Incremental printing of symbolic information – Electric marking apparatus or processes – Electrostatic
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-19
2001-03-20
Lee, Susan S. Y. (Department: 2852)
Incremental printing of symbolic information
Electric marking apparatus or processes
Electrostatic
C271S009010, C271S145000, C271S207000, C347S164000, C347S264000, C399S393000, C399S405000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06204872
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an image recording method and apparatus. For example, the invention relates to control of an optional unit which extends the paper handling function of an image recording apparatus for recording images using an electrophotographic process.
An image recording apparatus such as a laser printer using an electrophotographic process is constructed as shown in FIG.
1
. The apparatus has a main body
201
which includes a video controller
202
and an engine controller
203
, below.
The video controller
202
mainly is for performing control related to image processing. Specifically, the video controller
202
develops image information into bit data. The image information is sent from an external device (not shown), such as a personal computer, via a general-purpose interface such as a Centronics interface. The engine controller
203
mainly is for controlling corona discharge, exposure, development, transfer, fixing and paper conveyance related to the electrophotographic process. A video interface
204
interconnects the video controller
202
and engine controller
203
to make possible communication between them.
A paper deck option
205
accommodates a large supply of recording paper and supplies the recording paper to the image recording apparatus
201
in response to an instruction from the engine controller
203
. A paper deck interface
206
interconnects the engine controller
203
and paper deck option
205
to make possible communication between them.
A sorter option
207
has a plurality of stacking trays for stacking sheets of recording paper, which have been recorded on and discharged from the image recording apparatus
201
, while assorting them into prescribed categories in response to an instruction from the engine controller
203
. A sorter interface
208
interconnects the engine controller
203
and sorter option
207
to make possible communication between them.
In the arrangement described above, the video controller
202
accepts image information and a print instruction from the external device, whereupon the controller
202
sends the engine controller
203
a video signal, obtained by converting the image information into bit data, as well as the print instruction via the video interface
204
. Further, on the basis of a designation made by the user from an operation panel (not shown) connected to the external device or video controller
202
, the video controller
202
also transmits a command relating to use of the paper deck option
205
or sorter option
207
.
The engine controller
203
controls the components related to tho electrophotographic process, namely the components for corona discharge, exposure, development, transfer, fixing and paper conveyance, within the image recording apparatus
201
and carries out image recording on the basis of the received video signal. At the same time, on the basis of a command from the video controller
202
, the engine controller
203
controls the paper deck option
205
via the paper deck interface
206
to designate the timing of paper feed, and controls the sorter option via the sorter interface
208
to designate assorting of the sheets of recording paper.
Various problems are encountered in the art described above.
Specifically, the engine controller
203
is connected to the two optional units
205
,
207
in a fixed relationship and this combination cannot be changed. Accordingly, in order to realize control of a new optional unit, the engine controller is additionally provided with a control capability other than that for controlling the electrophotographic process. Further, in order to provide higher functionality, it is necessary to improve the capabilities of the engine controller which will control these functions.
Environments in which image recording apparatus are used have become more diverse in recent years and this diversification has been accompanied by a desire for higher functionality of installed optional units and for the ability to use a wide variety of optional units freely in different combinations. However, in order to make it possible to control such a wide variety of optional units in the arrangement described above, it is necessary to improve the capabilities of the engine controller and add on controlled systems. The result is a rise in the cost of the engine controller. This rise in cost is a meaningless price increase for users who do not intend to employ optional units.
Furthermore, in a case where a plurality of optional units are combined, it is necessary to know the order in which each unit is connected. In addition, since the recording paper is conveyed between optional units at high speed, it is required that instructions for control of paper conveyance be sent to the plurality of optional units simultaneously and at high speed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus provided with a master controller, in addition to the video controller and engine controller, for overall control of a variety of optional units, means whereby the video controller applies instructions directly to the master controller, and means for notifying the video controller and master controller of timing signals from the engine controller relating to paper discharge and paper feed, thereby making it possible to use a variety of optional units freely in any combination without restrictions being imposed by the functions of the engine controller.
According to the present invention, the foregoing object is attained by providing an image recording apparatus comprising control means for generating an image signal from image information based upon a recording instruction, recording means for recording an image based upon the image signal generated by the control means, recording control means for controlling the recording means, and optional-unit control means for controlling at least one optional unit, wherein the control means applies control instructions to the optional-unit control means, without intervention of the recording means, in response to the recording instruction.
Another object of the present invention is to cause means which controls an optional unit to control conveyance of recording paper, thereby freeing the image recording apparatus from control of conveyance of recording paper to a plurality of optional units.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.
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patent: 4974828 (1990-12-01), Matsuo et al.
patent: 5158221 (1992-10-01), Hashimoto et al.
patent: 5227816 (1993-07-01), Forest
patent: 5327207 (1994-07-01), Otake et al.
patent: 5328164 (1994-07-01), Soga
patent: 5374046 (1994-12-01), Toki et al.
patent: 5416570 (1995-05-01), Kondou
patent: 5532826 (1996-07-01), Miyao et al.
patent: 5975515 (1999-11-01), Capri et al.
patent: 4-64573 (1992-02-01), None
Endo Soya
Hashimoto Hiroshi
Kimizuka Junichi
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Lee Susan S. Y.
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