The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 16, 1999
Filed:
May. 09, 1996
Tokiyuki Okano, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
In a network composed of a plurality of DPPCs and the NWPs, the NW controller respectively sums respective amounts of printing operations and copying operations executed in the network, for example, upon completing a job in execution or at a predetermined timing. Based on the result of summation, an appropriate ratio in number of printing devices to copying devices is computed. Further, an NW controller selects a DPPC to be switched from its current mode to another mode and switches the mode of the selected DPPC to satisfy a ratio obtained from computation. According to the described arrangement, since the mode of the DPPC can be switched according to the summation of the jobs executed, an effective use of the DPPCs can be achieved. Furthermore, when switching the mode, an operation by the network administrator is not required, thereby reducing a burden of the user.