Abstract: In a sheet conveyance device, if a sheet has not been detected at a second position when a predetermined time has elapsed since the sheet has been detected at a first position, a separating portion switches operation thereof from a separating operation to a non-separating operation of conveying the sheet from upstream to downstream in a sheet conveyance path, and a sheet feed portion continues a feeding operation. If the sheet has not been detected at the second position by the time a predetermined time has elapsed since the separating portion has started the non-separating operation, the separating portion and the sheet feed portion stop driving, and if the sheet has been detected at the second position by the time, the separating portion switches operation thereof from the non-separating operation to the separating operation, and the sheet feed portion continues the feeding operation.

Abstract: Generally, in accordance with one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a stacking section, a sensor, a printing unit, a display and a controller. The stacking section is configured to stack a sheet. The sensor is configured to detect the size of the sheet set on the stacking section. The printing unit is configured to form an image on the sheet. The display is configured to display the image. The controller is configured not to display a sheet size except the sheet size detected based on an output signal from the sensor on a setting screen for the sheet size of an image forming object in a detectable status.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for separating a media item from a bunch of media items. The apparatus comprises at least one first roller located on a first side of a transport path along which a media item is transported and at least two further rollers located on a further side of the transport path opposite the first side, said at least two further rollers being spaced apart to receive a portion of said at least one first roller therebetween, wherein in an advance mode of operation said first and further rollers rotate in the same direction and in a reject mode of operation said first and further rollers rotate in opposite directions.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes: a feeding mechanism having a first roller and a second roller provided downstream in a sheet feeding path from the first roller and feeding a sheet by rotations of the first and second rollers; a control section executing a butting control by controlling the first and second rollers to feed the sheet from the first roller so as to butt against the second roller at an intake position, and executing an intake feeding control by controlling the second roller to feed the sheet downstream in the feeding path from the intake position; an obtaining section obtaining information indicating a rotation amount of the second roller in a period after the butting control to the start of the intake feeding control; and a target setting section setting a target rotation amount of the second roller that should be achieved in the intake feeding control.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an electrophotographic process is disclosed. The image forming apparatus detects a load angle of a motor associated with conveying of an n-th sheet. In accordance with the detected load angle, current values for motors associated with conveying of the n-th sheet, a current value for a motor associated with feeding of sheets following the n-th sheet, and a current value for a motor associated with conveying of the sheets following the n-th sheet are set. Such control is executed when power is turned ON or the like.

Abstract: A sheet detection device includes a moving member and a support member. The moving member includes an interference part capable of interfering with a sheet that passes through a sheet transport path. The support member slidably supports the moving member. When a sheet passes through the sheet transport path in a forward direction, the sheet interferes with the interference part of the moving member in a protruding posture, and the moving member turns in a first direction along the forward direction in a state of maintaining the protruding posture. When a sheet once stopped on the sheet transport path is pulled out in a reverse direction with a predetermined pull-out force, the moving member turns in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, and changes the posture from the protruding posture to a retreating posture against a biasing force of a first bias member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit to form an image on a sheet-shaped recording medium; a registration roller pair to convey the recording medium to the image forming unit; a sheet feed roller to convey the recording medium to the registration roller pair; and a controller to control driving of the registration roller pair and the sheet feed roller. In such an image forming apparatus, the controller starts driving of the sheet feed roller to feed the recording medium and stops driving of the sheet feed roller before the sheet feed roller has completed conveyance of the recording medium for a distance equal to a length of the settable minimum-sized recording medium in the conveyance direction.

Abstract: An image formation device is configured such that a length of a sheet feed path from a sheet accommodation unit to a sheet detection unit is greater than the sheet distance for a predetermined type sheet that has substantially the same sheet length as a maximum size sheet employable in the image formation unit. A sheet length of the sheet fed by the sheet feed mechanism is measured. If the sheet length of a firstly fed sheet, which is fed in response to an image formation instruction and measured by the measuring unit, is equal to the sheet length of the predetermined type of sheet, the control unit feeds a subsequent sheet with the sheet distance corresponding for the maximum size sheet between a trailing end of the previously fed sheet and the leading end of the subsequent sheet.

Abstract: A system includes a media path along which physical media travels. A media pick device picks and transports the media in the media path according to one or more pick parameters. A device monitor can monitor a media pick or jam event and provide a media pick event output. The media pick event output identifies a media fault relating to at least one of the pick or the transport of the media. A controller processes the media pick event output to control the media pick device.

Abstract: A feeding device includes a feeding unit configured to be driven while being in contact with a recording sheet to feed the recording sheet, and a stacking unit configured to stack a plurality of the recording sheets and to press or release the stacked recording sheets to or from the feeding unit. Also, the feeding device includes a separating unit configured to separate the plurality of recording sheets fed by the feeding unit, one by one, a detecting unit configured to detect the recording sheet in an area downstream of the separating unit, and a control unit configured to control each of the units. The control unit switches a feeding operation between at least two feeding operations in accordance with a drive time of the feeding unit from when the feeding unit is started to be driven to when the detecting unit detects the recording sheet.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes: a sheet loading unit configured to load a plurality of sheets; a sheet feeding unit configured to feed the sheets loaded on the sheet loading unit; a light emitting unit configured to irradiate a sheet loaded on the sheet loading unit; an image sensor disposed at a position opposing the sheet loaded on the sheet loading unit and configured to sense an image reflected with light irradiated by the light emitting unit; and a trailing edge detection unit configured to cause the image sensor to repetitively perform sensing during sheet conveyance by the sheet feeding unit, compare images sensed by the image sensor, and detect a trailing edge of the sheet currently being conveyed from the sheet feeding unit based on a determination of an area where a pattern remains unchanged.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and a printing method with the object of preventing the feed of a sheet that is not the feeding target when performing sheet re-feeding.

Abstract: A system for conveying mailpieces along a conveyance path and singulating a mailpiece from a stack of mailpieces along the conveyance path. The system includes a first conveyance for conveying mailpieces at a variable velocity and a second conveyance, downstream of the first conveyance, for conveying mailpieces at a constant velocity along the conveyance path. A series of optical sensors extends from the first to the second conveyance and is operative to issue a gap signal indicative of the relative spacing between sequential mailpieces along the conveyance path. A processor is responsive to the gap signal and is operative to control the first conveyance to decrease the relative spacing between sequential mailpieces when the gap signal exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A system for conveying mailpieces along a feed path includes a plurality of conveyances. A first conveyance is operative to convey mailpieces along the feed path and includes a singulating and drive belt. The singulating and drive belts define a throat for singulating a mailpiece from the stack of mailpieces. A second conveyance accepts mailpieces from the first conveyance and conveys singulated mailpiece downstream of the first conveyance. The system further includes a series of sensors extending from the first to the second conveyance for issuing a gap signal indicative of the relative spacing between sequential mailpieces along the feed path. Additionally, the system includes a means, responsive to the gap signal, for developing a variable opposing force between the singulating and drive belts to optimize singulation of mailpieces along the feed path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises an image-forming part; a paper feeding part; a resist part; a rotating body; a detector for detecting the arrival of paper at the resist part; a timer part for measuring a measurement time from when feeding of a second sheet of paper from the paper feeding part is begun to when the detector detects the arrival of the second sheet of paper, and a sheet interval time from when the detector detects the passage of a first sheet of paper immediately preceding the second sheet of paper to when the arrival of the second sheet of paper is detected; and an identifier part for referring to the measurement time, a reference measurement time, the sheet interval time and a reference sheet interval time, and deciding the paper feeding part advancing or delaying the paper feed start timing.

Abstract: A non-transitory storage medium is disclosed herein. An example of the non-transitory storage medium includes instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to actuate a pick assembly of a media handling system to select a sheet of medium from a media stack and lower the media stack a predetermined amount and subsequently raise the media stack the predetermined amount upon failure to pick the sheet of medium from the media stack. The non-transitory storage medium may include additional instructions as disclosed herein. A media handling system and method of media handling are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A cable arrangement structure is provided with a movable body configured to reciprocally move relative to a base member, and a flexible cable transmitting electrical signals. One end of the flexible cable is fixedly connected to the base member, and another end is connected to the movable body. The flexible cable has a curved portion, and both ends of the flexible cable being located on a same side with respect to the curved portion. A tension applying unit configured to contact the curved portion of the flexible cable from an inner side of a curvature of the curved portion to apply tension to the flexible cable when the curved portion is located on a front direction of the movable body as moved. Application of the tension to the flexible cable is controlled in mechanical association with movement of the movable body.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a first roller configured to feed a sheet in a first direction along a first feed path, a second roller arranged on a downstream side of the first roller and configured to feed the sheet in the first direction along the first feed path, a sheet detection unit arranged between the first roller and the second roller. A rotation amount of the second roller from detection of the leading end of the sheet by the sheet detection unit to arrival of the sheet at a predetermined position on the downstream side is compensated based on the rotation speed of the first roller within a first period, which is a period from start of feeding of the sheet as the first roller is started to be driven to the detection of the leading end of the sheet by the sheet detection unit.

Abstract: A reflective photosensor detects a target object. The photosensor includes a transparent circuit board, a light emitter and a light receiver on one surface of the circuit board, including a light emitting element and a light receiving element, respectively, and disposed so that the light emitting element and the light receiving element face the one surface, a concave portion on the other surface of the circuit board, including a first refractive face to oppose the light emitting element and refract light from the light emitting element to the light receiving element and a second refractive face to oppose the light receiving element and refract, to the light receiver, a component of the light refracted by the first refractive face and specularly reflected by the target object.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for which a control method is performed includes a recording unit, a conveying device conveying a recording medium to the recording unit, a feeding device supplying the recording medium to the conveying device, a recording medium conveying pathway along which the recording medium travels, and a control device controlling the conveying device and the feeding device. A first partial length of the recording medium conveying pathway extending from the feeding device to the recording unit is shorter than a conveyance direction length of a maximum usable size recording medium. When the leading end of the recording medium is located between the conveying device and the recording unit after the conveying device is driven to convey the recording medium, the control device switches the feeding device from a driven state to a non-driven state to move the feeding device by the recording medium.

Abstract: An image forming device including a pickup roller and a scraper roller configured to send out a print sheet to a feed route, a before-registration roller configured to send out a print sheet to a registration roller, and a control unit configured to independently control the transfer speed of the print sheet at each point based on operation patterns relating to the pickup roller and the scraper roller, and an intermediate transfer roller configured to transfer the print sheet between the before-registration roller and itself, wherein the operation pattern is set based on a relationship between a distance from the intermediate transfer roller to the before-registration roller or a distance from the intermediate transfer roller to the registration roller and a length of the print sheet.

Abstract: The method includes determining whether or not the trailing end of the previous medium has reached a preliminary feed start position, if it is determined that the trailing end of the previous medium has reached the preliminary feed start position, determining whether or not the leading end of the subsequent medium has already reached a target position of the preliminary feeding operation, if the subsequent medium does not reach the target position, causing driving for the preliminary feeding operation so as to be performed, and when the preliminary feeding operation is performed, calculating a gap between the previous medium and the subsequent medium on the basis of a first value, and when the preliminary feeding operation is not performed, calculating the gap on the basis of a second value.

Abstract: A sheet feed device comprises: a retaining section retaining a sheet; a drive section raising the retaining section; a conveyance section conveying a sheet on the raised retaining section; a sheet detection section detecting an end of the conveyed sheet; and a control section. At the time that a sheet feed instruction is received, when a sheet is detected by the sheet detection section, the control section causes the conveyance section to feed the sheet further. When a sheet is not detected, the control section causes the drive section to raise the retaining section and then causes the conveyance section to start conveyance of a sheet.

Abstract: A printer includes multiple gear trains, each gear train to pick paper. The printer also includes a print media sensor to detect the presence of print media along a paper path, a user input control, and control logic coupled to the print media sensor and the user input control. Based upon receiving multiple signals from the user input control to resume printing, each such signal following an indication from the print media sensor that paper has not been picked, the control logic to cause a change-over to occur from one gear train to another gear train.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance device includes a loading section, a sheet feeding unit, a separation section disposed downstream in a sheet conveyance direction from the sheet feeding unit, a conveyance member to transport a sheet separated by the separation section, a trailing-edge detector disposed at a first conveyance distance (L1) downstream from a separation position (Ab) and including a rotary follower and a rotation detector, a first leading-edge detector disposed downstream from the trailing-edge detector, and a controller. The trailing-edge detector A detects a sheet length in the sheet conveyance direction. The controller causes the sheet feeding unit to start sheet feeding in response to detection of the leading edge of the sheet by the first leading-edge detector when the detected sheet length equals a predetermined reference length and in other cases in response to detection of the trailing edge of the sheet by the trailing-edge detector.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an ultrasonic sensor and a control unit. The control unit monitors each of multi-valued output values of the ultrasonic sensor in absence of a paper, in absence of an overlap, and in presence of an overlap, sets an optimal threshold of multifeed determination for a thickness of a paper based on the monitored values in the absence of a paper and in the absence of an overlap, and performs the multifeed determination using the set threshold and the value in the presence of an overlap.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus including: (i) a first controlling portion configured to intermittently convey a following sheet at a second velocity together with intermittent conveyance of a preceding sheet at a first velocity higher than the second velocity; (ii) a predicting portion configured to predict one of the successive intermittent conveyances of the following sheet which is performed together with one of the successive intermittent conveyances of the preceding sheet which causes the trailing end of the preceding sheet to pass a reference position; and (iii) a second controlling portion configured to inhibit the predicted one of the successive intermittent conveyances of the following sheet, and configured to convey the following sheet at a third conveying velocity higher than the second conveying velocity, from a point of time at which the trailing end of the preceding sheet passes the reference position, such that conveyance of the following sheet at the third conveying velocity is stopped without a

Abstract: A paper feed system for use in a printing apparatus that detects multi-feeds and separates all sheets while allowing a single sheet to continue into the machine includes a nip with a drive roller for feeding sheets. A reversible pressure roller downstream of the drive roller is connected to a motor, but idles in the direction of the paper feed in normal operation. When a multi-feed is detected, the motor is turned ON and the reversible pressure roll actuated by a controller. The reversible pressure roller has more friction with the sheet in its contact than the friction between sheets. This drives the sheet in contact backwards. This sheet can be diverted to a separate paper path using a gate mechanism and, if desired, fed back into the feed path.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus including a recording portion for recording image on a top face of a sheet; a supplying roller which is to be in contact with a bottom face of the sheet held in a tray so as to supply the sheet toward a curved conveyance path, a drive roller which is to be in contact with the top face of the sheet so as to convey the sheet supplied from the supplying roller, and a controlling portion which is configured, upon receipt of a command requesting start of conveyance of the sheet, to cause the supplying roller to be rotated without causing the drive roller to be rotated, and is configured, upon judgment that a leading end portion of the sheet has reached a flat surface extending away from the drive roller toward the recording portion, to cause the drive roller to be rotated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet feeding apparatus and an image forming apparatus in which generation of a hollow at a separation roller can be prevented. A sheet separating and feeding portion 132 which separates and feeds sheets S one by one sent by a pickup roller 129 includes a feed roller 130 and a retard roller 131 which is arranged rotatably in the direction opposite to a sheet feeding direction and which is capable of rotating along with a rotation of the feed roller 130 while being press-contacted to the feed roller 130. Then, the feed roller 130 is rotated by a predetermined amount so as to rotate the retard roller 131 via the sheet S after job completion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method separate flat articles, in particular flat mail consignments, and have built-in wear compensation. The apparatus possesses a transport element, a retention element, a displaceable mounted base and a range sensor. Either the transport element or the retention element is mounted on the base. The other element is mounted fixedly. The transport element is moved in relation to the retention element, with the result that overlapping articles are drawn apart from one another. The range sensor measures the length of a section from a fixed point to such a surface of the transport element which comes into contact with articles. In dependence on the measured section length, the base is displaced in such a way that the displacement of the base compensates for abrasion of the transport element.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, a detection unit arranged near a feed roller is rotatably arranged. A space where the feed roller is attached and detached is formed by rotating the detection unit. The detection unit is rotated in accordance with an operation of attaching and detaching the feed roller to and from a shaft, and the maintenance of the feed roller is performed while the formed space is used.

Abstract: A feeding device for feeding each of accumulated mail items P onto a conveyance path includes a pickup belt which runs along a pickup position, and a negative-pressure chamber opposing the pickup position with the pickup belt interposed therebetween. When each mail item is picked up from the pickup position and reaches a nip between conveyance belts, air is introduced into the negative-pressure chamber to eliminate negative pressure therein.

Abstract: In a paper feed system where a first paper feed mechanism takes out and transfers one by one a plurality of papers placed on a paper feed table in a stack and a second paper feed mechanism transfers the papers transferred by the first paper feed mechanism to an image forming section at a predetermined timing. A paper edge detector is provided between the first and second paper feed mechanisms to detect an edge of the paper, and the first paper feed mechanism is controlled to transfer the papers at a first speed and then at a second speed not higher than the first speed when the paper edge detector detects the leading edge of the paper, the second speed being determined on the basis of the timing at which the leading edge of the paper is detected.

Abstract: A first convey roller conveys a sheet in a sheet conveying direction such that a leading edge of the sheet passes through a nip of a second convey roller disposed downstream from the first convey roller. The second convey roller rotates in a reverse direction by a first rotation amount corresponding to a first linear distance to convey the sheet in a direction opposite to the sheet conveying direction, such that the leading edge of the sheet is released from the nip of the second convey roller. In response to the rotation of the second convey roller in the reverse direction, the first convey roller rotates by a second rotation amount corresponding to a second linear distance in the reverse direction to convey the sheet in the direction opposite to the sheet conveying direction, such that the leading edge of the sheet contacts the nip of the second convey roller when the first convey roller has rotated by the second rotation amount and the second convey roller has rotated by the first rotation amount.

Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus is provided that includes a take-out member to take out a sheet from a take-out position by rotating the sheet in a state in which negative pressure is applied to the sheet and the sheet is adsorbed to the take-out member. A conveyor portion receives and conveys the taken out sheet by the take-out member and a control portion controls the take-out member such that, when the sheet at the take-out position is being adsorbed to the take-out member, the take-out member is rotated at a circumferential speed that is slower than a conveying speed of the sheet at the conveyor portion. In addition, when the sheet adsorbed to the take-out member is being transferred to the conveyor portion, the take-out member is rotated at a circumferential speed that is the same as a conveying speed of the conveyor portion at that time.

Abstract: A printing apparatus has a sensor unit which optically detects, at a measurement position, a surface of a sheet, for measuring a moving state of the sheet. The sensor unit measures the moving state of the sheet when the sheet is located at the measurement position, and measures a moving state of a surface of the rotary member when the sheet is not located at the measurement position. The sensor unit has at least one of an image sensor arranged to perform imaging of one of the surface of the sheet and the surface of the rotary member so as to obtain image data, based on which the moving state is measured and a Doppler velocity sensor.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a sheet feed tray, a chute having first and second guides, first and second rollers arranged on the first guide, first and second contact members protruded from the second guide and urged to contact the first and second rollers, respectively, and a sheet sensor arranged between the first roller and the second roller. A controller controls a motor to rotate the first and second rollers in a first direction in which the sheet is fed from the second roller to the first roller when the controller receives a signal from the sensor, and controls the motor to stop the rotation of the first and second rollers when the signal from the sensor is terminated, and then rotate the first and second rollers in a second direction in which the sheet is fed from the first roller to the second roller.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method separate flat objects, including flat mail items. The apparatus has a first and a second separator. Each separator extends a plurality of overlapping objects in a direction parallel to the object planes. The second separator has a transport element and a retaining element. The second separator can be operated optionally in a separating mode, in which it is capable of separating objects, and a transport mode. An overlap detection device checks whether an item which is transported by the second separator contains a single object or a plurality of overlapping objects. The overlap detection device measures the respective length of the transported item at at least two instants. If the length changes, the item contains a plurality of overlapping objects. If a plurality of objects has been detected, the second separator is switched over into the separating mode and it separates the objects.

Abstract: A method for moving a media sheet within an imaging device includes moving a media sheet along a media path by rotating an at least one roller. While the media sheet is moving, a first sensor is activated with the media sheet and then a second sensor is activated with the media sheet. Feedback is received by a processor indicating the number of rotations of the at least one roller. A measured distance DM from the first sensor to the second sensor is calculated. An adjusted distance DA from the second sensor to a feed nip is then calculated. After activation of the second sensor, the roller continues to move the media sheet on the media path and the roller is rotated at least the adjusted distance DA. The media sheet then enters into the feed nip in a substantially deskewed alignment.

Abstract: A conveying device in which positional displacement of a sheet may occur due to, for example, backlash of a mechanical system is provided. In the conveying device, when the speed of an encoder is decelerated to a predetermined speed after an edge of a sheet abuts against a roller during conveyance of the sheet, an encoder position is obtained. After the roller stops due to the backlash, an encoder position is obtained again. An amount of conveyance of the sheet to a print start position is corrected on the basis of the two encoder positions that have been obtained.

Abstract: A sheet supplying unit that supplies sheets includes a sheet accommodation tray that accommodates the sheets in a stacked state, the sheets including a first sheet which is an uppermost sheet in the stack of the sheets and a second sheet which is immediately below the first sheet; a pick-up roller that conveys the sheets in a sheet conveying direction; a detection sensor that detects passage of the sheets and is disposed downstream of the pick-up roller in the sheet conveying direction; and a control unit that controls operations of the pick-up roller in accordance with outputs from the detection sensor.

Abstract: A sheet-feeding type scanning apparatus and an automatic sheet feeding method are provided. The sheet-feeding type scanning apparatus includes a scanning module, a first sheet input tray, a first sheet pick-up roller assembly, a sheet ejecting tray, a sheet transfer channel, a plurality of transfer roller assemblies, a sheet ejecting roller assembly, a sheet-feeding sensor and a clutch module. Once a first sheet article of multiple sheet articles placed on the first sheet input tray are fed into the internal portion of the sheet-feeding type scanning apparatus to trigger the sheet-feeding sensor, the clutch module is disabled. At this moment, a second sheet article placed on the first sheet input tray fails to be fed by the first sheet pick-up roller assembly. Therefore, the double feeding problem is solved.

Abstract: A recording apparatus including feeding unit that feeds a medium, conveying unit that conveys the fed medium, recording unit that performs recording on the medium, and controlling unit that controls the feeding unit and the conveying unit, a measuring unit that measures a distance between the previous medium and the next medium after completing the preparatory feeding; and determining unit that determines whether or not the measured distance is a predetermined distance or greater, wherein, if the distance is the predetermined distance or greater, the controlling unit completely feeds the next medium.

Abstract: A document feeding device includes a carrying unit capable of carrying documents, a drawing device drawing and supplying the documents, a drawing device drive source driving the drawing device, a separation unit including a separation device to separate the documents one by one, a separation device drive source driving the separation device, a conveying device conveying the documents, a reading unit including a reading device to read information of the documents, a discharge device discharging the documents, a first document detector provided between a document set position and the separation unit to detect the documents, and a second document detector provided downstream of the separation unit and near a separation position to detect the documents. The first and second document detectors detect the trailing end of each of the documents to control the operation of the drawing device on the basis of the result of the detection.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a tray, a sheet conveying path through which sheets are conveyed, a sheet feeding unit including a sheet feed roller for feeding a first sheet to a sheet holding position, a sheet conveying unit having a conveyor roller that intermittently rotates and holds the sheets. The sheet conveying unit is upstream from a recording position, and downstream from the sheet feeding unit. The image forming apparatus also includes a recording unit, and a controller. The recording unit forms an image onto the first sheet while the conveyor roller is not rotating. The sheet feeding unit feeds a leading edge of a second sheet to the sheet conveying unit and maintains the leading edge of the second sheet colliding against the sheet conveying unit at the sheet holding position by rotating the sheet feed roller prior to completing image formation on the first sheet.

Abstract: A paper carrying device includes a carrying path, a light sensor, a contact sensor, and a judgment section. Both of the light sensor and the contact sensor output a presence-signal indicating that paper exists at a predetermined position in the carrying path or an absence-signal indicating that paper does not exist at the predetermined position. The judgment section judges that a signal output from the light sensor is an error when the light sensor outputs the presence-signal while the contact sensor outputs the absence-signal.

Abstract: An original-feeding device includes an original tray, a pickup roller configured to be lowered onto originals stacked on the tray and to feed one of the originals, the pickup roller configured to be lifted up after the feeding, a conveyor configured to convey the fed original, a length detector configured to detect a length of the conveyed original, an original sensor configured to detect a trailing edge of the conveyed original, and a controller configured to control the pickup roller either in a first mode in which the pickup roller is lowered in accordance with a detected length of the original or in a second mode in which the pickup roller is lowered at the detection of a trailing edge of the original. The controller changes the first mode to the second mode if lengths of the originals detected by the length detector vary.

Abstract: A method for applying a pick retry using a modified pick roller force includes operating an actuator in a first duty cycle to cause a pick roller to impose a first force on a media stack ordinarily sufficient to pick and feed a top sheet from the media stack to a media path, sensing whether or not the sheet arrives in the media path, and retrying the actuator in a second duty cycle different than the first duty cycle to cause the pick roller to impose a second force on the media stack different from the first force in response to not sensing the arrival of the sheet in the media path. The second force may be greater than the first force. The second duty cycle may be longer than the first duty cycle. Also, the method includes rotating the pick roller concurrently with or subsequently to operating the actuator.

Abstract: A multiple media feed system includes an adjustable media singulator feeder that is adjustable to feed from a stack of media items a selectable number of media items to form a group of overlapped media items. A thickness sensor is positioned to measure the thickness of media items fed from the stack of media items. A controllable media feeder is positioned to engage and feed media items fed from said stack of media items by the adjustable media singulator feeder. The controllable media feeder is controlled to feed media items when the thickness sensor has determined that the thickness of the selected number of media items is at the controllable media feeder.