Minolta Company, Ltd.

Tadashi Ohira

Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Tsutomu Yamazaki

Hideyuki Kanbayashi

Kenichi Nagasawa

An image output system having an image output device for performing a specified output process with respect to image data, and an image input device for providing the image data via reading an image from a document, or via an external device. Both the image input device and image output device have controllers for controlling the respective devices. The controller of the image output device outputs a reset signal to the system controller of the image input device when a response from the controller of the image input device is not appropriate, and continues to output the reset signal until a predetermined time elapses and the response from the controller of the image input device is judged to be appropriate.

Image output device

An image outputting device and method that includes the steps of receiving image data from a first image data source; outputting the received image data; monitoring the first image data source for a problem; initiating a timer upon detection of a problem in the first image data source; suspending operation of the outputting step upon the detection of the problem in the first image data source; monitoring the passage of time since detection of the problem; and upon the lapse of a predetermined time, outputting image data received from a second image data source. Furthermore, if the problem is solved before the lapse of the predetermined period of time, resuming outputting of the image data received from the first image data source.

Image output device and image output method

A copying system consisting of a scanner and a printer which are directly connected, including a printer controller controlling a printer engine based on data received from an external computer via a network line, an interface switching unit switching the occupancy of the printer engine between the printer controller and the scanner, and a controller that makes the printer controller occupy the printer engine by means of controlling the interface switching unit when a trouble occurs while the printer engine is occupied by the scanner.

Storage medium, system and method for image forming and copying

An image forming apparatus such as, for example, a printer or a copying machine for forming an image on a sheet in accordance with video data includes a timer for measuring a length of time elapsed after a power supply has been turned on, an ejected-sheet detector for detecting an output object on a sheet ejection port, and a time output control for receiving respective signals from the timer and the ejected-sheet detector and outputting the present time onto a sheet whenever a predetermined period expires after the power supply has been turned on and when an output object is present on the sheet ejection port.

Growing community of inventors

Itami, Japan

Tadashi Ohira