Digital copying apparatus with a personal data storage system
First Claim
1. A digital image reproduction apparatus comprising:
- a scanner unit, a printer unit, a memory, an operator control unit integrated in the apparatus and provided with an input device and a display for a user to give operator control commands to the apparatus, a network connection unit for coupling to a network for the purpose of communication with a digital external environment having at least a number of workstations of users, a management unit connected to the said scanner unit, said printer unit, said memory and said network connection unit, and, via the network connection unit, to the workstations, said management unit maintaining logic storage spaces in said memory, each allocated to a respective user, wherein said management unit, when receiving from one of the user'"'"'s workstations a digital data file for printing, stores the digital data file in the logic storage space of the relevant user and passes it for printing to said printer unit only on an operator control command from said operator control unit, which operator control command identifies the relevant file, wherein, on receipt from the operator control unit of an operator control command for scanning, the command being provided with a user identification, said management unit stores the digital data generated by said scanner unit in executing the command in the logic storage space of the relevant user and passes the digital data generated by said scanner unit to the workstation of the relevant user only on a command from the workstation of the relevant user that identifies the relevant file, wherein said management unit, on receiving from the workstation a digital data file for printing, such file being provided with a user identification, checks whether said management unit is already managing a logic storage space for the relevant user, and if that is not the case, adds a logic storage space for the relevant user and stores therein the received digital data file.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A digital image reproduction apparatus including a scanner unit, a printer unit, a memory, an operator control unit integrated in the apparatus and provided with an input device and a display for the user to give operator control commands to the apparatus, a network connection unit for coupling to a network for the purpose of communication with a digital external environment including at least a number of workstations of users, a management unit connected to the scanner unit, printer unit, memory and network connection unit, and, via the network connection unit, to the workstations, which management unit maintains logic storage spaces in the memory, each allocated to a specific user. The management unit, when receiving from a said user'"'"'s workstation a digital data file for printing, stores the file in the logic storage space of the relevant user and passes it for printing to the printer unit only on a command from the operator control unit, which command identifies the relevant file, and also, on receipt from the operator control unit of an order for scanning, such job being provided with a user identification, stores the data generated by the scanner unit in the logic storage space of the relevant user and passes it to a workstation of the relevant user only on a command from the latter workstation, which command identifies the relevant file. Other files, such as sets of adjustment parameters for printing or scanning processes, can also be stored in the logic storage spaces.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A digital image reproduction apparatus comprising:
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a scanner unit, a printer unit, a memory, an operator control unit integrated in the apparatus and provided with an input device and a display for a user to give operator control commands to the apparatus, a network connection unit for coupling to a network for the purpose of communication with a digital external environment having at least a number of workstations of users, a management unit connected to the said scanner unit, said printer unit, said memory and said network connection unit, and, via the network connection unit, to the workstations, said management unit maintaining logic storage spaces in said memory, each allocated to a respective user, wherein said management unit, when receiving from one of the user'"'"'s workstations a digital data file for printing, stores the digital data file in the logic storage space of the relevant user and passes it for printing to said printer unit only on an operator control command from said operator control unit, which operator control command identifies the relevant file, wherein, on receipt from the operator control unit of an operator control command for scanning, the command being provided with a user identification, said management unit stores the digital data generated by said scanner unit in executing the command in the logic storage space of the relevant user and passes the digital data generated by said scanner unit to the workstation of the relevant user only on a command from the workstation of the relevant user that identifies the relevant file, wherein said management unit, on receiving from the workstation a digital data file for printing, such file being provided with a user identification, checks whether said management unit is already managing a logic storage space for the relevant user, and if that is not the case, adds a logic storage space for the relevant user and stores therein the received digital data file. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9)
means for a user to set print parameters in accordance with which a print order must be executed by said printer unit, and means for passing print parameters set by a user, in combination with an identification of the relevant user, to said management unit; and
said management unit including;
means for receiving from the workstation print parameters, also in combination with an identification of the user, and means for storing the passed and received print parameters in the logic storage space of the relevant user.
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4. The apparatus according to claim 3,
wherein, on a command from the operator control unit, such command specifying a user and a group of print parameters stored in the memory, said management unit reads the group of print parameters out of the logic storage space of the relevant user and transmits to said printer unit for printing a digital data file in accordance therewith. -
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, said operator control unit including:
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means for a user to set scan parameters in accordance with which a scan order is to be executed by the scanner unit, and means for transmitting scan parameters set by a user, in combination with an identification of the relevant user, to said management unit; and
said management unit including;
means for receiving scan parameters, also in combination with an identification of a user, from the workstation, and means for storing the passed and received scan parameters in the logic storage space of the relevant user.
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6. The apparatus according to claim 5,
wherein on a command from the operator control unit, such command specifying a user and a group of scan parameters stored in said memory, said management unit reads out the group of scan parameters from the logic storage space of the relevant user and transmits to said scanner unit for scanning a document in accordance therewith and in so doing generating a digital data file. -
8. The apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein said management unit manages a directory structure in said memory, the logic storage spaces being formed by directories in the directory structure. -
9. The apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein said management unit manages a database in said memory, the logic storage spaces being formed by entries in the database.
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2. A digital image reproduction apparatus comprising:
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a scanner unit, a printer unit, a memory, an operator control unit integrated in the apparatus and provided with an input device and a display for a user to give operator control commands to the apparatus, a network connection unit for coupling to a network for the purpose of communication with a digital external environment having at least a number of workstations of users, a management unit connected to the said scanner unit, said printer unit, said memory and said network connection unit, and, via the network connection unit, to the workstations, said management unit maintaining logic storage spaces in said memory, each allocated to a respective user, wherein said management unit, when receiving from one of the user'"'"'s workstations a digital data file for printing, stores the digital data file in the logic storage space of the relevant user and passes it for printing to said printer unit only on an operator control command from said operator control unit, which operator control command identifies the relevant file, wherein, on receipt from the operator control unit of an operator control command for scanning, the command being provided with a user identification, said management unit stores the digital data generated by said scanner unit in executing the command in the logic storage space of the relevant user and passes the digital data generated by said scanner unit to the workstation of the relevant user only on a command from the workstation of the relevant user that identifies the relevant file, wherein the user'"'"'s workstation is provided with a program for communicating with the apparatus, the program communicating, upon startup thereof, to said management unit giving an identification of the user, and said management unit, on receiving the communication, checks whether said management unit is already managing a logic storage space for the relevant user and, if that is not the case, adds a logic storage space for the relevant user.
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7. A digital image reproduction apparatus comprising:
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a scanner unit, a printer unit, a memory, an operator control unit integrated in the apparatus and provided with an input device and a display for a user to give operator control commands to the apparatus, a network connection unit for coupling to a network for the purpose of communication with a digital external environment having at least a number of workstations of users, a management unit connected to the said scanner unit, said printer unit, said memory and said network connection unit, and, via the network connection unit, to the workstations, said management unit maintaining logic storage spaces in said memory, each allocated to a respective user, wherein said management unit, when receiving from one of the user'"'"'s workstations a digital data file for printing, stores the digital data file in the logic storage space of the relevant user and passes it for printing to said printer unit only on an operator control command from said operator control unit, which operator control command identifies the relevant file, wherein, on receipt from the operator control unit of an operator control command for scanning, the command being provided with a user identification, said management unit stores the digital data generated by said scanner unit in executing the command in the logic storage space of the relevant user and passes the digital data generated by said scanner unit to the workstation of the relevant user only on a command from the workstation of the relevant user that identifies the relevant file, wherein said management unit on receiving from said operator control unit a deferred copying order provided with an identification of a user, stores the digital data generated by said scanner unit in executing the order in the logic storage space of the relevant user and passes it for printing to said printer unit only on a command from said operator control unit, which command identifies the relevant file.
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10. A digital image reproduction apparatus comprising:
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a scanner unit, a printer unit, a memory, an operator control unit integrated in the apparatus and provided with an input device and a display for a user to give operator control commands to the apparatus, a network connection unit for coupling to a network for the purpose of communication with a digital external environment having at least a number of workstations of users, a management unit connected to the said scanner unit, said printer unit, said memory and said network connection unit, and, via the network connection unit, to the workstations, said management unit maintaining logic storage spaces in said memory, each allocated to a respective user, wherein said management unit, when receiving from one of the user'"'"'s workstations a digital data file for printing, stores the digital data file in the logic storage space of the relevant user and passes it for printing to said printer unit only on an operator control command from said operator control unit, which operator control command identifies the relevant file, wherein, on receipt from the operator control unit of an operator control command for scanning, the command being provided with a user identification, said management unit stores the digital data generated by said scanner unit in executing the command in the logic storage space of the relevant user and passes the digital data generated by said scanner unit to the workstation of the relevant user only on a command from the workstation of the relevant user that identifies the relevant file, wherein said management unit on a command for this purpose from said operator control unit, generates a list of users for whom it manages a logic storage space in said memory, and transmits the list to said operator control unit which in turn displays at least a part of the list on the display for selection by a user, whereafter said operator control unit interprets a selection made by the user as being an identification of the user.
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11. A method of reproducing digital images in a digital image reproduction apparatus having a scanner unit, a printer unit, a memory, an operator control unit integrated in the apparatus and provided with an input device and a display for a user to give operator control commands to the apparatus, a network connection unit for coupling to a network for the purpose of communication with a digital external environment having at least a number of workstations of users;
- the method comprising;
maintaining logic storage spaces in the memory, each allocated to a respective user, storing, upon receipt from one of the user'"'"'s workstations a digital data file for printing, the digital data file in the logic storage space of the relevant user, and passing the digital data file to the printer unit only on an operator control command from the operator control unit, which operator control command identifies the relevant file, storing, upon receipt from the operator control unit of an operator control command for scanning, the command being provided with a user identification, the digital data generated by the scanner unit in executing the command in the logic storage space of the relevant user and passing the digital data generated by the scanner unit to the workstation of the relevant user only on a command from the workstation of the relevant user that identifies the relevant file, and checking, upon receipt from the workstation a digital data file for printing, such file being provided with a user identification, whether a logic storage space for the relevant user is already being managed, and if that is not the case, adding a logic storage space for the relevant user and storing therein the received digital data file. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18)
permitting a user, via the operator control unit, to set print parameters in accordance with which a print order must be executed by said printer unit, passing print parameters set by a user, in combination with an identification of the relevant user, from the workstation to the apparatus, receiving from the workstation print parameters, also in combination with an identification of the user, and storing the passed and received print parameters in the logic storage space of the relevant user.
- the method comprising;
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13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:
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permitting a user, via the operator control unit, to set print parameters in accordance with which a scan order must be executed by the scanner unit, transmitting scan parameters set by a user, in combination with an identification of the relevant user, from the workstation to the apparatus, receiving the scan parameters, also in combination with an identification of a user, from the workstation, and storing the transmitted and received scan parameters in the logic storage space of the relevant user.
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14. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:
managing a directory structure in the memory, the logic storage spaces being formed by directories in the directory structure.
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15. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:
managing a database in the memory, the logic storage spaces being formed by entries in the database.
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17. The method according to claim 12,
including, on a command from the operator control unit, such command specifying a user and a group of print parameters stored in the memory, reading the group of print parameters out of the logic storage space of the relevant user and transmitting to the printer unit for printing a digital data file in accordance therewith. -
18. The method according to claim 13,
including on a command from the operator control unit, such command specifying a user and a group of scan parameters stored in the memory, reading out the group of scan parameters from the logic storage space of the relevant user and transmitting to the scanner unit for scanning a document in accordance therewith and in so doing generating a digital data file.
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16. A method of reproducing digital images in a digital image reproduction apparatus having a scanner unit, a printer unit, a memory, an operator control unit integrated in the apparatus and provided with an input device and a display for a user to give operator control commands to the apparatus, a network connection unit for coupling to a network for the purpose of communication with a digital external environment having at least a number of workstations of users;
- the method comprising;
maintaining logic storage spaces in the memory, each allocated to a respective user, storing, upon receipt from one of the user'"'"'s workstations a digital data file for printing, the digital data file in the logic storage space of the relevant user, and passing the digital data file to the printer unit only on an operator control command from the operator control unit, which operator control command identifies the relevant file, storing, upon receipt from the operator control unit of an operator control command for scanning, the command being provided with a user identification, the digital data generated by the scanner unit in executing the command in the logic storage space of the relevant user and passing the digital data generated by the scanner unit to the workstation of the relevant user only on a command from the workstation of the relevant user that identifies the relevant file, providing a program in the workstation for communicating with the apparatus, the program communicating, upon startup thereof, to the apparatus giving an identification of the user, and checking, upon receipt of the communication, whether a logic storage space is already being managed for the relevant user and, if that is not the case, adding a logic storage space for the relevant user.
- the method comprising;
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19. A method of reproducing digital images in a digital image reproduction apparatus having a scanner unit, a printer unit, a memory, an operator control unit integrated in the apparatus and provided with an input device and a display for a user to give operator control commands to the apparatus, a network connection unit for coupling to a network for the purpose of communication with a digital external environment having at least a number of workstations of users;
- the method comprising;
maintaining logic storage spaces in the memory, each allocated to a respective user, storing, upon receipt from one of the user'"'"'s workstations a digital data file for printing, the digital data file in the logic storage space of the relevant user, and passing the digital data file to the printer unit only on an operator control command from the operator control unit, which operator control command identifies the relevant file, storing, upon receipt from the operator control unit of an operator control command for scanning, the command being provided with a user identification, the digital data generated by the scanner unit in executing the command in the logic storage space of the relevant user and passing the digital data generated by the scanner unit to the workstation of the relevant user only on a command from the workstation of the relevant user that identifies the relevant file, including upon receipt from the operator control unit a deferred copying order provided with an identification of a user, storing the digital data generated by the scanner unit in executing the order in the logic storage space of the relevant user and passing it for printing to the printer unit only on a command from the operator control unit, which command identifies the relevant file.
- the method comprising;
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20. A method of reproducing digital images in a digital image reproduction apparatus having a scanner unit, a printer unit, a memory, an operator control unit integrated in the apparatus and provided with an input device and a display for a user to give operator control commands to the apparatus, a network connection unit for coupling to a network for the purpose of communication with a digital external environment having at least a number of workstations of users;
- the method comprising;
maintaining logic storage spaces in the memory, each allocated to a respective user, storing, upon receipt from one of the user'"'"'s workstations a digital data file for printing, the digital data file in the logic storage space of the relevant user, and passing the digital data file to the printer unit only on an operator control command from the operator control unit, which operator control command identifies the relevant file, storing, upon receipt from the operator control unit of an operator control command for scanning, the command being provided with a user identification, the digital data generated by the scanner unit in executing the command in the logic storage space of the relevant user and passing the digital data generated by the scanner unit to the workstation of the relevant user only on a command from the workstation of the relevant user that identifies the relevant file, generating a list of users for in which a logic storage space is managed in the memory upon a command for this purpose from the operator control unit, and transmitting the list to the operator control unit which in turn displays at least a part of the list on the display for selection by a user, whereafter the operator control unit interprets a selection made by the user as being an identification of the user.
- the method comprising;
Specification