Abstract: Disclosed is a recording apparatus that helps to achieve a reduction in size and cost. The recording apparatus has a U-turn sheet feeding mechanism for reversing and feeding a recording medium and a duplex transport mechanism for reversing the recording medium and performing printing on both sides thereof, in which the same transport path serves as a transport path for transporting the recording medium from a U-turn sheet feeding roller to a main transport roller for transporting the recording medium to a printing portion and as a transport path for reversal in duplex transport. Further, a transport roller provided in the transport path from the U-turn sheet feeding roller to the main transport roller for transporting the recording medium to the printing portion is the same as a transport roller for duplex transport. A single transport roller serves both as the U-turn transport roller and as the duplex transport roller.

Abstract: To provide an image processing device able to accurately discriminate a specified image in an input image data, the input image is converted to binary based on black and red color extraction blocks 6-1 and 6-2 in binary processing unit 1. These binary data are consolidated by an OR circuit and stored in storage device 2. Mark location detection unit 3 extracts a square mark from the image data stored in device 2. Pattern shape extraction unit 4 extracts another mark which is inside the square mark. Pattern matching unit 5 obtains and outputs the goodness of fit between the extracted marks and previously established marks.

Abstract: There is here disclosed a sheet material feed apparatus comprising sheet material stacking means for stacking sheet materials; a feed roller for feeding the sheet materials stacked on the sheet material stacking means; a drive source for driving the feed roller; a separation roller rotated according to the feed roller to separate a sheet material; a separation roller holder for rotatably holding the separation roller, the separation roller holder being rotated to thereby move the separation roller to a position in contact with the feed roller and a position apart from the feed roller; and return means for returning the sheet materials other than the sheet material separated by the separation roller to the sheet material stacking means, the return means being controlled by one-direction rotation for driving the feed roller of the drive source. Furthermore, a recording apparatus for recording on the sheet material by the recording head is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: On a circuit board 11 there are provided, other than a comparison circuit 12 mounting region, dictionary ROM mounting regions 18a and 18b and microprocessor mounting regions 19a and 19b, with an address bus 16 and a data bus 17 each connected to mounting regions 18a and 18b in parallel and to mounting regions 19a and 19b in parallel. Initially, a dictionary ROM 13a and microprocessor 15a are mounted on mounting regions 18a and 19a, respectively, and when the current version is to be upgraded a dictionary ROM 13b having dictionary data partially changed to do so is mounted in mounting region 18b and a microprocessor 15b having a program partially changed to do so is mounted in mounting region 19b. Consequently, there can be provided an image processing device that can ensure a high level of mounting-strength and can also readily allow for exchanging a component thereof and upgrading its version.

Abstract: A recording apparatus is capable of recording images in high quality by supporting and operating each member in good precision despite the use of inexpensive and simple structure for the supporting member thereof. A recording unit is provided with a chassis made in the form of a box as a whole by folding the upper and lower edge portions and the right-hand side of a plate member. For the recording unit, a carriage is slidably supported with a guiding portion formed by folding the upper and lower edge portions of the chassis functioning as the supporting member. Also, a pinch roller holder is axially supported to support the pinch roller axially. To the base of the base unit, a carrier roller and a sheet-expeller roller are axially supported. The recording unit and the base unit are connected with each other.

Abstract: A sheet material feeding device includes a sheet material stacking means for stacking sheet materials; a feeding roller for feeding the sheet material stacked on the sheet material stacking means; a separation roller, driven by the feeding roller, for separating a sheet material from the sheet materials; a separation roller holder for rotatably holding the separation roller, the separation roller holder is movable by rotation thereof between a position in which the separation roller is contacted to the feeding roller and a position in which the separation roller is away from the feeding roller; and returning means for returning a sheet material or sheet materials other than the sheet material separated out by the separation roller to the sheet material stacking means.

Abstract: An automatic feeding device for feeding plural number of recording sheets stacked on a pressure plate by separating them one by one is provided with a sheet-feeding roller for carrying the recording sheets stacked on the pressure plate; a separation roller for separating the recording sheets one by one by abutting against the recording sheet carried by the sheet-feeding roller; and a fornt stage-regulator that confines the number of recording sheets advancing into the separation roller. At least one of the sheet-feeding shafts provided for both ends of the sheet-feeding roller is made movable along the bearing groove of elongated hole of the bearing, and least one of the sheet-feeding shafts is structured to move between plural positions during the execution of a series of feeding operations. With the structure thus arranged, it is made possible to enable the recording medium to be bitten stably into the nipping portion of the sheet-conveying roller and pinch roller in good condition.

Abstract: An authentic scanner driver 11 provided with a function of preventing unauthorized use is installed in a personal computer 10. Data is sent and received with a color scanner 20 via the driver. The color scanner 20 is provided with a driver recognition portion 22 for making a decision as to whether the connection target is an authentic driver. Only where the driver is judged to be an authentic driver, normal image processing (acceptance and transfer of data) is performed. Where the driver is not an authentic driver, the normal image processing is stopped. Thus, the unauthorized use preventing function incorporated in the driver is operated with certainty. Monitoring is done to detect whether fraudulent processing such as forgery is performed. Consequently, unauthorized use can be prevented.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for separating and feeding a plurality of sheets stacked on a sheet stacking portion one by one includes feeding means for feeding the plurality of sheets stacked on the sheet stacking portion, separation means for separating the sheets one by one by contacting to the sheets, returning means for returning the sheets to the sheet stacking portion, and separation force switching means for switching between generation and release of a separation force of the separation means. During a feeding operation, the feeding operation is switchable between a separating mode in which the separation force for a sheet is generated by the separation means and a conveying mode in which the separation force is released.

Abstract: To reliably and simply prevent the output of specified image data, a unit to detect a pattern is installed in one of the devices in a system consisting of an image scanner 1, control device 2 (a personal computer) and printer 3 which are connected consecutively. This pattern detection unit contains a unit which detects a specified pattern from the mass of image data representing a document. Once this pattern has been found, either the subsequent image data are altered before being output or output of the image data is interrupted. When the system starts up, the control unit for each device checks whether that device, or one of the other devices in the system, has a pattern detection unit as described above. If it determines that no device has such a unit, it halts operation.

Abstract: A recording apparatus is capable of recording images in high quality by supporting and operating each member in good precision despite the use of inexpensive and simple structure for the supporting member thereof. A recording unit is provided with a chassis made in the form of a box as a whole by folding the upper and lower edge portions and the right-hand side of a plate member. For the recording unit, a carriage is slidably supported with a guiding portion formed by folding the upper and lower edge portions of the chassis functioning as the supporting member. Also, a pinch roller holder is axially supported to support the pinch roller axially. To the base of the base unit, a carrier roller and a sheet-expeller roller are axially supported. The recording unit and the base unit are connected with each other.

Abstract: An image processing device and method for identifying an input image and a copier including such an image processing device and method. The image processing device forms a gradated image from the input image, determines whether the gradated image includes a specified pattern, extracts a portion of the input image corresponding to the specified pattern, and compares the extracted portion of the input image with a reference pattern to determine a degree of resemblance between the extracted portion of the input image and the reference pattern.

Abstract: A sheet material feeding apparatus includes a sheet stacking portion for stacking recording sheets; a feeding roller for feeding the recording sheets from the sheet stacking portion; separating means for separating the recording sheet fed out by the feeding roller; a holder for holding the separating means, the holder being rotatably supported on a main assembly of the apparatus; first urging means for urging the holder toward the feeding roller; a preliminary regulating member, rotatably supported on the holder, for regulating a gap relative to the feeding roller; second urging means for urging the preliminary regulating member toward the feeding roller; a first regulating member, supported by the holder, for regulating rotation of the preliminary regulating member relative to the holder; and a second regulating member, provided in the main assembly of apparatus, for regulating rotation of the preliminary regulating member relative to the main assembly of the apparatus.

Abstract: There is here disclosed a sheet material feed apparatus comprising sheet material stacking means for stacking sheet materials; a feed roller for feeding the sheet materials stacked on the sheet material stacking means; a drive source for driving the feed roller; a separation roller rotated according to the feed roller to separate a sheet material; a separation roller holder for rotatably holding the separation roller, the separation roller holder being rotated to thereby move the separation roller to a position in contact with the feed roller and a position apart from the feed roller; and return means for returning the sheet materials other than the sheet material separated by the separation roller to the sheet material stacking means, the return means being controlled by one-direction rotation for driving the feed roller of the drive source. Furthermore, a recording apparatus for recording on the sheet material by the recording head is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A sheet material feeding device includes a sheet material stacking means for stacking sheet materials; a feeding roller for feeding the sheet material stacked on the sheet material stacking means; a separation roller, driven by the feeding roller, for separating a sheet material from the sheet materials; a separation roller holder for rotatably holding the separation roller, the separation roller holder is movable by rotation thereof between a position in which the separation roller is contacted to the feeding roller and a position in which the separation roller is away from the feeding roller; and returning means for returning a sheet material or sheet materials other than the sheet material separated out by the separation roller to the sheet material stacking means.

Abstract: An image processing device and method for identifying an input image and a copier including such an image processing device and method. The image processing device forms a gradated image from the input image, determines whether the gradated image includes a specified pattern, extracts a portion of the input image corresponding to the specified pattern, and compares the extracted portion of the input image with a reference pattern to determine a degree of resemblance between the extracted portion of the input image and the reference pattern.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bearing mechanism in which a groove portion in a shaft and a pawl portion on a bearing corresponding to the groove portion are not required and which can improve production efficiency and operability, and a conveying apparatus which has such a bearing mechanism and in which, when a driven roller is not located at an entire area of a sheet to be conveyed, a side edge of the sheet to be conveyed can be directed correctly not to damage the sheet to be conveyed after the sheet was discharged, and a recording apparatus having such a conveying apparatus. A bearing mechanism includes a pair of pinching portions for pinching both surfaces of a supporting plate, and a fixing portion, and further includes a guide member for directing a side edge of the sheet to be conveyed, and a sheet catching preventing protecting member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet feeding apparatus for separating and feeding sheets one by one, which has sheet stacking device for supporting sheets, a sheet feeding roller, provided at its periphery with a cylindrical surface and a cut-out portion, for feeding out the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking device by means of the cylindrical surface by rotating, separation device, capable of abutting against the sheet feeding roller, for separating the sheets one by one between the cylindrical surface of the sheet feeding roller and the separation device, spacing device for spacing apart the sheet feeding roller and the separation device when the cut-out portion of the sheet feeding roller is opposed to the separation device, biasing device for biasing the separation device to urge it against the sheet feeding roller or the spacing device, and conveying load reducing device for reducing a conveying load acting on the sheet being fed, by making an abutment force for pinching the sheet between the spacing

Abstract: To provide an image processing device able to accurately discriminate a specified image in an input image data, the input image is converted to binary based on black and red color extraction blocks 6−1 and 6−2 in binary processing unit 1. These binary data are consolidated by an OR circuit and stored in storage device 2. Mark location detection unit 3 extracts a square mark from the image data stored in device 2. Pattern shape extraction unit 4 extracts another mark which is inside the square mark. Pattern matching unit 5 obtains and outputs the goodness of fit between the extracted marks and previously established marks.

Abstract: An image processing device is disclosed which can reliably detect documents which may not be copied, which has a very small probability of false positives, and which can handle newly issued documents which may not be copied. In addition, an image processing scheme is disclosed which would accurately obtain the location of a pattern indicating a document to be detected; which would extract that pattern; which would determine correctly whether it is the right pattern; and which would make it difficult for anyone to tamper with the pattern. To achieve this, a specified pattern is imprinted before use on a document which may not be copied, and a previously specified number of positioning marks and dummy marks which identify the location of the pattern may also be imprinted. The device is able to detect a wide variety of documents and perform the required processing at high speed.