Abstract: A stacker device (1) for flat articles (2) stacked on edge, said device including a retaining paddle (6) mounted to be moveable along the stacking path (E) between an upstream position and a downstream position, and between a working position in which it interferes with said stacking path (E) and a resting position in which it does not interfere with said stacking path (E), a holding finger (7) suitable for being in a deployed position in which it interferes with said stacking path (E) so as to receive the foot of a flat article (2) bearing against it, and mounted to be moveable along said stacking path (E) between a rear position and a front position, said holding finger (7) and said retaining paddle (6) being independent from each other so that said holding finger (7) retains said foot of the flat article (2) even when said retaining paddle (6) is in its resting position.

Abstract: A paper-feeding device and a multi-functional printer are provided. The paper-feeding device includes a base, a driving axle, a position-limiting element and a retaining element. The base has a first assembling portion. The driving axle, the position-limiting and the retaining elements are all in the base. The position-limiting element has a second assembling portion and two position-limiting portions on radial directions of the second assembling portion between the inserting portion and the body. The retaining element includes a swing frame, a paper-separating element and a spring. The body of the swing frame is located between the two position-limiting portions. The first and second pivoting portions coaxial and connect the body are pivoted respectively to the first and second assembling portions. The inserting portion of the paper-separating element is sheathed by the body and the separating element leans against the driving axle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for forming images on recording media of different sizes are provided. The image forming procedure may include reading setting information which includes the size of a substitute recording medium for each user from a memory and, when the size of the recording medium specified by the print instruction is not available, executing a print instruction by automatically changing the size of a recording medium to be used to the size of the substitute recording medium based on the setting information. Additional computer-readable storage media storing image forming procedures are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuous singling of stacks of loose sheet material, in particular bank notes, vouchers, checks, separation cards, etc., includes a singler for singling stacks of loose sheet material and a feeding device which moves stacks of loose sheet material to be singled into a position where sheet material is grasped by the singler and transferred to a transport system, wherein the feeding device has a first, substantially single-axis moved feeding element and a second, substantially multi-axis moved feeding element. An area for receiving sheet material to be singled and which is divided into a first subarea and a second subarea is provided, wherein the first and second subareas adjoin each other and the second subarea forms an input area for inputting sheet material to be singled.

Abstract: It is determined whether fixed data used for a plurality of pages is merged with variable data different from the fixed data on a page-by-page basis or on a record-by-record basis. If it is determined that the fixed data is merged with the variable data on the page-by-page basis, the fixed data is merged with the variable data and print data composing printed pages into which at least one insertion page is inserted for every predetermined number of pages is generated.

Abstract: A media dispenser comprises: a pick unit arranged to pick individual sheets under control of a pick unit motor; a transport section arranged to transport each picked sheet; a stacker wheel arranged to collate transported sheets under control of a stacker wheel motor; and a controller including a counter. The controller is arranged to (i) enable selectively the pick unit motor and the stacker wheel motor, (ii) provide a first step signal to both the pick unit motor and an input to the counter, and (iii) provide an output from the counter as a second step signal to the stacker wheel motor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for automated, continuous singling of loose sheet material, by the steps of feeding a stack of loose sheet material to be singled located on a first feeding element from a deposit position to a position in which the uppermost sheet of the stack can be grasped by the singling unit, sheet-by-sheet singling of the fed stack by the singling unit, the stack being fed by the feeding element such that the particular uppermost sheet of the stack can be grasped by the singling unit, feeding a further stack of loose sheet material to be fed located on a second feeding element from the deposit position to a position in which the uppermost sheet of the stack to be fed is located below the first feeding element, and uniting the stack to be singled and the fed stack by drawing the first feeding element out of the feeding path.

Abstract: A method for moving a first combination of media from a media stack including one or more combinations of media. The first combination of media is an uppermost combination of media in the media stack. The method includes gripping the first combination of media and bending along a first axis by moving a first portion away from the media stack. The first combination of media is bent along a second axis by moving a flexing member while in contact with a second portion of the first combination of media, wherein the second axis is not parallel to the first axis. The first combination of media is repeatedly bent along the second axis while pausing movement of the first combination of media between the first bending along the second axis and the second bending along the second axis.

Abstract: In order to make the size of the banknote processing device (the number of the stacking units) a minimum configuration, to reduce the number of the banknote sorting processes, and to clearly show to the operator a distinction between the stacking units storing the banknotes that have been able to be sorted and the stacking units storing the banknotes that have failed to be sorted, a banknote processing device 100 that sorts and stacks plural banknotes are provide.

Abstract: A paper sheet handling machine 100 comprises an upper unit 10 having a paper sheet take-in apparatus 120 adapted for taking therein paper sheets, one by one, from the exterior, an upper transport mechanism 201a adapted for transporting the paper sheets taken in by the paper sheet take-in apparatus 120, one by one, and a recognition unit 220 adapted for recognizing each paper sheet transported by the upper transport mechanism 201a; a lower unit 20 located below the upper unit 10 and having a lower transport mechanism 201b provided to receive the paper sheets transferred from the upper transport mechanism 201a, one by one, and then further transport the transferred paper sheets, and a plurality of stacking units 106, each adapted for stacking therein the paper sheets transported by the lower transport mechanism 201b and sorted based on results obtained by the recognition unit 220. In this case, at least a part of a bottom portion of the upper unit 10 is opened.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for using document separator sheets is described. In one embodiment, the method comprises scanning a plurality of sheets having a plurality of documents to be added to one or more collections, identifying the start of each of the plurality of documents based on a separator page preceding each of the plurality of documents, and adding the plurality of documents to the one or more collections.

Abstract: A paper money supply unit has a backup plate which presses paper money input to a first input unit to a pickup roller, and a support plate which supports a paper money additionally input to a second input unit. When the paper money additionally input to the second input unit is moved to the first input unit and joined with the paper money, the support plate supports the paper money by a pressing force in the direction reverse to a pressing force by the operator.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system and method for generating an image of a plurality of documents. More particularly, this invention is directed to a system and method for scanning a plurality of documents wherein the scanned pages are separated into distinct documents based on a pre-set page length.

Abstract: A print media stack clamp and method for processing print media in an output receptacle. In one embodiment, a print media output device includes an output receptacle and a surface extending over and facing the receptacle. One or both of the receptacle and the surface are movable relative to one another such that print media output to the receptacle can be alternately clamped between the surface and the receptacle and released. In another embodiment, a method for processing print media in an output receptacle includes outputting a first document to the receptacle, moving the first document toward one side of the receptacle, clamping the first document in the receptacle, outputting a second document to the receptacle on top of the first document while the first document is clamped, releasing the first document, and moving the second document toward the one side of the receptacle.

Abstract: A device for conveying a document of the present invention includes an insertion sensor for sensing a document inserted into the device. A conveying member conveys the document to a preselected reading position. A discharging member drives the document read out of the device. A discharge sensor senses the trailing edge of the document at a position adjoining the discharging member. When the discharge sensor senses the trailing edge of the document being discharged by the discharging member, a controller interrupts the operation of said discharging member. When the insertion sensor senses the next document after the discharging member has nipped the trailing edge of the preceding document, the controller inhibits the conveying member from conveying the next document.

Abstract: The bill input/output part has a movable pusher plate and a front plate and a partition plate movable between the pusher plate and the front plate to store bills, which are to be returned or paid, between the pusher plate and the partition plate, and also includes a controller to vary the distance between the pusher plate and the partition plate according to the number of bills to be stored. Bills can be arranged upright. After the bills stored between the pusher plate and the partition plate are extracted, the distance between the partition plate and the front plate is widened. This operation makes it easy to re-enter bills in the space. When a remaining bill, such as a folded bill is detected, the space between the pusher plate and the partition plate is widened so that the user can easily be notified of a failure to extract.

Abstract: An independent motor/reductor drives a conveyance device that feeds a converting press. The converting press includes a number of stations including a feeding station, a converting station, a waste stripping station and a delivery station. The conveyance device services the stations and includes two endless gripper bar chains to convey sheet material through the converting press. A transverse drive shaft drives the conveyance device under the control of the independent motor/reductor. The independent motor/reductor provides motion trajectories for the conveyance device that are independent of, but synchronized with, the serviced stations. The arrangement improves throughput, reduces machine wear and results in a simplified design.

Abstract: A leaf transfer mechanism unit, to be incorporated in general in an automatic teller machine, defines a leaf reception room between a pickup roller and a partition member. Behind the partition member, a leaf delivery room is defined between the partition member and a retrieval urging member. When the retrieval urging member is allowed to move forward within the limit of a front limit position, bills received in the leaf delivery room can be urged against the pickup roller. During this operation, the partition member is kept at a turnout position beyond the front limit position of the retrieval urging member. The pickup roller is exposed behind the partition member. Since the turnout position can be defined at the extension of the path of movement for the retrieval urging member, it is possible to avoid the partition member at the turnout position from largely and remarkably protruding out of the path of movement.

Abstract: To determine the number of bills in a money processing apparatus, a dividing pin enters a bill housing via a guide groove to fall onto the top of the accumulated bills. The bills are circulated through a transport path, while identification of bill type and counting are executed. When sensors detect that the pin has reached the lowest point, the whole bills have once circulated through the transport path. The pin is withdrawn from the bill housing and is moved to a standby position. Number of bills in the bill housing is accurately and easily determined.