Abstract: The present invention provides an image scanning apparatus 100 including a stand block 1 having a support arm 3, a scan type illumination device 5 for applying a slit-shaped light beam 8 onto a surface of a manuscript 2, and a manuscript image scanning device 4 mounted on the support arm 3 for receiving the slit-shaped light beam 8 reflected from the surface of the manuscript 2 and having a manuscript image. The scan type illumination device 5 applies the slit-shaped light beam 8 in a direction 11 vertical to the longitudinal direction of the slit-shaped light beam 8. The manuscript image scanning device includes a manuscript image input block 13 and a light detecting device 14 for receiving the reflected light 8′ output from the manuscript image input block 13. The manuscript image input block 13, in synchronization with the scan operation of the scan type illumination device 5, introduces the reflected light 8′ into a predetermined position of the light detecting device 14.

Abstract: In an image pick-up apparatus, the image on a visual field over an original copy is focused on an one-dimensional image pick-up device by a lens through a mirror. A prism for taking in the ambient light is disposed at the end portion of the one-dimensional image pick-up device. A sample-hold circuit samples and holds an ambient light signal portion of the image signal Vin and outputs a sample-hold signal Vref. A division circuit performs the operation of division Vin/Vref, using the sample-hold signal Vref. As a result, the image signal Vin will be normalized by the ambient light signal Vref for each scan line (line by line). An amplification circuit amplifies the output Vin/Vref of the division circuit so that the ambient light signal level may become VO and outputs it to an A/D conversion circuit. The image signal quantified by the A/D-conversion circuit is output to an external equipment by an external I/F circuit.

Abstract: A label/window position detecting device includes a conveyor, light-emitting elements, a lens, linear image sensors, image processors, and coordinate calculation units. The conveyor conveys a target object having a label/window. The light-emitting elements illuminate the target object which is being conveyed by the conveyor. The lens forms an image of the target object illuminated with the light-emitting elements. The linear image sensors photoelectrically convert image light incident through the lens into image signals. The image processors binarize the image signals obtained from the linear image sensors into monochrome binary image signals, using a predetermined threshold. The coordinate calculation units calculate a label/window position of the target object on the basis of the binary image signals from the image processors, which correspond to a label/window edge portion. A method of detecting a label/window position is also disclosed.