Image forming apparatus
US6137966A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 12, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 24, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 12, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2221/1892
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image forming apparatus allowing a user to easily recognize the status thereof and is capable of accurately deciding whether a detachable unit is attached to an apparatus body or not. It includes a unit detachably attachable to the main body of the apparatus. The detachable unit includes an information storaging apparatus, a unit attachment detector for detecting whether the unit is attached to the main body of the apparatus or not, a biasing apparatus for biasing the detachable unit so that an information transmission can be properly made between the main body of the apparatus and the information storaging apparatus. The biasing apparatus is operable when the attachment of the detachable unit is detected by the unit attachment detector and an information transmission detector for detecting whether information transmission is executable between the information storaging apparatus and the main body of the apparatus or not. The information transmission detector starts a detecting operation after the working of the biasing apparatus.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.