Patent · US Expired

Image forming system

US5418904A · kind A · utility

14Cited by
6References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 2, 1989
Grant dateMay 23, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 2, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06K2215/0017
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An image forming system includes an image processor, a print engine, optional units, and a serial communication line. The print engine manages a variety of information including its own status. Priority for inquiry is given the information. The image processor has a function of generating a command used when the image processor inquires of the print engine information. The command includes flag data indicating whether the image processor requests information having the highest priority or information having a priority lower than the highest priority. The image processor further has a function of sending the command to the print engine and receiving a response from the print engine. The print engine has a function of receiving the command and sending the image processor, as the response, the requested information.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.