US5373349A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Copying machine control system with communication states with control center being displayed
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1992-12-09
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Granted: 1994-12-13
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Expires: 2012-12-09
Abstract
Abstract A copying machine executing a processing for connecting a control center and a communication line by activating a modem when a trouble is detected, and transmitting data related to the trouble to the centralized control unit of the control center after the connection of the communication line is made, the machine includes a display apparatus, a communication control apparatus for monitoring the communication state of the modem, a memory in which data for display corresponding to each communication state is stored, display control apparatus for reading data for display corresponding to a communication state monitored by the communication control apparatus from the memory when a trouble is detected, and controlling the display apparatus to display the data.
Inventors
- 👤 Hideo Ito
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 14:03
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; H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00002; G03G15/55
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
An image forming apparatus controlled by a centralized control unit located at a remote site, via a communication network, comprising: a message display; a communication device which is connected with said communication network to call said centralized control unit and to transmit information related to said image forming apparatus to said centralized control unit; a memory which stores a plurality of messages corresponding to states of communication between said communication device and said centralized control unit; and a controller which determines that said image forming apparatus has attained a predetermined calling condition and activates said communication device to call said centralized control unit in response to a determination result; said controller monitoring a state of communication between said communication device and said centralized control unit after activating said communication device, selecting one of said plurality of messages stored in said memory according to the monitored state of communication and causing said message display to display the selected message.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
An image forming apparatus controlled by a centralized control unit located at a remote site, via a communication network, comprising: a message display; a communication device which is connected with said communication network to call said centralized control unit and to transmit information related to said image forming apparatus to said centralized control unit; a memory which stores a plurality of messages corresponding to states of communication between said communication device and said centralized control unit; and a controller which determines that said image forming apparatus has attained a predetermined calling condition and activates said communication device to call said centralized control unit in response to a determination result; said controller monitoring a state of communication between said communication device and said centralized control unit after activating said communication device, selecting one of said plurality of messages stored in said memory according to the monitored state of communication and causing said message display to display the selected message.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predetermined calling condition is a problem condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said state of communication includes a state in which said communication device is calling said centralized control unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said state of communication includes a state in which said communication state includes a state in which said communication device is impeded from calling said centralized control unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said state of communication includes a state in which said communication device is being connected with said centralized control unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
183 words
An image forming apparatus controlled by a centralized control unit located at a remote site, via a communication network, comprising: an operation panel to input operational data; a message display provided on said operation panel; a communication device which is connected with said communication network to call said centralized control unit and to transmit information related to said image forming apparatus to said centralized control unit; a memory which stores a plurality of messages corresponding to states of communication between said communication device and said centralized control unit and problem conditions of said image forming apparatus; and a controller which determines that said image forming apparatus has attained a problem condition and activates said communication device to call said centralized control unit in response to a determination result; said controller monitoring a condition of said image forming apparatus and a state of communication between said communication device and said centralized control unit after activating said communication device, selecting one of said plurality of messages stored in said memory according to the monitored result and causing said message display to display the selected message.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
183 words
An image forming apparatus controlled by a centralized control unit located at a remote site, via a communication network, comprising: an operation panel to input operational data; a message display provided on said operation panel; a communication device which is connected with said communication network to call said centralized control unit and to transmit information related to said image forming apparatus to said centralized control unit; a memory which stores a plurality of messages corresponding to states of communication between said communication device and said centralized control unit and problem conditions of said image forming apparatus; and a controller which determines that said image forming apparatus has attained a problem condition and activates said communication device to call said centralized control unit in response to a determination result; said controller monitoring a condition of said image forming apparatus and a state of communication between said communication device and said centralized control unit after activating said communication device, selecting one of said plurality of messages stored in said memory according to the monitored result and causing said message display to display the selected message.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
173 words
A system comprising a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a centralized control unit which is located at a remote site to collect information transmitted from the respective image forming apparatuses through a communication network; each of said plurality of image forming apparatuses including: an operation panel to input operational data, a message display provided on said operation panel, a communication device which is connected with said communication network to call said centralized control unit, a memory which stores a plurality of messages corresponding to states of communication between said communication device and said centralized control unit, and a controller which determines that said image forming apparatus has attained a predetermined calling condition and activates said communication device in response to a determination result, said controller monitoring a state of communication between said communication device and said centralized control unit after activating said communication device, selecting one of said plurality of messages stored in said memory according to the monitored state of communication and causing said message display to display the selected message.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
173 words
A system comprising a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a centralized control unit which is located at a remote site to collect information transmitted from the respective image forming apparatuses through a communication network; each of said plurality of image forming apparatuses including: an operation panel to input operational data, a message display provided on said operation panel, a communication device which is connected with said communication network to call said centralized control unit, a memory which stores a plurality of messages corresponding to states of communication between said communication device and said centralized control unit, and a controller which determines that said image forming apparatus has attained a predetermined calling condition and activates said communication device in response to a determination result, said controller monitoring a state of communication between said communication device and said centralized control unit after activating said communication device, selecting one of said plurality of messages stored in said memory according to the monitored state of communication and causing said message display to display the selected message.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said centralized control unit generates and transmits message data to said image forming apparatus, and said image forming apparatus controls said message display to display said message data received from said centralized control unit.
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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) | 1997-12-12 | 1998-06-13 | 1998-12-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-12-12 | 2002-06-13 | 2002-12-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-12-12 | 2006-06-13 | 2006-12-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |