Document Feed Patents (Class 358/498)
  • Publication number: 20140168728
    Abstract: An image reader is provided that includes a housing, a sheet support surface disposed at the housing and configured to support a sheet placed thereon, a conveyor that includes a roller and conveys the sheet in a first direction, a drive unit generating a driving force for driving the conveyor, an image sensor unit reading an image on the sheet being conveyed by the conveyor, a cover configured to rotate between an open position to expose the roller and a closed position to cover the roller around a rotational axis extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a detector configured to output a first signal when the cover is in the closed position and output a second signal when the cover is in the open position, the detector disposed on a same side as the drive unit in the second direction with respect to the sheet support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Fujiwara, Takuya Naniwa
  • Publication number: 20140168729
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a feeding portion which feeds an original one by one and passes the original through a reading position; a reading portion which reads an image of the original conveyed at the reading position; a transparent member which is disposed between the original conveyed at the reading position and the reading portion; a cleaning member including a brush which cleans the transparent member, and a shaft member which fixes the brush; and a controller which determines a home position of the cleaning member based on image information acquired from the reading portion when the cleaning member is rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masahito Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8755056
    Abstract: A multi-media print includes a decoding module, a configuration memory, and a parameter determination module. The decoding module decodes print job parameters and print job data, and outputs decoded print job parameters including decoded print job media selection parameters and the decoded print job data. The configuration memory stores default configuration parameters. The parameter determination module receives the decoded print job parameters including the decoded print job media selection parameters and the decoded print job data and also receives the default configuration parameters including the default media selection parameters from the configuration memory. The parameter determination module determines the final print job media selection parameters for the print job, utilizing the decoded print job media selection parameters and the default media selection parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Codonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M Edwards, Alan J Gilbert, Gary W Keefe, Peter O Botten
  • Patent number: 8755097
    Abstract: An image reading device includes an upstream-side conveying unit configured to convey an original; a reading unit configured to read an image of the original conveyed by the upstream-side conveying unit; and a guide unit arranged between the upstream-side conveying unit and the reading unit to guide the original. As seen from a direction parallel to a reading surface of the reading unit and perpendicular to an original conveying direction in a reading position of the reading unit, an original conveying position for applying a conveying force to the original using the upstream-side conveying unit is arranged in a lower side from the reading position in a direction perpendicular to the reading surface of the reading unit, and the guide unit is configured such that the original passing through the original conveying position is guided to an upper direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Atushi Fujita, Hideki Tobinaga, Takashi Fukumoto, Michitaka Suzuki, Mamoru Kambayashi, Masataka Fukuchi, Kazuki Morita
  • Patent number: 8755090
    Abstract: The image reading apparatus includes an operation unit operated by a user for detecting an instruction from the user, a transportation unit for transporting a read medium, a medium detector for detecting the read medium, a reader for reading the read medium, and an instruction detector for detecting the instruction from the user. The instruction detector is different from the operation unit. Moreover, the apparatus includes a controller for performing control, based on the instruction from the user. The instruction detector is valid between a time when the medium detector detects the read medium and a time when reading the read medium is finished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: PFU Limited
    Inventor: Mikio Murosaki
  • Publication number: 20140160502
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus with a structure capable of reliably discharging a document, and a multi-functional machine having the same are disclosed. The image reading apparatus includes a document feed path having a document outlet, a reading unit which reads an image of a document fed through the document feed path, and a guide member which is disposed at the document outlet downstream of the reading unit to form a curl on the trailing end portion of the document. The curl formed on the document may make it possible for a subsequent document being discharged to push the curled document out of the document outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Hoon CHOI, Yong Sok YANG
  • Patent number: 8749837
    Abstract: A light scanning device equipped with a housing that houses lenses, a rotating multifaceted mirror, and a motor for driving rotation of the rotating multifaceted mirror, and has a bearing section for rotatably supporting the rotating shaft of the motor. The bearing section has a first fitting section of circular shape rotatably supporting the entire peripheral face of the rotating shaft, a second fitting section extending towards an outer edge of the housing from the peripheral edge of the first fitting section, and having an arcuate face formed to identical radial length as the first fitting section, and a heat-radiating section adjacent to the second fitting section in the circumferential direction, formed by a slot cut out in a predetermined direction, and adapted to expose a portion of the outside peripheral face of the rotating shaft through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Tomioka
  • Patent number: 8749858
    Abstract: A movable guide is able to switch an attitude of a supporting surface of the movable guide relative to the reading unit between a first attitude and a second attitude. The second attitude is a state where a side to which the sheet is introduced is open more than in the first attitude. The movable guide is set to the first attitude during reading of the test pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Koda
  • Patent number: 8749856
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a holding surface that holds a first document, a conveyor unit that conveys a second document along a conveying path, a first contact surface that contacts a first side of the second document when the conveyor unit conveys the second document, a second contact surface that contacts a second side of the second document when the conveyor unit conveys the second document, and reading units. A first reading unit reads an image on a side of the first document held by the holding surface, and reads an image on the first side of the second document being conveyed by the conveyor unit. A second reading unit is disposed above the second contact surface and reads an image on the second side of the second document. The second reading unit is disposed not to overlap the first reading unit in an up down direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshinori Osakabe
  • Patent number: 8749804
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an original conveying unit that conveys an original; an original scanning unit that scans the original conveyed by the original conveying unit so as to generate an image of the original; a plotter unit that draws the image on a recording medium; an abnormality detecting unit that detects an abnormality in the plotter unit; and a control unit that, when the abnormality detecting unit detects the abnormality in the plotter unit, shuts off first power supply to the original scanning unit, and sets a first conveying speed of the original by the original conveying unit to be higher than a second conveying speed when the original is scanned by the original scanning unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Yusuke Harasawa
  • Patent number: 8749859
    Abstract: A pressing unit configured to press a supporting surface for supporting a sheet, and a carriage configured to hold a sensor unit and to move on the pressing unit are integrated into one unit. There is provided a movement mechanism configured to move the unit between a first position in which the pressing unit presses the supporting surface during reading and a second position in which the pressing is released during movement of the sheet on the supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Sumioka, Junichi Kubokawa, Toshiaki Yamaguchi, Yukimichi Kimura
  • Publication number: 20140153070
    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: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Harada, Shinichi Kimura
  • Patent number: 8743430
    Abstract: A scanning device includes a body, a paper-feeding module, a scanning module and two transmission modules. The body has a paper-feeding area and a scanning area stacked with each other. The paper-feeding module is disposed at the paper-feeding area in the body and the scanning module is disposed at the scanning area in the body. One of the transmission modules is disposed within the paper-feeding area and electrically connected to the paper-feeding module so as to convey a document from the paper-feeding area to the scanning area, while another of the transmission modules is disposed within the scanning area and electrically connected to the scanning module so as to drive the scanning module for scanning images on the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignees: Cal-Comp Electronics & Communications Company Limited., Kimpo Electronics, Inc
    Inventors: Pei-Chi Ho, Kwan Ho
  • Patent number: 8743431
    Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes: a sheet housing unit that houses a sheet; a sheet conveying unit that conveys the sheet; a sheet detection unit that detects presence or absence of the sheet in the sheet housing unit; a sheet nipping unit that nips the sheet housed in the sheet housing unit; and a control unit. The control unit controls the sheet nipping unit to reach a nipping state to nip the sheet in the sheet housing unit upon the sheet detection unit detecting a sheet-present state, executes a power saving mode to stop supplying power to at least a part of the electric mechanisms when no drive command is input for a predetermined time, and controls the sheet nipping unit to cancel the nipping state before execution of the power saving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kenji Hayasaka, Hiroshi Kubo, Shinya Kitaoka, Takehisa Shimazu, Takeshi Akai, Takuma Ariga, Fumiyuki Heishi, Yoshito Suzuki, Akihito Kameda, Hiroaki Utagawa, Jun Yamada, Takashi Fujii, Motoya Sano, Satoshi Saito, Ikuhisa Okamoto, Kenichiro Morita
  • Publication number: 20140146372
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus having a conveyed document reading function and a placed document reading function includes: a moving mechanism for moving an imaging unit; a hinge mechanism for swingably connecting a document cover to a document platen; a conveyance mechanism provided to the document cover for conveying a document upon operation of the conveyed document reading function; a driving force transmission mechanism for selectively transmitting a driving force generated from a driving source to the moving mechanism or the conveyance mechanism; a first gear rotatable by receiving the driving force from the driving force transmission mechanism; and a second gear rotatable with being meshed with the first gear for transmitting the driving force to the moving mechanism or the conveyance mechanism, a rotating center line of which coincides with a swinging center line of the hinge mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Shingai, Takayuki Akimatsu, Yasuo Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 8736928
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a sheet feed scanner including an auto document feeder, a flatbed scanner and a power-switching mechanism. The power-switching mechanism includes a first shaft, a power source, a clutch, a first gear, a second gear, and an elastic limitation structure. The clutch includes a first incline and a second incline. The elastic limitation structure pushes the first incline or the second incline of the clutch. When the first shaft is rotated in a first direction, the first incline is pushed by the elastic limitation structure so that the clutch is coupled to the first gear for driving the automatic document feeder. When the first shaft is rotated in a second direction, the second incline is pushed by the elastic limitation structure so that the clutch is coupled to the second gear for driving the flatbed scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Shang-Hsien Tsai
  • Patent number: 8736911
    Abstract: An image reader includes: a bottom wall that faces a discharge table of a main body of an image forming apparatus, to which a printed sheet is discharged, with a space formed therebetween, the bottom wall forming a bottom surface of a housing that receives an optical system and including a concave portion recessed into the inside of the housing without including a convex portion protruding toward the outside of the housing in a contactable area having a possibility that the printed sheet comes into contact therewith when the printed sheet is discharged to the discharge table, the bottom wall including the convex portion protruding toward the outside of the housing in the other areas except for the contactable area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong Ho Choi
  • Patent number: 8736926
    Abstract: A sheet conveyance device includes a loading section, a sheet feeding unit, a separation section disposed downstream in a sheet conveyance direction from the sheet feeding unit, a conveyance member to transport a sheet separated by the separation section, a trailing-edge detector disposed at a first conveyance distance (L1) downstream from a separation position (Ab) and including a rotary follower and a rotation detector, a first leading-edge detector disposed downstream from the trailing-edge detector, and a controller. The trailing-edge detector A detects a sheet length in the sheet conveyance direction. The controller causes the sheet feeding unit to start sheet feeding in response to detection of the leading edge of the sheet by the first leading-edge detector when the detected sheet length equals a predetermined reference length and in other cases in response to detection of the trailing edge of the sheet by the trailing-edge detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshito Suzuki, Hideki Tobinaga, Atsushi Kanaya, Shinya Kitaoka, Norio Kimura, Mamoru Kambayashi, Michitaka Suzuki, Kenichiro Morita
  • Patent number: 8736927
    Abstract: A scanning device includes a scanning platform, a feed roller mounted above the scanning platform and rotatable to bring a sheet-like medium across the scanning platform, first and second elastic elements located under two ends of the scanning platform to press the scanning platform against the feed roller. One end of the scanning device near to the first elastic element is defined as a datum end for guiding the mediums to enter the scanning device. The first elastic element acts a greater force on the scanning platform than the second elastic element, or the distance from the first elastic element to the datum end is smaller than that from the second elastic element to the other end of the scanning device and the force from the first elastic element is equal to that from the second elastic element, so as to make the medium levelly transmitted during being scanned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Foxlink Image Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yueh-Shing Lee, Shao-Yang Wu
  • Patent number: 8736915
    Abstract: An image reading recording apparatus includes a recording unit for recording an image on a sheet and a read unit. The recording unit includes a feeding port for feeding the sheet. The read unit includes a frame and a reading portion which movably scans in the frame to read an original. The read unit is movable relative to the recording unit between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the feeding port of the recording unit is closed by the frame. In the second position, the feeding port is not closed by the frame. The recording unit includes a first sheet feeder and a second sheet feeder, such that when the sheet is in the first position, sheet feeding from the first sheet feeder is prohibited, and a sheet is fed from the second sheet feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kuniaki Sato, Haruo Ishizuka
  • Patent number: 8736921
    Abstract: A rotatable scanner includes a scanner body and a document holder. The scanner body includes an exposure surface on which a document is placed. The document holder is provided above the scanner body to cover a document placed on the exposure surface of the scanner body, and includes a hinged side and a free side opposite the hinged side. A front upper edge of the scanner body is chamfered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Yamada, Tomohiko Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20140139895
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a cover; a conveyor disposed to the cover and including a conveyance mechanism; a first platen contactable a first side of the document conveyed by the conveyance mechanism; a first presser disposed below the first platen for pressing a second side of the document conveyed by the conveyance mechanism toward the first platen; a movable reading device for reading an image of the document on a document table while moving below the document table; a stationary reading device disposed above the first platen for reading an image of the document conveyed by the conveyance mechanism; and a first urging member for urging the first presser toward the first platen. The first platen and the first presser are spaced from each other when the document cover is opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshinori Osakabe
  • Publication number: 20140139896
    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: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshinori Osakabe, Daisuke Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8730516
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a document tray on which documents having different sizes are stacked; a document transport mechanism that sequentially feeds and transports the documents one-by-one; an image data generator extending in a width direction that intersects a document moving direction and having an image reading sensor that repeatedly reads, in the width direction, an image from each document, the image data generator generating image data expressing an image within a target reading region of a currently fed document by permitting the image reading sensor to perform a reading process to a region protruding from the target reading region so as to cause the image reading sensor to perform the reading process over a reading region that does not cause unread parts within the target reading region; an image memory storing the image data; and an image extractor extracting the image data from the stored image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kosuke Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8730537
    Abstract: A duplex scanning apparatus includes a passageway, a first optical module, a second optical module, a transporting mechanism and an elastic pressing member. The first optical module is disposed on one side of the passageway. The second optical module is disposed on the other side of the passageway. The transporting mechanism transports an original sheet through the passageway and past a first scan position of the first optical module and a second scan position of the second optical module, and images of front and reverse sides of the original sheet are obtained, respectively. The elastic pressing member, disposed between the first scan position and the second scan position, pushes the original sheet towards an original supporting plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Avision Inc.
    Inventor: Szu Hui Lien
  • Patent number: 8730540
    Abstract: A sheet transport apparatus that transports a sheet to a reading section for reading the sheet, has a reading front roller pair contacting with a front end of the sheet to form a register loop in the sheet; a first transport path extending curvingly toward the reading front roller pair; a second transport path extending curvingly toward the reading front roller pair after joining the first transport path; a first register space in which a register loop is formed in a sheet guided along the first transport path; and a second register space in which a register loop is formed in a sheet guided along the second transport path. The first register space is provided on the upstream side of a junction position in which the first transport path joins the second transport path, and the second register space is provided on the downstream side of the junction position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Mamoru Akiyama, Seiji Nishizawa, Toshiya Sato, Koji Kanda, Tetsuya Noda, Toshiyuki Ito
  • Patent number: 8730529
    Abstract: A document scanner (10) includes an input tray (20) for holding documents; a transport system (45) for moving documents through the scanner; at least one document detection sensor (135A-135E) for detecting documents; an image capture device for capturing image data for a document; an image processor for determining characteristics of the document based on the image data; and wherein the processor compares characteristics of the document to ultrasonic data and excludes ultrasonic data which conflicts with image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Kodak Alaris Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Link, George E. Lathrop
  • Patent number: 8730538
    Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for the high speed digitization and cataloguing of large collections of objects. The objects are inserted into transparent pockets on an elongated belt, and the belt is driven rapidly past a high speed digital camera. A glare reduction means may be employed to avoid glare off the transparent pockets, and motion blur may be substantially eliminated through the use of high speed strobe illumination or a high speed shutter. The invention can be commercialized by having a customer load the belt with objects and deliver the belt to a processing location. Digital images of the objects may then be provided to the customer, and the original objects may be left in the pockets on the belt for convenient storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Jean-Paul Ciardullo
  • Patent number: 8730531
    Abstract: An automatic document feeding scanning device including an automatic document feeder, a flatbed scanner and a power switching mechanism is provided. The automatic document feeder has a pickup arm and a feeding gear, the flatbed scanner has a scanning module and a scanning gear. When the scanning module is moved and the movement of the scanning module is obstructed to enable the scanning module to take a first reacting force, the power switching mechanism is disengaged from the scanning gear in response to the first reacting force and transfers a driving power to the automatic document feeder. When the pickup arm is swung and the swing of the pickup arm is obstructed to enable the pickup arm to take a second reacting force, the power switching mechanism is disengaged from the feeding gear in response to the second reacting force and transfers the driving power to the flatbed scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Yu Lee
  • Patent number: 8730541
    Abstract: A duplex scanning apparatus includes a flatbed scanning portion and an automatic document feeder. The flatbed scanning portion has a first scanning module. The automatic document feeder has a second scanning module. The first scanning module has a first normal line perpendicular to a horizontal plane. The second scanning module is disposed in an inclined channel, and has a second normal line. In addition, an included angle is defined between the first normal line and the second normal line. Since the second scanning module is not directly disposed over the first scanning module, the height of the duplex scanning apparatus is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Tung-Wen Tu, Yan-Hua Li
  • Patent number: 8730532
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an automatic document feeding scanning device including an automatic document feeder, a flatbed scanner and a power switching mechanism. The automatic document feeder has a pickup arm and a feeding gear, the flatbed scanner has a scanning module and a scanning gear, and the power switching mechanism has two driving elements and a planet gear module. When the two driving elements rotate in the same rotating direction, the planet gear module is swung to a position near the scanning gear and engaged with the scanning gear such that the power switching mechanism transfers a driving power to the automatic document feeder. When the two driving elements rotate in different rotating directions, the planet gear module is swung to a position near the feeding gear and engaged with the feeding gear such that the power switching mechanism transfers a driving power to the flatbed scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Yu Lee
  • Patent number: 8730536
    Abstract: A scanning apparatus includes a scanning module and a sheet size detecting mechanism. The scanning module is used for acquiring an image of a paper sheet. The sheet size detecting mechanism includes a first sheet guide part, a second sheet guide part, and a controlling unit. The first sheet guide part and the second sheet guide part are contacted with two parallel edges of the paper sheet, respectively. A light-emitting unit is disposed on the second sheet guide part. The light-emitting unit is used for projecting a light beam onto an optical sensing element of the scanning module. According to the light beam, the optical sensing element generates a sensing signal. According to the sensing signal, a distance between the two parallel edges of the paper sheet is acquired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Shang-Hsien Tsai
  • Patent number: 8730530
    Abstract: An image reading system and an image reading apparatus is provided. The system or apparatus includes a reading unit configured to read an original, a determining unit configured to determine whether there exists a folded portion at a corner of the original, and a generating unit configured to generate a file including an image area which stores image data of the original read by the reading unit and a non-image area which stores data other than the image data, and configured to write fold information in the non-image area if the determining unit determines that there exists a folded portion, the fold information indicating that the folded portion exists in the read original.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazushige Muroi
  • Patent number: 8730512
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a light source which emits a light beam, a deflector, an incident optical system and one scanning lens. The deflector reflects and deflects/scans the light beam emitted from the light source. The scanning lens includes a first face facing the deflector and a second face on an opposite side to the first face, and performs imaging of the deflected/scanned light beam on a surface to be scanned. In a main scanning cross section, when an angle relative to an optical axis of an incident light beam which enters the scanning lens from the first face is ?in, and an angle relative to an optical axis of an outgoing light beam which is output from the second face toward the surface to be scanned is ?out, in an entire scanning region, a condition of 0.9<?in/?out<1.3 is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Shingo Yoshida, Issei Nakano, Hideki Okamura
  • Patent number: 8727333
    Abstract: There is provided a printing apparatus including a sheet accommodation device including at least one sheet accommodation section which accommodates a sheet before printing, a printing unit which prints an image on a sheet based on print data stored in a storage area, a discharged sheet accommodation device including at least one discharged sheet accommodation section which accommodates the printed sheet, a control device which selects a combination of a sheet accommodation section and a discharged sheet accommodation section such that a storage device completes storing print data into the storage area by a conveyance starting time of a sheet to be printed based on the print data, and which control a conveyance device to feed the sheet to be printed based on the print data from the sheet accommodation section to discharge the sheet to the discharged sheet accommodation section of the selected combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Ohmiya
  • Patent number: 8730539
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus having an auto document feeder includes a simplex path for simplex reading, a duplex path which is distinguishable from the simplex path and conveys a plurality of sheets of paper at different positions in a duplex reading mode, a path selecting element, and a flipping element which allows a second side of paper to be read first. Accordingly, in the duplex reading mode, a separation distance between sheets of paper is reduced, a returning path is reduced, the second side of paper is first read, and the paper is collated and then discharged after both sides of paper are read, thereby significantly improving duplex reading efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-kon Jo
  • Patent number: 8730542
    Abstract: A sheet feeding device including a roller to apply conveying force to one of a plurality of stacked sheets, a separator piece to apply conveying resistance to the stacked sheets and to nip the one of the stacked sheets in cooperation with the roller, a movable member being movable with respect to the roller, a pair of spring arms configured to contact the stacked sheets at an upstream position along a conveying direction with respect to a nipping position between the roller and the separator piece, and a bridge to bridge between the pair of spring arms, is provided. The bridge and the movable member are slidably in contact with each other at least when the sheet feeding device is in a conveyable condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8724185
    Abstract: A light guide member includes a main body part, and an entrance surface, a strip-shaped exit surface and a strip-shaped reflecting surface that are formed on the main body part. The illumination light is output from the exit surface. The reflecting surface extends in the first direction on a face placed opposite to the exit surface of the main body part and reflects the illumination light. The reflecting surface includes, on a flat face, a reflection pattern surface provided with a plurality of minute reflective concave parts having a function of reflecting the illumination light toward the exit surface. The reflective concave parts each include a deflection surface which deflects the illumination light in a direction in which a reflection angle widens in a cross sectional view in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction in a horizontal direction, and then reflects the illumination light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Kei Ouchi
  • Patent number: 8724183
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus for imaging a document in an open environment or a closed environment including processor, memory, an imaging device having at least one image sensor and a direct light-source, a bench having an upper surface and a document holding mechanism having at least one paperweight. The paperweights are disposed in respective fitted hollow columns formed in the document holding mechanism, extending generally perpendicular, upwardly from the upper surface of the bench, wherein the respective fitted hollow column facilitates free up and down motion of the paperweight inside, and wherein the document may be pushed underneath said paperweight to thereby flatten the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventors: Iuval Hatzav, Ilan Ben-Shahar, Giyora Sharaby, Daniel Hatzav
  • Patent number: 8724191
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus having a lower unit with a controller and an upper unit rotatably attached to the lower unit to rotate about a rear end of the upper unit is provided. The upper unit includes a sheet conveyer, an upper image reader connected with the controller via a flat cable, and an external covering. A rearward-extending section of the flat cable extends rearward from the upper image reader and is drawn in an area below a part of a frame of the sheet conveyer and to a rear section of the upper unit to reach an inner surface of the external covering at the rear end of the upper unit. A widthwise-extending section of the flat cable extends from the rear end of the upper unit along the inner surface of the external covering in a direction orthogonal to reach an outlet of the upper unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaru Takeuchi, Katsuro Miura, Takayuki Akimatsu, Takashi Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8724190
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to start image formation in accordance with a second job while performing the image formation in accordance with a first job, each of the first job and the second job including information indicating one of paper feeding units; a detecting unit configured to detect whether a recording medium is stored in a paper feeding unit indicated by the first job; and an image formation control unit configured to cause the image forming unit to continue the image formation in accordance with the second job when the detecting unit detects that a recording medium is stored in the paper feeding unit, and cause the image forming unit to suspend the image formation in accordance with the second job when the detecting unit detects that no recording medium is stored in the paper feeding unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Masahiro Kitayama, Hiromitsu Shimizu, Yasuaki Miyazaki, Yuji Sone, Shota Miyajima, Kohichi Irie, Shigeto Miyauchi, Wei Jing
  • Patent number: 8717646
    Abstract: An image reading device conveys a first sheet and second sheet in a conveying direction. The first sheet has short sides extending in the conveying direction and long sides extending in a main scanning direction. The second sheet has long sides extending in the conveying direction and short sides extending in the main scanning direction. The image reading device reads an image on a sheet at a reading position and detects the sheet at a detecting position. A distance between the reading position and the detecting position is smaller than a difference between the short side of first sheet and the long side of second sheet. The image reading device rotates the read image if a sheet is not detected when the predetermined length worth of image is read. The read image is not rotated if a sheet is detected when the predetermined length worth of image is read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shingo Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8714848
    Abstract: A conveyance mechanism includes a first conveyed material storage section and a second conveyed material storage section that respectively store a first conveyed material and a second conveyed material. When a position of the first conveyed material storage section is changed to a conveyed position where the first conveyed material is to be conveyed, a discharge destination of a discharge member is switched to a first conveyed material discharge section. When the position of the first conveyed material storage section is changed to an evacuation position evacuated from the conveyed position, the discharge destination of the discharge member is switched to a second conveyed material discharge section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Torimaru, Atsuyuki Kitamura
  • Patent number: 8717637
    Abstract: A method for scanning documents in a document scanner (10) includes transporting (45) documents from an input tray (20) to an document detection sensor (135A-135E); detecting documents with the document detection sensor; capturing image data for a document with an image capture device; determining characteristics of the document based on the image data with an image processor; comparing characteristics of the document to document detection sensor data; and excluding document detection sensor data which conflicts with the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Kodak Alaris Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Link, George E. Lathrop
  • Patent number: 8717644
    Abstract: An image scanning device includes a first scanner scanning a top side of a transported document at a first scanning position to obtain a first scanned image, a second scanner scanning the back side of the transported document at a second scanning position to obtain a second scanned image, a document feeder transporting a document at the second scanning position at a speed differing from the transportation speed at the first scanning position, and a controller controlling the image scanning device. The controller sets, as a scanning form of a document, either one-side scanning of scanning one side of a document through one transportation, or dual-side scanning of scanning both sides of a document through one transportation. The controller also obtains a set magnification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Shoji Imaizumi, Takayuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8717645
    Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a separation roller, a first conveyance roller arranged on a downstream side of the separation roller and conveys the sheet separated by the separation roller, a second conveyance roller further conveys the sheet conveyed by the first conveyance roller, wherein the separation roller and the first conveyance roller are driven exclusively of each other by a first motor, and a control unit controls such that, when a trailing edge of a sheet passes through the separation roller while the sheet is being conveyed by the first conveyance roller and the second conveyance roller, the first motor makes a conveyance speed of the first conveyance roller higher than the conveyance speed thereof before the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the separation roller, and that, when the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the first conveyance roller, the first motor drives the separation roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yohei Katto, Kenji Morita, Satoshi Seki, Akiko Kanno, Hidenori Sunada, Asahiro Nakayoshi
  • Publication number: 20140118803
    Abstract: A scanning device includes a scanning platform, a feed roller mounted above the scanning platform and rotatable to bring a sheet-like medium across the scanning platform, first and second elastic elements located under two ends of the scanning platform to press the scanning platform against the feed roller. One end of the scanning device near to the first elastic element is defined as a datum end for guiding the mediums to enter the scanning device. The first elastic element acts a greater force on the scanning platform than the second elastic element, or the distance from the first elastic element to the datum end is smaller than that from the second elastic element to the other end of the scanning device and the force from the first elastic element is equal to that from the second elastic element, so as to make the medium levelly transmitted during being scanned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Foxlink Image Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yueh-Shing Lee, Shao-Yang Wu
  • Publication number: 20140118805
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: an apparatus main body including an image forming portion configured to form an image on a sheet; an image reading apparatus provided on an upper portion of the apparatus main body; a document feeding apparatus located on the image reading apparatus and configured to feed a document to the image reading apparatus; and a support portion configured to support the document feeding apparatus on the apparatus main body without the image reading apparatus in a state in which the document feeding apparatus is openable and closable with respect to the image reading apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Canon Finetech Inc.
    Inventor: Masayoshi Katayama
  • Publication number: 20140118804
    Abstract: There is provided an image reading apparatus including: a reading device configured to read a manuscript supplied by a first or a second supply mode, a switching device configured to switch the first and second supply modes, a display, and a controller. The controller is configured to cause the display to display a first screen in a case that the switching device switches the supply mode to the first supply mode, as well as to cause the display to display a second screen in a case that the switching device switches the supply mode to the second supply mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keitaro TOMONO, Shinsuke KAIGAWA, Takatoshi ONO
  • Patent number: 8711454
    Abstract: An image scanner includes: a light source that irradiates, with light, a recording medium on which an image is formed; a light receiving portion that receives light reflected by the recording medium; and a reflecting portion that has a reflecting surface for measuring the amount of specular reflection light coming from the light source, the specular reflection light being included in the light received by the light receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Ito