Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes: a sheet loading unit configured to load a plurality of sheets; a sheet feeding unit configured to feed the sheets loaded on the sheet loading unit; a light emitting unit configured to irradiate a sheet loaded on the sheet loading unit; an image sensor disposed at a position opposing the sheet loaded on the sheet loading unit and configured to sense an image reflected with light irradiated by the light emitting unit; and a trailing edge detection unit configured to cause the image sensor to repetitively perform sensing during sheet conveyance by the sheet feeding unit, compare images sensed by the image sensor, and detect a trailing edge of the sheet currently being conveyed from the sheet feeding unit based on a determination of an area where a pattern remains unchanged.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus that improves reading productivity during simultaneous double-sided reading without leading to increases in the size and cost of the apparatus and a method for controlling the image reading apparatus are provided. To accomplish this, the image reading apparatus, in the case of a single-sided reading mode, controls the scanning speed of a first image reading unit to a first scanning speed and controls the distance between original document sheets to a first distance between original document sheets. On the other hand, in the case of a double-sided reading mode, the image reading apparatus controls the scanning speed of the first image reading unit to a second scanning speed that is the scanning speed of a second image reading unit and that is slower than the first scanning speed, and controls the distance to a second distance that is shorter than the first distance.

Abstract: This invention provides an image reading apparatus which can start image processing on a joint portion between divided first and second half portions without waiting for image reading and shorten throughput time of image processing by outputting data from the joint portion as first data to an output unit. This apparatus includes a CCD sensor or CMOS sensor in which a plurality of pixel sensors to receive reflected light from a document are arranged in the main scanning direction and a transfer circuit configured to output, to an output unit, optical image information read at the first and second half portions of the pixel sensors in the main scanning direction. The transfer circuit outputs, to the output unit, data from the joint portion between the first and second half portions of the pixel sensors in the main scanning direction as the first data.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which is capable of increasing printing efficiency by simplifying the calibration operation in time zones during which the frequency of use of the apparatus is high. An image forming apparatus has a plurality of calibration modes set in advance on a time zone-by-time zone basis for operating days. A printer controller determines a day of week and time of day, and selects one of the calibration modes associated with the day of week and time of day. The controller performs cumulative counting of sheets color-printed after a preceding calibration, and determines whether or not calibration in the selected calibration mode should be executed, from a cumulative count value of color-printed sheets and the selected calibration mode. The calibration in the selected calibration mode is executed in response to the determination that the calibration should be executed.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus that improves reading productivity during simultaneous double-sided reading without leading to increases in the size and cost of the apparatus and a method for controlling the image reading apparatus are provided. To accomplish this, the image reading apparatus, in the case of a single-sided reading mode, controls the scanning speed of a first image reading unit to a first scanning speed and controls the distance between original document sheets to a first distance between original document sheets. On the other hand, in the case of a double-sided reading mode, the image reading apparatus controls the scanning speed of the first image reading unit to a second scanning speed that is the scanning speed of a second image reading unit and that is slower than the first scanning speed, and controls the distance to a second distance that is shorter than the first distance.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus that enables to embed a secure pattern code in an output image with an inexpensive configuration. An image reader has a color reference plate and reads image data of an original. An image forming apparatus forms an image on an image carrier based on the image data of the original. A laser controller irradiates the color reference plate with laser light. An image sensor controller reads a pattern image generated by irradiating the color reference plate with the laser light. The image forming apparatus adds data concerning the pattern image read by the image sensor controller to the image data of the original read by the image reader and forms an image based on the image data of the original to which the data concerning the pattern image is added.

Abstract: This invention provides an image reading apparatus which can start image processing on a joint portion between divided first and second half portions without waiting for image reading and shorten throughput time of image processing by outputting data from the joint portion as first data to an output unit. This apparatus includes a CCD sensor or CMOS sensor in which a plurality of pixel sensors to receive reflected light from a document are arranged in the main scanning direction and a transfer circuit configured to output, to an output unit, optical image information read at the first and second half portions of the pixel sensors in the main scanning direction. The transfer circuit outputs, to the output unit, data from the joint portion between the first and second half portions of the pixel sensors in the main scanning direction as the first data.

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: A frequency modulation apparatus capable of reducing a peak level of a radiation noise of a characteristic frequency band due to an image clock. This frequency modulation apparatus is used in an image formation apparatus having an image bearing body to be scanned by a laser beam, and comprises an auxiliary clock calculating portion for calculating an auxiliary clock period based on a reference clock period and a modulation coefficient, and an image clock generating portion for generating the image clock in which a frequency is different at least in one portion and other portions of an image area on a main scan line to be scanned by the laser beam on said image bearing body based on the initial period value set in advance and said auxiliary clock period, and said image clock generating means perform a frequency modulation so that the frequency of said image clock changes within a predetermined fluctuation.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes: a sheet loading unit configured to load a plurality of sheets; a sheet feeding unit configured to feed the sheets loaded on the sheet loading unit; a light emitting unit configured to irradiate a sheet loaded on the sheet loading unit; an image sensor disposed at a position opposing the sheet loaded on the sheet loading unit and configured to sense an image reflected with light irradiated by the light emitting unit; and a trailing edge detection unit configured to cause the image sensor to repetitively perform sensing during sheet conveyance by the sheet feeding unit, compare images sensed by the image sensor, and detect a trailing edge of the sheet currently being conveyed from the sheet feeding unit based on a determination of an area where a pattern remains unchanged.

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: A frequency modulation apparatus capable of reducing a peak level of a radiation noise of a characteristic frequency band due to an image clock. This frequency modulation apparatus is used in an image formation apparatus having an image bearing body to be scanned by a laser beam, and comprises an auxiliary clock calculating portion for calculating an auxiliary clock period based on a reference clock period and a modulation coefficient, and an image clock generating portion for generating the image clock in which a frequency is different at least in one portion and other portions of an image area on a main scan line to be scanned by the laser beam on said image bearing body based on the initial period value set in advance and said auxiliary clock period, and said image clock generating means perform a frequency modulation so that the frequency of said image clock changes within a predetermined fluctuation.

Abstract: A frequency modulation apparatus capable of reducing a peak level of a radiation noise of a characteristic frequency band due to an image clock. This frequency modulation apparatus is used in an image formation apparatus having an image bearing body to be scanned by a laser beam. An auxiliary clock calculating portion calculates an auxiliary clock period based on a reference clock period and a modulation coefficient, and an image clock generating portion generates the image clock in which a frequency is different at least in one portion and other portions of an image area on a main scan line to be scanned by the laser beam on the image bearing body based on the initial period value set in advance and the auxiliary clock period, and the image clock generating portion performs a frequency modulation so that the frequency of the image clock changes within a predetermined fluctuation.

Abstract: A wiring substrate comprised of a substrate main body made of glass-ceramic, a pad formed on a surface of the substrate main body and a conductor pin provided in an upright position on the pad. The pad is comprised of a ceramic that is the same as the ceramic constituting the glass-ceramic, Fe converted into Fe2O3 and Cu. The Fe2O3 comprises 1 to 28 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the Cu.

Abstract: A frequency modulation apparatus capable of reducing a peak level of a radiation noise of a characteristic frequency band due to an image clock. This frequency modulation apparatus is used in an image formation apparatus having an image bearing body to be scanned by a laser beam. An auxiliary clock calculating portion calculates an auxiliary clock period based on a reference clock period and a modulation coefficient, and an image clock generating portion generates the image clock in which a frequency is different at least in one portion and other portions of an image area on a main scan line to be scanned by the laser beam on the image bearing body based on the initial period value set in advance and the auxiliary clock period, and the image clock generating portion performs a frequency modulation so that the frequency of the image clock changes within a predetermined fluctuation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which is capable of increasing printing efficiency by simplifying the calibration operation in time zones during which the frequency of use of the apparatus is high. An image forming apparatus has a plurality of calibration modes set in advance on a time zone-by-time zone basis for operating days. A printer controller determines a day of week and time of day, and selects one of the calibration modes associated with the day of week and time of day. The controller performs cumulative counting of sheets color-printed after a preceding calibration, and determines whether or not calibration in the selected calibration mode should be executed, from a cumulative count value of color-printed sheets and the selected calibration mode. The calibration in the selected calibration mode is executed in response to the determination that the calibration should be executed.

Abstract: A frequency modulation apparatus capable of reducing a peak level of a radiation noise of a characteristic frequency band due to an image clock. This frequency modulation apparatus is used in an image formation apparatus having an image bearing body to be scanned by a laser beam, and comprises an auxiliary clock calculating portion for calculating an auxiliary clock period based on a reference clock period and a modulation coefficient, and an image clock generating portion for generating the image clock in which a frequency is different at least in one portion and other portions of an image area on a main scan line to be scanned by the laser beam on said image bearing body based on the initial period value set in advance and said auxiliary clock period, and said image clock generating means perform a frequency modulation so that the frequency of said image clock changes within a predetermined fluctuation.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus that enables to embed a secure pattern code in an output image with an inexpensive configuration. An image reader has a color reference plate and reads image data of an original. An image forming apparatus forms an image on an image carrier based on the image data of the original. A laser controller irradiates the color reference plate with laser light. An image sensor controller reads a pattern image generated by irradiating the color reference plate with the laser light. The image forming apparatus adds data concerning the pattern image read by the image sensor controller to the image data of the original read by the image reader and forms an image based on the image data of the original to which the data concerning the pattern image is added.

Abstract: A wiring substrate comprised of a substrate main body made of glass-ceramic, a pad formed on a surface of the substrate main body and a conductor pin provided in an upright position on the pad. The pad is comprised of a ceramic that is the same as the ceramic constituting the glass-ceramic, Fe converted into Fe2O3 and Cu. The Fe2O3 comprises 1 to 28 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the Cu.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image exposure apparatus which has a light emitting chip including a plurality of light emitting elements, a base plate for mounting the chip thereon, a lens for imaging light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements on an exposure surface, an electrode disposed in the vicinity of the lens, and an insulative protecting member for protecting the chip, wherein a gap is provided between the electrode and the protecting member.