초록 ▼

In the communications network disclosed herein, each of a plurality of similar stations is operated so that the group automatically organizes or configures itself into a multi-layered network for relaying messages from station to station, with some of the stations operating at a relatively high powe

In the communications network disclosed herein, each of a plurality of similar stations is operated so that the group automatically organizes or configures itself into a multi-layered network for relaying messages from station to station, with some of the stations operating at a relatively high power level as message gateways for a cluster of stations operating at lower power thereby to form, through the gateways, a network backbone providing longer distance network links. Initially, individual stations attempt to affiliate at a lower power level with an existing cluster gateway and, if that attempt is unsuccessful, the station switches to a higher power level and commences operation as a cluster gateway. Each cluster gateway periodically communicates data at least identifying to other cluster gateways the non-gateway stations which are affiliated with it. Preferably, if a cluster gateway is within affiliation range with another cluster gateway one of them will terminate cluster gateway status if that termination will not reduce connectivity of the network backbone below a preselected level.

대표청구항 ▼

In the communications network disclosed herein, each of a plurality of similar stations is operated so that the group automatically organizes or configures itself into a multi-layered network for relaying messages from station to station, with some of the stations operating at a relatively high powe

In the communications network disclosed herein, each of a plurality of similar stations is operated so that the group automatically organizes or configures itself into a multi-layered network for relaying messages from station to station, with some of the stations operating at a relatively high power level as message gateways for a cluster of stations operating at lower power thereby to form, through the gateways, a network backbone providing longer distance network links. Initially, individual stations attempt to affiliate at a lower power level with an existing cluster gateway and, if that attempt is unsuccessful, the station switches to a higher power level and commences operation as a cluster gateway. Each cluster gateway periodically communicates data at least identifying to other cluster gateways the non-gateway stations which are affiliated with it. Preferably, if a cluster gateway is within affiliation range with another cluster gateway one of them will terminate cluster gateway status if that termination will not reduce connectivity of the network backbone below a preselected level. tainer body substantially along a full-length thereof, for feeding the toner toward the opening by rotating relative to the main body of the container substantially non-rotatably mounted to the image forming apparatus; and a transmitting member for transmission of a rotational driving force from the image forming apparatus to said feeding member, said transmitting member being in a coaxial coupling engagement with said feeding member against relative rotation therebetween to permit the transmission of the rotational driving force, wherein said transmitting member is slidable relative to said feeding member and said container body from a closing position in which said transmitting member hermetically seals the opening to an opening position in which the opening is open, and said feeding member is rotatable by the rotational driving force to discharge the toner through the opening by rotation of said transmitting member. 2. A toner supply container according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting member is slidable relative to said feeding member substantially only in an axial direction of said feeding member between the closing position and the opening position. 3. A toner supply container according to claim 2, wherein said transmitting member is provided with a supporting portion which is capable of being stationarily supported by the apparatus, and said supporting portion is substantially stationary upon relative movement between said transmitting member and said feeding member. 4. A toner supply container according to claim 3, wherein said container body is provided with a force receiving portion for receiving a force from the apparatus to slide said feeding member relative to said transmitting member which is kept stationary. 5. A toner supply container according to claim 1, wherein when said transmitting member is at the opening position, an end of said feeding member is supported by said container body, and the other end of said feeding member is out of contact with said container body. 6. A toner supply container according to claim 5, wherein said opening is disposed at a downstream end of said container body with respect to a toner feeding direction of said feeding member. 7. A toner supply container according to claim 1, wherein said feeding member has a shaft extending along an axis thereof, and said coaxial coupling engagement is between said transmitting member and said shaft of said feeding member. 8. A toner supply container according to claim 7, wherein the shaft has a polygonal cross-section, and said transmitting member is provided with a hollow portion having a corresponding polygonal cross-section. 9. A toner supply container according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting member is provided with a supporting portion which is stationarily supported on the apparatus, and wherein when the opening is being opened, said transmitting member is substantially stationary. 10. A toner supply container according to claim 9, wherein said container body is provided with a force receiving portion for receiving a force for moving said feeding member relative to said transmitting member kept substantially stationary. 11. A toner supply container according to claim 1, wherein said toner container is mountable to the apparatus substantially in a direction in which the toner is fed by said feeding member, wherein said transmitting member is provided at a leading side with respect to the mounting direction. 12. A toner supply container according to claim 11, wherein said transmitting member is provided with a driving force receiving portion for receiving the driving force at the leading side upon mounting of said toner supply container to the image forming apparatus. 13. A toner supply container detachably and substantially non-rotatably mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising: a container body for containing toner, said container body being provided with an opening for permitting discharge of the toner; a fe eding member, extending in said container body substantially along a full-length thereof, for feeding the toner toward the opening by rotating relative to the main body of said container substantially non-rotatably mounted to the image forming apparatus, said feeding member being provided with a shaft having a non-circular cross-section; and a closing member for closing the opening, said closing member being provided with a bore which is fitted with the shaft for sliding motion relative to said feeding member to an opening position in which the opening is opened and in which said closing member is rotatable with said feeding member. 14. A toner supply container according to claim 13, wherein the bore is substantially hermetically fitted with the shaft. 15. A toner supply container according to claim 14, wherein said closing member is provided with a supporting portion which is capable of being stationarily supported by the apparatus, and said supporting portion is substantially stationary upon relative movement between said closing member and said feeding member. 16. A toner supply container according to claim 15, wherein said container body is provided with a force receiving portion for receiving a force from the apparatus to slide said feeding member relative to said closing member which is kept stationary. 17. A toner supply container according to claim 13, wherein when said closing member is at the opening position, an end of the shaft is supported by said container body, and the other end of the shaft is out of contact with said container body. 18. A toner supply container according to claim 17, wherein the opening is disposed at a downstream end of said container body with respect to a toner feeding direction of said feeding member. 19. A toner supply container according to claim 13, wherein when said closing member is at the opening position, said closing member is engaged with the shaft. 20. A toner supply container according to claim 13, wherein the shaft has a polygonal cross-section, and said closing member is provided with a hollow portion having a corresponding polygonal cross-section. 21. A toner supply container according to claim 13, wherein said closing member is provided with a supporting portion which is stationarily supported by the apparatus, and when the opening is being opened, said closing member is substantially stationary. 22. A toner supply container according to claim 21, wherein said container body is provided with a force receiving portion for receiving a force for moving said feeding member relative to said closing member kept substantially stationary. 23. A toner supply container according to claim 13, wherein said toner container is mountable to the apparatus substantially in a direction in which the toner is fed by said feeding member, wherein said closing member is provided at a leading side with respect to the mounting direction. 24. A toner supply container according to claim 23, wherein said closing member is provided with a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force at the leading side upon mounting of said toner supply container to the image forming apparatus. 25. A toner supply container according to claim 7, wherein said shaft is extended out through the opening. 26. A toner supply container according to claim 13, wherein said shaft is extended out through the opening. 27. A toner supply container detachably and substantially non-rotatably mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising: a container body for containing toner, said container body being provided with an opening for permitting discharge of the toner; a feeding member, extending in said container body substantially along a full-length thereof, for feeding the toner toward the opening by rotating relative to the main body of said container substantially non-rotatably mounted to the image forming apparatus; and a transmitting member for transmission of a rotational driving force from the image