Appeal Number: 2007-0385
Application Number: 10/375,067
Fact 4: In the first embodiment described above, two detectors or switches
3 and 4 are disposed at the feeding and discharge ends of the
passage of the copy papers 1 so that the actual time interval To
required for the copy paper 1 to be transported through the path in
the photocopying machine may be compared with the reference
time interval Ts required for the copy paper 1 to pass through the
path under normal conditions, that is without jamming. (col. 3, ll.
7-15)
From the facts of Sugiyama, in particular facts 2 and 3, we find that the
reference recognizes that tabbed pages require more transport time than ordinary
pages. In addition, from fact 4 we find that the reference time for feeding the next
sheet is changed to account for tabbed paper taking longer to transport. However,
the time changed is the sheet feeding time between insertion of sheets, not the time
for making a jamming judgment through detection of a sheet by a sheet detecting
unit. Turning to Sakamaki, we find from facts 2 and 3 that the reference detects
the difference between a reference time and the actual time interval for the sheet,
and recognizes a jam based upon the differences between the compared times.
However, Sakamaki does not refer to different reference time intervals for different
types of sheets.
We agree with the examiner (Answer 3) that an image forming apparatus in
which a sheet detecting unit uses sheet feeding reference timer values to make
jamming judgments for the purpose of stopping the image forming apparatus when
jam occurs (see abstract). However, we find that because Sugiyama is directed to
preventing jams by modifying the feed insertion time of the next sheet to be fed,
and Sakamaki is not directed to changing a reference time to prevent a jam from
occurring, we find no reason to have modified Sugiyama as advanced by the
examiner. Rather, we agree with appellant (Br. 8-9) that Sakamaki fails to remedy
the deficiencies of Sugiyama because Sakamaki does not disclose or suggest using
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Last modified: November 3, 2007