Method and apparatus for converting a conventional copier into an electronic printer

• US 5,454,067 A
• Filed: 01/04/1993
• Issued: 09/26/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Irving Tsai
• Original Assignee: Irving Tsai
• Inventors: Tsai, Irving
• Primary Examiner(s): Powell, Mark R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAX, STEVEN PAUL
• Application Number:
  US07/977,288
• Time in Patent Office: 995 Days
• Field of Search: 395/117, 395/119, 395/101, 395/106, 355/202
• US Class Current: 358/1.6
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/04 for exposing, i.e. imagewise exposure by optically projecting the original image on a photoconductive recording material
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/221 Machines other than electrographic copiers, e.g. electrophotographic cameras, electrostatic typewriters
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1209 resulting in adapted or bridged legacy communication protocols, e.g. emulation, protocol extension
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1224 Client or server resources management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1229 Printer resources management or printer maintenance, e.g. device status, power levels
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1284 Local printer device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00254 with an electrophotographic copying machine, i.e. a photocopier
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/23 Reproducing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0438 Scanning displays; Scanning large surfaces, e.g. projection screens, writing boards

Abstract

A "conversion" device is described that enables a conventional, dedicated copier 4 designed for the singular purpose of making copies to be employed additionally as an electronically-driven printing apparatus, thereby offering a standard issue copier 4 the added functionality of a computer printer or facsimile machine.

Claims

1. A computer for presenting images to a photocopier through a photocopier window to enable reproduction of the images by the photocopier, the computer comprising:

display means for placement on the photocopier window for displaying images through the photocopier window,

light gasket means substantially disposed around the display means for preventing ambient light from leaking in between the display means and the photocopier window,

detecting means including a plurality of sensors for detecting the occurrence of a copying operation performed by the photocopier, and

control means, responsive to the detecting means, for controlling the display means to display a first image prior to the detection of a copying operation and to display a second image following the detection of a copying operation by each of the plurality of sensors.

2. A computer as in claim 1, including:

switching means for diverting a data stream queued for printout by the computer to the display means, whereby execution of a print command from within an applications program run on the computer causes the data stream intended for printout to be sent to the display means.

3. A computer as in claim 2, wherein the switching means includes:

processing means for converting at least a portion of the diverted data stream into display means control code.

4. A computer for presenting images to a photocopier through a photocopier window to enable reproduction of the images by the photocopier, the computer comprising:

display means for placement on the photocopier window for displaying images through the photocopier window,

light gasket means substantially disposed around the display means for preventing ambient light from leaking in between the display means and the photocopier window,

switching means for diverting a data stream queued for printout by the computer to the display means, whereby execution of a print command from within an applications program run on the computer causes the data stream intended for printout to be sent to the display means.

5. A computer for presenting images to a photocopier through a photocopier window to enable reproduction of the images by the photocopier, the computer comprising:

display means for placement on the photocopier window for displaying images through the photocopier window,

light gasket means substantially disposed around the display means for preventing ambient light from leaking in between the display means and the photocopier window,

switching means for diverting a data stream queued for printout by the computer to the display means, whereby execution of a print command within an applications program, run on the computer causes the data stream intended for printout to be sent to the display means, and

processing means for converting at least a portion of the diverted data stream into display means control code.

6. A computer for presenting images to a photocopier through a photocopier window to enable reproduction of the images by the photocopier, the computer comprising:

display means for placement on the photocopier window for displaying images through the photocopier window,

detection means including a plurality of sensors for detecting the occurrence of a copying operation performed by the photocopier, and

control means, responsive to the detecting means, for controlling the display means to display a first image prior to the detection of a copying operation and to display a second image following the detection of a copying operation by each of the plurality of sensors.

7. A computer as in claim 6, including:

switching means for diverting a data stream queued for printout by the computer to the display means, whereby execution of a print command from within an applications program run on the computer causes the data stream queued for printout to be sent to the display means.

8. A computer as in claim 7, wherein the switching means includes processing means for converting at least a portion of the data stream sent to the display means into display means control code.

9. A computer for presenting images to a photocopier through a photocopier window to enable reproduction of the images by the photocopier, the computer comprising:

display means for placement on the photocopier window for displaying images through the photocopier window, switching means for diverting a data stream queued for printout by the computer to the display means, whereby execution of a print command from within an applications program run on the computer causes the data stream queued for printout to be sent to the display means.

10. A computer for presenting images to a photocopier through a photocopier window to enable reproduction of the images by the photocopier, the computer comprising:

display means for placement on the photocopier window for displaying images through the photocopier window,

switching means for diverting a data stream queued for printout by the computer to the display means, whereby execution of a print command from within an applications program run on the computer causes the data stream queued for printout to be sent to the display means, and

processing means for converting at least a portion of the data stream into display means control code.

11. A computer for presenting images to a photocopier through a photocopier window to enable reproduction of the images by the photocopier, the computer comprising:

display means for placement on the photocopier window for displaying images through the photocopier window;

detecting means including a plurality of sensors for detecting the occurrence of error conditions arising during the copying operations,

control means, responsive to the detecting means, for halting the display of images subsequent to the detection of an error condition, and

switching means for diverting a data stream queued for printout by the computer to the display means, whereby execution of a print command from within an applications program run on the computer causes the data stream intended for printout to be sent to the display means.

13. A computer as in claim 11, wherein the switching means includes:

processing means for converting at least a portion of the diverted data stream into display means control code.

12. A computer for presenting images to a photocopier through a photocopier window to enable reproduction of the images by the photocopier, the computer comprising:

display means for placement on the photocopier window for displaying images through the photocopier window;

detecting means including a plurality of sensors for detecting the occurrence of a copying operation performed by the photocopier and for detecting the occurrence of error conditions arising during the copying process;

control means, responsive to the detecting means, for controlling the display means to display a first image prior to the detection of a copying operation and to display a second image following the detection of a copying operation by each of the plurality of sensors,

miscopy protection means for preventing the display of images subsequent to the detection of an error condition, and

switching means for diverting a data stream queued for printout by the computer to the display means, whereby execution of a print command from within an applications program run on the computer causes the data stream intended for printout to be sent to the display means.

14. A computer as in claim 12, wherein the switching means includes:

processing means for converting at least a portion of the diverted data stream into display means control code.