Abstract: A method for processing an image obtained by reading an original plate on which at least one original is placed includes a determining step of determining whether the image is corresponding to one original or a plurality of originals placed on the original plate, an extracting step of extracting, from the image, one original image component corresponding to the one original or a plurality of original image components corresponding to the plurality of originals, and a processing step of performing image processing on the one or the plurality of extracted original image components, the image processing being different in accordance with the result of the determining step.

Abstract: A document scanning device, configured to sequentially eject and insert sheets under a stack of already-ejected sheets, includes a feed tray, a document table, a catch tray, a feeder feeding sheets from the feed tray to the catch tray, a scanner performing scanning in one of a first mode to scan the sheets fed by the feeder and a second mode to scan a sheet placed on the document table, an ejection detector detecting a sheet on the catch tray, and a controller. In response to an instruction to start the scanning, the controller forbids the scanner to start the scanning when determining with the ejection detector that a sheet is on the catch tray, and allows the scanner to start the scanning in a selected one of the first mode and the second mode when determining with the ejection detector that no sheet is on the catch tray.

Abstract: A sheet-fed image scanning method and a scanning device thereof are provided. Firstly, a contact image sensor (CIS) scanning element is equipped with at least two sheet-feeding rollers respectively and passively connected with a driven roller, so that the to-be-scanned sheet is fed into/out between the sheet-feeding rollers and the driven rollers. Then, the to-be-scanned sheet is scanned by the CIS scanning element when the to-be-scanned sheet is fed in, and the driven roller is elastically ascended or descended according to the thickness of the to-be-scanned sheet. The invention enables non-contact or low-friction contact scanning between the scan glass window of the scanning device and the to-be-scanned sheet to avoid the to-be-scanned sheet being scratched or damaged and assure the constant-distance scanning to obtain high-quality scanned image. The position of the scanning element can be adjusted to the optimum scanning focal distance according to the thickness of the to-be-scanned sheet.

Abstract: A page image is acquired. Area information that includes information on existence or absence of a text area and a picture area is extracted from the acquired page image. The page image is divided into a plurality of blocks. An image feature amount of each of the divided blocks is calculated. Whether the page image includes a picture area is determined on the basis of the extracted area information and the calculated image feature amounts of the blocks.

Abstract: An image scanner includes a feeding unit performing document feeding to sequentially feed sheets, a flatbed glass being loaded with a sheet thereon, a scanning unit performing document scanning in any one of a first mode for sequentially scanning sheets being fed by the feeding unit and a second mode for scanning each sheet which is placed on the flatbed glass on a sheet-by-sheet basis, an interrupting unit detecting an error during the document feeding and interrupting the document feeding, an identifying unit identifying damaged sheets among document sheets to be scanned, and a controller configured to, after the interrupted document feeding is released with the detected error being settled, control the scanning unit to perform the document scanning in the second mode for the damaged sheets and in the first mode for undamaged sheets other than the damaged sheets.

Abstract: A stereoscopic image display apparatus includes a display panel and an image conversion sheet. The display panel includes a plurality of pixel units. Each pixel unit has a zigzag shape that extends in a first direction. The image conversion sheet includes a plurality of lens units. Each lens unit extends in the first direction and is disposed in a second direction different from the first direction. A plurality of the lens units is disposed in parallel with each other.

Abstract: A sheet media reading control method includes conveying a sheet medium on which magnetic ink characters are printed through a transportation path, reading the magnetic ink characters and an image of the sheet medium using a magnetic head and an image sensor head positioned along the transportation path, extracting partial scanned image data containing at least an outside edge part of the sheet medium from the scanned image data captured by the image sensor head, executing a skew evaluation based on the partial scanned image data to detect if the sheet medium is conveyed skewed at a skew angle exceeding an allowable skew angle, and invalidating at least the magnetic ink character data captured by the magnetic head from sheet media that are determined by the skew evaluation to be skewed.

Abstract: A multi-functional peripheral allows a user to select a productivity priority mode or an image quality priority mode. In the productivity priority mode, a scanner performs a reading operation without moving first and second carriages in a sub-scanning direction, a foreign object image removing processing is executed in accordance with image data obtained by the reading operation, and image forming is performed in accordance with the image data applied with image processing. In the image quality priority mode, the first and second carriages are moved from a reading position P to a reading position P? at which the foreign object does not adhere to a reading slot, the scanner performs the reading operation, and an image forming is performed in accordance with image data applied with image processing not including the foreign object image removing processing.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a reading unit configured to read an open document. The open document includes a first page including a first image and a second page including a second image. The apparatus also includes a storing unit configured to store the first page read by the reading unit as first page image data including the first image, and to store the second page read by the reading unit as second page image data including the second image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for correcting a dislocation of image, pixels being arranged in a first and second directions perpendicular to each other, including: a section which breaks down a correction amount of the image of each pixel in the second direction into a first shift amount with a unit of a prescribed block, a second shift amount with a unit of the pixel, and a third shift amount less than the pixel size; a minimal shift section which shifts the image data by the third shift amount; a pixel unit shift section which shifts the image data by the second shift amount; and a block unit shift section which shifts the image data by the first shift amount, during compression and storage processing of the image data in the block unit, and executing arrangement of the image data after reading-out and expanding the compressed image data.

Abstract: There is provided an image reading apparatus including: a light source with arrayed light emitting elements; a light guide unit that scatters light emitted from the light source such that the light intensity is greater at end portions than at the central portion in the array direction of the light emitting elements, and guides the light to a reading position of a medium to be read; and an optical system that guides the light reflected at the reading position to a light detection unit that detects the light intensity.

Abstract: Disclosed are an automatic document feeder capable of moving a pickup device between a standby position and a pickup position and carrying out a document pickup operation by using a single driving source, an image reading device having the same and an image forming apparatus having the same. The automatic document feeder includes a pickup device, a lifting device and a pickup driving device. The pickup device includes a pickup roller to pick up a document sheet. The lifting device moves the pickup device between a standby position and a pickup position. The pickup driving device includes a pickup motor to rotate in a first direction and a second direction. The pickup motor drives the pickup roller by rotating in the first direction, and drives the lifting device by rotating in the second direction.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus executes stop processing to stop scanning of the carriage during the scan operation, acquires information on the stop processing executed by the control unit, corrects a restart position of the carriage for a document image reading after the stop processing based on the information acquired.

Abstract: A document feeding device includes: a document tray on which a document is loaded; a discharge tray to which the original document is discharged; a conveyance path which conveys a document on the original document tray to the discharge tray via a document reading position; a detection unit which is disposed in the conveyance path and detects a jam of the original document in the conveyance path; and an illumination device which illuminates the conveyance path in a state visible from the exterior when the detection unit has detected a jam of the original document.

Abstract: An image sensor includes: a light transmissive member extending in a direction orthogonal to a direction of conveying the document; a reference portion provided outside the conveying region where a document is conveyed with respect to the orthogonal direction and having a transmittance lower than a transmittance of in the conveying region of the light transmissive member; and a light source unit. The image sensor further includes: a lens unit converging the light transmitting through the document and the reference portion; a light receiving unit that receives the light transmitted through the lens unit and outputs an electric signal; an amplifying unit that amplifies the electric signal of the document corresponding to the conveying region and outputs an image signal of the document; and a controlling unit configured to control an amplification factor of the amplifying unit based on the electric signal corresponding to the reference portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus align an adjuster with an edge of media supported by a tray. The adjuster is operably coupled to a gauge that moves in response to movement of the adjuster. A sensor senses the gauge to detect a dimension of the media while the media is supported by the tray.

Abstract: A scanner for demarcating each media sheet of a multiplicity of media sheets and a method thereof. The scanner includes a platen, a scanlid, an illuminating mechanism and a scanhead. The platen accommodates the multiplicity of media sheets. The scanlid is pivotally coupled to the platen and provides a background for scanning the multiplicity of media sheets. The illuminating mechanism is coupled to the scanlid and is activated for illuminating the background. The scanhead scans the multiplicity of media sheets. A single background image of the multiplicity of media sheets is captured by activating the illuminating mechanism during scanning. A single foreground image of the multiplicity of media sheets is captured by deactivating the illuminating mechanism during scanning. Edges of each media sheet are detected in the background image, and are combined with the foreground image to extract content thereof.

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 forming apparatus which has a double-side copying function, including: at least either one of an original document detection section that detects a size of an original document, and an original document size setting section that sets a size of the original document as required; an original document top position setting section that sets a top position of the original document as required; a binding direction setting section that sets a binding direction of the original document and a binding direction of an output sheet as required; an output size setting section that sets a size of the output sheet as required; a print magnification ratio setting section that sets a print magnification ratio as required; and a copy region determination section that sets a copy region with reference to a top left corner of the original document, the top left corner being identified when the original document is placed such that the top position thereof is upward.

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 recording material detecting apparatus includes a detecting device and a reference member. The detecting device irradiates a recording material with light and detects the light from the recording material. The reference member has a reference portion detectable by the detecting device in order to correct the output from the detecting device. The reference member is capable of moving from a position where the reference portion is detected by the detecting device. The reference member is moved by the recording material. Since a driving unit such as a motor is not necessary, the cost of the apparatus body can be dramatically reduced, and the apparatus structure can be dramatically simplified.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a platen; a document cover mounted to be opened/closed on the platen; a document reader provided in relation to the platen, for reading an image of a document placed on the platen; an opening/closing detector provided in relation to the platen and the document cover, for detecting opening/closing of the document cover; an operation panel designating how the read document is to be arranged at the time of output; a document output device arranging and outputting the document images read by the document reader, in accordance with the arrangement designated by the operation panel; and a reading operation controller inhibiting document reading, when a specific arrangement of document images is designated by the operation panel and opening/closing operation of the document cover is not detected by the opening/closing detector.

Abstract: An image reader includes: an average calculation unit which calculates an average DAV of pixel values of pixels existing in an area corresponding to a striped image in a document image read by a scanning unit; a judgment unit which judges whether the average DAV is a value between judgment reference values DL and DH where (DL<DAV<DH); and a correction unit which executes replacement processing to replace a pixel value of each pixel in an area corresponding to the striped image with to a pixel value calculated based on a pixel value of a peripheral pixel if DL<DAV<DH is not satisfied and maintains the pixel value of each pixel in the area corresponding to the striped image without performing the replacement processing if DL<DAV<DH is satisfied.

Abstract: An image reader includes a platen, a display section and a reading section. The platen holds a document thereon. The display section displays a display image and is located on the platen. The reading section reads a document image of the document placed on the platen and is provided in opposition to the platen.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an image reading portion that moves in a predetermined direction. The image reading portion includes an image reading sensor that reads an image on a sheet. The image reading apparatus also includes a sheet feeder that feeds the sheet, a first transparent member with a reference surface that supports the sheet thereon, and a second transparent member that contacts the sheet fed by the sheet feeder. The second transparent member is positioned in an inclined position with respect to the reference surface of the first transparent member. The image reading portion moves along a lower surface of the first transparent member and a lower surface of the second transparent member.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes: a supply section that supplies image data; an image-forming section that forms on a continuous sheet a toner image according to the image data; a conveyor section that conveys the continuous sheet; and a control section that controls operations of the conveyor section and the image-forming section. If a first toner image according to first image data and a second toner image according to second image data are formed on the continuous sheet, the control section controls conveyance of the continuous sheet so as not to be halted until the second toner image is formed if the second image data is supplied before a predetermined time period elapses from when the first toner image is formed, or so as to be stopped if the second image data is not supplied before the predetermined time period elapses from when the first toner image is formed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus provided with an image forming section forming a reference mark at the position being away from the leading edge of the front surface of a sheet by a prescribed length, and forming an image for the front surface based on the forming position of the reference mark, a transfer sheet reversing section reversing the sheet, a leading edge detection sensor detecting the leading edge of the rear surface of the sheet and a mark detection sensor detecting the forming position of the reference mark on the sheet based on the leading edge of the rear surface of the transfer sheet, and the image forming section forms an image on the rear surface of the transfer sheet based on the forming position of the reference mark on the sheet whose reference point is the leading edge of the rear surface of the transfer sheet.

Abstract: Multiple images are combined where the images exhibit variations in illumination between one another. The images are of the same portion of an object, and each image is represented by a set of image data. A comparative data transform is applied to each set of image data, such that the transformed comparative image data isolates and preserves first variations in the illumination between the images but suppresses second differences in illumination between the images. At least one normalization transform is determined from the transformed comparative image data sets. When applied to at least one of the image data sets, the at least one normalization transform minimizes the variation in illumination between the image data sets. Each determined normalization transform is applied to the at least one of the image data sets. The normalized sets of image data are transformed to a single image of the portion of the object.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a feeding portion that feeds an original or a recording medium, a reading portion that reads an original, and a recording portion that performs recording on a recording medium. The original or recording medium fed from the feeding portion can be selectively conveyed to the reading portion or the recording portion, thereby allowing for compactness of the apparatus as well as cost reduction.

Abstract: A structure for holding an optical component, includes: first and second flat plate portions provided in a state where the portions stand on a base plate, opposed to each other in a state where the flat plate portions are coupled to each other, and constituting first and second hierarchies, respectively; first and second positioning portions that are provided at the first flat plate portion, and that determine positions of directions of first and second coordinate axes of first, second, and third coordinate axes that intersect with each other; a third positioning portion that is provided at the second flat plate portion, and that determines a position of a direction of the third coordinate axis of the first, second, and third coordinate axes that intersect with each other; and a holding portion coupled to the first flat plate portion or the second flat plate portion, and holding the optical component.

Abstract: Provided is an electronic album image forming apparatus having a scanner function, which includes an electronic album unit for displaying, selecting and editing a digital image; a print unit for printing a digital image selected in the electronic album unit; and a scan unit for scanning an original document and converting it into a digital image.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a document positioning plate configured to position a document thereon, a document pressing unit which is attached to the document positioning plate to be openable and closable, a reading sensor which is movably arranged in a main body of the apparatus and configured to read an image of the document positioned on the document positioning plate, and a restricting unit configured to engage with the reading sensor to restrict a movement of the reading sensor, wherein the restricting unit has a lever which is provided in the document pressing unit in a rotatable and storable manner and urged in a direction in which the lever is stored and restricts the movement of the reading sensor in a state that the document pressing unit is closed and the lever is inserted into the main body of the apparatus, and when the document pressing unit is opened from the restricting state, the lever is pulled out from the main body of the apparatus to release the restriction and urged to be stored

Abstract: The present invention aims to prevent a problem that an image on a document sheet is erased due to misdetection of a line-shaped noise. A copy machine 1 compares RGB values of a target pixel with averaged RGB values (Step S103). If only one of the RGB values has a difference that is greater than a prescribed value Ref2 (Step S103: YES), the copy machine 1 extracts the target pixel as a line-shaped noise pixel, and moves to a line-shaped noise correction (Step S108) while holding the address of the target pixel in a line-shaped noise address storing area 49b. If two of the RGB values have differences (Step S103: NO, Step S104: YES) and a difference between these two of the RGB values is no greater than a prescribed value Ref3 (Step S105: YES), the copy machine 1 extracts the target pixel as a line-shaped noise pixel, and moves to the line-shaped noise correction (Step S108) while holding the address of the target pixel in the line-shaped noise address storing area 49b.

Abstract: An image reading device and an image forming apparatus having the same that can increase a scan quality by improving mounting positions of units to read information recorded on a document and a mounting structure of a light shielding member. The image reading device may include a first reading unit to read image information recorded on a first surface of a document, a second reading unit disposed at a predetermined distance from the first reading unit along a document feeding direction to read image information recorded on a second surface of the document, and at least one light shielding member mounted between the first reading unit and the second reading unit along the document feeding direction. The light shielding member may extend in a direction different from the document feeding direction such that one end portion is located in a document feeding path. The light shielding member may be provided with a document guide portion to guide the document.

Abstract: An auto document feeding device causes an original document passing through an OUT path and an original document passing through an IN path to flow together with overlap a trailing edge of a preceding original document and a leading edge of a following original document. Before the original documents reach to a READ document glass, the auto document feeding device comprises a separating unit configured to separate an overlapping portion of the original documents. The auto document feeding device reduces a distance between the preceding original document and the following original document passing on the READ document glass to nearly 0 mm.

Abstract: When an auto document feeder feeds an original to an original image reading platen, a CCD line sensor reads the original along the main scanning direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the original. A string detection circuit detects a streak parallel to the feeding direction in the image. A string correction circuit corrects the detected streak. In particular, for a predetermined number of sub-scanning positions that are located in the same main scanning position as the main scanning position at which the streak has been detected by the string detection circuit and that exist subsequent to the sub-scanning position at which the streak has been detected, correction is performed by the string correction circuit even when no streak is detected by the string detection circuit.

Abstract: The lengths of an OUT path and an IN path are made longer than the length of a document of a main size in a traveling direction. The document of the main size stands by for conveyance in a direction of a READ document glass in a state where the entire document is contained in the OUT path or the IN path. The entrance speed of the document into the OUT path or the IN path is equal to the read speed of a scanner. The leading edge of a subsequent document is overlapped on the trailing edge of a preceding document, and the document is conveyed to the READ document glass.

Abstract: An image forming system including: an image reading portion which reads an image of an original; an image forming portion which forms the image on a sheet based on image information read by the image reading portion; and a storing device which stores the original before the image is read, the original after the image is read, and the sheet on which the image has been formed based on the image information, wherein the storing device is detachable from the image forming system.

Abstract: An image reader feeds a document to read document information at a still position from below a glass platen. The image reader is configured to include a document feeder unit feeding a document in a predetermined direction, a glass platen provided below the document feeder unit, an illumination unit provided on or above the glass platen and including a surface light source which is long in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction and illuminates the document, and a document reader unit reading document information at a still position from below the glass platen. Such an image reader can illuminate documents efficiently with less electric power and achieve thinning of the illumination unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently scanning a duplex document in which a scan unit sequentially scans both sides of a sheet of a duplex document by moving the sheet across a reader, and a reverse output unit to output the sheet after turning over the sheet. Therefore, since the sheet of a document can be fed and scanned while the second side of the previous sheet of the document is scanned, scanning time can be reduced. Particularly, the reduction in scanning time is very useful when multiple sheets of a duplex document need to be scanned.

Abstract: A duplex scanning apparatus includes an automatic document feeder and a flatbed image scanner. The automatic document feeder includes a document feeder case, a scanning glass plate and a first light source. The flatbed image scanner includes a scanner case, a glass platform, a second light source and a scanning module. The scanning glass plate and the first light source are included in the automatic document feeder of the duplex scanning apparatus, so that the scanning operation is performed in the automatic document feeder.

Abstract: An image data combining apparatus combines m lines of image data that have been output from a reading unit. The reading unit outputs m lines of image data based upon the pixel data that has been output upon being divided into the plurality of lines, and stored then in a memory. An upper address for accessing the memory is decided based upon first data indicating position, along the sub-scan direction, of an image that has been read by the reading unit, and a lower address for accessing the memory is decided based upon second data indicating position of the image along the main-scan direction. For the lower address utilizes values in which the sequence of a plurality of bits constituting the first data is interchanged, so that p items of pixel data at a time are extracted successively from each of the m lines of image data.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image capturing system, and a controller communicatively coupled to the image capturing system. A scanner body has a scanner opening. The image capturing system is located adjacent the scanner opening. An LCD document glass is adjacent to the scanner opening. The LCD document glass is communicatively coupled to the controller. The LCD document glass is controlled to be in a transparent state wherein the LCD document glass is clear and a translucent state wherein the LCD document glass is darkened.

Abstract: An image compensating method. First, multiple scanning lines are used to scan a document and a longitudinal black and white pattern, in order to produce the actual gray level value for multiple pixels with respect to each of the scanning lines and the document, as well as a correctional gray level value for complete black and a correctional gray level value for complete white with respect to the longitudinal black and white pattern. Then, the compensational gray level value with respect to the actual gray level value for each of the pixels is obtained according to the correctional gray level value for complete black, the correctional gray level value for complete white, the theoretical gray level value for complete black, the theoretical gray level value for complete white, and the actual gray level value for each of the pixels. Then, the procedure is complete.

Abstract: An electrophotographic device includes a scanning unit, at least one media output option for receiving a media sheet, and at least one light source for emitting a light beam to at least partially illuminate a media sheet receiving portion of the at least one media output tray. The media output tray is vertically stacked below the scanning unit. Still further, a user alert display is provided to alert a user to the presence of a media sheet in the output tray. A sensor detects a media sheet received in the output tray, and activates the light source and optionally the user alert display. The media output option may include a plurality of output trays, each output tray having a dedicated light source, user alert display, and sensor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided that holds counter information obtained by integrating a consumption of a consumable that depends on usage of service provided by the image forming apparatus. A log corresponding to the usage of the service is set in job log information with a synchronization flag set off. The log in the job log information, for which the synchronization flag is set off, is set on. The counter information and the job log information are output after the synchronization flag for the log having the synchronization flag set off has been set on.

Abstract: An image-capturing device including a body, an optical module and an upper cover is provided. The body has an upper surface and a first inclined plane, wherein the upper surface has an image-capturing area, and the first inclined plane is connected and located adjacent to the upper surface. The optical module is movably disposed in the body and is for capturing an image of a document inside the image-capturing area. The upper cover has a lower surface and a second inclined plane, wherein the second inclined plane is connected and located adjacent to the lower surface. When the upper cover is closed upon the body, the second inclined plane is placed atop the first inclined plane. The included angle between the second inclined plane and the lower surface is at least equal to the included angle between the first inclined plane and the upper surface and less than 180 degrees.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance device has a sheet conveyance path formed by a guide member having a curved surface which is curved in a sheet conveyance direction, and a flexible sheet scanner is provided along the curved surface of the guide member, the flexible sheet scanner has an optical sensor layer in which photoelectric conversion devices formed by combinations of organic transistors and organic photodiodes are continuously arranged in a matrix shape.

Abstract: The image read-out device comprises an integrally formed scanning optical unit in which a light source which emits light toward a document, a plurality of reflective mirrors reflecting the light which is emitted from the light source to the document and then reflected, an image forming lens converging the light reflected by a final reflective mirror which finally reflects the light, among the plurality of mirrors, and a light receiving sensor for receiving the light converged by the image forming lens are integrally mounted on a housing, the integrally formed scanning optical unit moving in a scanning direction and reading out an image of the document, wherein an opening is provided on each of top and bottom surfaces of the housing, and wherein the area of the opening provided on the bottom surface is equal or more than that of the opening provided on the top surface.

Abstract: A scanner device includes a scanner body formed with a document insertion opening and a document ejection opening and is configured so that a document taken in from the document insertion opening is read and then ejected from the document ejection opening. The scanner device further includes an upper surface cover covering the upper surface of the scanner body and a front surface cover covering the front surface of the scanner body. The front cover is connected at a lower end side thereof to the lower front part of the scanner body and connected at an upper end side thereof to pivotably connected to the front end side of the upper surface cover. By opening the front surface cover from the front surface of the scanner body, the upper surface cover and front surface cover form a document ejection tray.