Patent US5164769A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5164769A
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Method and apparatus for controlling data communication in a copying system
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1991-05-24
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Granted: 1992-11-17
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Expires: 2011-05-24
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for controlling data communication in a copying system which is provided with a copying machine and a plurality of peripheral units cooperating with the copying machine. The copying machine has a single serial transmitting port. Data from the copying machine is first transmitted to one of the peripheral units through the serial transmitting port. Then, a connection between the serial transmitting port and the one of the peripheral units is electrically switched to a connection between the serial transmitting port and the other of the peripheral units. Thereafter, data from the copying machine is transmitted to the other of the peripheral units through the same serial transmitting port.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenji Hashimoto
- 👤 Shozo Miyawaki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 11:09
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/65; G03G15/6538; G03G15/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
242 words
A method of controlling data communication in a copying system which is provided with a copying machine and a plurality of peripheral units cooperating with said copying machine, said copy machine having a single serial transmitting port, said method comprising the steps of: transmitting data from said copying machine to one peripheral unit of said plurality of peripheral units through said serial transmitting port; electrically switching a connection between said serial transmitting port and said one peripheral unit to a connection between said serial transmitting port and another peripheral unit which is different from said one peripheral unit in type and kind after a predetermined time from a data transmission to said one peripheral unit is started, said predetermined time being longer than a period for transmitting said data from said copying machine to said one peripheral unit wherein said electrical switching includes providing a single central processing unit in the copying machine and providing an interface circuit responsive to said central processing unit and connected to said serial transmitting port wherein the providing of said interface circuit includes the providing of a plurality of logic gates responsive to a control signal from said central processing unit in order to provide said connection between said serial transmitting port and a selected one of said peripheral units for said predetermined time; and transmitting data from said copying machine to said another peripheral unit directly through said serial transmitting port after said switching step.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
242 words
A method of controlling data communication in a copying system which is provided with a copying machine and a plurality of peripheral units cooperating with said copying machine, said copy machine having a single serial transmitting port, said method comprising the steps of: transmitting data from said copying machine to one peripheral unit of said plurality of peripheral units through said serial transmitting port; electrically switching a connection between said serial transmitting port and said one peripheral unit to a connection between said serial transmitting port and another peripheral unit which is different from said one peripheral unit in type and kind after a predetermined time from a data transmission to said one peripheral unit is started, said predetermined time being longer than a period for transmitting said data from said copying machine to said one peripheral unit wherein said electrical switching includes providing a single central processing unit in the copying machine and providing an interface circuit responsive to said central processing unit and connected to said serial transmitting port wherein the providing of said interface circuit includes the providing of a plurality of logic gates responsive to a control signal from said central processing unit in order to provide said connection between said serial transmitting port and a selected one of said peripheral units for said predetermined time; and transmitting data from said copying machine to said another peripheral unit directly through said serial transmitting port after said switching step.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said peripheral units are an automatic document feeder and a sorter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said peripheral units are an automatic document feeder and at least two sorters.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said one peripheral unit is one of said sorters and said another peripheral unit is said automatic document feeder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
98 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said one of said sorters has a single serial receiving port, and wherein said method further comprises the steps of: receiving the data from said copying machine directly through said serial receiving port; electrically switching a connection between said serial receiving port and said serial transmitting port of said copying machine to a connection between said serial receiving port and the other sorter; and receiving data from the other sorter through said serial receiving port in a period of transmission of data from said copying machine to said document feeder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
107 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said one of the sorters has a single serial transmitting port, and wherein said method further comprises the steps of: transmitting data from said one of the sorters to said copying machine directly through said serial transmitting port of said sorter; electrically switching a connection between said serial transmitting port and said copying machine to a connection between said serial transmitting port of said sorter and the other sorter; and transmitting data from said sorter to the other sorter through said serial transmitting port in a period of transmission of data from said copying machine to said document feeder.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
229 words
A method of controlling data communication in a copying machine system which is provided with a copying machine and a plurality of peripheral units cooperating with said copying machine, said copying machine having a single serial transmitting port, said method comprising steps of: receiving data from one peripheral unit of said plurality of peripheral units directly through said serial receiving port; electrically switching a connection between said serial transmitting port and said one peripheral unit to a connection between said serial transmitting port and another peripheral unit which is different from said one peripheral unit in type and kind after a predetermined time from data receipt from said one peripheral unit is started, said predetermined time being longer than a period for receiving data from said one peripheral unit wherein said electrical switching includes providing a single central processing unit in the copying machine and providing an interface circuit responsive to said central processing unit and connected to said serial transmitting port wherein the providing of said interface circuit includes the providing of a plurality of logic gates responsive to a control signal from said central processing unit in order to provide said connection between said serial transmitting port and a selected one of said peripheral units for said predetermined time; and receiving data from said another peripheral unit directly through said serial receiving port after said switching step.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
229 words
A method of controlling data communication in a copying machine system which is provided with a copying machine and a plurality of peripheral units cooperating with said copying machine, said copying machine having a single serial transmitting port, said method comprising steps of: receiving data from one peripheral unit of said plurality of peripheral units directly through said serial receiving port; electrically switching a connection between said serial transmitting port and said one peripheral unit to a connection between said serial transmitting port and another peripheral unit which is different from said one peripheral unit in type and kind after a predetermined time from data receipt from said one peripheral unit is started, said predetermined time being longer than a period for receiving data from said one peripheral unit wherein said electrical switching includes providing a single central processing unit in the copying machine and providing an interface circuit responsive to said central processing unit and connected to said serial transmitting port wherein the providing of said interface circuit includes the providing of a plurality of logic gates responsive to a control signal from said central processing unit in order to provide said connection between said serial transmitting port and a selected one of said peripheral units for said predetermined time; and receiving data from said another peripheral unit directly through said serial receiving port after said switching step.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said peripheral units are an automatic document feeder and a sorter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said peripheral units are an automatic document feeder and at least two sorters.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said one unit is one of said sorters and said another peripheral unit is said automatic feeder.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
108 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said one of said sorters has a single serial receiving port, and wherein said method further comprises the steps of: receiving data from said copying machine directly through said serial receiving port of said sorter; electrically switching a connection between said serial receiving port of said sorter and said copying machine to a connection between said serial receiving port of said sorter and the other sorter; and receiving data from the other sorter through said serial receiving port of said sorter in a period of receiving data from said document feeder through said serial receiving port of said copying machine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
105 words
A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said one of the sorters has a single serial transmitting port, and wherein said method further comprises the steps of: transmitting data from said one of the sorters to said copying machine directly through said serial transmitting port; electrically switching a connection between said serial transmitting port and said copying machine to a connection between said serial transmitting port and the other sorter; and transmitting data from said sorter to the other sorter through said serial transmitting port in a period of receiving data from said document feeder through said serial receiving port of said copying machine.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
295 words
A method of controlling data communication in a copying system which is provided with a copying machine and a plurality of peripheral units cooperating with said copying machine, said copying machine having a single serial transmitting port, said method comprising the steps of: transmitting data from said copying machine to one peripheral unit of said plurality of peripheral units directly through said serial transmitting port; receiving data from said one peripheral unit directly through said serial receiving port; electrically switching a connection between said serial transmitting port and said one peripheral unit and a connection between said serial receiving port and said one peripheral unit to a connection between said serial transmitting port and another peripheral unit which is different from said one peripheral unit in type and kind and a connection between said serial receiving port and said another peripheral unit respectively after an elapse of a predetermine time from a data transmission to said one peripheral unit is started, said predetermined time being longer than a period for transmitting data to and receiving data from said one peripheral unit wherein said electrical switching includes providing a single central processing unit in the conveying machine and providing an interface circuit responsive to said central processing unit and connected to said serial transmitting port wherein the providing of said interface circuit includes the providing of a plurality of logic gates responsive to a control signal from said central processing unit in order to provide said connection between said serial transmitting port and a selected one of said peripheral units for said predetermined time; and transmitting data from said copying machine to said another peripheral unit directly through said serial transmitting port; and receiving data from said another peripheral unit directly through said serial receiving port.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
295 words
A method of controlling data communication in a copying system which is provided with a copying machine and a plurality of peripheral units cooperating with said copying machine, said copying machine having a single serial transmitting port, said method comprising the steps of: transmitting data from said copying machine to one peripheral unit of said plurality of peripheral units directly through said serial transmitting port; receiving data from said one peripheral unit directly through said serial receiving port; electrically switching a connection between said serial transmitting port and said one peripheral unit and a connection between said serial receiving port and said one peripheral unit to a connection between said serial transmitting port and another peripheral unit which is different from said one peripheral unit in type and kind and a connection between said serial receiving port and said another peripheral unit respectively after an elapse of a predetermine time from a data transmission to said one peripheral unit is started, said predetermined time being longer than a period for transmitting data to and receiving data from said one peripheral unit wherein said electrical switching includes providing a single central processing unit in the conveying machine and providing an interface circuit responsive to said central processing unit and connected to said serial transmitting port wherein the providing of said interface circuit includes the providing of a plurality of logic gates responsive to a control signal from said central processing unit in order to provide said connection between said serial transmitting port and a selected one of said peripheral units for said predetermined time; and transmitting data from said copying machine to said another peripheral unit directly through said serial transmitting port; and receiving data from said another peripheral unit directly through said serial receiving port.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said peripheral units are an automatic document feeder and a sorter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said peripheral units are an automatic document feeder and at least two sorters.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said one peripheral unit is one of said sorters and another peripheral unit is said automatic document feeder.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
114 words
A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein said one of said sorters has a single serial receiving port, and wherein said method further comprises the steps of: receiving data from said copying machine directly through said receiving port of said sorter; electrically switching a connection between said serial receiving port of said sorter and said serial transmitting port of said copying machine to a connection between said serial receiving port of said sorter and the other sorter; and receiving data from the other sorter through said serial receiving port of said sorter in period of transmission of data from said copying machine to said document feeder and receiving data from said document feeder.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
122 words
A method of claimed in claim 17, wherein said one of the sorters has a single serial transmitting port, and wherein said method further comprises the steps of: transmitting data from said sorter to said copying machine directly through said serial transmitting port of said sorter; electrically switching a connection between said serial transmitting port of said sorter and said serial receiving port of said copying machine to a connection between said serial transmitting port of said sorter and the other sorter; and transmitting data from said sorter to the other sorter through said serial transmitting port of said sorter in a period of transmission of data from said copying machine to said document feeder and receiving data from said document feeder.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
240 words
An apparatus for controlling data communication in a copying system which is provided with a copying machine and a plurality of peripheral units cooperating with said copying machine, said copying machine having a single serial transmitting port, said apparatus comprising: means for transmitting data from said copying machine to one peripheral unit of said plurality of peripheral units directly through said serial transmitting port; means for electrically switching a connection between said serial transmitting port and said one peripheral unit to a connection between said serial transmitting port and another peripheral unit which is different from said one peripheral unit in type and kind after an elapse of a predetermined time from a data transmission to said one peripheral unit is started, said predetermined time being loner than a period for transmitting said data from said copying machine to said one peripheral unit wherein said means for electrically switching includes a single central processing unit in said copying machine and an interface circuit responsive to said central processing unit and connected to said serial transmitting port wherein said interface circuit includes a plurality of logic gates responsive to a control signal from said central processing unit to provide said connection between said serial transmitting Port and a selected one of said peripheral units for said predetermined time; and means for transmitting data from said copying machine to said another peripheral unit directly through said serial transmitting port after said switching.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
240 words
An apparatus for controlling data communication in a copying system which is provided with a copying machine and a plurality of peripheral units cooperating with said copying machine, said copying machine having a single serial transmitting port, said apparatus comprising: means for transmitting data from said copying machine to one peripheral unit of said plurality of peripheral units directly through said serial transmitting port; means for electrically switching a connection between said serial transmitting port and said one peripheral unit to a connection between said serial transmitting port and another peripheral unit which is different from said one peripheral unit in type and kind after an elapse of a predetermined time from a data transmission to said one peripheral unit is started, said predetermined time being loner than a period for transmitting said data from said copying machine to said one peripheral unit wherein said means for electrically switching includes a single central processing unit in said copying machine and an interface circuit responsive to said central processing unit and connected to said serial transmitting port wherein said interface circuit includes a plurality of logic gates responsive to a control signal from said central processing unit to provide said connection between said serial transmitting Port and a selected one of said peripheral units for said predetermined time; and means for transmitting data from said copying machine to said another peripheral unit directly through said serial transmitting port after said switching.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said peripheral units are an automatic document feeder and a sorter.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said peripheral units are an automatic document feeder and at least two sorters.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein said one peripheral unit is one of said sorters and said another peripheral unit is said automatic document feeder.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
104 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein said one of said sorters has a single serial receiving port, and wherein said apparatus further comprises: means for receiving the data from said copying machine directly through said serial receiving port; means for electrically switching a connection between said serial receiving port and said serial transmitting port of said copying machine to a connection between said serial receiving port and the other sorter; and means for receiving data from the other sorter through said serial receiving port, after said switching, in a period of transmission of data from said copying machine to said document feeder.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
112 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein said one of the sorters has a single serial transmitting port, and wherein said apparatus comprises: means for transmitting data from said one of the sorters to said copying machine directly through said serial transmitting port of said sorter; means for electrically switching a connection between said serial transmitting port and said copying machine to a connection between said serial transmitting port of said sorter and the other porter; and means for transmitting data from said sorter to the other sorter through said serial transmitting port, after said switching, in a period of transmission of data from said copying machine to said document feeder.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
236 words
An apparatus for controlling data communication in a copying system which is provided with a copying machine and a plurality of peripheral units cooperating with said copying machine, said copying machine having a single serial receiving port, said apparatus comprising: means for receiving data from one peripheral unit of said plurality of peripheral units directly through said serial receiving port; means for electrically switching a connection between said serial receiving port and said one peripheral unit to a connection between said serial receiving port and another peripheral unit which is different from said one peripheral unit in type and kind after an elapse of a predetermined time from data receipt from said one of said peripheral units is started, said predetermined time being longer than a period for receiving data from said one peripheral unit wherein said electrical switching includes providing a single central processing unit in the copying machine and providing an interface unit responsive to said central processing unit and connected to said serial transmitting port wherein the providing of said interface circuit includes the providing of a plurality of logic gates responsive to a control signal from said central processing unit in order to provide said connection between said serial transmitting port and a selected one of said peripheral units for said predetermined time; and means for receiving data from said another peripheral unit directly through said serial receiving port after said switching.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
236 words
An apparatus for controlling data communication in a copying system which is provided with a copying machine and a plurality of peripheral units cooperating with said copying machine, said copying machine having a single serial receiving port, said apparatus comprising: means for receiving data from one peripheral unit of said plurality of peripheral units directly through said serial receiving port; means for electrically switching a connection between said serial receiving port and said one peripheral unit to a connection between said serial receiving port and another peripheral unit which is different from said one peripheral unit in type and kind after an elapse of a predetermined time from data receipt from said one of said peripheral units is started, said predetermined time being longer than a period for receiving data from said one peripheral unit wherein said electrical switching includes providing a single central processing unit in the copying machine and providing an interface unit responsive to said central processing unit and connected to said serial transmitting port wherein the providing of said interface circuit includes the providing of a plurality of logic gates responsive to a control signal from said central processing unit in order to provide said connection between said serial transmitting port and a selected one of said peripheral units for said predetermined time; and means for receiving data from said another peripheral unit directly through said serial receiving port after said switching.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein said peripheral units are an automatic document feeder and a sorter.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein said peripheral units are an automatic document feeder and at least two sorters.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein said one peripheral unit is one of said sorters and said another peripheral unit is said automatic document feeder.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
114 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein said one of said sorters has a single serial receiving port, and wherein said apparatus further comprises: means for receiving data from said copying machine directly through said serial receiving port of said sorter; means for electrically switching a connection between said serial receiving port of said sorter and said copying machine to a connection between said serial receiving port of said sorter and the other sorter; and means for receiving data from the other sorter through said serial receiving port of said sorter, after said switching, in a period of receiving data from said document feeder through said serial receiving port of said copying machine.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
111 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein said one of the sorters has a single serial transmitting port, and wherein said apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting data from said one of the sorters to said copying machine directly through said serial transmitting port; means for electrically switching a connection between said serial transmitting pot and said copying machine to a connection between said serial transmitting port and the other sorter; and means for transmitting data from said sorter to the other sorter through said serial transmitting port, after said switching, in a period of receiving data from said document feeder through said serial receiving port of said copying machine.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
298 words
An apparatus for controlling data communication in a copying system which is provided with a copying machine and a plurality of peripheral units cooperating with said copying machine, said copying machine having a single serial transmitting port and a single serial receiving port, said apparatus comprising: means for transmitting data from said copying machine to one peripheral unit of said plurality of peripheral units directly through said serial transmitting port; means for receiving data from said one peripheral unit directly through said serial receiving port; means for electrically switching a connection between said serial transmitting port and said one peripheral unit and a connection between said serial receiving port and said one peripheral unit to a connection between said serial transmitting port and another peripheral unit which is different from said one peripheral unit in type and kind and a connection between said serial receiving port and said another peripheral unit respectively after an elapse of a predetermined time longer than a period for transmitting data to and receiving data from said one peripheral unit wherein said electrical switching includes providing a single central processing unit in the copying machine and providing an interface circuit responsive to said central processing unit and connected to said serial transmitting port wherein the providing of said interface circuit includes the providing of a plurality of logic gates responsive to a control signal from said central processing unit in order to provide said connection between said serial transmitting port and a peripheral units from said peripheral units for said predetermined time; means for transmitting data from said copying machine to said another peripheral unit directly through said serial transmitting port after said switching; and means for receiving data from said another peripheral unit directly through said serial receiving port after said switching.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
298 words
An apparatus for controlling data communication in a copying system which is provided with a copying machine and a plurality of peripheral units cooperating with said copying machine, said copying machine having a single serial transmitting port and a single serial receiving port, said apparatus comprising: means for transmitting data from said copying machine to one peripheral unit of said plurality of peripheral units directly through said serial transmitting port; means for receiving data from said one peripheral unit directly through said serial receiving port; means for electrically switching a connection between said serial transmitting port and said one peripheral unit and a connection between said serial receiving port and said one peripheral unit to a connection between said serial transmitting port and another peripheral unit which is different from said one peripheral unit in type and kind and a connection between said serial receiving port and said another peripheral unit respectively after an elapse of a predetermined time longer than a period for transmitting data to and receiving data from said one peripheral unit wherein said electrical switching includes providing a single central processing unit in the copying machine and providing an interface circuit responsive to said central processing unit and connected to said serial transmitting port wherein the providing of said interface circuit includes the providing of a plurality of logic gates responsive to a control signal from said central processing unit in order to provide said connection between said serial transmitting port and a peripheral units from said peripheral units for said predetermined time; means for transmitting data from said copying machine to said another peripheral unit directly through said serial transmitting port after said switching; and means for receiving data from said another peripheral unit directly through said serial receiving port after said switching.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein said peripheral units are an automatic document feeder and a sorter.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein said peripheral units are an automatic document feeder and at least two sorters.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein said one peripheral unit is one of said sorters and said another peripheral unit is said automatic document feeder.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
123 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 34, wherein said one of said sorters has a single serial receiving port, and wherein said apparatus further comprises: means for receiving the data from said copying machine directly through said receiving port of said sorter; means for electrically switching a connection between said serial receiving port of said sorter and said serial transmitting port of said copying machine to a connection between said serial receiving port of said sorter and the other sorter; and means for receiving data from the other sorter through said serial receiving port of said sorter, after said switching, in a period of transmission of data from said copying machine to said document feeder and for receiving data from said document feeder.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
128 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 32, wherein said one of the sorters has a single serial transmitting port, and wherein said apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting data from said sorter to said copying machine directly through said serial transmitting port of said porter; means for electrically switching a connection between said serial transmitting port of said sorter and said serial receiving port of said copying machine to a connection between said serial transmitting port of said sorter and the other sorter; and means for transmitting data from said sorter to the other sorter through said serial transmitting port of said sorter, after said switching, in a period of transmission data from said copying machine to said document feeder and for receiving data from said document feeder.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4750731A
Cited
US4698772A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-11-17 | 2000-05-18 | 2000-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-11-17 | 2004-05-18 | 2004-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |