Document Handling Patents (Class 399/16)
  • Patent number: 9272869
    Abstract: A paper sheet processing apparatus 1 for performing processes on paper sheets while conveying the paper sheets, being equipped with an apparatus body 10, processing means 3 for performing predetermined processes on the paper sheets, a control section 5 for controlling the operation of the paper sheet processing apparatus 1, an input section 6 to which a paper sheet processing condition is input, and a display section 7 for displaying the operation information of the paper sheet processing apparatus 1, wherein the processing means 3 is configured so that the processing pattern for the paper sheets can be changed, and the control section 5 obtains processing means setting information, serving as the processing pattern of the processing means 3, for achieving the processing condition having been input to the input section 6 and displays the processing means setting information on the display section 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: DUPLO SEIKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuya Takitani, Satomi Uegaito
  • Patent number: 9258807
    Abstract: A communication network device of a communication system is described comprising a transmitter configured to transmit data in a plurality of frames, wherein in each frame, a plurality of communication resource elements is provided to be allocated for data transmission of downlink control data, wherein a data communication resource element is defined by a frequency range and a communication time interval within the frame and a communication resource allocator configured to allocate a first set of the communication resource elements of the plurality of communication resource elements provided to be allocated for data reception of downlink control data in a frame for the transmission of the downlink control data and to allocate a second set of the communication resource elements of the plurality of communication resource elements provided to be allocated for data reception of downlink control data in the frame that have not been allocated for the transmission of downlink control data for the transmission of data
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Hyung-Nam Choi, Maik Bienas, Achim Luft, Andreas Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9223280
    Abstract: A light source is provided in the casing and emits a light beam for forming an image. A first sensor receives the light beam emitted by the light source and outputs a light reception signal. A cover opens and closes relative to the casing. A shutter prevents the first sensor from receiving the light beam when the cover is at an open position, and allows the first sensor to receive the light beam when the cover is at a closed position. A controller is configured to: execute a lighting process of lighting the light source; execute a first determining process of determining whether the light reception signal is outputted from the first sensor, in response to the lighting process; and determine that the cover is at the open position upon determination in the first determining process that no light reception signal is outputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hironori Hirata, Koyo Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9187276
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a conveyance unit configured to convey a recording material, a driving unit configured to drive the conveyance unit based on a manipulated variable corresponding to a deviation between a conveyance speed of the recording material and a target conveyance speed, and a control unit configured to change a control method for controlling the manipulated variable required to drive the driving unit according to a state in which the recording material is conveyed by the conveyance unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoko Maeshima
  • Patent number: 9176743
    Abstract: A system for performing task execution in a workflow includes a processor device, at least one modular device having a digital microscope that is interchangeably coupled to the processor device, a memory device coupled to the processor device comprising instructions that when executed by the processor device execute a software service, a network interface, and an electronic workflow system coupled to the processor device via the network interface. The digital microscope corresponds to at least one particular task of a workflow to authenticate a workflow item using discrepancy detection, and the software service controls operation of the at least one modular device and generates forensic metadata from task information received by the digital microscope of the at least one modular device for the electronic workflow system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven J. Simske, Guy Adams
  • Patent number: 9176446
    Abstract: Devices and methods to determine media size in a printing device. Media being added to a media sheet tray of a printing device is detected. A size of the media in the tray is estimated based only on at least one of: a size of the media in the tray prior to the media being added, a size of the media recently used prior to the media being added, and a size of the media most frequently used. A selection of previously used sizes of media is displayed on a user interface. The selection comprises: the size of the media in the tray prior to the media being added, the size of the media recently used prior to the media being added, and the size of the media most frequently used. Confirmation of the size of the media added to the tray is received, on the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Stephen Noren, David Gray, Simon Gray
  • Patent number: 9116496
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes print engine portion, paper sheet detectors, and control portion. Control portion stop paper sheet conveyance, when detecting occurrence of jam. Control portion determines fixing nip position which is position of the fixing nip portion on fixing stop paper sheet, on basis of outputs of paper sheet detectors. When fixing nip position is located at leading end side half of fixing stop paper sheet in paper sheet conveying direction, control portion rotates fixing motor in reverse direction to convey fixing stop paper sheet to upstream side in paper sheet conveying direction. When fixing nip position is located at rear end side half of fixing stop paper sheet in paper sheet conveying direction, control portion rotates fixing motor in a forward direction to convey fixing stop paper sheet toward a downstream side in paper sheet conveying direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Miyamoto, Takahiro Honda, Mari Kokomoto
  • Patent number: 9110393
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a first motor for rotating a roller for transporting recording paper includes a second motor supplied with electric power from the same power line as the first motor, a driver circuit connected to the power line and generating driving electric power based on electric power from the power line to feed the driving electric power to the second motor, and a controller controlling, on detecting a jam of the recording paper and an open state of a cabinet cover, the driver circuit such that driving electric power is supplied from the power line to the second motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20150147072
    Abstract: Devices and methods to determine media size in a printing device. Media being added to a media sheet tray of a printing device is detected. A size of the media in the tray is estimated based only on at least one of: a size of the media in the tray prior to the media being added, a size of the media recently used prior to the media being added, and a size of the media most frequently used. A selection of previously used sizes of media is displayed on a user interface. The selection comprises: the size of the media in the tray prior to the media being added, the size of the media recently used prior to the media being added, and the size of the media most frequently used. Confirmation of the size of the media added to the tray is received, on the user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: XEROR CORPORATION
    Inventors: ANDREW STEPHEN NOREN, DAVID GRAY, SIMON GRAY
  • Patent number: 9042743
    Abstract: A printer for printing a continuous sheet with position detection marks has a mark detection function and a feed amount detection function that are normally enabled. Further, the printer is provided with a mechanism that operates in a sheet feed mode (mark detection mode) that utilizes the mark detection function and a sheet feed mode (feed amount detection mode) that utilizes the set feed amount detection function. If the mark detection function suffers an error, the sheet feed mode is switched from the mark detection mode to the feed amount detection mode, and a printing operation is continued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: CITIZEN HOLDINGS COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Sakurai
  • Publication number: 20150139670
    Abstract: A method of operating an imaging device having a failed or failing media-full sensor determines whether or not a controller can trust the output signal received from the media-full sensor. A reduced power or intensity level is used to test the media-full sensor and, in particular, the light source to counter the dimming of the light source that occurs due to aging and electrical noise in the system. When the output signal of a photoreceptor is at or below a threshold value, the photo-receptor is considered to have not detected the light beam from the light source and the light beam is deemed not to have been detected even though the photo-receptor may be providing a lower level output signal. Thus, an output signal of the photo-receptor is not trusted and an indication that a media storage area is not full is provided and an imaging operation is carried out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Jude Ahne, Mark Stephen Underwood
  • Publication number: 20150132016
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a transfer part configured to transfer an unfixed toner image transferred from a photosensitive member onto a recording medium; a pair of pre-transfer rollers configured to convey a recording medium toward the transfer part; a fixing part configured to make the recording medium onto which the toner image is transferred pass between a pair of fixing rollers to fix the toner image onto the recording medium; a first detection sensor configured to detect a position of the recording medium between the transfer part and the pair of pre-transfer rollers; a second detection sensor configured to detect a position of the recording medium downstream of the pair of pre-transfer rollers; and a controller configured to calculate a deviation amount of the recording medium, rock the pair of pre-transfer rollers and adjust a position to which an image is written to form a toner image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA INC
    Inventor: Shingo AOKI
  • Patent number: 9030715
    Abstract: A sheet conveyance device is capable of detecting a sheet length in a conveyance direction correctly, and of detecting a length of a non-standard size sheet correctly. A detection unit detects front and rear ends of a sheet conveyed with a conveyance unit. A measurement unit measures sheet length in a conveyance direction based on a detection result of the detection unit. An acquisition unit acquires a reference length of the sheet. A computation unit computes a correction value that is used to correct a length measured by the measurement unit based on length measured and the reference length acquired in a correction mode. A storage unit stores the correction value computed. A determination unit determines sheet length corrected based on the correction value and the length measured at the time of conveyance of a sheet in a mode other than correction mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hidenori Sunada
  • Patent number: 9031422
    Abstract: A conveying apparatus or an image forming apparatus includes: a housing including an opening and closing member that can be opened and closed; a conveying path that conveys an object to be conveyed, at least a part of the conveying path being provided adjacent to an inner side of the opening and closing member; a first detector that detects whether the object is present in a predetermined region and outputs a detection signal corresponding to a result of the detection; and an interlocking mechanism that causes, when the opening and closing member is opened, the first detector to change at least one of a position and a structure of the first detector in mechanically association with movement of opening of the opening and closing member, and to output a detection signal which is the same as a detection signal output when the object is present in the predetermined region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naohisa Fujita
  • Patent number: 9025202
    Abstract: In a case where a first identifier that is communicated between the printing apparatus and the information processing apparatus to specify a type of a printing medium that is used in the printing apparatus, and a second identifier unique to each of a plurality of types of printing media are set in both the printing apparatus and the information processing apparatus, the second identifier set in each of the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus is obtained. Based on the second identifier set in each of the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus, the first identifier set in each of the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus is determined, such that the types of printing medium corresponding to the first identifier set in the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus match, and a different first identifier is set regarding a printing medium of a different type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Otaka
  • Publication number: 20150104202
    Abstract: A method of using a media height sensor assembly for measuring a media stack in an imaging forming device. The assembly includes a support and drive and insertion assemblies mounted thereon. Insertion assembly includes a translatable plunger having mounted thereon a sensor and a translatable probe. At a home position the sensor is actuated by a flag on the support placing sensor output in a first state. During a measurement cycle, drive assembly translates insertion assembly toward a media stack and the sensor output changes to a second state and a counter is started. The probe initially encounters the media stack and translates in a direction opposite that of the plunger. As the plunger reaches the media stack, the probe causes the sensor output to again change state stopping the counter. The insertion assembly is retracted to the home position where the flag causes the sensor output to change state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Villanueva Caneza, Roel Firmeza Pantonial, Marvin Aliviado Rodriquez, Joe Rey Naquila Dumandan
  • Patent number: 8983311
    Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming unit configured to output image data onto a recording medium; a first conveying unit configured to convey the medium; a reading unit configured to read an image from the medium; a defect determining unit configured to determine whether the read image has a defect; a device connection determining unit configured to determine whether a discharge device is directly connected to an image inspection device at the downstream side or is connected to the image inspection device via another device at the downstream side; a second conveying unit configured to convey the medium to the discharge device on a longer conveying path, when the discharge device is directly connected to the image inspection device; a defective discharge tray to which the medium having a defective image is discharged; and a normal discharge tray to which the medium having a non-defective image is discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Masakazu Nemoto, Kenichi Kamoshida, Kazutoshi Obara, Noritaka Masuda
  • Publication number: 20150071658
    Abstract: A sensor device and an image forming apparatus incorporating the sensor device are provided. The sensor device includes a light source, a photo-detection system configured to receive light emitted from the light source and reflected at a sheet-like object, a housing accommodating the light source and the photo-detection system, the housing having a slit into which the object is inserted, and a holding member configured to hold the object such that relative positions of a surface of the object inserted into the slit and the photo-detection system are fixed. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording medium, the sensor device, and an adjustment unit configured to adjust a condition for image formation, based on an output from the sensor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Fumikazu Hoshi, Yoshihiro Oba
  • Patent number: 8977144
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a pre-transfer conveying portion that conveys a recording medium, an image bearing member that moves while bearing a toner image, a conveying belt that attracts the recording medium conveyed from the pre-transfer conveying portion and conveys the recording medium at the same speed as the image bearing member, a detecting portion that detects the recording medium attracted to the conveying belt, and a control unit that controls the speed at which the pre-transfer conveying portion conveys the recording medium. On the basis of the detection of the recording medium, the control unit changes the speed of the pre-transfer conveying portion from a speed slower than the speed of the conveying belt to a speed equal to or faster than the speed of the conveying belt, and thereby causes the leading edges of the toner image and the recording medium to coincide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tadashi Iwakawa
  • Patent number: 8977167
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable image bearing member provided with a mark; a driving portion for rotationally driving the image bearing member; a first detecting portion for detecting speed information of the image bearing member by detecting the mark moved in a predetermined first distance; a second detecting portion for detecting speed information of the image bearing member by detecting the mark moved in a second distance shorter than the predetermined first distance; a filter circuit for suppressing a high-frequency part of an output from the detecting portion and a low-frequency part of an output from the second detecting portion; a calculating portion for calculating a speed of the image bearing member detected from an output from the filter circuit; and a controller for controlling the driving portion so that the calculated speed of the image bearing member is a set speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuru Seki, Hisatoshi Baba
  • Patent number: 8953226
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes placement member, pressing member, and open/close detection portion. Open/close detection portion detects opening and closing of pressing member. Open/close detection portion includes movable portion, guide hole, and sensor. When pressing member is opened, movable portion moves toward one side, thereby protruding to an area between placement member and pressing member, and when pressing member is closed, movable portion moves toward the other side. Movable portion extends along movement direction thereof. Guide hole of movable portion guides movement of movable portion in movement direction. Movable portion has a plurality of groove portions extending in movement direction, and groove portions partially include guide groove. Guide hole has guide protrusion protruding from inner circumferential surface thereof toward groove portion of movable portion, so as to guide movement of movable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Takeshi Fujimura, Takehiro Sato
  • Patent number: 8937741
    Abstract: A multi-function printer main body has a copy function. A remote terminal conducts various kinds of copy settings or instructions to start copy. An execution button is provided in the multi-function printer main body. When the execution button is operated in normal time, copy is executed with the default settings. When copy is executed by inputting copy settings on the remote terminal side, copy can be executed again with the copy settings used for the last time by operating the execution button until a predetermined period of time passes. Therefore, in a case of executing copy with the default settings or repeatedly executing copy with the same settings as the settings used for the last time, a user's work burden can be reduced because it is sufficient for the user to operate the execution button 38.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhisa Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8923715
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a developing device having a developing vessel, a developing roller and a toner supply port; a toner supply device; a toner supply detecting sensor for detecting the toner concentration inside the developing vessel; a toner concentration controller for directing toner supply; a toner empty detector; and a sheet conveyance detecting sensor. The toner concentration controller has a toner supply device control function; and a toner supply stopping function of stopping toner supply when the last sheet of image printout being executed has passed by the predetermined position in the sheet conveyance path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motoyuki Itoyama, Kiyofumi Morimoto, Takeshi Ohkawa, Tomoki Minamikawa
  • Patent number: 8908197
    Abstract: A system and method for determining top of form while printing on continuous feed media. In one embodiment, a computer-readable storage device is encoded with instructions that when executed cause a processor to: 1) cause a selected printer to produce a print on continuous feed media; 2) determine, based on a compensation factor that accounts for movement of the continuous feed media through the printer in excess of a length of the data of the print, the distance to advance the continuous feed media such that a succeeding print starts at a top of form location of the continuous feed media; and 3) cause the selected printer to advance the continuous feed media in accordance with the determined distance to advance such that the succeeding print starts at the top of form location of the continuous feed media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: System Development Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Ferrer, Paul R. Boutan
  • Patent number: 8908215
    Abstract: When implementing a purge processing for collecting a retention paper sheet remaining within an image forming system so as to eject the collected retention paper sheet to a plurality of paper sheet ejecting trays of a paper sheet ejecting section, based on paper sheet information regarding a paper sheet feeding tray from which each of the retention paper sheets is fed, a control section controls the paper sheet ejecting section so as to eject the retention paper sheets onto the plurality of paper sheet ejecting trays, in such a manner that a first retention paper sheet fed from a specific paper-sheet feeding tray is ejected separately from a second retention paper sheet fed from a paper sheet feeding tray other than the specific paper-sheet feeding tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Norishige Kato
  • Publication number: 20140348519
    Abstract: In a printing apparatus, registration of a particular type of sheet in a particular sheet storage unit can prevent reduction in convenience. A printing apparatus configured to feed a sheet from any one of a plurality of sheet storage units includes a setting unit configured to set a sheet storage unit included in the plurality of sheet storage units as a particular sheet storage unit to be used when a sheet storage unit to be used for a job has not been specified, a specifying unit configured to specify a type of sheet to be stored in a sheet storage unit included in the plurality of sheet storage units, and a control unit configured to perform control so that the specifying unit does not specify a particular type in the sheet storage unit set by the setting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomoaki Osada
  • Patent number: 8873975
    Abstract: An image erasing apparatus includes a scanning unit; a memory unit; an erasing unit; a first conveying unit includes a first conveying direction as a conveying direction of the sheet; a storage unit that stores the sheet which is scanned by the scanning unit and is not conveyed to the erasing unit by the first conveying unit; a second conveying unit that once conveys the sheet from the first conveying unit to the storage unit, then return the sheet to the first conveying unit; and an interface unit that displays the image data stored in the memory unit and receives an instruction from a user, when the instruction for erasure is received, the interface unit operates the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit so as to conveys to the erasing unit, the sheet stored in the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isao Yahata, Ken Iguchi, Takahiro Kawaguchi, Hiroyuki Taguchi, Hiroyuki Tsuchihashi, Hiroyuki Taki
  • Patent number: 8861988
    Abstract: In methods for operating a printer a sheet is provided in a printing path leading to a printing area, a receiver is provided having a cross edge to which a printed image is to extend in the printing path for movement with the sheet. The receiver and the sheet are moved through the printing area so that the cross edge is moved through printing area during transfer of a toner to form the print image. The receiver and the sheet are further moved through the printing area with the cross edge of positioned on the sheet to separate a portion of the sheet that is masked from transfer of the print image from an unmasked portion of the sheet and the unmasked portion of the sheet is positioned to receive any portion of the print image that is transferred when the receiver is not in the printing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Gary P. Lawniczak
  • Patent number: 8838013
    Abstract: An image elimination apparatus includes a first reader configured to read a status of a sheet, a first judgment portion configured to judge whether the read sheet is reusable or not, an image eliminator configured to eliminate an image formed on the sheet, a second reader configured to read the sheet passing through the image eliminator, a second judgment portion configured to judge whether the image formed on the sheet is eliminated or not, and a controller configured to control the first reader and the second reader so as to read with different reading precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ken Iguchi
  • 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: 8830488
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, first and second branch paths of a decoloring apparatus are formed downstream in a sheet conveying direction of a reading section in a conveying path. A diverting section is provided at a branch point of the first and second branch paths in the conveying path. A control section determines on the basis of image data whether decoloring processing should be applied to a sheet, diverts, if determining that the decoloring processing should be applied to the sheet, the sheet to the first branch path with the diverting section, and diverts, if determining that the decoloring processing should not be applied to the sheet, the sheet to the second branch path with the diverting section. A decoloring section is provided between the reading section and the branch point in the conveying path and heats the sheet to decolor an image formed with a decolorable color material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Iguchi, Isao Yahata, Takahiro Kawaguchi, Hiroyuki Taguchi, Hiroyuki Tsuchihashi, Hiroyuki Taki
  • Patent number: 8801308
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a media path within a body of the printing apparatus. The media path moves sheets of media through the body of the printing apparatus. A marking engine is also within the body of the printing apparatus. The media path supplies the printing media to the marking engine. A processor is within the body of the printing apparatus. The processor is operatively connected to the marking engine, and the processor controls actions of the marking engine. Sensors are within the body of the printing apparatus. The sensors are operatively connected to the processor, and the sensors are positioned along the media path. The sensors detect locations and conditions of the sheets of media as the sheets of media travel along the media path. The sensors have a first clip shape. Further, clip connectors are located within the body of the printing apparatus. The clip connectors are connected to the sensors. Additionally, light structures are connected to the clip connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Cole, Richard G. Hubbard, David K. Halden, Kenneth G. Dixon, Anthony J. Peters
  • Publication number: 20140212152
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body movably supporting an openable-and-closable portion, and the openable-and-closable portion is provided with a detection sensor. A first detection lever configured to be movable by being pushed by a sheet is provided on the main body, and a second detection lever configured to be capable of moving in conjunction with the movement of the first detection lever is provided on the openable-and-closable portion. The detection sensor is activated by the movement of the second detection lever based on the movement of the first detection lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takafumi Suzuki, Masaya Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 8780367
    Abstract: A detecting device includes a detecting unit that detects an image on a medium transported in a transport path. The detecting unit includes a light emitter, a light receiver, and a light adjusting portion. The light emitter emits light toward the transport path in which the medium is transported. The light receiver receives reflected light of the light emitted from the light emitter. The light adjusting portion adjusts a quantity of light received by the light receiver according to a quantity of light emitted from the light emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shusaku Yokota, Masao Ito, Fumio Furusawa, Katsuhiko Nakaie, Junichi Morooka, Kota Ninomiya
  • Patent number: 8774653
    Abstract: A recording medium determination apparatus that determines grammage of a recording medium by using an ultrasonic wave includes a transmission unit configured to output an ultrasonic wave having a predetermined frequency, a reception unit configured to receive the ultrasonic wave output from the transmission unit and transmitted through the recording medium and output a received signal, a calculation unit configured to calculate a signal having a peak component according to a cycle of the received signal, and a determination unit configured to determine the grammage of the recording medium based on the signal calculated by the calculation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Iwasa, Tsutomu Ishida
  • Patent number: 8773739
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a conveying unit, reading unit, detecting unit, and control unit. The conveying unit conveys two sheets of the original one by one. The reading unit reads a sheet passing past a reading position. The detecting unit detects a sheet passing past a detection position upstream of the reading position in a conveying direction. The control unit controls the reading unit to start a reading process when a leading edge of sheet reaching a position upstream of the reading position by a first distance, controls the reading unit to stop the reading process when a trailing edge of sheet reaching a position downstream of the reading position by a second distance, determines an interspace between the trailing edge of sheet and a leading edge of a subsequently-conveyed sheet, and updates the first distance and the second distance based on the interspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiki Motoyama
  • Publication number: 20140186059
    Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes a sheet conveyance path, a conveying unit configured to convey a sheet along the sheet conveyance path in a sheet conveying direction, a sensor configured to output a signal dependent on whether the sheet exists at a specific position on the sheet conveyance path, and a control device configured to, when it is determined that a particular condition is satisfied before it is determined that the sheet exists at the specific position, control the conveying unit to convey the sheet, which is being conveyed in the conveying path, until when it is determined that the sheet exists at the specific position, and control the conveying unit to stop conveying the sheet when it is determined that the sheet exists at the specific position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takashi SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 8760670
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for print production sheet identification. The method discloses: receiving a set of calibration sheets; collecting an array of pixel samples from at least one of the calibration sheets according to a set of pixel sampling rules to generate at least one reference sample array; capturing an image of a set of physical sheets generated from the set of calibration sheets; collecting an array of pixel samples from at least one of the imaged physical sheets according to the set of pixel sampling rules to generate at least one post-processing sample array; and comparing the post-processing sample array to the reference sample array to determine if the two arrays have less than or equal to a predetermined number of differences. The system discloses: a sampling module, operated by a processor, a scanner, and a comparison module, operated by a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Ulichney, Matthew Gaubatz, David Rouse
  • Patent number: 8749816
    Abstract: A printing system includes, for example, a printing apparatus which forms an image on a sheet, and a plurality of dollies which are assigned different dolly identification information and used to stack the sheet discharged from the discharging port of the printing apparatus. The printing system also includes a designation unit which designates a dolly to be used for a print job, and an output unit which outputs alert information when the dolly designated by the designation unit is not allocated at the discharging port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidenori Sunada, Mitsuhiko Sato, Naoto Watanabe, Takashi Yokoya
  • Patent number: 8744280
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method comprising loading a medium onto an input tray of a imaging device; staging the medium within the imaging device, wherein staging the medium includes moving the medium from the input tray to a staging area within the imaging device; during the staging of the medium, determining an average load current of a motor that is associated with an automatic document feeder of the imaging device; and based on the average load current, determining a threshold load current of the motor, wherein the threshold load current corresponds to the panel of the imaging device having been opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventor: Burt Poppenga
  • Patent number: 8730513
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with a storage unit for storing setting information including at least a size of a substitute recording medium, and a processing unit for executing a print instruction by automatically changing a size of a recording medium to be used to the size of the substitute recording medium based on the setting information stored in the storage means, when the size of the recording medium specified by the print instruction is not available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Nozomi Sawada
  • Patent number: 8705988
    Abstract: Printers are provided. In one aspect, a printer controller causes a sheet delivery system, the receiver delivery system and the receiver transport system to position a receiver and a sheet in a receiver transport path for travel through a printing area with a cross edge positioned on the sheet to separate a portion of the sheet that is masked from toner transfer from an unmasked portion of the sheet. The printer controller further causes the receiver and the sheet to be moved through the printing area so that the cross edge is moved through printing area during transfer of a toner of the print image. The unmasked portion of the sheet is positioned to receive any portion of the print image that is transferred when the receiver is not in the printing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Gary P. Lawniczak
  • Patent number: 8693009
    Abstract: A rotation amount detecting device for a rotation body includes: a first rotation body having a first surface; a second rotation body having a second surface formed of a material different from that of the first surface and contacting the first surface, and rotating with rotation of the first rotation body; a first support member rotatably supporting the first rotation body at a first position and supporting thereof to be swingable around a first axis at a position different from the first position; a second support member rotatably supporting the second rotation body at a second position and supporting thereof to be swingable around a second axis provided at a position different from the second position, the second axis being the first axis or an axis in the first support member other than the first axis; and a detector that detects a rotation amount of the second rotation body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Furuya, Yoshinari Iwaki, Minoru Ohshima, Michio Taniwaki
  • Publication number: 20140093256
    Abstract: A light source is provided in the casing and emits a light beam for forming an image. A first sensor receives the light beam emitted by the light source and outputs a light reception signal. A cover opens and closes relative to the casing. A shutter prevents the first sensor from receiving the light beam when the cover is at an open position, and allows the first sensor to receive the light beam when the cover is at a closed position. A controller is configured to: execute a lighting process of lighting the light source; execute a first determining process of determining whether the light reception signal is outputted from the first sensor, in response to the lighting process; and determine that the cover is at the open position upon determination in the first determining process that no light reception signal is outputted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hironori HIRATA, Koyo YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20140086598
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus contains a registration correction portion correcting an inclination of the sheet of paper by hitting a forward end of the sheet of paper against a pair of registration rollers, a detection portion that detects an amount of deviation in the sheet of paper, a control portion that calculates a command value of movement for correcting the amount of deviation and a moving portion that moves the registration rollers toward a direction which is perpendicular to a sheet-conveying direction based on the command value of movement with the sheet of paper being nipped with the registration rollers. The control portion controls the moving portion so that the movement of the registration rollers finishes before a limited time of movement or below an upper limit of movement set in relation to the command value of movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Yusuke KAWANAGO, Takahiro OKUBO, Ken NONAKA
  • Patent number: 8681400
    Abstract: An image scanning device includes a scanning unit configured to scan, at a scanning position, an image of a document, a first discharge portion, a second discharge portion, a conveying unit configured to selectively convey the document along a first conveying path from the scanning position to the first discharge portion, and along a second conveying path from the scanning position to the second discharge portion, a driving unit configured to generate a driving force for driving the conveying unit, and a path switching unit configured to receive the driving force generated by the driving unit such that the path switching unit moves between a first position for guiding the document toward the first discharge portion, and a second position for guiding the document toward the second discharge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuro Miura, Yoshinori Osakabe
  • Patent number: 8676080
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of selectively discharging a sheet having an image formed with toner on one surface thereof and a sheet having images formed with toner on both surfaces thereof includes a fixing unit configured to fix a toner image on a sheet, a sheet stacking portion configured to stack sheets each having the toner image fixed thereon, and a control portion configured to control a maximum sheet stacking amount of sheets stacked in the sheet stacking portion. The control portion controls the maximum sheet stacking amount set when sheets, at least one of which has the toner images formed on both surfaces thereof, are stacked to be smaller than the maximum sheet stacking amount set when sheets each having the toner image formed on one surface thereof are stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kozo Inoue
  • Publication number: 20140050494
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a first deviation detection portion detects an amount of deviation of a sheet of paper in relation to a reference position of an edge of the sheet of paper. A control portion, determines whether or not an amount of deviation detected by the first deviation detection portion exists within a moving adjustment range of a pair of registration rollers in the second control and performs a first control to correct the reference position of the edge of the sheet of gaper before the image is formed when the amount of deviation exceeds, the moving adjustment range of the pair of registration rollers. A second deviation detection portion detects an amount of deviation of the sheet of paper just before the image is formed in relation to a reference position of the edge of the corrected sheet of paper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Konica Minolta , Inc.
    Inventor: Yusuke KAWANAGO
  • Publication number: 20140037299
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit forming an image on a first recording medium based on image data, a measurement unit being positioned in an immediate vicinity of the image forming unit, being arranged upstream of a sheet-conveyance path than the image forming unit, and measuring a size of the first recording medium, an expansion ratio calculation unit calculating an expansion ratio of the first recording medium based on a first size of the first recording medium obtained before the first recording medium is passed through the image forming unit and a second size of the first recording medium obtained after the first recording medium is passed through the image forming unit, and a correction unit correcting the image data used for forming another image on a second recording medium conveyed after the first recording medium based on the expansion ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto NAKURA, Naoto Ueda, Satoshi Ueda, Shingo Takai, Koichi Kudo
  • Publication number: 20140037300
    Abstract: A belt conveyance apparatus including a driving roller to rotate and drive a belt, a first detector to detect surface speed of the belt, and a second detector to detect rotation speed of the driving roller. There is a first calculator to calculate a first deviation from target speed of the belt based on the surface speed and the target speed of the belt, and a memory to store a value corresponding to the first deviation. A second calculator calculates a second deviation from the target speed of the belt based on the target speed, the first deviation, and the rotation speed. There is also a controller to control the rotation speed of the driving roller based on the second deviation, and a switching unit to switch from the first deviation to the correction value when the first detector is abnormal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventor: Yusuke ISHIZAKI