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US5488454A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control of equipment and of communication with plural units of equipment
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1994-09-14
•
Granted: 1996-01-30
•
Expires: 2014-09-14
Abstract
Abstract An equipment control unit is composed of equipment control means for controlling the operation of an equipment, communication control means for controlling the transmission and reception of data to and from an external device, and transfer means for transferring the data between the equipment control means and the communication control means.
Inventors
- 👤 Taisei Fukada
- 👤 Masanori Miyata
- 👤 Hideki Adachi
- 👤 Shinichi Nakamura
- 👤 Naoyuki Ohki
- 👤 Tokuharu Kaneko
- 👤 Satoshi Kuroyanagi
- 👤 Hiroshi Ozaki
- 👤 Hisatsugu Tahara
- 👤 Satoshi Kaneko
- 👤 Mitsuharu Takizawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:26
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/16; G06F11/1666; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/50; G06F11/1658
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
An equipment control unit comprising: equipment control means for controlling operation of an equipment; first storage means for storing data, said first storage means being accessed by said equipment control means; communication control means for controlling transmission and reception of data to and from an external device; second storage means for storing data, said second storage means being accessed by said communication control means; and transfer means for transferring the data between said equipment control means and said communication control means, wherein said communication control means receives data from said equipment control means through said transfer means in response to a reception request, so as to be written into said second storage means, transmits the data stored in said second storage means to the external device in response to a transmission request, receives data from the external device in response to a reception request so as to be written in said second storage means, and transmits data stored in said second storage means to the equipment control means through said transfer means in accordance with whether transmission is possible.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
An equipment control unit comprising: equipment control means for controlling operation of an equipment; first storage means for storing data, said first storage means being accessed by said equipment control means; communication control means for controlling transmission and reception of data to and from an external device; second storage means for storing data, said second storage means being accessed by said communication control means; and transfer means for transferring the data between said equipment control means and said communication control means, wherein said communication control means receives data from said equipment control means through said transfer means in response to a reception request, so as to be written into said second storage means, transmits the data stored in said second storage means to the external device in response to a transmission request, receives data from the external device in response to a reception request so as to be written in said second storage means, and transmits data stored in said second storage means to the equipment control means through said transfer means in accordance with whether transmission is possible.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The equipment control unit according to claim 1, wherein communication speed between said equipment control means and said communication control means is different from that between said communication control means and said external device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The equipment control unit according to claim 1, wherein communication between said control means and said communication control means can be performed at the timing independent of that between said communication control means and said external device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The equipment control unit according to claim 1, wherein the equipment is an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The equipment control unit according to claim 1, wherein said communication control means transmits or receives data via a communication line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
An equipment control unit comprising: first storage means for storing data; equipment control means for controlling operation of an equipment based on the data stored in said first storage means; second storage means for storing data; communication control means for controlling transmission and reception of data to and from an external device based on the data stored in said second storage means; and data transfer means for holding identical contents of said first storage means and said second storage means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
80 words
An equipment control unit comprising: first storage means for storing data; equipment control means for controlling operation of an equipment based on the data stored in said first storage means; second storage means for storing data; communication control means for controlling transmission and reception of data to and from an external device based on the data stored in said second storage means; and data transfer means for holding identical contents of said first storage means and said second storage means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The equipment control unit according to claim 6, wherein said data transfer means transfers the data of said first storage means to said second storage means periodically.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The equipment control unit according to claim 6, wherein said data transfer means transfers the data of said second storage means to said first storage means periodically.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The equipment control unit according to claim 6, wherein said equipment is an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a storage medium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The equipment control unit according to claim 6, wherein said data transfer means transfers the data from said first storage means to said second storage means when an abnormality occurs in said second storage means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The equipment control unit according to claim 6, wherein said data transfer means transfers the data from said second storage means to said first storage means when an abnormality occurs in said first storage means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The equipment control unit according to claim 6, wherein said communication means communicates via a communication line.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
105 words
An equipment control unit comprising: first storage means for storing data; equipment control means for controlling operation of an equipment based on the data stored in said first storage means; second storage means for storing data; and communication control means for controlling transmission and reception of data to and from an external device based on the data stored in said second storage means, wherein said communication control means stores in the second storage means data for the equipment control means received from the equipment control means and transmits data for the equipment control means stored in the second storage means to the equipment control means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
105 words
An equipment control unit comprising: first storage means for storing data; equipment control means for controlling operation of an equipment based on the data stored in said first storage means; second storage means for storing data; and communication control means for controlling transmission and reception of data to and from an external device based on the data stored in said second storage means, wherein said communication control means stores in the second storage means data for the equipment control means received from the equipment control means and transmits data for the equipment control means stored in the second storage means to the equipment control means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
105 words
An equipment control unit comprising: first storage means for storing data; equipment control means for controlling operation of an equipment based on the data stored in said first storage means; second storage means for storing data; and communication control means for controlling transmission and reception of data to and from an external device based on the data stored in said second storage means, wherein said equipment control means stores in the first storage means data for the communication control means received from the communication control means and transmits data for the communication control means stored in the first storage means to the communication control means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
105 words
An equipment control unit comprising: first storage means for storing data; equipment control means for controlling operation of an equipment based on the data stored in said first storage means; second storage means for storing data; and communication control means for controlling transmission and reception of data to and from an external device based on the data stored in said second storage means, wherein said equipment control means stores in the first storage means data for the communication control means received from the communication control means and transmits data for the communication control means stored in the first storage means to the communication control means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
128 words
A communication control unit comprising: transfer means for bidirectionally transferring data between an equipment control unit and said communication control unit; communication means for bidirectionally communicating the data between an external device and said communication control unit; and control means for performing reception of data from the equipment control unit through said transfer means in response to a reception request, performing transmission of the data received through said transfer means to the external device through said communication means in response to a transmission request, performing reception of data from the external device through said communication means in response to a reception request, and performing transmission of data received through said communication means to the equipment control unit through said transfer means in accordance with whether transmission is possible.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
128 words
A communication control unit comprising: transfer means for bidirectionally transferring data between an equipment control unit and said communication control unit; communication means for bidirectionally communicating the data between an external device and said communication control unit; and control means for performing reception of data from the equipment control unit through said transfer means in response to a reception request, performing transmission of the data received through said transfer means to the external device through said communication means in response to a transmission request, performing reception of data from the external device through said communication means in response to a reception request, and performing transmission of data received through said communication means to the equipment control unit through said transfer means in accordance with whether transmission is possible.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
A communication control unit according to claim 15, wherein said control means receives the data through said transfer means in response to a reception request from the equipment control unit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
A communication control unit according to claim 15, wherein said control means receives the data through said transfer means in response to a reception request from the external device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
A communication control unit according to claim 15, wherein communication speed between the equipment control unit and said communication control unit is different from that between said communication control unit and the external device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
A communication control unit according to claim 15, wherein communication between the equipment control unit and said communication control unit can be performed at a timing independent of that between said communication control unit and the external device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
A communication control unit according to claim 15, wherein the equipment control unit controls an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
52 words
A communication control apparatus comprising: storage means for storing data; and communication means for performing communication between an equipment control apparatus and an external apparatus, wherein said communication means receives control data for controlling the equipment control apparatus from the equipment control apparatus, and said storage means stores the received control data.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
52 words
A communication control apparatus comprising: storage means for storing data; and communication means for performing communication between an equipment control apparatus and an external apparatus, wherein said communication means receives control data for controlling the equipment control apparatus from the equipment control apparatus, and said storage means stores the received control data.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
A communication control unit according to claim 21, wherein the equipment control apparatus controls an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
A communication control unit according to claim 21, wherein said communication means transmits the control data stored in said storage means to the equipment control apparatus in accordance with occurrence of an abnormality in a storage unit in the equipment control apparatus.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
A communication control unit according to claim 23, wherein said storage unit stores control data for controlling the equipment control apparatus.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
63 words
An equipment control apparatus comprising: control means for controlling a piece of equipment; storage means for storing data; and communication means for performing communication with a communication control apparatus for performing communication between said equipment control apparatus and an external apparatus, wherein said communication means receives control data for controlling the communication control apparatus, and said storage means stores the received control data.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
63 words
An equipment control apparatus comprising: control means for controlling a piece of equipment; storage means for storing data; and communication means for performing communication with a communication control apparatus for performing communication between said equipment control apparatus and an external apparatus, wherein said communication means receives control data for controlling the communication control apparatus, and said storage means stores the received control data.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
A communication control unit according to claim 25, wherein the equipment is an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
42 words
A communication control unit according to claim 25, wherein said communication means transmits the control data stored in said storage means to the communication control apparatus in accordance with occurrence of an abnormality in a storage unit in the communication control apparatus.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
126 words
A communication control method comprising the steps of: transferring data bidirectionally between an equipment control unit and a communication control unit, via a transfer means; communicating the data bidirectionally between an external device and the communication control unit; and performing reception of data from the equipment control unit through the transfer means in response to a reception request, performing transmission of the data received through the transfer means to the external device through the communication means in response to a transmission request, performing reception of data from the external device through said communication means in response to a reception request, and performing transmission of data received through the communication means to the equipment control unit through the transfer means in accordance with whether transmission is possible.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
126 words
A communication control method comprising the steps of: transferring data bidirectionally between an equipment control unit and a communication control unit, via a transfer means; communicating the data bidirectionally between an external device and the communication control unit; and performing reception of data from the equipment control unit through the transfer means in response to a reception request, performing transmission of the data received through the transfer means to the external device through the communication means in response to a transmission request, performing reception of data from the external device through said communication means in response to a reception request, and performing transmission of data received through the communication means to the equipment control unit through the transfer means in accordance with whether transmission is possible.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
31 words
A communication control method according to claim 28, wherein said performing step includes receiving the data through the transfer means in response to a reception request from the equipment control unit.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
30 words
A communication control method according to claim 28, wherein said performing step includes receiving the data through the transfer means in response to a reception request from the external device.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
34 words
A communication control method according to claim 28, wherein communication speed between the equipment control unit and the communication control unit is different from that between the communication control unit and the external device.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
38 words
A communication control method according to claim 28, wherein communication between the equipment control unit and the communication control unit can be performed at a timing independent of that between the communication control unit and the external device.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
26 words
A communication control method according to claim 28, wherein the equipment control unit controls an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
79 words
A communication control method comprising the steps of: performing communication between an equipment control apparatus and an external apparatus, wherein said performing step includes receiving control data for controlling the equipment control apparatus from the equipment control apparatus; and storing the received control data, wherein said performing step includes transmitting the control data stored in said storing step to the equipment control apparatus in accordance with occurrence of an abnormality in a storage unit in the equipment control apparatus.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
79 words
A communication control method comprising the steps of: performing communication between an equipment control apparatus and an external apparatus, wherein said performing step includes receiving control data for controlling the equipment control apparatus from the equipment control apparatus; and storing the received control data, wherein said performing step includes transmitting the control data stored in said storing step to the equipment control apparatus in accordance with occurrence of an abnormality in a storage unit in the equipment control apparatus.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
26 words
A communication control method according to claim 34, wherein the equipment control apparatus controls an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
A communication control method according to claim 34, wherein said storing step includes storing control data for controlling the equipment control apparatus.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
95 words
A communication control method comprising the steps of: controlling a piece of equipment; storing data; and performing communication with a communication control apparatus for performing communication between an equipment control apparatus and an external apparatus, wherein said performing step includes receiving control data for controlling the communication control apparatus, and said storing step includes storing the received control data, and wherein said performing step includes transmitting the control data stored in said storing step to the communication control apparatus in accordance with occurrence of an abnormality in a storage unit in the communication control apparatus.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
95 words
A communication control method comprising the steps of: controlling a piece of equipment; storing data; and performing communication with a communication control apparatus for performing communication between an equipment control apparatus and an external apparatus, wherein said performing step includes receiving control data for controlling the communication control apparatus, and said storing step includes storing the received control data, and wherein said performing step includes transmitting the control data stored in said storing step to the communication control apparatus in accordance with occurrence of an abnormality in a storage unit in the communication control apparatus.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
24 words
A communication control method according to claim 37, wherein the equipment is an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium.
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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) | 1999-01-29 | 1999-07-31 | 2000-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-29 | 2003-07-31 | 2004-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-29 | 2007-07-31 | 2008-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |