Abstract: A method for processing an image obtained by reading an original plate on which at least one original is placed includes a determining step of determining whether the image is corresponding to one original or a plurality of originals placed on the original plate, an extracting step of extracting, from the image, one original image component corresponding to the one original or a plurality of original image components corresponding to the plurality of originals, and a processing step of performing image processing on the one or the plurality of extracted original image components, the image processing being different in accordance with the result of the determining step.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus detecting scratch and dirt information of a film document without the need for complex structures and complex control in the image reading apparatus. The apparatus can read a transmissive original document and/or a reflective original document. The apparatus includes a first light source that illuminates the transmissive original document, a second light source that illuminates one of the reflective original document and the transmissive original document, an image sensor that generates electronic image data, a detector unit that detects non-image information from the image data, and a correction unit that corrects the image data, based on the non-image information detected by the detector unit.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a drive source, a speed change mechanism provided in a transmission unit that transmits a driving force from the drive source to a scanning drive unit. The speed change mechanism is configured to change a transmission ratio of the transmission unit by selectively bringing one of first and second couplings into a connected state. The image reading apparatus further includes a selector configured to selectively bring one of the first and second couplings into the connected state, a detector configured to detect the connected state of the second coupling, and a controller configured to control a scanning position of the reading unit based on the transmission ratio changed via the second coupling after the detector detects the connected state of the second coupling after the selector changes selection from the first coupling to the second coupling.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus detecting scratch and dirt information of a film document without the need for complex structures and complex control in the image reading apparatus. The apparatus can read a transmissive original document and/or a reflective original document. The apparatus includes a first light source that illuminates the transmissive original document, a second light source that illuminates one of the reflective original document and the transmissive original document, an image sensor that generates electronic image data, a detector unit that detects non-image information from the image data, and a correction unit that corrects the image data, based on the non-image information detected by the detector unit.

Abstract: An image reading and processing method which is capable of automatically obtaining image data with high resolution along the proper contour of an original. First image reading is carried out on the original at a first resolution to obtain image data. The contour area of an image of the original 7 is detected based on the image data obtained by the image reading. Second image reading is carried out on the original at a second resolution higher than the first resolution, over an area 51 having outer edges thereof shared by the contour area 41, to obtain image data. The contour of the image of the original is detected in the contour area 41, based on the image data obtained by the second image reading. Image data of an image portion inside the detected contour of the image of the original is extracted from the image data obtained by the second reading.