Abstract: A control unit of a medium feeding apparatus is configured to execute a fault detection process to determine that there is a feeding fault when a movement of a subsequent medium in a feeding direction is detected based on detection information of a movement detection unit within a fault detection period that is set after a trailing edge of a preceding medium is detected based on the detection information of the movement detection unit and before feeding of the subsequent medium is started, and the fault detection period set when a size of the medium in a width direction intersecting the feeding direction is a first size is shorter than the fault detection period set when the size of the medium in the width direction is a second size larger than the first size.

Abstract: An example print medium supplying apparatus includes a print medium transporting device to pick up a print medium loaded in a loading portion and transport the picked-up print medium, a print medium alignment portion to align a leading end of the transported print medium, a first sensor to sense the print medium that passes through a feed roller of the print medium transporting device, and a processor to, based on a measured value with respect to the print medium sensed by the first sensor and a multi-feeding determination reference value corresponding to a sheet of the print medium, detect multi-feeding of the print medium and process the detected multi-feeding by controlling the print medium transporting device and the print medium alignment portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding and receiving book documents comprises a main conveying device arranged and adapted to convey unfolded book documents in a main conveying direction and a secondary conveying device arranged and adapted to receive the book documents conveyed by the main conveying device and to convey them in a secondary conveying direction and/or against the secondary conveying direction, wherein the secondary conveying direction is transverse to the main conveying direction. Further, the apparatus comprises a receiving device arranged at a spatial distance from the first and/or the second conveying surface and configured to receive folded book documents. The device folds the conveyed book documents respectively with a movement in the secondary conveying direction and/or against the secondary conveying direction. Furthermore, a lifting device is arranged to convey the folded book documents from the main conveying device and/or from the secondary conveying device into the receiving device.

Abstract: A transport apparatus includes a transport path on which a medium is transported; a transmitter configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave to the medium transported on the transport path; and a receiver configured to receive an ultrasonic wave from the medium, in which the transport path is provided between the transmitter and the receiver, and is provided in a long-distance sound field of an ultrasonic wave transmitted from the transmitter.

Abstract: A medium conveying apparatus includes a conveying roller to convey a medium, an overlap detection sensor, a processor to detect an overlap portion in which it is determined that an overlap has occurred on the medium based on a detection output by the overlap detection sensor for the medium conveyed by the conveying roller, calculate an overlap length where the overlap portion is continuous based on a detection result of the overlap portion, determine whether a multi-feed has occurred based on the overlap length, and execute an abnormal processing for the multi-feed based on a determination result of the multi-feed. The processor determines that a first overlap portion and a second overlap portion are continuous when a distance between the first overlap portion and the second overlap portion is within a predetermined distance in calculating the overlap length.

Abstract: In order to miniaturize an image forming system, the present invention provides an image forming system which is provided with a sheet feed apparatus including a transport roller pair capable of transporting a sheet in a sheet transport direction S, and an image forming apparatus including an image forming section capable of forming an image on the sheet acquired from the sheet feed apparatus, including a switch member disposed on the downstream side of the transport roller pair in the sheet transport direction to be switched between a first position for guiding the sheet transported by the transport roller pair to the image forming apparatus, and a second position for guiding the sheet transported by the transport roller pair downward, and a storage tray disposed below the switch member predetermined space apart to be able to store the sheet guided to below the switch member positioned in the second position.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a control unit configured to detect occurrence or non-occurrence of multi-sheet feed of a medium based on a reception level signal output by a reception unit in accordance with the received ultrasonic wave. The control unit, after a tip of the medium reaches the positions of the reception unit in a transport path, when the reception level signal is below a predetermined threshold, causes the driving voltage to rise, when an amount of change in the reception level signal in accordance with the rise in the driving voltage is smaller than a reference amount of change, determines that multi-sheet feed is ongoing, and when the amount of change in the reception level signal in accordance with the rise in the driving voltage is greater than the reference amount of change, determines that multi-sheet feed is not ongoing.

Abstract: A medium conveying apparatus includes a medium tray, a feed roller to feed a medium placed on the medium tray, a brake roller facing the feed roller, a pressing member to press the brake roller to the feed roller side, a processor to detect media multi-feed, and control the feed roller and the brake roller in such a way that the medium is reset to the medium tray when the media multi-feed of media is detected. The processor controls the pressing member in such a way that a pressing force of the brake roller when resetting the medium to the medium tray is greater than a pressing force of the brake roller when feeding the medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet feeder, an image former, an ultrasonic sensor, and a controller. The image former forms an image on a sheet conveyed. The ultrasonic sensor is used to detect the sheet conveyed. The ultrasonic sensor includes a transmitter circuit which sends ultrasonic waves and a receiver circuit which receives the ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic sensor outputs an output voltage in accordance with a strength of the ultrasonic waves received by the receiver circuit. The controller recognizes a current air pressure based on a magnitude of the output voltage.

Abstract: A recording medium conveyance device includes storage that stores a recording medium, a conveyer that takes out the recording medium stored in the storage and conveys the recording medium as a conveyed object, an ultrasonic sensor that outputs a value indicating an attenuation amount of an ultrasonic wave caused by the conveyed object and a hardware processor, wherein the hardware processor executes an overlay detection process of detecting whether the conveyed object is in an overlay state in which a gap is present based on a result of output by the ultrasonic sensor, and prevents execution of the overlay detection process with respect to a first conveyed object that is to be conveyed first by the conveyer.

Abstract: A drive motor drives conveyance rollers. A controller generates a control signal to control the drive motor based on information indicating a rotational speed of the drive motor. The controller generates an initial control signal to drive the conveyance rollers since before conveyance of a sheet by the conveyance rollers and acquires a characteristic value of the initial control signal as a reference value. While the conveyance rollers are conveying the sheet, the controller performs determination processing to determine whether or not to stop the drive motor driving the conveyance rollers based on the characteristic value of the control signal and the reference value.

Abstract: In a first mode, the control unit controls the driving source such that the rotary feeding member starts to move toward the first position based on an elapse of a first time since the detection portion detected a leading edge of the sheet, and positions the rotary feeding member at the first position when a trailing edge of the sheet passes through the separation nip. In a second mode, the control unit controls the driving source such that the rotary feeding member starts to move toward the first position based on an elapse of a second time longer than the first time since the detection portion detected the leading edge of the sheet, and positions the rotary feeding member at a position separated more from the stacking portion than the first position when the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the separation nip.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance device includes a transmitter circuit, a receiver circuit, an integrator circuit which performs charging of electric charge outputted from the transmitter circuit and outputs a judgment voltage, a drive circuit, and a control circuit. The drive circuit feeds a drive signal to the transmitter circuit. At a lapse of a wait time after changing a level of a transmission instruction signal to a level instructing to feed the drive signal to the transmitter circuit, the control circuit makes the integrator circuit start to perform charging. When adjusting the wait time, the control circuit performs processing for adjustment a plurality of times. The control circuit makes the wait time different in each execution of the processing for adjustment. The control circuit determines a new wait time based on a magnitude of the judgment voltage recognized in each execution of the processing for adjustment.

Abstract: A paper conveyance device includes a paper feed unit, a conveyance rotator, a conveyance guide, a multi-feed detection unit, and a control unit. The control unit causes an ultrasonic sensor to transmit an ultrasonic wave in a detection section. The control unit sets a detection execution section and a detection skip section in the detection section. The control unit does not determine whether multi-feed has occurred in the detection skip section. The control unit sets the detection skip section based on a time point at which vibration is applied to conveyed paper.

Abstract: A medium conveyance device includes a drive roller that conveys an original in first direction, a guide in which a first surface and a second surface are formed, a slider in which a first point and a second point are formed, a pinch roller that is rotatably supported by a pinch shaft that is fixed to the slider and that pushes the original against the drive roller, and a sensor that measures a thickness of the original based on an amount of move of the slider in a second direction that is different from the first direction, wherein the first point slides on the first surface and the second point slides on the second surface and accordingly the slider is supported on the guide movably in the second direction, and a distance between the first point and the second point is longer than a diameter of the pinch shaft.

Abstract: A detection unit includes a first contact member that comes into contact with a surface of a recording material and a second contact member that comes into contact with the other surface of the recording material, and the first contact member and the second contact member face each other and are capable of nipping the recording material. The first contact member and the second contact member are movable in a direction in which the first contact member and the second contact member nip the recording material. The first contact member and the second contact member are rotatable about an axial line that extends in a direction in which the recording material is conveyed.

Abstract: A document reading device includes an image reading part, a document conveying part, an operation display part, an overlap detecting part and a controlling part. The overlap detecting part detects overlap of a document conveyed to the image reading part. When the overlap detecting part detects the overlap, if an overlap image corresponding to the overlap in the image data obtained by the image reading part matches with a predetermined preservation image, the controlling part decides that the overlap is not double feed to continue the scanning operation. If the overlap image does not match with the predetermined preservation image, the controlling part decides that the overlap is the double feed, stops the scanning operation, and, if user judgement that the overlap is not the double feed is inputted in accordance with operation of the operation display part, stores the preservation image on the basis of the overlap image.

Abstract: A medium processing apparatus includes: an ultrasonic oscillator; an ultrasonic sensor arranged at a position that opposes the ultrasonic oscillator interposing a transport path of a medium; an amplification circuit configured to amplify an output signal of the ultrasonic sensor; an integration circuit configured to integrate an output signal of the amplification circuit; a discharge circuit configured to perform discharge of an electric charge of a power storage circuit included in the integration circuit; and a determination circuit configured to determine whether or not multi-feed of the medium occurs on the basis of an output signal of the integration circuit, in which the discharge circuit stops, after performing discharge over a first period or more, the discharge, and after a second period has passed, the determination circuit performs a first (an initial) determination whether or not the multi-feed of the medium occurs.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an inspection device includes a transmitter, a receiver, a feeder, and a processor. The transmitter emits an ultrasonic wave. The feeder causes an inspection object to move relative to the transmitter and the receiver in a space between the transmitter and the receiver. The processor processes a received signal corresponding to the ultrasonic wave obtained by the receiver. In a first state in which the inspection object includes a first region and a second region, the first region includes a foreign object, and the second region does not include the foreign object. The received signal includes a first signal level in a first interval, a second signal level in a second interval, and a third signal level in a third interval. The processor detects the foreign object by detecting at least one extreme value occurring in the received signal in a fourth interval.

Abstract: A conveyance unit of an image printing apparatus includes a conveyance member configured to nip and convey the print medium and disposed upstream of the print head in the conveyance direction but does not include a conveyance member configured to nip and convey the print medium and disposed downstream of the print head in the conveyance direction. In a case where a trailing edge margin length indicated by the trailing edge margin information is shorter than a first length, a control unit of the image printing apparatus controls the print head and the conveyance unit such that at least one scan of the print head for printing the image is performed after a trailing edge of the print medium in the conveyance direction passes by the conveyance member disposed upstream of the print head.

Abstract: A scanning device includes at least one motor, an input tray, a pickup roller, a separation roller module, an ultrasonic sensor, a scanning module, a path switcher and a controller. The pickup roller is connected with the at least one motor. The separation roller module is connected with the at least one motor. The ultrasonic sensor includes an ultrasonic emitter and an ultrasonic receiver. The ultrasonic sensor is used for sensing that a single paper or multiple papers are fed in. The scanning module is used for scanning a plurality of papers. The path switcher is connected with the at least one motor. The at least one motor is capable of driving the path switcher to be switched to a first position and a second position. The controller is connected with the at least one motor and the ultrasonic sensor.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes a conveying roller, a pinch roller, a holding member, and a pressing device. The pinch roller includes a roller shaft and a roller body rotatable relative to the roller shaft. The roller shaft includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The holding member holds the roller shaft movably in a first direction. The pressing device presses the roller shaft in a pressing direction such that the roller body is pressed against a peripheral surface of the conveying roller. The first end portion of the roller shaft has a first contact surface being a planar surface. The second end portion of the roller shaft has a second contact surface being a planar surface. The roller shaft is disposed such that the first contact surface and the second contact surface are oriented in the pressing direction.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a sheet container, a separation feeder, a plurality of conveyance drivers, a multifeed detector, a sheet detector, and a conveyance controller. The conveyance drivers are driven to convey a sheet to a conveyance completion position on a sheet conveyance path. The multifeed detector detects occurrence of a multifeed on the conveyance path. The sheet detector detects presence or absence of the sheet at a sheet detection point on the conveyance path. The conveyance controller controls the conveyance drivers to be continuously driven until a preceding sheet preceding multifed sheets is conveyed to the conveyance completion position after the multifeed detector detects the occurrence of the multifeed. The conveyance controller controls the conveyance drivers to stop in a period in which at least one of the multifed sheets is present at the sheet detection point after the preceding sheet is conveyed to the conveyance completion position.

Abstract: There is provided an image reading apparatus that, when double feeding of documents is detected by a double feeding detector, transports the documents in the reverse direction of the transport direction at least until the leading edges of the double-fed documents are positioned at the upstream side of transport roller pairs by rotating a separation roller and a retard roller so as to transport the documents in the reverse direction, and that thereafter transports the documents in the transport direction by rotating the separation roller so as to transport the documents in the transport direction. When the documents are transported in the reverse direction, the image reading apparatus sets a second rotation speed of the retard roller to be faster than a first rotation speed of the separation roller.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance device includes a pair of separable contact rollers configured to convey a sheet, a contact/separation mechanism configured to support the pair of separable contact rollers in such a manner that the pair of separable contact rollers are able to come into separable contact with each other, and a solenoid configured to operate the contact/separation mechanism. The solenoid is driven so that the contact/separation mechanism causes the pair of separable contact rollers to come into pressure contact with each other, and driving of the solenoid is cancelled so that the contact/separation mechanism causes the pair of separable contact rollers to be separated from each other. Pulse width modulation duty control is performed on the solenoid while the pair of separable contact rollers are in pressure contact with each other when a plurality of the sheets are conveyed one by one at an interval.

Abstract: A paper feeding device includes a pickup mechanism, a conveying mechanism disposed behind the pickup mechanism, a separation mechanism disposed behind the conveying mechanism, a feeding mechanism disposed behind the separation mechanism, a transmission mechanism driving the pickup mechanism, the conveying mechanism, the separation mechanism and the feeding mechanism, and an ultrasonic circuit unit disposed between the separation mechanism and the transmission mechanism. The ultrasonic circuit unit includes an ultrasonic detecting module, an amplifying circuit unit electrically connected with the ultrasonic detecting module, a paper density detecting unit electrically connected with the amplifying circuit unit, an analog-to-digital converter electrically connected with the paper density detecting unit, a processor electrically connected with the analog-to-digital converter, and a driving unit electrically connected with the processor and the transmission mechanism.

Abstract: Sheet media jams are detected along a media transport path by one or more vibration sensors that capture mechanical movements of components along the path that interact with the sheet media for driving or guiding the sheet media along the transport path. The detected vibrations during the advancing of the sheets are analyzed for distinguishing between detected vibrations associated with normal handling of the sheets and detected vibrations associated with abnormal handling of the sheets. An error condition can be signaled to a control system in response to distinguishing the detected vibrations associated with the abnormal handling of the sheets.

Abstract: Sheet media jams are detected along a media transport path by one or more vibration sensors that capture mechanical movements of components along the path that interact with the sheet media for driving or guiding the sheet media along the transport path. The detected vibrations during the advancing of the sheets are analyzed for distinguishing between detected vibrations associated with normal handling of the sheets and detected vibrations associated with abnormal handling of the sheets. An error condition can be signaled to a control system in response to distinguishing the detected vibrations associated with the abnormal handling of the sheets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for printing a digital image on a piece of media by means of a printer system comprising a printer and a computer for storing digital objects, the method comprising the steps of printing at least one digital image on a piece of media, cutting the printed at least one digital image out of the piece of media, attaching an identifying object to the leftover of the piece of media, storing the leftover of the piece of media in a depository, and storing a digital object representing the leftover of the piece of media in a database on the computer, wherein the digital object comprises a reference to the attached identifying object.

Abstract: In an image recording apparatus, edge sensors are disposed in front of and behind a recording position on a transport path of printing paper. The edge sensors detect a widthwise position of the printing paper in respective positions upstream and downstream of the recording position. A controller in the image recording apparatus calculates the widthwise position of the printing paper in the recording position, based on detection results from the edge sensors. Thus, the widthwise position of the printing paper in the recording position is identified without the placement of an edge sensor in the recording position on the transport path.

Abstract: An ultrasonic wave detection apparatus includes a transmission unit which transmits ultrasonic waves at a first frequency and a second frequency, a reception unit which receives ultrasonic waves transmitted from the transmission unit, and a control unit which causes the transmission unit to transmit ultrasonic waves at the first frequency and causes the reception unit to receive the first frequency ultrasonic waves to obtain a detection timing of a peak value of a n-th wave of the received first frequency ultrasonic waves, causes the transmission unit to transmit ultrasonic waves at the second frequency and causes the reception unit to receive the second frequency ultrasonic waves to obtain a detection timing of a peak value of a n-th wave of the received second frequency ultrasonic waves, and specifies “n” of the n-th wave from which the peak value is detected based on a difference in the detection timings.

Abstract: A sheet feeder of a corrugated paperboard box making machine includes a sheet feed table, feed rolls, an adjusting mechanism, a main unit, and a backing roller. The adjusting mechanism holds support plates pivotally supporting both ends of a first feed roll opposed to a second feed roll having an axis fixed to the main unit so as to allow an axis of the first feed roll to move with respect to the main unit. The support plates support a first backing roller via a connecting member connecting the support plates so that the first backing roller contacts with an outer peripheral surface of the first feed roll.

Abstract: A paper feeding apparatus includes a transfer roller that provides a transfer force of a first direction onto the upper surface of a recording medium; a retard roller that faces the transfer roller to form a transfer nip and provides a transfer force of a second direction opposite to the first direction onto the lower surface of the recording medium; a driving unit that drives the retard roller; and a power delivery unit that connects the driving unit to the retard roller by using a magnetic force and provides a magnetic driving force that is smaller than the transfer force provided by the transfer roller when one recording medium exists in the transfer nip and is larger than a frictional force between two or more recording media when the two or more recording media exist in the transfer nip.

Abstract: Provided are a sheet feeding device and an image forming apparatus that are capable of accurately detecting an abnormality of a feeding state without erroneously detecting when a trailing edge of a preceding sheet and a leading edge of a subsequent sheet are fed in an overlaid state. The sheet feeding device includes ultrasonic wave sensors 6 and 7 that detect an overlaid state of a preceding sheet Sa and a subsequent sheet Sb fed from feeding portions 51, 317 to 319 and a controller 1 that continuously performs a detection of the overlaid state of a sheet fed from the feeding portion at a predetermined number of detecting points along a sheet conveying direction at every predetermined time and determines a number of detecting points where detects. Based on the determined number of detecting points, the controller determines that the overlaid state is normal or abnormal.

Abstract: A sheet take-out apparatus includes a first separation unit, a second separation unit, a drawing roller for drawing sheets from a nip of the second separation unit, and a pinch roller rotating in contact with it. Overlapping sheets which pass the first and second separation units and are not separated are detected to be overlapped in a state that they are clamped by the nip of the drawing roller and pinch roller. When overlapping is detected, in a state that the rear ends of the overlapping sheets in the conveying direction are restricted by the nip, the drawing roller and pinch roller are stopped and the overlapping sheets are re-separated.

Abstract: A paper sheet processing apparatus includes: an insertion slot through which a paper sheet is inserted; a sensor which detects insertion of the paper sheet; a traveling route through which the paper sheet is conveyed; a light emitting part which irradiates the traveling route with light; a light receiving part which receives light from the traveling route; a black calibration part which sets a reference value for the lowest brightness in a state that the emission of the light emitting part is ineffective; and an authenticity judgment processing part which judges an authenticity. The black calibration part can set the reference value before the authenticity judgment processing part judges the authenticity after the sensor detects the insertion of the paper sheet at every time when the paper sheet is inserted.

Abstract: A double-feed detection apparatus includes a sensor configured to detect double feed of transfer materials conveyed along a conveying path, and a control unit configured to execute detection of the transfer material under conveyance plural times with the sensor, and to determine the double feed of the transfer materials based on detection results. The control unit determines a detection timing based on both a distance along the conveying path from the sensor to an image forming unit which forms an image on the transfer material and a length of the transfer material in the feed direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet based on a job; a sheet conveyance unit configured to convey a sheet through a conveyance path; and a control unit configured to control conveyance of a sheet, in which, when a jam has occurred in a sheet of during conveyance, the control unit sets order information of dischargeable sheets among unusable sheets remaining inside the apparatus after occurrence of the jam based on whether there is an unusable sheet on which image formation has been completed in the image forming unit, and discharges the unusable sheet to an outside of the apparatus through the conveyance path based on the set order information.

Abstract: A sheet thickness detector incorporated in an image forming apparatus includes a sheet conveying member to rotate and convey a sheet in a sheet conveyance direction, a driven sheet conveying member to contact the sheet conveying member and form at least one first transfer nip therebetween in a lateral direction and to displace by an amount equivalent to a thickness of the sheet passing through the first transfer nip and rotated with the sheet conveying member in the sheet conveyance direction, a displacement member to contact the sheet conveying member and form a second transfer nip smaller than the first transfer nip in the lateral direction and to displace by an amount equivalent to the thickness of the sheet passing through the second transfer nip and supported at a support member, and a displacement amount detector to detect an amount of displacement of the displacement member.

Abstract: A sheet take-out apparatus includes a first separation unit, a second separation unit, a drawing roller for drawing sheets from a nip of the second separation unit, and a pinch roller rotating in contact with it. Overlapping sheets which pass the first and second separation units and are not separated are detected to be overlapped in a state that they are clamped by the nip of the drawing roller and pinch roller. When overlapping is detected, in a state that the rear ends of the overlapping sheets in the conveying direction are restricted by the nip, the drawing roller and pinch roller are stopped and the overlapping sheets are re-separated.

Abstract: A multi-feed detection apparatus may include an ultrasonic transmission unit, arranged on one side of a conveyance path configured to convey a sheet-like member, for transmitting an ultrasonic wave toward the conveyance path, an ultrasonic reception unit, arranged on the other side of the conveyance path, for receiving the ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic transmission unit, and a multi-feed determination unit for determining, based on the reception result of the ultrasonic wave received by the ultrasonic reception unit, whether multi-feed of sheet-like members has occurred. The ultrasonic transmission surface of the ultrasonic transmission unit is inclined with respect to the conveyance path, and the ultrasonic reception surface of the ultrasonic reception unit is arranged to be almost parallel to the conveyance path.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance device includes a paper feed section, a separation roller, a registration roller pair arranged downstream of the paper feed section, a conveyance roller pair arranged downstream of the registration roller pair, a multi feed sensor arranged between the paper feed section and the registration roller pair, and a document conveyance controller. When an original document arrives at the conveyance roller pair, the document conveyance controller suspends driving of the paper feed section and starts multi feed determination.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device, which is incorporated in an image forming apparatus, includes a fixing device to fix an image to a sheet, a holding/conveying belt device having a plurality of belts to sandwich and convey the sheet to a downstream side from the fixing device, and a first sheet detector to detect whether the sheet exists in the belt device. When the sheet is detected at a paper jam, the fixing device and the belt device are continuously driven. When not detected, driving of the fixing device and the belt device is stopped. A method of conveying the sheet includes detecting the paper jam in the image forming apparatus, detecting the sheet in the belt device or between the fixing device and the belt device, and continuing at least one of the belt device and the fixing device based on a sheet detection result.

Abstract: When a size of a reversing unit is smaller than that of a printing medium, errors can be detected without adding any other mechanism, and if such errors are not caused by a paper jam, the printing can be continued. A printing apparatus is provided with: an reversing unit provided with an reversing roller; a sensor; and a control unit configured to, if when the detecting unit detects a load equal to or more than a predetermined value, a conveyance amount of the printing medium after the sensor has detected the fore end is longer than a threshold value that is a distance from a position of the fore end at the time of being detected by the sensor to a position of the fore end at the time of exiting from the conveyance path of the reversing unit, perform control to continue conveyance.

Abstract: A multi-feed detection device includes: an arm member supported swingably and configured to come into contact with a traveling sheet; and detecting means for detecting whether a plurality of the traveling sheets are overlapped and fed, on the basis of swing of the arm member. The detecting means includes: a detection plate attached to an arm; and a non-contact sensor configured to measure, in a non-contact manner, the positional relation between the non-contact sensor and the detection plate, the positional relation being changed by swing of the arm.

Abstract: There are provided a paper conveying apparatus, a jam detection method and a computer-readable, non-transitory medium which can precisely determine any occurrence of a jam by a sound which is generated by paper for various types of paper. The paper conveying apparatus includes a sound signal generator, provided with a sound detector near a conveyance path of a paper, for generating a sound signal corresponding to a sound generated by a paper during conveyance of the paper, a paper thickness setting module for setting a thickness of a paper conveyed to the conveyance path, and a sound jam detector for determining whether a jam has occurred based on a signal of a specific frequency band in the sound signal, wherein the sound jam detector determines the specific frequency band based on a thickness of the paper.

Abstract: A sheet thickness detecting device for detecting a thickness of a sheet includes a fixed roller rotatably supported by a shaft so that the fixed roller faces the sheet; a movable roller rotatably provided so that the movable roller and the fixed roller sandwich and feed the sheet, and configured to be displaced in accordance with the thickness of the sandwiched sheet; a swing member rotatably supporting the movable roller and including a shaft so that the swing member is swung around the shaft, wherein the swing member further includes a detection target part formed in a manner that a distance between the detection target part and the shaft is greater than that between a position where the movable roller is supported by the swing member and the shaft; and a detecting unit detecting the displacement amount of the detection target part of the swing member.

Abstract: A sheet feeder control method for controlling a sheet feeder of an image forming apparatus includes feeding a sheet through a sheet feed path exposable to the exterior of the sheet feeder, detecting the feeding of the sheet at at least a first position on the sheet feed path, discharging the fed sheet to the exterior of the sheet feeder, detecting the discharge of the sheet at a second position downstream of the first position in a sheet feeding direction, detecting a sheet jam during the feeding and discharging of the sheet, and if the jammed sheet is detected at the second position but not at the first position, cancelling a malfunction state due to the sheet jam when the sheet stops being detected at the second position, irrespective of whether the sheet feed path is covered or exposed.

Abstract: The unstacker device (1) for unstacking flat articles comprises: a magazine (3) in which the articles (2) to be unstacked are disposed on edge in a stack against a jogging edge (5) and facing an unstacking plate (4) arranged to separate a first article (2A) and to drive it in a certain unstacking direction (A) that is perpendicular to the jogging edge (5); a conveyor (7) for conveying the unstacked articles, the conveyor having an inlet (7A) downstream from the jogging edge (5); and retaining means (8) disposed between the jogging edge (5) and the inlet of the conveyor (7A) and actuated to exert a retaining force on an article (2A, 2B), which retaining force opposes movement of the article.

Abstract: There are provided a paper conveying apparatus, a multifeed detection method and a computer-readable, non-transitory medium which can suppress erroneous detection of the occurrence of a multifeed. The paper conveying apparatus includes an ultrasonic detector for outputting an ultrasonic signal, a multifeed detector for determining whether a multifeed of papers has occurred based on the ultrasonic signal, a sound signal generator for generating a sound signal, and a control module for performing an abnormal processing when the multifeed detector determines that a multifeed has occurred and the sound signal generator does not output a predetermined sound signal, and determining that a multifeed has not occurred and not performing the abnormal processing when the multifeed detector determines that a multifeed has occurred and the sound signal generator outputs the predetermined sound signal.