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US5689765A
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Image forming apparatus which inputs information from a user during an image forming operation
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1995-10-05
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Granted: 1997-11-18
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Expires: 2015-10-05
Abstract
Abstract An image forming apparatus which allows information to be input regarding the current copying job or a new copying job while a current copying job is being executed. Information which can be input relating to the present job includes the change of operating parameters and the setting of a conditional stop condition which will stop the current copying operation upon its occurrence. Information can also be input which relates to the end of the current job being performed. For example, as the job is being performed, the operator can request that a sound be generated when the current job ends. Additionally, parameters relating to the next job to be performed can be altered or added.
Inventors
- 👤 Michiaki Nishinozono
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:40
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/0035; H04N1/00405; G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/50; G03G15/5016; G03G15/502; H04N1/00352; H04N1/00384; H04N1/00408; H04N1/00411; H04N1/00413; H04N1/00437; H04N1/00477; H04N1/00482; H04N1/00488; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/00025; G03G2215/00126
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a user interface which inputs information from a user including information regarding a certain time when to stop generating images and outputs information to the user; an automatic document feeder; an optical scanner which receives pages from the automatic document feeder; an image generator which prints an image using image information received from the optical scanner; and a controller, connected to the user interface, automatic document feeder, optical scanner, and image generator which receives, when the image forming apparatus is generating images input information from the user interface and changes parameters used to control the image forming apparatus, wherein the controller changes parameters of a currently executing job; wherein the controller changes parameters of a job which is to execute in the future; and wherein the controller stops the generation of images when the certain time to stop the generation of images has occurred.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a user interface which inputs information from a user including information regarding a certain time when to stop generating images and outputs information to the user; an automatic document feeder; an optical scanner which receives pages from the automatic document feeder; an image generator which prints an image using image information received from the optical scanner; and a controller, connected to the user interface, automatic document feeder, optical scanner, and image generator which receives, when the image forming apparatus is generating images input information from the user interface and changes parameters used to control the image forming apparatus, wherein the controller changes parameters of a currently executing job; wherein the controller changes parameters of a job which is to execute in the future; and wherein the controller stops the generation of images when the certain time to stop the generation of images has occurred.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the user interface further inputs information including information regarding additional processing to be performed; and the controller performs the additional processing after a current job finishes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
109 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a user interface which inputs information from a user and outputs information to the user; an automatic document feeder; an optical scanner which receives pages from the automatic document feeder; an image generator which prints an image using image information received form the optical scanner; and a controller, connected to the user interface, automatic document feeder, optical scanner, and image generator which receives, when the image forming apparatus is generating images input information from the user interface and changes parameters used to control the image forming apparatus, wherein the user interface comprises a lock key which locks other input devices of the user interface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
109 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a user interface which inputs information from a user and outputs information to the user; an automatic document feeder; an optical scanner which receives pages from the automatic document feeder; an image generator which prints an image using image information received form the optical scanner; and a controller, connected to the user interface, automatic document feeder, optical scanner, and image generator which receives, when the image forming apparatus is generating images input information from the user interface and changes parameters used to control the image forming apparatus, wherein the user interface comprises a lock key which locks other input devices of the user interface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
115 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a user interface which inputs information from a user and outputs information to the user; an automatic document feeder; an optical scanner which receives pages from the automatic document feeder; an image generator which prints an image using image information received form the optical scanner; and a controller, connected to the user interface, automatic document feeder, optical scanner, and image generator which receives, when the image forming apparatus is generating images input information from the user interface and changes parameters used to control the image forming apparatus, wherein the user interface further inputs information regarding additional processing, which includes a command to generate a sound after the current job finishes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
115 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a user interface which inputs information from a user and outputs information to the user; an automatic document feeder; an optical scanner which receives pages from the automatic document feeder; an image generator which prints an image using image information received form the optical scanner; and a controller, connected to the user interface, automatic document feeder, optical scanner, and image generator which receives, when the image forming apparatus is generating images input information from the user interface and changes parameters used to control the image forming apparatus, wherein the user interface further inputs information regarding additional processing, which includes a command to generate a sound after the current job finishes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
116 words
An image forming comprising: a user interface which inputs information from a user and outputs information to the user; an automatic document feeder; an optical scanner which receives pages from the automatic document feeder; an image generator which prints an image using image information received form the optical scanner; and a controller, connected to the user interface, automatic document feeder, optical scanner, and image generator which receives, when the image forming apparatus is generating images input information from the user interface and changes parameters used to control the image forming apparatus, wherein the user interface further inputs information regarding additional processing which includes a command to enter an energy saving mode after the current job finishes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
116 words
An image forming comprising: a user interface which inputs information from a user and outputs information to the user; an automatic document feeder; an optical scanner which receives pages from the automatic document feeder; an image generator which prints an image using image information received form the optical scanner; and a controller, connected to the user interface, automatic document feeder, optical scanner, and image generator which receives, when the image forming apparatus is generating images input information from the user interface and changes parameters used to control the image forming apparatus, wherein the user interface further inputs information regarding additional processing which includes a command to enter an energy saving mode after the current job finishes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
95 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a user interface which inputs information from a user and outputs information to the user; an automatic document feeder; an optical scanner which receives pages from the automatic document feeder; an image generator which prints an image using image information received form the optical scanner; and a controller, connected to the user interface, automatic document feeder, optical scanner, and image generator which receives, when the image forming apparatus is generating images, the input information from the user interface and sets a condition which upon occurring stops the generation of images.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
95 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a user interface which inputs information from a user and outputs information to the user; an automatic document feeder; an optical scanner which receives pages from the automatic document feeder; an image generator which prints an image using image information received form the optical scanner; and a controller, connected to the user interface, automatic document feeder, optical scanner, and image generator which receives, when the image forming apparatus is generating images, the input information from the user interface and sets a condition which upon occurring stops the generation of images.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: the user interface inputs when the image forming apparatus is generating images, a number of sheets; and the controller stops the generation of images after the number of sheets has been generated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: the user interface inputs when the image forming apparatus is generating images, an indication to stop after an even numbered page; and the controller stops the generation of images which are double sided, after an even numbered image has been generated and restarts the generation of images thereafter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: the user interface inputs when the image forming apparatus is generating images, an indication to stop when feeding different size pages; and the controller stops the generation of images after a different size page is encountered and restarts the generation of images thereafter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the user interface comprises: a lock key which locks use of other input devices of the user interface.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of forming images, comprising the steps of: receiving information regarding a certain time when to stop generating images; generating a plurality of images; inputting, when the plurality of images are being generated, information changing parameters used to control the generation of images; changing the parameters used to control the image forming process as the image forming process is occurring; and stopping the generation of images when the certain time occurs, wherein the inputting step inputs information relating to a change of parameters of a currently executing job; and wherein the inputting step inputs information relating to a change of parameters of a job which is to execute in the future.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of forming images, comprising the steps of: receiving information regarding a certain time when to stop generating images; generating a plurality of images; inputting, when the plurality of images are being generated, information changing parameters used to control the generation of images; changing the parameters used to control the image forming process as the image forming process is occurring; and stopping the generation of images when the certain time occurs, wherein the inputting step inputs information relating to a change of parameters of a currently executing job; and wherein the inputting step inputs information relating to a change of parameters of a job which is to execute in the future.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of forming images, comprising the steps of: generating a series of images; inputting, when the images are being generated, information which indicates a condition which upon occurring stops the generation of images; determining that the condition exists; and stopping the generating of images when the condition has been determined to exist.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of forming images, comprising the steps of: generating a series of images; inputting, when the images are being generated, information which indicates a condition which upon occurring stops the generation of images; determining that the condition exists; and stopping the generating of images when the condition has been determined to exist.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-11-17 | 2001-05-19 | 2001-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-11-17 | 2005-05-19 | 2005-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-11-17 | 2009-05-19 | 2009-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |