Abstract: An image scanning apparatus includes a sheet loading unit, a pickup roller, a first conveying roller, a detecting unit, a first stepping motor, a second conveying roller, a second stepping motor, a scanning unit, and a control unit that starts driving of the second stepping motor after performing phase matching of the second stepping motor. The control unit starts driving of the first stepping motor without performing phase matching of the first stepping motor. When an instruction to start scanning is input, the control unit starts the phase matching of the second stepping motor. When the detecting unit detects the document, the control unit starts driving of the first stepping motor after completion of the phase matching of the second stepping motor. When the detecting unit detects no document, the control unit starts driving of the first stepping motor before completion of the phase matching of the second stepping motor.

Abstract: An example device includes a page sensor to detect a page of a print medium picked from a source tray of a printer. The device further includes a processor connected to the page sensor. The processor is to determine a delay in detection by the page sensor of the page conveyed by a page feed mechanism. In response to determination of the delay, the processor is to control the page feed mechanism to continue to convey the page through the printer and the processor is further to trigger the printer to reprint data intended for the page to a subsequently picked page of print medium.

Abstract: There is provided an image recording apparatus, including: a feed roller; a conveyer; a recording head; a carriage; a motor; a transmission mechanism; a lock detector; and a controller. The controller is configured to: record image on recording medium by alternately repeating a line feed process and a recording process; start feeding of second recording medium, before the recoding of the image to first recoding medium is completed, by rotating the motor to drive the feed roller; continue, in a case that the motor lock state is detected before the recording of the image to first recording medium is completed, a control for rotating the motor, until a process for recoding the image to first recording medium being executed when the motor lock state is detected, is completed; and stop a driving of the motor after the process for recoding the image to first recording medium is completed.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes a main body, a stack unit having a contact portion and a stack portion on which a sheet is to be placed, a conveyance guide, and a moving member having a contacted portion. The stack unit can be inserted into and extracted from the main body. The conveyance guide can be located at a guide position for guiding the sheet conveyed on a conveying path and a release position for releasing the conveying path. The moving member moves the conveyance guide from the guide position to the release position by moving in a first direction from a first to a second position. The moving member moves from the first position in a second direction opposite the first direction by the stack unit contact portion contacting the moving member contacted portion when the stack unit is inserted to and extracted from the main body.

Abstract: An automatic stack feeder having a moveable stack or product guide is disclosed. The automatic stack feeder may be configured to receive a stack of articles and a container enclosing a stack of articles. To ensure the stack of articles is properly supported following unloading from the container, the stack guide is moveable between a first and a second position, wherein the stack guide is in contact with the stack of articles while in the first position, and not in contact with the stack when in the second position.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a conveyor, a supporting section which supports a sheet to be fed to the conveyor and a guide section which is provided on the supporting section and configured to guide a sheet to the conveyor. The supporting section includes a first support region and a second support region which support a sheet. The first support region is provided at a position on an upstream side from the second support region in a sheet conveyance direction. The first support region extends substantially horizontally, and the second support region is inclined in a lower direction toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction. The guide section includes a first portion which extends substantially horizontally along the first support region, and a second portion which is connected to the first portion and extends obliquely in the lower direction along the second support region.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for singulating articles in an automatic stack feeder are disclosed. The automatic stack feeder may comprise a pressure sensor on a perforated drive belt assembly configured to sense the pressure exerted by a stack of articles. The sensed pressure may be used to control various portions of the automatic stack feeder, such as a belt or a paddle.

Abstract: An apparatus for marking indicia on a plate blank where plate blanks are successively presented from a load magazine and moved to a printing station where the indicia is marked thereon and produce a finished plate. The finished plate is then moved into a receiving magazine where it is added to a stack of previously finished plates in a predetermined order corresponding the order in which the finished plates are produced. Also provided herein as a load magazine for presenting and having dispensed therefrom successive single plate blanks at a load magazine opening and a receiving magazine for receiving and stacking finished plates in a predetermined order.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a sheet receiving portion, an ejection roller, and a restriction member. The ejection roller is configured to rotate in a forward direction to eject a recording sheet fed from the image forming unit to the sheet receiving portion, and to rotate in a reverse direction to return the recording sheet to the image forming unit. The restriction member is configured to move between a restriction position where the restriction member protrudes farther in a sheet ejection direction than a peripheral surface of the ejection roller and a retracted position where the restriction member is retracted from the restriction position. The ejection roller is configured to move the restriction member to the restriction position by rotating in the forward direction, and to move the restriction member to the retracted position by rotating in the reverse direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording-medium storing unit including a rotating member, the recording-medium storing unit being capable of being pulled out from an apparatus body; a support surface having an edge portion, the support surface supporting the rotating member when the recording-medium storing unit is pulled out from the apparatus body; and an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium fed from the recording-medium storing unit. The rotating member has a counter surface that faces the edge portion when the rotating member moves beyond the edge portion and drops off the support surface in a certain direction. In the state in which the counter surface faces the edge portion, the counter surface is inclined such that a point on the counter surface approaches the edge-portion side as the point moves in a direction opposite to the certain direction.

Abstract: A conveying mechanism is disposed inside a housing of an image scanning device and is configured to convey the sheet along a common path to the scanning position in a first direction, and to convey the sheet having passed the scanning position selectively along a return path in a second direction and along a one-way path in the first direction. A scanning unit disposed inside the housing scans, at the scanning position, an image of a sheet. The discharge cover is openably and closably disposed in the housing and is configured, when open relative to the housing, to define a discharge port and receive the sheet conveyed along the one-way path and discharged through the discharge port. The maintenance cover is openably and closably disposed in the housing and is configured, when open relative to the housing, to expose the one-way path and the return path.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes: a separation sheet feeding mechanism having a paper feeding belt and a separation roller; and an adjustment mechanism that changes contact state of the paper feeding belt to the separation roller by changing relative position of the paper feeding belt and the separation roller, and changes and adjusts separation performance of the separation roller for the subsequent sheet, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a cam follower member changing the relative position of the feeding belt and the separation roller, the cam member includes a first cam face and a second cam face which are formed at each rotation radius position in accordance with the rotation angle position, and are spaced apart in the rotation radius direction, and the cam follower member has a contact unit guided by the first cam face and the second cam face.

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: A printing apparatus comprising an image forming system, a sheet-feeding system, a sheet-transporting system, a sheet-controlling device, a sheet-detection device, a first driving system, a second driving system and a controller is provided. The sheet-controlling device and the sheet-detection device are disposed between the sheet-feeding system and the sheet-transporting system. The sheet-controlling device controls an entry of a sheet into the sheet-transporting system. The first driving system drives the sheet-controlling device, and the second driving system drives a transporting mechanism of the sheet-transporting system. The controller upon receiving an error signal from the sheet-detection device signals the sheet-controlling device to inhibit the entry of the sheet into the sheet-transporting system and signals the transporting mechanism to continue its operation. A duplex printing method is also provided.

Abstract: Provided is an automatic document conveying device, including: a document feeding portion that feeds a document from a document stacking tray; a conveying portion that conveys the document which is fed, to a document reading portion; a discharge portion that discharges the document after being read to a discharge tray; a branching guide that switches a conveying path so that a second surface is read after a first surface of the document is read; and a switchback portion including a switchback roller pair for sending the document to the conveying portion again after the conveying path is switched by the branching guide, in which a switch of the conveying path by the branching guide and open/close of a nip of the switchback roller pair are performed in one drive portion.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes a casing with an internal space, a sheet placing portion, a sheet feeding unit, a driving unit, an opening/closing cover and a drive switching unit. A sheet is to be placed on the sheet placing portion. The sheet feeding unit includes a sheet feeding member. The driving unit is arranged in the internal space and coupled to a rotational drive system of the sheet feeding member and transmits a rotational drive force to the sheet feeding member. The opening/closing cover is openably and closably arranged on the casing to cover a opening formed in the casing. The drive switching unit uncouples the driving unit and the sheet feeding member in association with a switching movement of the opening/closing cover from a closed state to the open state. The sheet feeding unit is mountable into and removable from the internal space through the opening.

Abstract: A sheet feeding unit having a holding section; a separation pad that contacts a sheet and imparts a conveyance resistance to the sheet; a separation roller that imparts a conveyance force to the sheet; a drive source that supplies driving force to the separation roller; a conveyance roller disposed at a position downstream of the separation roller, wherein the conveyance roller rotates at a circumferential speed greater than a circumferential speed of the separation roller, to impart conveyance force to the sheet, and wherein the conveyance roller and the separation roller are disposed so as to simultaneously contact the same sheet; and a drive shutoff unit, which shuts off the driving force supplied to the separation roller when the conveyance roller imparts the conveyance force to the sheet so the separation roller rotates in a following manner with the conveyance of the sheet.

Abstract: The provides a two money kinds recycle box provided with a plurality of paper money accumulating portions and storing and feeding the paper money at one position, thereby simplifying a carrier path structure of a whole of a paper money inputting and outputting machine provided with the two money kinds recycle box, and corresponding to a lot of money kinds with a compact structure. The two money kinds recycle box is provided with an output and input port outputting and inputting the paper money with respect to an external portion, a plurality of paper money accumulating portions storing the paper money, a pickup roller provided at one position of each of the paper money accumulating portions and carrying out an accumulating motion of the paper sheets onto the paper money accumulating portions and a feeding motion of the paper sheets from the accumulating portions, and a two-way carrier path carrying the paper sheets in a two-way direction between the one output and input port and a plurality of pickup rollers.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder includes a paper pick-up device, a first roller assembly, and a second roller assembly. The first roller assembly includes a first shaft, a first roller, and a power coupling device. When the power coupling device is connected with the first shaft and the first roller for transmitting a paper, the first roller is driven to be rotated by the first shaft. When the front edge of the paper is moved to the second roller assembly, the first roller is driven to be rotated at a higher speed by the paper. Consequently, a power connection between the first roller and the first shaft is released by the power coupling device. Then, the first roller reaches a static status in order to correct the skew phenomenon of the next paper.

Abstract: An image reading device includes a tray unit, a recording unit disposed above the tray unit, an outer guide defining a curved path extending from the tray unit to the recording unit, a sheet feeder configured to feed a sheet from the tray unit to the curved path, and a return guide disposed between the recording unit and the tray unit. The return guide pivots about a shaft and guides the sheet having an image recorded thereon back to the curved path. The tray unit includes at least one supporting portion. The return guide includes at least one supported portion. The at least one supporting portion of the tray unit engages the at least one supported portion of the return guide such that the return guide takes a guiding position in which the return guide defines a return path extending to the curved path.

Abstract: A method for operating a sheet handling system including the steps of: determining a location of a next collation mark on select sheets of the stack of material, selecting an operating mode based upon the proximity of the next collation mark relative to a leading or trailing edge of each of the select sheets, processing the singulated sheets in a first operating mode when the next collation mark is proximal to the leading edge of each of the select sheets, and in a second operating mode, when the next collation mark is proximal to a trailing edge of each of the select sheets. Each of the select sheets is buffered to change the spatial relationship between each of the select sheet and each completed collation of sheets along the feed path. By selectively processing the sheets based upon the location of the next collation mark, the conveyance feed path is minimized.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording section that performs recording on a recording medium, a housing that stores the recording section, a recording medium cassette that is detachably mounted on the housing and has a cassette body that holds the recording medium in the vertical position, and a holder that holds the recording medium that has been fed from the cassette body and has been recorded in the recording section on the outer surface of the cassette body in the vertical position.

Abstract: To provide a media separator including a lumped-media conveyer mechanism which receives lumped media to convey the lumped media in a predetermined direction, and a picker roller which separates the lumped media conveyed by the lumped-media conveyer mechanism, the lumped-media conveyer mechanism including an auxiliary conveyer body for conveying the lumped media to the picker roller. That makes it possible to reliably separate and send out the lumped media, when having shorter media mixed, and to achieve downsizing of the media separator.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having an image reading table includes a document glass installed on an upper side of the image reading table, to support a document; an image reading sensor installed under the document glass, to perform an image reading operation; a cover to selectively cover the document glass; an automatic document feeder (ADF) to feed a document along an image reading path, past the image reading sensor; a document discharging plate to support a document discharged from the ADF; a first guide member; a guide film attached to the first guide member; and an image forming part to form the image on a printable medium. The guide film includes a first guide film portion and a second guide film portion, the first guide film portion is in planar contact with the document glass and the second guide film portion guides the document toward the ADF.

Abstract: An elastic sponge roller is provided at a confluence portion where a first sheet conveyance path joins in a second sheet conveyance path and a leading edge and a rear edge of a sheet are brought into contact with the sponge roller when the sheet is conveyed from the first conveyance path to the second conveyance path. Further, the sponge roller is connected to drive via a one-way clutch. Such a configuration reduces a sound produced at the confluence portion and prevents the leading edge of the sheet from being bent in colliding with the sponge roller to stabilize the conveyance of the sheet.

Abstract: A method of scanning documents and moving such documents along a path such that after scanning sorting such documents is disclosed. The method includes providing a plurality of documents in an input tray and transporting each document along the path from the input tray at a transport velocity past the scanner to obtain scanned image data. The method further includes providing at least two movable members including two rotatable exit rollers, movable belts, or a movable belt and a rotatable exit roller along the path to provide a nip for the documents; and selectively driving the movable members to provide selectable exit velocities so that such documents are sorted in accordance with their selected exit velocity.

Abstract: A printing device 1 is provided with a housing 2, and a card stacker 3 is disposed above the housing 2. The card stacker 3 stores cards to be placed parallel in a laminate manner. Inside the housing 2 are stored a card rotating section 4, linear card transport path CP each disposed below the card stacker 3, printing section PR provided below the card transport path CP, various sensors, and control section. A card storage section 29 is disposed on the most downstream side of the card transport path CP. The card storage section 29 stores processed cards to overlap in a laminate manner. The card stacker 3 enables the supply number of cards to be increased, and it is possible to increase the height of the card storage section 29 by the card transport path CP positioning in the upper portion inside the housing 2. By this means, the invention provides the printing device capable of supporting large-amount discharge in response to large-amount supply of printing media while miniaturizing the device.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a sheet feed tray, a chute having first and second guides, first and second rollers arranged on the first guide, first and second contact members protruded from the second guide and urged to contact the first and second rollers, respectively, and a sheet sensor arranged between the first roller and the second roller. A controller controls a motor to rotate the first and second rollers in a first direction in which the sheet is fed from the second roller to the first roller when the controller receives a signal from the sensor, and controls the motor to stop the rotation of the first and second rollers when the signal from the sensor is terminated, and then rotate the first and second rollers in a second direction in which the sheet is fed from the first roller to the second roller.

Abstract: An automatic document transport device includes a document stacker that is movable between a stacking position and an open position; a document transport path; a document feed member; a document output section; a document output member disposed downstream of an image reading position, the document output member including upper and lower output members; and a shielding member disposed above a document output slot and between the document output member and the document output section, the shielding member including first and second shielding portions, the first shielding portion extending upward and having a lower end disposed above a region in which the upper and lower output members contact each other, the second shielding portion extending downstream from the lower end of the first shielding portion, the shielding member shielding the upper output member from a space between the document stacker and the document output section.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus including a first tray having a first holding portion for holding sheets, a second tray disposed above the first tray and including a second holding portion for holding sheets, a sheet feeder that selectively feeds a sheet from one of the first tray and the second tray in a sheet feed direction, a recording unit that records an image on the sheet fed by the sheet feeder, and a discharge roller that discharges the sheet on which the image is recorded by the recording unit. The second holding portion of the second tray moves above the first holding portion of the first tray. The second tray further includes a discharged sheet receiving portion for receiving the sheet discharged by the discharge roller. The second tray including the discharged sheet receiving portion pivots relative to the first tray.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for separating a stack of folded sheets by inserting a first, second, third and fourth count fingers into four successive openings in the stack, and separating the stack between the second and third count fingers. Where separation is carried out after a desired number of folded sheets have passed the third count finger, a completed pack having the desired number of sheets may be formed downstream from the third count finger. The count fingers may be operatively mounted in count finger cassettes.

Abstract: A document feeding device includes a carrying unit capable of carrying documents, a drawing device drawing and supplying the documents, a drawing device drive source driving the drawing device, a separation unit including a separation device to separate the documents one by one, a separation device drive source driving the separation device, a conveying device conveying the documents, a reading unit including a reading device to read information of the documents, a discharge device discharging the documents, a first document detector provided between a document set position and the separation unit to detect the documents, and a second document detector provided downstream of the separation unit and near a separation position to detect the documents. The first and second document detectors detect the trailing end of each of the documents to control the operation of the drawing device on the basis of the result of the detection.

Abstract: A method of conveying documents for an ADF includes steps of beginning a first conveying procedure of a next document after a preceding document passes through a scanning section during a first conveying procedure of the preceding document, performing a first inverting procedure and then beginning a second conveying procedure of the preceding document during the first conveying procedure of the next document, performing a first inverting procedure and then beginning a second conveying procedure of the next document during the second conveying procedure of the preceding document, performing a second inverting procedure and then beginning a third conveying procedure of the preceding document during the second conveying procedure of the next document, and performing a second inverting procedure and then beginning a third conveying procedure of the next document during the third conveying procedure of the preceding document.

Abstract: A bill deposit/withdrawal machine includes a deposit/withdrawal port, a bill discriminating unit, a plurality of bill accepting boxes and a bill transport path which connects the deposit/withdrawal port and the bill accepting boxes through the bill discriminating unit which transports bills. The deposit/withdrawal port and the bill discriminating unit are disposed in an upper part of the machine, and the bill accepting boxes are disposed in a lower part of the machine. The bill transport path includes an upper bill transport path provided in the upper part of the machine, and a lower bill transport path provided in the lower part of the machine. The lower bill transport path is installed along the bill accepting boxes and includes a mechanism for bidirectionally transporting bills and a switchable gate connecting with one of the bill accepting boxes.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate remotely controlling paper feed-forward mechanisms on multiple printers in a continuous feed print line, to reduce operator movement during simplex and/or duplex printing and increase print line throughput. The remote control detects a print line (e.g., by user input, a beacon signal provided by the print line, or by some other means), and retrieves IP addresses for printers in the detected print line. A display is provided by which the user selects an identified printer to control, and by which the user then activates and/or deactivates the feed-forward mechanism on the selected printer. Optionally, the remote control functionality is provided as a software package installed on a personal digital assistant (PDA) or smartphone.

Abstract: The provides a two money kinds recycle box provided with a plurality of paper money accumulating portions and storing and feeding the paper money at one position, thereby simplifying a carrier path structure of a whole of a paper money inputting and outputting machine provided with the two money kinds recycle box, and corresponding to a lot of money kinds with a compact structure. The two money kinds recycle box is provided with an output and input port outputting and inputting the paper money with respect to an external portion, a plurality of paper money accumulating portions storing the paper money, a pickup roller provided at one position of each of the paper money accumulating portions and carrying out an accumulating motion of the paper sheets onto the paper money accumulating portions and a feeding motion of the paper sheets from the accumulating portions, and a two-way carrier path carrying the paper sheets in a two-way direction between the one output and input port and a plurality of pickup rollers.

Abstract: A document imaging system includes a document transport system that transports an original document through an imaging zone in optical communication with an image recording device. A document guide directs the original document toward the imaging zone and a document biasing device urges the trailing edge of the original document toward the document transport system. A printing system utilizing a document imaging system and a method of imaging an original document are also included.

Abstract: In a sheet processing apparatus that, for example, sorts or staples sheets after image formation, when preceding finishing is not completed on a processing tray, a third sheet fed anew into awaiting tray of a sheet placing member configuring a sheet waiting unit, which temporarily puts a sheet conveyed thereto on standby, is stacked to be shifted such that leading ends of second and third sheets are located further on a conveying direction upstream side than a leading end of a first sheet. Consequently, longitudinal alignment in the processing tray after that is surely performed.

Abstract: A continuous paper feeder for supplying paper to be folded to a paper folding machine is provided. The continuous paper feeder includes a conveyor, a guide, a blower for introducing air between sheets of paper to be supplied to a paper folding machine, and a sensor for controlling the output of the air. The guide includes opposing first surfaces and second surfaces and a plurality of apertures communicating between the first surface and the second surfaces. The blower is adapted to introduce air through the apertures located on the guide as an operator is loading a stack of paper to be folded onto the conveyor surface.

Abstract: An image reader includes: a conveyance path forming member; a conveying unit; a reading unit; and a pressing unit. The conveyance path forming member forms a part of a conveyance path extending from a conveyance start position to a discharge position via an image reading position. The conveying unit is capable of conveying documents having different widths along the conveyance path. The reading unit reads the document at the reading position. The pressing unit extends in the document width direction, is disposed as opposed to the reading unit, and holds the document conveyed by the conveying unit in cooperation with the conveyance path forming member by pressing the document against the conveyance path forming member. The pressing unit is divided into a plurality of pressing members that are arranged in the document width direction and that press the documents against the conveyance path forming member independently from one another.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device, that can be included in an image forming apparatus, includes first and second conveying units configured to hold and convey a sheet, a first sheet conveying path between the first and second conveying units, and a registration unit to change a positional condition of the sheet conveyed by the second conveying unit. In at least one embodiment, the second conveying unit includes a moving and guiding unit and a rotary conveyance unit facing each other and forming a sheet holding section therebetween to hold and convey the sheet, and the moving and guiding unit and the rotary conveyance unit are disposed in the vicinity of the first conveying unit so that a distance between the second conveying unit and the registration unit is relatively increased.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is provided with an image reading unit configured to read an image on an original, the original being discharged from a discharging side of the image reading unit, an image forming unit configured to form an image on an recording medium, and a discharge guide configured to guide the original to the discharging side of the image reading unit, the discharge guide being arranged to cover the image forming unit from the discharging side of the image reading unit. The discharging guide is configured to be movable between an opened position and closed position with respect to the image forming unit, the image forming unit being exposed to outside when the discharging guide is located at the opened position.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus that processes sheets transported in a transport direction and stacked on a tray, including: a sheet moving device configured to be brought into contact with an upper surface of a sheet stacked on the tray and to be moved in a width direction intersecting with the transport direction to move the sheet in the width direction; an alignment member against which a side edge of the sheet moved in the width direction by the sheet moving device is brought into abutment, to align the sheet; and a guide member configured to hold down the sheet between the sheet moving device and the alignment member with the sheet moving device in contact with the upper surface of the sheet, wherein the guide member is moved integrally with the sheet moving device in the width direction.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first reading unit that reads an image on a front side of a document being transferred along a transfer path; a second reading unit that reads an image on a rear side of the document; a reversing unit arranged downstream of the first and the second reading units that turns the document over and place it on the transfer path; and a controller that causes, when a error is detected in the first or second reading units, the reversing unit to turn the document over and place it on the transfer path, so that a reading unit in which the error is not detected reads the image on the side to be read by the reading unit in which the error is detected.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a duplex document feeder for installed in scanning devices such as facsimile machine, printer, scanner or multi function peripheral (MFP). The duplex document feeder can control the motion accuracy of the sheet and avoid the happening of jam. The duplex document feeder includes a pick-up module, a sheet-controlling roller module and a an ejection module. The pick-up module is used for feeding the sheet into a first feed channel; the sheet-controlling roller module provides a first nip force to feed the sheet outside the duplex document feeder and provides a second nip force to feed the sheet into the interior of the duplex document feeder again; the ejection module provides a third nip force to feed/eject the sheet into/from the duplex document feeder.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to systems and methods for advancing booklets from a group of booklets are provided. In particular, a booklet feeder can include a conveying path for supporting a group of booklets with each booklet comprising a stack of bound sheet articles, and a grip remover configured for engaging booklets in a seriatim manner in the conveying path. The grip remover can be movable to remove an engaged booklet from the conveying path and advance the removed booklet to an exit path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus receives input of sheet information of a print sheet designated as a print destination of print data by a predetermined information processing apparatus as first sheet information, and stores therein sheet information of a print sheet designated as a print destination in advance by the image forming apparatus as second sheet information. A feed-timing determining unit compares the first sheet information with the second sheet information and determines the feed timing of a print sheet contained in a feed tray in accordance with the comparison result.

Abstract: A document feeder includes a reverse transporting mechanism that forms a substantially U-shaped document transporting pathway for carrying a document from a feeding tray located at a lower side to a discharging tray located at an upper side through a reading position, a pulling device, a separating transporting device and a openable pathway cover. The pulling device and the separating-transporting device are arranged at substantially the same horizontal level within the height that is occupied by the reverse transporting mechanism. The pathway cover is capable of opening and closing to cover on the pulling device, the separating-transporting device and the reverse transporting mechanism.

Abstract: A document feeding device includes a carrying unit capable of carrying documents, a drawing device drawing and supplying the documents, a drawing device drive source driving the drawing device, a separation unit including a separation device to separate the documents one by one, a separation device drive source driving the separation device, a conveying device conveying the documents, a reading unit including a reading device to read information of the documents, a discharge device discharging the documents, a first document detector provided between a document set position and the separation unit to detect the documents, and a second document detector provided downstream of the separation unit and near a separation position to detect the documents. The first and second document detectors detect the trailing end of each of the documents to control the operation of the drawing device on the basis of the result of the detection.

Abstract: A card collection mechanism may include a card collection box for collecting a card, a feeding roller for carrying the card from a feeding passage to the card collection box, and a guide part for guiding the card to the card collection box. The guide part guides the card while the guide part causes the card to be resiliently bent in a direction where an urging force directed to a surface of the feeding roller is applied to the card when the card is fed to the card collection box, and the feeding roller carries the card to a state in which the card is capable of being collected in the card collection box. The card collection mechanism may be used in a card issuing device having a card issuing part.