Universal access photocopier

US6243682A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Pitney Bowes Inc. · US

Inventors

• Khosrow Eghtesadi · Brookfield, US
• Nathaniel M. Gifford · Trumbull, US
• John F. Braun · Fairfield, US
• Jeffrey D. Pierce · Sandy Hook, US
• Michael M. Kaye · Weston, US
• Michael D. O'Hare · Fairfield, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 9, 1998
• Grant date: Jun 5, 2001
• Expiry date: Nov 9, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G03G2215/00122
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

This invention is a system that enables handicapped and disabled individuals to control and use office photocopiers. The foregoing is accomplished by coupling a interface to a diagnostic communication port on the photocopier. The diagnostic port may be used to simulate the pressing of keys on the photocopier control panel. A software program running on a personal computer is coupled to the interface so that the interface may duplicate the actions of the photocopier control panel. A voice, keyboard and touch screen interface is added to the software program to permit several keys to be issued with a single phrase or touch. The user may use voice or the keyboard or the touch screen or any combination of the above to operate the photocopier. The addition of wireless audio may also be utilized to allow hands-free operation of the photocopier. An audio voice feedback provides information about what command was exactly executed. The system audibly reports the status of the photocopier.