Abstract: Methods and devices are described for detecting boundaries of documents on flatbed and multi-function scanners on a first pass of a carriage assembly, and then performing a high resolution scan on a second pass. High resolution images of documents can then be obtained with little or no interaction normally necessary to identify areas of interest on the scanner bed. Patterns on the scanner cover or lid facilitate not only edge determination, but orientation of text and other objects, and straightening of images in preparation for OCR and related functions. Electronic images and files derived from paper documents may be automatically cropped, deskewed, subjected to OCR, and named consistent with content or other information derived from them.

Abstract: An image reader is provided, which includes a housing including a base, and a reading unit including a holder, the base including a bottom wall, a first guide disposed at a first-side portion of the bottom wall in a first direction, and a second guide disposed at a second-side portion of the bottom wall in the first direction, and the reading unit further including a third guide disposed at a first-side portion of the holder in the first direction, the third guide configured to come into sliding contact with the first guide when the reading unit moves, and a fourth guide disposed at a second-side portion of the holder in the first direction, the fourth guide configured to come into sliding contact with the second guide when the reading unit moves.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a partial pre-scanning device configured to convey a reading unit in an edge detection area and causes the reading unit to execute a reading operation in the edge detection area, the edge detection area being a partial area within a scannable area on a platen, and a detecting device configured to detect a plurality of edge pixels on a basis of image data, the plurality of edge pixels representing a side of a document, the image data being outputted by the reading unit that reads the edge detection area through execution of the reading operation by the partial pre-scanning device. Upon the plurality of edge pixels not detected on the basis of the image data, the partial pre-scanning device moves the edge detection area in a conveying direction of the reading unit and causes the reading unit to execute the reading operation.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are presented for custom media size detection in a printing device. A user places standard or custom sized media in a media tray associated with a printing device. The media tray contains a media tray sensor which determines whether the media tray is closed and a media size sensor which determines whether the media tray is loaded with custom size media. If so, a computer processing device connected to the sensors and a visual display displays to the user the opportunity to select a media platen and image scanning device to scan an example media item with the same dimensions as the custom size media located in the media tray. The scanning device selected then scans an example media item a user has placed on the selected media platen, and data on the determined dimensions is presented to the user for confirmation or modification.

Abstract: A method for automatically classifying scanned hardcopy media based on its physical size. The hardcopy media is classified as a photograph if the determined physical size matches a common physical sizes for photographs to within a predetermined tolerance, and is classified as a document if the determined physical size matches one of the common physical sizes for documents to within a predetermined tolerance. Otherwise, a media classification is determined using contextual processing.

Abstract: The printing apparatus for printing at least an address on an envelope that is set to a paper tray includes an envelope size detection portion for scanning an address print side of an envelope set to the paper tray to detect a size of the envelope based on a read image of the address print side; a print position setting portion for setting a print position of an address corresponding to the read size of the envelope; and a data synthesis processing portion for synthesizing the read image of the address print side and an image of the address at a position set by the print position setting portion and previews the synthesized address print image of the envelope on a display device.

Abstract: A first light source and a second light source are arranged so that a protrusion direction of a first terminal from a first supporting body and a protrusion direction of a second terminal from a second supporting body are different when viewed in the longitudinal direction of a light guide. The first light source and the second light source are arranged so as to reduce a protrusion direction of the first supporting body and the second supporting body in a predetermined direction from an area where the first light source and the second light source overlap when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the light guide.

Abstract: An image-reading device may include a conveyor, a reading unit, and a control device. The control device may be configured to extract feature points from an area between a first edge and a line, obtain the density of the extracted feature points, and compare the density to a threshold. The control device may be further configured to identify the first edge as a document leading edge or a document trailing edge based on the comparison result.

Abstract: A scanning system is described providing an exception correction capability during multi-page scanning operations. A sensing system is used to sense exception conditions during a multi-page scanning operation. In response to detecting an exception, at least one scanned page associated with the exception condition is displayed on an image display and a user interface system is used to provide a plurality of user-selectable corrective actions associated with the exception condition. One or more corrective operations are then performed in response to a user selecting a particular corrective action.

Abstract: A document size detector sets an amount of light to be emitted from a light source for document size detection in accordance with the amount of disturbance light detected by the CCD, switches on the light source so as to make the light source emit the set amount of light, and detects the size of a document placed on a platen. Therefore, erroneous detection of a document size is prevented and glare that a user is subjected to when the size of a document placed on the platen is detected is reduced.

Abstract: Systems and methods of scanning, enlarging, and printing one or more selected areas of a document are disclosed. The systems and methods include an imaging device that partitions a document into a plurality of grid areas and receives, from a user, a selection for one or more of the grid areas to be enlarged and printed. The imaging device further receives or determines an enlarged output size for the selected grid areas. The imaging device scans the document to form digital images corresponding to the selected grid areas, and adjusts and enlarges the digital images to equate to the enlarged output size. A printer of the imaging device outputs the enlarged digital images on paper of the output size.

Abstract: An image processing method in which the image of a document is extracted from an image including the image of the document on a document positioning table, acquired by a line sensor scanning the document placed on the document positioning table while illuminating the document from the upstream side or the downstream side of the scanning includes extracting the edge of the image on the document positioning table to set a provisional document area based on the edge, detecting a bright area where light incident on the line sensor is excessive, at the illuminated edge on the upstream side or the downstream side in the scanning direction from the image of the provisional area, and determining the area of the document by removing the area where light is excessive from the provisional area.

Abstract: A method for reproducing a document is provided. The method includes the following steps: scanning a front side and a back side of an original and accordingly producing a front side image and a back side image; determining a size of the original; comparing the size of the original with a page size; and if the size of the original is determined smaller than one half of the page size, producing one-page image data representing the front side image and the back side image on one single page. An apparatus for reproducing the document is also disclosed.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes placement member, pressing member, and open/close detection portion. Open/close detection portion detects opening and closing of pressing member. Open/close detection portion includes movable portion, guide hole, and sensor. When pressing member is opened, movable portion moves toward one side, thereby protruding to an area between placement member and pressing member, and when pressing member is closed, movable portion moves toward the other side. Movable portion extends along movement direction thereof. Guide hole of movable portion guides movement of movable portion in movement direction. Movable portion has a plurality of groove portions extending in movement direction, and groove portions partially include guide groove. Guide hole has guide protrusion protruding from inner circumferential surface thereof toward groove portion of movable portion, so as to guide movement of movable portion.

Abstract: A paper size detection device includes a central switch, at least two switches disposed to two opposite sides of the central switch at intervals, and at least a sensor corresponding to the two switches located at the two opposite sides of the central switch. The sensor can be designated as a light sensor. One switch triggers the sensor and the other switch is without triggering the sensor under an original no paper condition. So that a detection method of the paper size detection device that uses N light sensors to judge N*2 papers' size can be realized by virtue of the above-mentioned setting structure, N is a positive integer, such as 2, 3, 4 and so on. Thus, the paper size detection device has a simple structure and a lower manufacture cost, and the detection method of the paper size detection device is simplified, accordingly.

Abstract: A system and method for printing an image on a medium whose dimensions are determined based on the size of the image are disclosed herein. A system includes a processor and a printing software system including an—Active Printing System (“APS”) configured to execute on the processor. The APS receives from an application program invoking the APS a size of an image to be printed and returns to the application program a set of dimensions within which the image is to be printed on a selected print media. The set of dimensions is determined based, at least in part, on the size of the image.

Abstract: A method for image processing in which an area of a platen on which a document is placed is read and the platen image is processed includes extracting an object included in the platen image, detecting an area of the object and inclination of the area of the object with respect to the platen image, determining the minimum rectangular area which includes the area of the object, and is surrounded with four sides parallel to four sides of the platen image respectively, comparing an extent to which a pixel group constituting an edge of each area includes pixels constituting an edge of the platen image between the area of the object and the minimum rectangular area, and determining a minimum rectangular area as the area of the document if a pixel group includes a larger number of pixels based on the comparing or if the inclination is small.

Abstract: An image processing device includes an image scanning unit, a first paper feed cassette, and an image recording unit. The image scanning unit scans a document placed on a document scanning surface, which defines a maximum document size. The first paper feed cassette accommodates recording paper of a size up to a first size, which is the same as the maximum document size. The image recording unit records an image on the recording paper. The maximum document size is defined by a scan maximum main scanning length and a scan maximum sub-scanning length that is preferably shorter than the scan maximum main scanning length. A record main scanning direction is parallel or substantially parallel to a long side of the recording paper of the first size accommodated in the first paper feed cassette. A scan main scanning direction is parallel or substantially parallel to the record main scanning direction.

Abstract: A recording media deciding apparatus has: a light radiating portion which radiates light having a uniform light amount on a range corresponding to an image capturing range of a first surface of a bundle of recording media; a light detecting portion which captures an image of light emitted from a second surface different from the first surface of the bundle of the recording media; and a controller which decides on a type of the recording media based on an output of the light detecting portion.

Abstract: An embodiment discloses a method utilizing a device for handling multiple documents during scanning. The method includes receiving multiple documents on or within a sleeve to enable scanning of at least one of a first side and a second side of each of the documents in a single scanning operation. The method includes identifying one or more dimensional characteristics of the sleeve and each document arranged on or within the sleeve. The method further includes scanning at least one of the first side and the second side of each document. Moreover, the method includes tagging the scanned documents based on at least one of content characteristics and the dimensional characteristics of the documents.

Abstract: A document reading unit included in an image forming apparatus and operated with a method of detecting an original document, includes an original document table, a moving irradiation unit having multiple block light sources moving in a sub scanning direction while irradiating the original document, an image sensor receiving reflected light, and a controller that starts a length specifying operation with the moving irradiation unit located at a position facing the original document, sequentially turns on the block light sources, obtains an amount of reflected light under lighting conditions of each block light sources, and determines the length of the original document in the main scanning direction. While the moving irradiation unit is moving in the sub scanning direction, the image sensor receives the reflected light on a region of the original document in the sub scanning direction under each lighting condition during the length specifying operation.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus, including a driving unit, a separator unit, a conveyer unit, a reader unit, a reducer unit, a size detecting unit; and a controller is provided. The separator unit includes a drive shaft, a contact member, and a clutch. The controller manipulates the conveyer unit via the driving unit to convey the sheet at a first conveying speed when the size of the sheet detected by the size detecting unit is greater than a predetermined size. The controller manipulates the conveyer unit via the driving unit to convey the sheet at a second conveying speed, which is lower than the first conveying speed, when the size of the sheet detected by the size detecting unit is one of smaller than and equivalent to the predetermined size.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus includes: a size detecting unit that detects a size of each page of a document to be printed; an orientation detecting unit that detects orientation of each page of the document; a receiving unit that receives a setting of post processing that is to be performed on a printed sheet on which the document is printed; a determining unit that determines whether pages of different sizes, both having one side of the same length and other sides of different lengths, are detected in the document; a rotation control unit that, when the determining unit determines that the pages of the different sizes have been detected, rotates pages so that sides of the same length are aligned on the basis of the setting of the post processing; and an output unit that outputs the document with the pages rotated.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image combining device includes a read unit and a control unit. The read unit includes a transparent holder and an image read section of flatbed type. The transparent holder holds a flat medium, and plural matching reference points are marked in an edge region. The image read section reads the medium placed on a reading window. A size of the medium is larger than the reading window. Each of the partial images, generated by the image read section, includes an image of a part of the medium and a part of the matching reference points. The matching reference points are arranged along a part of an edge of the image of the medium. The control unit combines the plural partial images based on the matching reference points included in the plural partial images, and generates a combined image including an image of the medium.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes: a sheet placing part; a conveying part; an apparatus wall; and a judging unit. The sheet placing part is configured to receive a sheet placed thereon. The conveying part is configured to convey the sheet from the sheet placing part. The apparatus wall defines a first conveyance opening. The judging unit is configured to judge whether the sheet is able to pass the first conveyance opening. The conveying part conveys the sheet to the first conveyance opening if the judging unit determines that the sheet is able to pass through the first conveyance opening. The conveying part does not convey the sheet to the first conveyance opening if the judging unit determines that the sheet is unable to pass through the first conveyance opening.

Abstract: A scanner apparatus and method includes an optical scanner, at least one movable carriage associated with the optical scanner, and a point sensor that rides the movable carriage to measure a slow scan document width associated with a document scanned by the optical scanner. The point sensor moves in a slow scan direction with respect to the document scanned by the optical scanner. The point sensor also includes a single moving size sensor that improves a resolution by which a size associated with the document is determinable.

Abstract: An image reader includes a light source that irradiates light to a recording material on which an image is formed, a generation section that receives light reflected from the recording material and generates image information from the received light, and a processing section that extracts information corresponding to a window region of the recording material set in advance, as correction information, from the image information generated by the generation section when light from the light source is irradiated to the recording material on which the image is formed.

Abstract: A method of determining document characteristics prior to processing the document (11) in a document scanner (10) includes capturing at least a portion of an input image of documents in an input tray (20); transmitting the images to a processor (65); determining characteristics of the documents; processing the document based on the characteristics; wherein at least one characteristic is document length (70) or width (80) or position or other characteristics; and disabling or enabling ultrasonic zones (160) in at least one location down the document based on at least one characteristic.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus which is improved in user friendliness for a user to print a document received by facsimile communication and is capable of performing division printing of the document. A sheet size of sheets on which the received document is to be printed is determined. In a preview process, when a document to be printed according to a determined sheet size is to be divided so as to be printed on a plurality of sheets, a preview image of the document in which a position where the document is to be divided is indicated is displayed on a display section. Further, in the preview process, the preview image is displayed on the display section by changing the position where the document is to be divided according to designation of the sheet size by a user.

Abstract: A large-format scanner having an imaging element and connected to a PC by a standard interface of predetermined maximum bandwidth is provided with a variable-speed document feeder and with a device upstream of the imaging element for detecting the width transverse to the feed direction of a document being moved through the apparatus by the feeder. As soon as the document width is detected and before the document reaches the imaging element, any sensors of the imaging element that will not confront the document are turned off and the document speed is adjusted so that the sensors left on produce a data output of a bandwidth close to but below the maximum bandwidth of the interface, with wide documents being fed faster than narrow documents.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus includes a scanning module and a sheet size detecting mechanism. The scanning module is used for acquiring an image of a paper sheet. The sheet size detecting mechanism includes a first sheet guide part, a second sheet guide part, and a controlling unit. The first sheet guide part and the second sheet guide part are contacted with two parallel edges of the paper sheet, respectively. A light-emitting unit is disposed on the second sheet guide part. The light-emitting unit is used for projecting a light beam onto an optical sensing element of the scanning module. According to the light beam, the optical sensing element generates a sensing signal. According to the sensing signal, a distance between the two parallel edges of the paper sheet is acquired.

Abstract: A document scanner (10) includes an input tray (20) for holding documents; a transport system (45) for moving documents through the scanner; at least one document detection sensor (135A-135E) for detecting documents; an image capture device for capturing image data for a document; an image processor for determining characteristics of the document based on the image data; and wherein the processor compares characteristics of the document to ultrasonic data and excludes ultrasonic data which conflicts with image data.

Abstract: A method for scanning documents in a document scanner (10) includes transporting (45) documents from an input tray (20) to an document detection sensor (135A-135E); detecting documents with the document detection sensor; capturing image data for a document with an image capture device; determining characteristics of the document based on the image data with an image processor; comparing characteristics of the document to document detection sensor data; and excluding document detection sensor data which conflicts with the image data.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which detects a plurality of image areas included in an original plate image to extract a minimum rectangular area including the plurality of image areas, specifies maximum eight line segments acquired by extending four sides of the rectangular area toward corresponding four sides of the original plate image, respectively, extracts pixels existing in a neighborhood area including each of the specified line segments, and determines that the rectangular area and the minimum rectangular area including the extracted pixels are the areas of the original image. With the configuration, the image processing apparatus can accurately decide only an original area even if edge information of an original extracted from a read image is unclear.

Abstract: A scanner enables full productivity and individual image size detection, without user intervention for mixed size originals in both simplex and duplex scanning modes. The scanner provides high-productivity single pass scanning while preserving the image size for each of the document scanned. In addition, the scanner may support duplex scanning by adding a second image sensor, for example, in the document handler. Methods of scanning are also provided.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus, including a driving unit, a separator unit, a conveyer unit, a reader unit, a reducer unit, a size detecting unit; and a controller is provided. The separator unit includes a drive shaft, a contact member, and a clutch. The controller manipulates the conveyer unit via the driving unit to convey the sheet at a first conveying speed when the size of the sheet detected by the size detecting unit is greater than a predetermined size. The controller manipulates the conveyer unit via the driving unit to convey the sheet at a second conveying speed, which is lower than the first conveying speed, when the size of the sheet detected by the size detecting unit is one of smaller than and equivalent to the predetermined size.

Abstract: An image reading device includes a platen glass, a document feeder, a light source, a light receiving section, a first opening/closing detection sensor, a second opening/closing detection sensor, and a document size determination section. The document size determination section determines a size of an original document on the basis of a measurement result from the light receiving section. Where the first opening/closing detection sensor indicates the open state, while the second opening/closing detection sensor indicates no open state when the original document is placed on the platen glass, the document size determination section determines a size of the original document in a main scanning direction on the basis of full lighting-up determination data obtained with all of plural light emitting elements lighted up and partial lighting-up determination data obtained with some of the plural light emitting elements lighted up.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a document cover, a cover state detector that detects whether the document cover is open or closed, an image reading unit that reads an image by conducting an optical scan that moves a scanning body with a mounted light source, detecting reflected light from the target object with a photoelectric transducer, and outputting a signal expressing the detected pixel densities, a white reference plate used as a reference for correcting an image, a power manager that switches between a power-saving state and a standby state, and a controller that controls the respective units such that in the case of restoring the standby state due to detecting the opening or closing of the document cover, an image of a document is read to detect the document size, and an image of the white reference plate is read after the detection to acquire correction values.

Abstract: It is an object to provide an image processing apparatus which can properly obtain an original area even when there is one original or when there are a plurality of originals, an image processing method, and a recording medium in which an image processing program has been recorded. An image processing apparatus for deciding an image data area of an original from read image data obtained by being read by an image reading apparatus has: an extracting unit for extracting a plurality of image areas from the read image data; and a discriminating unit for discriminating whether or not tilt angles of the image areas extracted by the extracting unit are equal. If one or more tile angles of the image areas are not equal as a result of the discrimination by the discriminating unit, it is determined that each of the image areas is an image data area of the original on the assumption that there are a plurality of originals.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and an image processing system are supplied capable of restraining an occurrence of failure print. The image processing apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus comprises an operation detecting section that detects operations of a document processing section; a document size obtaining section that obtains document size information; a medium size obtaining section that obtains medium size information of print mediums set in the image forming apparatus; a comparing and judging section that compares the document size information and the medium size information and judges whether or not they are consistent; an inquiring section that inquires user whether or not document size of the print object document is changed; an inputting section that inputs a change instruction of the document size; and a changing section that changes the document size information into the medium size information on the basis of the change instruction.

Abstract: A scanner apparatus and method includes an optical scanner, at least one movable carriage associated with the optical scanner, and a point sensor that rides the movable carriage to measure a slow scan document width associated with a document scanned by the optical scanner. The point sensor moves in a slow scan direction with respect to the document scanned by the optical scanner. The point sensor also includes a single moving size sensor that improves a resolution by which a size associated with the document is determinable.

Abstract: Provided is a technique that makes it possible to extract the image of a document area from a read image with better accuracy. An image processing apparatus capable of achieving this includes a reading unit for reading a document, which has been placed on a contact glass, as read image data; a first area determination unit for deciding a provisional document area by subjecting the read image data to detection processing for detecting a document area included in the read image data; and a second area determination unit for deciding a fixed document area by generating binary image data in an area corresponding to the provisional document area of the read image data, and executing detection processing for detecting a document area, which is included in the read image data, based upon the binary image data.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image reader that covers an image recorded material placed on a reading surface with an openable cover plate so as to press thereof and optically reads an image of the image recorded material, an image output unit that forms an image on a recording sheet and outputs the image, a detecting unit that detects an opened/closed state of the cover plate when the image output unit forms a gradation test image on the recording sheet, the recording sheet having the gradation test image formed thereon is placed on the reading surface of the image reader, and an operation of reading the gradation test image is performed, and a gradation correction unit that conducts a gradation correction of the image forming apparatus based on an image read by the image reader when the detecting unit detects the closed state of the cover plate.

Abstract: An image processing method includes the steps of: reading an original placed on an original platen; executing a filtering process to extract a contour on the read image; extracting a contour group in broken lines from the image having the filtering process executed; forming one contour from the contour group in broken lines; determining an area of the original from the contours obtained in the filtering execution step and the forming step; and extracting an image of the determined original area from the read image.

Abstract: There is provided a detection device including: a detection section detecting an image on a medium conveyed along the conveyance path or the medium; a reference member that is disposed at an opposite side of the conveyance path from the side thereof at which the illumination unit is disposed and that is provided to be rotatable with a rotation axis direction being a width direction of the medium; a test face comprising one of reflection faces of the reference member; a position detection pattern provided at the test face; a focal point detection pattern provided at the test face, the focal point detection pattern enabling detection by the detection section of a focal point; and a depth detection portion provided at the test face, the depth detection portion enabling detection by the detection section of an illumination depth of the light illuminated from a illumination unit.

Abstract: A de-skew method of an image forming apparatus is provided which includes reading an image on a print medium fed through an automatic document feeder (ADF); detecting a leading edge of the print medium and calculating a skew angle of the read image; comparing the calculated skew angle to a first threshold and determining whether to perform a de-skew operation; and setting skew compensation levels based on the calculated skew angle and performing different de-skew operations according to the set skew compensation levels to output a de-skewed image when the absolute value of the calculated skew angle is equal to or greater than the first threshold.

Abstract: A computer peripheral that may operate as a scanner. The scanner captures image frames as it is moved across an object. The image frames are formed into a composite image based on computations in two processes. In a first process, fast track processing determines a coarse position of each of the image frames based on a relative position between each successive image frame and a respective preceding image determine by matching overlapping portions of the image frames. In a second process, fine position adjustments are computed to reduce inconsistencies from determining positions of image frames based on relative positions to multiple prior image frames. As additional image frames are added to the composite image, the size and format of the composite image may be automatically adjusted to facilitate ease of use.

Abstract: A scanner connected to an external device through a network is provided. The scanner includes, a reading section that reads an image recorded on a sheet so as to generate image data, an image data group supply section that, in a case where a plurality of images recorded on a plurality of sheets are read by the reading section, sequentially generates an image data group every time a part of the plurality of sheets is read by the reading section, and sequentially supplies the generated image data group to the external device, a joint information generation section that generates joint information used to join two or more of the image data groups, the two or more of the image data groups representing the plurality of images; and a joint information supply section that supplies the joint information to the external device.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method of transmitting original image data are disclosed. According to section size information, dividing information of the original image data is generated. The original image data is classified into multiple sets of original image data files using the dividing information. A plurality of section image data files are generated from the multiple sets of original image data files. The plurality of section image data files is transmitted to a destination apparatus according to the dividing information.

Abstract: By using a memory capable of storing image data of a document size smaller than a maximum document size, images on both sides of a document of the maximum document size can be simultaneously read.