Control system for controlling the connection of an image forming apparatus through a control device by means of a communication control unit

A control system for controlling at least one image forming apparatus connected to a control device by a communication line, each of said at least one image forming apparatus comprising:

• a communication permit switch;
• determining means for determining whether or not said each image forming apparatus is communicable with a respective said control device, wherein said determining means determines whether or not said each at least one image forming apparatus is communicable as a function of an ON and OFF state of said communication permit switch.

A method for controlling communication of at least one image forming apparatus connected to a control device by a communication line, said method comprising the steps of:

• controlling a communication permit switch to permit or inhibit the execution of a communication mode between each of said at least one image forming apparatus and said control device;
• inhibiting the execution of the communication mode by setting said permit switch to the OFF position thus inhibiting said communication mode even if communication from said each image forming apparatus to said control device is required to thereby prevent unnecessary data from being transmitting accidently.

A method for controlling communication of at least one image forming apparatus connected to a control device by a communication control unit and a communication line, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a communication permit switch;
• providing a determining means for determining whether or not each of said at least one image forming apparatus is communicable with said communication control unit;
• providing that said determining means determines whether or not said each image forming apparatus is communicable with a communication control unit as a function of an ON and an OFF state of said communication permit switch.

A control system for controlling at least one image forming apparatus connected to a control device by a communication line, said control system comprising:

• a communication permit switch means having an ON position and an OFF position for respectively permitting and inhibiting the execution of a communication mode between each said image forming apparatus and said control device wherein when said switch means is in said OFF position, said communication mode is inhibited even if said each image forming apparatus is communicable with said control device and communication is desired, whereby unnecessary data is prevented from being accidently transmitted.

A control system for controlling at least one image forming apparatus connected to a control device by a communication line, said control system comprising:

• a communication permit switch means;
• determining means for determining whether or not said each image forming apparatus is communicable with a respective said control device, wherein said determining means determines whether or not said each at least one image forming apparatus is communicable as a function of an ON and OFF state of said communication permit switch means.