Abstract: An original document feed tray is positioned above an original document output tray. When original documents are set on the original document feed tray, the original document feed tray is moved upwardly from a home position to a position where the uppermost original document sheet can be transported to an original document transport mechanism. When the original document feed tray is lifted in accordance with the reduction of the original documents on the original document feed tray after the original documents are transported to the original document transport mechanism, the original document feed tray is lifted to a position, above the position where all original documents on the original document feed tray were transported to the original document transport mechanism.

Abstract: The medium transport apparatus is provided with: a transport unit that transports a recording medium continuing in a direction, in the direction where the recording medium continues; a detection unit that detects a mark formed on the recording medium transported by the transport unit, by using a detection effective range smaller than a dimension of the mark in a direction crossing a transport direction of the recording medium; a positional relationship identification unit that identifies a relative positional relationship between the detection unit and the mark in the direction crossing the transport direction, from a detection result obtained by the detection unit; and a move unit that moves the detection unit in the direction crossing the transport direction, on the basis of the relative positional relationship identified by the positional relationship identification unit.

Abstract: A document feeder for transporting a document to a predetermined reading position at which image reading is performed by an image reading portion, including: a document transport portion for transporting the document to a reading standby position upstream of the reading position; and a control portion for controlling the document transport portion so that the document is made to stop at the reading standby position if the image reading portion is not in an image readable state by the time the document arrives at the reading standby position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming apparatus main body; a cover provided openably/closably with respect to the image forming apparatus main body; a conveyance passage, formed in the image forming apparatus main body, on which a recording medium is conveyed; a detection device that detects movement of the recording medium conveyed on the conveyance passage; a first recording medium guide member provided oppositely to the moving member and fixed when the cover is closed; and a second recording medium guide member, provided on a downstream side of and following the first recording medium guide member in a recording medium conveyance direction, that movably guides the conveyed recording medium.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus has an original placing portion on which an original is placed, a feed portion for feeding the original placed on the original placing portion to convey the original from one end side of an original plate onto the original plate, a conveying rotary member for conveying the original on the original plate, a reversing and conveying portion for reversing the front side and back side of the original conveyed to the other end side of the original plate by the conveying rotary member, and conveying the reversed original from the other end side onto the original plate, an image reading unit for reading the image of the original stopped on the original plate while being moved, and a control portion for controlling the driving of the conveying rotary member.

Abstract: The image reading apparatus of this invention moves the discharge guide to lead documents after passing the contact glass to the discharge tray in order to cope with different functions to improve image reading accuracy demanded for the image reading and to increase stacking capacity of the discharge tray easily. The image reading accuracy is improved when the width of documents to contact the contact glass surface is made wide by making the tilt angle of the discharge guide small to get the documents parallel to the contact glass surface. The stacking capacity of the discharge tray increases when the tilt angle of the discharge guide is made large.

Abstract: A document reading device is disclosed which allows an original document to be read without an operator actuating a start key. If a series of operations are performed, such as loading an original document into a sheet feeding tray after the lapse of a time period “a” from the reading of a previous original document, removing the original document within a predetermined time period “b” after the loading, loading the original document into the sheet feeding tray again within the predetermined time period “b”, and causing a document sensor to detect whether the loading of the original document is for a time period that exceeds a predetermined time “c”, a request to begin reading the original document will be issued without an operator actuating the start key.

Abstract: A disk having one or more indentations is configured at one end of a driving shaft and has interaction with an extension arm configured at a corresponding end of a switch shaft for switching the medium conveying route in an image system. When the driving shaft drives the disk to rotate along different directions, the indentation on the disk provides the extension arm room for the disk to guide the extension arm to switch its position between a first position and a second position. A plurality of switch gates on the switch shaft also switch to different positions corresponding to the extension arm such that the conveying route of a medium can be switched between a first route and a second route.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder which is capable of preventing the occurrence of jams that would be caused when a bundle of originals in which originals having lengths in a conveying direction equal to or greater than a predetermined reference length and originals having lengths shorter than the reference length are mixed are conveyed in a high-speed double-sided mode. When the originals are sequentially conveyed, a length of a respective original is detected. If the detected length of a preceding original being conveyed in the high-speed double-sided mode is equal to or greater than a predetermined length, the high-speed double-sided mode in which conveyance of the next original is started after start of non-reading conveyance of the preceding original is switched over to a normal double-sided mode in which the conveyance of the next original is started in advance of the non-reading conveyance of the preceding original.

Abstract: A document size detecting device including a flatbed, a sensing region, a matrix optical sensing unit and a logic processing unit is provided. The flatbed has a first flatbed edge and a second flatbed edge. A first edge and a second edge of the document are respectively aligned with the first flatbed edge and the second flatbed edge. Part of the sensing region is covered by part of the document. The sensing region is formed on the flatbed according to a sensing ability of the matrix optical sensing unit. The matrix optical sensing unit fetches an image from the sensing region and then outputs an image signal accordingly. The logic processing unit receives the image signal and determines the size of the document according to the image signal.

Abstract: An auto document feeder which loads and feeds a document to a read position provided on a read surface of a reader, the auto document feeder including a conveying device having an upstream roller placed upstream of the read position and a downstream roller placed downstream of the read position, the conveying device conveying the loaded document through the read position, a stabilizing roller provided upstream of the read position and opposing to the read surface, the stabilizing roller stabilizing movement of the document conveyed by the conveying device, and a guide member provided downstream of the read position and opposing to the read surface, the guide member guiding the document conveyed by the conveying device, wherein the following relationship is established the thickness of the document<a gap between the read surface and the stabilizing roller<a gap between the read surface and the guide member.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet placing tray on which a sheet is placed, a feeding member for feeding the sheet placed on the sheet placing tray, a first sheet detection unit for detecting presence of the sheet on the sheet placing tray at a first detection position, and a second sheet detection unit for detecting presence of the sheet on the sheet placing tray at a second detection position disposed on an upstream side of the first detection position in a sheet feeding direction. A control unit controls the feeding member so as not to perform the sheet feeding operation when the first detection unit detects the sheet and the second detection unit does not detect the sheet.

Abstract: A first correction pattern and a second correction pattern are formed on an endless conveyor belt. The first correction pattern is located ahead of the second correction pattern on the conveyor belt with respect to the direction of movement of the conveyor belt. A sensor detects positional information of the correction patterns. A timing changing unit (controlling unit) changes a detection timing of the second correction pattern from a time point at which the sensor detects the second correction pattern.

Abstract: The ADF 11 is a device for feeding an original document toward an original document scanning position R, comprising an original document loading unit 31, paper feeding roller 51, pressure sensor 33 and lift plate drive unit 35. The original document loading unit 31 comprises a lift plate 41 allowing an original document to be loaded and vertically movable in an original document loading direction. The paper feeding roller 51 is disposed above the lift plate 41 disposed at the lowermost position with an interval therebetween, and is capable of moving upwardly in coordination with a force received from below from the lift plate 41. The pressure sensor 33 is capable of detecting upward pressure on the paper feeding roller 51. The lift plate drive unit 35 causes the lift plate 41 to be lowered upon detection of upward pressure on the paper feeding roller 51.

Abstract: Methods and systems for calibrating media indexing errors in a printing device are provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises feeding a calibration media through a printing device, sensing the position of the media as it moves through the printing device, sensing positions of a media indexing component as the media moves through the printing device, determining media indexing position errors based upon the sensed positions, and calculating a compensation factor to be applied based upon the errors. In some embodiments, parameters of a line and/or other function are determined from the error data and the parameters are utilized to calculate a compensation factor. Moreover, in some embodiments, it is determined what range the data fits within, and a predetermined compensation factor is determined based upon the range.

Abstract: A sensor module is able to sense at least one aspect of objects produced by a plurality of object sources. Since one sensor module or set of sensor elements is used to examine output from the plurality of object sources, sensor to sensor variation is removed as a source of error. In a multi-engine document processor, information from the sensor module is used to adjust process actuators, adjust image data and/or generate scheduling constraints to improve output consistency. For example, facing pages of a document are rendered only on marking engines operating within a predetermined tolerance of one another. Image data may be altered so that related images are within the measured capabilities of a plurality of marking engines. System actuators, such as xerographic actuators, of selected marking engines are adjusted to improve output consistency between marking engines.

Abstract: In a sheet feeding apparatus, a contact-type sensor for detecting sheet-like documents stored in document tray is separated into upper document detector and a lower document detector arranged at upper and lower sides of the document tray, respectively. The sheet-like documents are detected separately with two actuators of the corresponding detectors. Accordingly, the requirement of a prior art for having a contact of the sensor increased in length in order to detect the sheets from a maximum to zero in the sheet storing unit can be eliminated.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus has a document table on which a document can be placed. A document position detector detects the position of the document on the document table. A scanning mode selector selects a scanning mode according to the position detected by the document position detector. A scanning unit scans the document in the selected mode. Different image processing modes may also be selected according to the detected position. The scanning and image processing modes are selected automatically, relieving the user of the need to make mode selections from a control panel.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit installed in a main body of the image forming apparatus and a tray stack including stacked media supplying units for supplying the media piece from selected one of the stacked media supplying units to the image forming unit. The tray stack is detachable from and attachable to the main body. The tray stack includes a register installed only in uppermost one of the stacked media supplying units. The register functions to correct skew of the media piece with respect to a transport direction along which the media piece is transported and then feed the media piece to the image forming unit.

Abstract: An original comprises a first page and a second page as disposed face-down on the platen surface of an image-processing device. The platen is scanned to form a platen image. The positions of two diagonally-opposite corners of the original are determined based on a fixed platen reference point. An original image is formed by cropping the platen image based on the positions of the two original corners. The size and position of either one selected page or both pages are determined based on the two original corner positions. When the image of only one selected page is desired, the image of the selected page is formed by cropping the original image based on the size and position of the selected page. When the images of both pages are desired, the images of both pages are formed by cropping the original image based on the sizes and positions of both pages.

Abstract: A printing machine (10) including a registration station (45) for applying a skew adjustment received from a human operator is disclosed. The registration station (45) includes independently controllable motors (52a, 52b) that drive corresponding urging rollers (56a, 56b) as controlled by control circuitry (24), for example in response to the position of a media sheet as sensed by sensors (58a, 58b; 60a, 60b) at the registration station (45). The machine operator can enter a skew adjustment value at a user interface (25a), or at a networked computer workstation with which the printing machine (10) communicates via a network interface (25b). The control circuitry (24) calculates differential control signals for controlling the motors (52a, 52b) to effect the skew correction. The differential control signals may be differential timing delays, such as prior to deactivation of the motors (52a, 52b), or may be a differential velocity signal for driving the motors (52a, 52b).

Abstract: In accordance with the state of a document tray upon powering on a power source, the elevation operation of a document tray is controlled. In the case that the document tray is located not at the highest position, not at the lowest position, but at a middle position upon powering on the power source, the document tray is allowed to remain at the middle position as it is without performing the elevation of the document tray. In the case that the document tray is located at the highest position, the document tray is moved down. By reducing the wasteful operation (the initial operation) after powering on the power source, it is possible to reduce the operation time and the efficient sheet processing can be realized.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus for reading indicia on the front and back surfaces of a document using two image sensors includes a document detection sensor to detect the document, a first image sensor for reading an image on one surface of the document, a second image sensor for reading an image on the other surface of the document, and a controller. The controller starts to read the image data from the first and second image sensors when prescribed amounts of time have passed after the document detection sensor detects the leading edge of the document, and stops the reading of the image data from the image sensors. The structure provides a lightweight and compact apparatus while reducing image noise caused by the mutual interferences of the light sources in reading the image data.

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 image forming apparatus which is superior in operability and does not uselessly read image data is provided. When image data is once read and then a copy start key is pressed again, a determination is made as to whether an automatic document feeder has not been opened and a new original has not been set in the automatic document feeder from the end of a previous read operation to the next pressing of the start key. If the condition is satisfied, image data which is stored in a memory by the previous read operation is read out and printed. If the condition is not satisfied, an original image is read again.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus is adapted to nip a sheet having an image formed thereon with a main roller and conveying rollers, the conveying rollers being in contact with this main roller, to convey the sheet along the main roller to a reading line opposed to a lowermost point of the main roller, and to read the image with an image sensor for reading an image, and includes reading white background plates which press the sheet against the reading line on both sides of the main roller.

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: A method of an embodiment of the invention is disclosed that advances media sheets through an image-forming device such that each successive pair of media sheets are advanced at least substantially adjacent to one another. The method transmissively optically senses a leading edge of each of the media sheets and a lagging edge of each of the media sheets. The method detects occurrence of an out-of-media sheets situation where a length of time after the lagging edge of one of the media sheets has been optically sensed exceeds a threshold length of time.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a transport path for guiding an original from an original tray to a reading position; a transport device for transporting the original toward a downstream side in a forward direction or toward an upstream side in a reverse direction; a reading device for reading the original at the reading position; a determining device for determining whether the original has a black and white image or color image; and a retreat path disposed at an upstream side of the reading position for retreating at least a part of the original from the transport path. After the determining device determines the original, the original is transported in the reverse direction to retreat it to the retreat path. Then, the original is transported to the reading position, so that the reading device reads the original in a reading mode according to a result of the determination.

Abstract: An imaging device is provided including a script setting plate for setting thereon a script to be read, a script positioning plate located near one end of the script setting plate and supported for up-and-down movements, a script positioning plate supporter selectively taking a support position under the script positioning plate, and a script-pressing cover extending over the script positioning plate and the script setting plate to guide a script against the script setting plate.

Abstract: In an original feeding apparatus having a sensor for detecting an original by a light emitting element and a light receiving element, a service life of the sensor is extended and power consumption is reduced.

Abstract: A system and method for feeding and transporting documents are provided. The system includes a feeder stage including a hopper, a feeder and a separator. The hopper includes a hopper wall extending toward the feeder with a waterfall step along the hopper wall and with the stack of documents engaging the hopper wall including the waterfall step to form a pocket area over a limited distance extending from the waterfall step along the hopper wall toward the feeder. A photo edge detector located in the pocket area faces the stack of documents such that when a feeding document trailing edge passes the waterfall step, the trailing edge is detected by the photo edge detector while in the pocket area. The system further includes a transport stage downstream of the feeder stage for receiving the fed documents.

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: An automatic document feeder of the invention has a conveying roller for conveying a document sheet to a document reading position on a platen facing a document image reading portion. The automatic document feeder contains a pickup guide for picking up the fore end of a document sheet scanned at the document reading position and a pressing piece for pressing a document sheet being conveyed against the pickup guide at a curved portion provided by the platen and the pickup guide. The pressing piece is fixed at an upstream side of the document reading position, extending from the fixed position across the document reading position and is made free at a downstream portion. Further, this document feeder is provided with a document sheet deflecting device for deflecting a document sheet toward a paper discharge stacker. The document deflecting device is a plate spring being capable of swaying within a specified range.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus and method of the present invention, a control section determines whether or not a document should be copied first, and determines, on the basis of the determination result, whether or not the orientation of the document should be detected. If it is determined that the orientation of the document should be detected, a document orientation detecting section extracts character data from image data, recognizes the character data, and detects the orientation of the document on the basis of the recognition result. On the basis of the detection result, a page memory control section executes a rotation process on the image data. The image data subjected to the rotation process is read and printed onto an image forming medium.

Abstract: In an original feeding apparatus having a sensor for detecting an original by a light emitting element and a light receiving element, a service life of the sensor is extended and power consumption is reduced.

Abstract: Position sensors having an active area are assembled into an array in which the electrodes of adjacent sensors are offset and interleaved so that the electrodes are adjacent an active area, thereby avoiding dead spots. The position sensor array is position adjacent to the path of an object opposite to a source of light. As the object passes it alters the distribution of light on the position sensor array that generates signals indicative of the objects position in response to the changes in impinging light.

Abstract: An original sensing device for sensing the presence/absence of an original placed on an original tray of a document feeder by using an output signal from a photodetector which receives a light beam emitted by a light projector and reflected by the original tray, including a projecting/photodetecting unit including the light projector and the photodetector, and an optical member interposed between the projecting/photodetecting unit and the original tray. The light projector and the photodetector are arranged to oppose said original tray such that a projecting optical axis and a photodetecting optical axis are substantially parallel to each other.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder includes a feed tray 2 on which documents are placed, a feeder 4 for feeding documents on the feed tray 2 to a conveyor path, conveying 8 for conveying the fed documents to an image reading position, a discharging 9 for discharging the read documents onto a discharging tray 37, and a controller by which the discharging speed of the documents after being read so that the discharging speed varies with respect to the conveying speed, wherein, if the conveying speed when reading a document is within a predetermined range, the discharging speed after reading the document is controlled to be equal to the conveying speed when reading the document, and if the conveying speed when reading the document is out of the predetermined range, the discharging speed after reading the document is controlled to be within the predetermined range.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device including a pair of rollers to convey a sheet impinged against a nip portion of the pair of rollers. Also included is a driving device which drives the pair of rollers to rotate in either a forward direction or a reverse direction, a sheet detecting device which detects the sheet inserted into the nip portion, and a controller which controls the pair of rollers to rotate in the forward direction after rotating the pair of rollers in the reverse direction by a predetermined amount of rotation, when the sheet is inserted into the nip portion of the pair of rollers.

Abstract: A pressure sensor is provided which can detect the presence, absence or magnitude of pressure, as well as a pressure profile. The pressure sensor includes a sensor membrane and a sensor device. The sensor membrane is flexible and may be constructed of a conductive material or may include a flexible film attached to a conductive film. The sensor device includes a sensor strip, a voltage source, and an electrical sensor. The sensor strip includes both a conductive strip and a resistive strip. The conductive strip is arranged parallel to the resistive strip. As pressure is applied to the sensor membrane, the sensor membrane distends or deforms towards the sensor strip. As sufficient pressure is applied, the sensor membrane will make both electrical and mechanical contact with both the conductive strip and the resistive strip at a point along the length of the sensor strip. Since the sensor membrane is conductive, the conductive strip and the resistive strip will be in electrical connection with each other.

Abstract: A copier includes a reader for reading a document image, an orientation sensor for sensing orientation of characters in the document image that has entered from the reader, a size sensor for sensing the size of the document image that has entered from the reader, an image processor for zooming the document image at a magnification that conforms to results of sensing performed by the orientation sensor and size sensor, and laying out a plurality of document images as a single image, and a printer for printing the images laid out by the image processor.

Abstract: A pressure sensor is provided which can detect the presence, absence or magnitude of pressure. The pressure sensor includes a sensor membrane and a sensor device. The sensor membrane is flexible and may be constructed of a conductive material or may include a flexible film attached to a conductive film. The sensor device includes an electrode substrate having an electrode surface and a set of electrodes disposed on the electrode surface. As pressure is applied to the sensor membrane, the sensor membrane distends or deforms towards the electrode set positioned on the electrode surface. As sufficient pressure is applied, the sensor membrane will make both electrical and mechanical contact with at least two of the electrodes. Since the sensor membrane is conductive, the contacted electrodes will be in electrical connection with each other. As pressure is increased, additional electrodes will be contacted and placed in electrical contact with each other.

Abstract: Documents to be imaged which lie one upon another in a prescribed order of page on an automatic document feeding device are automatically fed one by one to a scanning reference position defined in an image scanning position of an image processing device and discharged, after being imaged, to a discharge tray in the same order of page as those initially stacked. The document sent out from the image scanning position to a delivery passage after being imaged is sent back to the document scanning position through a return passage to be turned over. When the document being sent back is introduced into the image scanning position by the longitudinal size of the document, document transporting means is reversed to discharge the document, thereby to shorten the time required to discharge the document from the image scanning position to the discharge tray through a document discharge passage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus for conveying a sheet in recirculation. The apparatus comprises a feed tray, a feed mechanism, a recirculation conveying mechanism for conveying the sheet fed by the feed mechanism to return it to the feed tray. The recirculation conveying mechanism includes a discharge tray on which the plurality of sheets are temporally discharged and accumulated and a moving mechanism for moving the sheets accumulated on the discharge tray to the feed tray. The apparatus further comprises a feed sensor detecting whether or not any sheets present on the feed tray. The sheets discharged on the discharge tray are moved to the feed tray by the moving mechanism when all sheets on the feed tray are fed and the feed sensor detects none of the sheet.

Abstract: The type of a document placed on the platen of an image forming apparatus is designated by the operator, a character area in the document is discriminated based upon an image signal obtained by reading the document, the orientation of the document is sensed based upon the discriminated character area and the type of document designated, and the image signal is processed based upon the sensed orientation of the document so as to obtain correctly oriented text at output of a prescribed image, such as a double-sided print image or layout of images of reduced size.

Abstract: An automatic original feeding device has a mounting unit for mounting originals, a first sheet conveying path for conveying an original mounted on the mounting unit to a predetermined position, and a second sheet conveying path for guiding the original output from the predetermined position to a discharging unit. The device can be opened to expose the first and second sheet conveying paths. The device also includes display units, each provided in the vicinity of the corresponding one of the first and second sheet conveying paths, for displaying information about originals remaining in the first and second sheet conveying paths.

Abstract: An original-reading device has a first mode of reading an original mounted on an original-mount while moving a scanning unit for scanning the original, and a second reading mode of reading an original being moved while stopping the scanning unit at a predetermined position. The size of the device can be reduced by making the position where the scanning unit stops in the second reading mode within the moving range of the scanning unit in the first reading mode.

Abstract: An automatic original feeding apparatus includes an original reading portion, a first feeder disposed upstream of the original reading portion, and a second feeder capable of receiving two originals simultaneously. The second feeder is disposed downstream of the original reading portion, for turning up and resupplying the two originals one after another to the original reading portion. The apparatus also includes a third feeder for directing the two originals resupplied to the original reading portion to a discharge portion. The apparatus also includes a detector for detecting delay in conveyance of a succeeding original. A controller in the apparatus delays feeding of a succeeding original when the delay in conveyance is detected and introduces the succeeding original into the second feeder, after a preceding original in the second feeder is discharged from the second feeder.