Abstract: A printer includes: a printing section; a transport belt that transports a print medium; a camera that detects both end portions in an intersecting direction that intersects a transport direction of the print medium among end portions of the print medium placed on the transport belt; and a control section that causes the printing section to execute printing based on print data while one end portion of the both end portions detected by the camera is set as a print start position and a distance from the one end portion to the other end portion is set as a width of the print medium.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a printing unit that performs a recording on a sheet, a third sheet feed unit that mounts a roll body on which the sheet is wound in a roll shape, unwinds the sheet from the roll body, and supplies the sheet to the printing unit, and a pressing portion that presses the roll body mounted on the third sheet feed unit, in which the pressing portion presses the mounted roll body in a direction opposite to a direction of taking out the roll body from the third sheet feed unit.

Abstract: Intaglio printing press systems for recto-verso intaglio printing of sheets, in particular for the production of banknotes and the like securities, wherein first and second intaglio printing presses are operatively-coupled to one another by a sheet processing and transporting system comprising an automated guided vehicle system for automatically transporting sheets from a sheet delivery station of the first intaglio printing press where recto printing is performed to a sheet feeding station of the second intaglio printing press where verso printing is performed.

Abstract: Detecting a continuous level of paper in a paper supply providing paper for a printing device. A length of the paper supply includes applied indicia, with the indicia extending contiguously across the length of the paper supply. When a paper section is dispensed, the position of the indicia on the dispensed portion of paper is determined, with the position reflecting a level pertaining to the paper supply remaining or dispensed.

Abstract: A reverse surface of a print tape includes a reference portion and a reference portion. The reference portion is configured to identify a position of a print area. The non-reference portion includes a plurality of through holes. The reference portion includes a barcode that includes a first mark and a second mark. The non-reference portion includes at least one first area and a second area. The at least one first area and the second area are provided to obtain a color arrangement in which the non-reference portion does not include the barcode in the lengthwise direction, where it is assumed that each of the plurality of through holes is a portion indicating both a first color and a second color.

Abstract: A printer includes an arm part connected to a printer body part and a paper roll support shaft part having a first end connected to the arm part and a second end to be inserted into a hollow core of a paper roll. The paper roll support shaft includes a first support shaft and a second support shaft. The paper roll support shaft is configured to come into contact with the interior of the core at a first contact point on the first support shaft and a second contact point on the second support shaft.

Abstract: A printer includes a lid part, a body part, a control part provided in the body part, a mark detecting part provided on the lid part and configured to output a mark detection signal in response to detecting a mark added to paper, a transmission part configured to transmit the mark detection signal from the mark detecting part to the control part and having a slack part configured to extend and contract, and a housing part configured to house the slack part of the transmission part and to extend and contract in directions in which the slack part is configured to extend and contract. The slack part is housed in the housing part, and a length of the slack part is greater than or equal to a length of the housing part.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a printing head for making printing on a medium; a platen disposed as to face the printing head in a way selectable between being close and being remote from the printing head; a medium conveying unit changeable of a contacting state to the medium for conveying the medium in contact with the medium along a medium conveyance route; a shutter opening and closing the medium conveyance route; a mode selecting unit having plural selectable modes in combination of a choice between being close to and being remote from the platen, the contacting state of the medium conveying unit to the medium, and a choice between closing and opening of the medium conveyance route by means of the shutter; and a controller controlling the mode selecting unit for selecting a prescribed mode from the plural selectable modes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically calibrating a media sensor configured to detect advancing print media in a printing device. In some embodiments, the apparatus selects a first light intensity level and a second light intensity level greater than the first light intensity level. A light source unit, such as a light emitting diode or laser diode is activated to emit light at the second light intensity level. The light passes though print media, for example, a roll of self-adhesive labels, that is advanced along a print path of the printing device. The amount of light transmitted through the print media is measured as the print media advances. If the measured light increases, the light source unit is reactivated to emit light at the first light intensity level. In some embodiments, the apparatus identifies whether print media has changed or an out-of-stock condition exists.

Abstract: A pointer is guided by a user of a processing machine in succession to a number of locations of a working space of the processing machine. The pointer has first location determining devices which are arranged at predetermined pointer locations relative to a pointer coordinate system in fixed relationship to the pointer. Through interaction of the first location determining devices with second location determining devices arranged at predetermined locations relative to a machine coordinate system in fixed relationship to the processing machine, data describing a geometric relationship of the location determining devices relative to one another are acquired. These data are transmitted to a control device which determines the position of the pointer in the working space based on the characteristic data and based on the data subdivides the working space into a permitted movement range for a component of the processing machine and a complementary prohibited movement range.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus realizes two functions using a single actuator to sense the width and presence of a printing medium and a single sensor to sense operation of the actuator, resulting in reduced manufacturing costs.

Abstract: An image forming device having a detection assembly that detects a detection target. The detection assembly includes an actuator having a shaft rotatable about its axis, an abutment portion extending from the shaft and pivotally movable upon abutment of the detection target, and a detected portion pivotally movable about the axis. A detection board is supported to a stationary base component and includes a detection unit for detecting the detected portion. The shaft has one end portion supported to the base component, and another end portion supported to the detection board. Relative positional relationship between the actuator and the detection unit is maintained by the direct supporting manner of the shaft by the detection board.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit that is configured to fix a developing material on a sheet; a plurality of a pair of rollers that discharge the sheet conveyed from the fixing unit; and a sheet detection unit that detects the sheet conveyed from the fixing unit, the sheet detection unit comprising an actuator for detecting the sheet conveyed from the fixing unit, wherein the actuator of the sheet detection unit is disposed between the fixing unit and the plurality of the pair of the rollers on a conveyance path and is disposed within a width of one of the rollers when viewed from a sheet conveyance direction.

Abstract: An output voltage of a paper-width detector is input while a carriage is moved leftward in a main scan direction. Whether a mounting position of a test element member in the main scan direction falls within a generally horizontal design basis range is determined based on the position of the carriage and reference information. The position of the carriage in the main scan direction is determined from a signal of a linear encoder when a right edge of the test element member is detected in response to a substantial change in the output voltage of the paper-width detector. Whether a mounting position of the test element member in a substantially vertical direction falls within a vertical design basis range is determined based on the mounting position of the test element member in the substantially vertical direction determined from the output voltage of the paper-width detector and the reference information.

Abstract: A printer having a platen roller and a module that are engagable with each other for printing on paper is disclosed. The printer includes a status detecting mechanism including a detecting part having a detection function for detecting a status of the printer, a restricting part for restricting the detection function of the detecting part, and a function restriction releasing part for releasing the restricted function of the detecting part. The engagement of the platen roller and the module displaces the function restriction releasing part. The displacement causes the function restriction releasing part to release the restricted function of the detecting part.

Abstract: A printer which prints to a roll paper medium under the control of the printer and to a printer control method for maintaining consistently in high quality printing even at the end of a roll paper print medium. The printer conveys roll paper 11 through a paper transportation path and prints to the roll paper 11 using a print head 21 carried on a carriage 23 that moves transverse to the transportation path. When the trailing end 11a of the roll paper is detected, the printer advances and then stops the print medium so that the trailing end 11a of the roll paper is positioned on the transportation path outside of the carriage path 53.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes applying at least one invisible mark to media, sensing the at least one invisible mark with separate sensors, and determining a speed of the media from signals of the separate sensors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the print area by positioning a sheet in an imaging device utilizing length data from a prior sheet. A first sheet length is measured and thereafter utilized to determine the print zone for a subsequent sheet.

Abstract: A printer apparatus is disclosed. The printer includes a medium feeding passage for conveying a medium; print head for performing a spacing and for performing a printing processing on the medium; a detector for detecting a first end position in a widthwise direction of the medium at a first position in a medium conveyance direction and for detecting a second end position in the widthwise direction of the medium at a second position in the medium conveyance direction; and a comparator for comparing the first end position with the second end position detected with the detector. The control of the print head is performed according to the compared result from the comparator.

Abstract: A sheet tray (1) includes at least one sheet detecting sensor (10) for detecting a sheet set on a sheet setting surface (2). The sheet detecting sensor (10) includes (i) a movable detecting section having a projecting section which projects from the sheet setting surface (2), and (ii) a detecting section for detecting rotation of the movable detecting section, and the projecting section have a ball-like shape. This makes it possible to provide (i) a sheet tray which is able to prevent breakage of sheet and breakage of the projecting section even when setting the sheet on the sheet setting surface from any direction and any angle; (ii) a sheet transporting apparatus including the sheet tray; and (iii) an image forming apparatus including the sheet tray.

Abstract: The invention provides an image recording apparatus comprising a recording unit in which at least two recording heads are disposed such that end portions of respective nozzle columns overlap each other in a recording medium conveying direction or such that the nozzle columns are located adjacent to each other at a predetermined interval, the image recording apparatus executing recording position recording medium width-direction moving processing for a detected deviation (lateral deviation amount) of a recording medium at both-lateral ends of the recording medium, image data distribution processing with a joint of the overlapping as a boundary, image-recording density-varying processing for the joint, and recording position recording medium conveying-direction moving processing in order to perform high quality image jointing processing, and an image recording method of the image recording apparatus.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet placing tray on which a sheet is placed, a feeding member for feeding the sheet placed on the sheet placing tray, a first sheet detection unit for detecting presence of the sheet on the sheet placing tray at a first detection position, and a second sheet detection unit for detecting presence of the sheet on the sheet placing tray at a second detection position disposed on an upstream side of the first detection position in a sheet feeding direction. A control unit controls the feeding member so as not to perform the sheet feeding operation when the first detection unit detects the sheet and the second detection unit does not detect the sheet.

Abstract: A paper detection device is provided for a label printer, including an enclosure and at least one detection circuit board. The enclosure has opposite side faces on which at least one guide rail and a handle are formed and a bottom on which at least one resilient stop block is formed. The enclosure forms at least one detection channel through which a label to be printed is allowed to pass therethrough. The detection circuit board is arranged inside the enclosure to detect the label passing through the detection channel. The guide rails formed on the opposite sides of the enclosure allow the paper detection device to be fit into a receptacle pre-formed inside the label printer and the handle allows a user to move the enclosure by pulling the handle to thereby adjust the position of the enclosure inside the receptacle. The resilient stop block on the bottom of the enclosure facilitates to secure and position the enclosure inside the receptacle.

Abstract: A first end position in a widthwise direction of a medium at a first position in a lengthwise direction of the medium, while a second end position in the widthwise direction of the medium at a second position in the lengthwise direction of the medium, and a comparison of the detected first end position with the detected second end position is performed to make predetermined processing according to the compared result.

Abstract: A sheet carrier, includes an upstream side sheet carriage part; a downstream side sheet carriage part; an overlapping detection part which is provided between the upstream side sheet carriage part and the downstream side sheet carriage part and is configured to detect an overlap of a front sheet and a rear sheet carried by the upstream side sheet carriage part and the downstream side sheet carriage part; and a driving control part configured to drive the upstream side sheet carriage part and the downstream side sheet carriage part at the time when the sheets are carried so that the sheets are carried via the sheet carriage path, and configured to stop driving the upstream side sheet carriage part and continue driving the downstream side sheet carriage part at the time when the overlap of the sheets is detected by the overlapping detection part.

Abstract: Various edge detection arrangements are disclosed, including an edge detection method and arrangement that utilizes outputs of commonly illuminated reference and edge sensors as the inputs for a comparator. The reference sensor is configured to have a wide field of view and the edge sensor is configured to have a narrow, high gain, field of view. Therefore, the reference sensor has a broad signal response to an edge passage and the edge sensor a steep and narrow signal response. When the two signals are biased to cross each other, the comparator output changes state, indicating passage of an edge. Because the reference sensor provides a base signal level directly related to the real time illumination level that the edge sensor also receives, the reference sensor provides a switch point along the transition ramp of the edge sensor that integrates a majority of the random error sources.

Abstract: The roll paper printer of the subject invention has a control to detect failure of a paper detector in accordance with a method for detecting such failure. The printer 1 is constructed so that the paper transportation path is open when the cover 3 to the roll paper compartment 10 is open and includes a paper detector 40 and a control unit 30 to determine if the paper detector 40 is faulty. A failure warning is provided by a warning indicator 7(S7, 8) to indicate failure of the paper detector 40 when the cover 3 has been open continuously for at least a first set time (S6) and the output state of the paper detector 40 has not changed even once to a no-paper state within the first set time. Preferably, the printing operation of the printer 1 is disabled upon determining that the paper detector 40 is faulty to permit replacement of the paper detector. Problems attributable to paper detector failure, such as soiling the platen with ink can thus be prevented.

Abstract: A printer for performing a printing operation on a printing medium, includes an optical sensor, operable to detect the printing medium; an emission intensity adjuster, operable to adjust emission intensity of a light-emitting element included in the optical sensor; and an output monitor, operable to monitor an output voltage of the optical sensor so as to control the emission intensity adjuster to adjust the emission intensity.

Abstract: A paper size detecting apparatus includes a paper width guider configured to move from side to side to set paper sheets loaded in a paper feeding part in a widthwise direction, a detecting sensor disposed at the paper width guider, and a detected band disposed at the paper feeding part in a widthwise direction of the paper sheets to face the detecting sensor.

Abstract: A system and a device for printing an image, and a paper for printing an image thereon, which help reduce a printing mistake, thereby minimize waste of high-priced papers. The system includes a print instruction unit, a paper, a detection unit, a print determination unit, and a print unit. The device includes a detection unit, a print determination unit, and a print unit. The paper is configured to record paper type data in advance. The detection unit detects the paper type data from the paper. The print instruction unit transmits paper specific data and instructs the print device to perform printing through a network. Only if the paper specific data and the detected data correspond to each other, the print determination unit outputs print permission data. Based on the permission data, the print unit prints an image onto one of the unprinted paper.

Abstract: A thermal activation apparatus comprises a housing having an insertion slot for insertion therethrough of a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet. A sensor detects the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet inserted through the insertion slot and outputs a corresponding detection signal for determining a start time of the thermal activation apparatus. A transfer unit transfers the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet and a thermal activation unit thermally activates a heat-sensitive adhesive layer of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet. An ejection unit ejects the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet after thermal activation. A control unit disposed within the housing controls operation of the thermal activation apparatus and includes a printer communication unit for communicating the thermal activation apparatus with a printer for printing on a printable surface of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet before or after thermal activation of the heat-sensitive adhesive layer of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet.

Abstract: A portable modular device for the purpose of sensing key movement of a piano or keyboard, processing key movement information, and communicating at least key-note ON/OFF and key-note velocity information. A portion of the modular device, the key sensor strip, inserts between the keys and fallboard and mounts atop a piano or keyboard.

Abstract: A paper edge sensing apparatus for borderless printing comprises a first paper sensor mounted in connection with the carrier and the frame in the upstream of a paper convey direction of an ink jet position of the ink jet nozzles to detect sheet edges, and a controller controlling operations of the ink jet nozzles of the printer head according to a signal from the first paper sensor to control paper print margins.

Abstract: There is provided a sheet-fed printing press that is capable of rapidly performing printing preparatory work for more secured double sheet detection. A double-sheet-detector control part judges whether an ultrasonic double sheet detector outputs double sheet detected signal during test printing or during feeding a first printing sheet of successively fed printing sheets in large quantity or successive printing. Where double sheet detected signal was output, it is judged that the detection made by the ultrasonic double sheet detector is erroneous so that the double-sheet-detector control part switches to a photoelectric double sheet detector to be employed as a double sheet detector for use in large quantity or successive printing.

Abstract: Controlling a sensor mechanism for a printing machine, in which the sensor mechanism in a printing machine detects, in an initial operational mode, at least one mark and the detection of the mark initiates a second operational mode in which the optical density and the color of the mark are detected by the sensor mechanism.

Abstract: A reference time ts, which corresponds to a period of time a sheet S needs to move passed a detection position P1 where a sheet detection sensor 841 is disposed, is set in advance in accordance with the length of the sheet S. After a time t1 from the start of driving of a gate roller, as the leading edge of the sheet S transported to a nip area N which is between the heater roller 91 and a pressurizing roller 92 arrives at the detection position P1, an output from the sheet detection sensor 841 changes to an L-level. When the transportation of the sheet has been normal, the sensor output returns to an H-level after a reference time ts or a longer time. On the contrary, upon occurrence of a jam J2 that the sheet S has got wrapped around the heater roller 91, the leading edge of the sheet S moves backward, and therefore, a duration tm in which the sensor output is kept at the L-level becomes shorter than the reference time ts.

Abstract: A media sensor for an image forming apparatus is operative to sense and distinguish opaque, transparent or no media in a media path. In one embodiment, an optical source and detector are positioned on opposite sides of the media path, at an acute, non-zero angle with respect to a direction normal to the media path. In other embodiments, an optical source and detector are co-located on the same side of the media path with an optical barrier between them, and one or more reflective surfaces positioned on the opposite side. With no media in the media path, the detector receives a readily detectable amount of optical energy emitted by the source. For opaque media, the detector receives very little, if any, optical energy emitted by the source. For transparent media, the detector receives a level of optical energy between that in the cases of opaque media and no media.

Abstract: The values of the detection signals of a record medium and the placement face thereof detected as a recording head moves from one end of the record medium to an opposite end are stored. A predetermined threshold value is found based on a profile found from the stored values of the detection signals. Both ends of the record medium are determined according to the threshold value and the width of the record medium is found. Accordingly, the threshold value matching the used record medium can be set, so that an easy determination can be made as to whether or not change of the detection signal exceeding the threshold value occurs and change of the detection signal falling below the threshold value occurs, and the width of the record medium can be found accurately.

Abstract: A thermal printer has a main body frame and a platen roller rotatably and removably mounted in a preselected position on the main body frame. A thermal head is mounted on the main body frame for movement into and out of pressure contact with the platen roller during a printing operation and while the platen roller is in the preselected position for recording printing data on a recording medium disposed between the thermal head and the platen roller. A detecting device detects a preselected state of the thermal printer in which the platen roller is in the preselected position and in which the recording medium is disposed between the platen roller and the thermal head.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises feeding means, light-emitting means, and a light-receiving sensor, and is capable of detecting a change in an output value of the light-receiving sensor that is caused by the medium to be printed, which has been fed by the feeding means, blocking the light, which has been emitted by the light-emitting means, wherein, by moving the light-emitting means and the light-receiving sensor in a main scanning direction, the printing apparatus detects, at a plurality of positions, changes in the output value that are caused by an upper or lower edge of the medium to be printed blocking the light, and based on a result of the detection, the printing apparatus obtains a position, in the feeding direction, of either one of a left edge or a right edge of the upper or lower edge that is fed leading or trailing the other in the feeding direction.

Abstract: Recognizing a print substrate in the vicinity of a sensor within a printing machine, whereby a change in the capacitance of the system formed by the sensor and a surface of an area in which a print substrate should be recognized, is recognized by the sensor. In this way, print substrates can already be identified on the basis of a dielectric constant that is different from that of air.

Abstract: A print media edge detection method including: generating reference data by scanning an edge zone of a sheet of print media using an optical sensor and detecting the amount of reflected light; if the edge zone of the sheet lies in a sensing zone of the optical sensor, calculating measuring data by scanning the edge zone and detecting the amount of reflected light; checking a voltage range of the edge zone from the measuring data, calculating a most frequently appearing voltage value within the voltage range, and setting the most frequently appearing voltage value as an edge position voltage value; and setting a position of the sheet corresponding to the edge position voltage value in the reference data as an edge position. Since the edge position is exactly detected, a printing error of the edge position decreases.

Abstract: A method of an embodiment of the invention is disclosed that advances media sheets through an image-forming device such that each successive pair of media sheets are advanced at least substantially adjacent to one another. The method transmissively optically senses a leading edge of each of the media sheets and a lagging edge of each of the media sheets. The method detects occurrence of an out-of-media sheets situation where a length of time after the lagging edge of one of the media sheets has been optically sensed exceeds a threshold length of time.

Abstract: An image-forming device includes a media sensor having a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element for detecting edge positions of a paper based on values outputted from the light-receiving element as the target detection area of the media sensor is moved in relation to the paper. The value of a current to be supplied to the light-emitting element for edge detection is determined in the following manner. First, the media sensor is moved to the center of the paper-conveying path (S110). Then, the paper is conveyed to a prescribed position (S120-S150). Next, the value of the current that should be supplied to the light-emitting element (light amount adjusting value) in order that output from the light-receiving element will reach a desired value is determined at a position A on the paper at which the target detection area of the media sensor is being presently located (S160, S170).

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a detector, a write controller, and a light controller. The detector detects, with an optical sensor, an edge of a recording medium in a direction perpendicular to a reading medium convey direction. The write controller shifts an image write position in the direction perpendicular to the recording medium convey direction on the basis of a detection result of the detector. The light controller controls a light emission amount of the optical sensor to set an output of the optical sensor to a predetermined value at a predetermined portion in an area where the detection result of the optical sensor is effective.

Abstract: The method of detecting plastics material, in particular for a postal sorting installation through which articles pass, is intended to distinguish automatically between articles having an outside surface made of plastics material and articles having an outside surface made of paper. The method consists in moving each article past an electrostatic generator, and then past a member for evaluating electrostatic charge so as to compare the charge on the article with a reference value in order to detect whether the article is a plastics article or a paper article. The method increases the reliability of detection.

Abstract: A medium-edge setting device detects edges of a paper (S110) and acquires data for left and right edge candidate positions (S120). The medium-edge setting device determines whether the difference between left and right center-edge distances is less than or equal to a predetermined value (S150). If so (S150: YES), the right edge position is set to the right edge candidate position and the left edge position is set to the left edge candidate position (S160). If not (S150: NO), the paper is conveyed a predetermined amount (S190) and the paper edge detection is repeated. If the repetitions of the paper-edge detecting process exceed a predetermined number (S180: NO), then the larger of the left and right center-edge distances is set as the distance from the center of the paper to each edge position, and the left and right edge positions are set according to this distance (S200, S210, S220).

Abstract: A passive linear encoder includes a loop and a sensor. The loop is configured to engage print media and to move in concert with, and under power of, the print media. The sensor is positioned to scan indicia defined on an inner surface of the loop.

Abstract: To provide a recording-material type determination apparatus and recording-material type determination method which can determine the type of recording material using simple calculations as well as to provide an image forming apparatus capable of obtaining stable image quality independent of the type of recording material using the apparatus and method. Based on data read by a read unit which reads surface images of recording material, a first calculation unit calculates the depth of irregularities in the surface of recording material and stores the results of calculation in a register A while a second calculation unit calculates the spacing of irregularities on the surface of the recording material and stores the results of calculation in a register B. Based on the values in the registers A and B, the type of recording material such as gloss paper, plain paper, rough paper or OHT is determined.

Abstract: To provide a recording-material type determination apparatus and recording-material type determination method which can determine the type of recording material using simple calculations as well as to provide an image forming apparatus capable of obtaining stable image quality independent of the type of recording material using the apparatus and method. Based on data read by a read unit which reads surface images of recording material, a first calculation unit calculates the depth of irregularities in the surface of recording material and stores the results of calculation in a register A while a second calculation unit calculates the spacing of irregularities on the surface of the recording material and stores the results of calculation in a register B. Based on the values in the registers A and B, the type of recording material such as gloss paper, plain paper, rough paper or OHT is determined.