Facsimile and static presentation processing – Static presentation processing – Data corruption – power interruption – or print prevention
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-23
2001-08-28
Popovici, Dov (Department: 2622)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Static presentation processing
Data corruption, power interruption, or print prevention
C358S001150, C358S001130
Reexamination Certificate
active
06281980
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
The present application relates to a digital multifunctional image processing system and apparatus capable of selectively copying from a document, sending and receiving a facsimile and printing out data sent from a facsimile. More particularly, the present application relates to a system and apparatus capable of inhibiting printing of a printing request from a facsimile and a personal computer during inputting of a copying parameter for copying.
2. Description of the Related Art
A background digital multifunctional image processing system generally includes a printer for printing on a sheet, a scanner unit for reading a document, a MODEM for facsimile transmission, and a personal computer and a facsimile connected to the system via a line and a telephone line, respectively. The system has a copying function for copying from a document, and a printing function for printing data sent from either the personal computer (hereinbelow referred to as a PC) or the facsimile.
In such a background digital multifunctional image processing system, each of these functions can generally be controlled to separately work by avoiding overlapping of the functions or controls for the functions. Therefore, a printing request can be accepted from a PC used in an office relatively close to the multifunctional image processing system or from a facsimile disposed remote therefrom, if the printer is not currently being used by the system.
This means, however, that if an operator is using the copying function and is inputting one or more copying parameters (e.g., a number of copies, density of a toner image, a paper size and so on) to the system, since the operator has not yet pressed a button for starting the copying operation, a controller, not shown, may judge that the printer is not in use and may accept a printing request from another facsimile or PC. Accordingly, the operator who set the parameters in order to use the copying function may be interrupted by the printing request from the facsimile or PC.
Such interruption unavoidably occurs and is particularly inconvenient for the operator working at an office relatively close to the printer and uses the copying function often.
SUMMARY
The present application relates to a digital multifunctional image processing system having a plurality of functions including copying, sending and receiving a facsimile, printing out a data sent either from a personal computer or a facsimile. The system includes a printer, a scanner unit, and at least one external input. An operation panel has a plurality of keys for inputting at least one copying parameter and parameter input detecting means for detecting input of the at least one copying parameter. The system further includes interruption detecting means for detecting an external interruption printing request from either the personal computer or the facsimile, and an interruption controller for inhibiting printing of the printing request from either a personal computer or a facsimile while the copying parameter for copying is input by an operator to the system.
In another embodiment, the digital multifunctional image processing apparatus further comprises a priority setting means for setting priority to a printing request from the personal computer when an interruption printing request is made by the personal computer during inputting of the copying parameter, a parameter memory for storing copying parameter having been already input before the interruption printing request is made and a parameter controller for controlling the operation panel to reading out the copying parameter stored in the parameter memory and automatically set thereto after the interruption printing having priority of the interruption printing request is completed.
In yet another embodiment, the multifunctional printing system further comprises a facsimile connected thereto by a telephone line, a controller for controlling the printer to inhibit printing of the printing requested from the facsimile while a copying parameter is input to the operation panel and a facsimile transmission data memory for storing a data sent from the facsimile when the printing of the printing request therefrom is inhibited.
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Aizawa Nahoko
Maemura Kohichirou
Cooper & Dunham LLP
Popovici Dov
Ricoh & Company, Ltd.
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