Abstract: A driving-force-transmitting mechanism includes a driving-force-transmitting component that transmits a driving force from an apparatus body to an attaching object, the attaching object being attachable to and detachable from the apparatus body; and plural operating components that enables or disables the transmission of the driving force from the apparatus body to the attaching object when the attaching object is attached to or detached from the apparatus body, the operating components operating sequentially with delays in such a manner as to move the driving-force-transmitting component in a direction intersecting attaching and detaching directions in which the attaching object is attached to and detached from the apparatus body.

Abstract: A multifunction device includes a scanner and a printer disposed below the scanner. The scanner includes a support surface to support a document, and a scanning unit to scan the document. The scanning unit includes a sensor including reading elements arranged in a main scanning direction, and a moving member holding the sensor and configured to move in a sub-scanning direction. The scanner is connected to the printer pivotably between a first position at which the scanner conceals an upper portion of the printer, and a second position at which the scanner exposes the upper. In response to the moving member moving in the sub-scanning direction, a responsive mechanism shifts the lock mechanism between an operative state in which the lock mechanism restricts pivoting of the scanner relative to the printer, and an inoperative state in which the lock mechanism permits pivoting of the scanner relative to the printer.

Abstract: Provided are a developing roller having an elastic layer formed on an outer circumferential face of a shaft and a coating layer formed on an outer circumferential face of the elastic layer, wherein the coating layer is composed of first coating layers that are formed at respective edges across the elastic layer, and a second coating layer formed between the first coating layers, and wherein the first coating layers contain a resin obtained through a reaction of a polyol with a silane-coupling agent, fluororesin particles, and an electric conductivity agent; and the second coating layer contains a urethane resin, an ionic liquid, an electric conductivity agent, and filler particles; and a development apparatus and an image-forming device having the developing roller. The provided are capable of keeping the image quality high and of arresting leakage of the toner satisfactorily.

Abstract: A fixing element, a cover device and a multifunction printer are provided. The multifunction printer includes a machine body, the cover device and the fixing element. The cover device is disposed on the machine body and includes a first cover, a second cover and a third cover, wherein the second cover is between the first cover and the third cover. The fixing element passes through and is fixed on the second cover. The first cover and the second cover open relative to the third cover when the fixing element locks the first cover and the second cover, and the first cover opens relative to the second cover and the third cover when the fixing element locks the second cover and the third cover.

Abstract: Automatic document feeder includes a transport path member having a transport path surface configuring a transport path in a device body, a latching member that is mounted on a rotating shaft provided in the other end side, is urged in a first rotation direction latched to a latched portion, and holds the transport path member in closed transport path, and an operating member that is rotated up to an operating position by own weight thereof or urging force in a second rotation direction when the device body moves to an exposed position of the transport path member, and is mounted with allowance so that the latching member is rotated in the second rotation direction according to a further rotating operation in the second rotation direction from the operating position and the latching member is detached from the latched portion.

Abstract: A method for reducing time in performing an imaging function by an imaging device. The method includes receiving at least one media sheet against an image capture window of the imaging device, detecting whether a lid for covering the image capture window is closed, capturing an image of the at least one media sheet in the image capture window in response to detecting a closed lid, receiving a start signal indicative of a user request to start an image capture operation after capturing the image, and sending a final image based upon the captured image to a destination.

Abstract: An image reader includes a light source that irradiates light to a recording material on which an image is formed, a generation section that receives light reflected from the recording material and generates image information from the received light, and a processing section that extracts information corresponding to a window region of the recording material set in advance, as correction information, from the image information generated by the generation section when light from the light source is irradiated to the recording material on which the image is formed.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus configured to reduce a force required for moving a document cover to an open position is provided. The image reading apparatus includes a document table having a top surface and a reading area and a document cover that is configured to pivot, around an axis extending in a first direction, between a closed position and an open position. The document cover includes a sheet. The top surface has a marginal area which is located outside of a reading area on a side opposite to the axis. The marginal area includes a contact area and a non-contact area which are arranged in the first direction. When the document cover is in the closed position, the top surface in the contact area contacts the sheet, and the top surface in the non-contact area does not contact the sheet.

Abstract: A system for previewing and imaging a document includes an imaging unit having an imaging surface configured to carry the document thereon. The imaging unit also includes an image sensing member configured to capture an image corresponding to the document and an image processing member communicably coupled to the image sensing member to receive the captured image. The image processing member is further configured to convert the captured image to a digital data format. The system further includes a display unit communicably coupled to the image processing member. The display unit includes a user interface configured to exhibit a placement-guiding display object over converted captured image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a housing body, and an outer wall member. The housing body can displace and rotate to a housing body fully closed angle position, a housing body fully open angle position, and a housing body non-access angle position. The outer wall member is disposed between the apparatus main body and the housing body, and connected to the apparatus main body to displace and rotate in response to the displacement and rotation of the housing body, and positioned at an outer wall fully closed angle position, an outer wall fully open angle position, and an outer wall non-access angle position that has an angular position enabling exposure of exchangeable components inside the apparatus main body but not enabling exchange by a user.

Abstract: A position adjustment mechanism (90) includes a rack (91) fixed onto an upper surface of a second hinge member (87), a worm gear 93 that meshes with the rack (91), a handle (95) that rotates the worm gear (93), and a lever (97) that presses the second hinge member (87) against the first hinge member (85) to fix the second hinge member (87) to the first hinge member (85). The lever (97) is operated to release the pressure on the second hinge member (87) so that the handle (95) is operated, to thereby adjust a tilt of the document conveying device (27) with respect to the image reading portion (6) without using a tool and the like. After the adjustment, the lever (97) is operated to press the second hinge member (87), to thereby position the document conveying device (27) precisely at a position after the adjustment.

Abstract: A hinge apparatus for a cover of an image forming apparatus has a hinge body with supporting brackets, movably inserted into a coupling hole positioned in a main body of the image forming apparatus, a hinge cam connected to the cover and pivotably connected to the supporting brackets, and a pressure device disposed at the hinge body to press the hinge cam. Accordingly, the hinge apparatus can be implemented with a simple and easy assembly operation, since it is not a complicated structural connection among the component parts of the hinge apparatus.

Abstract: Am MFP (100) is provided with: a casing (22) which is turnably supported at a turning support point (25) to an apparatus main body (40) and which stores an image reading part (20) capable of optically reading a document; and an outer cover (23) which is turnably supported at a turning support point (21) to the apparatus main body (40) and which has a top surface (23a) opposing a bottom surface (66) of the casing (22) and a bottom surface (23b) covering image forming means, and is provided with a suspending mechanism that opens and closes the outer cover (23) in conjunction with opening and closing operation of the casing (22), and the turning support point (21) of the outer cover (23) is arranged with a distance from the turning support point (25) of the casing (22) toward a turning end of the casing (22).

Abstract: A hinge apparatus for a cover of an image forming apparatus has a hinge body with supporting brackets, movably inserted into a coupling hole positioned in a main body of the image forming apparatus, a hinge cam connected to the cover and pivotably connected to the supporting brackets, and a pressure device disposed at the hinge body to press the hinge cam. Accordingly, the hinge apparatus can be implemented with a simple and easy assembly operation, since it is not a complicated structural connection among the component parts of the hinge apparatus.

Abstract: Transparency imaging systems and methods. One embodiment of the transparency imaging system comprises an imaging surface and a cover mounted adjacent the imaging surface. A media adapter is provided as part of the cover, and a chamber is formed in the media adapter. At least one template is receivable within the chamber formed in the media adapter, the at least one template loading the transparency media in the media adapter adjacent the imaging surface for an imaging operation.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus configured to reduce a force required for moving a document cover to an open position is provided. The image reading apparatus includes a document table having a top surface and a reading area and a document cover that is configured to pivot, around an axis extending in a first direction, between a closed position and an open position. The document cover includes a sheet. The top surface has a marginal area which is located outside of a reading area on a side opposite to the axis. The marginal area includes a contact area and a non-contact area which are arranged in the first direction. When the document cover is in the closed position, the top surface in the contact area contacts the sheet, and the top surface in the non-contact area does not contact the sheet.

Abstract: An image reproduction apparatus includes a scanning unit, a transparent scanning bed optically coupled to the scanning unit, and an adjustable shade associated with the scanning bed, wherein the adjustable shade is configured to be selectively placed across the scanning bed to reduce a portion of the scanning bed.

Abstract: This is an alignment system where precise alignment of a reproducible image is obtained with respect to the paper. An imaged paper to be reproduced is placed on a light table having a right angle fitting or marking. The paper is placed on top of the light table and is aligned with this right angle marking. A transparent platen with marked scales is placed over the imaged paper and also aligned with the right angle fitting. The scales are placed over the corners of the image and image corner location readings are taken from the scales. These readings are then entered and fixed into a marking system such as an electrophotographic printer for reproduction of copies from the aligned and fixed original image.

Abstract: A device for, and a method of, detecting a document size are disclosed. The disclosed device and method can detect the speed at which the document plate cover is being closed, and can adjusting the timing of the document size detection based in part on the detected speed of the cover closure. When the cover is being closed at a relatively low speed, the document size detection can be delayed. When the cover is being closed at a relatively high speed, the document size detection can be performed sooner. The document size detection can thus be performed with the cover being in a suitable position.

Abstract: An image scanning unit includes a translucent member, a transport unit, and a scan device. The translucent member has a flat face on which a document is contactingly transported by the transport unit while contacting the document against the translucent member. The scan device scans image information of the document transported by the transport unit at a scan position, and is fixedly disposed on a side of the translucent member opposite a side on which the document contacts the flat face of the translucent member. The translucent member includes a convex portion to lift the document transported by the transport unit from the flat face of the translucent member. The scan device scans the document at the scan position when the document transported by the transport unit passes over the convex portion and is still lifted from the flat face of the translucent member by the convex portion.

Abstract: A hinge apparatus for a cover of an image forming apparatus has a hinge body with supporting brackets, movably inserted into a coupling hole positioned in a main body of the image forming apparatus, a hinge cam connected to the cover and pivotably connected to the supporting brackets, and a pressure device disposed at the hinge body to press the hinge cam. Accordingly, the hinge apparatus can be implemented with a simple and easy assembly operation, since it is not a complicated structural connection among the component parts of the hinge apparatus.

Abstract: A document carrying apparatus comprises a main body, and a reading guide member which guides a document in such a manner that the document comes into contact with a platen glass. The reading guide member is supported on the main body by two support portions disposed on the front side and rear side. The rear-side support portion energizes the reading guide member with the aid of an energizing member in such a manner that the reading guide member can be displaced in the directions to come close and move away to and from the platen glass, while the front-side support portion supports the reading guide member in such a manner that the reading guide member can be displaced in the directions to come close and move away to and from the platen glass in a space smaller than that formed in the rear-side support portion.

Abstract: A disclosed image scanning device includes a document table; a document pressing unit configured to press a document placed on the document table; a scanning unit including a light source for illuminating the document and configured to optically scan the document; a photoelectric conversion element; an open/close detection unit configured to detect opening and closing of the document pressing unit; and a control unit configured to turn on the light source of the scanning unit and thereby to cause the photoelectric conversion element to detect a size of the document if the closing of the document pressing unit is detected by the open/close detection unit or if a scanning start signal is detected. The control unit is configured to turn on the light source after a lighting delay period from a time when the closing of the document pressing unit is detected. The lighting delay period is changeable.

Abstract: A document reading apparatus includes an integral display portion integrally provided with the area sensor portion and a main CPU for controlling screen display of the integral display portion, in which a document placed on a screen of the integral display portion is read by the area sensor portion. The integral display portion has an operation area for displaying various operation keys of the document reading apparatus on its screen, and the main CPU detects an area of the document placed on the screen by the area sensor portion and sets an area other than an area where the document is placed as the operation area of the document reading apparatus.

Abstract: A document pressing apparatus is provided with a document pressing cover including a first lateral part and a second lateral part facing the first lateral part and openable and closable with respect to a housing fitted with a contact glass, a supporting member for supporting the document pressing cover rotatably with respect to the housing at the side of the first lateral part, a plate member connected with the document pressing cover for pressing a document against the contact glass, a first resilient member arranged at the side of the first lateral part between the plate member and the document pressing cover for exerting a pressing force to the document, and a second resilient member provided at the side of the second lateral part between the plate member and the document pressing cover for exerting a pressing force smaller than that of the first resilient member to the document.

Abstract: A scanner for demarcating each media sheet of a multiplicity of media sheets and a method thereof. The scanner includes a platen, a scanlid, an illuminating mechanism and a scanhead. The platen accommodates the multiplicity of media sheets. The scanlid is pivotally coupled to the platen and provides a background for scanning the multiplicity of media sheets. The illuminating mechanism is coupled to the scanlid and is activated for illuminating the background. The scanhead scans the multiplicity of media sheets. A single background image of the multiplicity of media sheets is captured by activating the illuminating mechanism during scanning. A single foreground image of the multiplicity of media sheets is captured by deactivating the illuminating mechanism during scanning. Edges of each media sheet are detected in the background image, and are combined with the foreground image to extract content thereof.

Abstract: An image scanner includes a transparent plate, a scanning device, a driving device, a positioning member, a light absorbing portion and a white reference portion. The transparent plate has an original placing surface. The scanning device irradiates an original with light by means of a light source and scans reflected light from the original. The driving device reciprocates the scanning device along the transparent plate. The positioning member positions the original placed on the original placing surface of the transparent plate. The light absorbing portion, which is disposed on the original placing surface side of the positioning member and at substantially a central portion of the positioning member in moving directions of the scanning device, absorbs ambient light entering to the original placing surface side of the positioning member through the transparent plate. The white reference portion is provided to the original placing surface side of the positioning member.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatuses and methods for holding a document sheet in place against a scanning surface of an image capture system. One such apparatus is a document cover comprising: a body that is oriented parallel to the scanning surface when the document cover is in the closed position; a compliant and elastic document backing that is partially attached to the body and configured to reflect light originating from the image capture system; and a backing constraint configured to secure a central region of the document backing to the body and further configured to constrain movement of the central region in a first direction that is normal to the scanning surface while allowing movement in the same direction of outer regions that are lateral to the central region. The document backing generates a downward spring force which biases the outer regions toward the platen.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a cover section, an image reading device including a document hold member and a document hold member cover, and a lock mechanism. When the document hold member cover is not in close contact with the document hold member, the lock mechanism prevents opening of the cover section or sliding of the image reading device.

Abstract: A disclosed image scanning device includes a pressing unit for pressing a document; an operation detection unit for detecting an opening operation and a closing operation of the pressing unit; a movable scanning unit for scanning the document; and a control unit for moving the movable scanning unit from a standby position to a document-size detection start position when the opening operation is detected and moving the movable scanning unit from the document-size detection start position to the standby position to determine a size of the document when the closing operation is detected. The control unit is configured to continue moving the movable scanning unit from the standby position to the document-size detection start position until the arrival of the movable scanning unit at the document-size detection start position is detected even if the pressing unit is operated.

Abstract: A paper feeding device includes a stacking plate for stacking sheets. The stacking plate is movable vertically within a range from a lower limit position to a pick-up position. The stacking plate has a first surface facing the lower limit position and a second surface facing the pick-up position. The paper feeding device also includes a driving device for driving the stacking plate. The paper feeding device has a locking member for locking the staking plate in the lower limit position. The locking member has a deformable section for contact with the second surface of the stacking plate. The deformable section becomes deformed by a driving force applied through the stacking plate as locked in the lower limit position by the driving device, to unlock the stacking plate.

Abstract: An original size detecting apparatus is capable of carrying out accurate original size detection without erroneous detection of the size of an original due to the influence of external scattered light. A CCD reads reflected light of light irradiated from a light source onto an original placed on an original platen glass. Optical sensors detect two open states of the original presser plate, and a scanner controller performs predetermined control corresponding to each of the open states of the original presser plate detected by the optical sensors, to determine the size of the original based on the result of the reading by the CCD.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a first body with a scanner and an operation panel disposed on one side of the scanner. A top surface of the scanner and a top surface of the operation panel are in a same plane. A second body is disposed below the first body, to support the first body. The first body rotates between open and closed positions relative to the second body.

Abstract: To provide a technology which facilitates an operation for placing a document with a larger size than a size of a document table, on the document table. A document cover is positioned at a plurality of open positions to a document table. A pivot of a document table 2 and a hinge 7 is configured by two pivots A1, A2, and a constricted portion 1b and it is configured in such a manner that, in case of setting a document with a smaller size than that of the document table 2, the pivot A2 is pivoted at a convex portion 7a of the hinge 7, and in case of setting a document with a larger size than that of the document table 2, the convex portion 7a is moved to the pivot A1 side through the constricted portion 1b, and the pivot A1 is pivoted at the convex portion 7a.

Abstract: A user operates the operation panel portion 6 and selects an image quality mode in a pre-stage of carrying out CD-R printing. If an operation of commencing CD-R printing on the operation panel portion 6 is enabled, the CPU 16 causes the scanner unit 21 to scan a sample CD-R 25 and takes in the image data. The CPU 16 causes the taken-in image data to be subjected to an image working process and masks pixels not required to be printed. The ASIC 20 transfers the processed image data to the printer unit 22 and executes CD-R printing. At this time, the CPU 16 carries out scanning and printing at a resolution responsive to the image quality mode.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a scan bar having a scanner head. A drive mechanism is drivably coupled to the scan bar. A controller is communicatively coupled to the scanner head and the drive mechanism. A scanner body has a cover defining a scanner opening in which a document glass is mounted. The scan bar is located below the cover. The scanner body has a home position opening separate from the scanner opening that passes through the cover. A scanner lid is pivotably coupled to the scanner body. The scanner lid has a home protrusion located for mating engagement with the home position opening of the scanner body when the scanner lid is closed to define a home position for the scanner head.

Abstract: A hinge apparatus for a cover of an image forming apparatus has a hinge body with supporting brackets, movably inserted into a coupling hole positioned in a main body of the image forming apparatus, a hinge cam connected to the cover and pivotably connected to the supporting brackets, and a pressure device disposed at the hinge body to press the hinge cam. Accordingly, the hinge apparatus can be implemented with a simple and easy assembly operation, since it is not a complicated structural connection among the component parts of the hinge apparatus.

Abstract: A scanning device includes a transparent platen, a scanning module, a sheet-feeding mechanism, a section and a pressing unit. The scanning module is disposed at a scan position and acquires an image of a document through the transparent platen. The sheet-feeding mechanism transports the document in a transporting direction across the scan position. The section is located downstream of the scan position, and has a low point at a level lower than that of an upper surface of the transparent platen. The pressing unit is disposed opposite the section and limits a distance between the document and the transparent platen. A contact portion between the pressing unit and the document is lower than the upper surface of the transparent platen.

Abstract: A door opening and closing unit is provided for an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a main body, and a door rotatably mounted on the main body. The door opening and closing unit includes a door speed control unit coupling the door to the main body that includes a coupling boss; and a guide groove that engages the coupling boss and along which the coupling boss moves as the door rotates relative to the main body; wherein the door speed control unit controls a frictional force between the coupling boss and the guide groove according to a rotating angle of the door relative to the main body to control a rotating speed of the door as the door rotates relative to the main body.

Abstract: This is an alignment system where precise alignment of a reproducible image is obtained with respect to the paper. An imaged paper to be reproduced is placed on a light table having a right angle fitting or marking. The paper is placed on top of the light table and is aligned with this right angle marking. A transparent platen with marked scales is placed over the imaged paper and also aligned with the right angle fitting. The scales are placed over the corners of the image and image corner location readings are taken from the scales. These readings are then entered and fixed into a marking system such as an electrophotographic printer for reproduction of copies from the aligned and fixed original image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet; an image reading unit provided above the image forming unit so as to open and close with respect to the image forming unit; an automatic document feeder provided above the image reading unit so as to open and close with respect to the image reading unit; and an open-close regulation mechanism that regulates opening and closing movements of the automatic document feeder so that when the image reading unit is closed with respect to the image forming unit, the automatic document feeder is capable of opening with respect to the image reading unit, and when the image reading unit is opened with respect to the image forming unit, the automatic document feeder is prevented to open with respect to the image reading unit.

Abstract: An original comprises a first page and a second page as disposed face-down on the platen surface of an image-processing device. The platen is scanned to form a platen image. The positions of two diagonally-opposite corners of the original are determined based on a fixed platen reference point. An original image is formed by cropping the platen image based on the positions of the two original corners. The size and position of either one selected page or both pages are determined based on the two original corner positions. When the image of only one selected page is desired, the image of the selected page is formed by cropping the original image based on the size and position of the selected page. When the images of both pages are desired, the images of both pages are formed by cropping the original image based on the sizes and positions of both pages.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus is provided that includes an image sensor configured to convert image light of a document into an image signal, an optical unit configured to project the image light of the document on the image sensor, a drive unit configured to drive the optical unit in a sub scanning direction, a document size detecting unit configured to detect a size of the document using the image signal, an image signal processing unit configured to digitally convert the image signal of the image sensor into image data, a power circuit configured to output an operating voltage in standby mode and stop the outputting of the operating voltage in sleep mode, and a power saving control unit configured to position the optical unit to a document size detecting position before switching the power circuit from the standby mode to the sleep mode.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a casing, an upper plate and a transparent plate. The casing has a first opening, and a reading means is disposed in the casing. The upper casing plate is disposed over the casing and has a second opening that is positioned opposite the first opening. The transparent plate is mounted on the first opening. The transparent plate is wedged in the second opening through assembly of the casing and the upper plate.

Abstract: This is a system to provide real time ways of aligning a paper original with a skewed image so that a right imaged reproduction is produced on subsequent copies. Alignment members used in the method of this invention are at least two members of: (A) flood lamps positioned above and below a platen, (B) alignment marks on the platen, and (C) a video camera.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus having an improved cover device. The image reading apparatus includes a main body having an upper surface on which a manuscript can be placed, a cover installed at an upper portion of the main body to cover the manuscript when scanning, and a pressing plate movably installed in the direction perpendicular to an upper surface of the cover at an inner portion of the cover so as to press the manuscript. In addition, an elastic member is additionally inserted between the pressing plate and the cover.

Abstract: An image reader including a main body with a document bed for supporting an original document; and a document cover rotatably supported at one edge with respect to the main body and capable of rotating between a closed position for covering the document bed and an open position for exposing the document bed. The document cover has a main cover body and a document pressing plate formed of a synthetic resin. The pressing plate is supported on the main cover body with vertical clearance (in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the pressing plate) through the engagement of engaging pieces having through-holes. When the document cover is in the closed position, pressing parts press the center part of the pressing plate against the document bed.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a housing; image reading device for reading an image from a document being conveyed, the image reading device being located in the housing; a platen located in the housing and including a transparent member for reading the image of the document; and a scoop-up device situated at a downstream of the platen in parallel therewith to scoop up the document. The scoop-up device includes a dust collecting space for collecting dust entering the apparatus through a gap between the platen and the scoop-up member, the dust collecting space having a plate member dividing the dust collecting space into an upper dust collecting space and a lower dust collecting space; and a platen joint portion forming a part of the dust collecting space and positioned below the platen. A top surface of the platen joint portion detachably contacts a bottom surface of the platen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a scanning table and a scanning device of the same. The scanning table comprises a table surface and two sides. The scanning device comprises a first transparent case provided on the table surface, a second transparent case provided on one side and adjacent to the first transparent case, a first scanning module provided inside the first transparent case, a second scanning module provided inside the second transparent case, and a transporting device for operatively connecting the first scanning module and the second scanning module with each other and scanning the left and right inner pages of the book. With the above arrangement, the user can read on the table while easily scan the contents of the book without damaging the book.

Abstract: To provide a technology which facilitates an operation for placing a document with a larger size than a size of a document table, on the document table. A document cover is positioned at a plurality of open positions to a document table. A pivot of a document table 2 and a hinge 7 is configured by two pivots A1, A2, and a constricted portion 1b and it is configured in such a manner that, in case of setting a document with a smaller size than that of the document table 2, the pivot A2 is pivoted at a convex portion 7a of the hinge 7, and in case of setting a document with a larger size than that of the document table 2, the convex portion 7a is moved to the pivot A1 side through the constricted portion 1b, and the pivot A1 is pivoted at the convex portion 7a.