Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a first roller that draws a recording medium at a first position and feeds the recording medium; a friction pad that comes into contact with the first roller with a predetermined contact pressure at a second position that is close to and downstream of the first position in a conveying direction of the recording medium and nips the recording medium with the first roller to convey the recording medium in the conveying direction; and a second roller that comes into contact with the first roller at a third position that is close to and downstream of the second position in the conveying direction and nips the recording medium with the first roller.

Abstract: A base plate is selectively attached to a lower surface of a main body of an image forming apparatus or to an optional sheet feeder attachable to the main body.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes a sheet containing unit that contains sheets; a sheet conveying unit that conveys the sheets; a separating unit that separates a single sheet from the sheets; a holding unit that holds the separating unit; and a vibration applying unit that applies a vibration to any one of the sheets conveyed by the sheet conveying unit and the separating unit before starting conveyance of the sheets.

Abstract: A positional error detection method forms, on a belt which is transported in a transport direction, positional error detection marks for detecting a positional error between image positions of first and second colors, detects the positional error detection marks on the belt, and computes the positional error based on the detected positional error detection marks. The positional error detection marks include first and second marks which are inclined in mutually opposite directions with respect to the transport direction, and third marks which are perpendicular to the transport direction.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a sheet feeding member, a friction separation member, a retaining member, a downstream guiding member, and a biasing member. The downstream guiding member is arranged downstream of a sheet conveyance direction than the friction separation member such that its guide surface is inclined at a predetermined angle to a front surface of the friction separation member towards the sheet feeding member. A line joining an apex of a sheet guiding member arranged upstream of the sheet conveyance direction than the friction separation member and an apex of the downstream guiding unit is positioned towards the sheet feeding member than a contact portion of the sheet feeding member and the friction separation member.

Abstract: An image forming device is disclosed. The device includes a toner-image forming unit which forms a toner image; a transfer unit; a fixing unit; a paper-output unit; a drive unit; a first drive-power transmission gear; a second drive-power transmission gear; a gear housing; a first positioning unit which positions the fixing unit relative to a device body; and a second positioning unit. The second positioning unit positions the paper-output unit relative to the device body in the direction of a gap between the first drive-power transmission gear and the second drive-power transmission gear by engaging the gear housing with the device body.

Abstract: A support unit supports a rotation axe of each of at least three latent-image carriers in a rotatable manner. A plurality of developing units develops latent images on the latent-image carriers with toners of different colors, respectively. A toner-pattern detecting unit detects a toner pattern formed on a belt member that is suspended by a plurality of suspending members. A displacing unit is provided to the support unit to displace the rotation axis along a surface of the belt member in a direction of movement of the surface of the belt member. A control unit controls the displacing unit based of a result of detecting the toner pattern by the toner-pattern detecting unit.

Abstract: A feature pattern recognition system, method, and program capable of recognizing feature pattern with a high accuracy are provided.

Abstract: When a car is to enter a parking lot, an image of a number plate of the car is picked up by an image pickup device, and a car number of the car is recognized. The recognized number and the entry time are stored in a central processing unit, and a parking ticket is dispensed for the car, and the car is allowed to enter the parking lot. If there is any service to be offered to customers at the time of parking, service information is inputted to the central processing unit directly from a service counter, and therefore the central processing unit effects a service processing such as a parking fee discount processing. The image of the number plate of the departing car is picked up, and the car number is recognized, and it is judged whether or not the car is entitled to the fee adjustment.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus has a read roller having a flexible shaft a deformation of which in a particular direction is prevented so as to prevent a displacement of the read roller. The image reading apparatus reads an image on an original sheet while the original sheet is fed along a reading surface. A roller is pressed against the reading surface so that the original sheet interposed between the roller and the reading surface is fed by a rotation of the roller. A shaft extends from opposite ends of the roller so as to support the roller and transmit a rotational force to the roller. The shaft is rotatably supported, and is capable of being elastically deformed. A deformation of the shaft in a direction perpendicular to a rotational axis of the shaft and parallel to the reading surface is restricted by projecting members contacting the shaft on each side of the roller.