Copying Both Sides Of Original Patents (Class 355/23)
  • Patent number: 6195151
    Abstract: A media sheet handling system for duplex printing is disclosed. During duplex printing, the media sheet whose first side is printed is directed into a duplex print path, wherein the media sheet is reversed to a flipped over state with respect to its original position and the original leading edge is maintained to be the leading edge for subsequent printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Baskar Parthasarathy, Danny Lian Hock Ng, Chuin Kiat Lim
  • Patent number: 6081688
    Abstract: A both-face automatic original feeding apparatus wherein a plurality of originals having images on their first and second surfaces are successively supplied from an original stacking portion to a predetermined position for reading an original, and each original is reversely rotated through a switch-back path after the first surface of the original passes through the predetermined position, thereby supplying the original to the predetermined position again to direct the second surface of the original to the predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tamotsu Okada, Hiroyoshi Maruyama, Yasumi Yoshida, Masahiko Yashiro, Kazuo Shishido, Noriaki Koyanagi
  • Patent number: 6069704
    Abstract: A method of scheduling a sequence of pages to be printed with a printer and a printer/photocopier incorporating this method are disclosed. The printer has a printing station and a duplex loop for returning duplex sheets, of which a first page has been printed on one side, to the printing station for printing the second page on the second side, the duplex loop accommodating a predetermined number N of sheets at a time, such that skips in the stream of pages are filled with first pages of duplex sheets or with simplex sheets, without changing the desired order in which the sheets are completed. When a new print command for printing a new job occurs, the pages of the new job are appended to the remainder of the previously scheduled sequence that has not yet been printed, with re-scheduling of the thus assembled sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Oce-Technologies, B.V.
    Inventor: Franciscus J. J. Verhaag
  • Patent number: 6069681
    Abstract: A novel device for image-shooting both surfaces of documents at a high rate by electronic means. The device has an upper transport system for allowing plural documents to descend/move by a pre-set number at a time towards the downstream and image-shooting means for image- shooting the descending/moving document. Image-shooting can be done simultaneously on both sides or side by side, either during free movement or controlled movement by tranporting means etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Nakagawa, Koji Asako, Keizou Uchioke, Masashi Inoue, Yasutoshi Kawabata
  • Patent number: 6006012
    Abstract: A print control apparatus receives front-side data and back-side data from an external apparatus and causes a printer to print the received front-side and back-side data on front and back sides of a recording medium. The print control apparatus includes a unit for detecting a jam in the printer. It also includes a unit for executing a jam recovery function if the detection unit detects a jam during printing on the front side, and executing no jam recovery function if the detection unit detects a jam during printing on the back side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaaki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 5854670
    Abstract: An image forming device having multiple direction lens system, a presetting system, a page turner, a movable platform to manipulate both unbound and bound originals, an image monitoring unit, a microcomputer-based control system and an image formation unit, is disclosed that provides the capability of automatic and manual image formation from both unbound and bound originals. The automatic image formation from bound originals is enabled in both Flat Open Mode (original 180.degree. face-up opened) and Angled Open Mode (originals less than 180.degree. face-up opened). Unbound documents can also be face-up loaded on the movable platform for the automatic image formation and will never be jammed. While having bound or unbound originals face-up positioned on the 3D-movable frame, the manual image formation in both single and dual projecting direction also becomes much easier and effective with higher copy quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Inventor: Gao Yong
  • Patent number: 5789729
    Abstract: A double side scanner and method for controlling the scanner. The double side scanner performs a scanning operation of a single sheet at a same time, and the double side scanner has a memory that can store the scanned image data. A data transfer device transfers the image data from the memory to an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5764379
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus which reads book-like documents placed on a document platen in a face upward condition. A first detector detects the height of the document surface by the shape of a side surface of the document, and a second detector detects the height of the document by the shape of the document surface. A discrimination device detects abnormal height data detected by the detectors, and distortion of image data output from an imaging device is corrected using height data determined to have no abnormality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Matsuda, Noriyuki Okisu
  • Patent number: 5745253
    Abstract: The invention relates to an image reading apparatus for reading images of original documents by moving the original relative to a stationary image reader. A single image reader is used in a first embodiment. When reading the image of a first side, the single image reader is stationary at a first position to read the original. When reading the image of a second side, the single image reader is moved to a second position corresponding to the size of the original, and reads the image of the second side while said image reader is stationary at the second position. The image reading apparatus of the second embodiment uses a stationary first reader for reading a first side of an original, and a movable second image reader for reading a second side of an original. The image reading apparatus of the second embodiment changes the position of the image reader in accordance with the size of the original.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Muramatsu, Munehiro Nakatani, Akio Nakajima
  • Patent number: 5731879
    Abstract: When an image is formed on one surface of each sheet of printing paper, the controller provides controls so that image data for all pages is stored in the HDD, and the image data stored in the HDD is successively converted to actual images from the final page by the drum with the printed sheets discharged onto the discharged paper tray. When image are formed on duplex surfaces of each sheet of printing paper, the controller provides controls so that image data for only odd number pages is stored in the HDD, image data for odd number pages is successively converted by the drum to actual images in the regular order with the printed sheets stacked on the duplex tray, and the sheets stacked on the duplex tray are successively fed from the top one to the drum with the image data for odd number pages stored in the HDD converted to actual images by the drum in the reverse page order with the printed sheets discharged onto the discharged paper tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Maniwa, Ikuo Okumura, Yoshikazu Itoh
  • Patent number: 5680198
    Abstract: A copying machine is disclosed which is capable of copying an original document having a page number by preliminarily erasing or correcting the page number portion of the image and by changing the order of the output images according to their respective page numbers or by changing the path for delivering the sheet of paper to be copied. A document page image read-in by a charge coupled device sensor is converted into digital signals which are corrected for shading and then binarized and stored in an image memory. This image data is transferred to a working memory wherein the page number shown on the document is read by a page number recognizing unit. The control unit checks the page number and allocates a binding margin on a suitable portion of the document's image. On the basis of the recognition of the page number on the document's image, it also decides to copy the document on one side of the sheet of paper and to deliver it out, or to copy the next document onto the other side of the sheet of paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Ohnishi
  • Patent number: 5610682
    Abstract: Disclosed are a photographic method which including optically dividing the picture plane of a great-size original into two areas and photographing said areas with a specified combination of a lens having a narrow angle of view with two or three pairs of mirrors to form the images of the original on the same plane, and a photosensitive material printing apparatus utilizing the above photographing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Hirakawa Kogyo Sha Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Miyuki Yamashita
  • Patent number: 5592576
    Abstract: A double side scanner and method for controlling the scanner. While each of the two scanners of the double side scanner require its own scanning parameters, a user is only required to input one set of parameters for the first side and the second side parameters can be determined from the first side parameters. The second side parameters can be copied from the first side parameters or a transformation process may be performed on the first side parameters in order to obtain the second side parameters. The transformation process can include the changing of margins to account for a binding margin and the changing of the darkness of the scan depending upon the variation of the sensitivities of the light detector of each of the scanners. In order to reduce the amount of time for the scanning process, it is possible to transfer information contained within an image memory to a storage memory at the same time as additional scanning data is being obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 5568573
    Abstract: A reading apparatus serving as an input means for simultaneously reading printed image information from both the front and back of a document, converting the read information into digital data, and storing the digital data on a data recording medium, such as an optical disk, comprises document carrier mechanisms, a front reading sensor, a back reading sensor, a front size determining sensor, a back size determining sensor, a document size comparator, and a reading control circuit. These components are incorporated in the reading apparatus. The document carrier mechanisms carry documents inserted through a slot through the apparatus and eject them through an outlet. The front data reading sensor and back data reading sensor read printed images from the front and back of a document. The front size determining sensor and back size determining sensor are located upstream of the front data reader in the document carrier path, and detect the sizes of the front and back of a document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Minoru Wada, Norio Kanemitsu
  • Patent number: 5519484
    Abstract: In forming a first image and a second image on both sides of a recording paper by using an electrophotographic process, the first image is generated on a photosensitive drum, and is transferred to an intermediate transfer belt which can transfer and hold a developer image. The photosensitive drum and the intermediate transfer belt is disposed across a plane where the recording paper is conveyed. Subsequently, the second image is generated on the photosensitive drum after a developer remaining thereon has been removed, and is transferred to one side of the recording paper. After the second image has been fixed on one side of the recording paper, the first image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt to the other side of the recording paper and fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Minoru Kumagai
  • Patent number: 5488485
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes image sensors for reading images on the front and back faces of an original, a buffer RAM for storing first image data representing the image on the front face of the original, and second image data representing the image on the back face of the original, which data are output from the image sensors, and an output circuit for selecting and outputting one of the first and second image data read out from the buffer RAM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masami Amemiya
  • Patent number: 5488464
    Abstract: In a document handler for sequentially feeding document sheets over an imaging platen to be imaged with a constant velocity driven roller overlying the imaging platen, a document feeding control system which predicts when the constant velocity driven sheet feeding roller will be driven against the platen with no document sheet therebetween, an automatic lifting system which automatically lifts the feeding roller away from the platen in response to the document feeding control system predicting that no document sheet will be between the feeding roller and the platen and a forward roller driving signal being applied or when a reverse driving signal is being applied. The constant velocity feeding roller has at least four sections of two different diameters; an inner pair of common diameter feed roller surfaces and an outer pair of slightly smaller diameter surfaces on opposite sides providing document hold down and document edge detection image background.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen J. Wenthe, Jr., Margaret C. Plain, Robert F. Rubscha
  • Patent number: 5467164
    Abstract: A document processing system for performing multiple document processing tasks while the documents travel in a straight line document path is provided. The document processing system may include a transport system for transporting the documents in a straight line path, a sensing system for sensing the presence of the document, an optical system for projecting the image of the document, a camera module for receiving the projected image and storing it onto film, a film marking system for placing blips on the film adjacent the document image, a film numbering system for placing alphanumeric characters on the film adjacent the document image, an endorsing system for placing a printed endorsement on one side of the document, an electro-optical scanning system for scanning the image of the document processing the signal into a bit mapped image or for use with external communications devices, scanning for bar code symbology, and imprinting characters on the documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Bell & Howell Document Management Products Company
    Inventors: Thomas R. Wells, Leo DaPrato, Paul Friedrich, Kenneth Hendrickson, Merv LaRue, John Overman, Duane Patuszynski, Dale Plum, Al Rabin, Stuart Schwalb, Dan Solomon, Larry Turner, David Briggs, Herb Hausmann
  • Patent number: 5463451
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a document reproduction system which includes an improved apparatus for imaging both sides of a duplex document while also providing for simplex side only imaging. A document feeder, operating in a constant velocity transport mode, moves a document to be copied along a continuous path from a feed tray to a deposit tray. Two illumination and scanning stations are positioned adjacent two locations of the path of the document travel, each scanning station adapted to scan one side of the document, either simplex or duplex. The scanning station associated with scanning the simplex side of the document projects line images of the scanned document along an optical path onto a light sensitive image medium. In a first embodiment, the projection device is a linear gradient index lens array and the light sensitive member is a linear sensor array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Acquaviva, James D. Rees, Paul F. Morgan, Joseph J. Ferrara
  • Patent number: 5452108
    Abstract: When an original fed by an original feeding portion is mounted at a predetermined position on a platen glass, a scanner starts traveling in one direction from its home position, and scans the original. When the scanner completes scanning, the original read out is discharged, and the next original is fed. However, the scanner does not return to its home position. The scanner is held at the position. When the next original is mounted at a predetermined position, the scanner travels in a direction opposite to a direction for the previous original from the position to carry out scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideo Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 5420662
    Abstract: A printer or copier operating according to the transfer printing principle containing an arrangement for printing the front and/or the back of a recording medium. The apparatus contains a photoconductor drum and a thermoadhesive transfer ribbon which is coupled to the photoconductor drum. The transfer ribbon proceeds to a transfer printing and fusing station formed by the transfer ribbon on one side and a heated roller on an opposite side in elastic contact thereto. A first toner image for the back of the recording medium and a second toner image for the front of the recording medium are produced on a photoconductor drum and transferred to the transfer ribbon in this order. The heated roller first receives a toner image for the back of the recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Albrecht Gerstner
  • Patent number: 5410384
    Abstract: The invention relates to a printing or copying device having a photoconductor drum (10) for receiving two adjacently arranged toner images for a recto and a verso of a recording medium (15). Provided for the simultaneous transfer of the toner images onto the recording medium (15) are two separate transfer ribbons for the recto toner image and the verso toner image. In this case, one transfer ribbon is deflected over a deflection device in such a way that the transfer ribbons (T1 and T2) are positioned one above the other in a fuser station (19) designed as a thermal printing fuser station. The recording medium (15) is passed between the transfer ribbons (T1 and T2) and is thus printed verso/recto simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rudolf Wachtler
  • Patent number: 5408340
    Abstract: A facsimile transmission control method includes first through fifth steps. The first step is storing image information read from a document in an image memory of a transmitting station before a receiving station is called. The second step is receiving a non-standard facilities signal from the receiving station after the receiving station is called. The third step is detecting whether or not the receiving station has a two-sided printing capability, based on the non-standard facilities signal. The fourth step is transmitting a non-standard facilities set-up signal to the receiving station after the non-standard facilities signal is received. The fifth step is transmitting the stored image information from the transmitting station to the receiving station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiaki Edamura
  • Patent number: 5408302
    Abstract: A printing or copying machine has a photoconductor (10) with associated recording and developing station (EY, EM, EC, EB) for producing single-color or multi-color toner images on the intermediate image-carrier (10). The toner images are transferred electrostatically, in a transfer zone (T) onto a belt-type transfer element (16) and then, in transfer and fusing zones (U1, U2), printed from the underneath from the transfer element onto the recording carriers (24). In order to facilitate the fusing of the transfer image in the transfer and fusing stations (U1, U2), heating units (23, 31) for heating the toner images on the transfer element (16) and/or for heating the recording carrier (24) are provided. Between the first and the second transfer and fusing station (U1, U2), a turning station (W) is arranged. The printing or copying machine can be operated in the simplex and duplex printing mode of operation to produce single-color or multi-color copies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans Manzer, Peter Bergmann, Albrecht Gerstner, Otto Ferber, Peter Konig
  • Patent number: 5392135
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus having different reading speeds includes carrying structure for carrying an original at one of first and second speeds, the first speed being lower than the second speed. Reading circuitry is provided for reading an image from at least one of the front face and the rear face of the original being carried by the carrying structure, and for supplying an image signal representing the read image. Control circuitry is provided for changing the speed of the carrying means. In one aspect, the speed is changed depending upon whether one face or both faces of the original are to be read. According to another aspect, a level of the image signal representing the read image is changed depending upon the speed of the carrying structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masami Amemiya
  • Patent number: 5371580
    Abstract: A plurality of double-faced originals in a series of pages are stacked on a tray with a first page faced upward. An original transport mechanism is arranged to transport a first sheet of original fed by a feed roller to an exposure position through an intermediate waiting position on a platen glass for image exposure of a first page. Then, the original transport mechanism forwards the first sheet of original to a reverse/discharge roller provided downstream side of a transport belt to invert the surface and reverse side of the original. Thereafter, the original is returned to the intermediate waiting position by the transport belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akio Kato, Tomoyuki Atsumi, Yoichi Kawabuchi, Hiroyuki Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 5343269
    Abstract: A method and device for rotating images about an optical axis by changing the direction of a light path by a composite mirror unit having a simple structure. A printing device has a light source for emitting light to an image Xa on a negative film, a printing lens for adjusting the magnification of the light that passes through the image, and a composite mirror unit for reversing the light path to print an image Ya on a printing material. The entire composite mirror unit can be rotated through a predetermined angle about a rotary shaft by a driving motor. The composite mirror unit has two oppositely arranged mirrors which are mounted on separate blocks and so as to be inclined by 45.degree. with respect to the vertical. By turning the unit by .+-.45.degree. from the reference position (0.degree.), the image will rotate by 90.degree. or 270.degree. with respect to the image Xa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Yamamoto, Ikuhiro Tamaki
  • Patent number: 5298937
    Abstract: A scanning system that uses two cameras or scanners and two original document paths. If the system is to be used in a duplex mode, the original document is transmitted over a single document path while a first camera scans one side of the document and a second camera scans the other side of the document. If the system is to be used in a simplex mode, the original document is placed on either of the paths or, if a series of original documents are to be simplex scanned, both paths may be utilized at the same time. In this manner and with the use of mirrors, either camera may scan one side of the original document, one side of two original documents may be scanned at substantially the same time or two sides of the original document may be scanned at substantially the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Lawrence B. Telle
  • Patent number: 5296908
    Abstract: A combined system of an image processing machine (e.g., a copying machine) and a sheet handling machine. They are placed with an image reading part (e.g., a glass plate of the copying machine) therebetween. In the combined system, one-sided or two-sided original sheets and processed sheets are orderly stacked on respective final tray after they are finished processing if the original sheets are stacked orderly in the initial tray, i.e., the original sheets are laid on the final tray with the order of the page numbers maintained from the order at the initial tray, and the processed sheets are also stacked on the finish tray with the same order. In a simple mode: the original sheet is placed on the image reading part, processed (copied), reversed and ejected to a first final tray, while the process sheet (copy sheet) is processed and ejected onto the finish tray without reversing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Hatano, Tsukasa Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 5280321
    Abstract: A 16 mm rotary microfilmer that operates in 25.times. duplex mode that simultaneously photographs both sides of a document. Each side of the document is imaged onto a separate roll of film resulting in greater resolution and easier readability. The microfilmer gives the same numerical address to the images of each side of the document so that the images of the front and rear of the document are easily mated to each other and identified as a single document to reduce confusion in the retrieval process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Walter J. Siryk
  • Patent number: 5257035
    Abstract: A perfecting printer for performing a double-face printing operation of printing images on obverse and reverse faces of at least one sheet on the basis of a series of print data input from an external device and a method for controlling the double-face printing operation of the printer. The perfecting printer includes a page memory having an empty area for storing a series of print data for the obverse and reverse faces of the sheet input from external device, and a control unit for judging as to whether the empty area is no longer available in the page memory while the series of print data are being stored into the page memory and forcibly printing print data for the obverse face of the sheet on the sheet when it is judged that the empty area is no longer available in the page memory and that only the print data for the obverse face of the sheet are completely stored in the page memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Funahashi, Toru Tsuzuki, Masahiro Murakami, Hajime Usami, Kiyoshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5239395
    Abstract: A facsimile/copy apparatus and method of operation are provided for transmitting a single page document to a plurality of different locations, for transmitting a plural page document to a single location and or for making photostatic copies. The apparatus includes a switch for selecting either a copy function or a facsimile function and memory to identify a number of readings to be performed with the selected function. Feed rollers feed each sheet into the apparatus, and a reversible transfer roller is provided to move the sheet in either of two opposed directions relative to a reader. Odd number readings are read when the sheet is moving in a first direction, while even number readings are obtained while the sheet is moving in an opposed direction. The number of readings that have been taken are compared to the number of required readings stored in the memory. After completion of the required number of readings, the sheet is ejected from the facsimile/copy apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Goldstar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-seok Kang, Jae-seung Shin
  • Patent number: 5208627
    Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording images of an object on a plurality of recording media records the object images on the recording media at different reduction factors. It also records an object image independently on each of the recording media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Yoshihara, Masahiro Shirai
  • Patent number: 5136665
    Abstract: A two-sided original reading apparatus includes carrying means for carrying an original in a predetermined carrying direction. First reading circuitry reads the image on the first face of the original at a first reading position and generates first analog image signals. Second reading circuitry reads the image from the second face of the original at a second reading position different from the first reading position with respect to the carrying direction, and generates second analog image signals. Converting circuitry converts the first and second analog signals into first and second digital signals, respectively. Delay circuitry is provided for delaying one of the first and second digital image signals with respect to the other by a delay time which corresponds to a deviation between the first and second reading positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keishi Inoue
  • Patent number: 5095342
    Abstract: Methods for scheduling sheets in an imaging system having an endless duplex paper path loop are disclosed. Preferably, the duplex loop includes a single sheet inverter without a buffer tray so as to eliminate the problems associated therewith. The basic method involves consecutively inserting copy sheets to be imaged into the duplex loop without placing any skipped pitches therebetween regardless of set or job boundaries. Duplex side ones from subsequent sets or jobs are used to fill any gaps which exist in the duplex side one sheet stream of earlier sets or jobs. Additional refinements include using simplex sheets to fill potential skipped pitches in a duplex side one sheet stream by converting simplex sheets located immediately subsequent to the duplex sheets into duplex sheets having a blank back side and scheduling the side one imaging of the now-converted duplex sheets into the potential skipped pitches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Farrell, Pedro R. Oritz, John C. Austin, Robert W. Hurtz, Alfred L. Bertoni
  • Patent number: 4999671
    Abstract: A reticle conveying system includes a reticle keeping shelf for keeping therein a plurality of reticles; a first conveying portion for selecting and extracting a desired reticle out of the reticle keeping shelf and for conveying the extracted reticle to a predetermined position; and a second conveying portion for conveying the reticle from the predetermined position back into the reticle keeping shelf; wherein the first conveying portion is operable to convey the extracted reticle to the predetermined position by way of a first conveying path defined exclusively for the reticle as it is conveyed to the predetermined position and wherein said second conveying portion is operable to convey the reticle back into the reticle keeping shelf by way of a second conveying path different from the first conveying path and defined exclusively for the reticle as it is conveyed back into the reticle keeping shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuo Iizuka
  • Patent number: 4994847
    Abstract: An apparatus for sorting and transferring sheets comprises storing means for storing a stack of sheets, first transferring means for transferring a sheet located at an end of the stack of the sheets from the storing means in a first direction, and second transferring means for transferring the next sheet located at the end of the stack of the sheets from the storing means in a second direction. The first and second directions are different from each other. The apparatus for sorting and transferring the sheets is applied; for example, to an automatic original transferring apparatus and a temporary storing tray of a copying machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Tanaka, Yukio Hashimoto, Tadashi Fujioka, Yoshiki Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 4990965
    Abstract: A duplex unit has a reversing part for reversing sides of recording sheets and a stack part for successively stacking the reversed recording sheets, where the stacked recording sheets are outputted in a first-in-first-out sequence. This duplex unit is suited for use on an image forming apparatus which records images on both sides of the recording sheets by an electrophotography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukitoshi Kiya
  • Patent number: 4969009
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus comprises first feed means for feeding a document placed at a supply unit to a record unit;record means for recording an image of the document fed to the record unit onto a recording medium;second feed means for feeding the document fed to the record unit to an ejection unit;a document feed path extending from the supply unit to the ejection unit through the record unit, including a first path connecting the supply unit and the record unit and a second path arranged above the first path and connecting the record unit and the ejection unit, the second path being able to be opened and closed relative to the first path; anda cover member for covering the document feed path, the cover member being able to be opened and closed relative to the second path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhide Sugiyama, Masahiro Shirai, Kyoichi Ando, Yasuyuki Aikou
  • Patent number: 4958187
    Abstract: In a duplex image forming apparatus, first and second image forming devices are arranged respectively in upstream and downstream sides of a moving direction of a transfer member. Each image forming device includes an image bearing member, a developer for forming on the image bearing member a toner image corresponding to first and second information signals, respectively, and a transfer device for transferring the respective toner images to respective sides of the transfer member. A reader is provided for reading a first side of an original and, at a point of time after reading of the first side begins, a second side of the original. The length of time required to move the transfer member from the first transfer station to the second transfer station is equal to the length of time between beginning to read the first side of the original and beginning to read the second side of the original.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Tsuchiya, Kimio Nakahata
  • Patent number: 4949189
    Abstract: A two-sided scanning apparatus for reading images which exist on both sides of a document to be read and supplying the read image data to a printer unit which prints front and back side images side-by-side. The apparatus comprises a first line sensor and a second line sensor for reading line by line images on the document to be read. Electrical signals representing the images on one line of the document read by scanning, which are outputted respectively from the first and second line sensors, are stored in sequence as serial data in a two-dimensional image memory of a printer unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Seishi Ohmori
  • Patent number: 4928147
    Abstract: Image defining toner is transferred to cut sheets and fused at one of two fuser stations. One station is positioned to fuse the image on one side when duplex copying or printing is selected. The other fuser station performs fusing when simplex copying is selected but fuses the second side copy for duplexing. When flash lamps are employed for the fuser station, the lamps are composed of multiple bays with a single power source coupled to each bay in sequence so that the power source size need only accommodate the power level demand of one bay. The time between trigger pulses is extended by commencing fusing with an intermediate bay followed by the initial bay and then the final bay as the image area requiring fusing passes along its path in proximity to the faces of the flash lamp bays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald W. Baumann, Albert N. Garthwaite, Carl D. Hutchings
  • Patent number: 4912501
    Abstract: An automatic original circulating and feeding apparatus apparatus comprises an original feeding base for receiving a plurality of originals thereon, which are piled up with image faces thereof turned downwardly, an original separating and feeding device for successively separating the piled up originals on the original feeding base one by one from a lowermost original and feeding them one by one in an order separated, a reversible and speed-changeable belt conveyor device disposed in an exposure part for exposing each of the originals fed, and a sensor disposed at a position separated by at least the largest original length from the original separating and feeding mechanism, for selectively setting a scanning copy mode or a sheet through copy mode and for controlling a position of the original for a copy mode selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiro Saeki, Sunao Ikeda
  • Patent number: 4903043
    Abstract: Herein disclosed is a recording apparatus for printing on opposite surfaces of recording medium which comprises: printing means for printing one surface of recording medium in a printing position; a looped conveyor passage for conveying again the recording medium having the printed one surface to the printing position so that another surface may be printed; and turning means disposed in the conveyor passage for turning the opposite surfaces of the once-printed recording medium upside down in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction thereof with the tops and bottoms being in an identical arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Seikosha Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akio Tajima
  • Patent number: 4901108
    Abstract: A microfilming apparatus comprising a document feeder for sending out document sheets one by one, a feed transport path for feeding the sent-out sheet to an exposure position, a microfilming camera for photographing the sheet fed to the exposure position, and a discharge transport path for discharging the photographed sheet from the exposure position. The document feeder and the feed transport path are selectively controllable to a successive mode wherein a multiplicity of document sheets placed in the feeder are all automatically successively fed and photographed in response to one operation start signal, or to a non-successive mode wherein one document sheet is automatically fed and photographed in response to one operation start signal. Thus all the sheets can be automatically photographed in succession in response to a single start signal, or sheets can be automatically photographed each in response to one start signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Wataru Hamakawa
  • Patent number: 4884097
    Abstract: A duplex document handler includes a supply tray on one side of a stationary exposure position, a simplex exit tray on the opposite side of the exposure position from the supply tray and a duplex exit tray above the supply tray. A turnover drum receives sheets from the supply tray and guides them past an exposure station and to the simplex exit tray or past the exposure station and through an inverting path to a reversing location, back to the exposure station and then back through the reversing location to the duplex exit tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: John Giannetti, Robert L. Couture, Jerry F. Sleve
  • Patent number: 4875072
    Abstract: An automatic document feeder, made a part of a two-side copying machine which selectably operates in one-side or two-side copying mode of operation, has a pre-feeder which advances a document to be copied next from its original position to a waiting position before reaching a copying position on a document table. A selecting device is further included for controlling the pre-feeder such that the pre-feeder does not function when the second surface of a document is being copied in two-side copying mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Ohnishi, Yoshiteru Mori, Masakiyo Okuda
  • Patent number: 4864368
    Abstract: A sheet container employed in duplex or composite copying can be drawn out of the body of the copying machine. The sheet container comprises a regulating plate for aligning the copy papers contained therein. The regulating plate has a home position and can be set at a position corresponding to the size of the copy paper. When the sheet container is drawn out of the copying machine due to a jamming or the like and thereafter attached again to the body, the regulating plate is once returned to the home position and thereafter set at a position corresponding to the size of the copy paper for the re-starting of the copying operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideo Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 4860057
    Abstract: An automatic original circulating and feeding apparatus apparatus comprises an original feeding base for receiving a plurality of originals thereon, which are piled up with image faces thereof turned downwardly, an original separating and feeding device for successively separating the piled up originals on the original feeding basee one by one from a lowermost original and feeding them one by one in an order separated, a reversible and speed-changeable belt conveyor device disposed in an exposure part for exposing each of the orignals fed, and a sensor disposed at a position separated by at least the largest original length from the original separating and feeding mechanism, for selectively setting a scanning copy mode or a sheet through copy mode and for controlling a position of the original for a copy mode selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiro Saeki, Sunao Ikeda
  • Patent number: 4857969
    Abstract: In a copying machine arranged to guide copying paper subjected to a first copying operation into an intermediate tray which then releases the paper for another copying operation, a manual paper feeding device feeds copying paper into the copying machine body. The manual paper feeding device is provided with a paper width setting and entering mechanism. According to paper width data set and entered, a reference position width is set by a width arrangement position setting unit. According to the reference position width thus set, a width arranging mechanism is driven to arrange paper in the intermediate tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takehiko Okada