Abstract: The present invention relates to a document feeder, document feed method, and image capture device. The document feeder includes a sheet separation mechanism that restricts the number of sheets to be fed by a pull-in portion. The sheet separation mechanism includes a first separation portion that contacts the sheet, and moves so as to feed the sheet, a second separation portion, located opposite to the first separation portion, which defines a part of a sheet feed path between the second and first separation portions, and moves so as to allow the sheet to be fed, and a brake portion that variably applies to the second separation portion a load allowing the second separation portion to move.

Abstract: A transmission-type sensor and a reflection-type sensor are provided for detecting paper at the same position of a transfer path, and a sensor mode used according to kinds, printed conditions, and the like of the paper is selected. A transmission-type sensor processing unit and a reflection-type sensor processing unit are provided according to the transmission-type sensor and reflection-type sensor. The paper pass detection unit detects presence of paper, and decides presence of double-feed for the second and later sheets of paper based on detection information of the first sheet of paper.

Abstract: An improved image reading apparatus suitable for use with an image scanner which can read a large number of paper sheets successively and rapidly and cope with various paper sizes from a small size to a large size. The image reading apparatus includes a paper supply mechanism, a paper transport mechanism, an optical image reading mechanism for optically reading information on a paper sheet being transported by the paper transport mechanism, and a paper stacking mechanism.

Abstract: A cut sheet feeding device having a function of detecting a skew of the sheet to be fed is incorporated in an image reader, a printing apparatus, etc. The cut sheet feeding device is capable of surely detecting the skew of a document without an operator visually monitoring the same. The cut sheet feeding device has size sensors corresponding to standard sheet sizes, respectively, for detecting the size of a document that is being fed along a feeding path. The detected document size is compared with a set document size stored in advance. If the detected document size is greater than the set document size, it is determined that there is an abnormality in feeding the document. The cut sheet feeding device also has a document passage detector for detecting the passage of the document. The outputs of the document passage sensor and size sensor are compared with each other, to calculate a skew of the document that is being fed. This skew is used to determine whether or not the document is being fed normally.

Abstract: An apparatus having an ink-jet head has a time measuring unit, a recording unit, and a prefiring operation control unit. The time measuring unit is used to measure an elapsed time from execution of prefiring operations for the ink-jet head, and the recording unit is used to record whether or not printing nozzles disposed in the ink-jet head are operated. The prefiring operation control unit determines a number of prefiring operations in accordance with a measurement result obtained by the time measuring unit and operated conditions of the printing nozzles recorded in the recording means, and executes prefiring operations for the ink-jet head. Therefore, the apparatus is capable of executing prefiring operations often enough and sufficient for the actual operated conditions of the printing nozzles disposed in the ink-jet head, and thereby preventing ink from being consumed at enhanced rate by useless prefiring operations.

Abstract: A data transfer method and apparatus for an image reading apparatus suitably used with an image scanner is improved in that a transfer line apparatus is simplified in construction and produced with a reduced cost by an improved transferring technique of data.

Abstract: The invention provides a white level information correction apparatus for an image reading apparatus suitably used as an image scanner, which is improved in that analog to digital conversion can be performed effectively for originals of different ground colors with a high degree of accuracy. In the image reading apparatus, image information of a paper sheet being transported along a paper transport path is optically read at a fixed location of the paper transport path using an optical image reading unit and analog data obtained by the optical image reading unit are converted into digital data using white level information of the image information as an index to a conversion reference.

Abstract: A paper end detection apparatus for an image reading apparatus suitable for use with an image scanner, which is superior in that an end of a paper sheet can be detected accurately.

Abstract: A document reading device suitable for use for a personal computer, a facsimile, and a work station or the like, and comprises a reading means for reading the image information provided on a manuscript, a read controlling means for controlling the reading means in such a way that when the reading operation of the reading means is interrupted while reading said manuscript, a predetermined amount of the image information read by the reading means immediately before said interruption occurred, can be reread after the reading operation is restarted, and a processing means for processing both groups of the image information duplicately read by the reading means before and after the interruption thereof, respectively, by modifying them in such a way that a portion of the image information finally output and based upon the image information read by the reading means before the interruption, and another portion of the image information finally output and based upon the image information read by the reading means afte

Abstract: An image processing system for obtaining a binary signal from a multi-level signal read by an image scanner from an original document including mixed characters, ruled lines, and photos, and then obtaining a reproduced image from the binary signal, the image processing system including: a fixed slice processing unit for receiving said multi-level signal, and for slicing the multi-level signal by a predetermined fixed threshold level, and outputting the binary signal sliced by the fixed threshold level; a half-tone processing unit for receiving the multi-level signal, and for slicing the multi-level signal by a plurality of threshold levels defined by a dither method, and outputting the binary signal sliced by the plural threshold levels defined by the dither method; a character/photo separating unit for receiving the multi-level signal; and for detecting a pattern of the multi-level signal, separating either a character portion or photo portion based on the pattern, and outputting a selection signal; a select

Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic staining apparatus for staining many slide specimens such as tissue specimens by dipping them sequentially into a large number of chemical solution containers while they are mounted in a slide holder basket.Conventional automatic staining apparatuses have a problem in the staining efficiency because a basket is attached manually to a clamp member of the apparatus, and also have another problem that remaining chemical solution cannot be sufficiently removed from slide specimens.In order to solve these problems, an automatic staining apparatus according to the first present invention has the clamp member which can automatically engage with, and disengage from a basket, so that the staining efficiency is much improved. Preferred embodiment of the invention has a tilting mechanism for the clamp member, so that chemical solution is sufficiently removed from slide specimens.