Method of detecting overlapping sheets within a paper feed mechanism, a detector for detecting overlapping sheets, a feed mechanism including such a detector and an apparatus including such a detector
First Claim
1. A paper feed detector to detect when a plurality of overlapping sheets of paper occur in a transport path intended to transport paper to a first region, the paper feed detector comprising:
- a) a light source and image forming arrangement adapted to form an image having a spatially varying intensity; and
b) an image detector;
wherein an optical path from the light source to the image detector passes through the transport path, and the image detector is adapted to assess degradation of the image to make an assessment of the number of sheets within the transport path,and wherein one of;
the light source produces at least one collimated beam of light;
the light source produces an image focused onto a focal plane, the focal plane substantially coinciding with the path of the path.
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Abstract
A paper feed detector is disclosed for detecting when a plurality of overlapping sheets of paper occur in a transport path intended to transport paper to a first region. The paper feed detector includes a light source and an image forming arrangement adapted to form an image having a spatially varying intensity; and an image detector. An optical path from the light source to the image detector passes through the transport path. The image detector is adapted to assess degradation of the image to make an assessment of the number of sheets within the transport path.
20 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A paper feed detector to detect when a plurality of overlapping sheets of paper occur in a transport path intended to transport paper to a first region, the paper feed detector comprising:
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a) a light source and image forming arrangement adapted to form an image having a spatially varying intensity; and b) an image detector; wherein an optical path from the light source to the image detector passes through the transport path, and the image detector is adapted to assess degradation of the image to make an assessment of the number of sheets within the transport path, and wherein one of; the light source produces at least one collimated beam of light; the light source produces an image focused onto a focal plane, the focal plane substantially coinciding with the path of the path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A paper feed detector to detect when a plurality of overlapping sheets of paper occur in a transport path intended to transport paper to a first region, the paper feed detector comprising:
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a) a light source and image forming arrangement adapted to form an image having a spatially varying intensity; and b) an image detector; wherein an optical path from the light source to the image detector passes through the transport path, and the image detector is adapted to assess degradation of the image to make an assessment of the number of sheets within the transport path, and wherein the image detector comprises at least one photodetector for receiving the image and a processor responsive to the at least one photodetector. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A paper feed detector to detect when a plurality of overlapping sheets of paper occur in a transport path intended to transport paper to a first region, the paper feed detector comprising:
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a) a light source and image forming arrangement adapted to form an image having a spatially varying intensity; and b) an image detector; wherein an optical path from the light source to the image detector passes through the transport path, and the image detector is adapted to assess degradation of the image to make an assessment of the number of sheets within the transport path, and wherein the image detector is arranged to identify changes in the light passing through the optical path that are indicative of an image being carried by the paper and to modify its assessment of the number of sheets in the transport path.
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Specification