Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a conveyer configured to convey a recording medium on which a mark is formed; an image reader configured to read an image formed on the recording medium while the recording medium is being conveyed; a detector configured to detected a value corresponding to a conveyance amount of the recording medium conveyed by the conveyer and output the detected value; and a processor and a memory that stores program instructions causing the processor to calculate a position of the mark on the recording medium with respect to a conveyance direction of the recording medium based on respective detected values output from the detector when an edge of the recording medium and the mark are read by the image reader.

Abstract: A printer and a printing method are proposed. The printer and the printing method include transferring printing paper until a cutting target marker first disposed after a location at which the printing of a unit output has been completed based on the transfer direction of the printing paper reaches a cutting position, and cutting the corresponding location when the printing paper is transferred until the cutting target marker reaches the cutting position.

Abstract: An agitator assembly for use with industrial mixers that includes at least two rotating agitators, wherein each rotating agitator includes an agitator shaft, wherein the agitator shaft defines an axis of rotation extending from a first end of the agitator shaft to a second end of the agitator shaft; and first, second, and third sweep blades mounted on the agitator shaft, wherein the pitch angle of each sweep blade relative to the axis of rotation of the agitator shaft is between 30-60°; and wherein the rotating agitators rotate in opposite directions relative to one another when the assembly is in use.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a sheet storage cassette, a sheet feed unit, a first detection sensor having a first detector for detecting the presence/absence of sheets stacked on a sheet stacking plate, a second detection sensor having a second detector for detecting the position of the top face of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking plate, a cassette detection sensor, a driving device, and a controller. The sheet feed unit includes a first actuator for switching detection states of the first detection sensor and a second actuator for switching detection states of the second detection sensor. The controller determines the mounting state of the sheet feed unit based on the detection state of the first and second detection sensors.

Abstract: A calibration apparatus is disclosed herein. An example includes a printing mechanism, a media control mechanism, a sensor, and a processor. The processor controls the printing mechanism to print a first pattern of first elements on a print medium and a second pattern of second elements on the print medium that are interleaved with the first elements. The processor also actuates the media control mechanism to advance the print medium, determines a centroid of at least one of the first elements based on a first measured reflectance by the sensor, and determines a centroid of at least one of the second elements based on a second measured reflectance by the sensor. The processor also determines a print medium advance error based on the at least one determined centroid of the first elements and the at least one determined centroid of the interleaved second elements.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer belt that transports a toner image, a second transfer member that performs second transfer that transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt to a recording medium, an opposed member that is opposed to the second transfer member, a recording medium guide member that guides one surface of the recording medium to a second transfer position, and a holding member that is rotatably arranged in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt so as to satisfy the following relationship: L2/L1?0.5 or about 0.5, where L1 is a distance between the second transfer position and a distal end of the recording medium guide member, and L2 is a distance between the second transfer position and a contact position of the holding member with the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt.

Abstract: A conveyer device, including a body; a first path member forming a part of conveyer path with a curve; and a second path member arranged on an inner side of the curve of the conveyer path and forming a part of the conveyer path, is provided. The first path member is movable between a first position forming the conveyer path in conjunction with the second path member and a second position separated farther from second path member than the first position. The body includes a first supporting part supporting the first path member at a widthwise end of the first path member and the second supporting part supporting the first path member at a widthwise inner-side position along the widthwise direction with respect to the first supporting part. The second supporting part supports the first path member from a side opposite from the conveyer path.

Abstract: A supplement feeder for flat objects, comprising a receiving device with a stack compartment for receiving objects in the form of a stack, and a takeoff device for taking off individual objects from the stack, wherein the stack compartment has a front contact region against which the front edge of the stack rests, and equipped with guiding elements for guiding and shaping the stack, comprising a stack shoe that is arranged at the rear edge of the stack in order to guide the stack in the direction of the front contact region. According to the disclosure, this supplement feeder is equipped with a takeoff device for taking off individual objects from the object stack, and at least one component of the guiding elements, and in particular the stack shoe, is coupled to a knocking unit that transmits a discrete knock impact onto the respective component of the guiding element. Thereby malfunctions in the form of missed takeoffs or multiple takeoffs when taking off objects can be largely avoided.

Abstract: A medium transport device includes a restricting unit that is provided in a device main body, and that is coupled with an attaching and detaching operation of a unit body, which configures a portion of a transport pathway, to the device main body. The restricting unit changes between a first state that allows the cover to attain a closed state with respect to the device main body and a second state that restricts the cover from attaining a closed state with respect to the device main body.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes: a conveyer configured to convey a sheet; a first introducing part into which a sheet is introduced toward the conveyer; a second introducing part into which a sheet is introduced toward the conveyer, wherein the second introducing part is different from the first introducing part; a cover configured to be displaced between an open state, in which the second introducing part is opened, and a closed state, in which the second introducing part is covered, in a state where the first introducing part is opened; a cover sensor that detects the open-and-closed state of the cover; and a controller, wherein when the cover sensor detects the closed state of the cover, the controller performs a driving process of driving the conveyer.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus is disclosed. The image reading apparatus includes an automatic document feeding unit that transports a document in a predetermined direction while the document floats above a platen glass member and a light source disposed below the platen glass member that irradiates a portion on the document at a predetermined reading location such that reflected light from the portion on the document is converted into image data and a floating distance between the document and the platen glass member is detected to set a value of an image parameter for correcting the image data for the document, based on the detected floating distance between the document and the platen glass member.

Abstract: A scanning system is described providing an exception correction capability during multi-page scanning operations. A sensing system is used to sense exception conditions during a multi-page scanning operation. In response to detecting an exception, at least one scanned page associated with the exception condition is displayed on an image display and a user interface system is used to provide a plurality of user-selectable corrective actions associated with the exception condition. One or more corrective operations are then performed in response to a user selecting a particular corrective action.

Abstract: A duplex scanning apparatus and a sheet-feeding control method thereof are provided. The duplex scanning apparatus includes a sheet feeding channel, a sheet transfer channel, an inverting channel, and a sheet sensing module. A first end of the inverting channel is connected to a junction between said sheet feeding channel and the sheet transfer channel. A second end of the inverting channel is connected to the sheet transfer channel. A distance between the sheet sensing module and the first end of the inverting channel is greater than a distance between the sheet sensing module and the second end of the inverting channel. When a document is transferred through the sheet sensing module at the second time, a next document is fed into the sheet feeding channel through a sheet entrance.

Abstract: An image displaying apparatus includes a control unit and a display unit. The image displaying apparatus is connected to an image reading apparatus that includes a multifeed detecting mechanism. The control unit includes a display control unit that displays (i) an image of a medium which is read by the image reading apparatus and in which multifeed is detected by the multifeed detecting mechanism and (ii) a multifeed detected portion detected by the multifeed detecting mechanism on the display unit.

Abstract: A movable guide is able to switch an attitude of a supporting surface of the movable guide relative to the reading unit between a first attitude and a second attitude. The second attitude is a state where a side to which the sheet is introduced is open more than in the first attitude. The movable guide is set to the first attitude during reading of the test pattern.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. Sheets, a plurality of which form a set, are contained in each of containers, and sheets are fed from the corresponding containers. If a first sheet to be fed is in the same layer as a second sheet that was fed from the containers last time, the first sheet is fed from a set that included the second sheet in the containers is fed. If the layer of the first sheet is higher than the layer of the second sheet that was fed from the containers last time, all remaining sheets in the set that included the second sheet are discharged from the containers.

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: An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming unit, a second image forming unit. In combined processing to perform two types of processing including one-sided image formation and two-sided image formation, if the one-sided image formation is performed, an image is formed on one side of the sheet by the second image forming unit.

Abstract: A multifeed processing apparatus includes a control unit and a storage unit and is connected to a multifeed detecting mechanism and an image reading mechanism. The control unit includes (i) a measuring unit that measures a multifeed detection pattern from any one or both of an output of the multifeed detecting mechanism and an image of a medium read by the image reading mechanism, (ii) a determining unit that determines whether the measured multifeed detection pattern is included in a multifeed disable pattern stored in the storage unit, (iii) a reading control unit that regards a multifeed detection performed by the multifeed detecting mechanism as invalid, and causes the image reading mechanism to continue a reading operation, and (iv) a storage control unit that stores the measured multifeed detection pattern as the multifeed disable pattern in the storage unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus provided with a sheet feeding tray to store sheets for image forming; a sheet feeding section to feed the sheets form the sheet feeding tray so as to supply the sheets for the image forming; and a control section to individually administer remaining sheets stored in the sheet feeding tray in advance and replenishment sheets replenished when the sheet feeding tray is replenished with the sheets in a state where the sheets stored in the sheet feeding tray in advance is remaining. Whereby, a JOB can be continued or aborted appropriately with reference to information and remaining amounts of remaining sheets and replenishment sheets in one sheet feeding tray, since the information and the remaining amounts are administered individually.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pneumatic table for registering a substrate media sheet. The table including a media platen, a reversible air blower, a registration wall and a sheet biasing element. The media platen having a foraminous upper surface for received the sheet. The reversible air blower selectively generating at least one of a positive air flow and a negative airflow through the foraminous upper surface. The positive air flow forming a gaseous layer of air between the foraminous upper surface and the sheet. The negative airflow encouraging the sheet to remain fixed and engaged upon the foraminous upper surface. The registration wall extending along at least one edge of the foraminous upper surface. The sheet biasing element selectively applying a horizontal biasing force to the sheet encouraging movement of the sheet across the foraminous upper surface for engaging the sheet with the registration wall.

Abstract: A sheet feed device comprises: a second detection unit which detects a state of the detection switch unit whose state is switched due to the change of state of the sheet feed device; a signal conversion unit which converts a detection signal obtained in accordance with a state of the detection switch into a serial signal; a communication line which connects the first detection unit to the second detection unit; and a signal line configured to connect the first detection unit to the signal conversion unit, wherein when the sheet feed device is in a first state, the first detection unit receives information indicating the state detected by the second detection unit via the communication line, and thereby detects the change of state of the sheet feed device.

Abstract: With a printing device in which a printing medium is moved relatively, and which prints on the printing medium, the surface of the medium is illuminated, a plurality of illuminated regions of the medium moving in this illuminated state are imaged to acquire a plurality of images. A region to be matched having a characteristic region within a first image is set out of the images, a similar region having the highest similarity to the characteristic region is determined within a second image that is different from the first image. The estimated movement amount of the medium is calculated from the positional relation between the region to be matched and the similar region. Error information indicating error in the estimated movement amount of the medium attributable to the angle of light directed at the medium is acquired, and the estimated movement amount is corrected.

Abstract: A stopper, a paper feeding device including an inner and outer cases, a first and second axels, a first and second rollers, a pair of stoppers and a tray, and a multi-function printer are provided. The outer case has two side walls and two protrusions disposed on the side walls. The inner case is between the two side walls. The first axel pivots the inner case and the side walls. The first roller covers the first axel. The stoppers are disposed at outer side of the side walls, wherein each of the stoppers has a C-ring, a connecting portion and a stopping portion. Each C-ring pivoted to the first axel has a first and second ends, and the protrusions prop against to the first ends. The second axel pivots the inner case, and the second roller covers the second axel. The tray is disposed below the first roller.

Abstract: A paper feeding device and a multi-function printer using the same are provided. The paper feeding device includes a frame, a top cover, a set of gear chains, a power unit and a set of driving gears. The set of gear chains and the power unit are disposed on a side of the frame. The set of driving gears is disposed on the top cover. When the top cover is closed relatively to the frame, the set of driving gears interferes with the power unit, and the power unit provides a power to enable the set of driving gears to rotate, so as to drive the set of gear chains. When the top cover is opened relatively to the frame, the set of driving gears releases interference with the power unit and the set of gear chains, and the set of gear chains is at a free rotation status.

Abstract: Provided is a document feeding device including: a document feeding portion for feeding a document; a document set detecting portion for detecting presence/absence of a set document; a determination portion for determining whether power supply to the device is started by turning-on of main power or by cancellation of a power saving mode; an initial operation portion for performing an initial operation of initializing the document feeding portion when the power supply to the document feeding device is started by the turning-on of the main power, and restricting execution of the initial operation when the power supply to the document feeding device is started by the cancellation of the power saving mode; and a display portion for displaying, when there is a set document at the start of the power supply, a request to reset the document.

Abstract: Fuser roller edgewear is reduced by a prior beveling of the inboard edge, the outboard edge, or both, of paper sheets that are to be provided to the fuser.

Abstract: A paper stopper mechanism for paper-feeding apparatus, which has simplified structure and commonly uses one motor to stop papers. The paper stopper mechanism includes a rotary shaft driven by a drive shaft via a gear assembly, a stopper plate disposed on the rotary shaft, which is movable between a first position and a second position along with the rotation of the rotary shaft, and a resilient member positioned between the rotary shaft and a transmission gear of the gear assembly. There is frictional force between the rotary shaft and the transmission gear, whereby the transmission gear can drive the rotary shaft to rotate. When the stopper plate and the rotary shaft stop at the second position, the transmission gear can still transmit power to a pickup roller to feed a paper into the paper-feeding apparatus without any error.

Abstract: A paper stopper mechanism for paper-feeding apparatus, which has simplified structure and commonly uses one motor to stop papers. The paper stopper mechanism includes a rotary shaft driven by a drive shaft via a gear assembly, a stopper plate disposed on the rotary shaft, which is movable between a first position and a second position along with the rotation of the rotary shaft, and a resilient member positioned between the rotary shaft and a transmission gear of the gear assembly. There is frictional force between the rotary shaft and the transmission gear, whereby the transmission gear can drive the rotary shaft to rotate. When the stopper plate and the rotary shaft stop at the second position, the transmission gear can still transmit power to a pickup roller to feed a paper into the paper-feeding apparatus without any error.

Abstract: A sheet loading and handling apparatus that suppress anomalies in sheet supply operation and feed sheets in a stable manner is disclosed. The sheet loading unit includes a supply mechanism that moves a plurality of stacked sheets in a direction toward a feeding position located at an end of the loading unit, a feeding mechanism that individually feeds sheets to the feeding position, and a control unit controlling a plurality of sensors, which detect whether there is a sheet at the feeding position. The supply mechanism operates based on detection information of the sensors. The control unit monitors a relationship between signal information of the optical sensor and that of another sensor, and if a signal relationship that is not normal as compared to that of normal feeding occurs, the unit retracts the signal information of the optical sensor and uses only the signal information of the other sensor.

Abstract: Provided is a device for the alignment of sheets in a printing machine, said device comprising two pairs of rollers for the alignment of the sheets in their advance direction, for the alignment transverse to their advance direction and with respect to skewing, whereby each pair of rollers consists of a driving roller and of a counter-pressure roller. One drive unit is provided for each of the two driving rollers, whereby each of the drive units consists of a motor and a drive shaft linked therewith, whereby the driving rollers are non-torsionally accommodated on respective drive shafts. The driving rollers can be slid in linear direction on their drive shaft, or the respective drive shafts, and thus the driving rollers accommodated thereon, can be linearly shifted with respect to their drive motors.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes a conveying mechanism and a control unit. The conveying mechanism is configured to pick up and convey a sheet every first time interval T and includes a sound source which produces a plurality of element sounds attendant on conveying the sheet. The control unit is configured to control the conveying mechanism so that the element sounds are caused at times determined based on a second time interval. The second time interval is acquired by dividing the first time interval T by a division number n which is an integer of two or more.

Abstract: A media dam for a media path of an imaging device along which a media sheet traverses according to one example embodiment includes a plurality of inclined rib members. The rib members form a contact surface for engaging and deflecting the media sheet along the media path. The contact surface has a top edge that includes at least one sloped portion.

Abstract: A printer, as an image forming apparatus, reverses the front and back sides of tab sheets that became no longer necessary and discharges when a reverse discharge is specified.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image reading apparatus which comprises a document feeder, a reading unit, and a guide device. The document feeder includes a feeder roller and feeds a document sheet with an image thereon, along an outer circumferential surface of the feeder roller. The reading unit has a reading surface opposed to the outer circumferential surface of the feeder roller, and reads, at a reading position, the image on the document sheet being fed. The guide device has a guide surface, and is disposed to be opposed to the reading surface of the reading unit, so as to guide the document sheet along the guide surface to the reading position. The outer circumferential surface of the feeder roller, and at least an opposed portion of the guide surface at which the guide surface is opposed to the reading surface, have a substantially same color.

Abstract: An information processing device to generate data pertaining to a document from electronic paper which has a display section to display and retain the document, and a memory to store document identification data, includes a document data storage unit which stores document electronic data, a communication unit which acquires document identification data from the electronic paper, a reading unit which scans the display section, a data extraction unit which extracts from the document data storage unit document electronic data corresponding to the document identification data, a difference processing unit which extracts a note image appended on a surface of the display section according to a difference between an image from the extracted document electronic data and an image of the scanned display section, and a data generation unit which associates data of the extracted appendix image and the extracted document electronic data, thereby generates data pertaining to the document.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes: (a) a medium supporter; (b) an inkjet head; and (c) a medium feeder including a first roller and a second roller for cooperating with each other to nip the recording medium, for thereby feeding a recording medium outwardly of the medium supporter. The first roller is displaceable between a projecting position and a non-projecting position, such that the first roller projects out from the medium supporter when being placed in the projecting position.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus includes a suction mechanism that suctions an interior of a bag, and a connecting mechanism that connects an opening of the bag and the suction mechanism.

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: A sheet processing apparatus and method of adjusting a vertical position of a sheet input of a sheet processing apparatus includes a support of the apparatus having first vertically elongated guiding members and second vertically elongated guiding members. The second guiding members are slideably arranged at the first guiding members. The first guiding members are connected to at least one base member, and the second guiding members are connected to a support frame. A vertical position of at least one of the second guide members is adjustable relative to a corresponding one of the first guide members in order to adjust a vertical position of the sheet input.

Abstract: Document feeder and image capturing device preventing empty stamping associated with improper positioning of printing unit. Document feeder A, conveying document originals from a document placement location, along a predetermined conveyance path (12), and to a document information-capturing location (5, 6), is furnished with: a printing unit (8), which is shiftable along the document widthwise direction approximately orthogonal to the document conveyance direction, and is for carrying out predetermined printing onto conveyed documents; and a detection unit (S4), provided in the conveyance path further upstream in the conveyance direction than the printer unit (8), that detects whether a conveyed document will pass inside the limits of the range in which the printer unit (8) prints.

Abstract: A storage film feed feeds a storage film from a flexible sleeve open on one side at a rear side in a storage film detection device. The storage film feed has a feed opening with a penetration gap for the storage film and a slide located in the feed opening for fixing the sleeve. The slide is disposed perpendicular to a flat side of the sleeve. The storage film feed further has a stopping member for the slide, the flat side of the sleeve rests against the stopping member when the slide is actuated.

Abstract: A paper stopper mechanism for paper-feeding apparatus, which has simplified structure and commonly uses one motor to stop papers. The paper stopper mechanism includes a rotary shaft driven by a drive shaft via a gear assembly, a stopper plate disposed on the rotary shaft, which is movable between a first position and a second position along with the rotation of the rotary shaft, and a resilient member positioned between the rotary shaft and a transmission gear of the gear assembly. There is frictional force between the rotary shaft and the transmission gear, whereby the transmission gear can drive the rotary shaft to rotate. When the stopper plate and the rotary shaft stop at the second position, the transmission gear can still transmit power to a pickup roller to feed a paper into the paper-feeding apparatus without any error.

Abstract: A bulk document feeder module is adapted for connection to a document acceptor and is operable, when attached to the document acceptor, to feed one document at a time, from a bundle of documents, to the document acceptor. The bulk document feeder module can include a document transport mechanism, a portion of which includes a removable cartridge, to facilitate removal of a jammed object from the feeder module. The document acceptor can form part of a bill or other document validator.

Abstract: A novel media path mechanism which utilizes the position and/or motion of buffer nips to deflect the leading and trailing edges of the sheets entering the buffer to enable the sheets to be reliably shingled in the buffer media path. The sheets are stored in properly collated order until needed for insertion into the print stream. By shingling or overlapping successive sheets in close relationship in a row within the buffer, this process can greatly increase the volume of storage or parking of sheets within the buffer. This can significantly reduce the size or footprint of the buffer within the printing system or significantly increase the capacity of an existing system.

Abstract: A sheet feed assembly for feeding sheets of material having a known bending stiffness through a device with low friction. The sheet feeding assembly has feed path structures for defining a feed path, the feed path having a first point with a first radius of curvature, a second point with a second radius of curvature and a transition section extending between the first point and the second point. The transition section defines conforms to a shape adopted by one of the sheets of material extending from the first point where it has a curvature of the first radius, to the second point where it has a curvature of the second radius.

Abstract: Provided is an image reading/recording apparatus capable of actualizing downsizing and a decrease in cost of an apparatus body by commonizing components and functions of a document conveying system and a recording sheet conveying system, and enabling a user to readily clean a contaminated portion even when a reading surface of reading means and a white plate are contaminated. A separation feeding means, a reading means, conveying means, and discharging means are disposed in this sequence from an upstream side in a conveying direction, wherein the reading means is provided to read an undersurface of a document with a reading surface directed upward, and a white plate facing the reading surface of the reading means is disposed in an openable/closable manner.

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: A new media path includes a flexible member that cooperates with a control point for smooth transitions of media sheets along the path. The media path includes an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the elongated member having a longitudinal axis and a cross-member axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the elongated member having a first surface that is non-linear in at least one of the longitudinal and cross-member axes, and a bevel on a second surface of the elongated member, the bevel being proximate to the first end of the elongated member at a predetermined distance from the first end.

Abstract: An item feeder includes a deck for supporting items, a transport element for transporting the items along the deck on a transport path from an upstream loading area through a downstream receiving passage, a drive element for driving the transport element, and a cover element comprising a leading edge. The cover element may be movable between a closed position in which the leading edge is disposed at a first distance from the deck, and an open position in which the leading edge is disposed at a second greater distance from the deck. The leading edge may engage transported items having a thickness greater than the first distance to move the cover element out of the closed position. The item feeder further includes a controller for controlling the drive element, wherein the controller is configured to stop the drive element when the cover element is moved out of the closed position.