# US 9,521,272 B2 · Image forming apparatus and method for saving resources and improving user friendliness

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- Number: US 9,521,272 B2
- Document ID: US9521272B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/652,015
- Filed: 2013-11-15
- Published: 2015-11-12
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2012-12-13
- Assignees: Zhuhai Pantum Electronics Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: Zhuhai Pantum Electronics Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Jinliang Dong
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9521272B2

## CPC

- H04N 1/00204: {with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server (programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561)}
- G06F 3/12: Digital output to print unit {, e.g. line printer, chain printer}
- H04N 1/00278: {with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer}
- H04N 1/00888: {Control thereof}
- H04N 2201/0082: Image hardcopy reproducer (H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence)
- H04N 2201/0093: Facsimile machine (H04N2201/0094 takes precedence)
- H04N 2201/0094: Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)

## Abstract

An image forming apparatus and a method thereof are disclosed. The image forming apparatus comprises: a first interface unit, which includes a first port and a second port, respectively used for establishing a first channel and a second channel between the image forming apparatus and a driving device of the image forming apparatus; an imaging controller, used for receiving data from the first channel as page data to be imaged, and acquiring data from the second channel as virtual data; and a timer, used for calculating a first duration from a last time when the image forming apparatus receives either page data from the first channel or virtual data from the second channel, whichever comes later, wherein when the first duration reaches a first predetermined duration, the imaging controller performs timeout handling for ceasing a present imaging job. The image forming apparatus can save resources and improve user friendliness.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An image forming apparatus, comprising:
a first interface unit, which includes a first port and a second port, respectively used for establishing a first channel and a second channel between the image forming apparatus and a driving device of the image forming apparatus;
an imaging controller used for receiving data from the first channel as page data to be imaged, and acquiring data from the second channel as virtual data used to prevent the image forming apparatus from ceasing a current imaging job; and
a timer used for calculating a first duration from a last time when the image forming apparatus receives either page data from the first channel or virtual data from the second channel, whichever comes later,
wherein when the first duration reaches a first predetermined duration, the imaging controller performs timeout handling for ceasing a present imaging job;
wherein the first interface unit, the imaging controller and the timer are controlled by a processor;
wherein the image controller is further used for:
acquiring the data from the second channel;
judging whether the data acquired from the second channel conform to a pre-established rule;
determining the data acquired to be virtual data, if the data are judged to conform to the pre-established rule; and
wherein the pre-established rule prescribes that the data acquired comprise A, B, C, or D, or alternatively comprise D and any one of A, B, and C, among which:
A represents any one of a pre-established group of data, or a pre-established datum;
B represents data generated in accordance with a pre-established random number generation rule;
C represents pre-established attribute information of an imaging job, including at least one selected from a group consisting of name, type of document, creator, sequence of current page data, size and creation time of the current page data of the imaging job; and
D represents encrypted data obtained by encrypting above A, B, or C with a specified key.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pre-established rule prescribes that the data acquired comprise A, B, C, or D, or alternatively comprise D and any one of A, B, and C, and
wherein the data acquired further comprise a virtual data identifier.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first interface unit is in the form of any one selected from a group consisting of a USB interface, a parallel interface, and a network communication interface.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit, which has a first buffer and a second buffer, respectively used for caching data from the first channel and the second channel.

### Claim 5

An image forming method of an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of:
establishing a first channel and a second channel between the image forming apparatus and a driving device of the image forming apparatus with a first port and a second port of the image forming apparatus, respectively;
receiving data from the first channel as page data to be imaged, and acquiring data from the second channel as virtual data used to prevent the image forming apparatus from ceasing a current imaging job; and
calculating a first duration from a last time when the image forming apparatus receives either page data from the first channel or virtual data from the second channel, whichever comes later,
wherein when the first duration reaches a first predetermined duration, an imaging controller performs timeout handling for ceasing a present imaging job;
wherein the step of acquiring data from the second channel as virtual data further comprises:
acquiring the data from the second channel;
judging whether the data acquired from the second channel conform to a pre-established rule;
determining the data acquired to be virtual data, if the data are judged to conform to the pre-established rule; and
wherein the pre-established rule prescribes that the data acquired comprise any one of A, B, C, and D, or alternatively comprise D and any one of A, B, and C, among which:
A represents any one of a pre-established group of data, or a pre-established datum;
B represents data generated in accordance with a pre-established random number generation rule;
C represents pre-established attribute information of an imaging job, including at least one selected from a group consisting of name, type of document, creator, sequence of current page data, size and creation time of the current page data of the imaging job; and
D represents encrypted data obtained by encrypting above A, B, or C with a specified key.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method according to claim 5, wherein the pre-established rule prescribes that the data acquired comprise a virtual data identifier and any one of A, B, C, and D, or alternatively comprise a virtual data identifier, D, and any one of A, B, and C.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The method according to claim 5, wherein the pre-established rule prescribes that the virtual data comprise a virtual data identifier and any one of A, B, C, and D, or alternatively comprise a virtual data identifier, D, and any one of A, B, and C.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of transmitting virtual data to the image forming apparatus via the second channel comprises transmitting the virtual data to the image forming apparatus via the second channel in any one of the following occasions:
when the current imaging job begins; or
a second predetermined duration passes after the current imaging job begins, the second predetermined duration being shorter than or equal to the first predetermined duration; and
when a first timeout occurs in a rendering step of the current imaging job.

### Claim 9 (depends on 5)

The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of transmitting virtual data to the image forming apparatus via the second channel specifically comprises:
transmitting the virtual data continuously or periodically at intervals shorter than or equal to the first predetermined duration, after the virtual data are first sent to the image forming apparatus via the second channel.

### Claim 10 (depends on 5)

The method according to claim 5, further comprising ceasing to transmit virtual data to the image forming apparatus via the second channel, upon completely rendering the current printing job, transmission of all page data, or cancellation of the current printing job.

### Claim 11 (depends on 5)

The method according to claim 5, further comprising: performing supervisory control so as to cease to transmit virtual data to the image forming apparatus and perform exception handling of the imaging job, upon excess of a third predetermined duration in rendering one data page, excess of a fourth predetermined duration for the current imaging job, and/or occurrence of abnormality during communications with the image forming apparatus.

### Claim 12

An image forming method, comprising the steps of:
generating virtual data used for preventing an image forming apparatus from ceasing a current imaging job due to failure of receiving any data within a first predetermined duration;
establishing a first channel and a second channel with the image forming apparatus; and
transmitting page data acquired by rendering document data to be imaged to the image forming apparatus via the first channel, and transmitting virtual data to the image forming apparatus via the second channel;
wherein the step of generating virtual data further comprises generating the virtual data in accordance with a pre-established rule; and
wherein the pre-established rule prescribes that the virtual data comprise any one of A, B, C, and D, or alternatively comprise D and any one of A, B, and C, among which:
A represents any one of a pre-established group of data, or a pre-established datum;
B represents data generated in accordance with a pre-established random number generation rule;
C represents pre-established attribute information of an imaging job, including at least one selected from a group consisting of name, type of document, creator, and creation time of the imaging job; and
D represents encrypted data obtained after encrypting above A, B, or C with a specified key.