System for detecting the status of an image forming apparatus
First Claim
1. A status informing apparatus comprising:
- interface means for performing interface with an external apparatus, said interface means including at least one signal line;
first changing means for changing a signal level at a predetermined one of the at least one signal line of said interface means from a first level to a second level in response to one of a plurality of types of status changes in said status informing apparatus;
second changing means for changing the signal level at the predetermined signal line of said interface means from the second level to the first level irrespective of the plurality of types of status changes; and
informing means for informing the external apparatus of information on the one of the plurality of types of status changes.
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Abstract
An engine control unit of a printer engine checks he status of each part of the printer, and if there is any change in the status, generates a predetermined representative status of changes and outputs a status change signal to a controller (RIP). The controller is informed of a change in the status by the status change signal, and reads the predetermined representative status to discriminate the changed status from unchanged statuses. In accordance with the discriminated status, the current status can be read. Accordingly, it is not necessary to periodically read the statuses, improving the efficiency of an image forming process. A status change informing control unit in the engine control unit sets a changing status bit of a basic status or status change signal and sends it to the controller, when there occurs a change in any data of a presence/absence and paper size of a paper sheet at a paper feeding port and a loading state of an optional paper feeder. The controller periodically monitors the basic status or status change signal. Only when the changing status bit becomes true, the controller requests the engine control unit to supply the status data representative of a presence/absence, paper size, or loading state of an optional paper feeder.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A status informing apparatus comprising:
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interface means for performing interface with an external apparatus, said interface means including at least one signal line;
first changing means for changing a signal level at a predetermined one of the at least one signal line of said interface means from a first level to a second level in response to one of a plurality of types of status changes in said status informing apparatus;
second changing means for changing the signal level at the predetermined signal line of said interface means from the second level to the first level irrespective of the plurality of types of status changes; and
informing means for informing the external apparatus of information on the one of the plurality of types of status changes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus comprising:
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interface means for performing interface with a status informing apparatus, said interface means having at least one signal line, wherein a predetermined one of the at least one signal line changes in signal level from a first level to a second level in response to one of a plurality of types of status changes in the status informing apparatus and from the second level to the first level irrespective of the plurality of types of status changes; and
output means for, when the predetermined signal line changes in signal level from the first level to the second level, outputting a command to the status informing apparatus to request information on the one of the plurality of types of status changes. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A status informing method comprising:
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an interface step for performing interface with an external apparatus using an interface means, said interface means including at least one signal line;
a first changing step for changing a signal level at a predetermined one of the at least one signal line of said interface means from a first level to a second level in response to one of a plurality of types of status changes;
a second changing step for changing the signal level at the predetermined signal line of said interface means from the second level to the first level irrespective of the plurality of types of status changes; and
an informing step for informing the external apparatus of information on the one of the plurality of types of status changes. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A status information method comprising:
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an interface step for performing interface with a status informing apparatus through an interface means, said interface means having at least one signal line, wherein a predetermined one of the at least one signal line changes in signal level from a first level to a second level in response to one of a plurality of types of status changes in the status informing apparatus and from the second level to the first level irrespective of the plurality of types of status changes; and
an output step for, when the predetermined signal line changes in signal level from the first level to the second level, outputting a command to the status informing apparatus to request information on the one of the plurality of types of status changes. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification