Document Feed Patents (Class 358/498)
  • Patent number: 8867089
    Abstract: A recording material transporting device includes a transport path along which a recording material is transported, a first transporting unit that includes a first rotating member and a second rotating member being arranged apart from each other in a direction crossing the transport path, the first transporting unit correcting skew of the recording material by rotating the first rotating member and the second rotating member in a different speed, and a second transporting unit that includes a third rotating member and a fourth rotating member being arranged apart from each other in the crossing direction, the second transporting unit correcting skew of the recording material by rotating the third rotating member and the fourth rotating member in a different speed, wherein the third rotating member and the fourth rotating member are arranged between the first rotating member and the second rotating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makio Uehara, Michio Tada, Takashi Abe, Yoshiyuki Takaishi, Yousuke Hasegawa, Yoichi Yamakawa, Hisakazu Onoe, Yasunobu Gotoh
  • Patent number: 8867048
    Abstract: A method and system include a computerized device operatively connected to a multi-function printing device. The multi-function printing device has a scanner, a media path, a printer, etc. The scanner scans a plurality of sheets of media to produce scanned images. The computerized device automatically stores the scanned images, and the media path automatically feeds the sheets of media from the scanner to the printer after the scanner scans the sheets of media. The printer automatically prints unique identification markings on the sheets of media after the scanner scans the sheets of media, such that each of the sheets of media has a different identification marking printed thereon by the printer. The computerized device automatically adds data representing each unique identification marking to each corresponding scanned image stored within the computerized device. When error images (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Nathaniel G. Martin
  • Patent number: 8867110
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a housing accommodating an image forming unit and includes a side wall and an opening to feed the sheet from an outside to the image forming unit; a feeding tray moving between a holding position and an accommodation position; a guide provided at the feeding tray, the guide being configured to abut against the sheet which is held on the feeding tray from a rear end side of the sheet in a feeding direction along with the sheet is fed to the image forming unit and define a holding position of the sheet when the feeding tray is arranged at the holding position and the sheet is placed on the feeding tray; and a recess part formed on the sidewall of the housing and configured to accommodate the guide therein when the feeding tray is arranged at the accommodation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Jian Chen
  • Patent number: 8867112
    Abstract: In an image reading device, a scanning unit moves relative to the main unit between a base position and a moved position. A conveyance unit moves relative to the scanning unit between a base position and a moved position at which the cover closes the platen, and is formed with a first and second openings. The cover member moves between a base position at which the cover member covers a second opening and a moved position. The first and second detectors detect a state of the scanning unit, the conveyance unit, and the cover member. The conveyance unit conveys the document along one of a first and second conveying paths that is used to convey the document and is determined based on the state of the first and second detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Osakabe, Daisuke Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8867111
    Abstract: A document reader is provided that includes a document table at least part of which is configured to swing around a first axis, between a first position to function as the document table and a second position to be more slanted with respect to a first guide than when in the first position, a swing portion configured to form a part of a feeding surface forming a second guide and configured to swing around a second axis, between a third position to function as the second guide and a fourth position to expose a part of a feeding path that is formed by the second guide to the outside of the document reader, and a switching mechanism for swinging the swing portion from the third position to the fourth position with the swing motion of the at least part of the document table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8867107
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a transporting member that transports a document, a light source that irradiates the document at a reading position with light, a light receiving unit that receives light reflected at the reading position, a background member that is inclined with respect to the document at the reading position such that, upon reflecting the light emitted from the light source toward the light receiving unit when the document is not present at the reading position, a difference between an incident angle and a reflection angle thereon is less than a difference between an incident angle and a reflection angle on the document at the reading position, and an adjusting unit that adjusts a position or attitude of an acting member such that the light reflected from the background member is received with a greater intensity than light reflected from white paper at the reading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kosuke Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8860989
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kodak Alaris Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Link, George E. Lathrop, Joseph John Furno, Jon McDonough, John D. Meierdiercks
  • Patent number: 8861049
    Abstract: A image reading apparatus includes a first conveyance unit which is configured to convey a document to a reading position of a platen while pinching the document, a second conveyance unit arranged on a downstream of the platen and configured to convey the document, an upstream rotary member arranged between the first conveyance unit and the second conveyance unit and configured to come into contact with the document at a position on an upstream of the reading position, and a downstream rotary member arranged between the first conveyance unit and the second conveyance unit and configured to come into contact with the document at a position on a downstream of the reading position, wherein a gap between the platen and the upstream rotary member is set smaller than a gap between the platen and the downstream rotary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masafumi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8860958
    Abstract: A sheet conveyer device, including a roller to convey a sheet by rotating in a normal direction and a holder rotatably arranged on a roller shaft, is provided. The holder includes a roller gear system arranged on the roller shaft and having a roller driving gear to drive the roller, a shutter rotatably arranged on a shutter shaft to restrict access of the sheet to the roller, a shutter gear system to connect a path between the roller gear system and the shutter, a one-way clutch to disconnect the path between the roller gear system and the shutter when the roller rotates in the normal direction, and a torque limiter to allow the roller to rotate in a reverse direction. The holder rotates about the roller shaft in the same reverse direction as the roller when the roller rotates in the reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuo Ito, Kazutoshi Kuse, Masanori Hamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8861048
    Abstract: An image scanner includes a stationary original plate on which a stationary original is placed and a moving original plate, over which a moving original is conveyed, aligned with the stationary original plate in a sub-scanning direction and tilted relative to the stationary original plate by a given angle. A reader is movable in the sub-scanning direction between a stationary original reading span disposed opposite the stationary original via the stationary original plate to read an image on the stationary original and a moving original reading position disposed opposite the moving original via the moving original plate to read an image on the moving original. The reader pressingly contacts the stationary original plate and the moving original plate as the reader moves in the sub-scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Narai, Yasunobu Youda, Taku Kudoh, Takayuki Andoh, Koji Hatayama, Yohei Osanai
  • Patent number: 8861051
    Abstract: A roller assembly includes a roller shaft, a roller base and at least one roller. The roller shaft defines at least one clipping slot. The roller shaft passes rearward through the roller base to rotatably mount the roller base to the roller shaft. An inside of the roller base extends forward to form an elastic arm. A free end of the elastic arm projects beyond a front surface of the roller base. The free end of the elastic arm defines a hook portion hooked in the clipping slot to restrain the roller base on the roller shaft. The roller is set around the roller base. When the roller assembly is disassembled, press down upon the free end of the elastic arm to make the hook portion project out of the clipping slot, so that the roller base together with the rollers is disassembled from the roller shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Foxlink Image Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hung Ming Chang, Che Pin Hung
  • Patent number: 8860967
    Abstract: A scanner device including: a scanning path on which a scanning member for scanning an image from a document is disposed; a supply path on which a document is supplied to the scanning path; a discharge path on which a document is discharged after scanning of the document on the scanning path has been completed; and a re-supply path that extended to the supply path from a intersection where the scanning path and the discharge path cross so that a document fed along the discharge path in a direction opposite to a document-feeding direction is re-supplied to the supply path after scanning of one side of the document has been completed, wherein one-side guide portions of the supply path, the discharge path, and the re-supply path are integrally formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-kon Jo
  • Patent number: 8861043
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a duplex path to guide a document, which is read by a first reading unit and a second reading unit. The document is subjected to a primary reading operation using the first and the second reading units, and the document is then guided via the duplex path and passes through the first reading unit and the second reading unit. At this time, the document is subjected to a secondary reading operation using the first and the second reading units, and a control unit compares image information obtained by the first reading unit and the second reading unit in the primary reading operation with image information obtained by the first reading unit and the second reading unit in the secondary reading operation. The control unit also determines whether the first reading unit and the second reading unit are normally operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong Duk Lee
  • Patent number: 8861050
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a reading unit, a feeding unit, a carriage holding the reading unit, a motor, a motor-side transmission gear, a feeding unit-side transmission gear, a carriage-side transmission gear, a switching gear which switches between a meshing state of meshing with the feeding unit-side transmission gear at a feeding unit-side position and a meshing state of meshing with the carriage-side transmission gear at a carriage-side position, a restraint member which applies a restraint force for restraining the switching of the switching gear, and a motor control unit which when switching the switching gear between the carriage-side position and the feeding unit-side position, executes a large torque control of controlling the motor to generate a switching torque which is larger than a moving reading torque to be generated by the motor at a time of document reading when executing a moving reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinya Sahara
  • Publication number: 20140300938
    Abstract: A scanning device has a controller which is configured to judge whether the scanning device is to be operated in a conveyed sheet scanning mode in which the controller controls a conveying unit to convey a sheet and control the scanning unit to scan images on the sheet being conveyed, or in a held sheet scanning mode in which the sheet stationarily held by a sheet table is scanned, to display functions related to the conveyed sheet scanning mode on a display unit in a first prioritized manner when the controller judges that the scanning device is to be operated in the conveyed sheet scanning mode, and to display functions related to the held sheet scanning mode on the display unit in a second prioritized manner when the controller judges that the scanning device is to be operated in the held sheet scanning mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masayoshi OOSAKI
  • Publication number: 20140300939
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus may include multiple detection portions including a first detection portion and a second detection portion. The first detection portion and the second detection portion may be configured to distinguishably detect the insertion of media from one of a first opening and a second opening. In one example, the first detection portion may be disposed along a first conveyance path corresponding to the first opening while the second detection portion may be disposed along a second conveyance path corresponding to the second opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hirofumi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8854646
    Abstract: A printing device includes a storage unit configured to store image data transferred from a high level device; a conveyance control unit configured to control conveyance of a printing medium and output a notification of a printable state when the printing medium is conveyed to reach a predetermined printable state; a printing unit configured to print the image data stored in the storage unit on the printing medium in response to the notification of the printable state output from the conveyance control unit; and a printing control unit configured to create print setting information including conveyance control information to control conveyance of the printing medium from printing information specified from the high level device and transmit the print setting information at least to the conveyance control unit. The conveyance control unit controls conveyance of the printing medium in accordance with the conveyance control information included in the print setting information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Shunsuke Arita, Shigeru Toyazaki, Shinya Nohdomi, Hidetoshi Suzuki, Takeya Satou, Muneyoshi Akai
  • Patent number: 8854706
    Abstract: An auto document feeding device includes: a carrying member configured to carry an original from an original setting unit to an image scanning unit; a fixed guide unit configured to change a carrying direction of the original, at between the carrying member and the image scanning unit; a movable guide unit which is movable between the fixed guide unit and the carrying member; and a paper discharge unit configured to discharge the original which passed through the image scanning unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Kitazawa, Masakazu Iwamoto, Shinichi Miyakawa, Seiji Iino, Akihito Tokutsu, Mitsunori Ishii, Naoki Shoji
  • Patent number: 8854703
    Abstract: A document reading device for reading a page of a passport includes a mounting surface, a camera, an illumination light source for radiating illumination light that is, and an ultraviolet light source for radiating ultraviolet light to activate a fluorescent material on the page. The illumination light source is at a first edge perpendicular to a binding edge on the page and radiates illumination light in the direction intersecting with the first edge. The ultraviolet light source is at a second edge parallel to the binding edge and radiates ultraviolet light in the direction intersecting with the second edge. The illumination light source includes an infrared light source and a white light source. The document reading device has both an illumination light source and an ultraviolet light source, and can avoid image capturing in the specular reflection condition when the document is deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Mukawa, Kazuki Saitou
  • Publication number: 20140293379
    Abstract: A sheet conveying device including: a separating roller; a separating piece; and conveying rollers. The separating roller conveys each sheet along a predetermined conveying path in a conveyance direction. The separating piece provides a first nip position in cooperation with the outer peripheral surface of the separating roller for nipping a sheet or sheets therebetween. The conveying rollers are provided at positions downstream of the separating roller in the conveyance direction and provide a second nip position where the sheet is nipped therebetween for conveying the sheet conveyed by the separating roller in the conveyance direction. An imaginary flat plane is defined by connecting the first nip position and the second nip position. The separating piece has a portion positioned downstream of the first nip position and protruding toward the separating roller beyond the imaginary flat plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshinori Osakabe, Muneaki Takahata
  • Publication number: 20140293378
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an apparatus body, a document sheet feed apparatus, a wiring cord, a guide portion, and a wiring cord cover. The apparatus body includes a document sheet reading portion therein. The document sheet feed apparatus is configured to be openable and closable relative to a document sheet placing surface of the apparatus body. The wiring cord is configured to electrically connect between the apparatus body and the document sheet feed apparatus. The guide portion is configured to surround the wiring cord. The wiring cord cover is mounted detachably to the apparatus body in a state where the wiring cord cover has the wiring cord disposed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Masayuki Kakuta, Keiji Okumura
  • Publication number: 20140293374
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus may include a conveyor. The conveyor may include a first roller, a second roller, and a contact portion. The first roller may be configured to rotate on a first axis. One of the second roller and the contact portion may be disposed on an upstream side of the first axis along a conveyance path, and other of the second roller and the contact portion may be disposed on a downstream side of the first axis along the conveyance path. A first distance between a surface of the first roller and a surface of the second roller and a second distance between a surface of the first roller and a surface of the contact portion may be fixed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Daisuke Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20140293376
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a cartridge holder configured to receive a pen or a cutter, a platen configured to receive an object, a first moving mechanism configured to move the cartridge holder, a reading unit configured to read image data from the object, a second moving mechanism configured to move the object to the reading unit, and a processor configured to cause the apparatus to instruct the second moving mechanism to move the abject to the reading unit, to instruct the reading unit to read first image data, to calculate an amount of deviation of a first set position of the object in the first image data from a reference set position, to instruct the second moving mechanism to move the object to the reading unit, and to correct the second image data based on the calculated deviation amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masashi Tokura
  • Publication number: 20140293375
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus may include a conveyor. The conveyor may be configured to convey a first medium in a first conveyance direction along a first conveyance path and a second medium in a second conveyance direction along a second conveyance path. The image reading apparatus may include a reader. The reader may be configured to read image data from the first medium and the second medium. The image reading apparatus may include a movable guide. The movable guide may be disposed on a housing of the image reading apparatus. The movable guide may be configured to be moved to regulate a width of the second opening defined in a direction perpendicular to the second conveyance direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takaaki Mukai
  • Publication number: 20140293377
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus including: a conveyor; a first reading unit; a second reading unit; a first frame; and a second frame. The first reading unit extends in a prescribed direction and has a first end on a first side and a third end on a second side opposite to the first side in the prescribed direction. The second reading unit extends in the prescribed direction and has a second end on the first side and a fourth end on the second side. The second reading unit is disposed opposite to the first reading unit with a conveying path along which a sheet is conveyed interposed therebetween. The first frame includes first and second engagement portions configured to be engaged with the first and second ends, respectively. The second frame includes third and fourth engagement portions configured to be engaged with the third and fourth ends, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Saya MINOSHIMA, Masamitsu UKAI
  • Patent number: 8848204
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a manual feed detecting unit that detects if a recording medium is set in a manual medium feeding unit; a print data receiving unit that receives print data; a medium orientation setting unit that receives an instruction for an orientation of the recording medium to be fed from the manual medium feeding unit, and sets the orientation; a printing control unit that controls the printing device to print an image based on the print data and executes a manual feed forcing operation if the manual feed detecting unit has detected the recording medium; and an image generating unit that generates the image based on the print data and determines an orientation of the image based on the orientation of the recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Kozo Tao
  • Patent number: 8848260
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a data output control unit to output image data on a line-by-line basis in response to a line synchronizing signal, and a data output interface circuit to transfer via a bus the image data that is output from the data output control unit on a line-by-line basis in response to the line synchronizing signal, wherein the data output interface circuit makes a transition, together with the bus, from a normal state to a power saving state when a predetermined check period next following completion of transfer, by the data output interface circuit, of image data for one line output from the data output control unit passes before transfer of image data for a next one line, and returns, together with the bus, from the power saving state to the normal state for transfer of image data for the next one line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Nagano
  • Patent number: 8848239
    Abstract: There is provided a decoloring device including a decoloring unit, a first sheet conveying unit, a second sheet conveying unit, a reversing and conveying unit, a manual feed tray, and a manual discharge tray. The reversing and conveying unit is disposed adjacent to an outer wall of the decoloring device in relation to the first sheet conveying unit, and conveys once again the sheet, which is temporarily brought into the second sheet conveying unit after being decolored by the decoloring unit and is switch-back conveyed, to the first sheet conveying unit. The manual feed tray is provided at an outer wall side of the decoloring device adjacent to the reversing and conveying unit. The manual discharge tray is provided at a position of the outer wall side of the decoloring device adjacent to the reversing and conveying unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Iguchi, Isao Yahata, Takahiro Kawaguchi, Hiroyuki Taguchi, Hiroyuki Tsuchihashi, Hiroyuki Taki
  • Patent number: 8848259
    Abstract: A media processing device improves the recognition rate of magnetic ink character data from magnetic ink characters printed on a medium. The media processing device 1 has a magnetic reading unit 41 that acquires the magnetic data of magnetic ink characters S2 from a check S1; and a front image scanner unit 25 that exposes the check S1 to a front image scanning light and acquires front image data. When at least a magnetic data read command to read magnetic ink characters S2 is received from a computer 80, the front image scanner unit 25 is set to a front image scanning mode 11 that acquires front image data using infrared light as the front image data. The check processing device 1 acquires the magnetic data and front image data, and sends the acquired data to the computer 80. The computer 80 recognizes the magnetic ink characters S2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Motoyama
  • Patent number: 8848263
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image reading apparatus comprising: a movable unit having a transparent member; a guide portion arranged to face the transparent member to guide a conveyed sheet; a reader portion configured to read an image on a sheet guided by the guide portion past the transparent member; abutting portions that are provided on the guide portion and abut on the movable unit; an actuating portion configured to move the movable unit in a direction along the surface of the transparent member; and an engaging portion provided on the movable unit and engaged with the guide member such that the movable unit and the abutting portion are separated from each other as the movable unit is moved by the actuating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masafumi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8848208
    Abstract: A sheet on which a pattern is formed in a plurality of rows is conveyed toward downstream at least until an area having the formed pattern reaches an area to be dried by a drying unit. Subsequently, with respect to the pattern, reading by the reading unit for each row included in the plurality of rows and step-feeding of the sheet toward upstream are repeated. A sheet area to be conveyed to a reading area by step-feeding is forcibly dried by the drying unit before reading the sheet area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaki Sumioka
  • Patent number: 8848223
    Abstract: A printing method for a print job having at least two pages. After determining a position of rolled media in the printer, print data for either a first page or a second page of the print job can be staged for printing first. This can be performed at a host computer connected to the printer or it can be performed in the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Kodak Alaris Inc.
    Inventors: John Emmanuel Wright, Alex David Horvath, Robert Fredric Mindler
  • Patent number: 8848264
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus comprising: a reading unit; a feeding unit; a carriage; a motor-side transmission gear for transmitting power from a motor; a feeding unit-side transmission gear for transmitting the power to the feeding unit in a feeding reading of reading an image of the document fed by the feeding unit; a carriage-side transmission gear for transmitting the power to the carriage in a moving reading of reading an image of the document while moving the carriage; a switching gear configured to be switched between a feeding unit-side position and a carriage-side position; a sensor; and a control device configured to, when it is determined that the jam has occurred, drive the motor in a direction of releasing a meshed state between the feeding unit-side transmission gear and the switching gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kosuke Mori
  • Patent number: 8842347
    Abstract: An image scanning apparatus includes a scanning unit which scans paper, a paper transfer unit which transfers the paper to the scanning unit using a BLDC (Brushless DC) motor, a sensor unit which senses driving information of the BLDC motor, a scan controlling unit which controls operations of the scanning unit, and generates a control command including information regarding a driving direction of the BLDC motor, a driving signal unit which generates a driving signal for controlling the BLDC motor, and a digital controlling unit which controls operations of the driving signal unit in a digital method based on a generated control command, sensed driving information and a digital gain value according to a driving direction of the BLDC motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji-Young Byun, Ho-bin Hwang
  • Patent number: 8842348
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus may include a main unit and a cover unit pivotally attached to the main unit. The cover unit may include an image reading device configured to read an image of a document along a conveying path. The image reading device may include a contact image sensor, a sensor holder to hold the contact image sensor, an urging member, and a shock absorber. The contact image sensor is disposed below the conveying path. The sensor holder has an open top boxed shape and holds the contact image sensor in position inside. The urging member is disposed in an inner bottom surface of the sensor holder to urge the contact image sensor toward the conveying path. The shock absorber is disposed between a bottom surface of the contact image sensor and the inner bottom surface of the sensor holder, and is made of a porous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaru Takeuchi, Naoyuki Iwata, Takayuki Akimatsu, Tetsuya Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8842346
    Abstract: A digital multi function peripheral includes a scanner for reading an image in a document read position; a document retaining cover for being able to change an opening and closing state between a state in which the scanner is closed and a state in which the scanner is opened, and conveying a document to the scanner when the scanner is closed; a registration sensor for detecting a leading end portion and a rear end portion of the document conveyed by the document retaining cover; and a controller for determining the opening and closing state of the document retaining cover based on a state of the leading end portion and the rear end portion of the document in the image read by an IR module at a time when a predetermined time frame elapses since a detection state of the registration sensor changes. Therefore, the opening and closing state of the conveyance unit for conveying the document can accurately be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Honda
  • Publication number: 20140268257
    Abstract: In order to provide a page-turning reader device and a feeder device capable of continuously acquiring image data of each page of a plurality of booklets, the page-turning reader device (1) includes a feeder unit (102) that feeds a plurality of stacked booklets (10) one by one from a lower side; a holder (203) that grips and fixes a binding edge of the booklet (10) fed from the feeder unit (102); an air suction pad (206), an air blow nozzle (207), and a first page-turning bar (204) configured to turn the pages of the booklet (10) one by one while the booklet (10) is fixed by the holder (203); and an image data acquiring means (11) that acquires image data of each page of the booklet (10) using an image pickup camera (106) in synchronization with a turning operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Matsuda, Norichika Hirohashi, Naoki Komuro, Yutaka Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8837018
    Abstract: An image scanning apparatus scanning a document image includes a document conveying unit, an image scanning unit, a foreign object detecting unit, a display unit, and a control unit. The document conveying unit feeds pages of a document loaded on a document feed tray one at a time. The image scanning unit scans each fed page of the document on a scanning face. The foreign object detecting unit detects whether a foreign object exists on the scanning face based on the image data on the page of the document scanned on the scanning face. The control unit causes the display unit to display the detection of a foreign object if a last page of the document loaded on the document feed tray is scanned and the foreign object on the scanning face is detected based on the image data on the last page of the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Shinya Matsui
  • Patent number: 8837013
    Abstract: An image reader is provided, which includes a first image reading unit configured to read an image on a first side of a first document sheet being conveyed on a feeding path, and output an analog signal corresponding to the read image of the first side, a second image reading unit configured to read an image on a second side opposite to the first side of the first document sheet being conveyed on the feeding path, and output a digital signal corresponding to the read image of the second side in a differential transmission method, and a control board configured to process the analog signal output from the first reading unit and the digital signal output from the second image reading unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideaki Nagasaka
  • Patent number: 8837017
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a control unit that is configured to suspend an operation of a separation-feeding unit in a feeding operation when the control unit determines, based on a signal from a leading edge detecting unit, that an inclined amount of the leading edge of a fed document is larger than a setting value. The control unit is also configured to set, when a mixture of different widths is set to the setting unit, the setting value larger in comparison to a case where a mixture of different widths is not set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ayumu Murakami
  • Patent number: 8837020
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a first housing, a second housing, a document conveyance path, a transparent member, a guide member, a transparent sheet member and a first pressing member. The second housing is openable and closable with respect to the first housing. The document conveyance path is arranged in the second housing and conveys a document passing through a first position. The guide member is arranged on the transparent member at a side downstream of the first position. The transparent sheet member is arranged on the transparent member to cover the first position. The first pressing member is arranged to cover a part of the transparent sheet member upstream of the first position from above and presses the transparent sheet member. An end portion of the first pressing member is arranged inwardly of an end portion of the transparent sheet member in the main scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Horiguchi
  • Patent number: 8837010
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a housing, an image reading section, shaft sections, bearing sections, abutment sections, and abutting sections. The housing is provided with an upper surface section. The image reading section has a first wall, a second wall, a bottom surface and a platen. The image reading section is mounted on the upper surface section of the housing. The shaft sections are installed at the bottom surface and provided with a rotating shaft. The bearing sections are provided at the upper surface section of the housing and the shaft sections are inserted into the bearing sections. The abutment sections are disposed at the upper surface section and arranged to face the bottom surface of the image reading section. The abutting sections are disposed at the bottom surface and are caused by the weight of the image reading section to abut against the abutment sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Satoru Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8837019
    Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus comprising: a first conveying guide; a second conveying guide which is arranged on a downstream of the first conveying guide; a plurality of first convex portions which is provided in the first conveying guide, extends toward the second conveying guide and is arranged in a sheet width direction; a plurality of second convex portions which is provided in the second conveying guide, extends toward the first conveying guide and is arranged in the sheet width direction, wherein the first convex portions and the second convex portions are alternately arranged in the sheet width direction; and a bent portion which is formed between the plurality of second convex portions in the second conveying guide, and bent in a manner such that an upstream end is arranged at a position farther from the sheet conveying path than a downstream end portions of the first convex portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akira Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8830543
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an operating unit that issues a starting instruction to start reading a medium which is a read-target medium, according to a user's operation, a conveying unit that conveys the medium, a display unit that displays states of the medium conveyed, a reading unit that reads the medium, and a medium detecting unit that detects the medium. The display unit displays contents indicating that the reading operation is possible when the reading operation of the medium is completed and the medium detecting unit does not detect the medium. The conveying unit starts conveyance of the medium in response to the read-operation starting instruction, when the read-target medium is a first medium in a set of media, and when the medium detecting unit detects the first medium, and the conveying unit starts conveyance of the medium, when the read-target medium is a second or later medium in the set of media, after the medium detecting unit detects the second or later medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: PFU Limited
    Inventor: Tomomi Wakaura
  • Patent number: 8830544
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an image reader unit that has a plurality of light receiving elements for reading an image on an original, and moves relative to a frame for applying a pressing force to a read-target surface of the original; and a driven roller that is rotatable, comes into contact with the original, and moves relative to the frame and independent of the image reader unit in a direction in which the image reader unit applies the pressing force to the original, thereby applying a pressing force to the original independent of the image reader unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: PFU Limited
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8830494
    Abstract: A sheet sensing module and a duplex scanning apparatus having the sheet sensing module are provided. The sheet sensing module includes a first sensing arm, a second sensing arm, and an electronic sensor. The first sensing arm is partially exposed to a sheet feeding channel of the duplex scanning apparatus. The second sensing arm is partially exposed to an inverting channel of the duplex scanning apparatus. When a document is transferred through the sheet feeding channel to trigger said first sensing arm or the document is transferred through the inverting channel to trigger the second sensing arm, the electronic sensor generates a sensing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Ping-Hung Kuo, Yi-Liang Chen, Wei-Hsun Hsu, Szu-Chieh Wu
  • Patent number: 8830535
    Abstract: A sheet-feeding type scanning apparatus with a calibrating function is provided. The sheet-feeding type scanning apparatus is configured for feeding a document in a first direction and scanning the document, thereby acquiring an image of the document. The sheet-feeding type scanning apparatus includes a calibration plate, a scanning module, and a transmission module. The transmission module is connected with the scanning module for moving the scanning module in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. In such way, the scanning module is movable within the limited space of the sheet-feeding type scanning apparatus, so that the scanning module is dynamically calibrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Tung-Wen Tu, Yan-Hua Li
  • Patent number: 8831502
    Abstract: The height of an image reading unit or an operating panel in an image forming apparatus is adjusted to facilitate their operation depending on the physical characteristics of a user, such as his height or use of a wheel chair. A second operating panel and a second automatic document feeder (ADF) are disposed on the side of the image forming apparatus, so that a user on a wheel chair can access them easily. The second ADF houses plural sheet trays that are configured to open or close together. When the sheet trays are closed, a first operating panel disposed at the top of the apparatus is activated while the second operating panel on the side is deactivated. When the sheet trays are open, the second operating panel is activated while the first operating panel is deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tasuku Kohara, Takashi Inoue, Kazuo Koike, Kenichi Yamada, Taisuke Omi, Tsuyoshi Endoh
  • Patent number: 8824028
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an image reading unit for reading an image of a document at a reading position, a document feeding unit for discharging the document via the reading position, an abnormality detection unit for detecting a feeding abnormality, and a reading determination unit. The reading determination unit determines that the reading of the image of the fed document by the image reading unit is complete in a case where it is determined that a fed document, which is being fed by the document feeding unit, is not a final document, and it is detected that the leading edge of the fed document has reached the reading position, and when it is detected that the leading edge of the subsequent document has reached the reading position without the abnormality detection unit detecting any abnormality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Harada, Shinichi Kimura
  • Patent number: 8824027
    Abstract: An automatic media feeder includes: a media stacker on which sheets are to be stacked; a discharged media stacker; a scanning position where the sheet is to be scanned; a first conveyance path from the media stacker to the scanning position; a feeding device configured to convey the sheet from the media stacker to the scan position along the first conveyance path; a discharging device configured to discharge the sheet that passed through the scanning position to the discharged media stacker; a first reverse mechanism configured to turn over the sheet conveyed from the media stacker toward the scanning position along the first conveyance path and return the turned-over sheet to the first conveyance path; and a second reverse mechanism configured to refeed the sheet that passes through the scanning position to the first conveyance path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventors: Naoya Tonooka, Hidenori Ueda