Abstract: A sensor includes a first element part having a first member and a first element. The first member is a acoustic tubular waveguide and extends along a first direction. The acoustic tubular waveguide includes a first opening and a second opening. A direction from the second opening toward the first opening is along the first direction. The first element includes a vibratile first membrane, and a first supporter supporting the first membrane. The second opening is between the first opening and the first membrane in the first direction. The sensor may be a Piezoelectric Micro electro mechanical systems Ultrasonic Transducer and may be used for inspecting paper and/or resin including detecting thickness of a fed through banknote and/or the presence of foreign matter thereon such as tape. An optical element may alternatively measure the vibration of a membrane from acoustic through transmission instead of an acoustic receiver.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus (100) extracts from first image data (11) second image data (12), which is image data of a document, and accepts operation for selecting either a first preview image (71) corresponding to the first image data (11) or a second preview image (72) corresponding to the second image data (12). The image forming apparatus (100) outputs, when the first preview image (71) is selected, the first image data (11) and, when the second preview image (72) is selected, the second image data (12).

Abstract: A recording material determination apparatus includes a transmission unit, a reception unit, and a determination unit. The transmission unit transmits an ultrasonic wave to a recording material. The reception unit vibrates when the reception unit receives the ultrasonic wave having been transmitted from the transmission unit and having passed through the recording material, and outputs a signal corresponding to a vibration state. The determination unit determines a basis weight of the recording material in accordance with the signal output from the reception unit. A resonance frequency of the reception unit differs from a resonance frequency of the transmission unit, and the reception unit is capable of receiving a sound wave in an ultrasonic range and a sound wave in an audible range.

Abstract: There is provided a medium transporting device including: a medium placement section on which a medium is placed, a feeding roller feeding a medium from the medium placement section, a motion detection sensor detects a motion of a medium, and a controller that stops feeding of a medium based on a detection value received from the motion detection sensor, in which the motion detection sensor is a two-dimensional sensor including a light emitting section and a light receiving section and detecting a motion of a medium, the medium placement section is provided with a placement detector that acquires information relating to a presence/absence of a medium on the medium placement section, and the controller sets a state of the light emitting section to a non-light emitting state when detection information of the placement detector indicates that a medium is absent on the medium placement section.

Abstract: An image reading device includes a reading part, a document pressing part, a capacitance sensor, a controller and an informing part. The capacitance sensor detects a capacitance varying in response to opening and closing of the document pressing part and presence or absence of the document on a document placement face. The controller determines that the document pressing part is disposed in the closing position and that the document is placed on the document placement face, based on a detection result of the capacitance sensor. The informing part informs a user of leaving the document on the document placement face behind in a case where the controller determines that the document placement part is disposed in the closing position and the document is placed on the document placement face after a predetermined time elapses from a completion of an image reading in the reading part.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of members for forming an image; a transmitting unit configured to transmit a sonic wave; a receiving unit configured to receive a first sonic wave that has been transmitted from the transmitting unit and has passed through a sheet and a second sonic wave that is generated from at least one of the plurality of members; a detection unit configured to detect information regarding a type or state of the sheet based on the first sonic wave; and a determination unit configured to determine a state of a member that has generated the second sonic wave based on the second sonic wave.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller that receives a print job, which includes the sheet type and print settings of simplex printing or duplex printing. A sheet stacked on a feeding unit is discharged to a discharge portion with an upper surface of the sheet facing different directions in duplex printing and in simplex printing in a first mode, and the sheet stacked on the feeding unit is discharged to the discharge portion with the upper surface of the sheet facing the same direction in the duplex printing and in the simplex printing in a second mode.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a transport section that can transport original documents along a transport path, a reading section configured to read images of the original documents transported by the transport section, an output controller configured to output data of the original documents read by the reading section, a multi-sheet feed detection sensor configured to detect a multi-sheet feed of the original documents transported by the transport section, and an instruction section configured to issue an instruction to disable multi-sheet feed detection by the multi-sheet feed detection section.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a housing (80) for receiving a scanning optical system (72), a cover (90) for closing an opening of a receiving area (80A), and a detection member (78) arranged outside of the receiving area (80A). A first portion (83), which is a portion of the housing sidewall part (82), is formed with a light detection opening (83A) through which a light beam is emitted from the inside to the outside of the receiving area (80A) and is received in the detection member (78), and the light detection opening (83A) is closed by a light transmitting member (8) through which the light beam passes.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which, to the extent possible, prevents an operation for protecting a printer engine from being uncompleted before power to the printer engine is shut down due to cancellation of a process that should be carried out by the printer engine. When a predetermined time period has elapsed since an instruction to reduce power consumption was detected, power to the printer engine is shut down. When the instruction is detected, a canceling instruction for canceling the process that should be carried out by the printer engine is issued to the printer engine. Responsive to this, a cancellation process for the process is started, and an engine protecting instruction for protecting the printer engine without waiting for completion of the cancellation process is issued to the printer engine. After the operation for protecting the printer engine is carried out, power to the printer engine is shut down.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image obtaining unit configured to obtain an image of a document, a document supplying unit configured to supply a document to the image obtaining unit, an image forming unit configured to form the image on a printing medium, a storing unit configured to store supply status information of the document, and a controller configured to perform a preparation for an image forming operation in response to at least one of the document being supplied to one of the image obtaining unit and the document supplying unit and an option setting command of the image forming operation being input. The controller, in response to the option setting command being input after the preparation for the image forming operation is stopped, is configured to perform the preparation for the image forming operation again based on the supply status information of the document.

Abstract: The recording medium determination apparatus includes a transmission unit for transmitting an ultrasonic wave, a receiving unit for outputting a signal corresponding to the ultrasonic wave, a peak extraction unit for detecting a value of the signal output from the receiving unit, a control unit for determining basis weight of a recording medium based on the value of the signal, and a timer for measuring a period of time from when the transmission unit transmits the ultrasonic wave to the detection by the peak extraction unit. The control unit calculates, based on a period of time measured by the timer at the time of factory shipment and a period of time measured by the timer after the factory shipment, variation of a distance between the transmission unit and the receiving unit after the factory shipment.

Abstract: A device and method for obtaining information of a capability of an apparatus that is connected with a computer or a capability of an apparatus that is used in a printing process in which the computer is used; determining functions that become invalid, from among functions that have been set in a received print job, based on the information of the capability of the apparatus and printing conditions that a print job editing program has; and displaying a list of the functions that become invalid, and is used to confirm a cancellation of the setting of the functions that become invalid.

Abstract: There are provided a paper conveying apparatus, a jam detection method and a computer-readable, non-transitory medium that can improve the user friendliness in the recovery processing when determining that a jam has occurred during conveyance of a paper. The paper conveying apparatus includes a sound signal generator for generating a sound signal, a sound jam detector for determining whether a jam has occurred based on the sound signal, a control module for stopping conveyance of a paper when the sound jam detector determines that the jam has occurred, a paper state detector for detecting a state of the paper, and a recovery processing module for automatically performing a recovery processing which resumes conveyance of the paper in accordance with a content of the detection of the paper state detector after stopping the conveyance of the paper by the control module.

Abstract: A sheet sensing module and a duplex scanning apparatus having the sheet sensing module are provided. The sheet sensing module includes a first sensing arm, a second sensing arm, and an electronic sensor. The first sensing arm is partially exposed to a sheet feeding channel of the duplex scanning apparatus. The second sensing arm is partially exposed to an inverting channel of the duplex scanning apparatus. When a document is transferred through the sheet feeding channel to trigger said first sensing arm or the document is transferred through the inverting channel to trigger the second sensing arm, the electronic sensor generates a sensing signal.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a job management method thereof are provided. The job management method includes detecting an occurrence of an error during a processing of a job, and upon detecting the occurrence of the error, providing information about one or more jobs related with the error from among a list of jobs. As a result, it is possible to manage the jobs related with an error and more convenient job management is provided.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a reading unit configured to read an original, an image forming unit configured to form an image of the original read by the reading unit on a sheet, a detecting unit configured to detect whether or not the image of the original read by the reading unit includes an irregular part formed by a stray dust particle adhered to the original, and a control unit configured to control, in response to detection of the irregular part by the detecting unit, the image forming unit to make an additional copy of the image of the original including the irregular part.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printer for performing a process on the basis of received print data, the process including feeding a print sheet for a page, printing on the fed sheet, and ejecting the printed sheet. The printer includes a controller that allows a sheet for a succeeding page to be ejected without being printed when allowing the sheet for the succeeding page to be fed before completion of the process on another sheet for a preceding page which is in progress and then recognizing the end of a print data block corresponding to the succeeding page.

Abstract: An image forming system, comprises: an image formation unit for forming an image on a paper; a first paper ejection unit for receiving the paper; a second paper ejection unit for receiving the paper as a sample paper in a state that the sample paper is visually checked when sample paper ejection is performed; a first control section for controlling a switching section to eject the sample paper by switching a paper sending destination from the first paper ejection unit to the second paper ejection unit at a time of the sample paper ejection; a second control section for controlling a display section to display thumbnail images; and wherein the first control section performs the sample paper ejection using the image for sample paper ejection selected by a selecting section for selecting the image for sample paper ejection from the thumbnail images displayed in the display section.

Abstract: Provided is a document feeding device including: a document feeding portion for feeding a document; a document set detecting portion for detecting presence/absence of a set document; a determination portion for determining whether power supply to the device is started by turning-on of main power or by cancellation of a power saving mode; an initial operation portion for performing an initial operation of initializing the document feeding portion when the power supply to the document feeding device is started by the turning-on of the main power, and restricting execution of the initial operation when the power supply to the document feeding device is started by the cancellation of the power saving mode; and a display portion for displaying, when there is a set document at the start of the power supply, a request to reset the document.

Abstract: The present invention aims to prevent a problem that an image on a document sheet is erased due to misdetection of a line-shaped noise. A copy machine 1 compares RGB values of a target pixel with averaged RGB values (Step S103). If only one of the RGB values has a difference that is greater than a prescribed value Ref2 (Step S103: YES), the copy machine 1 extracts the target pixel as a line-shaped noise pixel, and moves to a line-shaped noise correction (Step S108) while holding the address of the target pixel in a line-shaped noise address storing area 49b. If two of the RGB values have differences (Step S103: NO, Step S104: YES) and a difference between these two of the RGB values is no greater than a prescribed value Ref3 (Step S105: YES), the copy machine 1 extracts the target pixel as a line-shaped noise pixel, and moves to the line-shaped noise correction (Step S108) while holding the address of the target pixel in the line-shaped noise address storing area 49b.

Abstract: Printable media sensing devices, systems and methods are disclosed herein. An array of light emitters projects light through a printable media sheet for detection by a corresponding array of light sensors. A processor is operably connected to the array of light emitters and light sensors, and is configured to activate the light emitters, and receive output signals from the light sensors, and permit the accurate detection and determination of the locations of top of form (TOF) and bottom of form (BOF) for a given printable media sheet, as well as multiple widths corresponding to such sheet. According to some embodiments, the locations of labels on a sheet may also be detected with heightened accuracy, as may regions having no labels disposed thereover.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a print engine; a fixing unit; a medium sensor that outputs a detection signal when a recording medium passes said medium sensor; and a controller that determines from the detection signal whether an abnormal transportation of the recording medium has occurred or not, wherein when said controller determines from the detection signal during continuous printing that a following one of two consecutive pages of recording medium remains in said print engine after removing a preceding one of the two consecutive pages that has been abnormally transported, said controller controls said fixing unit to a predetermined temperature and subsequently allows the following one of the two pages to pass through said fixing unit at a first speed so that the following one of the two pages is discharged from the image recording apparatus.

Abstract: A medium conveyance device that conveys continuous paper in a paper continuation direction is provided. At a plurality of first image forming regions of the continuous paper, a plurality of corresponding images that correspond with a plurality of images, including a pre-established corresponding image, are formed with a spacing that corresponds to first size in the paper continuation direction, and at a plurality of second image forming regions of the continuous paper, a plurality of corresponding images that correspond with a plurality of images are formed with a spacing that corresponds to second size in the paper continuation direction. The corresponding images are detected on the basis of reading results of a reading interval corresponding to the first size. When the detected corresponding image is the pre-established corresponding image, the reading interval is changed to a reading interval corresponding to the second size.

Abstract: A method of error correction in a printing system includes engaging a sheet of print media with a perfector arm and detecting a relative position of the perfecter arm with respect to the sheet of print media when the perfecter arm has engaged the sheet of print media, the detecting being performed using a homing sensor that is configured to sense the perfecter arm while the perfecter arm is engaged with the sheet of print media. The relative position of the perfecter arm with respect to the sheet of print media is compared with an expected relative position and any difference between the relative position and expected relative position is compensated for when feeding the sheet of print media with the perfector arm to a print engine.

Abstract: Gains and offsets of the input-output characteristic of a second side reading unit are controlled so as to match input-output characteristic of a first side reading unit on the basis of image data of a gray chart read by the first side reading unit and the second side reading unit. Then, on the basis of image data of a color chart read by the first side reading unit and the second side reading unit, offsets of the input-output characteristic of the second side reading unit are controlled for individual color components such that differences between color read by the first side reading unit and color read by the second side reading unit are reduced.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus has a scan quality parameter extraction part, a scan quality evaluation part and a notification part. The scan quality parameter extraction part extracts scan quality parameters representing the quality of a scanned image from image data based on a scan error detection algorithm. The scan quality evaluation part determines whether a scan error occurs, based on the scan error detection algorithm and the scan quality parameters. Also, the notification part notifies a result determined by the scan quality evaluation part to a user.

Abstract: A grammage detection sensor which detects a grammage of a recording medium using an ultrasonic wave includes a transmitting unit configured to transmit the ultrasonic wave and a receiving unit including a first vibration member configured to receive the ultrasonic wave that is transmitted from the transmitting unit and passes through the recording medium. The receiving unit includes a guide member configured to guide the ultrasonic wave that passes through the recording medium to the first vibration member. A length from a surface of the first vibration member to a plane including an end plane of the guide member along a line that passes through a center of the first vibration member and is perpendicular to the first vibration member is approximately n times of one-half wavelength of the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the transmitting unit where n is an integer of one or greater.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a reading unit configured to read an original, an image forming unit configured to form an image of the original read by the reading unit on a sheet, a detecting unit configured to detect whether or not the image of the original read by the reading unit includes an irregular part formed by a stray dust particle adhered to the original, and a control unit configured to control, in response to detection of the irregular part by the detecting unit, the image forming unit to make an additional copy of the image of the original including the irregular part.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a print engine that transfers a toner image on a recording medium, and a medium sensor disposed at an entrance of the print engine. The medium sensor outputs a detection signal when a recording medium passes by the medium sensor. When a following one of two consecutive pages of the recording medium is jammed at an entrance of the print engine, a controller completes a printing operation of a preceding one of two consecutive pages and indicates the jam of the following one of the two consecutive pages. Alternatively, the controller may control the fixing unit to a predetermined temperature, subsequently allowing the recording medium to pass through the fixing unit at a first speed and to be discharged. Still alternatively, the controller causes the print engine to stop and subsequently discharges the recording medium.

Abstract: To provide a technique that improves, when image processing is applied to a special sheet for which an arrangement method needs to be taken into account, operability of arrangement operation for the special sheet to be printed.

Abstract: A scanning start timing for an optical scanning unit is adjusted according to detection values of belt position detecting units arranged upstream and downstream from a primary transfer position in a movement direction of an endless type belt to thereby transfer an image onto a proper position without being affected by one-sided or meandering travel of an intermediate transfer belt or the endless type belt that serves as a transfer material conveying unit.

Abstract: A document original size detecting device has a plurality of sensors each including a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion and respectively disposed as corresponding to different sizes of document originals to be placed on a transparent document platen and a detecting section which determines a document original size based on outputs of the sensors. The light emitting portion of each of the sensors emits light to illuminate at least two positions on a document placing region of the document platen on which a document original to be subjected to size detection is placed, and the detecting section determines the document original size based on whether or not the light receiving portion of each of the sensors detects the document original blocking the light in at least one of the two positions.

Abstract: Scanning errors and document feed errors are prevented by pressing originals, including thin originals and thick originals of greatly different thicknesses, to the scanning surface (1a) of an image sensor (1) with pressure appropriate for the respective original. A pressure-generating mechanism (50) is used to press the original against the scanning surface (1a) by selecting different elastic bodies with different spring forces to produce a different elastic force in accordance with the thickness of the original document.

Abstract: One embodiment of a mechanism may include a member having a first axis and a surface non-concentric with said first axis, a first gear rotatably mounted on said member at a second axis different from said first axis, and a device coupled to either of said member or said first gear to rotate said member when said first gear rotates about said second axis.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a maintenance method thereof are provided to enable rotation and replacement of a peeling claw at a suitable timing before the peeling claw is deformed or damaged. Several peeling members are disposed in a width direction of a drum-shaped photoreceptor. Each peeling member is disposed with a peeling claw and a collision sensor detecting that the peeling claw collides with a sheet. A collision history value of each peeling claw is stored and managed based on a collision detection signal from the collision sensor; if the peeling claw reaching a preset rotation request value exists in the read collision history values of the peeling claws, a rotation request of the relevant peeling claw is reported; the collision history value of the rotated peeling claw is rewritten; and if the peeling claw reaching the rotation request value does not exist, a print process is performed.

Abstract: An adjustment method for an image forming device, for adjusting image forming condition with respect to a sheet by using image forming means. The adjustment operation is performed in such a manner that: a first image, that is used for detecting scanning error of an image scanning device, is formed on an image carrying body and then transferred from the image carrying body to the sheet, the first image being formed over at least three corners of the sheet while extending outside the sheet. The sheet with the first image is scanned by the image scanning device to figure out a scanning error amount of the image scanning device, and a correction value of image forming condition of the image forming means is found in consideration of the scanning error amount. The image forming condition with respect to the sheet is modified based on the correction value.

Abstract: There is provided an original conveying apparatus for conveying an original to an image reading section of an image forming apparatus, which is capable of preventing the number of times of writing to a nonvolatile storage medium that stores a correction value for the light emission amount of an optical sensor from exceeding a limited number of times even when adjustment of the light emission amount of the optical sensor is carried out frequently, reducing as far as possible the number of times of writing data to the storage medium that can store such data a limited number of times, thereby eliminating the occurrence of inconvenient situations such as it being impossible to maintain proper output processing, and lengthening the lifetime of the storage medium.

Abstract: An original feeding apparatus has a sensor for detecting an original by a light emitting element and a light receiving element. A first detector for detecting presence/absence of a sheet, and a second detector capable of being electrically switched between a detection possible condition that the presence/absence of the sheet can be detected and a detection impossible condition that the presence/absence of the sheet cannot be detected are provided and the second sensor is switched to the detection impossible condition when presence of the original is detected by the first detector.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is controlled so that, in a standby state before an image forming part becomes able to perform image forming, documents are successively conveyed to a predetermined read position on a platen glass by a document feeder and images are read from all the documents, and so that, at the time of document image reading in the standby state, operating noise from the document feeder is reduced.

Abstract: An adjustment method for an image forming device, for adjusting image forming condition with respect to a sheet by using image forming means. The adjustment operation is performed in such a manner that: a first image, that is used for detecting scanning error of an image scanning device, is formed on an image carrying body and then transferred from the image carrying body to the sheet, the first image being formed over at least three corners of the sheet while extending outside the sheet. The sheet with the first image is scanned by the image scanning device to figure out a scanning error amount of the image scanning device, and a correction value of image forming condition of the image forming means is found in consideration of the scanning error amount. The image forming condition with respect to the sheet is modified based on the correction value.

Abstract: An original feeding apparatus has a sensor for detecting an original by a light emitting element and a light receiving element. A first detector for detecting presence/absence of a sheet, and a second detector capable of being electrically switched between a detection possible condition that the presence/absence of the sheet can be detected and a detection impossible condition that the presence/absence of the sheet cannot be detected are provided and the second sensor is switched to the detection impossible condition when presence of the original is detected by the first detector.

Abstract: An image reproduction device is provided with an automatic feed unit for documents; a double-sheet detector for detecting more than one sheet as the document for copying; an operator control unit provided with an operator control panel; and a control unit for controlling the automatic feed unit, processing the signal from the double-sheet detector and controlling the operator control unit. The device which is also provided with an operator control unit adapted to offer a choice between switching the double-sheet detector on or off is thus suitable for the image reproduction of documents in cases in which, dependent on the presence of documents consisting of more than one sheet, the operator is offered the free choice of adapting the operation of the image reproduction device thereto.

Abstract: It is intended to obtain outputs of insert sheets suitable for an inserter without delay. Thus, it is controlled to sort sheets on which pages of an image, being the print object in a mode to output the sheets to be set to an inserter provided in another apparatus having such the inserter, of first type in a series of images having plural pages were formed respectively, on the basis of information based on the inserter provided in the another apparatus.

Abstract: It is intended to obtain outputs of insert sheets suitable for an inserter without delay. Thus, it is controlled to sort sheets on which pages of an image, being the print object in a mode to output the sheets to be set to an inserter provided in another apparatus having such the inserter, of first type in a series of images having plural pages were formed respectively, on the basis of information based on the inserter provided in the another apparatus.

Abstract: An image reproduction device is provided with an automatic feed unit for documents; a double-sheet detector for detecting more than one single sheet as the document for copying; an operator control unit provided with an operator control panel; and a control unit connected to the said units for controlling the automatic feed unit, processing the signal from the double-sheet detector and controlling the operator control unit. The device is also provided with an operator control unit adapted to offer a choice between switching the double-sheet detector on or off. This device is thus suitable for the image reproduction of documents in cases in which, dependent on the presence of documents consisting of more than one sheet, the operator is offered the free choice of adapting the operation of the image reproduction device thereto.

Abstract: An image processing device comprising a second side image sensor to determine whether the second side of a document also requires processing. The second side image sensor preferably uses a camera or measures reflected infrared light with an infrared photosensor. The invention relates to a wide variety of image processing devices such as copy machines, facsimile machines, annotators, scanners, printers, etc., which process documents. When the system detects an image or markings on the second side of a document it may merely alert the user or automatically process the second side of the document without additional user interaction.

Abstract: It is intended to obtain outputs of insert sheets suitable for an inserter without delay. Thus, it is controlled to sort sheets on which pages of an image, being the print object in a mode to output the sheets to be set to an inserter provided in another apparatus having such the inserter, of first type in a series of images having plural pages were formed respectively, on the basis of information based on the inserter provided in the another apparatus.

Abstract: A two-sided reading-out apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the two-sided reading-out apparatus are capable of simplifying processing at a time of reading out the image respectively for one-side surface reading-out and two-side surface reading-out in an original document, preventing the large-sizing of the apparatus, and avoiding the cost run-up thereof, thereby securing optimum productivity. A first document conveying path extends from a document stand to a contact glass and a second document conveying path extends from the contact glass to a document discharging tray via a fixed reading-out section. The direction of conveying the document is changed over by a changing-over claw. Thus, the image data on the front and rear sides of both surfaces of the document can be read out without being overlapped.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a transport section that can transport original documents along a transport path, a reading section configured to read images of the original documents transported by the transport section, an output controller configured to output data of the original documents read by the reading section, a multi-sheet feed detection sensor configured to detect a multi-sheet feed of the original documents transported by the transport section, and an instruction section configured to issue an instruction to disable multi-sheet feed detection by the multi-sheet feed detection section.