Abstract: In an image reading device, a reading unit scans first rectangle regions located within a maximum reading area equivalent to a maximum size of a document that can be scanned and acquires image data from the first rectangle regions. A transporting unit moves the reading unit to the first rectangle regions in a direction of movement opposite to a direction of movement in normal document reading. A document size judging unit detects whether a document exists in each first rectangle region based on the image data acquired by the reading unit and a predetermined threshold, so that a size of the document is judged. The reading unit is arranged to scan second rectangle regions located outside the maximum reading area, the second rectangles being different from the first rectangle regions, and acquire image data from the second rectangle regions.

Abstract: An image reader and an image forming apparatus are provided. The image reader includes a stationary document scanning device; a moving document scanning device; a scan window; a document cover covering the scan window and comprising an opening located at a position facing the scan window; a document feeding mechanism which is disposed at the document cover and feeds a document through the opening in the document cover and onto the scan window when the document is to be scanned by the moving document scanning device; an image pickup device configured to read an image from the scan window; and a controller which detects edges of the stationary document based on image data read by the image pickup device, and performs an image data defining operation to determine image data, which is included within the detected edges of the document, as exact image data.

Abstract: A full-zone optical image addressing apparatus, including an addressing device, an image extraction converter, a comparator, an AND gate and a counter. The addressing device is located at the enclosure of the scanner and includes a plurality of geometric patterns. Each of the geometric patterns includes a plurality of rows of pixels. While receiving an exposure signal, the image extraction converter extracts one row of pixels from the addressing device, such that a series of analog signals is obtained and output to the comparator. The comparator then compares the series of analog signals to an analog critical voltage to output a series of analog comparison signals to the AND gate. The AND gate synchronously processes the series of analog comparison signals and a pixel rate clock to output the pixel data corresponding to the extracted row of pixels to the counter.

Abstract: An image scanning device including: a conveyance path which conveys originals; a first scanning means and a second scanning means which are placed such that they sandwich the conveyance path; and a white reference member used for adjusting the white levels of the scanning means; wherein at least one of the first scanning means, the second scanning means and the white reference member is movable; the first scanning means and the second scanning means can scan the same surface of said white reference member since the first scanning means or the second scanning means is moved or the white reference member is moved.

Abstract: A document feeding section, a CCD which reads one side of a document conveyed by the document feeding section, a CIS which reads the other side of the document, a reversing mechanism which reverses the document, a document discharging tray, a first document conveying passage which connects a document tray and the CCD, a reverse document conveying passage which connects the CCD and the reversing mechanism, a re-conveying document conveying passage which connects the reversing mechanism and the first document conveying passage, and a discharging document conveying passage which branches out from the reverse document conveying passage and is connected to the document sheet-discharging tray, are provided, and a CIS which reads the other side of the document is provided in the discharging document conveying passage.

Abstract: A system and methodology enables the scanning of multiple documents in a single pass of a flat bed scanner. Multiple documents are placed on the scanner surface with a predetermined amount of vertical and horizontal spacing separating the documents. The scanning device is enabled to detect and open separate windows for each of the multiple documents and selectively present a preview of the image to the user. User selections allow the multiple documents to be created as multiple separate documents or files.

Abstract: An external device configuration apparatus includes a scanner controlling unit that controls a scanner for scanning an image, an external device controlling unit that determines whether the external device is connected, and an integrated management unit that when it is determined that the external device is connected by the external device controlling unit, acquires setting information about the scanner memorized in the external device and configures the setting for scanning of the image by the scanner based on the acquired setting information.

Abstract: In an image reading apparatus, a retreat control device moves a conveyance target through a conveyance mechanism, when a stop operation is performed by a stop control device, in an opposite direction to an image reading direction to a position further from a restart reference position set by a position setting unit. A reading control device again moves the conveyance target, which has been moved by the retreat control device, at a constant speed in the image reading direction under a predetermined condition; inputs a line start signal to a reading unit when an offset time set by a time setting unit has elapsed from a time point when the conveyance target reaches the restart reference position; and periodically inputs a line start signal to thereby cause the reading unit to perform a reading operation from a point; where the reading unit is located when the offset time has elapsed.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an original-sheet support table and reading an image on an original sheet supported by the original-sheet support table. The original-sheet support table includes: (a) an original-sheet support surface on which the original sheet is supported; (b) a contact surface which stands up from the original-sheet support surface and is contactable with one side of the original sheet supported by the original-sheet support surface; and (c) at least one guide mark which is provided in the contact surface. The original sheet is positioned on the original-sheet support surface in a state in which the one side of the original sheet is held in contact with the contact surface of the original-sheet support table and one end of the one side of the original sheet is aligned with the at least one guide mark.

Abstract: An image reading device including (1) a transparent member having an image reading area, (2) a line sensor that moves in a line sensor moving direction, which is perpendicular to a reading line direction of the line sensor, (3) a first supporting structure that supports, at opposite ends of the image reading area in the line sensor moving direction, the transparent member such that the transparent member is not deformed with respect to the reading line direction when an external force is applied to the transparent member, and (4) a second supporting structure that supports, at opposite ends of the image reading area in the reading line direction, the transparent member such that the transparent member is movable between a first posture, where the transparent member is in a flat plate shape, and a second posture, where the transparent member is bent with respect to the line sensor moving direction.

Abstract: A light source unit and reader can include a line light source that is attached to a radiator and a rod lens that is attached above the line light source. The radiator with the line light source and the rod lens attached thereto, and a linear strip-shaped reflector arranged in front of the rod lens, are housed in a carriage. The carriage is supported beneath a contact glass and movable in a direction normal to a longitudinal axis of the line light source. The lens has a section in a plane normal to a longitudinal axis of the lens, in which a surface of the lens facing the light source has a curved line that expands or is convexly facing toward the light source. The opposite surface of the lens from the light source has composite curves including a plurality of continuous curves with different radii of curvature. The composite curves are located on both sides of a plane containing the optical axis of the LED and expand or are convex in an opposite direction from the light source.

Abstract: Depending on processing to be executed, the processing is prevented from being restricted even if a particular image is included in image data. There is provided an image processing apparatus comprising an authentication section 67 which distinguishes a user; a particular-image judgment section 63 which detects particular images from inputted image data and judges whether or not the number of the particular images exceeds a threshold; and a threshold determination section 66 which determines a threshold according to the user and processing to be executed; and a control section 7 which restricts the processing to be executed when the number of the particular images exceeds the threshold. Depending on the importance degree of the security of the processing to be executed, the threshold determination section 66 lowers the threshold as the importance degree is higher and raises the threshold as the importance degree is lower.

Abstract: The invention claimed is a novel front feed document imaging device input tray which accommodates varying types and widths of media by providing front feed capability in a single tray attachment, and which tray can pivot out of the way of the document path by virtue of torsion springs when the user wishes to alternate media types. The input tray may be locked into position depending upon the user's requirements.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided that, is capable of physically preventing taking-out of the set document, even when a thick copy-prohibited document is set on a document reading device. The image forming apparatus is configured to place a document on a document table, and at least the document is read by closing a pivotally supported document cover portion to cover the document and the image forming apparatus comprises a read-out document determining portion and when the document is determined to be a copy-prohibited document, and prevents the document from being taken out from the document table by locking the rotation of the pivotally supported portion of the document cover.

Abstract: A power management system for a scanner device comprises an onboard power source and an interface port adapted to receive power from a remote host. The system also comprises a power manager accessible by a processor and adapted to automatically determine whether to draw power for an operating-mode from the onboard power source or the remote host.

Abstract: To provide a technology which facilitates an operation for placing a document with a larger size than a size of a document table, on the document table. A document cover is positioned at a plurality of open positions to a document table. A pivot of a document table 2 and a hinge 7 is configured by two pivots A1, A2, and a constricted portion 1b and it is configured in such a manner that, in case of setting a document with a smaller size than that of the document table 2, the pivot A2 is pivoted at a convex portion 7a of the hinge 7, and in case of setting a document with a larger size than that of the document table 2, the convex portion 7a is moved to the pivot A1 side through the constricted portion 1b, and the pivot A1 is pivoted at the convex portion 7a.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus including an image reading portion reading an image of an original placed on an original stand; an original cover pressing the original on the original stand; a plurality of hinge portions pivotally supporting the original cover with respect to the image reading portion; a plurality of opening and closing drive portions arranged in the plurality of hinge portions, respectively to open-drive and close-drive the original cover; and a control portion open-driving and close-driving the plurality of opening and closing drive portions based on different drive profiles, respectively.

Abstract: An image scanning device of the present invention includes a platen, an image scanning part that scans an image on the manuscript, a light source that irradiates light from the back side of the platen, a platen cover that is allowed to be positioned in a closed state or in an opened state, a light receiving part that is configured to receive light from the manuscript scanning area on the back side of the platen, a range obtaining part that is configured to obtain range between the amount of received light of the light receiving part in the opened state of the platen cover and the amount of received light of the light receiving part in the closed state of the platen cover, and a manuscript detecting part that is configured to detect existence of the manuscript in a manuscript scanning area of the platen based on the range.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a scanner device which scans a predetermined scan object and generates image data, the scanner device including: an image sensor which converts an optical image of the scan object into corresponding image data; a movement unit which moves a carriage having the image sensor in a sub-scan direction; a first control unit which controls the movement unit by a first control process; a second control unit which controls the movement unit by a second control process different from the first control process; and a selection unit which selects the first or the second control unit according to setting contents relating to a scan.

Abstract: An image scanner in which in scanning an image of a document placed on a scanner body, an image scanning device moves and scans the image of the document. In scanning an image of a document fed by a document feeder to the scanner body, the image scanning device moves to a predetermined scanning position and then scans the image of the document in the scanning position. When the image scanning device arrives at the scanning position, the image scanning device is pressed against a stopper that is positioned relative to the document feeder.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus which can reduce a change of color balance due to the exchange of the optical unit. The image reading apparatus comprises an original glass plate on which an original is placed, and an optical unit adapted to move in parallel to the original glass plate below the original glass plate, the optical unit comprising an illumination light source adapted to illuminate the original placed on the original glass plate, and a charge coupled device adapted to read the reflected light from the original placed on the original glass plate, and the optical unit being exchangeable with a spare optical unit. The image reading apparatus retains thickness information of the original glass tableplate. The spare optical unit retains change information of an image resolution of the image reading apparatus due to a change of an optical path length of the spare optical unit replacing the optical unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic sheet-feeding scanning apparatus having a movable guide rib device. The automatic sheet-feeding scanning apparatus includes a flatbed scanner and an automatic document feeder. The movable guide rib device is mounted in a housing of the flatbed scanner and includes a guide rib structure, at least one hollow portion, a plurality of elastic members and a fixing plate. The guide rib structure is movable upwardly or downwardly so as to avoid document damage even if the document is relatively large-sized.

Abstract: An image-reading apparatus and method for controlling the image-reading apparatus including a document plate where an original document is placed, a line image sensor that reads an image on the document plate by scanning to obtain image data, a reference-setting image that is placed outside a region of the document plate at a position where the line image sensor is able to read the reference-setting image, and a control unit configured to set a reference position when the image sensor reads the image, wherein the control unit detects the reference-setting image from the image data and, depending on a power-on state of the image-reading apparatus, selects the manner in which the reference position is set based on the reference-setting image.

Abstract: An image-reading device includes an image sensor, a clock generator, a resolution setting unit, and a resolution switching unit. The image sensor has a plurality of photodetectors arranged linearly. The clock generator generates clocks having a clock speed. The resolution setting unit sets a resolution of the image sensor. The resolution switching unit switches the resolution set by the resolution setting unit when one of the plurality of photodetectors has read a border pixel between a pixel segment inside the original document and a pixel segment outside the original document while reading one line of the original document.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a scan bar having a scanner head. A drive mechanism is drivably coupled to the scan bar. A controller is communicatively coupled to the scanner head and the drive mechanism. A scanner body has a cover defining a scanner opening in which a document glass is mounted. The scan bar is located below the cover. The scanner body has a home position opening separate from the scanner opening that passes through the cover. A scanner lid is pivotably coupled to the scanner body. The scanner lid has a home protrusion located for mating engagement with the home position opening of the scanner body when the scanner lid is closed to define a home position for the scanner head.

Abstract: An image reading device feeds a document original along a sub-scanning direction over an exposure glass. A moving unit moves to and fro in the sub-scanning direction over the exposure glass thereby causing an image reading position on the exposure glass to move. A line image sensor reads one line of an image of the document original at the image reading position in a main scanning direction, while the moving unit is moving, thereby obtaining image. A dirt determining unit determines that there is dirt on the exposure glass when a straight line appears in the main scanning direction in the image data.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus having a color line sensor and a monochromatic line sensor starts to read on the basis of the color reading start position when reading the image of a document in color and starts to read on the basis of the monochromatic reading start position when reading the image of a document in monochrome.

Abstract: A circuit module integrating a light driver and an optical scanner is capable of sensing an image of a document and driving a light source. The circuit module comprises a printed circuit board, an optical sensor and a light driver. Both the optical sensor and the light driver are mounted on and electrically connected with the printed circuit board. The optical sensor is capable of sensing the image and the light driver is capable of driving the light source.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a transparent platen supported over an inside of a tub, an elongated member situated in the tub in a horizontal plane, a plurality of biasing members operatively connected to the elongated member, and a plurality of gap-maintaining members operable to connect to an image capture module and operatively connected to the platen. The elongated member is movable within a tub in a vertical plane, to movably support an image capture module in a horizontal plane. The biasing members are operable to urge the elongated member towards the platen. The gap-maintaining members are operable to maintain a constant distance between platen and an image capture module.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an image reading unit that can move along a scanning direction, and reads primary image data from a medium arranged on a medium arrangement surface by moving the image reading unit from a home position to a sub-scanning direction. The image reading apparatus further includes a determining unit that determines the presence or absence of the medium on the medium arrangement surface based on determination image data that is different from primary image data, and read by the image reading unit at a determination position arranged between the home position and a reading-end position of the primary image data.

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: A document discarding system includes: a document discarding device that discards a document; an image reading device that is used by a client requesting to discard the document; and a document managing device that can communicate with the document discarding device and the image reading device.

Abstract: A scanning device includes a hollow housing, a holding plate mounted to an upper portion of the housing, a guiding rod mounted in the housing and spaced from the holding plate with a predetermined distance, a reading unit slidably mounted to the guiding rod, and a flexible cable received in the housing. The flexible cable has a restrictive plate and a conducting cable attached to a top of the restrictive plate. The restrictive plate has at least one long side raised upwardly. The flexible cable is received in the housing in a folding manner, with a lower end thereof where the raised side faces upwards connected to the system controller, and an upper end thereof where the raised side faces downwards connected to the reading unit, forming an inverted-U folding portion. The raised side at the folding portion is unfolded for keeping the folding portion in shape, in scanning process.

Abstract: Image-capturing apparatus meeting demands for high-image resolution and high-speed data capture during both still- and moving-document data-capture modes. Includes: a reading unit having first and second linear photoreceptors arrayed along an data capture sub-scanning direction, a delay circuit delaying output from the first photoreceptor, and an adding circuit adding delayed first-photoreceptor output to second-photoreceptor output; and a scanning unit illuminating from underneath the platen, and shiftable along it to guide linear reflected light from a document to the first and second photoreceptors. During a moving-document data-capture mode, the scanning unit is disposed in a data-capture position established at one edge of the platen to scan a document being conveyed, and when in a still-original data-capture mode, it is shifted from along the platen's opposite edge toward the one edge thereof to scan a stationary document.

Abstract: A scanning device may include a first structural member and a second structural member, a movable body that is configured to reciprocate between the first structural member and the second structural member, and a cable of which a first end is fixed to one of the first and second structural members and a second end fixed to the movable body. The cable may have a curved portion between the first end and the second end thereof. The scanning device may further include an elastic member of which a first end portion is fixed to one of the first and second structural members to which the first end of the cable is fixed, and a second end portion is engaged to the curved portion. The elastic member may be configured to elastically urge the cable in a direction opposite to the curving direction of the curved portion.

Abstract: In the so-called sky-shot in which reading is performed with a platen cover (32) open, an output signal of a read image is compared with a white reference value generated from a white reference member (40). Only if a value greater than or equal to the white reference value exists in the output signal of the read image, a reading operation to be performed with a light source unit in an image sensor unit (33) turned off during an original (34) reading operation is added to each scan line reading operation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a document reading unit for reading a document on a table or at a predetermined reading position to which the document is transported by a document feeder and an interrupt key for receiving an interrupt job. When a user turns on the interrupt key, an inquiry whether a document for an interrupt job is read on a table or at a predetermined reading position to which the document is transported by the document feeder is displayed on a liquid crystal display. When the user selects either one of them, an interrupt process is executed.

Abstract: An original-document illumination apparatus includes an illuminated face on which an original-document is placed. The original-document illumination apparatus also includes a light-source unit having a plurality of light-emitting elements which are arranged along the main-scanning direction of the original-document and which illuminate the original-document. The light source unit is movable in a sub-scanning direction that is orthogonal to the main-scanning direction. In addition, the original-document illumination apparatus includes a lens array disposed between the illuminated face and the light-source unit, and having a plurality of convergent lenses. A luminous flux from each of the light-emitting elements of the light-source unit is radiated onto the illuminated face through each of the lenses of the lens array.

Abstract: A scan bar for scanning a media sheet in an image scanning device and a method for scanning the media sheet in the image scanning device are disclosed. The scan bar comprises a sensor arrangement and a lens arrangement. The sensor arrangement comprises a first sensor region and a second sensor region. Light reflected from the media sheet is focused by the lens arrangement onto the sensor arrangement. Each of the first sensor region and the second sensor region is capable of generating image data corresponding to the media sheet from the focused light received from the lens arrangement for scanning the media sheet. The image data generated by the first sensor region is of relatively higher resolution than image data generated by the second sensor region.

Abstract: To provide an image reading apparatus enabling a long light source inside the image reading apparatus to be uniformly cooled in the main scanning direction with a simplified structure without increasing the number of components of the apparatus.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a reading table having a transparent plate having an exposed area which constitutes a part of an outer surface of the table exposed to the exterior, and on which a document with an image thereon is placed; a document holding member movable relative to the table and between a closed and an open position, and thus holding the document and covering the plate; a scanning device disposed on a side of the plate opposite to the side on which the document is placed on the plate, the scanning device being reciprocated in a direction along the plate; an image reading device mounted in the scanning device and including a light source, the reading device emitting light from the light source toward the document on the plate, and receiving the reflected light from the document, to read the image thereby; a control unit controlling reading by the reading device, and a reciprocating movement of the scanning device; a reference member disposed within the exposed area, and used as a referen

Abstract: A hand held mobile communication device includes a housing, a scanner disposed on one surface of the housing and a display provided on an opposed surface of the housing, whereby an image being scanned by the scanner is displayed on the display. A second housing may be provided and attached to the first housing with a hinge that enables 360 degree rotation of one housing relative to another. The device is employable for managing printed documents by scanning them with the scanner, viewing scanned documents on the display and transmitting the documents in a digital format to a remote location. A second display is also provided on an outer surface of the second housing. The device includes a camera for capturing still images and another camera for capturing video. Operating keys are employed and provide for one step operation of various features of the device.

Abstract: A hinge apparatus for a cover of an image forming apparatus has a hinge body with supporting brackets, movably inserted into a coupling hole positioned in a main body of the image forming apparatus, a hinge cam connected to the cover and pivotably connected to the supporting brackets, and a pressure device disposed at the hinge body to press the hinge cam. Accordingly, the hinge apparatus can be implemented with a simple and easy assembly operation, since it is not a complicated structural connection among the component parts of the hinge apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is capable of accurately reading out a document without various data transmission between a document feeding section and a document reading section. The reading position setter sets a fresh document reading position (RP3) at a position where no foreign object (F) adheres. A shift distance calculator calculates a shift distance (Z) between an upstream-most reading position (RP2) and the refresh document reading position (RP3). A delay time calculator calculates delay time based on the calculated shift distance (Z). A start signal sender instructs the document reading section to start reading a document (P) when the leading end of the document (P) reaches the upstream-most reading position (RP2). An ASIC outputs the instruction to start reading the document to an A/D with a delay of the feed delay time found by the delay time calculator to instruct an image sensor to start reading the document (P).

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus relating to a media interaction device drive system having at least one reduced dimension are disclosed.

Abstract: A box for an image reading apparatus, the box comprising a box body and a reinforcing member, the box body comprising a rectangular frame and a base plate fixed to the rectangular frame, and the reinforcing member being attached to the box body. The reinforcing member has a downwardly drawn area, upwardly drawn areas which are adjacent to the downwardly drawn area on front side and rear side for placing a reading block without interfering with the movement of an original document scanning unit and a cutout portion for disposing at least an image processing unit formed from the downwardly drawn area to end-of-scan side in the subscanning direction of the box body. An image reading apparatus having reduced thickness is provided by employing this box. An image forming apparatus in which height position of the image reading apparatus is set to such a height position that allows easy operation is provided.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a test chart is provided. First, a reference scanning device scans a reference test chart to obtain a plurality of reference optical density (OD) values. The reference test chart includes a plurality of reference blocks. Then, the reference scanning device scans a test chart to obtain a plurality of first OD values. The test chart includes a plurality of blocks, which corresponds to the reference blocks. Next, a compensation function derived from respectively converting the first OD values into the reference OD values is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention is about an apparatus for scanning an object. The apparatus comprises an image capture module having a lens and a sensors array for capturing light after scanning the object. There are light sources comprising a visible light source and an infrared light source. Next, a key module of the present invention is a first translation module connected with the lens and the sensors array. The first translation module is-used for changing a first location of the lens and a second location of the sensors array according to using different the light sources so as to improve some optical characteristics, such as aberration resulting from different wavelengths of light sources. A power module connects with the first translation module and the light sources for supporting energy to the first translation module and the light sources. Moreover, a second translation module connects with the light sources and the image capture module, and the second translation driven by the power module.

Abstract: A four-line CCD sensor is structured by line sensors R, G, B in which color filters are respectively disposed on surfaces of light receiving elements, and a line sensor BK at which no color filter is disposed. Amplitudes of signals which are outputted from the line sensors R, G, B at a time of reading a color document, and an amplitude of a signal which is outputted from the line sensor BK at a time of reading a monochrome document are adjusted so as to be substantially equal to one another. In a case in which a color document is read, outputs of the line sensors R, G, B are selectively provided, and in a case in which a monochrome document is read, output of the line sensor BK is selectively provided.

Abstract: A slide securing device, using in a flatbed scanner, includes a frame and a securing cell. The securing cell comprises an aperture, a first securing clip, a second securing clip, a first securing groove, a second securing groove, a picking portion, a first support member and a second support member. The slide securing device utilizes proper clips for holding slides. Thus, the scanner can directly scan the secured slides by predetermined parameters and reset mode, in order to save scanning time. Further, the securing grooves maintains slides at a fixed height to improve the scanning quality.