an optical beam write means for producing a modulated light beam representing the recording data, photosensitive drum means for receiving said modulated light beam to form a latent image thereon; toner developing means for depositing toner on said photosensitive drum means to change said latent image to a toner image, transfer means for transferring the toner image to said recording medium and fixing means for permanently fixing said toner image to said recording medium.
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) | 1995-02-03 | 1995-08-05 | 1996-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-02-03 | 1999-08-05 | 2000-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-02-03 | 2003-08-05 | 2004-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |