Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
271265020 | Plural sensors | 24 |
20080258382 | CALIBRATION OF SHEET VELOCITY MEASUREMENT FROM ENCODED IDLER ROLLS - A system and method are provided to calibrate a sheet velocity measurement derived from a drive nip system incorporating idler encoders. Testing has found that the velocity from an idler encoder system is subject to systematic errors, for example, errors that occur when the system is running media of different thicknesses. The system uses one or more nips with encoders mounted on the idlers and a number of point sensors that are spaced apart in the process direction. The point sensors are used to measure the transmit time of the sheet (lead edge or trail edge) between two sensor positions. The transit time is used to calculate the average sheet velocity. The average sheet velocity is compared with the velocity derived from the idler encoders to derive a correction factor. The velocity sensor are used to calibrate the idler-encoder velocity sensors, providing a worthwhile improvement to idler-encoder technology for media handling (e.g., feeding, transport, and finishing) in direct marking systems. | 10-23-2008 |
20080315513 | PAPER FEEDING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND SETTING INFORMATION SWITCHING METHOD - To provide a paper feeding device that can switch setting information only with an easy action of sheet removal and setting in a predetermined position. The paper feeding device includes a first detecting unit that detects whether a sheet is set in a predetermined position, a second detecting unit that detects whether the sheet removal and setting is performed in the predetermined position after the setting of the sheet is detected by the first detecting unit, and a switching unit that switches setting information concerning the sheet when the sheet removal and setting is detected by the second detecting unit. | 12-25-2008 |
20090072475 | Sheet overlap detection apparatus and sheet overlap detection method - In a sheet overlap detection apparatus, an amplification factor control unit changes the amplification factor of a second amplifier which amplifies the output from a first amplifier which receives the output from an ultrasonic receiver. A first overlap detection monitor output decision unit decides the output from the second amplifier as a sheet overlap detection monitor output when the amplification factor of the second amplifier is adjusted, and the output value of the second amplifier has become almost equal to a first set value while one sheet is sandwiched between an ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver. A second overlap detection monitor output decision unit decides the output from the third amplifier as a sheet overlap detection monitor output when the amplification factor of the second amplifier is adjusted, and the output value of the second amplifier has not become almost equal to the first set value, but the output value of the third amplifier has become almost equal to a second set value while one sheet is sandwiched between the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver. An overlap detection unit detects, based on the output from the second or third amplifier, overlap of sheets which pass between the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver. | 03-19-2009 |
20100148432 | MEDIA MEASUREMENT WITH SENSOR ARRAY - A method for measuring dimensions of a stack of medium in a media input location of an imaging system, includes emitting light along a direction that is at a predetermined angle with respect to the normal of the planar surface of the media input location. An array of photosensors are disposed along an array direction that lies in a plane defined by the direction of the light and the normal of the planar surface. The photosensors receive a spatially-varying pattern of light reflected from a surface that is substantially parallel to the planar surface of the media input location to provide corresponding electronic signal data from the photosensor array for subsequent transmission to a printing system controller. The varying electronic signal data is used to provide a measurement of the one or more dimensions corresponding to the stack of medium. | 06-17-2010 |
20100187753 | SHEET-MEDIUM-CONVEYING DEVICE - A sheet-medium-conveying device includes a tray, a conveying unit, a detecting unit, a determining unit, and a reference value changing unit. A plurality of sheets to be conveyed are settable on the tray. The conveying unit conveys the sheets on the tray. The measuring unit measures a quantity with respect to the sheet conveyed by the conveying unit. The detecting unit detects an overlapped feed in which at least two sheets are conveyed in a partially overlapped condition. The overlapped feed is detected by comparing the quantity measured by the measuring unit with a reference value. The determining unit is configured to determine whether a type of sheet conveyed by the conveying unit is changed. The reference value changing unit is configured to change the reference value to a value corresponding to the changed type of sheet as determined by the determining unit. | 07-29-2010 |
20110062660 | Sheet Feeding Device and Image Forming Apparatus Having the Same - A sheet feeding device for use in an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus may include a sheet holder configured to be removed from and attached to the apparatus body and to hold a stack of sheets therein; an actuator including a base portion pivotally attached to the apparatus body via a first shaft and a movable portion pivotally attached to the base portion via a second shaft and extending toward the sheet holder; and a detector configured to detect a position of the base portion. The actuator may be configured such that the base portion and the movable portion pivot in response to the detector detecting the position of the base portion. The movable portion may be configured to pivot in a removal direction in which the sheet holder is removed from the apparatus body. | 03-17-2011 |
20110148035 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus comprising a first pair of rollers for feeding a print medium; a second pair of rollers for feeding the print medium, the second pair of rollers being disposed downstream in a print medium feeding direction from the first pair of rollers; a first detector for detecting the print medium slack in a specified degree by contact with the print medium, the first detector being disposed between the first pair of rollers and the second pair of rollers; a second detector for detecting either the first pair of rollers or the second pair of rollers need a specified value of driving torque; and a controller for controlling either a feeding speed at which the print medium is fed by the first pair of rollers or a feeding speed at which the print medium is fed by the second pair of rollers based on either outputs from the first detector or outputs from the second detector. If the first detector detects the print medium slack in the specified degree earlier than the second detector detects the first pair of rollers or the second pair of rollers need the specified value of driving torque after feeding of the print medium starts, the controller controls the feeding speed based on outputs from the first detector, and if the second detector detects the first pair of rollers or the second pair of rollers need the specified value of driving torque earlier than the first detector detects the print medium slack in the specified degree after feeding of the print medium starts, the controller controls the feeding speed based on outputs from the second detector. | 06-23-2011 |
20120256371 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING THE THICKNESS OF A SHEET DOCUMENT - A sheet thickness detection apparatus is provided for detecting the thickness of a sheet document on a document transport path. The apparatus comprises: a first detector unit having a sheet document contact point adjacent the document transport path, the detector unit comprising a piezoelectric element, a first portion of the piezoelectric element being fixed relative to the document transport path, and the piezoelectric element being arranged such that contact between a sheet document and the sheet document contact point as a sheet document passes the detector unit along the document transport path causes flexing of a second portion of the piezoelectric element relative to its first portion; and a sensing circuit connected to the piezoelectric element for outputting an electric signal based on the charge generated by the piezoelectric element upon flexing, the outputted signal being related to the thickness of the sheet document. A corresponding method is also provided. | 10-11-2012 |
20130127110 | PRINTING DEVICE WITH MEDIA PATH FLUSHING - A method and article determine a greatest distance between adjacent sensors along the media path and command a flushing to advance media the determined greatest distance in the print engine and the peripheral device. | 05-23-2013 |
20140077450 | PAPER CONVEYING DEVICE - A paper conveying device includes: a conveyance path, along which paper is conveyed; paper jam removal zones provided side by side along the conveyance path; paper detection sensors respectively provided in the paper jam removal zones for detecting the presence or absence of paper; a paper jam detecting section for detecting paper jam based on output signals from the paper detection sensors; a signal storing section for storing previous signal statuses just before current signal statuses of the output signals of the paper detection sensors; a display section for displaying one of the paper jam removal zones; and a display controlling section for identifying the one of the paper jam removal zones based on the current signal statuses and the previous signal statuses of the paper detection sensors when paper jam is detected, and displaying the identified paper jam removal zone on the display section. | 03-20-2014 |
20140077451 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SHEETS FED FROM A DETACHABLE SHEET FEEDING UNIT USING DETECTED SHEET INTERVALS - Detachable sheet feeding units are connected to an image forming apparatus. A transmitting unit transmits a feeding instruction via a signal line to a sheet feeding unit that is to perform sheet feeding. A first sheet detector, which is placed in the sheet feeding unit, detects a sheet that has been fed from the sheet feeding unit. A second sheet detector is provided downstream of the first sheet detector in terms of the sheet conveyance direction. If the feeding instruction is transmitted and a plurality of sheets are fed from the sheet feeding unit, an image formation controller determines whether to cause the image forming operation to continue or stop based upon whether a sheet-to-sheet interval of a plurality of sheets has been detected by the second sheet detector in a state in which the result of detection by the first sheet detector indicates presence of a sheet. | 03-20-2014 |
20140191468 | SHEET CONVEYANCE DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A sheet conveyance device includes conveying portion, first sensing portion, second sensing portion, drive control portion, response time calculation portion, and setting time changing portion. First sensing portion is disposed upstream conveying portion in conveyance direction. Second sensing portion is disposed downstream conveying portion in conveyance direction. Drive control portion makes conveying portion stop until a predetermined setting time has elapsed after sensing of the leading end of the sheet-like member in the conveyance direction of the sheet-like member by first sensing portion, to deflect the sheet-like member, and outputs a drive signal that drives the conveying portion when setting time has elapsed. Response time calculation portion calculates response time until conveying portion is driven since drive signal is outputted. Setting time changing portion changes setting time based on response time calculated by response time calculation portion. | 07-10-2014 |
20140217668 | CONTINUOUS PRINTER AND PAPER DELIVERY SYSTEM - A printing and paper delivery system includes at least two printers disposed adjacent to one another. A first conveyor is coupled to a first printer of the at least two printers such that the first conveyer is configured to receive media output from an output chute of the first printer. A second conveyor is coupled to a second printer of the at least two printers such that the first conveyor is configured to receive media output from an output chute of the second printer. A controller is in signal communication with the first and second conveyors to facilitate the transfer of media from at least one of the at least two printers to a delivery location. | 08-07-2014 |
20140291926 | Transporting System, Image Forming System, and Controller - There is provided a transporting system including two rollers to transport a sheet, two driving devices to drive the rollers, two measuring devices to measure state quantities Z1 and Z2 concerning the rollers, and a controller to control the transport. The controller includes first and second estimating units to estimate values R1 and R2 related to reaction forces act on the rollers, a first calculating unit to calculate control input U1 in accordance with a deviation between a target state quantity and (Z1+Z2)/2, a second calculating unit to calculate control input U2 in accordance with a deviation between a target value and (R1−R2)/2, a first drive controller to input a control signal in accordance with (U1+U2) to the first driving device, and a second drive controller to input a control signal in accordance with (U1−U2) to the second driving device. | 10-02-2014 |
20140312562 | SHEET CONVEYING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A sheet conveying apparatus includes a detecting unit configured to detect a sheet; a conveying unit including a driving roller and a driven roller that rotates in conformity with the driving roller and configured to convey the sheet by holding the sheet between the driving roller and the driven roller; a disk configured to rotate in correspondence with the driven roller and including multiple slits arranged in a periphery thereof; first and second sensors configured to detect the multiple slits and output detection signals, the first and second sensors being provided substantially opposite to each other where a rotational axle of the disk is positioned at a center between the first and second sensors; and a conveyance distance calculating unit configured to calculate a sheet conveying distance based on a detection result of the detecting unit and the detection signals. | 10-23-2014 |
20150008639 | SHEET CONVEYING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A sheet conveying apparatus includes a sheet conveying unit including a drive roller and a driven roller; a downstream detection unit and an upstream detection unit; a conveying amount measuring unit that measures a conveying amount of the sheet; and a conveying distance calculation unit that calculates a conveying distance of the sheet, wherein a distance between the downstream detection unit and the upstream detection unit or a perimeter of one of the drive roller and the driven roller is set such that an expected conveying distance calculated based on a set sheet length of an expected value of the sheet becomes a substantially integer multiple of a perimeter of the one of the drive roller and the driven roller. | 01-08-2015 |
20150338821 | DOCUMENT CONVEYANCE APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A document conveyance apparatus includes a document conveyance section, a cover, an opening and closing detection sensor, a document detection sensor, and a control section. The control section detects opening and closing of the cover on the basis of an output value of the opening and closing detection sensor and detects whether or not there is a document in a predetermined detection position on the basis of the output value of the document detection sensor. If, when the output value of the document detection sensor has changed from a value indicating an opened state of the cover to a value indicating a closed state thereof, the output value of the document detection sensor is a value indicating that there is the document, the control section detects a half-closed state where the cover is not completely closed. | 11-26-2015 |
20160101955 | SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A sheet feeding apparatus includes a stacking member, an optical sensor, a detected member, and a control unit. As an amount of sheets stacked on the stacking member decreases, the detected member moves from a first position in which optical sensor light is not interrupted, then once interrupts the light, and then moves to a second position in which the light is not interrupted. Information regarding an amount of sheets transmitted by the control unit, when stored information is about the detected member in the second position, is information notifying that an amount of sheets stacked on the stacking member is less than that of information regarding an amount of sheets stacked on the stacking member transmitted by the control unit when stored information is about the detected member is in the first position. | 04-14-2016 |
20160185544 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR METALLIC OBJECT DETECTION IN A MEDIA TRANSPORT SYSTEM - A system and method of detecting the presence of metallic objects in media to be conveyed in a medium transport system is disclosed. One or more metal detectors are included in the medium transport system to detect the presence of metal in the medium being transported. Signals from the metal detectors are sent to a system processor, which analyzes the signals, and produces proximity, duration, and/or intensity values therefrom. One or more microphones may also be included which detect the sound created as the medium is being transported. The processor computes sound values from the microphone signals, and analyzes the computed sound values along with the proximity, duration, and/or intensity values in order determine if the conveyance of the medium along the transport path should be stopped due to the presence of metal in the media or a jam occurring within the medium transport path. | 06-30-2016 |
20160194168 | MULTI-FEED DETECTION APPARATUS, SHEET CONVEYANCE APPARATUS, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS | 07-07-2016 |
271265030 | Laterally spaced sensors | 4 |
20090102118 | SHEET TRANSPORTING APPARATUS, AND DOCUMENT READING APPARATUS AND PRINTING APPARATUS PROVIDED WITH THE SAME - A sheet transporting apparatus including: sheet sensors arranged in a sheet transporting path; an enclosure door; a door sensor that detects the open/close state of the enclosure door; a control unit that determines the opened state or closed state of the enclosure door on the basis of the result of the detection by the door sensor, and makes a determination whether or not a sheet stays at the respective portions of the sheet sensors and whether or not the staying sheet is removed; and a display unit that displays a portion where the sheet stays, wherein the control unit controls such that it repeatedly makes a determination regarding the stay and the removal of the sheet when the sheet stays in the sheet transporting path and the enclosure door is opened, and updates the display on the basis of the result of the determination. | 04-23-2009 |
20090166965 | METHOD OF FEEDING MEDIUM IN RECORDING APPARATUS, AND RECORDING APPARATUS - A recording apparatus including feeding unit that feeds a medium, conveying unit that conveys the fed medium, recording unit that performs recording on the medium, and controlling unit that controls the feeding unit and the conveying unit, a measuring unit that measures a distance between the previous medium and the next medium after completing the preparatory feeding; and determining unit that determines whether or not the measured distance is a predetermined distance or greater, wherein, if the distance is the predetermined distance or greater, the controlling unit completely feeds the next medium. | 07-02-2009 |
20140042692 | RECORDING MEDIUM CONVEYING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A recording medium conveying apparatus includes a conveying path, a conveying section, recording medium detection sensors, a medium interval calculation section, a control section, and a difference calculation section. The difference calculation section sets a medium interval based on an output from the recording medium detection sensor serving as a reference sensor to a reference value and calculates a difference by subtracting a medium interval based on the output from each of the other recording medium detection sensors from the reference value. When, during the continuous conveyance of recording media, a value obtained by subtracting the difference from the medium interval based on the output from any of the other recording medium detection sensors is equal to or less than zero, the control section controls the conveying section to extend the medium interval. | 02-13-2014 |
20160101954 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Provided is an image forming apparatus, including: a manual feed tray on which a recording material is stacked; a first detecting unit; a second detecting unit arranged on an upstream side of the first detecting unit; a third detecting unit arranged on an upstream side of the second detecting unit; a fourth detecting unit detecting a length of the recording material; a display portion; and a control portion determining a size of the recording material based on detection results and causing the display portion to display a first screen displaying the determined size, wherein the control portion causes the display portion to display a second screen for designating the size, when, among the first to third detecting units, a detecting unit located on a downstream side does not detect presence of the recording material and another detecting unit located on an upstream side of the detecting unit, detects the presence. | 04-14-2016 |