Abstract: An apparatus includes a platen including a supporting surface that supports a sheet that is conveyed, a sensor unit including an image sensor that takes an image of the sheet so as to detect the movement of the sheet. The sensor unit is embedded in the supporting surface and takes an image of a back side of the sheet, the sheet being supported on the supporting surface.

Abstract: An image joining method for a scanner that scans and transfers image data to a terminal is provided. During scanning and data transfer, when the image data stored in a register is full, an image processor stops the scanning of a linear photodetector. Meanwhile, a matrix photodetector fetches and stores the image of a code strip. Then, the photodetectors are moved backward a distance larger than that being required to be accelerated forward when the scanner resumes scanning. After the data in the register being transferred and cleared, the linear photodetector resumes scanning at a normal moving speed. The code strip image is further fetched and compared with the stored one to get a joining point of scanned image data. By the joining point, the new and prior image data portions are joined and the scanning proceeds, and joined image data will not be overlapped or broken.

Abstract: A printing system and apparatus assembly that incorporates a transparent platen for supporting and scanning a first image therethrough. The transparent platen includes a translucent display layer having an array of light devices that comprise organic light emitting diodes. A user interface of the system is coupled to the transparent platen with a processor. Based on input and/or data provided at the user interface, an image is displayed through the platen with the display layer.

Abstract: An image sensor unit includes: a light source including a light emitting element on a light emitting surface; a light guide that causes light from the light source to be incident on a light incident surface facing to the light emitting surface, ejects the light from a light ejecting surface and illuminates a document; a rod lens array that images reflected light from the document; a sensor substrate on which a photoelectric conversion element is mounted, the photoelectric conversion element converting the reflected light imaged by the rod lens array into an electric signal; and a frame that supports the light source, the light guide, the rod lens array and the sensor substrate, wherein positioning sections are provided on an opposite side of the light emitting surface of the light source and at a part of the frame which is disposed at the opposite side of the light emitting surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling a light source used for image reading according to a user activity are provided. The light source controller being coupled to a light source and configured to change the power of the light source from an OFF state to an ON state when a user activity signal having a first state is output, the user activity signal having the first state being assumed to be output when a user activity, other than an instruction to begin scanning, that is assumed to ultimately cause output of the image reading start signal has been performed on the image reading apparatus.

Abstract: With this invention, color shifting correction is performed first based on shifting amount information indicating a shifting amount with respect to the scanning direction on an image carrier of each image forming unit, and halftone processing is then performed, thus suppressing generation of moiré due to the color shifting correction, and forming a high-quality image. To this end, an image forming engine has color shifting amount storage units C, M, Y, and K (black) which store actual shifting amounts with respect to ideal scan directions on image carriers C, M, Y, and K in image forming units C, M, Y, and K. Color shifting correction amount arithmetic units C, M, Y, and K calculate color shifting correction amounts for respective color components on the basis of the stored color shifting amounts.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a sequence of documents passing along a transport path is described. The method including: operating a radiation transmitter with a control signal at a first, working, level to cause radiation at a first intensity to impinge on one side of a document as it passes an inspection position in the transport path; receiving at a radiation receiver, radiation from the transmitter that has passed through the document, the radiation receiver generating an output signal with a level related to the intensity of the received radiation; and monitoring the output signal to detect the presence and/or a characteristic of the document.

Abstract: Upper to lower assembly analog position sensors in a dual scanning system measure alignment offsets. A controller uses error signals from the position sensors to calculate actuator error profiles that are used in the next scan in the same direction, with different error profiles being used for forward and reverse scans. Since the alignment error profiles are repeatable for a given set of scanner conditions, the actuator controller anticipates what the error signal will be before each scanning assembly reaches a given position. An optimized error correction can be calculated based on the error profiles and actuator bandwidth without concerns regarding feedback loop speed, overshoot, and unstable control oscillations. An actuation system driven from error profiles can correct for alignment offsets by actively changing belt tensions at the offsetting drive pulleys and/or changing the position of sensor assemblies relative to the drive belt systems.

Abstract: A device, system and method for incorporating a multipage feeder into a keyboard scanner to allow continuous and sequential feeding of more than one page into a scanner housed in a computer keyboard. A multipage feeder may be for example integrated into or attachable to and detachable from a single page feeder also included in the keyboard housing.

Abstract: The image reading apparatus conveys a reading unit or a document to read the document. Conveyance is implemented by motor control based on a target position trajectory. The reading unit reads the document each time a line start signal is inputted. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the reading operation is invalidated. A conveyance position at a timing to start the first reading operation invalidated is specified as an interrupted position. The object is arranged at a conveyance restart position moved back from the interrupted position. A target position trajectory is newly set. A conveyance time from the conveyance restart position to the interrupted position defined by the target position trajectory is an integral multiple of an output cycle of the line start signal. The motor control based on the target position trajectory is started at a timing coinciding with an output timing of the line start signal.

Abstract: A cable arrangement structure is provided with a movable body configured to reciprocally move relative to a base member, and a flexible cable transmitting electrical signals. One end of the flexible cable is fixedly connected to the base member, and another end is connected to the movable body. The flexible cable has a curved portion, and both ends of the flexible cable being located on a same side with respect to the curved portion. A tension applying unit configured to contact the curved portion of the flexible cable from an inner side of a curvature of the curved portion to apply tension to the flexible cable when the curved portion is located on a front direction of the movable body as moved. Application of the tension to the flexible cable is controlled in mechanical association with movement of the movable body.

Abstract: An image reading device includes: a plurality of light sources that are arranged in a row and emit light; a light guide body that guides the light emitted from the plurality of light sources to a reading portion and transmits light reflected from the reading portion; a carriage having the plurality of light sources and the light guide body; and a reading unit that receives the light reflected from the reading portion and reads an image on the reading portion.

Abstract: Images from a set of documents may be read by an image reading device by, in one example, carrying the documents one by one. The read data may be stored and errors in an operation in the reading may be detected. When an error is detected, the reading of the documents may be stopped. Additionally, reading of the documents may be restarted when the error is no longer detected. According to one or more aspects, the reading may be restarted such that the read data obtained after restart of reading continues from the read data obtained before detection of the error. According to further aspects, the entire read data of the documents may be converted into a single file having a predetermined format.

Abstract: An imaging system that includes a sheet media stack over a recording unit. Image data is generated in response to radiation received from a field of view encompassing sheet media edges of individual media within the sheet media stack. Edges of individual media are detected within the image data.

Abstract: A scanner with a first driving motor and a second driving motor has an improved driving structure as transmission of a driving force from one of the first and the second driving motors to the other driving motor is inhibited, thereby preventing loss of power and increased noise and vibration. The scanner may include a first driving motor, a second driving motor, an operating unit operable to move the scanning unit and configured to operate by a driving force generated from one of the first and the second driving motors and a power transmitting unit configured to transmit the driving force generated from one of the first and the second driving motors to the operating unit while disallowing transmission of the driving force between the first and the second driving motors.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image reading apparatus that includes: a photoelectric sensor including plural reading pixels aligned in one direction and output an electric signal depending on the amount of light from an image on the document; a read control section that reads a document image with the photoelectric sensor in accordance with a read instruction, and obtains image data; a black correction section that performs a black correction to adjust an output under dark condition of each reading pixel to a value within a predetermined range, the output under dark condition being an electric signal output when the amount of light input is zero; and a black correction execution determining section that determines whether to perform the black correction, when the read interval between each two document sheets of the multi-page document is equal to or shorter than a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus is disclosed that includes a plurality of size sensors configured to be arranged in line and to detect a sheet set into a predetermined position; a feeding part configured to feed the sheet set into the predetermined position to a scan position; and a controller configured to control the feeding part to feed the sheet based on two detect signals output from two size sensors among the plurality of the size sensors.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus enabling a user to place originals on any of sheet feed trays without confirming requested orientation of the originals, either front facing or back facing. Image data of an original fed from a first sheet feed tray and read by a first reading unit is processed handling as image data of a front surface of the original, and image data of an original fed from the first sheet feed tray and read by a second reading unit is processed handling as image data of a back surface thereof. Image data of an original fed from a second sheet feed tray and read by the first reading unit is processed handling as image data of the back surface of the original, and image data of an original fed from the second sheet feed tray and read by the second reading unit is processed handling as image data of the front surface thereof.

Abstract: In an image reading apparatus, a white reference member for obtaining a reference value used in shading correction in the reading mechanism and an elastic member for cleaning a surface of the transparent member are provided such that respective positions of the white reference member and the elastic member with respect to the transparent member are variable. A controller controls the positions of these members with respect to the transparent member to alternately achieve movement of the white reference member to a position where the white reference member faces the transparent member and movement of the elastic member to a position where the elastic member faces the transparent member. The controller calculates the above reference value using a plurality of detection values read by the reading mechanism through the above positional control.

Abstract: A document reading apparatus includes a document positioning plate configured to position a document, a carriage configured to move a light source along the document positioning plate, a reading unit configured to read an image of a document illuminated by a light source of the carriage, a white reference member provided in the displacement range of the carriage, an input unit configured to input a reading start instruction for a document, and a control unit configured to move the carriage along the document positioning plate in response to a reading start instruction input via the input unit. The control unit moves the carriage to a first position at which the white reference member is provided, cause the reading unit to read the white reference member, moves the carriage to a second position that is an acceleration start position for accelerating toward the reading start position of the document positioning plate, and waits for a reading start instruction input from the input unit.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a sheet feeding unit configured to sequentially feed documents loaded on a document positioning plate, a reading sensor configured to read a document of the plurality of documents fed by the sheet feeding unit, an acquisition unit to acquire an interval of the document between a trailing edge of a preceding document and a leading edge of a next document conveyed through the conveyance path, and a reading unit to execute a first reading mode using the reading sensor to read the document conveyed at a first conveyance speed, and a second reading mode using the reading sensor to read the document conveyed at a second conveyance speed that is lower than the first conveyance speed, wherein the reading unit executes the second reading mode after the first reading mode when the interval of the document is less than a predetermined interval.

Abstract: Disclosed are a scanner capable of adjusting the focus distance and an image forming apparatus having the same. The scanner may include a focus adjustment structure that comes into an interfering contact with a scanning unit as the scanning unit moves along a scanning path so as to cause a movement of the scanning unit in the direction perpendicular to the scanning path toward and away from the document to be scanned. With such configuration the focus adjustment can be realized using the scanning movement of the scanning unit along the scanning path.

Abstract: A passport and identification card reader minimizes the time and effort required for an operator to read/scan a passport or piece of identification. An immigration official, for example, can slide a passport into place with one hand while tending to other important security activities with the other hand. Once in place, the passport will be automatically detected and read. Numerous passports bound together by a traveler with multiple visas can be held flat in place and accurately read, even with one hand, despite the natural tendency of the passport(s) to return to a closed position.

Abstract: The motion tracking method disclosed herein suggests a method for precisely tracking the motion of a scanning device by correcting the surrounding information distortedly recognized due to the time differences between pieces of information regarding the surroundings of the device over one scanning cycle. The method, as a motion tracking method of a scanning device collecting the surrounding information corresponding to a plurality of the points of the surroundings, includes collecting the surrounding information, obtaining the displacement data of the scanning device using the surrounding information, updating the velocity of the scanning device using the displacement data of the scanning device, correcting the surrounding information using the updated velocity of the scanning device, and determining location and position information of the scanning device using the corrected surrounding information.

Abstract: An image recording device having a recording unit to record an image on a sheet is provided. The image recording unit includes a feed guide defining a first conveying path; an arm disposed between the recording unit and the tray, the arm having a feed roller rotatably disposed at a free end and configured to feed the sheet in the tray to the first conveying path. The arm pivots between a first arm position, and a second arm position. The return guide pivots between a first return guide position, and a second return guide position. A space occupied by the return guide in the first return guide position overlaps a space occupied by the arm in the second arm position. The return guide is in the second return guide position when the arm is in the second arm position which is retracted from an insertion space occupied by the tray.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus including, a sheet feeding device, a sheet feeding section that controls transport of an original document performed by the sheet feeding device, a reading section that outputs image data by reading the original document, a carriage that is equipped with the reading section, a carriage control section that controls movement of the carriage, a buffer that temporarily stores the image data, and a monitoring section that monitors a volume of the image data stored in the buffer. When the monitoring section determines that the volume of the image data is more than a predetermined threshold value, the sheet feeding section decelerates and stops the transport of the original document, and the carriage control section accelerates the carriage in a direction opposite to the transport of the original document during a deceleration period of the transport of the original document.

Abstract: A driving unit (1) includes holders (5) rotatably supporting a shaft (2) and rotatably holding first and second helical gears (3, 4). Each holder 5 includes first and second receiving portions (9, 10). The first receiving portions (9) receive forces in a direction to push the first helical gears (3) toward backs of accommodating portions (7) by contacting parts of the first helical gears (3) when the shaft (2) and the first helical gears (3) are rotated in a certain rotational direction. The second receiving portions (10) receive forces in a direction to push the first helical gears (3) from interiors of the accommodating portions (7) to openings (8) by contacting parts of the shaft (2) when the shaft (2) and the first helical gears (3) are rotated in an opposite direction. Thus, the driving unit is assembled easily and the helical gears are held stably in both rotational directions.

Abstract: An image-capturing system includes: a stage that has mounted and fixed thereon a glass slide on which at least one sample is placed and that circulates in an endless-track shape; a line sensor that scans only a part of the sample; an imaging driving mechanism that moves a relative position of the line sensor and the stage in a direction perpendicular to a scanning direction of the line sensor; and an optical system that focuses an image of the sample on the line sensor.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus capable of reading documents includes a reading unit including a light emitting element, a mechanism configured to move the reading unit, and a control unit configured to control the reading unit and the mechanism both to carry out reading by turning on the light emitting element and moving the reading unit and to temporarily stop moving the reading unit upon occurrence of a predetermined factor. The control unit sets a first current value which is caused to flow through the light emitting element when reading is carried out and sets a second current value which is less than the first current value and which is caused to flow through the light emitting element when the reading unit is temporarily stopped.

Abstract: A scanner is disclosed. The scanner has a flatbed glass and an ADF glass mounted to a top cover with a gap formed between the two glass pieces. The scanner has a scanner module that has an ADF scan position underneath the ADF glass and a flatbed scan position underneath the flatbed glass. When the scanner module is in the flatbed scan position the scanner module references the flatbed glass. The scanner module crosses the gap between the two glass pieces when the scanner module moves from the flatbed scan position to the ADF scan position. The scanner module is lowered away from the flatbed glass as the scanner module approaches and moves across the gap between the two glass pieces.

Abstract: An original is read by an original reading unit configured to read image data, at least one of the original reading unit and the original is driven by a driving motor in a sub-scan direction, and, when an amount of the image data stored by the image data storing unit becomes equal to or more than a predetermined amount, the rotational speed of the driving motor is reduced according to driving control data provided for each of current rotation angles of the driving motor for finally stopping the driving motor at a predetermined rotation angle, and a speed in a sub-scan direction at which the original reading unit reads the original is reduced. Then, main scan line data are thinned out from the image data according to thin-out data provided for each driving control data, and image data of the original are restored.

Abstract: An image scanning device comprises a white reference board having a uniform white color; an irradiation device including a light source unit having a light source, the light source unit configured to irradiate a reflection side of the white reference board from only one oblique direction; an image sensor configured to detect reflected light from the white reference board; and a determination device configured to determine if an attached substance exists on the white reference board based on the reflected light detected by the image sensor. The irradiation device includes a reflection board configured to rotate and to focus the light from the light source by its rotation and reflect the focused light onto a manuscript.

Abstract: An image reader includes a casing, a contact glass plate, a contact image sensor, and a sliding mechanism; wherein the contact image sensor has a housing, a light source attached to the housing so as to face the contact glass plate, a plurality of light receiving elements attached to the housing so as to face the contact glass plate and aligned in parallel in a longitudinal direction of the housing, and a bearing formed integral to the housing at a position below a lower surface of the housing; and the sliding mechanism includes a guide shaft provided on the casing and extending in a short direction of the housing and inserted through the bearing, and an urging member elastically which urges the guide shaft toward the contact glass plate so that the housing is pressed against the contact glass plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for scanning a bound document is provided. The apparatus comprises a casing, an image-capturing assembly, at least a sensor and a controller. The casing has a first platen and a second platen disposed adjacent to each other, wherein the first platen having a scanning region is provided to support the bound document. The image-capturing assembly is disposed under the first platen for capturing an image of the bound document within the scanning region and generating an image signal. At least a sensor is disposed on the second platen for detecting the presence of the bound document. The sensor transmits a detection signal responsive to detection of the document presence. The controller is electrically connected to the image-capturing assembly and the sensor for executing a book-scanning mode responsive to the detection signal received from the sensor.

Abstract: An image processing method of an image processing apparatus, the method includes: discerning pixels to be processed on the basis of a preset reference pixel value in a scanned image that comprises plural pixels; drawing a pixel area including the pixels to be processed from the scanned image on the basis of a preset condition; and selecting whether to apply an image process to the pixels to be processed or the drawn pixel area on the basis of a percentage of the pixels to be processed in the drawn pixel area.

Abstract: A multifunction peripheral includes a scanning platform, a scanning module, a recording unit and a controlling unit. The scanning platform includes a standby position, a position-calibrating structure and a datum line. The scanning platform is divided into a first zone and a second zone by the datum line. The position-calibrating structure is included in the second zone. The scanning module is movable with respect to the scanning platform for performing a scanning operation. The recording unit is used for recording a parameter associated with a position of the scanning module with respect to the scanning platform. The controlling unit is used for controlling movement of the scanning module according to the parameter recorded in the recording unit, so that the scanning module is moved through the position-calibrating structure to perform a position-calibrating operation. After the position-calibrating operation is completed, the scanning module is moved to the standby position.

Abstract: A calibrating and positioning structure of a scanning apparatus is provided. The scanning apparatus includes a scanning platform and a scanning window. The scanning window has a wide edge. The calibrating and positioning structure includes a calibrating part and at least one positioning part. The calibrating part is disposed on the scanning platform, and aligned with the wide edge of the scanning window. The at least one positioning part is partially overlapped with the calibrating part, wherein the positioning part is not aligned with the wide edge of the scanning window.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a method for automatically identifying a scan area by a scanner is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of scanning an original comprising an object, identifying the original to establish a location and a profile of the object in the original, displaying a preview window corresponding to the original, wherein a location and a profile of a confined area is exactly the location and the profile of the object, receiving a framed area selected from the preview window by a user, wherein a portion of the framed area beyond the confined area is automatically removed to generate a scan area, and scanning the scan area. The present invention can also extend to a method for selecting a scan area by a user and a scanner with a feature of automatically identifying a scan area.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus is provided which enables image data of high S/N ratio with constant resolution to be acquired without fluctuations in resolution over the entire area of an original document, while actualizing the compact image reading apparatus by minimizing the spaces on the opposite end sides in the sub-scanning direction of the platen, has a line light source for applying light to the original document, a carriage installed with the line light source to travel in a sub-scanning direction of the document, a stepping motor for driving the carriage, a line sensor for receiving the reflected light of the document guided by the optical means to convert into image data, and control means for performing traveling control of the carriage, blinking control of the line light source, and control for capturing the image data from the line sensor, and captures the image data from the line sensor while varying a period of a motor clock signal to drive the stepping motor for a duration of acceleration control

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an auto document feeder, and can simultaneously scans both sides of an original at a fixed scan position during one-time original feed. The image processing apparatus further includes a first scanning unit that scans a front side of the original in a single-sided scan and a double-sided scan; and a second scanning unit that scans a back side of the original in the double-sided scan. In the double-sided scan, the first scanning unit and the second scanning unit scan the original by using the same scaling method. The first scanning unit uses different scaling methods between the single-sided scan and the double-sided scan based on an original scan condition.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a computer program product for dissipating heat produced in a scan head assembly of an imaging apparatus during scanning of media sheets in the imaging apparatus. The method includes determining at least one of a temperature of the scan head assembly and a media sheet scan count. The method further includes moving the scan head assembly between a first position of the scan head assembly and a second position of the scan head assembly for dissipating heat, based on at least one of the temperature of the scan head assembly and the media sheet scan count.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a light source, an optical system, and a housing. The light source projects a light beam. The housing includes a holder and encloses the optical system. The optical system includes a liquid crystal element held by the housing via the holder, to modulate a phase of the light beam projected from the light source against a scanned surface. The liquid crystal element includes a plurality of substantially transparent substrates, a liquid crystal layer, and a sealing member. One of the plurality of the transparent substrates has a size larger than any other transparent substrates and is positioned in the holder. The liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between the plurality of substantially transparent substrates. The sealing member seals the liquid crystal layer between the plurality of substantially transparent substrates.

Abstract: An image reading device and an image forming apparatus having the same. The image reading device includes an scanning glass, a white bar arranged opposite the scanning glass, and a drive roller provided at the white bar, the drive roller being rotated upon receiving power to allow a document to pass between the scanning glass and the white bar.

Abstract: When a light source is in off state, a gray level of image data on a pixel-by-pixel basis is generated as a first black level and an average of gray levels of a portion of the image data corresponding to optical black image portions of sensor chips is generated as a second black level. After that, when an image of an original is read, an average of gray levels of the black image data on a line-by-line basis is generated as a third black level. The first black level is subtracted from a gray level of the image data on a line-by-line basis (an offset correction), and a difference between the third black level and the second black level is added to a gray level of the image data after being subjected to the subtraction on a line-by-line basis.

Abstract: An image scanner includes a scanning unit configured to scan images on document sheets, an image processing unit configured to perform image processing for the images scanned by the scanning unit under a predetermined condition, an identifying unit configured to identify one or more damaged sheets among the document sheets to be scanned, and a condition setting unit configured to set a specific condition under which the image processing is to be performed for images scanned from the damaged sheets identified by the identifying unit.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a document table; a light reception unit; light sources disposed such that positions at which the optical axes of the plurality of light sources cross a reception optical axis of the light reception unit are different from one another; and a read control unit. The image reading apparatus further includes: a light reception amount storage unit configured to store the light reception amount for each of distances; a distance calculation unit configured to calculate a distance between the placement surface and the document based on the light reception amount obtained by the read control operation for each light source by referencing the light reception amount stored in the light reception amount storage unit; and a correction amount determination unit configured to determine a correction amount based on the distance calculated by the distance calculation unit.

Abstract: A method for controlling an image reading apparatus that scans an image from a document, includes (a) acquiring read position data indicating a reference position where the image reading apparatus performs scanning operations, and (b) setting a reading region that defines, based on the acquired read position data, a range that is used when the image reading apparatus scans an image.

Abstract: A document reading apparatus includes a housing that has conductive characteristics, a platen that is provided with the housing and that has translucency, and an image reading unit that is arranged so as to be movable in the housing and that reads a document placed on the platen. In particular, at least one opening is provided in a region of the housing that overlaps with the image reading unit as viewed in a direction orthogonal to the platen.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a sheet feeding unit configured to sequentially feed a plurality of documents loaded on a document positioning plate, a reading sensor arranged in a conveyance path configured to read a document of the plurality of documents fed by the sheet feeding unit, an acquisition unit configured to acquire an interval of the document between a trailing edge of a preceding document and a leading edge of a next document conveyed through the conveyance path, and a reading unit configured to execute a first reading mode using the reading sensor to read the document conveyed at a first conveyance speed, and a second reading mode using the reading sensor to read the document conveyed at a second conveyance speed that is lower than the first conveyance speed, wherein the reading unit executes the second reading mode after the first reading mode when the interval of the document is less than a predetermined interval.

Abstract: A multifunctional printer comprises a CCD for reading an image on one side of a document, a CIS for reading an image on the other side of the document, an image processing unit for processing the image of the side read by the CCD or the CIS, and a determining unit (S12) for determining which of the images of the sides read by the CCD and the CIS is to be processed first by the image processing unit.