Control device for collectively supervising a plurality of image forming apparatuses
US5485246A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 22, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jan 16, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 22, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F11/3485
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
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 the copier via a telephone line, an exchange, and a communication control unit. This data is written to a storing device built in the copier. To up-load data relating to image formation, the control device causes each copier 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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.