Abstract: A method for reproducing a document is provided. The method includes the following steps: scanning a front side and a back side of an original and accordingly producing a front side image and a back side image; determining a size of the original; comparing the size of the original with a page size; and if the size of the original is determined smaller than one half of the page size, producing one-page image data representing the front side image and the back side image on one single page. An apparatus for reproducing the document is also disclosed.

Abstract: A detection device for detecting a state of a waste toner container comprises an optical sensor and an actuation member. The optical sensor comprises an emitting unit emitting an optical signal and a receiving unit receiving the optical signal. A space is provided between the emitting and receiving units, and the optical signal travels along an optical path from the emitting unit to the receiving unit. The actuation member is movably disposed between the emitting and receiving units. The actuation member in a first position interrupts the optical path of the optical signal; and the actuation member is moved by the waste toner container to a second position when at least a part of the waste toner container is placed in the space. The actuation member in the second position allows a passage of the optical signal. An image forming apparatus using such a detection device is also provided.

Abstract: A sheet-feeding apparatus includes a passage, a sheet-feeding roller disposed at an entrance of the passage, and a paper pressing mechanism including a paper pressing device and a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism drives the paper pressing device to move towards and away from the sheet-feeding roller. The driving mechanism includes a power source, a rotating shaft connected to the power source, and an arm attached to the rotating shaft. As the rotating shaft rotates in a first direction, the arm actuates the paper pressing device to move away from the sheet-feeding roller. As the rotating shaft rotates in a second direction, the arm releases the paper pressing device, so the paper pressing device moves towards the sheet-feeding roller and presses a paper sheet upon the sheet-feeding roller.

Abstract: A method for adding scan data to a computer work area is provided. The method includes the following steps. Location information corresponding to a registered location of a pointer is received. According to the location information, an image file format is determined. A document is scanned. Next, a scan image file corresponding to the document and the image file format is produced. The scan image file is added to a work area where the pointer is located.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes a housing, a processor module, a sheet feeder, an image capturing assembly, a display module and an operation interface. The image capturing assembly captures both of first and second images of a document sheet, past a scan region and transported by the sheet feeder, and produces first and second image data representative of the first and second images in either a single-sided or double-sided scanning mode. The display module displays representation images of the first and second images. The operation interface receives user input and outputs a selection signal comprising information of selecting at least one of the first and second images. The processor module processes at least one of the first and second image data into output image data according to the selection signal.

Abstract: A duplex scanning apparatus includes a passageway, a first optical module, a second optical module, a transporting mechanism and an elastic pressing member. The first optical module is disposed on one side of the passageway. The second optical module is disposed on the other side of the passageway. The transporting mechanism transports an original sheet through the passageway and past a first scan position of the first optical module and a second scan position of the second optical module, and images of front and reverse sides of the original sheet are obtained, respectively. The elastic pressing member, disposed between the first scan position and the second scan position, pushes the original sheet towards an original supporting plane.

Abstract: A sheet-feeding apparatus includes a passage, a sheet-feeding roller disposed at an entrance of the passage, and a paper pressing mechanism including a paper pressing device and a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism drives the paper pressing device to move towards and away from the sheet-feeding roller. The driving mechanism includes a power source, a rotating shaft connected to the power source, and an arm attached to the rotating shaft. As the rotating shaft rotates in a first direction, the arm actuates the paper pressing device to move away from the sheet-feeding roller. As the rotating shaft rotates in a second direction, the arm releases the paper pressing device, so the paper pressing device moves towards the sheet-feeding roller and presses a paper sheet upon the sheet-feeding roller.

Abstract: An automatic feeding apparatus includes a body and a sheet passage, a sheet-separation mechanism and a sheet-input assisting mechanism in the body. The sheet-separation mechanism is configured to separate sheets. The sheet-input assisting mechanism includes a frame, a presser, a clutch gear and a driving device. The clutch gear, driven by the driving device, is displaceable on a guide groove of the frame between a first position and a second position. The clutch gear is rotated rearward to be engaged with a gear rack of the presser at the first position and thereby drive the presser to move in a first direction. The clutch gear is rotated forward to move to the second position and disengaged from the gear rack of the presser. After being released, the presser moves in a second direction to press a sheet in front of a nip portion of the sheet-separation mechanism.

Abstract: In an automatically closing hinge, a first body and a second body are mounted on a fixed shaft, and axial and radial moving members are adjacently disposed inside the fixed shaft. The second body pivoting rearward in relation to the first body enables an inward radial movement of the radial moving member, and during the inward radial movement the radial moving member causes a forward axial movement of the axial moving member. An energy storing member in the fixed shaft is configured to store energy during the forward axial movement of the axial moving member and to release energy for driving the axial moving member to make a reverse axial movement. During the reverse axial movement the axial moving member pushes the radial moving member to make an outward radial movement. The radial moving member during such outward radial movement drives the second body to pivot forward.

Abstract: An automatic feeding apparatus includes a body and a sheet passage, a sheet-separation mechanism and a sheet-input assisting mechanism in the body. The sheet-separation mechanism is configured to separate sheets. The sheet-input assisting mechanism includes a frame, a presser, a clutch gear and a driving device. The clutch gear, driven by the driving device, is displaceable on a guide groove of the frame between a first position and a second position. The clutch gear is rotated rearward to be engaged with a gear rack of the presser at the first position and thereby drive the presser to move in a first direction. The clutch gear is rotated forward to move to the second position and disengaged from the gear rack of the presser. After being released, the presser moves in a second direction to press a sheet in front of a nip portion of the sheet-separation mechanism.

Abstract: A sheet-fed scanner includes a housing, a scan assembly carrier, a scan assembly and a bent linking member. The scan assembly carrier is movably disposed in the housing. The scan assembly mounted in the scan assembly carrier scans a side of an original sheet in a main scan direction. The bent linking member disposed between the housing and the scan assembly carrier includes a first section and a second section. The first section extends transversally in relation to the main scan direction and interconnecting two opposed ends of the scan assembly carrier. The second section, connected with the first section, forms an angle with the first section. As one of two opposed ends of the scan assembly carrier is pushed towards the housing in a direction, the bent linking member urges the other end to move in the same direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a case, a photosensitive drum, a developing cartridge, a supporting member set, a force-exerting member set and a resilient member. The photosensitive drum forms a toner image. The developing cartridge, movably disposed within the case, includes a developing tank and a developing roller. The developing roller, mounted on the developing tank and positioned opposite the photosensitive drum, transfers toners to the photosensitive drum. The supporting member set is disposed on an inner wall of the case. The force-exerting member set, disposed on an outer wall of the developing tank, interacts with the supporting member set to maintain steady contact pressure between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum. The resilient member, disposed between the developing tank and the case, provides a restoring force for counteracting a weight of the developing tank and urging the developing roller towards the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus having a mechanism for adjusting an opening of a sheet passageway includes a first assembly, a second assembly and a driving mechanism. The first assembly is moveably disposed. The second assembly is disposed opposite the first assembly. The driving mechanism drives the first assembly to move in a vertical direction to adjust a distance between the first assembly and the second assembly. The driving mechanism includes a horizontally extending portion and a vertically extending portion. The horizontally extending portion is moveable in a horizontal direction. The vertically extending portion, connected to the horizontally extending portion, pushes against the first assembly. The vertically extending portion drives the first assembly to move in the vertical direction in response to the movement of the horizontally extending portion in the horizontal direction.

Abstract: A cover-type apparatus with a simplified locking structure includes a first body, a second body and an interlocking mechanism for fastening the second body and the first body together. The interlocking mechanism includes a hook disposed on the first body, and an elastic member disposed on the second body and being engageable with the hook. The elastic member deforms elastically in response to a force exerted thereon by the hook.

Abstract: An apparatus for scanning a bound document is provided. The apparatus comprises a casing, an image-capturing assembly, at least a sensor and a controller. The casing has a first platen and a second platen disposed adjacent to each other, wherein the first platen having a scanning region is provided to support the bound document. The image-capturing assembly is disposed under the first platen for capturing an image of the bound document within the scanning region and generating an image signal. At least a sensor is disposed on the second platen for detecting the presence of the bound document. The sensor transmits a detection signal responsive to detection of the document presence. The controller is electrically connected to the image-capturing assembly and the sensor for executing a book-scanning mode responsive to the detection signal received from the sensor.

Abstract: A scanner includes a reference backing member, a scan assembly and a light-obstruction member. The scan assembly, disposed opposite the reference backing member, scans a reference block of the reference backing member and an original block of an original in a scan region. The scan assembly includes a light source for emitting a first light beam in a direction toward the reference block, and emitting a second light beam in a direction toward the original block. The light-obstruction member, disposed between the reference backing member and the scan assembly, includes a light-obstruction part, disposed in a first optical path of the first light beam and outside a second optical path of the second light beam, for blocking a portion of the first light beam from reaching the reference block.

Abstract: In an automatically closing hinge, a first body and a second body are mounted on a fixed shaft, and axial and radial moving members are adjacently disposed inside the fixed shaft. The second body pivoting rearward in relation to the first body enables an inward radial movement of the radial moving member, and during the inward radial movement the radial moving member causes a forward axial movement of the axial moving member. An energy storing member in the fixed shaft is configured to store energy during the forward axial movement of the axial moving member and to release energy for driving the axial moving member to make a reverse axial movement. During the reverse axial movement the axial moving member pushes the radial moving member to make an outward radial movement. The radial moving member during such outward radial movement drives the second body to pivot forward.

Abstract: A scanner includes a platen assembly, a sheet feeder and a scanning module. The platen assembly and the sheet feeder are combined together to form a non-linear paper path. The paper path has a scan region. The sheet feeder includes a feeding mechanism, a transporting mechanism and a discharging mechanism. The feeding mechanism feeds a document into the paper path. The transporting mechanism transports the document from the feeding mechanism to the scan region. The document is transported past the scan region in a direction substantially parallel to a scan plane in the scan region. The discharging mechanism transports the document out of the paper path from the scan region. The scanning module movably disposed in the platen assembly acquires an image of the document transported past the scan region.

Abstract: A transmission mechanism for switching output powers includes first to fourth transmission gears, first and second power-connecting members and a driving mechanism. The first power-connecting member coaxially disposed between the first and second transmission gears is moved axially, and connects the first and second transmission gears together to transmit power to the second transmission gear. The second power-connecting member coaxially disposed between the third and fourth transmission gears is moved axially and connects the third and fourth transmission gears together to transmit power to the fourth transmission gear. The driving mechanism synchronously drives the first and second power-connecting members to move axially to selectively connect the first transmission gear to the second transmission gear, or connect the third transmission gear to the fourth transmission gear. A scanning apparatus using the transmission mechanism is also disclosed.