US5218446A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Relay unit optionally connected to a recording apparatus for adding a specific function thereto
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1992-09-08
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Granted: 1993-06-08
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Expires: 2012-09-08
Abstract
Abstract A recording system including an image data transmission source for sending image data and a recording apparatus for performing a recording operation on the basis of the image data is provided a relay unit connectable between the image data transmission source and the recording apparatus. The relay unit is adapted to add a specific function to the recorded apparatus, such as increased paper capacity or to change a paper ejection position of a recorded sheet. Moreover, such a relay unit may provide an advantageous transfer serial data during a time interval so as to avoid an interface error.
Inventors
- 👤 Ikuo Sobue
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:43
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00567; H04N1/00631
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A recording system comprising: an image data transmission source for sending image data; a recording apparatus for performing a recording operation on the basis of the image data; and a relay unit connectable between said image data transmission source and said recording apparatus, including means for relaying signals transferred between said image data transmission source and the recording apparatus, and means for adding a specific function to said recording apparatus, wherein said system performs the recording operation without using the specific function when said image data transmission source directly connects with said recording apparatus without connecting said relay unit, and wherein said system is capable of performing the recording operation using the specific function when said relay unit connects between said image data transmission source and said recording apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A recording system comprising: an image data transmission source for sending image data; a recording apparatus for performing a recording operation on the basis of the image data; and a relay unit connectable between said image data transmission source and said recording apparatus, including means for relaying signals transferred between said image data transmission source and the recording apparatus, and means for adding a specific function to said recording apparatus, wherein said system performs the recording operation without using the specific function when said image data transmission source directly connects with said recording apparatus without connecting said relay unit, and wherein said system is capable of performing the recording operation using the specific function when said relay unit connects between said image data transmission source and said recording apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said relay unit causes said image data transmission source and said recording apparatus to exchange signals so as to allow an operation equal to an arrangement in which said image data transmission source and said recording apparatus are directly connected to each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the specific function is a function of attaching a recording sheet storage unit having a larger capacity than that of a standard recording sheet storage unit of said recording apparatus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said image data transmission source comprises a scanner unit for reading an original.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the specific function is a function of simultaneously attaching a plurality of recording sheet storage units respectively capable of storing recording sheets having different sizes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the specific function is a function of changing a paper ejection position of a recorded sheet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
81 words
A relay unit connectable between first and second apparatus, comprising: first and second communicating means for communicating serial data of predetermined bits with the first and second apparatus, respectively, wherein transfer of the serial data of predetermined bits using said second communicating means is completed during a time interval from an input timing of a signal representing a start of serial data transfer using said first communicating means to the start of the serial data transfer using said first communicating means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
A relay unit connectable between first and second apparatus, comprising: first and second communicating means for communicating serial data of predetermined bits with the first and second apparatus, respectively, wherein transfer of the serial data of predetermined bits using said second communicating means is completed during a time interval from an input timing of a signal representing a start of serial data transfer using said first communicating means to the start of the serial data transfer using said first communicating means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A unit according to claim 7, wherein said unit sets frequencies of sync clocks used for the serial data transfer using the second communicating means so that the serial data transfer can be completed during said time interval.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A relay unit according to claim 8, wherein said relay unit is simultaneously connectable to an image data transmission source for sending image data and a recording apparatus for performing recording in accordance with the image data.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A unit according to claim 9, wherein said relay unit means adds a specific function to said recording apparatus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A unit according to claim 10, wherein the specific function is a function of attaching a recording sheet storage unit having a larger capacity than that of a standard recording sheet storage unit of said recording apparatus.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
131 words
A device detachably connected between an image data transmission source for sending image data and a recording apparatus for performing a recording operation in accordance with the image data, for optionally adding a specific function to the recording apparatus, comprising: means for performing the specific function; and relay means electrically connected between the image data transmission source and the recording apparatus for relaying signals transferred between the image data transmission source and the recording apparatus, wherein said relay means controls input and/or output timings of the signals on the basis of an output of the performing means, and controls a performing means on the basis of the signals inputted from the image data transmission source or the recording apparatus, so that the recording operation using the specific function can be performed.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
131 words
A device detachably connected between an image data transmission source for sending image data and a recording apparatus for performing a recording operation in accordance with the image data, for optionally adding a specific function to the recording apparatus, comprising: means for performing the specific function; and relay means electrically connected between the image data transmission source and the recording apparatus for relaying signals transferred between the image data transmission source and the recording apparatus, wherein said relay means controls input and/or output timings of the signals on the basis of an output of the performing means, and controls a performing means on the basis of the signals inputted from the image data transmission source or the recording apparatus, so that the recording operation using the specific function can be performed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 12, wherein frequencies of sync clock signals used for data transfer are different between said relay means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device according to claim 12, wherein the specific function is a function of a attaching a recording sheet storage unit having a larger capacity than that of a standard recording sheet storage unit of the recording apparatus.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 12, wherein the image data transmission source has a facsimile function.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 12, wherein the specific function is a function of simultaneously attaching a plurality of recording sheets storage units capable of storing recording sheets having different sizes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 12, wherein the specific function is a function of changing a paper ejection position of a recorded sheet.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 12, wherein the image data transmission source comprises a scanner unit for reading an original.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the image data transmission source has a facsimile function.
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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) | 1996-06-07 | 1996-12-07 | 1997-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-07 | 2000-12-07 | 2001-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-07 | 2004-12-07 | 2005-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |