Abstract: A biological information measuring technique with improved reliability is proposed. A method of measuring biological information using an optical element with a totally reflecting surface, which is to be brought into contact with an object to be observed, is provided. The method includes, after the optical element has been in contact with the object to be observed, acquiring an absorbance at the totally reflecting surface in a state where the optical element is not in contact with the object to be observed, and determining by an information processing apparatus whether the object to be observed needs to be cleaned, based on the absorbance.

Abstract: The printing apparatus of the present invention includes: an openable cover that covers a head holder that mounts a print head detachably and an ink tank, detachable from the apparatus, configured to store ink to be supplied to the print head; a lock unit capable of switching between a lock state where the cover is fixed to a closed position and an unlocked state where the cover is not fixed to the closed position; and a control unit configured to control, in a case of receiving instructions to detach the ink tank, the lock unit to switch to the unlocked state after controlling a holder moving unit to move the head holder to a position at which the print head is undetachable, as well as controlling a pressurizing supply unit to stop pressurization and supply ink from the ink tank to the print head.

Abstract: The printing apparatus of the present invention includes: an openable cover that covers a head holder that mounts a print head detachably and an ink tank, detachable from the apparatus, configured to store ink to be supplied to the print head; a lock unit capable of switching between a lock state where the cover is fixed to a closed position and an unlocked state where the cover is not fixed to the closed position; and a control unit configured to control, in a case of receiving instructions to detach the ink tank, the lock unit to switch to the unlocked state after controlling a holder moving unit to move the head holder to a position at which the print head is undetachable, as well as controlling a pressurizing supply unit to stop pressurization and supply ink from the ink tank to the print head.

Abstract: A reading apparatus includes a reading unit configured to read a document, a feeding tray on which the document to be read by the reading unit is stacked, a feeding roller that feeds the document from the feeding tray to a position where the document is read by the reading unit, a feeding pressure plate that presses the document against the feeding roller so that the document is pinched between the feeding roller and the feeding pressure plate, and a discharge roller that discharges the document read by the reading unit to underneath the feeding pressure plate, wherein a position of the discharge roller moves depending on a number of documents pinched between the feeding roller and the feeding pressure plate.

Abstract: A simple configuration is used to reduce an impact applied to a reading sensor when the open/close unit is opened/closed. A back face CIS unit is retained to be movable with regard to a pressure plate so that the back face CIS unit can have a corrected posture when the pressure plate is closed.

Abstract: A reading apparatus includes a reading unit configured to read a document, a feeding tray on which the document to be read by the reading unit is stacked, a feeding roller that feeds the document from the feeding tray to a position where the document is read by the reading unit, a feeding pressure plate that presses the document against the feeding roller so that the document is pinched between the feeding roller and the feeding pressure plate, and a discharge roller that discharges the document read by the reading unit to underneath the feeding pressure plate, wherein a position of the discharge roller moves depending on a number of documents pinched between the feeding roller and the feeding pressure plate.

Abstract: A simple configuration is used to reduce an impact applied to a reading sensor when the open/close unit is opened/closed. A back face CIS unit is retained to be movable with regard to a pressure plate so that the back face CIS unit can have a corrected posture when the pressure plate is closed.

Abstract: An image reading device includes: a sensor unit; a first reading part at which the sensor unit reads a document through a first transparent member; a second reading part at which the sensor unit reads a document through a second transparent member different from the first transparent member; and a color reference, wherein measurement of the color reference is able to be performed through the first transparent member by the sensor unit for calibration for reading at the first reading part, and measurement of the color reference is able to be performed through the second transparent member by the sensor unit for calibration for reading at the second reading part.

Abstract: An image reading device includes: a sensor unit; a first reading part at which the sensor unit reads a document through a first transparent member; a second reading part at which the sensor unit reads a document through a second transparent member different from the first transparent member; and a color reference, wherein measurement of the color reference is able to be performed through the first transparent member by the sensor unit for calibration for reading at the first reading part, and measurement of the color reference is able to be performed through the second transparent member by the sensor unit for calibration for reading at the second reading part.

Abstract: A sheet feeding unit to be inserted between a printer main unit and a sorting unit having a plurality of discharge trays. The sheet feeding unit includes a casing in which a sheet is housed and through which a feed path and a discharge conveyance path extend horizontally. The casing has on a face thereof adjacent to the printer main unit an exit of the feed path and an entrance of the discharge conveyance path, and on a face thereof adjacent to the sorting unit an entrance of the feed path and an exit of the discharge conveyance path. The positions of the exit and entrance of the feed path coincide with each other when seen in a conveyance direction, and the positions of the entrance and exit of the discharge conveyance path coincide with each other when seen in the conveyance direction.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus including: a rotatable belt having an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface partially coming into contact with a sheet; a plurality of rollers being arranged in a direction of movement of the sheet and including a first roller and a second roller adjacent to each other, the plurality of rollers being pressed against the outer surface and the moving sheet being nipped between the plurality of rollers and the outer surface; a blowing mechanism configured to blow hot air from between the first roller and the second roller toward the sheet; and a heating unit including a heater and a contact surface coming into contact with the inner surface, the heating unit being configured to be able to set the contact surface thereof to have a predetermined non-uniform temperature distribution.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a printing unit and a drying unit. The printing unit performs printing on a sheet using ink. The drying unit dries the sheet on which the ink is applied at the printing unit as the sheet is conveyed in the drying unit. The drying unit causes hot air heated by a heater to circulate through a housing and blows the hot air to the sheet. The housing includes an opening through which movement of gas between inside and outside the housing can be adjusted. When conveyance of the sheet in the drying unit stops, the apparatus is controlled to reduce an output of the heater and to increase the movement of the gas through the opening.

Abstract: A sheet feeding unit to be inserted between a printer main unit and a sorting unit having a plurality of discharge trays. The sheet feeding unit includes a casing in which a sheet is housed and through which a feed path and a discharge conveyance path extend horizontally. The casing has on a face thereof adjacent to the printer main unit an exit of the feed path and an entrance of the discharge conveyance path, and on a face thereof adjacent to the sorting unit an entrance of the feed path and an exit of the discharge conveyance path. The positions of the exit and entrance of the feed path coincide with each other when seen in a conveyance direction, and the positions of the entrance and exit of the discharge conveyance path coincide with each other when seen in the conveyance direction.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus including: a rotatable belt having an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface partially coming into contact with a sheet; a plurality of rollers being arranged in a direction of movement of the sheet and including a first roller and a second roller adjacent to each other, the plurality of rollers being pressed against the outer surface and the moving sheet being nipped between the plurality of rollers and the outer surface; a blowing mechanism configured to blow hot air from between the first roller and the second roller toward the sheet; and a heating unit including a heater and a contact surface coming into contact with the inner surface, the heating unit being configured to be able to set the contact surface thereof to have a predetermined non-uniform temperature distribution.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a printing unit and a drying unit. The printing unit performs printing on a sheet using ink. The drying unit dries the sheet on which the ink is applied at the printing unit as the sheet is conveyed in the drying unit. The drying unit causes hot air heated by a heater to circulate through a housing and blows the hot air to the sheet. The housing includes an opening through which movement of gas between inside and outside the housing can be adjusted. When conveyance of the sheet in the drying unit stops, the apparatus is controlled to reduce an output of the heater and to increase the movement of the gas through the opening.

Abstract: A recording apparatus having a function of sorting recording sheets is reduced in size and cost. The recording apparatus conveys the recording sheets, records on the recording sheets, discharges the recording sheets, and sorts the discharged recording sheets. The recording apparatus includes: a movable carriage that holds a recording head for recording on the recording sheets; and a sorting mechanism that controls positions of the recording sheets so that the discharged recording sheets are sorted, and the sorting mechanism is configured to be operated by the carriage and sort the recording sheets in accordance with a position of the carriage.

Abstract: A driving mechanism for a carrier can prevent drive transmission units used for reciprocation of the carrier from becoming damaged, dented, or deformed even when an apparatus receives vibration or impact from the outside. The driving mechanism includes first and second pinion components held by a carrier, first and second rack segments fixed to a main apparatus body, and a connector rack segment fixed between the first and second rack segments. When the carrier performs recording, the first pinion component engages with the first rack segment. When the carrier is at a home position, the second pinion component engages with the second rack segment.

Abstract: A flow path connecting device includes a first flow path having a first connector and configured to channel fluids, a second flow path having a second connector and configured to channel fluids, a moving unit configured to move at least one of the first and second connectors, to interconnect the first and second connectors so that the first and second flow paths are communicated with each other, and to separate the first and second connectors from each other, and a control unit configured to control the moving unit, when the first and second connectors separate from each other, to set a relative speed of the first and second connectors to a first speed or less in a period from a start of the separation till a lapse of predetermined time, and set the relative speed to a second speed that is higher than the first speed after the lapse of the predetermined time.

Abstract: A sheet loading apparatus, which is equipped with a position adjustment unit that can be held in a fixed condition with a small applying force and released from the fixed condition by an intuitive and slight operation, is provided. The apparatus includes a sheet loading unit on which sheets are loaded, a position adjustment unit that can be moved in a direction that intersects with a direction in which the sheets loaded on the sheet loading unit are conveyed, and a fixation member for fixing the position adjustment unit to the sheet loading unit. The fixation member has a connection unit for connecting to the position adjustment means at a position distant from a sheet loading surface of the sheet loading unit and a fixation member-side fixation unit that is engaged with a loading-side fixation surface formed at a position close to the sheet loading surface of the sheet loading unit.

Abstract: A recording apparatus, in which a recording medium is fed from one side of the recording apparatus, and the recording medium that has been recorded is ejected from the one side of the recording apparatus, is capable of making its size when not in use smaller than the size when in use and also achieving a reduction in the depth dimension of the recording apparatus as compared with the case where a feed tray and a discharge tray are rotary storage trays. The recording apparatus includes a feed tray on which a recording medium is stacked and which is rotated to move between an in-use position and a stowed position, and an eject tray on which the recording medium that has been recorded is stacked and which moves between an in-use position and a stowed position in a discharge direction of the recording medium.