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:
May. 25, 2004
Filed:
Oct. 18, 2002
Tsuyoshi Seto, Ebina, JP;
Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus judges whether first processing information of current sheet information is different from that of preceding sheet information. If they are different, the current first processing information is notified to a finishing device. The finishing device prepares for processing based on the first processing information. Upon completing the preparation, the finishing device notifies preparation completion information to the image processing apparatus. Upon receiving the preparation completion information, the image processing apparatus starts image formation processing on the next sheet and notifies second processing information to the finishing device. Upon receiving the second processing information, the finishing device calculates a processing time necessary to perform a finishing operation and notifies it to the image forming apparatus. Since the finishing device manages its restrictive condition, it becomes possible to combine the image forming apparatus and the finishing device freely as well as to maximize the productivity of each.