US 4,579,443 A · Image-forming apparatus

Abstract

A copying or printing machine comprises a microcomputer including a random access memory in which a set of coded signals may be written in and read out, a read-only memory having a sequence control for accomplishing printing or copying operation, and a processing unit operative to reproduce a copy of an original. The machine is provided with a first developing device devoted to colored development and an alternately-used second developing device devoted to black development. If the interrupt copying mode is set up during a copying run, copying conditions for the copying run are stored in the RAM, and the interrupt copying run is allowed. In that case, irrespective of copying conditions of the previous copying run, the interrupt copying mode permits the second developing device to be automatically selected. Upon the termination of the interrupt copying run, copying conditions for the previous copying run are read from the RAM, to permit the run to be completed. The above-mentioned control is effected by a sequence control program stored in the ROM.

Claims15

Dependent claims

An image-forming apparatus comprising:

selection means for selecting one of a first color and a preset reference color as a selected color;
interrupt means for selectively causing said image-forming apparatus to operate in an interrupt mode;
image-forming means responsive to said selection means for forming said image on a recording medium in said selected color when said image-forming apparatus operates in a mode other than said interrupt mode;
and
control means, responsive to said interrupt means and controllingly connected to said image-forming means, for causing said image-forming means to be unresponsive to said selection means and to form said image on said recording medium in said preset reference color regardless of whether said preselected reference color has been selected or said selected color when said image-forming apparatus operates in said interrupt mode.

2 more elements

An image-forming apparatus comprising:

means for forming latent images on a recording medium;
a first developing device for applying colored developer to said latent images;
a second developing device for applying black developer to said latent images;
first data entry means for entering first control signals for selecting operation of one of said first developing device and said second developing device;
means for activating said one of said first developing device and said second developing device selected by said first control signals and for disabling the operation of the other of said first developing device and said second developing device;
memory means for storing data, including a first storage area and a second storage area;
means for storing in said first storage area first image-forming control information including said first control signals entered by said first data entry means;
first control means for controlling said first developing device, said second developing device, and said activating and disabling means in accordance with said control information stored in said first storage area to perform image-forming operations;
second data entry means for entering an interrupt control signal;
and
second control means responsive to said interrupt control signal for transferring said first image-forming control information from said first storage area to said second storage area and for storing in said first storage area second image-forming control information, including second control signals, for controlling said first control means to cause said activating and disabling means to select said second developing device for developing said latent images.

8 more elements

An image-forming apparatus comprising:

means for forming latent images on a recording medium;
a first developing means for developing said latent images formed by said forming means;
a second developing means for developing said latent images formed by said forming means;
means for entering control signals to select for operation one of said first and second developing means;
means for controlling said first and second developing means to develop said latent images in accordance with said control signals;
means for establishing and terminating an interrupt mode;
means for storing said control signals responsive to the establishing of said interrupt mode;
and
means responsive to the establishing of said interrupt mode for selecting a predetermined one of said first and second developing means for developing said latent images.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Image-forming apparatus

Life of this patent

Image-forming apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15