Patent US4567433A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5138618A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5138618A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image forming apparatus with communication function
Assignee: Sharp Corp
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Filing: 1990-03-06
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Granted: 1992-08-11
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Expires: 2010-03-06
Abstract
Abstract A system includes an image forming apparatus or copier, and a central controller for remotely determining a cause of malfunction of the copier. The copier includes a control unit including a self-diagnostic portion; a selection portion for setting the control unit to a self-diagnosis mode; and a communication device for, when the self-diagnosis mode is set, connecting the control unit with a communication line. The self-diagnostic portion includes a receiving section for receiving diagnostic information through the communication device; a diagnostic section for executing self-diagnosis against the copier, on the basis of the received diagnostic information; and a transmitting section for transmitting the results of the self-diagnosis through the communication device.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshitaka Honda
- 👤 Yukio Nakai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:58
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/22; G06F11/2294; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/50; G03G15/5075; G03G15/5079; G06F11/07; G06F11/0703; G06F11/0706; G06F11/0733; G06F11/0748; G03G15/55; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/00025; G03G2215/00109
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
An image forming device comprising: a control unit including a self-diagnostic means; selection means, operatively connected to the control unit, for selecting a self diagnosis mode for said control unit; and (a) communication means, operatively connected to the control unit, for when said self-diagnosis is selected, connecting said control unit with a communication line, said self-diagnosis means including, receiving means for receiving diagnostic information through said communication means; diagnostic means, operatively connected to the receiving means, for executing self-diagnosis against said image forming device, based upon said received diagnostic information; and transmitting means, operatively connected to the diagnostic means, for transmitting results of said executed self-diagnosis through said communication means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
An image forming device comprising: a control unit including a self-diagnostic means; selection means, operatively connected to the control unit, for selecting a self diagnosis mode for said control unit; and (a) communication means, operatively connected to the control unit, for when said self-diagnosis is selected, connecting said control unit with a communication line, said self-diagnosis means including, receiving means for receiving diagnostic information through said communication means; diagnostic means, operatively connected to the receiving means, for executing self-diagnosis against said image forming device, based upon said received diagnostic information; and transmitting means, operatively connected to the diagnostic means, for transmitting results of said executed self-diagnosis through said communication means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
157 words
A self-diagnostic system for an image forming device comprising: at least one image forming device; a central controller; and a communication line connecting said central controller with each said at least one image forming device, each said at least one image forming device including, a local control unit including a self-diagnostic means; selection means, operatively connected to the control unit, for selecting self-diagnosis mode for said control unit; and communication means, operatively connected to the control unit, for, when said self-diagnosis mode is selected, connecting said control unit with a communication line, said self-diagnostic means further including, receiving means for receiving diagnostic information from said central controller through said communication means; diagnostic means, operatively connected to the receiving means, for executing self-diagnosis against said image forming device, based upon said received diagnostic information; and transmitting means, operatively connected to the diagnostic means, for transmitting results of said executed self-diagnosis to said central controller through said communication means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
157 words
A self-diagnostic system for an image forming device comprising: at least one image forming device; a central controller; and a communication line connecting said central controller with each said at least one image forming device, each said at least one image forming device including, a local control unit including a self-diagnostic means; selection means, operatively connected to the control unit, for selecting self-diagnosis mode for said control unit; and communication means, operatively connected to the control unit, for, when said self-diagnosis mode is selected, connecting said control unit with a communication line, said self-diagnostic means further including, receiving means for receiving diagnostic information from said central controller through said communication means; diagnostic means, operatively connected to the receiving means, for executing self-diagnosis against said image forming device, based upon said received diagnostic information; and transmitting means, operatively connected to the diagnostic means, for transmitting results of said executed self-diagnosis to said central controller through said communication means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
A self-diagnostic system according to claim 2 wherein said central controller comprises: transmitting means for transmitting said diagnostic information to one of said at least one image forming device through said communication line; receiving means for receiving said results from said at least one image forming device through said communication line; and process means, operatively connected to the transmitting means, for analyzing said transmitted results.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A self-diagnostic system according to claim 2 wherein said communication line is a telephone line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
161 words
A self-diagnostic method for diagnosing problems in an electronic device from a central controller at a remote location, the method comprising the steps of: a) setting a control unit, of the electronic device, to a self-diagnosis mode; b) connecting the control unit to a communication line, connected to the central controller, upon the control unit being set to the self-diagnosis mode; c) transmitting a signal from the control unit to the central controller upon obtaining the connection; d) transmitting diagnostic information from the central controller to the control unit, via the communication line, upon receiving the transmitted signal of step c; e) executing self-diagnosis on the electronic device, based upon the transmitted diagnostic information received at the control unit; f) transmitting results of the self-diagnosis to the central controller via the communication line; g) transmitting a disconnected signal to the control unit, via the communication line, upon receiving the self-diagnosis results, and h) disconnecting the control unit from the communication line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
161 words
A self-diagnostic method for diagnosing problems in an electronic device from a central controller at a remote location, the method comprising the steps of: a) setting a control unit, of the electronic device, to a self-diagnosis mode; b) connecting the control unit to a communication line, connected to the central controller, upon the control unit being set to the self-diagnosis mode; c) transmitting a signal from the control unit to the central controller upon obtaining the connection; d) transmitting diagnostic information from the central controller to the control unit, via the communication line, upon receiving the transmitted signal of step c; e) executing self-diagnosis on the electronic device, based upon the transmitted diagnostic information received at the control unit; f) transmitting results of the self-diagnosis to the central controller via the communication line; g) transmitting a disconnected signal to the control unit, via the communication line, upon receiving the self-diagnosis results, and h) disconnecting the control unit from the communication line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the signal of step (c) is a busy signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the electronic device is an image forming device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The image forming device of claim 1, wherein the communication means is a switch for connecting the control u nit to the communication line.
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) | 1995-08-11 | 1996-02-10 | 1996-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-08-11 | 2000-02-10 | 2000-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-08-11 | 2004-02-10 | 2004-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |