Patent ID: 6185010
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An image forming system, comprising:a printer unit, including:a power source, disposed within the printer unit, for receiving AC current from an external power supply, converting the AC current to a DC current, and outputting the DC current;a housing having at least four generally vertical surfaces including a front surface, a rear surface, and two side surfaces;a printer engine disposed within the housing of the printer unit; anda printer controller, disposed within the housing of the printer unit, which is connected to the printer engine and controls the printer engine;a printer display for displaying an error in and a status of the printer unit;a scanner unit, connected to the printer unit, including:a housing which is different from the housing of the printer unit;a scanner engine disposed within the housing of the scanner unit;a scanner controller disposed within the housing of the scanner unit which is connected to the scanner engine and controls the scanner engine; andan operation display formed in the housing of the scanner unit for displaying an error in and a status of both the scanner unit and the printer unit; anda support device different from the printer unit which includes a scanner unit support surface which supports the scanner unit using supports which are exterior to the printer unit, the printer unit being disposed under the scanner unit support surface, and the support device providing open access to the printer unit at the front surface and at least one of the side surfaces thereof,wherein the scanner unit receives DC current which is supplied from a conversion of AC current only from the power source of the printer unit.