US5510876A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control system for controlling the connection of an image forming apparatus through a control device by means of a communication control unit
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1994-10-21
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Granted: 1996-04-23
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Expires: 2014-10-21
Abstract
Abstract A control system for collectively supervising a plurality of copiers or similar image forming apparatuses connected to a control device by communication lines with or without the intermediary of communication control units. To down-load data relating to image formation, the control device determines whether or not a copier of interest is an inoperative state and, if it is in an inoperative state, automatically sends the data to the copier via a telephone line, an exchange, and a communication control unit. This data is written to a storage device built in the copier. To up-load data relating to image formation, the control device causes each copier to automatically send the data stored in the storing device thereof and stores the data in a memory thereof. Up-loading is effected at an optimal time other than the time when the copier is performing an automatic adjustment, in use, or quite likely to be used.
Inventors
- 👤 Masayuki Hayashi
- 👤 Yoshihiro Mitekura
- 👤 Koichi Kanaya
- 👤 Masato Terao
- 👤 Toshiya Tagawa
- 👤 Nobuaki Tomidokoro
- 👤 Masahiro Kitayama
- 👤 Osamu Kizaki
- 👤 Yasuo Kawada
- 👤 Kazuki Nakahara
- 👤 Tomofumi Harada
- 👤 Yasunari Hashimoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:22
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; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/28; G01R31/317; G01R31/3181; G01R31/3185; G01R31/318516; G03G15/55; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/00025; G03G2215/00109; G03G2215/00113; G06F11/30; G06F11/34; G06F11/3466; G06F11/3485
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A control system for controlling at least one image forming apparatus connected to a control device by a communication line wherein each of said at least one image forming apparatus comprises: a communication permit switch having an ON position and an OFF position for respectively permitting and inhibiting the execution of a communication mode between each said image forming apparatus and said control device wherein when said switch is in said OFF position, said communication mode is inhibited even if said each image forming apparatus is communicable with said control device and communication is desired, whereby unnecessary data is prevented from being accidently transmitted.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A control system for controlling at least one image forming apparatus connected to a control device by a communication line wherein each of said at least one image forming apparatus comprises: a communication permit switch having an ON position and an OFF position for respectively permitting and inhibiting the execution of a communication mode between each said image forming apparatus and said control device wherein when said switch is in said OFF position, said communication mode is inhibited even if said each image forming apparatus is communicable with said control device and communication is desired, whereby unnecessary data is prevented from being accidently transmitted.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein, when said communication permit switch changes from an ON state to an OFF state during the course of a particular communication, said particular communication is completed and subsequently further communication is inhibited.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said each image forming apparatus further comprises means for detecting, when said communication permit switch changes from a permit state to an inhibit state while said each image forming apparatus is communicating with said control device, an end of communication and then invalidating said communication with said control device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
153 words
In a control system for controlling at least one image forming apparatus connected to a control device by a communication control unit and a communication line, each of said at least one image forming apparatus comprising: determining means for determining whether or not said each image forming apparatus is communicable with said communication control unit; a communication permit switch for allowing a communication of said each image forming apparatus with said communication control unit; first control means for selectively validating or invalidating a communication of said each image forming apparatus and said communication control unit in response to data from said determining means and data from said communication permit switch; and second control means for determining whether or not to cause said determining means to determine whether said each image forming apparatus is communicable with said communication control unit in response to data from said determining means and data from communication permit switch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
153 words
In a control system for controlling at least one image forming apparatus connected to a control device by a communication control unit and a communication line, each of said at least one image forming apparatus comprising: determining means for determining whether or not said each image forming apparatus is communicable with said communication control unit; a communication permit switch for allowing a communication of said each image forming apparatus with said communication control unit; first control means for selectively validating or invalidating a communication of said each image forming apparatus and said communication control unit in response to data from said determining means and data from said communication permit switch; and second control means for determining whether or not to cause said determining means to determine whether said each image forming apparatus is communicable with said communication control unit in response to data from said determining means and data from communication permit switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
A control system for controlling at least one image forming apparatus connected to a control device by a communication line, each of said at least one image forming apparatus comprising: a communication permit switch; determining means for determining whether or not said each image forming apparatus is communicable with a respective said control device, wherein said determining means determines whether or not said each at least one image forming apparatus is communicable as a function of an ON and OFF state of said communication permit switch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
86 words
A control system for controlling at least one image forming apparatus connected to a control device by a communication line, each of said at least one image forming apparatus comprising: a communication permit switch; determining means for determining whether or not said each image forming apparatus is communicable with a respective said control device, wherein said determining means determines whether or not said each at least one image forming apparatus is communicable as a function of an ON and OFF state of said communication permit switch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said determining means provides an indication as to whether or not an image forming apparatus is communicable with said control device even when said each image forming apparatus is not communicable with said control device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said each image forming apparatus further comprises means for invalidating, when said determining means determines that said each image forming apparatus is not communicable with said control device, a permission allowing said each image forming apparatus to communicate with said control device via said communication permit switch, and constantly validating said determining means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said each image forming apparatus further comprises means for inhibiting, when said determining means determines that said each image forming apparatus is not communicable with said control device and said communication permit switch does not permit a communication, said each image forming apparatus from communicating with said control device, and constantly invalidating said determining means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said each image forming apparatus further comprises means for validating, when said determining means determines that said each image forming apparatus is communicable with said control device and said communication permit switch allows a communication, a communication of said each image forming apparatus with said control device, and constantly validating said determining means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
66 words
A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said each image forming apparatus further comprises means for, when said determining means determines that said each image forming apparatus is communicable with said control device and said communication permit switch does not allow a communication, invalidating a communication with said communication control device or validating and setting up a busy state, and constantly validating said determining means.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for controlling communication of at least one image forming apparatus connected to a control device by a communication line, said method comprising the steps of: controlling a communication permit switch to permit or inhibit the execution of a communication mode between each of said at least one image forming apparatus and said control device; inhibiting the execution of the communication mode by setting said permit switch to the OFF position thus inhibiting said communication mode even if communication from said each image forming apparatus to said control device is required to thereby prevent unnecessary data from being transmitting accidently.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for controlling communication of at least one image forming apparatus connected to a control device by a communication line, said method comprising the steps of: controlling a communication permit switch to permit or inhibit the execution of a communication mode between each of said at least one image forming apparatus and said control device; inhibiting the execution of the communication mode by setting said permit switch to the OFF position thus inhibiting said communication mode even if communication from said each image forming apparatus to said control device is required to thereby prevent unnecessary data from being transmitting accidently.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method according to claim 11 further comprising the step of completing a first communication which occurs when said communication permit switch change from an ON state to an OFF state during the course of said first communication and inhibiting any further communication after the completion of said first communication.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for controlling communication of at least one image forming apparatus connected to a control device by a communication control unit and a communication line, said method comprising the steps of: providing a communication permit switch; providing a determining means for determining whether or not each of said at least one image forming apparatus is communicable with said communication control unit; providing that said determining means determines whether or not said each image forming apparatus is communicable with a communication control unit as a function of an ON and an OFF state of said communication permit switch.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for controlling communication of at least one image forming apparatus connected to a control device by a communication control unit and a communication line, said method comprising the steps of: providing a communication permit switch; providing a determining means for determining whether or not each of said at least one image forming apparatus is communicable with said communication control unit; providing that said determining means determines whether or not said each image forming apparatus is communicable with a communication control unit as a function of an ON and an OFF state of said communication permit switch.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 13 wherein said step of determining includes detection by said determining means even when said each image forming apparatus is not communicable with said communication control unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
99 words
A control system for controlling at least one image forming apparatus connected to a control device by a communication line, said control system comprising: a communication permit switch means having an ON position and an OFF position for respectively permitting and inhibiting the execution of a communication mode between each said image forming apparatus and said control device wherein when said switch means is in said OFF position, said communication mode is inhibited even if said each image forming apparatus is communicable with said control device and communication is desired, whereby unnecessary data is prevented from being accidently transmitted.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
99 words
A control system for controlling at least one image forming apparatus connected to a control device by a communication line, said control system comprising: a communication permit switch means having an ON position and an OFF position for respectively permitting and inhibiting the execution of a communication mode between each said image forming apparatus and said control device wherein when said switch means is in said OFF position, said communication mode is inhibited even if said each image forming apparatus is communicable with said control device and communication is desired, whereby unnecessary data is prevented from being accidently transmitted.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
82 words
A control system for controlling at least one image forming apparatus connected to a control device by a communication line, said control system comprising: a communication permit switch means; determining means for determining whether or not said each image forming apparatus is communicable with a respective said control device, wherein said determining means determines whether or not said each at least one image forming apparatus is communicable as a function of an ON and OFF state of said communication permit switch means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
82 words
A control system for controlling at least one image forming apparatus connected to a control device by a communication line, said control system comprising: a communication permit switch means; determining means for determining whether or not said each image forming apparatus is communicable with a respective said control device, wherein said determining means determines whether or not said each at least one image forming apparatus is communicable as a function of an ON and OFF state of said communication permit switch means.
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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) | 1999-04-23 | 1999-10-23 | 2000-04-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-23 | 2003-10-23 | 2004-04-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-23 | 2007-10-23 | 2008-04-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |