Abstract: It is an object of the invention to allow effective use of a memory provided for each function in a complex image processing apparatus including a facsimile apparatus, to increase the reception capacity of a memory reception function when the apparatus works as a facsimile apparatus and to enable sorting of received facsimile data. In the complex image processing apparatus, facsimile data received via a modem section is accumulated in a memory for facsimile. Under predetermined conditions, the facsimile data in the memory for facsimile are grouped, rearranged and transferred to a memory for copier and a memory for printer. Conditions for causing data rearrangement and transfer may be set such that they occur when a predetermined time passes after the beginning of the operation of the memory reception function or such that they occur when the remaining capacity of the memory for facsimile comes to a predetermined capacity.

Abstract: An original is moved by a feed motor so as to read the original by the combination of a light source and a CCD. The image information thus read is stored into the memory. The image information stored in the memory is sent out via a modem to the phone line. The amount of data stored in the memory is detected: if the amount of data exceeds the first predetermined amount, the speed of movement of the original is gradually reduced while if the amount of data becomes equal to or smaller than a second predetermined amount which is smaller than the first predetermined amount, the speed of movement of the original is gradually raised.

Abstract: A compact color image reader for scanning an image in a short time is disclosed. The color image reader includes three fluorescent lamps 17 of red, green, and blue, a lighting circuit 15 for lighting the three fluorescent lamps sequentially, a CCD 183 for reading an image illuminated by the three fluorescent lamps and a control circuit 16 for controlling a lighting period of each of the fluorescent lamps 17 and the reading of the CCD. In order to perform the scanning of a color image in a short time, the lighting circuit 15 lights each of the three fluorescent lamps at a lamp current higher than a rated value and the CCD performs the fast reading in a period corresponding to the lighting period.

Abstract: A reader having a high-resolution mode and a high-speed mode is disclosed. The reader comprises a CCD sensor, a buffer, a first AD convertor, a second AD convertor, a data selector and a control circuit. The input of the buffer is connected to the CCD sensor through a capacitor and a 5 V power source through an analog switch, and an output of the buffer is connected to the first AD convertor for the high-resolution mode and the second AD convertor for the high-speed mode in parallel. The data selector for selecting an output from the first AD convertor or the second AD convertor and sending it out to the control circuit is connected to the outputs of the first AD convertor and the second AD convertor.

Abstract: A thermal recording apparatus includes a thermal head. Printing for multi-tone density is performed by changing an energizing time of the thermal head. The apparatus has a controller for controlling the energizing time and an interrupting circuit. The controller controls the energizing time to match to a value corresponding to a tone density for printing. The interrupting circuit puts an interrupt period of energizing for the energizing time if the energizing time is equal to or more than a predetermined time. A plurality of different counters is provided for increasing the interrupt period in duration stepwisely.

Abstract: A thermal recording apparatus includes a thermal head. Printing for multi-tone density is performed by changing an energizing time of the thermal head. The apparatus has a controller for controlling the energizing time and an interrupting circuit. The controller controls the energizing time to match to a value corresponding to a tone density for printing. The interrupting circuit puts an interrupt period of energizing for the energizing time if the energizing time is equal to or more than a predetermined time. The thermal head is pre-heated when printing data is not zero so that linear relation between the energizing time and the printing density can be obtained even if the printing density is low.

Abstract: An image scanning device has a light source for emitting a beam, a CCD circuit board having a CCD sensor, an optical unit for guiding the emitted beam from the light source to the CCD sensor, a CCD sensor driving circuit connected with the CCD circuit board with a signal cable, a clock generating circuit for generating a clock to be transferred to the CCD sensor, a reset pulse generating circuit for generating a reset pulse for resetting an output buffer of the CCD sensor, a clamp circuit for clamping an output of the CCD sensor, and an analog-to-digital converter for converting an analog signal into a digital signal. The clock generating circuit is disposed on the CCD circuit board.

Abstract: A scanner is so arranged that a quantity of light reaching a CCD sensor can be kept constant with a change in reading position. In case a light source and a reading optical unit are driven independent of each other, variations in feed amount inevitably occur. To deal with it, a test chart of a specified length is first read to measure moving amounts of the light source and the reading optical unit. Then, the reading optical unit is moved by a predetermined amount. The light source is moved as effecting a correction based on the moving amounts initially measured. Then, a one-line reading process is carried out to scan an image on a document.

Abstract: Each of even series outputs of a CCD is clamped by a third capacitor and a fifth transistor in a high precise mode of a reader. Each of odd series outputs of the CCD is clamped by a first capacitor and a second transistor. The clamped odd and even series outputs are converted to digital signals by a first AD converter. In a high speed mode of the reader, odd series outputs of the CCD are clamped in a unit of one line period by first and second capacitors and the second transistor. In the high speed mode, even series outputs of the CCD are clamped in the unit of one line period by third and fourth capacitors and a fifth transistor. The clamped odd and even series outputs are respectively converted to digital signals by individual first and second AD converters. In this reader, the high precise mode or the high speed mode can be selected in accordance with necessity.

Abstract: A power source for a printer has a power source unit for supplying power to the printer and lead wires for electrically connecting the power source unit to the printer. The power source unit includes a compensating circuit for compensating a reduction in voltage applied to the printer from the power source unit, and the compensating circuit detects a load electric current supplied to the printer only within the power source and is constructed such that the reduction in voltage is compensated in accordance with the load electric current.

Abstract: Provided is a self-running type scanner including a movable scanner unit and a running guiding and assisting plate mounting the scanner unit for guiding running of the scanner unit. The movable scanner unit includes an illuminating light source, a step motor for running the scanner unit, an inage sensor, a controller for controlling provision of image information and running of the scanner unit, and wheels to which the rotation force of the motor is transmitted. The running assisting plate includes guides engaging with the wheels, a light transmitting area, a white area around the light transmitting area, a black area surrounding the white area and the light transmitting area, and timing marks indicative of the position for starting reading.

Abstract: An image data processing apparatus is provided for crisply reading a dark portion on an original. The image data processing apparatus includes a light source for applying a light ray to an original, a CCD sensor for receiving a light reflected by the original, converting the light into an electric signal and storing the electric signal, an analog processing circuit for receiving the electric signal from the CCD sensor and correcting the DC level of the electric signal, an analog-to-digital converter for receiving a corrected electric signal from the analog processing circuit and converting the corrected electric signal into a digital signal, a digital processing circuit for reading the digital signal from the analog-to-digital converter two or more times and adding the digital signal into one output signal, and a control section for controlling the CCD sensor, the analog processing circuit, the analog-to-digital converter and the digital processing circuit.

Abstract: A read-out apparatus for a solid state imaging device having a plurality of photoelectric converter elements which convert image into photoelectric charges and store the photoelectric charges, respectively. The apparatus includes a shift register for shifting charges, transferred from the photoelectric converter elements, in sequence to output image signals which correspond to the photoelectric converter elements, respectively, a gate for transferring the charge stored in the respective photoelectric converter elements to the shift register each time a transfer signal is applied thereto, and a transfer signal generation unit for generating the transfer signal when an image signal corresponding to a predetermined one of the photoelectric converter elements is outputted so that charges in the shift register transferred from the photoelectric converter elements are partially overlapped with charges transferred in previous transfer operation.

Abstract: An optical reading apparatus which can read both transparent and reflective originals is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a transparent plate for supporting on the upper face an original from which information is to be read; a light source disposed below the plate; and optical reading unit disposed below the plate and having a converter information read from the original into electric signals; and a processor for processing these signals, and further comprises: a further optical reading unit disposed above the upper face of the plate and having another converter for converting information read from the original into further electric signals; and a switch for selecting either of the electric signals and the further electric signals to be supplied to the processor.

Abstract: In view of the memory or storage disadvantage inherent in conventional picture data memory systems, a picture data memory system provides a system with simplified memory control which equalizes the amounts of the color and black/white picture element data by reducing the resolution of the color picture element data (a picture element representing an area scanned by at least one CCD element) to one-quarter of the resolution of black/white picture element data. The picture data memory system constitutes memory locations having a bit size in accordance with the resolution of the color picture when reproduced by the color printer. By doing so, the numbers of bits are equal for the picture element data of both the color and black/white pictures, thereby allowing the storing of color and black/white picture element data in the memory that has a storage capacity that is no greater than a memory storing only black/white picture data.

Abstract: A reader for reading light reflected from or transmitted through an original document includes an adjustment apparatus for detecting the white level of an analog signal from the original document. The detection is performed before reading of the original document. The detection level is compared to a reference white level. In response to the comparison either clock signals to an image sensor or a lighting signals to a light source are varied so that any analog signal from a read document has the reference white level.

Abstract: A system for lighting fluorescent lamps, includes a plurality of fluorescent lamps, a transformer for generating filament voltage and a starting voltage for the fluorescent lamps, a switching circuit for sequentially and periodically opening and closing a plurality of its contacts and a driving circuit for electrically biasing the transformer and the switching circuit. A starting voltage is sequentially applied to the fluorescent lamps which are each independently connected to one of the contacts so that the fluorescent lamps may be sequentially turned on.

Abstract: A color image reading and recording apparatus comprises three light source corresponding to blue, green and red colors disposed at one side opposite to the side of the original to be read. A CCD image sensor is used to obtain signals corresponding to the blue, green and red components of the original through the sequential lighting up and driving of the three light sources. The CCD image sensor receives light reflected from the original. A memory device is used to store color component signals corresponding to the blue, green and red components. A color converter then converts the color component signals into yellow, magenta, cyan and black. The apparatus further records the colors converted by the color converter onto a recording paper by controlling the recording of the yellow, magenta, cyan and black color images onto the same recording paper.

Abstract: A color converting method in a color image reading apparatus operable to read image information by optically scanning a color transcript, which method comprises the steps of dividing a color space determined by light data of R, G and B into n areas, at the time light data of R, G and B obtained from light reflected from the color transcript are converted into Y (yellow), M (magenta) and C (cyan) data, which are color data for an ink, by the use of matrix coefficients; and converting the light data into color data with the use of matrix coefficients obtained by an approximate equation fixed for each area.

Abstract: A reader having a high-resolution mode and a high-speed mode is disclosed. The reader comprises a CCD sensor, a buffer, a first AD convertor, a second AD convertor, a data selector and a control circuit. The input of the buffer is connected to the CCD sensor through a capacitor and a 5 V power source through an analog switch, and an output of the buffer is connected to the first AD converter for the high-resolution mode and the second AD converter for the high-speed mode in parallel. The data selector for selecting an output from the first AD convertor or the second AD convertor and sending it out to the control circuit is connected to the outputs of the first AD convertor and the second AD convertor.