System for supervising an image forming apparatus from a remote computer via a communication control unit
US5784663A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 7, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jul 21, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 7, 2017 |
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 in 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 storing means 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 means and stores the data in memory means. Up-loading is effected at an optimal time other than the time when the copier is performing an automatic adjustment, is in use, or is quite likely to be used.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.