Abstract: According to the present invention, light is emitted by a light source at different emission intensities, and sensor output values are compared with threshold values at the individual emission intensities, so that the types of recording media having various reflection characteristics can be correctly determined.

Abstract: A printer includes a printing unit configured to print on a sheet medium, a reading unit configured to read an identification mark when a sheet medium on which the identification mark is formed is used, and a control unit configured to specify a print setting for the sheet medium based on a read result of the reading unit, wherein the identification mark is a coded pattern drawn using a material containing a substance that scatters or absorbs ultraviolet light and containing no fluorescent substance, and wherein the reading unit includes an emitter configured to mainly emit ultraviolet light and a detector configured to detect fluorescence generated by excitation from a fluorescent whitening agent contained in the sheet medium and modulated by the coded pattern.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a print medium identifying device that can accurately detect various print media. Thus, according to the present invention, a light emitting section (LED) irradiates a surface of a print medium P with ultraviolet light and different light of a longer wave. A light receiving section (regular-reflection photo sensor and diffusive-reflection photo sensor) receives the light reflected by the surface of the print medium P to output a signal corresponding to the quantity of light received. Identifying section (signal processing section) identifies the type of the print medium on the basis of a signal output by the light receiving section when the print medium is irradiated with the ultraviolet light and a signal output by the light receiving section when the print medium is irradiated with the different light.

Abstract: According to the present invention, light is emitted by a light source at different emission intensities, and sensor output values are compared with threshold values at the individual emission intensities, so that the types of recording media having various reflection characteristics can be correctly determined.

Abstract: According to the present invention, light is emitted by a light source at different emission intensities, and sensor output values are compared with threshold values at the individual emission intensities, so that the types of recording media having various reflection characteristics can be correctly determined.

Abstract: Recording medium feeding means includes a recording medium determination device, in which an arm biased by a spring toward recording medium loading means is rotatably attached to a lever rotated by a rotatably driven cam member, two holder segments are rockingly attached to the arm, and a recording medium detector held by one of the holder segments reads information, such as the type and properties, on the recording media. A cam element is provided between the cam member and the lever for gradually rotating the lever.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a print medium identifying device that can accurately detect various print media. Thus, according to the present invention, a light emitting section (LED) irradiates a surface of a print medium P with ultraviolet light and different light of a longer wave. A light receiving section (regular-reflection photo sensor and diffusive-reflection photo sensor) receives the light reflected by the surface of the print medium P to output a signal corresponding to the quantity of light received. Identifying section (signal processing section) identifies the type of the print medium on the basis of a signal output by the light receiving section when the print medium is irradiated with the ultraviolet light and a signal output by the light receiving section when the print medium is irradiated with the different light.

Abstract: A composite system including a printer having a carriage capable of interchangeably holding a print cartridge and a reader cartridge, and a host computer to which print software and read software are installed, capable of selectively realizing a print function or a read function, and a method for launching the selected function. When a detection mechanism provided in the carriage detects attachment of a cartridge, it outputs a signal indicative of the attachment and type of the cartridge. The host computer automatically launches either the print software or the read software depending upon the signal.

Abstract: According to the present invention, light is emitted by a light source at different emission intensities, and sensor output values are compared with threshold values at the individual emission intensities, so that the types of recording media having various reflection characteristics can be correctly determined.

Abstract: Recording medium feeding means includes a recording medium determination device, in which an arm biased by a spring toward recording medium loading means is rotatably attached to a lever rotated by a rotatably driven cam member, two holder segments are rockingly attached to the arm, and a recording medium detector held by one of the holder segments reads information, such as the type and properties, on the recording media. A cam element is provided between the cam member and the lever for gradually rotating the lever.

Abstract: A scanner head cartridge is constituted by a lower case which houses optical parts required for reading and electrical parts required for image processing, and an upper case which can engage with the lower case to cover the open surface of the lower case, and a positioning guide means used upon inserting the cartridge into the carriage is formed on the surface of the upper case, that is opposite to the lower case. A scanner head cartridge is held on a carriage that moves an ink head cartridge of an ink-jet printer for performing recording on a recording medium, in place of the ink head cartridge, and can be commonly used using a common base unit even in carriages which mount different ink head cartridges and have different shapes. In addition, the scanner head cartridge allows easy adjustment of the optical system.

Abstract: A composite system including a printer having a carriage capable of interchangeably holding a print cartridge and a reader cartridge, and a host computer to which print software and read software are installed, capable of selectively realizing a print function or a read function, and a method for launching the selected function. When a detection mechanism provided in the carriage detects attachment of a cartridge, it outputs a signal indicative of the attachment and type of the cartridge. The host computer automatically launches either the print software or the read software depending upon the signal.

Abstract: A serial-scanning-type image reading apparatus includes a plurality of light guides. One end of each of the light guides is connected to a supporting plate provided for supporting an original thereon at a position a constant distance apart from a scanner head. The connecting position of each light guide to the supporting plate is in a region within a range in which the scanner head is movable but out of a region in which the original is transported. Each light guide extends from the connecting position to an exterior part of the apparatus. One of the plurality of light guides is selected depending on the operating status of the apparatus, and the scanner head is positioned so that light emitted from a light source is guided through the selected light guide to the exterior part of the apparatus. Thus, it is possible to provide a low-cost indicator for indicating the operating status of the image reading apparatus while maintaining the scanning element and the scanning region covered by a cover.

Abstract: A scanner head cartridge is constituted by a lower case which houses optical parts required for reading and electrical parts required for image processing, and an upper case which can engage with the lower case to cover the open surface of the lower case, and a positioning guide means used upon inserting the cartridge into the carriage is formed on the surface of the upper case, that is opposite to the lower case. A scanner head cartridge is held on a carriage that moves an ink head cartridge of an ink-jet printer for performing recording on a recording medium, in place of the ink head cartridge, and can be commonly used using a common base unit even in carriages which mount different ink head cartridges and have different shapes. In addition, the scanner head cartridge allows easy adjustment of the optical system.

Abstract: A container for safekeeping an ink jet cartridge is provided with the main body of a container for storing an ink jet cartridge having a recording head unit, and an ink tank unit containing ink to be supplied to the recording head unit, a lid element for covering the inlet and outlet of the main body of the container for storing or removing the ink jet cartridge, an elastic cap member provided in the main body of the container for covering the recording head unit. This container for safekeeping an ink jet cartridge comprises a rib arranged on the inner wall surface of the lid element for exerting pressure on the recording head unit of the ink jet cartridge to press it to the elastic cap member; and a recess arranged on the inner wall surface of the main body of the container in a position corresponding to the location where the elastic cap member is arranged.

Abstract: A container for safekeeping an ink jet cartridge is provided with the main body of a container for storing an ink jet cartridge having a recording head unit, and an ink tank unit containing ink to be supplied to the recording head unit, a lid element for covering the inlet and outlet of the main body of the container for storing or removing the ink jet cartridge, an elastic cap member provided in the main body of the container for covering the recording head unit. This container for safekeeping an ink jet cartridge comprises a rib arranged on the inner wall surface of the lid element for exerting pressure on the recording head unit of the ink jet cartridge to press it to the elastic cap member; and a recess arranged on the inner wall surface of the main body of the container in a position corresponding to the location where the elastic cap member is arranged.

Abstract: A scanner head cartridge, which can be mounted exchangeably with an ink head cartridge on a carriage capable of moving the ink head cartridge of an information processing apparatus for recording on a recording medium, includes a lower case containing therein optical parts required for reading, an upper case structured to be coupled with the lower case for covering the open face of the lower case and guiding means arranged on the upper surface of the upper case for positioning when being inserted into the carriage. With the structure thus arranged, it is possible to mount the scanner head cartridge on the carriage by a simple mounting operation with a highly precise positioning simultaneously.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a plurality of light sources for illuminating an original, a photoelectric conversion device for converting light from the original illuminated by each of the plurality of illuminating means, and a discriminating circuit for discriminating whether or not any image exists on the original, based on image signals output from the photoelectric conversion device at least when the original is illuminated with light from one of the light sources, which possesses spectral characteristics including green. A control circuit controls the apparatus so that, when the discriminating circuit has determined that no image exists on the original, the manner of reading of the image with the light sources other than the light source employed in the discrimination performed by the discriminating circuit is changed from the manner of reading of the image with the light source employed in the discrimination.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for performing recording uses a carriage mounted with a recording head moving along a guide shaft. The recording apparatus includes a magnetic linear encoder consisting of a scale element magnetized and a detection unit for detecting magnetized information magnetized to the scale element. Provided also are clicks formed on any one of the detection unit and the carriage and click engaging portions formed in the other one of the detection unit and the carriage. The clicks engage with the click engaging portions, whereby the detection unit is snap-locked to the carriage. This enables the detection unit of the magnetic linear encoder to be readily attached to the carriage and besides, when attached, prevents disorder of the information magnetized to the scale element. Further, even when a position of the carriage shifts corresponding to sheets having different thicknesses, a sliding load of the carriage does not change.

Abstract: An electrical connector for electrically connecting circuit boards together comprising a plug connector (10,40) having plug contacts (13,43) secured in an insulating housing (11a, 11b, 41a) at spaced intervals therealong; a receptacle connector (20,30,50,60) having receptacle contacts secured in an insulating housing (21,31,52a,62a) for electrical engagement with respective plug contacts (13,43) When the connectors are mated; the receptacle contacts and the plug contacts have interlocking sections (17,28,35,43b, 56a,66a) which are interlocked when the connectors are connected together thereby preventing their disengagement.