A stacking and dispensing module (2) for use in an automatic teller machine (4), the module is configured to be arranged in connection with a banknote storage unit (6) comprising a banknote tray (8) on which banknotes (10) are stacked, the stacking and dispensing module (2) is configured to be in a banknote stacking mode, when banknotes are stacked in said storage unit (6), and in a banknote dispensing mode, when banknotes are dispensed from said storage unit (6). A stacking wheel member (12) is active both during the banknote stacking mode and during the banknote dispensing mode, and that the rotation of the stacking wheel member (12) is configured to be controlled by a first direct current (DC) motor (20), and the rotation of a dispensing wheel member (16) is configured to be controlled by a second DC motor (22). The module further comprises:—a current measuring unit (24) configured to measure the currents applied to drive said first and second DC motors (20, 22) and to generate current signals (26, 28) in dependence thereto,—a control unit (30) configured to receive said current signals (26, 28), wherein the control unit (30) is configured to evaluate said current signals (26, 28) and to determine control signals (32, 34) for various functions of said module in dependence of said evaluation, and to apply said control signals for controlling said functions.

An image forming apparatus includes a stacking portion, a pickup roller, a motor, an image forming unit, and a controller. Upon receiving an instruction for starting a first image forming job, the controller performs an initial operation of supplying current to a motor winding of the motor in a stop state and determining a phase of the rotor based on the flowing current. Based on the determined phase, the controller supplies current to rotate the rotor from its stop state and holds the rotor at a first phase when the first job ends. Upon receiving start instructions for a second image forming job within a period until a predetermined time elapses from when the rotor is held at the first phase, the controller rotates the rotor without performing the initial operation. The controller stops supplying current to the winding if no instructions are not received for starting the second job.

A printing apparatus includes a container that can accommodate roll paper in which recording paper is wound; a cover for opening and closing the container; a transporter, including a transport motor and a transport roller, that pulls the recording paper from the roll paper and transports the recording paper; a printing section that performs printing on the recording paper at a position facing the transport roller; a first substrate that has a controller controlling the printing section; and a second substrate disposed to intersect the first substrate, in which the transport motor is surrounded by the first substrate, the second substrate, and the container and a shaft of the transport motor is disposed parallel to a shaft of the transport roller.

A contact-separation mechanism includes a cam to rotate to move a contact-separation member to and from a counterpart member, a detection target to rotate together with the cam, and a detector to detect presence or absence of the detection target in a detection area of the detector, and circuitry. The cam has a reference range. The circuitry issues a rotation stop instruction of the cam after a target time elapses from passing of the reference range of the detection target through the detection area, and sets the target time based on a duration of an immediately preceding passing of the reference range through the detection area.

An automatic tape dispensing system comprising a feed system having a plurality of rollers, the rollers driven by a motor for peeling tape from a tape roll and dispensing the tape from the dispensing system. The system further includes a reel for supporting the tape thereon and a track supporting the reel. The track extends from a first upper end to a second lower end, the reel movable from the upper end to the lower end in response to tape being dispensed from the system in order to maintain a desired tension on the tape roll.

A lifting apparatus includes a motor, circular support members, power transmission members, guide mechanisms, and electromagnets. The circular support members provide tensile forces to wires connected to a load. The power transmission members rotate around the rotation axis Ax as a center of rotation by driving force of the motor. The guide mechanisms support the circular support members so as to enable the circular support members to slide in a predetermined ranges along a radial direction of the rotation axis, respectively. The electromagnets forcibly arrange the circular support members using electromagnetic force at a position that the center axes of the circular support members agree with the rotation axis in the predetermined ranges.

A flexible barrier assembly includes a frame defining a window, feed and collection reels mounted on the frame, a flexible protective barrier suspended and held taut between the feed and collection reels and overlaying the window, and a motor operatively coupled to the collection reel to rotate the collection reel. Rotation of the collection reel by the motor causes advancement of the protective barrier from the feed reel to the collection reel.

A medium conveying apparatus includes a conveyance roller to convey a medium, an imaging device to image the medium, a DC motor to drive the conveyance roller, a processor to detect that a front end of the medium reaches between the conveyance roller and the imaging device, set a current limit value of the DC motor to a first limit value until the front end of the medium reaches between the conveyance roller and the imaging device, and change the current limit value to a second limit value larger than the first limit value after the front end of the medium has reached between the conveyance roller and the imaging device, and drive the conveyance roller by rotating the DC motor based on the second limit value when the imaging device performs imaging.

An image forming apparatus that has a transfer device that includes an intermediate transfer belt that is tensioned by a plurality of support rollers, a secondary transfer roller that faces one of the support rollers via the intermediate transfer belt, a cam that adjust a pressing force that presses the intermediate transfer belt by the secondary transfer roller, a motor that drives the cam, and a conveyor that conveys a recording medium to a transfer nip formed between the intermediate transfer belt and the secondary transfer roller is provided with a controller that controls an operation of the motor. The controller executes first control of operating the motor with a constant torque and stopping the motor when a rotation angular speed of the motor is less than or equal to a first threshold and second control of operating the motor at a predetermined timing to adjust a transfer nip amount.

An image forming apparatus includes a stacking portion, a pickup roller, a motor, an image forming unit, and a controller. Upon receiving an instruction for starting a first image forming job, the controller performs an initial operation of supplying current to a motor winding of the motor in a stop state and determining a phase of the rotor based on the flowing current. Based on the determined phase, the controller supplies current to rotate the rotor from its stop state and holds the rotor at a first phase when the first job ends. Upon receiving start instructions for a second image forming job within a period until a predetermined time elapses from when the rotor is held at the first phase, the controller rotates the rotor without performing the initial operation. The controller stops supplying current to the winding if no instructions are not received for starting the second job.