Abstract: A method performed in a scanning apparatus of scanning a document, including: determining whether an event required for scanning of the document has occurred; and driving the scanning apparatus and scanning the document when it is determined that the event has occurred.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a sheet feeding device; a sheet feeding control section that controls transport of an original document performed by the sheet feeding device; a reading section that reads the original document so as to output image data; a reading control section that allows the reading section to perform the reading by repeatedly outputting a reading signal to the reading section; 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 less than a predetermined first threshold value, the sheet feeding control section accelerates the transport of the original document and maintains the transport at a predetermined speed, and the reading control section starts the output of the reading signal when the transport of the original document is started.

Abstract: A method for scanning a media sheet with a scanning apparatus includes feeding the media sheet through the first set of rollers into a scanning area, such that a first portion of the media sheet is available for scanning. A first partial media sheet image of the first portion is scanned. The media sheet is fed into the second set of rollers, then out of the first set of rollers, such that a second portion of the media sheet is available for scanning. A second partial media sheet image of the second portion of the media sheet is scanned. At least the first partial media sheet image is combined with the second partial media sheet image to generate a full image of the media sheet. In a further embodiment, the number of partial scans may be increased as necessary to provide a complete image of the scanned object, e.g., the media sheet. For example, one or more intermediate scans may be performed in accordance with the present invention in addition to the scans occurring at the ends of media sheet.

Abstract: A scanning device includes a first chassis, a second chassis and a calibration mechanism. The first chassis is for scanning one side of a document. The second chassis is for scanning the other side of the document. The second chassis is movably disposed opposite the first chassis. The calibration mechanism is for calibrating the color depth of the scan image. The calibration mechanism includes a calibration sheet and an elastic member. One end of the elastic member is fixed in the scanning device. The second chassis exerts a force on the calibration sheet to generate a relative movement between the calibration sheet and the first chassis. When the second chassis ceases exerting the force, the elastic member releases a resilient force for moving the calibration sheet to a starting position. The first chassis performs dynamic calibration by the relative movement between the first chassis and the calibration sheet.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a casing, an upper plate and a transparent plate. The casing has a first opening, and a reading means is disposed in the casing. The upper casing plate is disposed over the casing and has a second opening that is positioned opposite the first opening. The transparent plate is mounted on the first opening. The transparent plate is wedged in the second opening through assembly of the casing and the upper plate.

Abstract: An assembly for transferring information to and/or from flexible sheet media in a highly advantageous curved configuration is disclosed. The sheet material includes a length and a width defining first and second opposing surfaces. The assembly includes support means for supporting the sheet the curved configuration across its width, having the first surface inwardly oriented with respect to the curved configuration. Thereafter, moving means moves the flexible sheet material so supported in a direction along a read/write path generally parallel to the sheet material length and transverse to the direction of curvature. A read/write arrangement is provided which is configured for reading and/or writing information across the width of the first surface of the sheet as the sheet is moved along the path in the curved configuration.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus for use in an image forming apparatus includes a document glass installed on an upper side of the image reading body on which a document is placed; an image reading sensor installed under the document glass for stopping after being transferred to a predetermined position or for reciprocating in a straight direction parallel to the document glass; a cover for opening and closing the upper surface of the document glass; an automatic document feeder (ADF) for feeding the document to the position to which the image reading sensor is fixed; a document discharging plate for discharging the document fed through the automatic document feeding unit; first and second guide members for guiding to allow the document fed through the automatic document feeding unit to be discharged to the document discharging plate, the first and second guide members being installed at a predetermined interval to expose the document toward the image reading sensor; and a guide film installed to cover the interval

Abstract: In an image reader having a static-document reading function and a moving-document reading function, a static-document pressing member is movably arranged on a cover portion and a sheet passing opening is opened or closed by moving the static-document pressing member. Further, the image reader includes a moving-document pressing member for pressing a document being automatically fed when it come to a document reading position on a platen glass when the static-document pressing member is moved to open the sheet passing opening.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus that includes: a document delivery path that couples, through a reading position, a document mounting portion and a document discharging portion; a switchback delivery path coupled to a predetermined position of the document delivery path and inverting a leading and a trailing end in the document from a downstream side of the reading position, thereby returning the document to an upstream side of the reading position; an image reading unit that reads the image of the document delivered in the reading position of the document delivery path; a skew detecting unit that detects a skew of the document passing through the reading position; and a control unit that delivers the document to the switchback delivery path to read both sides of the document again when the skew detecting unit detects the skew of the document.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus comprises a conveyance rotating body for conveying an original document, an image reading sensor for reading an image of the original document being conveyed by the conveyance rotating body, and a plate-like member for pressing the original document being conveyed by the conveyance rotating body against an image reading surface of the image reading sensor, wherein the plate-like member is curved such that the central part thereof as viewed in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the original document first comes in contact with the image reading sensor.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus for reading an image on an original document by irradiating it with light and photoelectrically converting reflected light from it by an image pickup unit, including: an original document guide member positionable opposite to the image pickup unit, with a conveyance position of the original document therebetween; a white reference member that is positionable, the same as the original document guide member, and has a reference white color; an achromatic constant-density reference member that is positionable, the same as the original document guide member, and has a reference achromatic constant-density; a drive unit that moves one of the three members so as to be positioned opposite to the image pickup unit; and a control unit that controls execution of detection processings for dust detection from data obtained by moving, as described above, the achromatic constant-density reference member and the white reference member by reading them.

Abstract: A sheet supplying apparatus, comprising a sheet accommodating portion which accommodates stacked recording sheets such that the recording sheets are supported by a support surface thereof; a sheet supplying arm which is supported by a frame such that the sheet supplying arm is pivotable about a first axis line, and which is biased toward the support surface of the sheet accommodating portion; a sheet supplying roller which is supported by an end portion of the sheet supplying arm such that the sheet supplying roller is rotatable about a second axis line parallel to the first axis line, and which is pressed on the uppermost recording sheet, so that when the sheet-supply roller is rotated, the uppermost recording sheet is supplied from the sheet accommodating portion; a receiving portion which is provided in the support surface and which is covered by the recording sheets and is opened when a trailing end of the last recording sheet passes over the receiving portion; and a moving device including a detecting po

Abstract: A scan method includes providing a scanner, including an image sensor, a reference pattern and a transmission mechanism. The image sensor scans the reference pattern to generate reference data. The transmission mechanism transmits at least one recording media between the reference pattern and the image sensor. Finally, the image sensor generates scan data, and the scanner compares the scan data with the reference data to obtain a transmission condition thereof.

Abstract: A document feeding apparatus in a cover body supported by a document reading table whose upper surface is at least partially constituted by a platen glass. The cover body is openable and closable relative to the table and covers the glass when closed. The apparatus feeds a document sheet along a feed path from at a document setting portion and to a document ejecting portion.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus to scan and process one or more papers provided on a paper feeder, the scanning apparatus including a scan job identifier to identify one or more separate scan jobs within the papers provided on the paper feeder; and an image information processor to process image information to be stored in one or more separate respective files according to the one or more separate scan jobs.

Abstract: An image-reading portion switches between a storage state in which a conveying path extends substantially vertically along a front surface of a main unit and a usage state in which the conveying path extends diagonally downward. In the storage state, the entire device can be made suitably compact, whereas in the usage state, the operability of the image-reading portion is enhanced.

Abstract: Reference images on the respective surfaces of a reference document transported on a transportation path are read out by a first image reading section and a second image reading section, respectively. As a result a first reference readout image and a second reference readout image are acquired. in accordance with the difference between the changes in the sub-scanning direction in the first reference readout image and the changes in the sub-scanning direction in the second reference readout image, the reading cycle of the first image reading section X1 and the reading cycle of the second image reading section X2 are set. This makes it possible to equalize the magnifications of the respective images on the front and back sides of the document, even if the speeds of the document at the times of passing through readout positions for the front and back sides change over time, on account of the wear of a transportation roller.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image input device that reads an original image and obtains image data from the original image by selecting one of plural types of image reading modes of the image input device, an image pre-processing mechanism that performs at least one pre-processing relative to the image data obtained by the image input device, an image pre-processing selecting mechanism that selects at least one pre-processing according to the image reading mode selected by the image input device and causes the image pre-processing mechanism to perform the selected at least one pre-processing, and an information extracting mechanism that extracts specific information included in the image data subjected to the at least one pre-processing performed by the image pre-processing mechanism.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus for reading images on original documents, including: a first reading section to read the images on the original documents; a second reading section to read the images on the original documents at a position downstream of a reading position of the first reading section, in a transporting direction of the original documents; and a controller; wherein, the controller controls in such a way that: the first reading section and the second reading section alternately read images on multiple original documents sequentially from document to document; and when an original document is transported to the reading position of the second reading section without an image on the original document being read by the first reading section, a transporting speed of the original document is higher than a transporting speed while the image on the original document being read.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting front edge of a document and determining home position of an image scanning module has a detecting light source near an outlet end of a document feeding track and aligned with an image reader of the image scanning module. The detecting light source emits a detecting light to be received by the image reader. By detecting whether the detecting light is received by the image reader, the front edge of the document can be detected to activate the image scanning module. And it can also determine whether or not the image scanning module has arrived on a home position.

Abstract: Embodiments herein observe the backing of the document handler to determine if a document was left on the platen and would block the scan head from scanning the documents as they are moved by the document handler. An embodiment herein comprises a transparent platen and a document handler on a first side of the platen. The document handler has a backing, and the backing is adapted to move media within the document handler. A scan head is positioned on a second side of the platen. The scan head remains stationary when scanning the media being moved by the document handler and the scan head moves when scanning media on the platen. The backing of the document handler has a surface that is distinguishable from the media such that the scan head can detect whether the media is on the platen and would block the scan head from scanning the media being moved by the document handler.

Abstract: A contact image sensor module for scanning a document includes a light source, a photosensing array and a lens assembly. The light source emits a light beam to the document, thereby generating an optical signal. The photosensing array is used for converting the optical signal into an electronic signal. The lens assembly is used for focusing the optical signal reflected from the document and imaging the optical signal onto the photosensing array. The photosensing array includes a first photosensing element with a first width and a second photosensing element with a second width. The first width is greater than the second width.

Abstract: A document reader includes a document feeder conveying a document along a document conveyance path, a first image reader reading an image formed on a first side of the conveyed document, and a second image reader reading an image formed on a second side of the conveyed document. Each of the first and second image readers is of an optical reduction system constituted of a light source, a mirror, a lens and an image sensor. The second image reading means is unified into a single assembly including at least the mirror, the lens and the image sensor, to be thus detachably attached, as a single unit, to the document feeding means. Thus, the document reader can clearly read the images formed on the first and second sides, it requires a short period of time from image reading to image outputting, and its maintenance is readily conducted.

Abstract: In a document handling system for moving documents for imaging over a transparent platen that is subject to contamination, and having a shared repositionable document illumination system that is normally positioned in a park position substantially spaced from this moving documents imaging platen area, wherein in response to lifting the document handling system and the activation of a diagnostics routine, which can be activated from detected image contamination, the repositionable document illumination system is automatically moved under the moving documents platen and activated to illuminate that platen area from underneath to illuminate the contamination thereon for cleaning.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus reading image information of an original while moving the original on an original base plate comprising: a transport rotary member provided opposite the original base plate to transport the original; a supporting member that supports the transport rotary member to be rotatable; and a gap forming section provided in the supporting member to form a gap between the transport rotary member and the original base plate, wherein the transport rotary member and the supporting member each have a high reflectance surface condition.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus having an Automatic Background Removal (ABR) function in an automatic document feeder mode and an operation control method thereof. The image-forming apparatus includes a first movement unit to move a document loaded in a document tray from a first position to a second position; a second movement unit to move a carriage containing a light source from the first position to the second position; an image processing part to process an image of the document into predetermined image data; and a control part to control the image processing part to process an image of a specific portion of the document read out by the carriage fixed at the first position and to process an entire image of the document read out by the carriage fixed at the second position in use of a predetermined contrast equalization pattern selected based on a image processing result of the specific portion.

Abstract: A duplex detection imaging system comprises a scanning device having a photosensitive element disposed therein for receiving light reflected from a front surface of a document. The photosensitive element is also adapted to receive light reflected from a back surface of the document while the front surface of the document is oriented toward the photosensitive element for determining whether an image resides on the back surface of the document.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a housing; image reading device for reading an image from a document being conveyed, the image reading device being located in the housing; a platen located in the housing and including a transparent member for reading the image of the document; and a scoop-up device situated at a downstream of the platen in parallel therewith to scoop up the document. The scoop-up device includes a dust collecting space for collecting dust entering the apparatus through a gap between the platen and the scoop-up member, the dust collecting space having a plate member dividing the dust collecting space into an upper dust collecting space and a lower dust collecting space; and a platen joint portion forming a part of the dust collecting space and positioned below the platen. A top surface of the platen joint portion detachably contacts a bottom surface of the platen.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus for reading a document image includes: a document feeding tray for placing the document thereon; a first document reading position for reading the first face of the document ejected and conveyed each from the document feeding tray; a document reverse tray for storing the document so that the document having passed through the first document reading position is reversed and conveyed; a stationary document reading position wherein the document having passed through the document reverse tray and having been reversed and conveyed is conveyed to a platen and the stationary document is read; and an image reading unit for reading the document image. The image reading unit stops at the first document reading position to read the first face of the document, and performs scanning movement at the stationary document reading position to read the second face of the document.

Abstract: An inter-device media handler is configured to handle a print job in a print system having two or more media processing devices, such as a printer and a laminator. A sensor is configured to sense orientation of media buffered between the first media processing device and the second media processing device. A calculator module is configured to receive input from the sensor and to use the input to determine whether the media will stay within a working range of the second media processing device while the job is processed by the second media processing device.

Abstract: A scanner capable of operating independent of an attached computer so that scans of text and images can be instantly stored on media. In one embodiment of the present invention, a zip drive or CD burner receives information directly from the scanner so that information is stored instantly upon scanning without the need to operate a separate computer or deal with separate steps of scanning, sorting, and then recording onto media. While a computer, scanner, and media recording device are generally necessary to scan office documents, for example, the present invention can operate independently of all of them without the hassle of networking and communication interface problems.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a scanner, a first setting portion configured to set a reading scale factor for an image from a document, a second setting portion configured to set the size of an image formed medium, a determining portion configured to determine to which of divided ranges the reading scale factor set by the first setting portion belongs, a moving section configured to move the scanner at a specified moving speed corresponding to the range determined by the determining portion, a calculating section configured to calculate a distance the scanner moves based on the reading scale factor and the size of the image formed medium, and a storing portion configured to store the image read by a photoelectric converting device while the moving section is moving the scanner at the moving speed corresponding to the reading scale factor.

Abstract: An image scanner includes a transparent plate, a scanning device, a driving device, a positioning member, a light absorbing portion and a white reference portion. The transparent plate has an original placing surface. The scanning device irradiates an original with light by means of a light source and scans reflected light from the original. The driving device reciprocates the scanning device along the transparent plate. The positioning member positions the original placed on the original placing surface of the transparent plate. The light absorbing portion, which is disposed on the original placing surface side of the positioning member and at substantially a central portion of the positioning member in moving directions of the scanning device, absorbs ambient light entering to the original placing surface side of the positioning member through the transparent plate. The white reference portion is provided to the original placing surface side of the positioning member.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a first reading part which reads a first side of a document, a second reading part located on a document discharge path which reads a second side of the document with an image sensor, a path narrowing member positioned across from the image sensor on the document discharge path; and an adjusting unit, wherein the adjusting unit adjustably moves the path narrowing member closer to and farther away from the image sensor in order to correspondingly move the document closer to and farther away from the image sensor. The image reading apparatus is capable of increasing reading speed when a one-side reading of a document is performed as well as minimizing any damage done to data produced by the reading when a double-side reading of a document is performed.

Abstract: In an image reading apparatus, a plurality of reading sensors extend in a main scanning direction and separated from each other in the main scanning direction so as to be located in a staggered arrangement in which a part of one of the reading sensors in the longitudinal direction faces a part of adjacent one of the reading sensors in a sub-scanning direction. A first connection member is provided to the part of one of the reading sensors facing the part of the adjacent one of the reading sensors. The first connection member protrudes toward the adjacent one of the reading sensors. A second connection member is provided to the part of the adjacent one of the reading sensors facing the part of the one of the reading sensors. The second connection member protrudes toward the one of the reading sensors. The first and second connection members are brought into contact with each other by being urged by a spring.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a reading unit having contact glass through which an image is read from a document, backup glass located opposite the contact glass of the reading unit so as to form a conveying path between the backup glass and the contact glass through which the document is passed, a white member located on a rear surface side of the backup glass which is different from a contact glass side of the backup glass, a support plate that allows the white member to pivot between a position where the white member stands opposite the contact glass via the backup glass and a retract position where the white member is retracted from the position where the white member stands opposite the contact glass, and a regulating member provided between the backup glass and the white member so as to create a specified gap between the white member and the rear surface of the transparent member.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, an image forming apparatus having an automatic document carrier device including a plurality of sensors arranged in a path where source documents to be read are carried; a plurality of motors configured to detect the positions of the source documents by these sensors and to carry the source documents at a predetermined speed; a cooling fan to be rotated to reduce the ambient temperature; a fan motor configured to drive the cooling fan; and a carrier control unit configured to control the plurality of sensors, the plurality of motors and the fan motor, wherein the carrier control unit detects passage of the source documents by any of the plurality of sensors, estimates a time when the source documents are discharged into the discharge tray, and stops the fan motor around the estimated time.

Abstract: An image reading device reads out an image of a document being conveyed above one main surface of a contact glass, changes a document reading position if the image has an abnormality, and gives a warning if the changed document reading position is located at a predetermined reference position. The image reading device has a setting portion for changing the reference position in accordance with the number of documents that have passed the document reading position during the time when no abnormality in images is obtained by reading the documents.

Abstract: The invention provides an image reading apparatus includes a feeder that feeds a sheet, a transfer path on which the sheet fed by the feeder is transferred, a first reading unit that captures a first image on a first face of the sheet from one side of the transfer path to obtain first image data, a second reading unit that captures a second image on a second face of the sheet from the other side of the transfer path to obtain second image data, and a correction unit that substantially equalizes image density of the first image data and that of the second image data in a case where the first image and the second image are captured at a single transfer of the sheet through the transfer path.

Abstract: An original-transporting rotor configured to transport an original to an image-reading section and, after correcting skew of the original, to an original-transporting section capable of opening and closing relative to the image-reading section is provided. The original-transporting rotor is supported so as to define a variable angle with a light source provided in the image-reading section. When the original-transporting section is closed, an original-transporting mechanism is positioned by position regulating members.

Abstract: A document reader includes an exterior panel covering a region of a document feed path including a second image read position from outside. The document reader also includes a first open/close member forming a region of the exterior panel including a portion opposed to the image read position. The document reader further includes a second open/close member positioned inwardly of the first open/close member to define a region of the document feed path including the image read position. The first and second open/close members are supported at respective different fulcrums for opening/closing movement about respective shafts extending perpendicularly to the document feed direction, thereby shielding the second image read position from extraneous light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a duplex scanning apparatus. The duplex scanning apparatus includes a scanning module, a sheet input tray, a sheet ejecting tray, a transfer channel, a sheet pick-up roller, a friction-enhancing stopper, a transfer roller assembly, a sensor, a first inverting region, a second inverting region, an inverting channel, a sheet ejecting roller assembly, a first inverting roller assembly, a second inverting roller assembly, a first switching element and a second switching element. By providing two inverting regions, the scanning time for performing a duplex scanning operation by the duplex scanning apparatus of the present invention is shortened.

Abstract: A document feeding and reading unit and an image forming apparatus capable of reducing errors in magnification copying when the change in the diameter of drive motors results from heating. The document feeding and reading unit reads a document image while transporting a document sheet. At least one transport mechanism, including at least one drive roller and driven roller brought into slidable contact with a drive roller, transports the document sheet while holding the document between the drive roller and the driven roller. A detector measures the temperature at a location of the document feeding and reading unit. A controller controls the rotation speed of the drive roller based on temperature information acquired by the temperature detector. The document feeding and reading unit can be suitably incorporated into an image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed. The printer includes a print media supply station for storing print media. The printer further includes a print engine station arranged to receive print media from the print media supply and to print on the print media. A binding assembly station is also included which is configured to apply adhesive along an edge of each sheet of print media after printed upon, and to compile the print media into a bound stack. A receptacle station receives the bound stack. The print media supply station, the print engine station, the binding assembly station and the receptacle station are arranged vertically.

Abstract: To control the potential distribution generated in a well at the time of amplification and reduce a shading in a solid-state imaging device of amplification type, the amplification type solid-state imaging device of the present invention comprises a plurality of picture elements each including photoelectric conversion elements formed in a second conductivity type common well inside a first conductivity type substrate, wherein a plurality of well contacts are disposed inside a picture element array area.

Abstract: A double-side scan device for performing a single-side scan operation or a double-side scan operation selectively includes a document conveyer, a first transparent device, a second transparent device, and an image scan module. The image scan module moves to one side of the first transparent device to capture an image of one surface/side of a document and moves to one side of the second transparent device to capture an image of the other surface/side of the document, respectively.

Abstract: The representative configuration of an image reading unit according to the present invention and an image forming apparatus comprising the same is an image reading unit comprising a document feeding unit, a lamp and a mirror for reading out the image on a document, a flow reading platen provided between the document feeding unit, and the lamp and the mirror for guiding the document while sliding the same against the surface, and an aluminum sheet for grounding the flow reading platen, wherein the aluminum sheet is conductive with the flow reading platen on the document feeding direction upstream side with respect to the document reading position for reading the image in the substantially entire document width by the lamp and the mirror.

Abstract: By reading an image of a reference plate, whether or not a likeliness that a linear abnormal image is occurred in the image of the document due to a foreign matter and the like attached on a contact glass exists is determined. In the case where there is the likeliness of occurrence of the linear abnormal image, the occurrence of the abnormal image is suppressed by changing an image reading position. At this time, a reading sensitivity is measured by reading a reference document having a single white color instead of a normal document. An adjustment data is generated according to the measurement result and stored in a memory. Then, light quantity of an exposure lamp is regulated in accordance with the document reading position by using the adjustment data.

Abstract: A double-side image scanner module suitable for scanning a document having a first side and an opposing second side, having a paper feeder and an image extraction apparatus. The paper feeder has a paper-feeding through-channel through which document is transmitted. The paper-feeding through-channel is divided into a first-side scanning region for scanning the first side of the document, a second-side scanning region, aligned with the first-side scanning region for scan the second side of the document, and a paper-turning region between the first-side scanning region and the second-side scanning region, through which the document is turned up side down. A plurality of document transmission members is installed along the paper-feeding through-channel for transmitting the document. The image extraction apparatus is aligned with both the first- and second-side scanning regions to extract images of the first and second sides of the document through the first- and second-side scanning regions, respectively.

Abstract: An image-reading device includes a platen glass for supporting a document, an end glass adjacent to the platen glass, a sheet member that connects bottom surfaces of the platen glass and the end glass, a feeder for feeding a document to the image-reading device, a carriage that includes a sliding member, a rod lens array mounted on the carriage, and a photoelectric transfer device for reading an image of the original document formed by the rod lens array. The carriage is biased against the platen glass and the end glass through the sliding member and moves relative to them. A controller drives the carriage at different speeds, one less than half the other, so that the carriage is moving slowly when the sliding member contacts the sheet member, thereby avoiding problems of wear of the sliding member and loss of synchronism of the motor that drives the carriage.