Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a projection portion arranged between a first reading position of a first image reading portion and a second reading position of a second image reading portion in a sheet conveyance direction. The projection portion projects from one of an upper surface of a main body unit and a lower surface of a sheet conveyer and is arranged outside an area through which a sheet on a conveyance path passes in a width direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction. A gap of the conveyance path in a height direction between the upper surface of the main body unit and the lower surface of the sheet conveyer is secured by the projection portion abutting against the other of the upper surface and the lower surface outside the area.

Abstract: In the invention, an inclination amount of sensors is reflected in positional deviation correction patterns, and for correcting formation positions of images of various colors, the positional deviation correction patterns are formed on a conveying belt. The positional deviation correction patterns are detected by the sensors. A control unit calculates positional deviation correction amounts based on detection results of the positional deviation correction patterns. Based on the calculated positional deviation correction amounts, the control unit performs calculation for correcting the positional deviation correction patterns, and cancels the inclination amount reflected in the calculation results to obtain final positional deviation correction amounts. Skew correction is performed based on the final positional deviation correction amounts, and thus, the positional deviations are corrected.

Abstract: When reading of the documents set on the document feed tray is given priority by user designation, the documents set on the document feed tray are read first, then the document set on the platen plate is read. When reading of the document set on the platen plate is given priority, the document set on the platen plate is read first, then the documents set on the document feed tray are read. Even when originals are composed of documents that can be set on the document feed tray and an original that cannot be set on the document feed tray, use of the above configuration makes it possible to achieve copying of the originals as one job.

Abstract: An original feeding apparatus is located above an image forming portion for recording an image on a recording medium and is constructed to convey an original to an image reading portion slidable in a shift direction relative to the image forming portion. The original feeding apparatus is slidable integrally with the image reading portion relative to the image forming portion and has its barycenter located on the rear end side with respect to the center in the shift direction.

Abstract: A plurality of wireless sensors can be placed within a large system in various locations to monitor critical elements of that system. Each wireless sensor can include sensor elements usable to monitor one or more parameters of an element of the system and a wireless signal transmitter, such as, for example, a speaker or an antenna. Each sensor can transmit one or more unique identifying signals to a signal-receiving device, which can be processed by a signal processor. The signal processor can determine each received signal, the sensor corresponding to that identified signal, and the time the wireless signal was generated. Based on this information, the wireless signals can be diagnostically compared against expected values for the system being monitored and evaluated. If a discrepancy is detected, then the components and/or subsystems within the system that are implicated in the discrepant wireless signals can be evaluated for possible errors.

Abstract: A document reading apparatus includes a feeding roller for feeding a document, a reading unit for reading images of the document fed by the feeding roller and a substantially U-shaped document transfer path for guiding the document fed the feeding roller. The substantially U-shaped document transfer path is constituted by an internal guide and an external guide. The external guide is separated from the internal guide by rotating the external guide. The internal guide is rotatably disposed and supports the reading means. A reading transfer path in which the reading unit is arranged is opened by rotating the internal guide.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus is provided including a sheet feed tray on which sheets of a plurality of sizes are placed. A conveying unit conveys a sheet on the sheet feed tray to a predetermined processing position. A sheet position detector has a plurality of light-emitting units respectively arranged at positions corresponding to different sheet widths and one light-receiving unit capable of moving to positions corresponding to the plurality of light-emitting units. A light reception position detector which detects the position of the light-receiving unit, and a control unit which selects one of the plurality of light-emitting units can also be provided.

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: In case of forming images of a job, which includes color pages and black/white pages, in order to constitute a system which can obtain pages of individually formed images with a state in original page order by selectively using both a color image formation apparatus and a monochrome image formation apparatus with a simple operation, job contents are transferred to each of the color image formation apparatus and the monochrome image formation apparatus when the job, which includes the color pages and the black/white pages, is outputted from a computer. The color image formation apparatus forms only images of color pages, and then an user sets the color pages in an inserter. The monochrome image formation apparatus forms monochrome images when pages are black/white and feeds sheets from the inserter when pages are color.

Abstract: Sheets of recording paper are stacked and put on a push-up plate, and the uppermost recording paper is moved by pickup rollers and is separated by separation pawls. The separated recording paper is further moved by the pickup rollers so as to be carried out to the conveyance path between an upper guide and a lower guide. Notches are provided in those regions of the lower guide which correspond to the corner parts of the recording paper. Owing to the notches, the corner parts of the recording paper deformed by the separation pawls do not come into touch with the lower guide, so that the bending and jamming of the recording paper can be prevented from occurring.

Abstract: An original feeding device for feeding a sheet-shaped original comprises an original loading tray for loading the original, a width direction aligning plates and for aligning the width direction of the original loaded on the original loading tray, and an original size indicator. The original size indicator is the scale for indication of an original size, and is disposed so that the original size indicated by the width direction aligning plate can be checked by any of a first view point from above for the original feeding device and a second view point having an equal height to the feeding device and also sidelongly fronting the same device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus scans, stores, and forms images. The apparatus includes an optical scanning device adapted to produce optical images to be reproduced; and an image storing device, connected for receiving the optical images from the optical scanning device for temporary storage thereof. The apparatus also has a device for reproducing a corresponding image signal at a later time. A plurality of image formation devices are connected for receiving the image signal from the image storing device and are enabled for forming the image on sheets which move through the apparatus. The apparatus further includes a sheet feeding device, interconnected and adapted for selectively receiving sheets from a sheet storing device, delivering the sheets to at least one of the image forming devices for producing latent images of the optical images onto the sheets, and thereafter, delivering the sheets to a sheet receiving device.

Abstract: The present invention aims to prevent an inconvenience that, when one print job stops, other print jobs essentially capable of being output are also inoperable and thus increases working efficiency. Thus, on the basis of a situation of a sheet holding unit to be used in an input print job, the order of printing of the input print jobs is changed irrespective of order of input of the print jobs before a print process is started.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit which accommodates an image forming module for forming an image on a recording sheet supplied, and a sheet supply unit disposed in parallel with the image forming unit, having one or plural sheet supply trays and feeding recording sheets stocked in the sheet supply trays to the image forming unit side. Sheet feeding paths from at least some of the sheet supply trays to the image forming unit are constructed as a bypass feeding path extending from the farther sides of the trays from the image forming unit, and a cover which is opened or closed and disposed to face the bypass feeding path is provided to the farther side of a unit case, accommodating the trays, from the image forming unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sheet post-processing device, including: a downstream side intermediate stacking unit having a pair of slide guides for supporting left and right edges of the sheet that is sent, the slide guides moving toward and away from each other so that the sheet is pressed against one of the slide guides that serves as a reference by the other slide guide to be positioned; a processing unit for processing the sheet positioned by the downstream side intermediate stacking unit; and a stacking unit for receiving the sheet that is dropped through a gap created between the slide guides, in which the pair of slide guides each have a bottom piece for supporting the edge of the sheet, and in which the bottom piece of the other slide guide is partially cut off to provide a remaining portion, the remaining portion making the gap between the bottom pieces wider on the upstream side than on the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a paper storage part; weight sensors for measuring the weight of paper stored in the paper storage part; a paper feed counting part for counting the number of sheets fed from the paper storage part; a memory unit for storing the weight A applied to the weight sensors, exclusive of the weight of paper, the weight B of standard paper, and the set number C of sheets for checking that specifies the intervals at which the remaining quantity of paper is to be checked; a control panel; and a CPU. The CPU accurately calculates the actual weight of each sheet of paper from a change in paper weight per feed of the set number C of sheets for checking.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of reducing time and effort of fixing the jammed film and capable of reducing waste of films not jammed when fixing the jammed film. The apparatus has: a film feeding section including a containing tray capable of containing photosensitive films and a shielding shutter to shield light into the containing tray; a plurality of processing sections to perform processing to a photosensitive film; a conveying mechanism to convey the photosensitive film along a predetermined conveying path leading continuously through the processing sections; a collecting section capable of collecting the photosensitive film on the conveying path; and a control section to control the conveying mechanism so as to convey photosensitive films in a jammed processing section and a processing section upstream of the jammed processing section to the collecting section when the photosensitive film is jammed on the conveying path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a pair of sheet transporting members having rotary shafts on the same axis in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of a sheet, and rotatively driven independently of each other to thereby transport the sheet, a detector provided along a cross direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the sheet for detecting the transported state of the sheet transported by the sheet transporting members, and a controller for drive-controlling the pair of sheet transporting members on the basis of the detection information of the detector, and effecting the correction of a sheet position in the cross direction and the correction of the skew feed posture of the sheet relative to the transport direction.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to properly set an original reading position in sheetfed scanning. To achieve this object, a background near a sheetfed scanning position is read to detect the distal end of a white sheet member arranged near a platen roller, and the reading position in sheetfed scanning is set.

Abstract: A paper feed has a door and a paper carrying tray, and raises the tray as paper is fed. A first detector that detects the presence of paper is located below a paper feed position by a margin corresponding to a given number of paper sheets, and second detector that detects the presence of paper is located below the first detector. If an open state of the door is detected, the paper carrying tray is lowered to a position where the second detector ceases to detect the presence of paper. If the first and second detectors detect the presence of paper after the tray is lowered, the tray is lowered to the position where the second detector ceases to detect the presence of paper. If a closed state of the door is detected after the tray is lowered, the tray is raised so that the uppermost one of paper sheets on the tray is situated in the paper feed position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a paper storage part; weight sensors for measuring the weight of paper stored in the paper storage part; a paper feed counting part for counting the number of sheets fed from the paper storage part; a memory unit for storing the weight A applied to the weight sensors, exclusive of the weight of paper, the weight B of standard paper, and the set number C of sheets for checking that specifies the intervals at which the remaining quantity of paper is to be checked; a control panel; and a CPU. The CPU accurately calculates the actual weight of each sheet of paper from a change in paper weight per feed of the set number C of sheets for checking.

Abstract: An original feeding device 100 for feeding a sheet-shaped original comprises an original loading tray 2 for loading the original, a width direction aligning plates 5 and 6 for aligning the width direction of the original loaded on the original loading tray 2, and an original size indicator 7. The original size indicator comprises the scale for indication an original size, and is disposed so that the original size indicated by the width direction aligning plate 6 can be checked by any of a first view point from above for the original feeding device 100 and a second view point having an equal height to the feeding device and also sidelongly fronting the same device.

Abstract: A sheet delivery mechanism designed to discharge successive sheets to different delivery positions includes offset rollers, an offset unit, an offsetting force generator and an offset unit swinging mechanism. The offset rollers is rotatably supported by the offset unit to discharge each sheet in a sheet transport direction. The offsetting force generator produces a driving force for shifting the offset unit back and forth along a direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction between a reference position and offset positions. The offset unit swinging mechanism swings the offset unit about an axis parallel to rotary shafts of the offset rollers in such a manner that a sheet output direction in which the offset rollers eject each sheet varies to a direction pointing away from a sheet delivery tray when the offset unit is shifted along the direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction by the offsetting force generator.

Abstract: Sheets of recording paper are stacked and put on a push-up plate, and the uppermost recording paper is moved by pickup rollers and is separated by separation pawls. The separated recording paper is further moved by the pickup rollers so as to be carried out to the conveyance path between an upper guide and a lower guide. Notches are provided in those regions of the lower guide which correspond to the corner parts of the recording paper. Owing to the notches, the corner parts of the recording paper deformed by the separation pawls do not come into touch with the lower guide, so that the bending and jamming of the recording paper can be prevented from occurring.

Abstract: 50 An image forming apparatus having a pair of sheet transporting members having rotary shafts on the same axis in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of a sheet, and rotatively driven independently of each other to thereby transport the sheet, a detector provided along a cross direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the sheet for detecting the transported state of the sheet transported by the sheet transporting members, and a controller for drive-controlling the pair of sheet transporting members on the basis of the detection information of the detector, and effecting the correction of a sheet position in the cross direction and the correction of the skew feed posture of the sheet relative to the transport direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of automatically and accurately judging whether or not the number of sheets of paper in a paper storage part is adequate for the number of copies to be made from the weight of paper in the paper storage part is provided.

Abstract: A paper feed apparatus according to the present invention has a door adapted to be opened and closed as paper is supplied, successively feeds paper on the top portion of a paper carrying tray, and raises the tray as the paper is fed. In this paper feed apparatus, a first detector that detects the presence of paper is located below a paper feed position by a margin corresponding to a given number of paper sheets, and a second detector that detects the presence of paper is located below the first detector. If an open state of the door is detected, the paper carrying tray is lowered to a position where the second detector ceases to detect the presence of paper. If the first and second detectors detect the presence of paper after the tray is lowered in this manner, the tray is lowered to the position where the second detector ceases to detect the presence of paper.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sheet accumulation processing device having a shielding mechanism of a sheet discharge opening which is simple in mechanism, low in cost and requires no complicated control. In the device, after an end of a sheet bunch sent via one end of a slit opening formed in a housing front face of the device is received by a sheet holding means disposed in the slit opening in a predetermined receiving position, the sheet holding means with the sheet bunch held therein is moved along the opening and, in a predetermined discharge position in the slit opening, discharges the sheet bunch onto a sheet accumulating tray in front of the housing. In the discharge position, a sheet holding section of the holding means is rotated forward and downward from its sheet-bunch holding condition and protruded forward from the housing front face, then releases the sheet bunch to place the sheet bunch onto the sheet accumulating tray.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of reducing time and effort of fixing the jammed film and capable of reducing waste of films not jammed when fixing the jammed film. The apparatus has: a film feeding section comprising a containing tray capable of containing photosensitive films and a shielding shutter to shield light into the containing tray; a plurality of processing sections to perform processing to a photosensitive film; a conveying mechanism to convey the photosensitive film along a predetermined conveying path leading continuously through the processing sections; a collecting section capable of collecting the photosensitive film on the conveying path; and a control section to control the conveying mechanism so as to convey photosensitive films in a jammed processing section and a processing section upstream of the jammed processing section to the collecting section when the photosensitive film is jammed on the conveying path.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sheet post-processing device, including: a downstream side intermediate stacking unit having a pair of slide guides for supporting left and right edges of the sheet that is sent, the slide guides moving toward and away from each other so that the sheet is pressed against one of the slide guides that serves as a reference by the other slide guide to be positioned; a processing unit for processing the sheet positioned by the downstream side intermediate stacking unit; and a stacking unit for receiving the sheet that is dropped through a gap created between the slide guides, in which the pair of slide guides each have a bottom piece for supporting the edge of the sheet, and in which the bottom piece of the other slide guide is partially cut off to provide a remaining portion, the remaining portion making the gap between the bottom pieces wider on the upstream side than on the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction.

Abstract: A receiving guide is attached to an upper portion of a discharge mechanism section via a bracket. When a photopolymer plate is discharged from a photopolymer plate conveying section, a leading end portion of the photopolymer plate, which is in a state of hanging down slightly, abuts a flat plate portion of the receiving guide. Thereafter, the receiving guide moves in accordance with movement of the leading end portion of the photopolymer plate. Further, the receiving guide moves forward in a conveying direction of the photopolymer plate immediately before conveying of the photopolymer plate is completed, and the photopolymer plate lands on the surface plate.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus having an original sheet feeding portion and an image reading portion includes two reading sensors which read an image (top surface and back surface) of an original and can almost simultaneously read both sides of the original without a reversing mechanism. In the image reading apparatus, when an instruction for starting reading is implemented without selecting a single-side reading mode or a both-side reading mode of the original, the reading of the both sides is executed for a first original. In the case that the first original is determined to be the both-side original, the both-side reading mode is still executed. In the case that the first original is determined to be the single-side original, the single-side reading mode is executed.

Abstract: There is described a film conveying apparatus drawably mounted onto an image-forming apparatus. The apparatus includes a film stacking section to stack photosensitive films on it, a conveying device being movable between a film conveying position and a film supplying position to convey the photosensitive films one by one from uppermost one, a first shading member that encloses both the film stacking section and the conveying device and has a conveyance opening from which the photosensitive film is conveyed out by the conveying device so as to maintain a light-shading state for both the film stacking section and the conveying device when the conveying device parks at the film conveying position; a second shading member, being movable relative to the first shading member, to open and close the conveyance opening; and a shading-member moving device to move the second shading member so as to open and close the conveyance opening.

Abstract: Disclosed are a sheet pack and a printer, the sheet pack being inexpensive and capable of being easily set onto the printer and simply exchanged with another one, while users can know information such as the quality, size and number of sheets of printing paper contained in the sheet pack. The sheet pack, containing a predetermined number of sheets, has a frame case formed of thick paper, and may include a sheet supply opening, an abutment opening, a pressure contact opening and a separating pad. A recording member for recording information such as quality, size, number, thickness, color or production date of sheets contained in the sheet pack, may also be provided on the sheet pack. The printer, onto which the sheet pack can be removably set includes an information reading unit for reading the information recorded in the recording member when the sheet pack is set onto the printer. The information read by the information reading unit is displayed by a display unit.

Abstract: An image recording device which cuts an elongated photosensitive material, and disposes plural rows of photosensitive material sheets in parallel, and simultaneously conveys the photosensitive material sheets. The elongated photosensitive material pulled-out from a magazine is cut by a cutter into a plurality of sheet-shaped photographic printing papers of predetermined widths. The photographic printing papers are conveyed by first conveying roller pairs to predetermined positions on a conveying path. Due to nipping of the first conveying roller pairs being released, the photographic printing papers, which have been conveyed to conveying positions of respective rows, abut a stopper such that trailing ends of the photographic printing papers are aligned. Further, due to the plurality of photographic printing papers being nipped by second roller pairs, the plurality of photographic printing papers are conveyed toward an exposure position simultaneously in plural rows on the conveying path.

Abstract: A tray 1 can be inserted in and pulled out of a main body 10 of an image forming apparatus. A lifting member 23 is provided in the main body 10 so that the lifting member 23 is able to enter into the tray 1 and lift a stack of sheets in the tray 1. The lifting member 23 is driven by a motor 25 provided in the main body 10. A switching member 27 is provided for connecting and disconnecting the transmission of the power of the motor 25 to the lifting member 23. When the tray 1 is fully inserted in the main body 10, the switching member 27 connects the transmission. In contrast, when the tray 1 is to be moved out of the main body 10, the switching member 27 disconnects the transmission, so that the lifting member 23 swings downward out of the tray 1.

Abstract: In an image recording device, pressing rollers are disposed closer to an exposure position than conveyance roller pairs disposed upstream and downstream from the exposure position. Thus, rising of a trailing edge of a photographic printing sheet which has passed through a conveyance roller pair disposed immediately upstream from the exposure position and of a leading edge thereof prior to reaching the conveyance roller pair disposed immediately upstream from the exposure position can be suppressed, and excellent image recording can be performed. For example, pressing by the pressing roller and nipping by the conveyance roller pair are released before the leading edge of the photographic printing paper respectively reaches the pressing roller and the conveyance roller pair disposed immediately downstream from the exposure position.

Abstract: An image recording device has a supporting surface which supports a photographic printing paper at an exposure position, and a conveying roller pair in a vicinity of the supporting surface. A projecting height of a nip position of the conveying roller pair from the supporting surface is 5 &mgr;m to 300 &mgr;m. Further, a step between the supporting surface at the exposure position and a conveying guide adjacent to the supporting surface is 1.0 mm or less. The shock or vibrations, which are generated at the leading end or the trailing end of the photographic printing paper are reduced. Moreover, the conveying roller pair and a pressing roller block propagation of vibrations to the exposure region.

Abstract: A printer comprising a paper storage section provided at the lower portion of a printer body, a feed roller and a pinch roller for feeding paper being brought into contact with each other under pressure and positioned over the paper storage section inside the printer body, a thermal head and a platen capable of pressing and holding the paper therebetween and positioned at the downstream side of the feed roller in the paper feed direction, and a discharge tray for receiving the printed paper and positioned over the paper storage section at the downstream side of the thermal head in the paper feed direction.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an image exposure apparatus whose installation area and height are reduced and which enables smooth conveying of a printing plate. In this image exposure apparatus, a cassette accommodating printing plates therein is loaded in such a manner as to be inclined at a predetermined angle, and preferably at an angle near 90°. A printing plate which has been taken out by a sheet unit is diverted in a curved manner and is sent to a recording section by a diverting unit. With this compact structure, the installation area and the height of the apparatus can be reduced.

Abstract: The footprint of a document scanning unit such as a copier, facsimile machine or document scanner or combinations thereof is reduced by causing overlap of the leading and trailing edges of long document sheets to be scanned in the document delivery roller system downstream of the scanning station. Differential slippage of the overlapping ends between a drive roller and a pinch roller is provided in a first embodiment. A second embodiment uses a moveable pinch roller in the document delivery system to selectively open and close a gap to permit slippage of the leading and trailing edges of the document. A third embodiment uses three document delivery rollers defining two spaced nips in which the leading and trailing edges of a long document are simultaneously present and a crenellated roller surface to guide the leading edge of the document to the desired nip in the delivery system.

Abstract: A stacker apparatus is disclosed which includes a plurality of trays for receiving sheet-like media discharged from two or more medium exits disposed in upward and downward directions separately and individually for the medium exits in a stacked state.

Abstract: Sheet media alignment and offsetting devices and methods in which all sheets output by the printer are more reliably moved to the correct output position. In one embodiment, each sheet is moved to an “aligned” position as it is conveyed through the alignment/offset mechanism and then, if offsetting is desired, the sheet is moved the desired offset distance from the aligned position to the correct offset position. Preferably, the aligned position is set to correspond to the correct non-offset output position so that each sheet is output to the correct position whether or not offsetting is used. In an alternative embodiment, each sheet is moved directly from the position it is received in the output device to either the aligned position for non-offset output or to the offset position for offset output.

Abstract: A printer comprising a paper storage section provided at the lower portion of a printer body, a feed roller and a pinch roller for feeding paper being brought into contact with each other under pressure and positioned over the paper storage section inside the printer body, a thermal head and a platen capable of pressing and holding the paper therebetween and positioned at the downstream side of the feed roller in the paper feed direction, and a discharge tray for receiving the printed paper and positioned over the paper storage section at the downstream side of the thermal head in the paper feed direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes two deck cases (sheet stacking means) arranged side by side and disposed below a re-feed path for re-feeding a sheet having a first surface on which an image was formed. In the present invention, a sheet feed path of the deck case, among two deck cases, remote from a registration introduction path is joined to an intermediate portion of the re-feed path.

Abstract: A loop region in which a loop of a negative film is formed is provided between a pre-scan section and a fine scan section. When a frame image recorded on the negative film is read, a control circuit effects control such that respective processings in the pre-scan section and the fine scan section are performed concurrently in a state in which a length of the loop in the loop region is within a predetermined allowable range.

Abstract: The present invention provides pivot 207a of paper edge regulation element 207 that evens up the edges of placed sheets aside from rotation axis 206 of pickup roller 204, forms groove 208 into which rotation axis 206 that has ascended is fitted in paper edge regulation element 207, makes rotation axis 206 fit into groove 208 of paper edge regulation element 207 when pickup roller 204 is lifted to regulate the rotation of paper edge regulation element 207 and makes rotation axis 206 come off groove 208 of paper edge regulation element 207 and become free to rotate when pickup roller 204 is lowered.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sheet-fed printing press which includes at least one high performance printing unit, especially a laser printing unit, and several ink jet printing units which are each situated on one of several parallel sheet conveying channels. The sheet conveying channels being connected to a shared input channel on the input side via sheet guides and to several sheet temporary storage devices on the output side. The sheet temporary storage devices are connected in turn to a shared sheet output channel on the output side. The at least one high-performance printing unit is connected to the shared sheet input channel of the ink jet printing units or to the shared sheet output channel of the sheet temporary storage device. The inventive sheet-fed printing press enable quick, problem-free and economical multicolor printing and is simple and economical to produce.

Abstract: The footprint of a document scanning unit such as a copier, facsimile machine or document scanner or combinations thereof is reduced by causing overlap of the leading and trailing edges of long document sheets to be scanned in the document delivery roller system downstream of the scanning station. Differential slippage of the overlapping ends between a drive roller and a pinch roller is provided in a first embodiment. A second embodiment uses a moveable pinch roller in the document delivery system to selectively open and close a gap to permit slippage of the leading and trailing edges of the document. A third embodiment uses three document delivery rollers defining two spaced nips in which the leading and trailing edges of a long document are simultaneously present and a crenellated roller surface to guide the leading edge of the document to the desired nip in the delivery system.

Abstract: Optical scanning of a moving sheet of image-bearing material is carried out in a stand-alone apparatus. No drive is provided for the sheet in the scanning apparatus, and the sheet accelerates therethrough under its own momentum and under its own weight. Transmittance scans from an optical sensor are obtained at a uniform frequency, and are analysed to determine the final speed of the sheet. Computation then allows the data to be corrected such that the detected transmittance can be related to the actual area of the sheet under acceleration. The transmittance of the sheet is then combined with its measured area to determine the amount of image present on the sheet. The invention finds application in photoprocessing apparatus, and a signal dependent on the amount of image present on the sheet and its area is sent back to the photoprocessor to control the amount of replenishment chemicals added to the processing tanks.