Eastman-kodak Company

Kodak Alaris Inc.

Randall R Maysick

Robert M Westcott

Stephen M Reinke

Daniel Phinney

Thomas Middleton

David M Schaertel

William J Greene

Anthony A Syracuse

John A Romansky

Swapnil Sakharshete

Charles E Brugger

Steven L Moore

George O Simmons

Stephen A Horstman

Thomas W Ebert

Daniel P Phinney

Thomas Gregory Middleton

Swapnil Sakharsheet

A method of scanning documents and moving such documents along a path such that during scanning a method of improving the documents velocity and the documents image quality is disclosed. The method includes providing a plurality of documents in an input tray and transporting each document along the path from the input tray at a transport velocity past the scanner to obtain scanned image data. By monitoring and controlling the velocity profile of the transport system, the scanning system may provide higher image quality, reduce slippage, misfeeds and jams, and provide alerts to an operator in the even slippage, misfeeds, or jams do occur.

System and method for monitoring and controlling document velocity in a scanning system

An image scanner system and method with document sorting capability that includes the ability to sort based on image content is described. A processor instructs drive motors and rollers of the transport system moving the document along a transport path within the scanner to stop movement, such that document is stopped at a position after it is imaged to provide time for the processor to analyze the image content and make a sorting decision. The transport system is then restarted and the document is delivered to a paper path switching mechanism to provide the physical sort. Based on the processing, the switching mechanism is positioned such that the document will follow a transport path into a desired output tray. The system may reverse the transport system to back up the document before being restarted in order to allow for paper path switching of longer documents.

System and method for sorting scanned documents to selected output trays

A document handling apparatus having a document transport path for moving a document therethrough. A detector proximate the transport detects a multifeed indication in the transport path or a misfeed indication in the transport path. A processing system processes the indications and issues a termination signal if a multifeed or a misfeed, or both, is determined.

Combined ultrasonic-based multifeed detection system and sound-based damage detection system

A method for feeding sheets through a sheet transport path. Ultrasonic energy is directed toward a sheet in the transport path while an audio receiver detects audio data generated by the ultrasonic source and the mechanisms that transport the sheet. The audio data is processed to determine whether a multifeed or a misfeed condition exists in the transport path.

Combined ultrasonic-based multifeed detection method and sound-based damage detection method

A method of scanning documents and moving such documents along a path such that after scanning sorting such documents is disclosed. The method includes providing a plurality of documents in an input tray and transporting each document along the path from the input tray at a transport velocity past the scanner to obtain scanned image data. The method further includes providing at least two movable members including two rotatable exit rollers, movable belts, or a movable belt and a rotatable exit roller along the path to provide a nip for the documents; and selectively driving the movable members to provide selectable exit velocities so that such documents are sorted in accordance with their selected exit velocity.

Sorting by controlling scanned document velocity

A modular scanning system ( ) consisting of a first scanning unit ( ) and a detachable platen element ( ) provides for both sheet fed and platen scanning of documents. The first scanning unit ( ) includes all the mechanisms necessary to permit sheet fed scanning of documents using a stationary image forming subsystem ( ). The platen element ( ) provides a second scanning unit ( ) which is capable of accepting a second image forming subsystem ( ) from the first scanning unit ( ) via a docking interface ( ). The second image forming subsystem ( ) can perform platen scanning of documents placed on a glass piece ( ) of the platen element ( ). Since the platen element ( ) is detachable, the user has the option to select the platen scanning functionality but with the additional flexibility of selectively mounting or storing the platen element ( ).

Document scanning system with dockable platen flatbed providing sheet fed and platen scanning functions

An intelligent feeding and separating device for consistently separating an outermost sheet of media from a stack and feeding it to an imaging rendering apparatus, includes: a) a sheet transport mechanism; b) a feed device for feeding sheets to the sheet transport mechanism; c) a separation mechanism adjacent to the feed mechanism; d) at least one drive mechanism in operable association with the feed or separation mechanisms, and comprising a feed or separation roller reversal mechanism; e) a plurality of different types of sensor devices adjacent to the feed mechanism for measuring characteristics of the sheets being fed; and f) a microprocessor in communication with the sensor devices and the feed or separation roller direction reversal mechanism; wherein, depending upon input from the sensor devices, the microprocessor outputs to the feed or separation roller direction reversal mechanism to address feed-related problems encountered during operation.

Intelligent feeder

The present invention relates an image reading device and a sheet feeding method for feeding sheets or documents to the image reading device. In the device and method of the present invention, a controller which is associated with at least one of a sheet feeder or a feed sensor, controls an engagement and disengagement of the sheet feeder based on a comparison of a length of a first document fed into the image reading device with subsequent documents. With the device of the present invention, it is possible to increase document throughput rates by controlling the gap between documents.

Sheet feeding control for image reading device

A sheet feeding device (2) for separating an outermost sheet (4) from a stack (6). The sheet feeding device (2) comprises a stack support means (8) positioned in a first portion (10) of a housing (12), and a feed module (14) detachably mounted to a second portion (16) of the housing (12) and adapted to be positioned in contact with the stack (6). The feed module (14) includes an urging means (18) mounted on the feed module (14) by an infeed shaft (20) and a feed means (22) mounted on the feed module (14) by a feed roller shaft (24). A separation means (26) is detachably and pivotally mounted to the second portion (16) of the housing (12) by a support means (28). The separation means (26) is positioned adjacent to the feed means (22) so as to define a nip therebetween. A drive means (32) for driving the feed module (14) is mounted to the second portion of the housing (12). A clutch means (90) attached to the drive means (32) transmits an intermittent drive force to the feed module (14). A method for feeding an outermost sheet from a stack through a sheet feeding device is also described.

Sheet feeding device

Apparatus and methods are provided for separating photographic film strips, adhered to a splice, by restricting movement of the splice and then pulling the film strips longitudinally in opposite directions. According to one feature, the splice adhesive is heated until it softens, preferably with a hot shoe applied against the splice under pressure. According to other features a space is left between the ends of the film strips when they are spliced together, and the splice is engaged from both sides while the film strips are pulled apart. Still more specifically, according to another aspect of the invention, a carrier or splice pick-up web is provided for removing the splices from the area and for holding the removed splices in a manner particularly convenient for disposal.

Apparatus and method for separating spliced strips of photographic film

An image recording apparatus wherein paper sheets are fed to a transport system along a predetermined feed path having a center line. The apparatus is provided with a pair of edge guides opposedly arranged about the center line for holding the paper sheets. Movement of one of the edge guides results in the corresponding movement of the other about the center line. With the use of a clutch disc, either paper guide may be moved independently of the other effectively changing the center line relative to the feed path of the transport.

Growing community of inventors

Churchville, NY, United States of America

Randall R Maysick