Networked reproduction apparatus with security feature

Abstract

An electronic/copier printer apparatus includes a scanner for scanning original documents representing a copy from a first source of image information and printer input means for receiving electrical signals representing electronic information of a production job from a second source of information. A marking engine prints production jobs. The marking engine means includes means for communicating with the scanner and the printer input means. A memory forms a part of the marking engine and stores electrical signals representing production jobs from the first and second sources. The marking engine includes a security mode wherein in response to a loss of communication with one of the scanner and the printer input means while communication remains with the other there is selectively prevented production of production jobs stored in said memory means and derived from the one to which communication is lost while selectively printing production jobs from the other to which communication remains. A network is also described wherein one or more input devices is coupled to one or more marking engines and a similar security mode is provided. That is, loss of communication between a marking engine and a front end device precludes printing of information already stored in the marking engine and derived from the source to which communication is lost.