Abstract: In order to mitigate image defects caused by unwanted disturbances as a carriage module travels from a continuous velocity transport module across a CVT ramp to a platen module, a bottom surface of the CVT ramp is recessed relative to bottom surfaces of the CVT glass and platen glass to facilitate a smooth transition as the CIS carriage passes the CVT ramp during scanning. An additional carriage button is also provided on the carriage surface to ensure that at least two carriage buttons are biased against the CVT-platen assembly at all times, thereby mitigating vibrational disturbance in the system during scanning motion. The carriage module may be a contact image sensor (CIS) carriage module, a Full Width Array (FWA) carriage module, or a folded Charged Coupled Device (CCD) carriage module.

Abstract: A motor controller, operatively connected to a motor having an output shaft, includes a rotary detector to detect a rotation direction and a rotation amount of the output shaft of the motor to generate an actual rotary signal, a drive controller to generate a control signal based on the actual rotary signal and a target rotary signal indicating a target rotary direction and a target rotary amount, and a driver to supply a driving power to the motor based on the control signal. When the motor is in a hold state, the control signal is reversed periodically for a predetermined reverse time period T2 per a predetermined one reverse cycle T1. When the control signal is not reversed for a certain lock detection time period Tr that is longer than the revere cycle T1 of the control signal, supply of the driving power to the motor is blocked.

Abstract: A displacement measuring apparatus including: a first light detector including a first emitter illuminating optically identifiable marks disposed on a moving body, and a first light receiver detecting light through the marks; a second light detector including a second emitter illuminating the marks and a second light receiver detecting light through the marks, wherein the second light detector is arranged at a predetermined interval from the first light detector in a moving direction of the moving body; an identical point detecting unit detecting a first timing at which the first and second light detector detecting an identical mark among the marks, and a second timing; a velocity calculating unit calculating a velocity of the moving body by using the first and second timing determined by the identical point detecting unit; and a time-sharing light emitting unit allowing the first and second emitter to emit the light in a time-sharing manner.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable image bearing member provided with a mark; a driving portion for rotationally driving the image bearing member; a first detecting portion for detecting speed information of the image bearing member by detecting the mark moved in a predetermined first distance; a second detecting portion for detecting speed information of the image bearing member by detecting the mark moved in a second distance shorter than the predetermined first distance; a filter circuit for suppressing a high-frequency part of an output from the detecting portion and a low-frequency part of an output from the second detecting portion; a calculating portion for calculating a speed of the image bearing member detected from an output from the filter circuit; and a controller for controlling the driving portion so that the calculated speed of the image bearing member is a set speed.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus when a transfer material is fed at a first speed, a moving speed of an image bearing member, an exposure speed of an exposure device in a moving direction of the image bearing member, and a moving speed of an intermediary transfer member are equal to the first speed. When the transfer material is fed at a second speed which is lower than the first speed, the moving speed of the image bearing member is equal to the first speed, and the exposure speed of the exposure device and the moving speed of the intermediary transfer member are equal to the second speed.

Abstract: When at least one of first image data and second image data is captured, according to a moving speed of an object while an image sensor is capturing an image, exposure time for capturing the image is controlled to decrease a difference between object blur widths in a direction in which the object moves.

Abstract: When the time period is night, processing advances to step S13 to set the initialization speed of a line feed motor to the first speed (v1), and to step S15 to execute initialization operation of the line feed motor at the first speed (v1). When the time period is morning or daytime, the processing advances to step S12 to detect a cover open/closed state. When the cover is open, the processing advances to step S13 to set the initialization speed of the line feed motor to the first speed (v1). When the cover is closed, the processing advances to step S14 to set the initialization speed of the line feed motor to the second speed (v2) which is higher than the first speed (v1). The processing advances to step S15 to execute initialization operation of the line feed motor at the second speed (v2).

Abstract: An image reading apparatus and an image expansion and contraction correcting method are provided that improve the quality of each read image by restraining image expansion and contraction caused by a variation in the combination of conveying units for conveying each document. The image reading apparatus has conveying units (a first conveying unit, a second conveying unit, and a third conveying unit) that convey each document, and an image reading unit (a first image reading unit and a second image reading unit) that reads an image of each document being conveyed by the conveying units. The image reading speed of the image reading unit is adjusted in accordance with a change in the combination of conveying units that are conveying a document, so as to correct image expansion and contraction caused by a change in document conveying speed caused by the change in the combination of conveying units.

Abstract: A white reference value and a corresponding transport speed are stored in memory. A black reference value and a corresponding imaging speed are also stored. Next, a printing operation is started and color values and a corresponding transport speed are stored. Accurately corrected color values are derived from the stored white reference value, transport speed, black reference value, imaging speed, color values and transport speed.

Abstract: A document feeding and reading unit and an image forming apparatus capable of reducing errors in magnification copying when the change in the diameter of drive motors results from heating. The document feeding and reading unit reads a document image while transporting a document sheet. At least one transport mechanism, including at least one drive roller and driven roller brought into slidable contact with a drive roller, transports the document sheet while holding the document between the drive roller and the driven roller. A detector measures the temperature at a location of the document feeding and reading unit. A controller controls the rotation speed of the drive roller based on temperature information acquired by the temperature detector. The document feeding and reading unit can be suitably incorporated into an image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in the present invention includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) for carrying an original document, a scanner unit and a printer unit, the scanner unit includes a carriage having a light source unit for exposing and scanning the original document and is capable of operating in a first reading mode (sheet-through system) for reading image information of the original document carried by the ADF with the carriage fixed and a second reading mode (platen system) for reading the image information of the original document by moving the carriage. When reading the original document, the scanning velocity is controlled, the reading resolution of the original document in the first reading mode is set to be lower than the resolution of image formation by the printer unit, and the reading resolution of the original document in the second reading mode is controlled to be substantially equal to the resolution of image formation by the printer unit.

Abstract: An image printing apparatus includes a control unit which controls a rotational speed of an image carrier; a detecting unit which detects data of the rotational speed; a storage unit which stores the rotational speeds up to n past rotation cycle of said image carrier; and a determining unit which determines whether a rotational speed difference between a latest rotational speed in a current rotation cycle and a rotational speed in n past rotation cycle before the current rotation cycle at a predetermined interval, which includes the same rotational position in respective rotation cycles and its near position, is more than a predetermined reference value, wherein said control unit controls the rotational speed of said image carrier by using the data of rotational speeds at a predetermined interval including the same rotational position in one or n past rotation cycle before the current rotation cycle, and further said control unit controls a rotational speed in a subsequent rotation cycle next to the current r

Abstract: An image reading device is operable in a manually placed document reading mode offered by a manually placed document reading section and an ADF document reading mode offered by an ADF document reading section. Reading mode detecting section detects in which mode a document to be read is in. First reading-speed setting section sets a reading speed of the ADF document reading section to a predetermined reading speed, upon detection by the reading mode detecting means that the document to be read is in the ADF document reading mode. Second reading-speed setting section sets a reading speed of the manually placed document reading section to a predetermined reading speed sufficient to reduce image vibration caused by reading by the manually placed document reading section, upon detection by the reading mode detecting section that the document to be read is in the manually placed document reading mode.

Abstract: Images formed by a liquid are transferred onto both sides of a sheet-like recording medium without the liquid running on or penetrating into the recording medium. A layer of absorbing powder is formed on an intermediate transfer member. The liquid is applied to the powder layer formed on the intermediate transfer member so as to form a first visible image. The first visible image is transferred onto the front side of the recording medium. Thereafter, another layer of the absorbing powder is formed on the intermediate transfer member, and the liquid is applied to the powder layer so as to form a second visible image. The second visible image is transferred onto the back side of the recording medium.

Abstract: Speed fluctuations at a motor supplied with a two-phase current is reduced by changing the current value ratio at each phase in the drive current to feed a drive motor for an image reader to allow a light source lamp to move, free from speed fluctuations, to scan at a constant scanning speed. The drive motor is supplied with current different in value at each phase from constant current drive circuits, which, in one embodiment, are connected with current regulating variable resistors. An acceleration detector is fixed at the drive motor to detect acceleration fluctuations in rotation of the drive motor to detect speed fluctuations. In some embodiments, thermal control of the motor drive circuit is provided and vibration proofing to isolate the light receptor from the drive motor.

Abstract: This invention provides an image reading apparatus having high speed, small size and low cost, capable of reducing CPU load and capacity required for a memorizing table. The image forming apparatus including a reading portion for reading an image by scanning an original document, driving means for driving the reading portion, and memory means for storing therein a plurality of driving frequencies for enabling the driving means to switch to a variety of speeds and drive in a step by step manner, and for storing therein a table indicative of a switching point for switching one driving frequency of the plurality of driving frequencies to another driving frequency of the plurality of driving frequencies, wherein one driving frequency of the plurality of driving frequencies is switched to another driving frequency of the plurality of driving frequencies at the switching point.

Abstract: Speed fluctuations at a motor supplied with a two-phase current is reduced by changing the current value ratio at each phase in the drive current to feed a drive motor for an image reader to allow a light source lamp to move, free from speed fluctuations, to scan at a constant scanning speed. The drive motor is supplied with current different in value at each phase from constant current drive circuits, which, in one embodiment, are connected with current regulating variable resistors. An acceleration detector is fixed at the drive motor to detect acceleration fluctuations in rotation of the drive motor to detect speed fluctuations. In some embodiments, thermal control of the motor drive circuit is provided and vibration proofing to isolate the light receptor from the drive motor.

Abstract: This invention provides an image reading apparatus having high speed, small size and low cost, capable of reducing CPU load and capacity required for a memorizing table. The image forming apparatus including a reading portion for reading an image by scanning an original document, driving means for driving the reading portion, and memory means for storing therein a plurality of driving frequencies for enabling the driving means to switch to a variety of speeds and drive in a step by step manner, and for storing therein a table indicative of a switching point for switching one driving frequency of the plurality of driving frequencies to another driving frequency of the plurality of driving frequencies, wherein one driving frequency of the plurality of driving frequencies is switched to another driving frequency of the plurality of driving frequencies at the switching point.

Abstract: When a carriage goes forth, a scan motor is first acceleratively operated, then is operated by a constant speed, and finally is operated deceleratively. When the carriage goes back, the scan motor is operated by a constant speed from beginning to end.

Abstract: An original scanning device can set a brake operation starting timing in a scanner backward movement to a predetermined timing, even if a scanning distance of the device is determined at any distance. To do so, a copy machine starts braking the scanning device when a sensor detects that the scanning device backwardly moved to a predetermined position.

Abstract: The focused light incident from the light source on the document to be scanned has two different lengths of light path. The shorter light path is incident on the document near the light source. The longer light path is incident on the document away from the light source with a larger light spot and scans the document at a higher speed to yield a lower resolution. The high resolution light ray reflected from the document and the low resolution light ray reflected from the document pass through a set of transmitting lenses tilted at different angles to irradiate two different sets of charge coupled device sensors.

Abstract: A drive control mechanism for an image reader having a controller, to control a drive current impressed to a connected stepping motor such that the impression of the drive current is carried out in a prescribed number of steps, and a changer, to change a largest value of a drive current in response to a scanning speed of a reading device of the image reader. Consequently, smooth rotation with little torque ripple may be obtained through microstep driving, and by changing a largest drive current, control of a drive torque becomes easier, thus making it possible to maintain an even balance between load torque and drive vibration when a high-torque motor is used to eliminate slider vibration.

Abstract: The image reading device providing a scanning unit provided with a slider pulled by a wire driven by a motor, the image reading device being provided with bilateral direct movement guides which bilaterally support the bilateral ends of the slider so as to be reciprocally movable, and a drive wire fixedly attached to the slider to pull the slider, and wherein the anchoring position of the wire on the slider is the center of gravity position of the slider or is on a straight line coincident to the moment of lateral force of a lateral friction generated between the slider and lateral movement guides during driving.

Abstract: A simplified transmission mechanism is provided for an image information apparatus. The transmission mechanism mainly includes a first pair of supports for guiding an illuminating unit, a second pair of supports beneath and parallel to the first pair of supports for guiding a photoelectric converting unit, four pulleys each located at the corners and on the same side of a housing, and a conveying device surrounding four pulleys in the shape of a closed loop for driving the illuminating unit to slide along the first pair of supports in a first direction and the photoelectric converting units to slide along the second pair of supports in a second direction at the same time and at the same speed.

Abstract: A linear motor includes a rod-like stator having a field magnet, and a movable piece having an armature coil fitted around the field magnet and arranged inside a cylindrical movable piece yoke. The movable piece is provided at its opposite ends with bearings. The armature coil is arranged between the bearings. The cylindrical movable piece yoke is provided at ends of a lower portion in the gravity direction with projections extending in the movable piece moving direction.

Abstract: In a two-carrier type image scanner, a first carrier (10) is moved in parallel to a document surface at a scanning speed and a second carrier (20) is moved at half the scanning speed, the image scanner optically reading out image information such as figures and characters on the document surface using an optical system mounted on the two carriers. To permit the adjustment of the carrier in the roll direction to be easily conducted, one side of each of the carriers (10, 20) is movably engaged with a fixed guide shaft (46), and the other side is guided by a bearing (53) which rolls on a fixed guide rail (47) disposed in parallel with the guide shaft (46), wherein the carrier is capable of being adjusted in the roll direction with respect to the guide shaft (46) when a position of the bearing (53) with respect to the carrier is adjusted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet supply apparatus comprising a sheet supply device for supplying a sheet one by one from a sheet stack, a convey device for conveying the sheet supplied by the sheet supply device, a detection device for detecting a length of the sheet supplied by the sheet supply device, in a sheet supplying direction, a memory device, for storing the length of the sheet detected by the detection device, and a control device for operating the sheet supply device after the sheet is conveyed by the convey device, on the basis of information regarding the length of the sheet stored in the memory device.

Abstract: In a two-carrier type image scanner, a first carrier (10) is moved in parallel to a document surface at a scanning speed and a second carrier (20) is moved at half the scanning speed, the image scanner optically reading out image information such as figures and characters on the document surface using an optical system mounted on the two carriers. To permit the adjustment of the carrier in the roll direction to be easily conducted, one side of each of the carriers (10, 20) is movably engaged with a fixed guide shaft (46), and the other side is guided by a bearing (53) which rolls on a fixed guide rail (47) disposed in parallel with the guide shaft (46), wherein the carrier is capable of being adjusted in the roll direction with respect to the guide shall (46) when a position of the bearing (53) with respect to the carrier is adjusted.