Abstract: A drive switching mechanism includes first to third transmission element trains, a connection/disconnection element disposed at one of a position between the first and second transmission element trains and a position in the third transmission element train, and a rotation restraining element disposed at the other of the positions. When a drive transmission path is disconnected by the connection/disconnection element, the rotation restraining element is drivenly rotated on the basis of a driving force transmitted from the first transmission element train and selects a drive transmission path that is different from the drive transmission path disconnected by the connection/disconnection element.

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 sheet processing apparatus includes a gripper unit which is moved to a retreat region along long grooves in advance when moving a stapler unit to any one of first and second binding positions. The stapler unit is moved to the binding position by being guided by a guide rail portion while passing above the long grooves. Therefore, moving operations of both of the gripper unit and the stapler unit can be smoothly performed under a state in which movement of both thereof is not prohibited by the long grooves and the guide rail portion. Further, an image forming apparatus including the sheet processing apparatus is provided.

Abstract: Communication protocol methods for performing signal synchronization, data transmission, and data acknowledgement between a transmitting device and a receiving device are provided. The methods are characterized by a plurality of transmission lines which are used for performing signal synchronization, data transmission, and data acknowledgement by the communication protocol methods.

Abstract: A multi-purpose scan device using the same power source includes a flatbed scanner, an ADF, a motor, and a power-switching mechanism. The flatbed scanner has a scanning module and a power transmission mechanism for moving the scanning module back and forth in the flatbed scanner. The ADF has a sheet-feeding mechanism for feeding a document across the scanning module, which scans the document. The power-switching mechanism selectively transmits power of the motor to the sheet-feeding mechanism and the power transmission mechanism.

Abstract: In a gear changing device, when a sun gear rotates in a forward direction, a rotating member is rotated in the same direction as the sun gear and planetary gears are pivotally rotated around the sun gear. When the sun gear rotates in a reverse direction, the rotating member stops rotating and allows the planetary gears to rotate on axes thereof to a plurality of predetermined positions on a path of the planetary gear that pivotally rotates. A plurality of transmission gears are provided at a plurality of predetermined positions along the path of the planetary gear pivotally rotating, so as to engage with each of the planetary gears. A plurality of recesses and projections that are recessed and protruded, respectively, in the diametrical direction of the rotating member are alternately formed in an outer periphery of the rotating member. Each of the recesses and projections has a specific width. A sensor switch that detects the recesses and the projections at a predetermined position is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image scanning apparatus having a scanning module, a transmission belt, a speed-change gear module, and a driving device. The driving device drives the transmission belt by using the speed-change gear module so as to drive the scanning module positioned on the transmission belt to scan an image. The speed-change gear module provides various speed-change ratios so that the driving device may drive the transmission belt at different speeds under the same speed of the driving device. In the embodiment, the speed-change gear module has a switching platform for accommodating the speed-change gear module. The stepping motor serving as the driving device is connected with the speed-change gear module by the motor gear. The transmission belt is connected with the speed-change gear module by the belt wheel.

Abstract: The present invention is an inexpensive and accurate means of improving resolution when imaging a small digital display onto a larger photosensitive medium. The device includes a printer having a housing that encloses, in a common cavity thereof, an arrangement comprising a digital area array display, a plurality of lenses, and an image plane. The digital area array display, the plurality of lenses, and the image plane are spaced along an optical axis extending from the digital area array display through the plurality of lenses, and toward the image plane such that a digital image provided by the display can be brought into focus onto the imaging plane by the plurality of lenses. One of the plurality of lenses is a transposable lens, the transposable lens capable of being transposed out of the optical axis during the operation of the printer, to increase the perceived resolution of the digital image focused onto the imaging plane.

Abstract: An optical image scanner includes a scan head that is mounted onto a guide member with a bias torque that reduces uncertainty in position of the scan head. A drive member, such as a belt or cable, is attached to the scan head with an offset relative to a centerline of the guide member. A tensioning device ensures that the drive member asserts force on the scan head at each of the attachment points. As a result, a bias torque is placed onto the scan head, relative to the guide member, reducing uncertainty in position. For bidirectional movement, the biasing torque is the same for either direction of travel.

Abstract: A device for changing a resolution of a facsimile includes a pinion gear rotated by the driving power of a driving motor, a first gear for rotating a driving roller to convey a document to a contact image sensor, a second gear for changing its driving path according to a rotation direction of the pinion gear; and a third gear interlocked or separated with the first gear according to the rotation direction of the second gear. This changes the resolution. The contact image sensor reads, codes, compresses, and transmits the document data.

Abstract: A facsimile machine including a motor capable of being driven to selectively produce forward power and reverse power; a first operation portion for performing a first operation of the facsimile machine; a second operation portion for performing a second operation of the facsimile machine; a first gear train for, when the facsimile machine is in a first mode, transmitting reverse power from the motor to drive the first operation portion; a second gear train for, when the facsimile machine is in a second mode, transmitting reverse power from the motor to drive the second operation portion; and a mode switching member driven by forward power from the motor to switch the facsimile machine between the first mode and the second mode.

Abstract: A transmission mechanism for a scanner includes a frame having a plurality of holes with different sizes and a series of gears mated with each other through different numbers of teeth. Due to different locations of where the transmission mechanism are mounted, the frame is able to be adapted to different type of motors.

Abstract: A jam preventing drive device for a facsimile suitable for removing instability of document relay and for preventing document jam. The drive device has a drive motor, main transmission gears for rotating both a document separation roller and a guide roller during initial rotation of the motor, and for rotating a register roller during reverse rotation of the motor. Auxiliary transmission mechanism transmit the rotating force of the register roller to the document separation roller during the reverse rotation of the motor. In the drive device, the rotating force of the motor is transmitted to both the document separation roller and the guide roller during the initial rotation of the motor, while the rotating force of the motor is transmitted to both the register roller and the document separation roller during the reverse rotation of the motor.

Abstract: A document transferring system used in a facsimile apparatus or document scanner includes a first drive gear directly connected to a motor, an idler gear engaged with the first drive gear, a second drive gear engaged with the idler gear for driving a feed roller, and a third drive gear engaged with the second drive gear for driving a pressure roller. The idler gear may be configured as a double gear with large and small toothed wheels respectively engaging the first and second drive gears.

Abstract: A scanner has a frame assembly including a carriage movably mounted in the frame assembly for scanning movement in a scanning path in a first direction along the length of the frame assembly, the frame assembly includes at least one sheet transport path with an indexer to index a sheet through the path; the indexer including at least one index roll mounted on a rotatable shaft having a barrel cam at one end which is actuated by the scanning carriage at the end of the scanning path to rotate the at least one index roll a portion of a revolution.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a CCD unit having a linear image sensor, for reading an image line by line and generating image data, a first moving unit including a motor and rails for repeatedly moving a reading position of the CCD unit in a main scanning direction a plurality of times, a second moving unit including a motor and rails for moving the reading position of the CCD unit in a sub scanning direction every time the reading position of the CCD unit is moved in the main scanning direction, and a control unit for controlling the first and second moving units to shift the reading position of the CCD unit to a desired position, and mirrors for causing an operator to recognize coordinates of the reading position of the CCD unit which is shifted to the desired position by the control unit. The control unit shifts the reading position of the CCD unit to the desired position by using a plurality of moving speeds.