HP Scanjet Scanners Configuring Ultrasonic

Misfeed Detector to Avoid

False Detections (Paper
Jams/Multi-picks/Multifeeds)
HP Scanjet Models Using the HP Smart Document Scan Software (SDSS)
HP Scanjet Models Using an HP TWAIN or ISIS Driver
HP Scanjet 3000 Solution
HP Network Scanners with FutureSmart Firmware (Scanjet 7000n/7000nx/8500 fn1)
The ultrasonic misfeed detector (also called the multi-pick or multi-feed detector) is a
very useful feature included on several HP Scanjet models that can detect when
multiple pages are fed simultaneously into the ADF (automatic document feeder) or
sheet-feed scanner, alert the user, and stop the scanning job so the proper action
can be taken. By default this feature is turned on so that it automatically improves
the scanning experience and results.
However, in some cases when certain types of paper or media are being scanned,
the detector will falsely identify a multi-feed issue and prevent proper scanning of
those documents. The media affected in these cases is usually thicker than normal;
such as heavier papers, business cards, and plastic identification (ID) cards. This
document describes these situations and solutions to avoid these problems.
Certain papers and media are thick enough that the ultrasonic detection technology
will falsely identify that two or more sheets have fed together into the scanner when
only one has actually been picked. Examples of media that will trigger these false
detections are business cards, plastic ID cards, and heavier stock paper. In addition,
a multi-feed will be detected if a page has something attached to it, such as a sticky
note.
When a false detection occurs, the scanner and/or the software will display an error
message indicating that a paper jam or a multi-feed has occurred.
Two examples of the software message are shown in the Figures below:
Figure 1: SDSS misfeed error message

Figure 2: TWAIN misfeed error message

In scanners with the HP Smart Document Scan Software (SDSS) solution previous to
version 3.1 note that a paper jam message can be the result of several different
conditions, but one of them is the detection of a multi-feed. When troubleshooting a
recurring paper jam problem it is important to consider that the ultrasonic misfeed
detector may be triggering the problem and the resolution will involve changing the
setting of the detection mechanism.
How to change the setting depends on the scanner model and software solution
being used. The following sections address each of the possible scenarios.

HP Scanjet Models Using the HP Smart Document Scan

Software (SDSS)
When trying to avoid a false detection with a scanner that uses SDSS it is necessary
to edit the profile being used and look at the setting in the Hardware Options of
the Scan Settings tab(see Figure 3 below). This section contains the control for
turning the detection mechanism on and off. False detection can only be avoided by
turning off the detection feature.
Figure 3: Selecting Misfeed detection in SDSS

In SDSS version 3.1 and later this feature will automatically be turned off when
setting up a profile to scan a small page size (e.g. smaller than 4 inches/ 10cm in
height) to avoid false detection problems in business cards and ID cards.
Some scanner models offer an additional control for misfeed detection (also shown in
the above Figure). An exclusion region can be defined so that the detector can be
used for improved scanning results by avoiding the false detection of pages that
have a sticky note attached in that region of the page.
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HP Scanjet Models Using an HP TWAIN or ISIS Driver

As with the SDSS solution, controls exist in the TWAIN and ISIS drivers to manage the
misfeed detection. This control is available in the Hardware Options section of the
Scan Settings tab (see Figure 4 below). Once again, if the scanner is falsely detecting
a multi-pick and presenting a paper jam message it will be necessary to turn off the
detection feature or, if available, define an exclusion region.
Figure 4: Selecting Multi-feed detection in the TWAIN driver

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HP Scanjet 3000 Solution

The Scanjet 3000 scanner has its own unique software solution. The user interface is
different to that shown in the previous sections but does include the ability to turn
the misfeed detection on and off (see Figure 6). If the message shown in Figure 5
below is displayed, try turning off the misfeed detection feature in case the problem
is due to a false detection.
Figure 5: Error message for Scanjet 3000 software

The settings can be most easily found by clicking on the Configure icon installed on
the computers desktop (or from the Windows Start menu) and selecting the
Process tab.
Figure 6: Scanjet 3000 software settings

The setting in this software is called Automatically detect multi-feeds using the
Ultrasonic detection and works in the same way as the feature described
previously. To avoid false detections turn this setting off.
When using the TWAIN driver for the HP Scanjet 3000 the user interface is different
but the setting is still available (see Figure 7 below). In this case the setting is called
Ultrasonic Detection and serves the same function.
Figure 7: Scanjet 3000 TWAIN settings

When using the TWAIN driver the error message is very specific and clear regarding
a misfeed (see Figure 8 below). If this message is displayed and a multi-feed did not
occur then consider that a false misfeed may have been detected and turn the
feature off.
Figure 8: Misfeed detected using Scanjet 3000 TWAIN driver

The TWAIN driver also has a setting to Stop scanning after multi-feed . If this
option is selected then the scanning operation will stop with a misfeed in the same
way as the other HP scanner models behave. When the option is unchecked then the
scan job will proceed even if a misfeed occurs and after the document completes
scanning a summary will be displayed showing the number of mis-feeds detected
(see Figure 9 below).
Figure 9: Scanjet 3000 multi-feed count

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HP Network Scanners with FutureSmart Firmware (Scanjet

7000n/7000nx/8500 fn1)
The Scanjet 7000n/7000nx and Scanjet 8500 fn1 also include an ultrasonic misfeed
detector and clearly indicate when such an event occurs (see Figure 10 below).
Figure 10: Misfeed error message on a FutureSmart scanner

As with the scanners mentioned above, these scanners are also susceptible to the
false detection and have the ability to turn off the detection feature in order to avoid
the problem. There are two ways to change this setting: in the HP Embedded Web
Server (EWS) and from the Control Panel of the device.
The EWS has mechanisms for turning the misfeed detection feature on and off for
both the default behavior and the definition of a Quick Set . In both cases there is a
check box in the Scan Settings section that needs to be unchecked to avoid the
false detection. The Figure below shows an example of the EWS setting for the Save
to Network Folder default behavior.
Figure 11: Misfeed detection feature on EWS for Scanjet 8500 fn1

If the default or the Quick Set setting has misfeed detection enabled, it is possible to
turn off the feature for a specific scan job by using the Control Panel. When initiating
the scan job press on the More Options down arrow several times until the screen
shown in Figure 12 below is displayed. Note that in this Figure Misfeed Detection is
enabled. Touch on the Setting , select Disable , and then proceed with the scan job.
Figure 12: Control Panel with misfeed detection feature