Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording unit that performs a recording operation on a medium, a discharge unit that discharges the medium that has undergone the recording operation by the recording unit, a medium receiving tray that receives the medium discharged from the discharge unit, the medium receiving tray being shiftable between a first state in which the medium receiving tray is drawn out in a medium discharge direction and a second state in which the medium receiving tray is retracted in a direction opposite to the medium discharge direction, and a blocking mechanism configured to be engaged with the trailing edge of the medium while the medium receiving tray is shifted from the first state to the second state, and to restrict the medium from being drawn inside.

Abstract: An image scanning device includes a bottom wall, a surrounding wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, a frame connected to the surrounding wall and having a first side plate, and a transparent panel fixed to the frame and having a lateral side supported by an upper part of the first side plate. A contact image sensor module is disposed on the bottom wall transverse to the first side plate, and includes a housing having a first short side wall spaced apart from the first side plate by a first distance less than or equal to 2 mm, and a plurality of sensors, one of which that is closest to the first short side wall is spaced apart from an outer surface of the first short side wall by a second distance less than or equal to 2.5 mm.

Abstract: A printer with integral scanner for obtaining a digital signature from a sheet of paper or other article as it is printed. The integral scanner has a coherent source which directs a light beam to illuminate the article and a detector arrangement to collect data points from light scattered from many different parts of the article to collect a large number of independent data points, typically 500 or more. The digital signature derived from the data points is stored in a database with an image of what was printed on the article. At a later time, the authenticity of an article purported to be the originally printed article can be verified by scanning the purported genuine article to obtain its digital signature. The database is then searched, to establish whether there is a match. If a match is found, the image stored in the database with the matched digital signature is displayed to the user to allow a further visual check that the article is genuine.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a sheet supporting portion, a sheet feeding portion, and a movable regulating portion. The sheet feeding portion feeds a sheet bundle uppermost sheet. The movable regulating portion is disposed downstream of the sheet bundle in a sheet feeding direction such that the movable regulating portion is tiltable between a regulation position and a regulation release position. While the movable regulating portion regulates the sheet bundle movement in the regulation position, the sheet feeding portion forms a loop in the uppermost sheet between the sheet feeding portion and the movable regulating portion, the movable regulating portion is moved to the regulation release position after loop formation to remove the formed loop, and the movable regulating portion is returned to the regulation position after loop removal such that the movable regulating portion raises the uppermost sheet leading end to separate the uppermost sheet from other sheets.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus is disclosed. The image reading apparatus includes an automatic document feeding unit that transports a document in a predetermined direction while the document floats above a platen glass member and a light source disposed below the platen glass member that irradiates a portion on the document at a predetermined reading location such that reflected light from the portion on the document is converted into image data and a floating distance between the document and the platen glass member is detected to set a value of an image parameter for correcting the image data for the document, based on the detected floating distance between the document and the platen glass member.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a contact glass provided at an upper surface of a main body of the apparatus to set a manuscript thereon, an image sensor being positioned below the contact glass and having a reading surface on contact glass side for reading an image from the manuscript on the contact glass, a carriage supporting the image sensor accommodated in a sensor container formed to have a recess open to the contact glass side, a rail member slidably supporting the carriage, and a biasing member biasing the image sensor to the contact glass side via a biased portion adjacent to the reading surface of the image sensor. An upper end of the biasing member is positioned below the contact glass and above the lower surface of the image sensor.

Abstract: A sheet scanner comprises a sheet inlet on a front side, a scanned sheet outlet on a rear side, and a deflector to direct scanned sheets from the outlet towards the front side of the scanner, over the top cover thereof, and further comprises a stopper on the top cover, at the front side of the scanner and above the sheet inlet, to temporarily restrain the leading edge of a scanned sheet such that the sheet advances and folds over itself and beyond the stopper, the leading edge being released from the stopper when the sheet folded over itself and beyond the stopper pulls it downwards.

Abstract: A document reader is provided that includes a document table at least part of which is configured to swing around a first axis, between a first position to function as the document table and a second position to be more slanted with respect to a first guide than when in the first position, a swing portion configured to form a part of a feeding surface forming a second guide and configured to swing around a second axis, between a third position to function as the second guide and a fourth position to expose a part of a feeding path that is formed by the second guide to the outside of the document reader, and a switching mechanism for swinging the swing portion from the third position to the fourth position with the swing motion of the at least part of the document table.

Abstract: In an image reading device, a scanning unit moves relative to the main unit between a base position and a moved position. A conveyance unit moves relative to the scanning unit between a base position and a moved position at which the cover closes the platen, and is formed with a first and second openings. The cover member moves between a base position at which the cover member covers a second opening and a moved position. The first and second detectors detect a state of the scanning unit, the conveyance unit, and the cover member. The conveyance unit conveys the document along one of a first and second conveying paths that is used to convey the document and is determined based on the state of the first and second detectors.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a housing accommodating an image forming unit and includes a side wall and an opening to feed the sheet from an outside to the image forming unit; a feeding tray moving between a holding position and an accommodation position; a guide provided at the feeding tray, the guide being configured to abut against the sheet which is held on the feeding tray from a rear end side of the sheet in a feeding direction along with the sheet is fed to the image forming unit and define a holding position of the sheet when the feeding tray is arranged at the holding position and the sheet is placed on the feeding tray; and a recess part formed on the sidewall of the housing and configured to accommodate the guide therein when the feeding tray is arranged at the accommodation position.

Abstract: A image reading apparatus includes a first conveyance unit which is configured to convey a document to a reading position of a platen while pinching the document, a second conveyance unit arranged on a downstream of the platen and configured to convey the document, an upstream rotary member arranged between the first conveyance unit and the second conveyance unit and configured to come into contact with the document at a position on an upstream of the reading position, and a downstream rotary member arranged between the first conveyance unit and the second conveyance unit and configured to come into contact with the document at a position on a downstream of the reading position, wherein a gap between the platen and the upstream rotary member is set smaller than a gap between the platen and the downstream rotary member.

Abstract: A sheet conveyer device, including a roller to convey a sheet by rotating in a normal direction and a holder rotatably arranged on a roller shaft, is provided. The holder includes a roller gear system arranged on the roller shaft and having a roller driving gear to drive the roller, a shutter rotatably arranged on a shutter shaft to restrict access of the sheet to the roller, a shutter gear system to connect a path between the roller gear system and the shutter, a one-way clutch to disconnect the path between the roller gear system and the shutter when the roller rotates in the normal direction, and a torque limiter to allow the roller to rotate in a reverse direction. The holder rotates about the roller shaft in the same reverse direction as the roller when the roller rotates in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A roller assembly includes a roller shaft, a roller base and at least one roller. The roller shaft defines at least one clipping slot. The roller shaft passes rearward through the roller base to rotatably mount the roller base to the roller shaft. An inside of the roller base extends forward to form an elastic arm. A free end of the elastic arm projects beyond a front surface of the roller base. The free end of the elastic arm defines a hook portion hooked in the clipping slot to restrain the roller base on the roller shaft. The roller is set around the roller base. When the roller assembly is disassembled, press down upon the free end of the elastic arm to make the hook portion project out of the clipping slot, so that the roller base together with the rollers is disassembled from the roller shaft.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a reading unit, a feeding unit, a carriage holding the reading unit, a motor, a motor-side transmission gear, a feeding unit-side transmission gear, a carriage-side transmission gear, a switching gear which switches between a meshing state of meshing with the feeding unit-side transmission gear at a feeding unit-side position and a meshing state of meshing with the carriage-side transmission gear at a carriage-side position, a restraint member which applies a restraint force for restraining the switching of the switching gear, and a motor control unit which when switching the switching gear between the carriage-side position and the feeding unit-side position, executes a large torque control of controlling the motor to generate a switching torque which is larger than a moving reading torque to be generated by the motor at a time of document reading when executing a moving reading.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a touch panel that outputs a press position pressed by a finger as coordinate information in a sub-scanning direction, the finger being placed on the surface of the touch panel, a CCD that takes an image of the finger placed on the touch panel from the rear side of the touch panel in a main-scanning direction, and outputs an image signal, and a motor that moves the CCD in the sub-scanning direction so as to follow a rotational movement of the finger based on the movement amount detected by the movement detection unit.

Abstract: An auto document feeding device includes: a carrying member configured to carry an original from an original setting unit to an image scanning unit; a fixed guide unit configured to change a carrying direction of the original, at between the carrying member and the image scanning unit; a movable guide unit which is movable between the fixed guide unit and the carrying member; and a paper discharge unit configured to discharge the original which passed through the image scanning unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image reading apparatus comprising: a movable unit having a transparent member; a guide portion arranged to face the transparent member to guide a conveyed sheet; a reader portion configured to read an image on a sheet guided by the guide portion past the transparent member; abutting portions that are provided on the guide portion and abut on the movable unit; an actuating portion configured to move the movable unit in a direction along the surface of the transparent member; and an engaging portion provided on the movable unit and engaged with the guide member such that the movable unit and the abutting portion are separated from each other as the movable unit is moved by the actuating portion.

Abstract: A digital multi function peripheral includes a scanner for reading an image in a document read position; a document retaining cover for being able to change an opening and closing state between a state in which the scanner is closed and a state in which the scanner is opened, and conveying a document to the scanner when the scanner is closed; a registration sensor for detecting a leading end portion and a rear end portion of the document conveyed by the document retaining cover; and a controller for determining the opening and closing state of the document retaining cover based on a state of the leading end portion and the rear end portion of the document in the image read by an IR module at a time when a predetermined time frame elapses since a detection state of the registration sensor changes. Therefore, the opening and closing state of the conveyance unit for conveying the document can accurately be detected.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus may include a main unit and a cover unit pivotally attached to the main unit. The cover unit may include an image reading device configured to read an image of a document along a conveying path. The image reading device may include a contact image sensor, a sensor holder to hold the contact image sensor, an urging member, and a shock absorber. The contact image sensor is disposed below the conveying path. The sensor holder has an open top boxed shape and holds the contact image sensor in position inside. The urging member is disposed in an inner bottom surface of the sensor holder to urge the contact image sensor toward the conveying path. The shock absorber is disposed between a bottom surface of the contact image sensor and the inner bottom surface of the sensor holder, and is made of a porous material.

Abstract: An image reading device includes a reading glass moving unit that moves a reading glass; a determining unit that determines whether or not a read image obtained by the sheet-through reading unit includes a vertical stripe which represents linear images continuous in the original carrying direction; a determining unit that, when a vertical stripe is formed, determines matching/mismatching of the positions of the vertical stripe in read images of an original carrying member which are obtained before and after moving the reading glass; a determining unit that, based on determination indicating matching, determines that a causing matter of the vertical stripe is present on the reading glass and, based on determination indicating mismatching, determines that a causing matter of the vertical stripe is present on a portion other than the reading glass; and a determining unit that determines the type of the causing matter.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a first housing, a second housing, a document conveyance path, a transparent member, a guide member, a transparent sheet member and a first pressing member. The second housing is openable and closable with respect to the first housing. The document conveyance path is arranged in the second housing and conveys a document passing through a first position. The guide member is arranged on the transparent member at a side downstream of the first position. The transparent sheet member is arranged on the transparent member to cover the first position. The first pressing member is arranged to cover a part of the transparent sheet member upstream of the first position from above and presses the transparent sheet member. An end portion of the first pressing member is arranged inwardly of an end portion of the transparent sheet member in the main scanning direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a housing, an image reading section, shaft sections, bearing sections, abutment sections, and abutting sections. The housing is provided with an upper surface section. The image reading section has a first wall, a second wall, a bottom surface and a platen. The image reading section is mounted on the upper surface section of the housing. The shaft sections are installed at the bottom surface and provided with a rotating shaft. The bearing sections are provided at the upper surface section of the housing and the shaft sections are inserted into the bearing sections. The abutment sections are disposed at the upper surface section and arranged to face the bottom surface of the image reading section. The abutting sections are disposed at the bottom surface and are caused by the weight of the image reading section to abut against the abutment sections.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a drive unit that is mounted on a carriage having an image reading sensor, which is moved with respect to an original, mounted thereon and moves the carriage. The drive unit includes: a motor; a gear train for transmitting rotation of the motor so as to move the carriage; an encoder sensor for reading a code wheel fixed to a rotary shaft of the motor; and a support member for holding the motor. The encoder sensor is urged against a part of the support member by a resilient member, to be thus fixed to the support member.

Abstract: An image reader is provided, which includes a first image reading unit configured to read an image on a first side of a first document sheet being conveyed on a feeding path, and output an analog signal corresponding to the read image of the first side, a second image reading unit configured to read an image on a second side opposite to the first side of the first document sheet being conveyed on the feeding path, and output a digital signal corresponding to the read image of the second side in a differential transmission method, and a control board configured to process the analog signal output from the first reading unit and the digital signal output from the second image reading unit.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus scanning a document image includes a document conveying unit, an image scanning unit, a foreign object detecting unit, a display unit, and a control unit. The document conveying unit feeds pages of a document loaded on a document feed tray one at a time. The image scanning unit scans each fed page of the document on a scanning face. The foreign object detecting unit detects whether a foreign object exists on the scanning face based on the image data on the page of the document scanned on the scanning face. The control unit causes the display unit to display the detection of a foreign object if a last page of the document loaded on the document feed tray is scanned and the foreign object on the scanning face is detected based on the image data on the last page of the document.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus comprising: a first conveying guide; a second conveying guide which is arranged on a downstream of the first conveying guide; a plurality of first convex portions which is provided in the first conveying guide, extends toward the second conveying guide and is arranged in a sheet width direction; a plurality of second convex portions which is provided in the second conveying guide, extends toward the first conveying guide and is arranged in the sheet width direction, wherein the first convex portions and the second convex portions are alternately arranged in the sheet width direction; and a bent portion which is formed between the plurality of second convex portions in the second conveying guide, and bent in a manner such that an upstream end is arranged at a position farther from the sheet conveying path than a downstream end portions of the first convex portions.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a control unit that is configured to suspend an operation of a separation-feeding unit in a feeding operation when the control unit determines, based on a signal from a leading edge detecting unit, that an inclined amount of the leading edge of a fed document is larger than a setting value. The control unit is also configured to set, when a mixture of different widths is set to the setting unit, the setting value larger in comparison to a case where a mixture of different widths is not set.

Abstract: A sheet-feeding type scanning apparatus with a calibrating function is provided. The sheet-feeding type scanning apparatus is configured for feeding a document in a first direction and scanning the document, thereby acquiring an image of the document. The sheet-feeding type scanning apparatus includes a calibration plate, a scanning module, and a transmission module. The transmission module is connected with the scanning module for moving the scanning module in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. In such way, the scanning module is movable within the limited space of the sheet-feeding type scanning apparatus, so that the scanning module is dynamically calibrated.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an operating unit that issues a starting instruction to start reading a medium which is a read-target medium, according to a user's operation, a conveying unit that conveys the medium, a display unit that displays states of the medium conveyed, a reading unit that reads the medium, and a medium detecting unit that detects the medium. The display unit displays contents indicating that the reading operation is possible when the reading operation of the medium is completed and the medium detecting unit does not detect the medium. The conveying unit starts conveyance of the medium in response to the read-operation starting instruction, when the read-target medium is a first medium in a set of media, and when the medium detecting unit detects the first medium, and the conveying unit starts conveyance of the medium, when the read-target medium is a second or later medium in the set of media, after the medium detecting unit detects the second or later medium.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided capable of guiding regular reflected light from a reading surface to a reflecting mirror when light is irradiated from two directions from light sources to the reading surface, and is suitable to read a gloss image. The light sources for irradiating light to the reading surface from the two directions of different angles are configured of a first light emitter and a second light emitter, a mirror reflecting surface for specularly reflecting light and a translucent surface for passing light therethrough being formed on the surface of a reflecting member for deflecting light from the reading surface to a predetermined reading light path direction, the first light emitter being arranged between the platen and the platen side surface of the reflecting member, the second light emitter being arranged at the back surface of the reflecting member so as to irradiate light on the reading surface through the translucent surface.

Abstract: Provided is an image information registration system including an image information acquisition unit that acquires image information appearing on a surface of a medium, a rotation angle information acquisition unit that acquires rotation angle information corresponding to a rotation angle of the medium with respect to a reading direction based on the image information, a retrieval information acquisition unit that acquires retrieval information including at least one item of attribute information and association system information that represents an association system which are correlated with the rotation angle information based on the rotation angle information, a target information acquisition unit that acquires one or plural items of target information stored in the association system identified by the association system information according to the retrieval information, and an image information registration unit that registers the image information according to the acquired one or plural items of target

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an image reading unit for reading an image of a document at a reading position, a document feeding unit for discharging the document via the reading position, an abnormality detection unit for detecting a feeding abnormality, and a reading determination unit. The reading determination unit determines that the reading of the image of the fed document by the image reading unit is complete in a case where it is determined that a fed document, which is being fed by the document feeding unit, is not a final document, and it is detected that the leading edge of the fed document has reached the reading position, and when it is detected that the leading edge of the subsequent document has reached the reading position without the abnormality detection unit detecting any abnormality.

Abstract: An automatic media feeder includes: a media stacker on which sheets are to be stacked; a discharged media stacker; a scanning position where the sheet is to be scanned; a first conveyance path from the media stacker to the scanning position; a feeding device configured to convey the sheet from the media stacker to the scan position along the first conveyance path; a discharging device configured to discharge the sheet that passed through the scanning position to the discharged media stacker; a first reverse mechanism configured to turn over the sheet conveyed from the media stacker toward the scanning position along the first conveyance path and return the turned-over sheet to the first conveyance path; and a second reverse mechanism configured to refeed the sheet that passes through the scanning position to the first conveyance path.

Abstract: An image forming section includes a bearing member configured to bear an image, and a plurality of light-emitting-element groups each having a plurality of light emitting elements arranged linearly in an arrangement direction. The image forming section forms an image on the bearing member by using the light-emitting-element groups to transfer the image on a sheet. The reader reads an image on a sheet. When executed by the processor, the instructions cause the processor to perform: a pattern reading process of controlling the reader to read a pattern image, the pattern image being an image for detecting density deviation and formed on the sheet by using the light-emitting-element groups; and a calculating process of calculating an amount of density deviation of each of the light-emitting-element groups based on a reading result by the pattern reading process. Each light-emitting-element group is a unit of calculation of the amount of density deviation.

Abstract: A scan mechanism and a scan module are provided. The scan mechanism adapted to be used in a scan module includes a rack and a scan unit. The rack has an engaging surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of teeth disposed on the engaging surface. Each of the teeth comprises a top end, wherein the distance between the centers of any two adjacent top ends is W, the shortest distance from the top end of each tooth to the bottom surface of the rack is D, and W/D is from 0.56 to 0.79. The scan unit includes a gear engaged with the teeth of the rack and adapted to roll along the engaging surface of the rack, wherein the scan unit is slidably disposed on the rack through the gear.

Abstract: A limiting member (91) includes a main body (911) and a convexity (912) formed at the upper face of the main body (911). The convexity (912) protrudes like a key toward the front-face side of a case (1). The case (1) has a hole (92) storing the limiting member (91), the hole (92) having an inclined face (921) that is inclined obliquely upward from the rear-face side to the front-face side of the case (1). The hole (92) has a depth larger than the height of the limiting member (91) on the rear-face side, and has substantially the same depth as the front-face side height of the main body (911) on the front-face side. A document cover (4) has a hole (93) including a U-shaped concavity (931) that is open on the rear-face side of the case (1), formed on the front-face side of the case (1). When the limiting member (91) is located on the front-face side of the case (1), the convexity (912) engages with the U-shaped concavity (931).

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a reading part reading front and back sides of an original; a storage part storing the thus read images and plural processing parameters to be used for image processing; and an image processing part carrying out the image processing on the read images using the plural processing parameters. The image processing part analyzes an image transfer instruction that is an instruction to transmit the read image from the first storage part to the image processing part, and determines which of the processing parameters is to be used for the read image; and transfers the determined processing parameter by a direct memory access transfer method. The processing parameter concerning the read image is transferred from the first storage part to the image processing part by the direct memory access transfer method prior to the image processing of the read image by the image processing part.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a tray to place a document, a conveying mechanism for a document, a reader for a document image, a detector for detecting a sheet jam, an image processor and a controller. The image processor performs an image processing for removing document smear from an image read by the reader. The controller controls a document conveying operation by the conveying mechanism and a document reading operation by the reader. If a jammed document is removed and the document is placed again on the document tray after the detector detects a sheet jam, the controller performs a sheet jam recovery processing for causing the conveying mechanism to convey the document again and causing the reader to read the image of the document. The image processor performs the image processing on the image of the jammed document read by the reader during the sheet jam recovery processing.

Abstract: A reading unit (3) placed on the inner side of a U-shaped feed path (12) that feeds a document is formed such that the height-axis dimension of said reading unit decreases in a direction extending toward a side having a paper delivery tray (11). Contact glass (20), a light source and a first mirror (24) are placed in the reading unit (3) at an end portion of the side having the paper delivery tray (11). Multiple reflecting mirrors (25, 26 and 27), a lens (28) and a photoelectric converter element (29) are placed further from the paper delivery tray than the first mirror (24) in the reading unit. This structure enables the reading unit provided in a document feeder to be more compact while ensuring the required light path length, and enables the entire document feeder to be more compact.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus comprises a feeding mechanism conveying a document, a moving mechanism moving a reading unit, a driving source shared by the mechanisms, a biasing mechanism moving the reading unit to a predetermined position by an elastic member when the reading unit is moved out of a reading region, a transmission element being displaced by the movement of the reading unit and switching transmission of the drive force, and a disengaging mechanism disengaging the reading unit in the predetermined position to the reading region from the predetermined position by the drive force of the driving source.

Abstract: A medium transport apparatus includes a transport member configured to transport a medium in a discharge direction or in a drawing direction, a medium loaded member configured to be placed a medium transported in the discharge direction by the medium transport member, and a movement member. The movement member is configured to move in a direction away from the transport member when the transport member transports a medium in the drawing direction.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus which supports a both-side scan mode and a controlling method thereof. The image reading apparatus includes: an automatic paper transfer unit which automatically transfers a papers; a first scanning unit which comprises a first light source and scans a first side of the paper; a second scanning unit which comprises a second light source and scans a second side of the paper; and a controller which controls the first and second light sources to be alternately lit on a plurality of times within a cycle of a preset signal when the paper is transferred to the automatic paper transfer unit.

Abstract: In an image reading device, an interlock portion is configured to supply or cut off power supply voltage to a driving portion in association with opening/closing of a cover. An open/close detecting portion is configured to detect opening/closing of the cover. A control portion is configured to execute (a) a scan process of causing a reading portion to read a document image during movement of the reading portion from a first position to a second position, (b) a return process of returning the reading portion to the first position in the opposite direction, (c) a reading interruption process of stopping a scan process when an opened state of the cover is detected during the scan process, and executing a return process when a closed state of the cover is detected next time, and (d) the scan process again after the reading interruption process.

Abstract: In a reading apparatus, a control device is configured to: acquire a conveyance path switching information indicating whether a conveyance path switching unit has switched a conveyance path to a first conveyance path or a second conveyance path; judge, based on detection results by a width detecting unit, whether a type of an original sheet that is currently placed on an original sheet placing unit and that is not yet conveyed by a conveyance unit from the original sheet placing unit is a first type or a second type; and determine, based on both of the conveyance path switching information and the type of the not-yet-conveyed original sheet, whether the conveyance unit should stop conveyance of a preceding original sheet that the conveyance unit is currently conveying.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus may include a cable for connecting one device or component to a controller configured to perform functions and execute instructions. To prevent breakage and stress on the cable, the cable may be fixed to a guide component. For example, the cable may be fixed to the guide component on a first side and be held by the component such that the cable includes a generally U-shaped slacked portion. According to one or more arrangements, the guide component may include an escape portion that allows for the movement of an openable unit of the image reading apparatus. In yet other aspects, the guide component may be attachable/detachable from a main body of the image reading apparatus.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus that is capable of displaying in detail, as an image, a foreign matter position where an image reading failure could be caused. The image reading apparatus has a main scanning index plate and a sub-scanning index plate disposed adjacent to a reading glass and extending in main scanning and sub-scanning directions. These plates have scales that equally divide a surface of the reading glass in the main scanning and sub-scanning directions. When foreign matter is detected, a foreign matter detection message, a foreign matter area image, and position information representing a foreign matter area position are displayed on an operation panel. Based on the displayed image and position information, a user can easily recognize a cleaning object area on the reading glass surface while referring to the scales of the index plates.

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: A method includes a first step, a second step, and a third step. In the first step, a fed document is returned to an upstream side of a reading unit by reversing the document after a first passage through the reading unit. In the second step, the document returned in the first step is returned to the upstream side of the reading unit by reversing the document after a second passage through the reading unit. In the third step, the document returned in the second step is passed through the reading unit, and then the document is discharged.

Abstract: A light guide includes a main body, an input surface, an output surface, a reflecting surface, a first diffusing portion and a second diffusing portion. The main body is guiding light. The light is inputted the input surface of the main body. The light is emitted from the output surface in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction. The reflecting surface is provided on the main body and opposite to the output surface. The first diffusing portion is formed on the reflecting surface closer to the input surface. The second diffusing portion is formed on the reflecting surface closer to a side opposite to the input surface. The first and the second diffusing portions have a first and a second length respectively in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and the first length is longer than the second length.

Abstract: There is provided an inspection apparatus. When the inspection apparatus inspects a printed product, whether positional alignment of a print image obtained by reading the printed product and a reference image is to be performed is determined, and in a case where it is determined that the positional alignment is to be performed, the positional alignment is performed and an inspection based on a comparison of the print image and the reference image is executed, and in a case where it is determined that the positional alignment is not to be performed, an inspection based on a number of feature points of the print image is executed.