Abstract: An original reading apparatus conveys an original placed on an original stacking unit, reads the conveyed original, makes a setting about whether to validate a function of interrupting conveyance of originals upon detection of double feed of the originals during conveyance of the originals in accordance with detection of originals stacked on the original stacking unit, detects an original placed on the original stacking unit, and validates the function based on the made setting in accordance with detection of the original by the original detection unit.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus that shortens time period for interruption of printing. Image forming apparatus includes paper feeding cassettes, a paper sheet detection sensor, a sensing sensor, a paper feeding changeover determining part, and a system control part. The paper feeding cassettes are detachably loaded inside of an apparatus main body. Paper sheet detection sensor detects a paper sheet stored in the paper feeding cassette. Sensing sensor senses paper sheet conveyed along the carrying passage from the paper feeding cassette. Paper feeding changeover determining part determines whether or not changeover of paper feeding is possible, on the basis of operation state of the apparatus, a change in result of detection by paper sheet detection sensor, and the result of sensing by sensing sensor. System control part controls changeover of paper feeding on the basis of result of determination by paper feeding changeover determining part.

Abstract: A method of indicating a medium jam along a medium transport path comprising one or more rollers for use in conveying the medium along the medium transport path; a microphone for detecting the sound of the medium being conveyed and producing a signal representing the sound; a processor for producing sound values from the signal and computing a moving window sum responsive to the sound values; computing a high amplitude count responsive to the sound values; and computing a post roller sum responsive to the sound values; and indicating the medium jam responsive to the moving window sum, high amplitude count, or post roller sum.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device, which is incorporated in an image forming apparatus, includes a fixing device to fix an image to a sheet, a holding/conveying belt device having a plurality of belts to sandwich and convey the sheet to a downstream side from the fixing device, and a first sheet detector to detect whether the sheet exists in the belt device. When the sheet is detected at a paper jam, the fixing device and the belt device are continuously driven. When not detected, driving of the fixing device and the belt device is stopped. A method of conveying the sheet includes detecting the paper jam in the image forming apparatus, detecting the sheet in the belt device or between the fixing device and the belt device, and continuing at least one of the belt device and the fixing device based on a sheet detection result.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a print mechanism which performs a printing on a plurality of papers; a paper feed section on which the papers to be printed are placed; a paper discharge section on which the papers that have been printed are placed; a transport route which extends from the paper feed section to the paper discharge section via a printing position at which the printing is performed by the print mechanism; a transport mechanism which successively transports the papers along the transport route; and a controller which controls the transport mechanism. The controller controls the transport mechanism to perform a transportation of the papers by a plurality of transport modes including a first transport mode and a second transport mode.

Abstract: A sheet feeder control method for controlling a sheet feeder of an image forming apparatus includes feeding a sheet through a sheet feed path exposable to the exterior of the sheet feeder, detecting the feeding of the sheet at at least a first position on the sheet feed path, discharging the fed sheet to the exterior of the sheet feeder, detecting the discharge of the sheet at a second position downstream of the first position in a sheet feeding direction, detecting a sheet jam during the feeding and discharging of the sheet, and if the jammed sheet is detected at the second position but not at the first position, cancelling a malfunction state due to the sheet jam when the sheet stops being detected at the second position, irrespective of whether the sheet feed path is covered or exposed.

Abstract: A paper sheet conveying apparatus includes a paper sheet conveyance path, a conveyance sound detection portion, an abnormality correspondence information storage portion, and an abnormality specifying portion. The conveyance sound detection portion detects conveyance sound of a paper sheet on the paper sheet conveyance path. The abnormality correspondence information storage portion has stored therein abnormality correspondence information indicating correspondence relationships between contents of a plurality of types of sheet conveyance abnormalities that can occur on the paper sheet conveyance path, and contents of the conveyance sounds detected by the conveyance sound detection portion when the respective sheet conveyance abnormalities occur.

Abstract: There are provided a paper conveying apparatus, a jam detection method and a computer-readable, non-transitory medium that suppress erroneous detection of occurrence of a jam by a sound due to a sound generated from the apparatus. The paper conveying apparatus includes a sound signal generator, provided with a sound detector near a conveyance path of paper, for generating a sound signal, a sound jam detector for determining whether a jam has occurred based on the sound signal output during a paper conveying operation, a control module for performing abnormal processing when the sound jam detector determines that the jam has occurred, and an abnormal sound detector for determining whether an abnormal sound has been generated based on the sound signal output before a paper conveying operation.

Abstract: There are provided a paper conveying apparatus, an abnormality detection method and a computer-readable, non-transitory medium which can precisely determine whether an abnormality has occurred when paper is conveyed. The paper conveying apparatus includes a sound generator for generating a paper sound by contacting a paper, a first sound signal generator for generating a first sound signal corresponding to the paper sound, and an abnormal conveyance detector for determining whether an abnormal conveyance has occurred when the paper is being conveyed according to a detection method, wherein the abnormal conveyance detector is configured to change the detection method based on the first sound signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that adjusts the step count at which a tray low paper condition is declared based on the number of outstanding feed commitments and the average number of feeds between tray increments. After a first tray increment has occurred, feeder software will wait a pre-determined number of additional tray increments, and will then calculate the average number of feeds between increments. Using this average and the number of outstanding feed commitments a low paper condition is declared when a predetermined logical test is true.

Abstract: A paper conveying device includes: a conveyance path, along which paper is conveyed; paper jam removal zones provided side by side along the conveyance path; paper detection sensors respectively provided in the paper jam removal zones for detecting the presence or absence of paper; a paper jam detecting section for detecting paper jam based on output signals from the paper detection sensors; a signal storing section for storing previous signal statuses just before current signal statuses of the output signals of the paper detection sensors; a display section for displaying one of the paper jam removal zones; and a display controlling section for identifying the one of the paper jam removal zones based on the current signal statuses and the previous signal statuses of the paper detection sensors when paper jam is detected, and displaying the identified paper jam removal zone on the display section.

Abstract: A sheet feeder control method for controlling a sheet feeder of an image forming apparatus includes feeding a sheet through a sheet feed path exposable to the exterior of the sheet feeder, detecting the feeding of the sheet at at least a first position on the sheet feed path, discharging the fed sheet to the exterior of the sheet feeder, detecting the discharge of the sheet at a second position downstream of the first position in a sheet feeding direction, detecting a sheet jam during the feeding and discharging of the sheet, and if the jammed sheet is detected at the second position but not at the first position, cancelling a malfunction state due to the sheet jam when the sheet stops being detected at the second position, irrespective of whether the sheet feed path is covered or exposed.

Abstract: To suppress a drop in printing productivity due to opening of a sheet storage unit in a group by a user instruction while printing is performed by switching two or more sheet storage units registered as the group.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a plurality of paper supplying trays; an image forming unit; and a cover. The image forming apparatus further includes a cover opening/closing detecting unit that detects an operation for opening/closing the cover; a paper supplying tray opening/closing detecting unit that detects an operation for opening/closing the paper supplying tray; a paper jam detecting unit that detects a paper jam in at least one place in a paper transporting path; a paper jam release deciding unit that decides whether the paper jam in the detecting place is released or not after the confirmation of a detection; and a completion control unit that controls to complete a paper jam processing based on the decision that the paper jam in all of the places in the paper transporting path is released through the paper jam release deciding unit.

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 image forming apparatus connectable to a first feed tray and a second feed tray includes an image forming unit, a feed path, and a detecting unit provided on the feed path to sense recording medium jam. An identifying unit identifies a feed path and a feed tray where recording medium jam has occurred as a jammed path and a jamming feed tray. A first determining unit determines whether the image forming apparatus is connected to the second feed tray. A second determining unit determines whether the second feed tray can feed a recording medium to the image forming unit. A feeding unit feeds a recording medium from the second feed tray to the image forming unit.

Abstract: An image forming device including a pair of fixing rollers, a sheet guide unit displaceable to one of first and second positions, a position detector detecting a position of the sheet guide unit, first and second sheet sensors respectively detecting the sheet at a first fixed position upstream of the fixing rollers and at a second fixed position downstream of the fixing rollers, and a control unit including a determination unit and a determination part. The determination unit includes a retrieving part that retrieves first and second threshold time periods when the position detector detects the first and second positions, respectively. The determination part determines whether a first or second time period starting from detecting by the first sheet sensor and ending when detecting by the second sheet sensor are within the first and second threshold time periods, respectively, when the position detector detects the first and second positions, respectively.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus is disclosed that includes a plurality of size sensors configured to be arranged in line and to detect a sheet set into a predetermined position; a feeding part configured to feed the sheet set into the predetermined position to a scan position; and a controller configured to control the feeding part to feed the sheet based on two detect signals output from two size sensors among the plurality of the size sensors.

Abstract: A configuration of an image forming system that includes an image forming apparatus and at least one of a paper feed apparatus and a post-process apparatus is defined based on system configuration information including a combination of identification information for the apparatuses and setting information for the order of arrangement of the apparatuses corresponding to the identification information without using a dedicated line connection.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing apparatus which can promptly detect whether or not a jam has been removed in the case of occurrence of the jam such as a paper jam. A paper feeding apparatus 1b includes a paper feed tray 11, a pickup roller 61, a paper roller 63, a sorting roller 64, feeding rollers 66a, resist rollers 67, a paper ejection roller 73, a passage detection sensor 69, an overlapped feeding detection sensor 68 and a second detection apparatus 71. An image processing apparatus 100 includes a position detection portion 41 for detecting a location of a jam which occurs during feeding of recording paper, a determination portion 42 for determining a jam state based on a detection result of the position detection sensor 69, an examination portion 43 for examining whether the jam has been resolved and a resuming portion 44 for resuming the processing when an examination of the jam location by the examination portion 43 is finished.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus 1 has an intermediate transfer belt 17 that rotates in synchronization with the operation of a photoconductive section 11 where a toner image is formed, and a secondary transfer section S at which paper P temporarily adhering to a surface of this intermediate transfer belt 17 can be separated from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 17. The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a distance detecting unit 66 that detects a distance “L” to the paper P sent out from this secondary transfer section S, and a control section 74 that judges whether or not the paper P is normally separated from the secondary transfer section S based on distance data fed from this distance detecting unit 66.

Abstract: An image forming system that has an apparatus that receives recording media from an apparatus upstream from it, executes image formation processing, and conveys the recording media to an apparatus positioned downstream from it. The apparatus controls whether to continue conveyance of recording media, change their discharger, and accept recording media in accordance with condition of its own or the downstream apparatus regardless of the configuration of the entire system.

Abstract: The sheet processing system includes: an image forming unit forming an image on a sheet; a sheet stack unit that lowers along a moving route, as more sheets are stacked on the sheet stack unit, the sheets each having an image formed by the image forming unit and being transported through a first route; a processing unit provided in a housing, and applying processing to a sheet having an image formed by the image forming unit, the sheet being transported through a second route; a cover member provided so that a part of the housing is openable, partially reaching a position in the moving route when the part is opened, and allowing a user to operate the processing unit by opening the part; and a moving unit moving the sheet stack unit to a position where the sheet stack unit does not interfere with the cover member, upon abnormal transportation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a bypass sheet supplier configured to supply a recording medium and an image forming mechanism configured to form an image on the recording medium sent from the bypass sheet supplier according to image data. The bypass sheet supplier includes a bypass tray, a lateral side fence, and a sensor unit. The bypass tray is configured to load the recording medium. The lateral side fence is configured to regulate the recording medium in a main scanning direction. The sensor unit is configured to detect whether a lateral edge of the recording medium extending in a sub-scanning direction contacts the lateral side fence.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a stacking plate, a moving mechanism, a pick-up device, a detection plate, a detecting device, and a control section. The stacking plate is movably supported inside the sheet feeding device. The mechanism moves the stacking plate up and down. The pick-up device sends a top one of sheets stacked on the stacking plate, out in a direction from a sheet feeding position within a predetermined level range. The detection plate is mounted above the position and below a top inner surface of the sheet feeding device, with a lower surface thereof facing an object to be placed on the stacking plate. The detection plate is movably supported at a support portion provided at a predetermined location in an upper surface thereof. The detecting device detects upward and downward displacement of the detection plate. According to the detection result, the section controls operation of the mechanism.

Abstract: A device and method for assisting a user to clear a media jam in a printing device that announces pages, picks media responsively to the announced pages and images the picked media using a media transport path, that: detects a media jam at a given location along the media transport path; halts printing device components upstream from the given location in the media path while continuing to image picked media downstream from the given location in the media transport path; and, prompts the user to clear the detected media jam from the given location after all downstream media has been imaged.

Abstract: A semi-active retard feeder employs a hysteresis clutch to provide the resisting torque to a retard roll. A low cost Hall Effect sensor is added to the clutch assembly to provide a feedback signal during the feeding cycle in order to detect the onset of degraded feeding performance. This signal can be used to instruct a user to order and replace the retard roll.

Abstract: A printing device with a manual paper feeding function includes a manual paper feeding unit which feeds a plurality of papers, a size sensor which detects a paper size of a fed paper, a paper size error determining unit that determines a presence or an absence of a paper size error in accordance with a detected paper size of the fed paper and a set size, a next page determining unit that determines a presence or an absence of a next page to be printed in accordance with the determination of the presence of the paper size error in case of a manual paper feeding operation and a control unit that ignores the determination of the presence of the paper size error in case of the absence of the next page to be printed.

Abstract: A paper detecting device to detect paper presence on a paper plate in a paper feeding cassette, and comprising a light-emitting device and a light-receiving sensor. In the paper feeding cassette, an end-fence is movably mounted, and at least one of the light-emitting device and the light-receiving sensor is mounted on a base of the end-fence to be covered by the stacked paper. Accordingly, before developing a new image, the complete consumption of the paper supply can be detected, and therefore, the toner can be saved.

Abstract: System and method for monitoring grouped resources. A system and method of monitoring resource units in a stack is provided. The system and method includes providing a group of resource units and determining a thickness of one or more of the resource units. The system and method also includes indicating when the group of resource units reaches a predetermined size after one or more of the resource units has been moved from the group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for providing diagnostic information relating to the performance of an inserter system having a roller arrangement for conveying a document in a linear direction and first and second sensors located in close proximity to the roller arrangement. Each of the sensors are operable to detect at least the presence of a leading edge of a document conveying in close proximity to each sensor. The control system of the inserter determines the time it takes for a leading edge of a document to convey from said first sensor to said second sensor and compares that time to a prescribed threshold time and provides diagnostic information based upon the measured times values.

Abstract: A system for detecting overlapped flat objects in a sequence of flat objects have at least one of their edges exposed for viewing as they pass along a feed path. The system includes a sensor for generating a signal in response to detecting a flat object in the feed path and a camera responsive to the signal for capturing a digital image of the exposed edges of the detected flat object in the feed path. A vision system is coupled to the camera for receiving the digital image. The vision system analyzes at least a portion of the image to determine a pixel density variation along a direction perpendicular to the edges and uses the pixel density variation to output an indication of the number of edges in the image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for providing diagnostic information relating to the performance of an inserter system having a roller arrangement for conveying a document in a linear direction and first and second sensors located in close proximity to the roller arrangement. Each of the sensors are operable to detect at least the presence of a leading edge of a document conveying in close proximity to each sensor. The control system of the inserter determines the time it takes for a leading edge of a document to convey from said first sensor to said second sensor and compares that time to a prescribed threshold time and provides diagnostic information based upon the measured times values.

Abstract: A system determines the level of paper available in paper supply for printing. The system comprises a signal emitter and a variably activated receiver. The receiver alters an electrical parameter such as a resistance in accordance with the portion of the emitted signal received at the receiver. This alterable electrical parameter is in an electrical circuit that generates a signal proportional to the received portion of the emitted signal. An array of variably activated receivers may be arranged opposite a signal emitter to receive the signal portion not blocked by a paper supply. Alternatively, the array of variably activated receivers may be located adjacent to the signal emitter to receive the portion of the emitted signal reflected from the paper supply. The receiver uses the received or reflected signal to generate a signal having a magnitude proportional to the received or reflected signal.

Abstract: Disclosed are a sheet pack and a printer, the sheet pack being inexpensive and capable of being easily set onto the printer and simply exchanged with another one, while users can know information such as the quality, size and number of sheets of printing paper contained in the sheet pack. The sheet pack, containing a predetermined number of sheets, has a frame case formed of thick paper, and may include a sheet supply opening, an abutment opening, a pressure contact opening and a separating pad. A recording member for recording information such as quality, size, number, thickness, color or production date of sheets contained in the sheet pack, may also be provided on the sheet pack. The printer, onto which the sheet pack can be removably set includes an information reading unit for reading the information recorded in the recording member when the sheet pack is set onto the printer. The information read by the information reading unit is displayed by a display unit.

Abstract: A resonance chamber is provided in a printing device, or in a print medium supply tray of the printing device, to determine the size of the print medium in the printing device. The supply of print medium and the resonance chamber are positioned so that the print medium covers a portion of the resonance chamber. An audio signal system then emits an audio signal to drive the resonance chamber. The frequency of the audio signal is varied until the natural resonance frequency of the chamber, as partially covered by the print medium, is discovered. The resonance frequency of the chamber will correspond to the amount of the chamber that is covered by the print medium and, hence, to the length (or width) of the print medium. In this way, the size of the print medium, whether standard or custom, can be determined.

Abstract: A method for preventing limit values from being exceeded in sheet-fed printing machines includes acquiring values relevant to the printing process with respect to individual sheets, and processing those values so that predetermined limit values are maintained, detecting the development trend of a relevant value in the course of a series of sheets, and initiating measures when a change in the values occurs that would lead to a limit value being exceeded in an additional predetermined number of sheets if a continuation of the trend occurs; and a device for performing the method.

Abstract: Disclosed are a sheet pack and a printer, the sheet pack being inexpensive and capable of being easily set onto the printer and simply exchanged with another one, while users can know information such as the quality, size and number of sheets of printing paper contained in the sheet pack. The sheet pack, containing a predetermined number of sheets, has a frame case formed of thick paper, and may include a sheet supply opening, an abutment opening, a pressure contact opening and a separating pad. A recording member for recording information such as quality, size, number, thickness, color or production date of sheets contained in the sheet pack, may also be provided on the sheet pack. The printer, onto which the sheet pack can be removably set includes an information reading unit for reading the information recorded in the recording member when the sheet pack is set onto the printer. The information read by the information reading unit is displayed by a display unit.

Abstract: A method for alerting a user when the time has arrived to replace a media feed roller on a printing device, employs statistical analysis of data gathered relating to the number of pages between misfeeds associated with the media feed roller. It has been ascertained that the misfeed rate associated with media feed roller failure follows a characteristic pattern, which may be treated as a step function. That is to say that, beginning with a new media feed roller, the feed failure rate, which is usually measured in pages printed between misfeeds, remains relatively constant. However, as the time for replacement nears, the graph begins to plunge precipitously, as misfeeds begin to occur with increasing regularity. After the plunge, the misfeed rate continues to increase, but at a decreasing rate. Eventually, the feed failure rate reaches a value that represents a misfeed during every page feed. The optimum time for replacement is deemed to be shortly after the graph begins to plunge.