Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide robust capacitive grip sensors that may be used in a variety of applications, including single-handed and double-handed grips, such as but not limited to barbells. Apparatus as disclosed herein and efficiently measure the presence of a human grip without requiring deformation of a gripped surface area.

Abstract: A medium conveyance device includes a first separator that separates a first medium from a plurality of mediums, a processor that processes the first medium and sends the processed first medium as a second medium, a second separator that when a non-separation mode is set, conveys the second medium to a next processor, and when a separation mode is set, conveys a third medium, which is separated from the second medium, to the next processor, and a controller that switches between the non-separation mode and the separation mode based on information obtained as a result of processing the first medium.

Abstract: The sheet processing device includes a processing tray, a processing device, a discharge port, a discharge rollers pair, a supporting arm and an interlock mechanism. The discharge rollers pair has a lower roller and an upper roller. The supporting arm supports the upper roller and is turnable between a first position where the upper roller comes into contact with the sheet and a second position where the upper roller separates upwardly from the sheet. The interlock mechanism includes an actuator, a switch and a switch moving mechanism. The actuator is turned with an upwardly turning of the supporting arm. The switch detects the actuator to detect that the supporting arm is turned to the second position. The switch moving mechanism moves the switch to a switch non-detective position when the processing is not performed and moves the switch to a switch detective position when the processing is performed.

Abstract: A detection system for detecting double sheets being supplied to a lateral positioning device (100) for a sheet element (20, 20?) in a sheet element processing machine. The machine has a drive system including a cam disk (174) and a cam follower lever (172). The detection system includes a detector lever (130) mounted so as to be displaceable between a sheet receiving position and a detection position. The detector lever (130) has a sheet sensing end (132) for engagement with an upper face of the sheet element (20, 20?) when being in the detection position, and a position detector end (133) for cooperating, when being in the detection position, with a position detector (140) adapted for generating a signal dependent on the thickness of the sheet element (20, 20?), and further includes a raising lever (170) for raising the sheet sensing end (132) of the detector lever (130). The raising lever (170) is mounted on the cam follower lever (172) of the sheet element processing machine.

Abstract: A separation unit for separating a web material along preformed lines of weakness. The separation unit has a width direction and includes a first roller having a rotational axis extending in the width direction and a web width extending in the width direction, and a second roller having a rotational axis extending parallel with the rotational axis of the first roller and a web width extending in the width direction. The second roller is positioned at a distance from the first roller. Each of the first and the second rollers is provided with a plurality of protrusion elements being spaced along the rotational axes and protruding perpendicular from the axes. Each of the protrusion elements has a maximum width in the width direction, a maximum radial extension from the rotational axes, an inner portion adjacent to the rotational axes, and an outer portion remote from the rotational axes.

Abstract: A post-processing apparatus connectable to an image forming apparatus which performs a post-processing on a sheet of a first type in a first post-processing mode, and performs the post-processing on a sheet of a second type having a light transmittance higher than the first type in a second post-processing mode, wherein, in a case where a job for performing the post-processing on a sheet of a third type is executed, the post-processing apparatus determines whether the sheet of the third type is detectable by the sheet detecting unit, operates in the first post-processing mode when the sheet of the third type is determined to be detectable by the sheet detecting unit, and operates in the second post-processing mode when the sheet of the third type is determined to be undetectable by the sheet detecting unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus forms an image designated by a job on a sheet fed from one of a plurality of paper feed sources. A detection unit detects paper types of sheets respectively fed from the plurality of paper feed sources, and is provided on a conveyance path. A memory device stores a set of instructions, and at least one processor executes the instructions to function as a first holding unit to hold paper sizes and paper types set by a user in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of paper feed sources, a second holding unit to hold the paper types detected by the detection unit in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of paper feed sources, and a third holding unit to hold a paper size designated by the job and a paper type designated by the job or a condition related to setting of a paper type.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a reading unit configured to read an image of a medium fed through a first feed path, a switching unit that isolates a third feed path from a junction so as to guide the medium from a second feed path to the first feed path when being disposed at a first position and that guides the medium from the first feed path to the third feed path when being disposed at the second position, and a drive unit that moves the switching unit to the second position when the medium is fed from the first feed path to the third feed path, wherein the drive unit moves the switching unit to the first position after a lapse of predetermined time from a beginning of feeding the medium from the third feed path toward the first feed path.

Abstract: A sheet material dispensing apparatus, including a cover; a rear wall connected to the cover; a flexible mounting plate operatively connected to the cover; a shaft connected to the mounting plate; a motor operatively connected to the shaft; a supply roller connected to the shaft, the supply roller having a radiused portion and at least one truncated portion; and a microswitch activating cam extending from a side of the supply roller, the microswitch activating cam being operable to contact a microswitch fixed on the mounting plate to stop the motor, wherein the apparatus further includes: a retracting roller connected to the shaft, wherein the retracting roller has a radiused portion, and at least one truncated portion; and a supporting plate engaged and disengaged by the retracting roller during operation, wherein the disengagement of the radiused portion from the supporting plate causes the supply roller to translate toward the rear wall.

Abstract: A transporting apparatus includes a speaker and a microphone that are arranged opposite to each other with respect to a transportation path, and a controller that controls a transportation mechanism based on microphone output obtained by causing the microphone to acquire a sound emitted by the speaker. The controller uses the microphone to acquire the sound emitted by the speaker and changes, based on the microphone output, at least any of a time period during which the speaker is driven, output from the speaker, and the microphone output.

Abstract: A deflection roller for guiding and/or deflecting a rubber tire component, has a shaft that defines an axis of rotation of the deflection roller and a plurality of bristles distributed circumferentially around the shaft and extending radially outwards and orthogonally with respect to the axis of rotation to form a circumferential brush surface that is concentric to the axis of rotation. The deflection roller further has a first boundary element and a second boundary element extending adjacent to the plurality of bristles in an axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation and protruding radially outside the circumferential brush surface at a first end and a second end of the circumferential brush surface, respectively, for binding the circumferential brush surface in the axial direction.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a document tray on which a plurality of documents is stacked, a feeding unit that feeds the documents on the document tray, a detection unit that detects a double feed of the documents fed by the feeding unit, and a notification unit that issues a notification prompting a user to loosen the documents when the detection unit detects the double feed.

Abstract: A sheet material thickness detection device includes a guide member, a non-rotating pressing member, a sensor, and a calculator. The guide member guides one side of a sheet material being conveyed. The pressing member presses the sheet material against the guide member in a manner displaceable in accordance with the thickness of the sheet material. The sensor is configured to magnetically or electrically detect a displaced amount of the pressing member that is displaced in accordance with the thickness of the sheet material. The calculator is configured to calculate the thickness of the sheet material based on an output signal of the sensor.

Abstract: Provided is a transport device including a transport section by which a recording medium is interposed and is transported while rotating, a driving section that drives the transport section, a control section that performs control so that the recording medium enters a predetermined position of the transport section in a rotation direction, a detection section that detects a load of the driving section during a period of time in which the recording medium is transported by the transport section, and a derivation section that derives a thickness of the recording medium based on the load.

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: A multi-feed detection device is provided with: a base; an arm rotatably supported on the base; a magnet affixed to the arm; a Hall element which is affixed to the base, and which outputs an electric signal corresponding to the strength of the magnetic field; a differentiation circuit which outputs a voltage corresponding to the differential value of the output of the Hall element; and an integration circuit which outputs a voltage corresponding to the integral value of the output of the differentiation circuit. The arm applies a force against a conveyance path by way of a spring. One or more sheets of paper conveyed on the conveyance path raise the arm, separating the magnet from the Hall element. Accordingly, the output of the integration circuit varies, and the number of sheets of paper is detected on the basis of this variation.

Abstract: A thickness measurement device for a sheet-type medium comprises: a fixing frame (1), used for installing and bearing the following parts and components; a reference shaft (2), having two ends installed on the fixing frame (1) through bearings, wherein a reference roller (21) is fixedly fitted on the reference shaft (2); a detection shaft (3), wherein at least one floating support frame (31) having one end capable of rotating freely around the detection shaft (3) is arranged on the detection shaft (3), and a detection roller (32) and a signal generator (33) are arranged on the floating support frame (31); an elastic pressing plate (4), for pressing against the floating support frame (31) to keep an approaching trend between the detection roller (32) and the reference roller (21), wherein the elastic pressing plate (4) is composed of at least two elastic sheets; a signal sensor (5); and a data processing unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first sheet-transport-path portion that allows a sheet to be transported toward an image forming unit included in an image forming apparatus body; a second sheet-transport-path portion that allows a sheet fed from sheet trays, holding sheets and vertically stacked in multiple rows one above another, to be transported toward the image forming apparatus body; and an opening-closing member supported so as to be movable around a rotation axis between an open position, in which the opening-closing member collectively opens the first sheet-transport-path portion and the second sheet-transport-path portion to an outside, and a closed position, in which the opening-closing member collectively closes the first sheet-transport-path portion and the second sheet-transport-path portion.

Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling an image forming apparatus that forms and outputs an image on paper, a method of controlling the image forming apparatus, and a program for controlling the image forming apparatus stored on a recording medium are described. The image forming apparatus includes a pair of rollers that sandwich the paper and the center of an axle of at least one of the rollers is displaceable. The control apparatus includes a roller position detection signal generator that generates a detection signal indicating a position of the roller, a roller position detection signal acquisition unit to acquire multiple detection signals in chronological order, a paper thickness calculator to calculate paper thickness based on the multiple detection signals acquired in chronological order, and a vibration detector to detect vibration of the image forming apparatus based on the multiple detection signals acquired in chronological order.

Abstract: A banknote pay-in/pay-out device and a banknote processing machine having a simpler pay-in/pay-out port section mechanism than hitherto. During paying in, out of banknotes inserted into a pay-in/pay-out port section, a pay-in reject banknote that has been determined to be unsuitable for paying in is conveyed to a sorting conveyance path, and temporarily retained in the sorting conveyance path. So doing enables, for example, the pay-in reject banknote to be temporarily retained in the sorting conveyance path until, for example, pay-in counting processing has been completed, with the pay-in reject banknote being replaced in the pay-in/pay-out port section to be returned to a user after the pay-in counting processing has been completed, without providing a partitioning plate to the pay-in/pay-out port section as hitherto.

Abstract: A multi-feed judging device includes a transporting unit that holds a recording medium between a driving roller and a driven roller, which is driven by the driving roller, and transports the recording medium by rotating the driving roller; a detecting unit that detects a position of the driven roller; a calculating unit that calculates a thickness of the recording medium based on positions of the driven roller when the recording medium is transported and when the recording medium is not transported; a reference value updating unit that updates a reference value of the thickness by using the calculated thickness; a judging unit that judges, using the reference value, whether recording media, which are transported after the reference value was updated, are transported while overlapping each other or not. The calculating unit calculates the thickness when the position is within a predetermined range.

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 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: There are provided a paper conveying apparatus, a jam detection method and a computer-readable, non-transitory medium which can determine whether a jam has occurred based on the sound which is generated by a paper during conveyance at a low cost. The paper conveying apparatus includes an ultrasonic detector, provided near a conveyance path of a paper, for detecting an ultrasonic wave which passes through paper and outputting an ultrasonic signal, a multifeed detector for determining whether multifeed of papers has occurred based on a component of a first frequency band in the ultrasonic signal, and a sound jam detector for determining whether a jam has occurred based on a component of a second frequency band lower than the first frequency band in the ultrasonic signal.

Abstract: There are provided a paper conveying apparatus, a jam detection method and a computer-readable, non-transitory medium that can suppress erroneous detection of a jam by sound due to the sound which a paper which has a wrinkle generates. The paper conveying apparatus includes a separator, a sound signal generator, provided with a sound detector provided at a downstream side of the separator, for generating a sound signal in accordance with the sound generated by a paper during conveyance, a sound jam detector for determining whether a jam has occurred based on the sound signal, and a wrinkle detector, provided at a downstream side of the separator, for detecting optically a wrinkle of a paper, wherein the sound jam detector changes the method of detection of the jam when the wrinkle detector detects a wrinkle of a paper.

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 that can suppress erroneous detection of the occurrence of a jam by a sound due to the sound generated along with conveyance of the paper. The paper conveying apparatus includes a first sound signal generator for generating a first sound signal, at least a part of the first sound signal generator is provided near a separator, a second sound signal generator for generating a second sound signal, at least a part of the second sound signal generator is provided at least at one end of a conveyance path of the paper, and a sound jam detector for determining whether a jam has occurred based on the second sound signal according to a detection method, wherein the sound jam detector changes the detection method based on the first sound signal.

Abstract: There are provided a paper conveying apparatus, a jam detection method and a computer-readable, non-transitory medium which can suppress erroneous detection of the occurrence of a jam. The paper conveying apparatus includes a sound signal generator, provided with a sound detector near a conveyance path of paper, for generating a sound signal corresponding to a sound generated by a paper during conveyance of the paper, a sound jam detector for determining whether a jam has occurred based on a predetermined sound signal, and a control module for performing an abnormal processing when the sound jam detector determines that the jam has occurred and the predetermined sound signal is not generated at a predetermined timing, and determining that the jam has not occurred and not performing the abnormal processing when the sound jam detector determines that the jam has occurred and the predetermined sound signal is generated at the predetermined timing.

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: 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: A sheet feeding apparatus, including: a sheet feeding mechanism; a sheet sensor for detecting, as a detection value, a physical quantity related to a fed sheet; a physical-quantity judgment section for judging whether the detection value falls within a predetermined range; an another-sheet judgment section for judging whether there is another sheet after a sheet to be judged by the physical-quantity judgment section; and a double-feeding judgment section for judging that double feeding has occurred when the physical-quantity judgment section judges that the detection value does not fall within the predetermined range and when the another-sheet judgment section judges that there is another sheet, and judging that the double feeding has not occurred when the physical-quantity judgment section judges that the detection value does not fall within the predetermined range and when the another-sheet judgment section judges that there is no another sheet.

Abstract: Provided are a sheet transport apparatus and a sheet transport method preventing false detection of multiple feeding when feeding sheets of different thicknesses. The sheet transport apparatus includes an ultrasonic sensor including an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver disposed opposite each other across a sheet transport path, a type detector for discriminating between a first sheet and a second sheet thicker than the first sheet while one or the other of the sheets is being fed along the transport path, and a multiple feed detector for detecting the presence or absence of multiple feeding of sheets along the transport path, based on an output produced by the ultrasonic sensor and on a detection result supplied from the type detector.

Abstract: A sheet thickness detection apparatus is provided for detecting the thickness of a sheet document on a document transport path. The apparatus comprises: a first detector unit having a sheet document contact point adjacent the document transport path, the detector unit comprising a piezoelectric element, a first portion of the piezoelectric element being fixed relative to the document transport path, and the piezoelectric element being arranged such that contact between a sheet document and the sheet document contact point as a sheet document passes the detector unit along the document transport path causes flexing of a second portion of the piezoelectric element relative to its first portion; and a sensing circuit connected to the piezoelectric element for outputting an electric signal based on the charge generated by the piezoelectric element upon flexing, the outputted signal being related to the thickness of the sheet document. A corresponding method is also provided.

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 sheet conveyer, including a first roller to rotate to convey a sheet in a conveying direction; a separator arranged to be opposed to the first roller and configured to nip the sheet and to separate the sheet from other sheets; a multiple sheet sensor arranged in a downstream position with respect to the first roller and configured to sense presence of multiple sheets, the multiple sheet sensor including an emitter and a receiver; and a second roller arranged in a downstream position with respect to the multiple sheet sensor and configured to convey the separated sheet, is provided. A component being at least one of the emitter and the receiver is arranged in an outer side position with respect to the separator, and at least a part of the component is arranged in an inner side position with respect to the second roller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing documents of value having a sensor device for checking the documents of value and a transport device by means of which the documents of value are transported along a transport direction past the sensor device. On a side opposing the sensor device there is disposed a guide element for passively guiding the document of value, which is moved as soon as several documents of value are transported at the same time past the sensor device. By the guide element according to the invention, documents of value can be reliably and accurately checked without great effort.

Abstract: A document handling apparatus having a document transport path for moving a document therethrough. A detector proximate the transport detects a multifeed indication in the transport path or a misfeed indication in the transport path. A processing system processes the indications and issues a termination signal if a multifeed or a misfeed, or both, is determined.

Abstract: A method for feeding sheets through a sheet transport path. Ultrasonic energy is directed toward a sheet in the transport path while an audio receiver detects audio data generated by the ultrasonic source and the mechanisms that transport the sheet. The audio data is processed to determine whether a multifeed or a misfeed condition exists in the transport path.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a document processor and electronics connected to the document processor. The electronics includes a document sensor system and means for determining a document processing situation of a plurality of document processing situations. The document sensor system is connected to the means. The plurality of document processing situations include a single document situation and a double document situation. The double document situation includes a partially-overlapped, double document situation and a completely overlapped, double document situation. A method is also disclosed.

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: An automatic document feeder includes a sheet input tray, a transfer channel, a sheet pick-up module, a retard roller, a thickness detecting module and a controlling unit. When the sheet pick-up module is driven, the documents placed on the sheet input tray are fed into the transfer channel. The thickness detecting module is used for detecting a thickness of the documents. The controlling unit is used for judging whether a multiple-feeding event occurs. In a case that the multiple-feeding event occurs, the sheet pick-up module is reversely rotated such that the documents are returned to the sheet input tray. When the sheet pick-up module is reversely rotated, the retard roller provides a lower frictional force, so that the documents are allowed to be returned to the sheet input tray.

Abstract: A media transport module is described. The media transport module comprises: an upward transport, a divert transport, and a stacking transport. The upward transport extends from a pick coupling area to a diversion area and is operable to route individual media items from the pick coupling area to the diversion area. The divert transport extends from the diversion area to a diverter port; and the stacking transport extends from the diversion area to a stacking port. A diverter is located at the diversion area and is operable to route media items to either (i) the divert transport, or (ii) the stacking transport, in response to a signal received from a media thickness sensor. A drive gear is provided for receiving rotational motion from an external drive. An electrical connector is also provided for receiving electrical power from an external supply and using the received electrical power to energize the diverter.

Abstract: A double sheet detector includes a pair of rollers forming a nip through which a fed sheet passes, causing the rollers to separate. The amount of separation is transmitted to a transducer which generates a signal proportional to the sheet thickness. Signals from the transducer are frequently sensed and averaged over one or more full revolutions of the rollers, so that signal variations resulting from irregularities in the shape of the rollers are canceled out.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus capable of obtaining a sufficient conveying force for pulling back double-fed overlapping sheets to a stacking tray side. A sheet feeding member feeds sheets incoming from a stacking tray which stacks the sheets into a conveying pass. A separating member separates the sheets fed to the conveying pass by the sheet feeding member one by one. A double feed detection sensor generates an output for detecting double feed of sheets fed to the conveying pass. A rotatable member contacts the fed sheet. A driving unit rotationally drives at least the rotatable member in a rotational direction for reverse feeding of sheets. A control unit controls the driving unit when the double feed of sheets is detected based on the output of the double feed detection sensor, such that the rotatable member is rotationally driven in the rotational direction for reverse feeding of sheets.

Abstract: A sheet thickness detection device capable of accurately detecting a thickness of sheets of various types. In a case that information about sheets stored in a sheet feed unit is set by a user through an operation unit or through an external host PC, a CPU of the sheet thickness detection device sets a pressure changeover solenoid to ON to obtain a strong nip pressure between a detection roller and a fixed roller, if a sheet basis weight specified in the information about sheets is larger than a predetermined value, and sets the pressure changeover solenoid to OFF to obtain a weak nip pressure, if the sheet basis weight specified in the information about sheets is equal to or less than the predetermined value.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an ultrasonic sensor and a control unit. The control unit monitors each of multi-valued output values of the ultrasonic sensor in absence of a paper, in absence of an overlap, and in presence of an overlap, sets an optimal threshold of multifeed determination for a thickness of a paper based on the monitored values in the absence of a paper and in the absence of an overlap, and performs the multifeed determination using the set threshold and the value in the presence of an overlap.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder includes a transfer channel, a pick-up module and a thickness detecting module. The thickness detecting module includes a detecting member, a transmission member and an optical displacement sensing member. By the pick-up module, a sheet article is fed into the transfer channel. When the sheet article is transported across the detecting member, the sheet article is sustained against the detecting member, so that the detecting member is moved. The transmission member is connected to the detecting member. As the detecting member is moved, the transmission member generates a displacement amount. The optical displacement sensing member is used for detecting a displacement amount of the transmission member, thereby acquiring the thickness of the sheet article.

Abstract: A thickness detecting mechanism is provided for detecting a thickness of a to-be-measured article. The thickness detecting mechanism includes a detecting arm and an optical displacement sensing module. The detecting arm is moved as the to-be-measured article is sustained against the detecting arm. The detecting arm includes a surface. The optical displacement sensing module detects the surface of the detecting arm when the detecting arm is respectively located in a first position and a second position. According to the displacement amount of the detecting arm from the first position to the second position, the thickness of the to-be-measured article is acquired.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a multifeed sensor to detect whether printing paper sheets are multifed, a measuring unit to measure an interval between the multifed paper sheets, if the multifeed sensor detects that the printing paper sheets are multifed, and a control unit to delay printing using the measured interval so that a lastly fed printing paper sheet is printed. As a result, a printing error due to multifeed of two or more printing paper sheets can be avoided.