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:
Apr. 17, 1997
Tsuyoshi Endo, Kawasaki, JP;
Hiroyasu Sumida, Ichikawa, JP;
Toshiya Tagawa, Ichikawa, JP;
Kouichi Kanaya, Yokohama, JP;
Moriyuki Koike, Funabashi, JP;
Hiroshi Mori, Yamato, JP;
Hiroomi Motohashi, Tokyo-to, JP;
Norio Michiie, Tokyo-to, JP;
Tomofumi Harada, Yokohama, JP;
Takahiko Uno, Kawasaki, JP;
Hisashi Ishiguro, Kawasaki, JP;
Yasuhiro Hattori, Kawasaki, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus for detecting and eliminating avoidable image reading operations includes a scanner for reading an original document, a memory for storing read image data, a printer for forming an image in accordance with the image data read from the memory, a ten-key pad for inputting instructions specifying a total number of sets of copies to be made, various functions to be performed by the apparatus for changing how the copying is performed and a sample set command by which the apparatus enters into a sample set command mode wherein one copy of the original document is output as a sample copy, and a controller for determining whether to use the image previously stored in the memory to output the rest of the total number of sets of copies to be made or performing an operation of reading the original document again depending upon types of functions input via the ten-key pad during the sample set command mode.