US4310153A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrostatographic apparatus comprising sheet sensors
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1979-08-09
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Granted: 1982-01-12
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Expires: 1999-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A plurality of sensors (61), (62), (63), (64) are spaced along a sheet feed path (14) to sense the presence of a copy sheet (13) adjacent thereto. A timing signal generator (53) feeds timing signals to the sensors (61), (62), (63), (64) at times when the sheet (13) should be present at the sensors (61), (62), (63), (64), the timing signals enabling the sensors respectively. The outputs of the sensors (61), (62), (63), (64) are connected in a wired-OR configuration to produce a logical sum output. Each sensor (61) typically comprises a light source (88), a photosensor (91) and a power switch such as a transistor (86). Each power switch (86) is constructed to connect the light source (88), the photosensor (91) or both to a power source (+V) in response to the respective timing signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Hideo Kikuchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:22
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H7/00; B65H7/02; B65H7/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
An electrostatographic apparatus including sheet feed means for feeding a sheet through a sheet feed path, characterized by comprising: a plurality of sensor means spaced from each other along the sheet feed path for sensing the presence of the sheet adjacent thereto; circuit means for producing a logical sum output of the sensor means; timing signal generator means for generating and feeding timing signals to the sensor means at times when the sheet should be present at the sensor means, the timing signals enabling the sensor means respectively; each sensor means comprising a light source and a photosensor; and power source means for powering the light source and photosensor; each sensor means further comprising switch means for connecting the light source to the power source means in response to the respective timing signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
An electrostatographic apparatus including sheet feed means for feeding a sheet through a sheet feed path, characterized by comprising: a plurality of sensor means spaced from each other along the sheet feed path for sensing the presence of the sheet adjacent thereto; circuit means for producing a logical sum output of the sensor means; timing signal generator means for generating and feeding timing signals to the sensor means at times when the sheet should be present at the sensor means, the timing signals enabling the sensor means respectively; each sensor means comprising a light source and a photosensor; and power source means for powering the light source and photosensor; each sensor means further comprising switch means for connecting the light source to the power source means in response to the respective timing signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, in which the circuit means is constituted by outputs of the sensor means connected in a wired-OR configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising an amplifier connected to an output of the circuit means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
132 words
An electrostatographic apparatus including sheet feed means for feeding a sheet through a sheet feed path, characterized by comprising: a plurality of sensor means spaced from each other along the sheet feed path for sensing the presence of the sheet adjacent thereto; circuit means for producing a logical sum output of the sensor means; timing signal generator means for generating and feeding timing signals to the sensor means at times when the sheet should be present at the sensor means, the timing signals enabling the sensor means respectively; each sensor means comprising a light source and a photosensor; and power source means for powering the light source and photosensor; each sensor means further comprising switch means for connecting the photosensor to the power source means in response to the respective timing signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
132 words
An electrostatographic apparatus including sheet feed means for feeding a sheet through a sheet feed path, characterized by comprising: a plurality of sensor means spaced from each other along the sheet feed path for sensing the presence of the sheet adjacent thereto; circuit means for producing a logical sum output of the sensor means; timing signal generator means for generating and feeding timing signals to the sensor means at times when the sheet should be present at the sensor means, the timing signals enabling the sensor means respectively; each sensor means comprising a light source and a photosensor; and power source means for powering the light source and photosensor; each sensor means further comprising switch means for connecting the photosensor to the power source means in response to the respective timing signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-01-11 | 1985-07-13 | 1986-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-01-11 | 1989-07-13 | 1990-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-01-11 | 1993-07-13 | 1994-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |