Abstract: A scanning method and apparatus. The method comprising the steps of: measuring an ambient video level using an area sensor under the control of a processor means; and calculating a gain and/or a exposure time and/or light source power for an actual flash video level using a stored reference flash video level and the measured ambient video level such that a summation of the actual flash video level and the ambient video level yields a desired video level in a scan image of the document using the calculated gain and/or exposure time and/or light source power.

Abstract: A reading-use holding member which is configured for use with an image reading apparatus including an image reading unit and which holds a sheet of workpiece while image reading is performed by the image reading unit, the reading-use holding member including a base being generally planar; an indicator provided at the base and configured to identify a type of holding member when read by the image reading unit; a holding portion provided at the base and configured to hold the workpiece; and a reference portion provided at the base and configured to provide a reference image data for use in a shading correction of an image read by the image reading unit.

Abstract: Scanning technology related to editing a scan image. A request to edit a scan image that was acquired through an input apparatus is received and an editing user interface area that includes an editing version of the scan image and at least one functional icon is displayed. After selection of the editing version of the scan image, user input is received moving the editing version of the scan image to a predetermined area of the editing user interface area that corresponds to a functional icon. The editing version of the scan image is converted into text data, a function associated with the functional icon is determined, and the converted text data is used in the determined function associated with the functional icon.

Abstract: An image reader is provided, which includes a light guide unit forming an optical path to guide light emitted by a first light emitting portion of a first reading unit to a second light receiving portion of a second reading unit, which optical path passes across a feeding path in a detection position such that a document sheet passing through the detection position on the feeding path blocks the light on the optical path, and a controller determining that a leading end or a trailing end of the document sheet passes through the detection position in response to detecting a change in a light receiving state of the second light receiving portion when the document sheet passes through the detection position with the first light emitting portion emitting light and a second light emitting portion of the second reading unit not emitting light.

Abstract: A printer includes a scanner unit which reads a document; a recording portion which records information read by the scanner unit; and a tilt panel which constitutes the scanner unit and an operation portion of the recording portion. A printer executes a division reading mode which obtains image information of the entire document by linking image information obtained via a plurality of times of a document reading operation, with respect to the document of which the size is greater than the size of the document reading area. The image information of the entire document can be obtained by sequentially linking a predetermined image position of an ending position side of an image obtained by a first document reading operation and a predetermined image position of an initiating position side of an image obtained by the following document reading operation, in a linking direction of the image.

Abstract: A printer includes a scanner unit which reads a document; and a recording portion which records information read by the scanner unit. In the recording portion, the maximum recordable size of a paper sheet is greater than a size of a document reading area in the scanner unit. At a base end side of a cover which opens and closes the document reading area, a gap which passes the document which is pushed out from the document reading area and of which the size is greater than the size of the document reading area to an outer side of the scanner unit is formed.

Abstract: A page-turning device turning a page of a book includes a turning unit and a blower. The turning unit holds the page at a departure position of the page of the book being opened and releases the holding of the page at a destination position of the page. The blower sends air above the page at the departure position to blow against the page at the destination position.

Abstract: A carriage motor which is a heat generating device is arranged next to a CIS in a scanner unit. The carriage motor drives respective transport rollers of an ADF unit via a gear system as well. The scanner unit makes a white reference board be read so as to obtain white reference data, and obtains black reference data more frequently than the white reference data, e.g., in a continuous process for reading a document. As a CIS module continues a reading process, the black reference data changes as being affected by a change in temperature in the CIS module, etc. The scanner unit deals with such a change in the black reference data by obtaining the black reference data more frequently.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image in accordance with light to be emitted from a light source includes: a digital half-toning unit configured to convert a uniform-pixel-value region of image data to a parallel-line pattern formed with a plurality of parallel lines extending obliquely with respect to a direction, in which pixels are arrayed, thereby expressing each gray level of the image data as an area percentage; a modulated-signal generating unit configured to generate a modulated signal by modulating the converted image data with a clock signal; a light-source driving unit configured to drive the light source according to the modulated signal; and an edge control unit configured to narrow a to-be-illuminated region, which is to be illuminated by the light from the light source, in each of edge neighborhoods of the lines constituting the parallel-line pattern, while increasing intensity of the light.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a reception port capable of receiving a paper document. A discharge port discharges a paper document received from the reception port and serves as an ID card reception port. A conveyance path connects the reception port and the discharge port to each other. A conveyance unit conveys the paper document received from the reception port or the ID card received from the discharge port. An image reading unit, provided on the conveyance path, reads a double-sided image of the paper document or the ID card. An image processing unit matches a first image data output condition obtained by reading, by the image reading unit, the paper document received from the reception port, with a second image data output condition obtained by reading, by the image reading unit, the paper document received from the discharge port.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a contact glass setting a manuscript thereon; an image sensor extending in a first direction and having a reading surface which faces the contact glass for reading an image from the manuscript on the contact glass; a rail member extending inside the apparatus main body in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a carriage having a sensor container to contain the image sensor, a taper end portion formed in an end portion in the first direction to become smaller in height toward the end side, and an opening formed in the bottom of the sensor container on the taper end portion side; a biased portion adjacent to the reading surface of the image sensor in the second direction; and a biasing member biasing the image sensor toward the contact glass via the biased portion.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a width specifying part, a parameter value specifying part, and a density correcting part. The width specifying part specifies a width between both ends of an input image of a book about each line of the input image. The parameter value specifying part specifies a value of a density correcting parameter corresponding to the width specified by the width specifying part. The density correcting part corrects density of each line on the basis of the value of the density correcting parameter specified by the parameter value specifying part.

Abstract: In a conventional scan system, even in the case where an image forming device has an image processing function, since image processing such as OCR processing and OCR preprocessing for increasing a character recognition rate in the OCR processing is performed by only a scan server, a processing load is concentrated in the scan server. In the scan server of the present invention, scan setting and the OCR preprocessing are described in a scan ticket (instruction data), and the image forming device performs, on a scanned image, the OCR preprocessing described in the scan ticket received from the scan server.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a data generation portion that generates text-searchable electronic data by superimposing transparent text data obtained by causing, to be transparent, text data contained in document sheet data stored in advance in a storage portion, and image data read from a document sheet by an image reading portion.

Abstract: A lighting unit includes LED chips positioned in an array form in a main scanning direction on LED substrates. Cylindrical parabolic mirrors each form a shape in which a cylindrical paraboloid having curvature with respect to an sub-scanning direction has been clipped by an axial plane that is perpendicular to the vertex of the cylindrical paraboloid in the main scanning direction, and project light emitted from the light source on an illumination area of an illuminated item. Each cylindrical parabolic mirror includes an anchoring section that is provided at the vertex of the cylindrical paraboloid, and extends from the vertex in an outside direction of the cylindrical paraboloid. Heat-radiating plates each have a contact section that is in contact with the LED substrate, and a non-contact section. Each LED substrate is interposed between the contact section of the heat-radiating plate and the anchoring section of the cylindrical parabolic mirror.

Abstract: A document feeding device has: a document placement stand on which documents of different sizes can be placed; a conveying section separating, one-by-one, documents of a document stack placed on the document placement stand, and conveying a separated document to a discharging section; a first document width sensing unit sensing a maximum document width of the document stack placed on the document placement stand; a second document width sensing unit sensing a document width of a document separated from the document placement stand by the conveying section; and a controller that, in a case in which a mixed size document mode that permits conveying of documents of different sizes is not set, causes the conveying section to restartably interrupt conveying of the document when the maximum document width sensed by the first document width sensing unit and the document width sensed by the second document width sensing unit differ.

Abstract: A light source driving circuit that drives a light source includes a driving electric current generator that generates a driving electric current including a predetermined electric current, a first auxiliary current, and a second auxiliary current; and a controller that sets values of the first and second auxiliary currents by using first and second lighting pattern signals, wherein each of the first and second lighting pattern signals is for controlling supply of the predetermined electric current to the light source. After setting a first value of the first auxiliary current, a second value of the second auxiliary current is set by using the second lighting pattern signal that defines a time period for stopping supply of the predetermined electric current to be shorter than a time period for stopping the supply of the predetermined electric current that is defined by the first lighting pattern signal.

Abstract: A image reading device comprises a reading part for reading a document, a storage part including shared space, and an operation part for accepting input of identification information when the device is in a logged-out state, entering a logged-in state when a user is successfully certified, accepting settings input and function execution input when the logged-in state is in effect, and entering the logged-out state when predetermined conditions are met, the operation part including a scanning START key for accepting instructions to perform scanning using the reading part. When the scanning START key is pressed while the device is in the logged-out state, the reading part reads a document and forms image data, and the storage part stores the image data formed by logged-out scanning in the shared space.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image processing command input section to receive image processing commands for image data written into a memory by units of one line, a line number deriving section to derive a number of lines of the image data required to execute image processing operations based on the image processing commands received by the image processing command input section, a line number indicating section to output a numerical value indicating the number of lines of the image data derived by the line number deriving section, a read timing controlling section to control read timing from the memory in response to the numerical value output from the line number indicating section, a parameter indicating section to output parameters used for the image processing operations, and an image processing section to execute the image processing operations.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a method of controlling the same are provided. The image forming apparatus includes a document feeder to feed an original document, a time delay integration image sensor to scan the original document and read image data, and a controller to activate a time delay integration function of the time delay integration image sensor when a direction for feed of the original document corresponds to a sub-scanning direction of the time delay integration image sensor, and to deactivate the time delay integration function of the time delay integration image sensor when the direction for feed of the original document does not correspond to the sub-scanning direction of the time delay integration image sensor, during reading of the original document.

Abstract: A lens array includes a transparent substrate arranged on a plane perpendicular to an optical axis, first lenses, which are arranged in a main scanning direction with respect to an light incident on the transparent substrate, and which condense the light, light shielding portions arranged on the transparent substrate except in areas of the first lenses to shield the light, and second lenses, which are laminated on the first lenses, and which are made of a material with a wettability different from that of a material of the first lenses.

Abstract: A scanning system includes a scanning member having at least one reflective surface and at least one light source for emitting at least one light beam to be incident on the at least one reflective surface of the scanning member during a scanning operation. At least one curved synchronization mirror deflects and focuses at least a portion of the at least one light beam that is deflected by the scanning member to indicate at least one of a start and an end of a scan line operation of the scanning operation. A sensor receives the at least one light beam deflected and focused by the at least one curved synchronization mirror.

Abstract: The color of a pixel in a scanned image is represented by two color components and is adjustable by interpolating between color component values obtained from elements in a bidimensional color remap look-up table. The table is sparsely populated and may be readily implemented in most scanner circuits without adding memory.

Abstract: A computing device is equipped with a liquid crystal display (LCD) device primarily for display purpose. Techniques are described to modify such an LCD device to have the scanning capability. Without affecting the display functions of an LCD device, an image sensing module is provided behind an LCD unit in the LCD device. By controlling the liquid crystals in the LCD unit, the reflected light from an object placed against the LCD device being imaged is allowed to pass through the liquid crystals and onto an array of photosensors in the image sensing module to generate an image of the object. Thus many LCD devices can readily provide scanning functions.

Abstract: An evaluation chart has test patterns, a first code mark, and a second code mark. The evaluation chart is electronically read at one time to obtain first code information that specifies measuring conditions for the evaluation chart and second code information that specifies image forming conditions for the evaluation chart. Quantized information of the test patterns that is measured under the measuring conditions is associated with the image forming conditions.

Abstract: A network device including a controller, a transmitter and a receiver. The controller is configured to generate a first request that initiates, via a cloud, scanning of a document via a scanner. The cloud includes a service device, and a document device that is separate from the document device. The transmitter is configured to, prior to the scanner scanning the document, transmit the first request from the network device to the service device. The receiver is configured to, based on the first request received at the service device and subsequent to the scanner scanning the document, receive an image file transmitted from the document device to the network device without prior transmission of the image file from the document device to the service device. The image file includes an image of the document.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a housing, a first guide, a second guide, a first conveyor, and a reader. The first guide provides a first path between a first opening and a second opening. The second guide provides a second path between a third opening and a junction where the first path intersects the second path. The first conveyor includes first and second drive rollers, first and second driven rollers, first and second springs. The first drive roller is disposed inside a path, which includes at least the second path, between the third opening and the second opening, while the second drive roller is disposed outside the path. The first spring biases the first driven roller toward the first drive roller with a first biasing force (F1). The second spring biases the second driven roller toward the second drive roller with a second biasing force (F2), where F2>F1.

Abstract: An image processing method includes scanning a document, separating a text region from the scanned document and detecting symbols included in the text region, calculating feature values of the detected symbols, selecting a representative value from the calculated feature values, and converting the symbols having the feature values other than the representative value into a preset color or form.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a conveyer configured to convey a sheet; a first introducing part configured to introduce a first-type sheet toward the conveyer; a second introducing part configured to introduce a second-type sheet different from the first-type sheet toward the conveyer; a cover configured to be displaced between an open state, in which the second introducing part is opened, and a closed state, in which the first introducing part is opened and the second introducing part is closed; an image processor configured to perform image processing according to a sheet conveyed by the conveyer; and a controller, wherein in a case where the cover is in the closed state, the controller performs a first setting process to set a first image processing condition corresponding to image processing according to the first-type sheet.

Abstract: A decolorizing device includes a first reading section, a decolorizing section, a second reading section and a controller. The first reading section reads a first side of the sheet. The decolorizing section performs a decolorizing process on the sheet and the second reading section reads the first side of the sheet. The controller is configured to determine if the decolorizing process is necessary or not on the first side based on first image data of the first side read by the first reading section, to read the first side of the sheet having been subjected to the decolorizing process at the decolorizing section by the second reading section if it is determined that the decolorizing process is necessary, and to avoid reading of the first side of the sheet by the second reading section if it is determined that the decolorizing process is unnecessary.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, comprising: a housing; an image formation unit configured to form an image on a recording medium; a stacking tray configured such that the recording medium on which an image has been formed by the image formation unit is stacked; a discharge unit configured to discharge, to the stacking tray, the recording medium on which an image has been formed by the image formation unit; and a reading device comprising a reading unit configured to read out an image formed on a document and a reversing unit configured to reverse a conveying direction of the document, and wherein the reading device is disposed on a lower side in a vertical direction with respect to the stacking tray and on a downstream side in a discharging direction of the recording medium discharged from the discharge unit with respect to the discharge unit.

Abstract: A write operation supporting apparatus 1 includes a camera 3 that images a placed document 10 as a reading target within an imaging area 6 and a projector 4 that displays information toward the imaging area 6. A control device 5 of the write operation supporting apparatus 1 displays, by the projector 4, operation supporting information for supporting an information writing operation using the document 10 toward the imaging area 6, based on positional information of the document 10 on the imaging area 6 acquired by the camera 3, with relative position relation with the medium 10 on the imaging area 6 maintained.

Abstract: A scanner for automatically detecting a scan target includes a transparent scan region configured to support the target, an image sensor including a light source for irradiating light toward the scan region and a light receiving element array for sensing the incident light through the scan region, a drive unit configured to linearly move the sensor across the scan region, and a control unit that controls the sensor and the drive unit. The control unit controls the light source of the sensor and the drive unit such that the sensor moves to a detection position and then the array senses the incident light through the scan region with the light source turned on and off. The control unit compares output signals of the array obtained by turning on and off the light source and automatically determines, based on the comparison, whether the target is placed in the scan region.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes: a conveying unit; and a controller. The conveying unit is configured to convey a sheet along a conveying path. The sheet has a leading edge and a trailing edge. The conveying path includes a segment that is curved. The controller is configured to control the conveying unit to convey the sheet, determine whether or not a halting condition for halting conveyance of the sheet is met, and halt, if the halting condition is met, conveyance of the sheet when one of the leading edge and the trailing edge of the sheet is positioned in a segment of the conveying path different from the segment that is curved.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a housing, a tray, a conveyer, an image reader, a position detector, and a controller. The housing has a first introduction opening, a first discharge opening, a second introduction opening, and a second discharge opening. The tray is configured to connect to the housing movably between an open position and a close position relative to the housing. The tray is configured to cover the first introduction opening and to expose the second introduction opening and the second discharge opening at the close position. The conveyer is configured to convey the second medium from the second introduction opening to the second discharge opening. The conveyer is provided in the housing. The controller is configured to drive the conveyer when the tray is located at the close position.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention totalizes a frequency distribution while switching frequency distributions as targets, for each region having a set width, by using a sensor which captures document image data and a setting unit which sets a region width in accordance with frequency distribution generation targets. Upon detecting the trailing end of the document, the apparatus decides a remainder region which is not a totalization target in accordance with the remaining amount of image data of the document, and does not totalize any frequency distribution in the remainder region.

Abstract: A scanning device has a controller which is configured to judge whether the scanning device is to be operated in a conveyed sheet scanning mode in which the controller controls a conveying unit to convey a sheet and control the scanning unit to scan images on the sheet being conveyed, or in a held sheet scanning mode in which the sheet stationarily held by a sheet table is scanned, to display functions related to the conveyed sheet scanning mode on a display unit in a first prioritized manner when the controller judges that the scanning device is to be operated in the conveyed sheet scanning mode, and to display functions related to the held sheet scanning mode on the display unit in a second prioritized manner when the controller judges that the scanning device is to be operated in the held sheet scanning mode.

Abstract: A display/input device includes a storage section, a display section, a touch panel, a control section, and a recognition section. The storage section is configured to store destination data indicating address information. The display section is configured to display a screen. The touch panel is configured to detect user's touched point. The control section is configured to allow the display section to display a list for specifying a destination name on the basis of the destination data. The recognition section is configured to recognize a moving direction in which the touched point moves. When the recognition section recognizes the moving direction of the touched point, the control section allows the display section to display the list in plural pages in the moving direction.

Abstract: A document management system including a two dimensional code region detection portion that detects a two dimensional code region included in image data, obtained by scanning a document to be managed; a two dimensional code decoding portion that decodes document management information included in the two dimensional code; a layout analysis portion that analyzes a layout of the document; a low resolution portion that obtains data in which a background image becomes low resolution; a two dimensional code character and background processing portion that changes the content of the document; a two dimensional code character encoding portion that encodes the two dimensional code; a background encoding portion that encodes data of the background image; a document filing portion that generates a document file; and a file management portion that adds document management information, decoded by the two dimensional decoding portion, to the document file formed by the document filing portion.

Abstract: A document reading apparatus includes a conveyance unit for conveying a document and a reading unit for reading an image of a document. In the document reading apparatus, the reading unit includes a platen glass. The conveyance unit allows a cleaning member of a cleaning roller to start contact with the front end in a conveyance direction of a document, on the platen glass, upstream in the conveyance direction from a reading position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which logs into an external webmail server by using a web browser included in the image forming apparatus, the webmail is written on a webpage of the webmail server, a file to be attached to the webmail is selected, and the selected file is attached to the webmail so as to send the webmail to the webmail server.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of accurately determining an inclination of an original even in the case where an original of a white sheet is read with a white sheet as a background is provided. For this, the image processing apparatus extracts a fiber section having a feature of paper fiber from image data, analyzes a direction of fiber in the fiber section, and calculates an inclination of an original at the time of reading the original based on the direction.

Abstract: A processing apparatus includes: a processor; and a memory storing instructions, the instructions, when executed by the processor, causing the processing apparatus to perform: receiving read image data, which is image data generated by reading an object with an image reading apparatus; extracting a target image, which is an image having a part indicating the object, from a read image that is an image indicated by the read image data; and generating output data, which indicates a synthesis image in which the target image and a template image are synthesized, wherein the template image has an assignment area to which the target image is assigned, and wherein the generating comprises arranging two or more of the same target images on the assignment area.

Abstract: A document reading device includes: a document reading device main body; and an opening/closing body with one end supported rotatably with respect to the document reading device main body while another end openably/closably provided, the other end of the opening/closing body being provided with a handgrip having a depression sloped toward inside of the opening/closing body in accordance with approach of the opening/closing body to the document reading device main body in a closed status with respect to the document reading device main body.

Abstract: An image sensor unit includes: a light guide reflecting light rays entering through a first light entering surface and a second light entering surface provided at both ends thereof, by a reflection surface to make the light rays exit through a light exiting surface and illuminates an original; a first light source provided near the first light entering surface; a second light source provided near the second light entering surface and different in wavelength from the first light source; and a first reflection part and a second reflection part provided on the reflection surface and composed of dot patterns constituted of two kinds of dots different in spectral reflectance.

Abstract: Scanners and scanner housings are disclosed. An example scanner includes a housing to carry an optical element, the housing having a first support feature, and a printed circuit board having a second support feature to mate with the first support feature of the housing, the printed circuit board to provide vertical support to the housing when the first and second support features are mated.

Abstract: An optical unit of an image reading device has the center of gravity in a position toward a first sub scanning direction, relative to the middle point of the optical unit in terms of sub scanning directions. An engagement part is provided in a position toward a first main scanning direction relative to a sliding part. A plurality of pairs of pinching parts include a first pair provided in a position toward the first sub scanning direction and a second pair provided in a position toward a second sub scanning direction. Of the two pinching parts in the second pair, the pinching part provided in a position toward the first main scanning direction is biased by a first biasing member toward a rail part side, and the pinching part provided in a position toward a second main scanning direction is not biased by the first biasing member.

Abstract: Automatic document feeder includes a transport path member having a transport path surface configuring a transport path in a device body, a latching member that is mounted on a rotating shaft provided in the other end side, is urged in a first rotation direction latched to a latched portion, and holds the transport path member in closed transport path, and an operating member that is rotated up to an operating position by own weight thereof or urging force in a second rotation direction when the device body moves to an exposed position of the transport path member, and is mounted with allowance so that the latching member is rotated in the second rotation direction according to a further rotating operation in the second rotation direction from the operating position and the latching member is detached from the latched portion.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus including, a light source for reading for applying light onto an original to read, a light source for erasing for applying light of specific wavelength onto the original to decolorize image area, having been printed with color-changing agent having characteristic to become colorless by the light, a reading section for receiving reflected light from the original, an output section for outputting image data of the original, and a control section configured to compare first image data obtained by applying light from the light source for reading to the original, and second image data obtained by applying light from the light source for reading again to the original after applying light from the light source for erasing to the original, to determine whether the agent has been used in the image, and control at least either the reading operation or the output operation based on that determination.

Abstract: A scanner including an automatic document feeder includes a communication interface unit to perform a communication with an external printer; a scan operation performing unit to perform a scan operation; an automatic feeding unit to automatically feed scan-target documents to the scan operation performing unit; and a controller to control the scan operation and a scan speed, wherein when the communication interface unit receives a request speed for a scan operation from the external printer, the controller adjusts a feeding interval between the scan-target documents that are fed from the automatic feeding unit, so that the scan operation is performed at the received request speed.