Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to facilitate visually grasping the progress of reading during reading of a plurality of images. To accomplish this, when placing a plurality of images on an original table and scanning and reading them, display is made to allow a user to grasp which image on a preview screen corresponds to the image under scan. In addition, after the start of main scan, the user can designate an image on the preview screen and cancel scan of the image and change the scan sequence.

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: An image reading apparatus includes a light source unit, an image sensor, an attenuator, an analog processor and an A/D converter. The attenuator generates a second analog signal by voltage-dividing a first analog signal by two resistors. The analog processor generates a third analog signal by amplifying the second analog signal with a predetermined gain. The A/D converter converts the third analog signal into a digital signal. A voltage-dividing ratio of the attenuator is not higher than a ratio of a maximum value of the amplitude of a signal inputtable to the analog processor to a maximum value of the amplitude of a signal having a possibility of being output from the image sensor.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus includes a base, a transparent plate, a guide rod disposed between the base and the transparent plate, an optical sensor module, and a carrier mounted on the guide rod and including a first support bracket to place the optical sensor module thereto and having a first pivot connecting portion, a second support bracket having a second pivot connecting portion connected pivotally to the first pivot connecting portion, and an elastic member disposed between the first and second support brackets and biasing upwardly the first support bracket so as to keep the optical sensor module in constant contact with the transparent plate.

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: A recording apparatus includes a recording processing unit that crosses a supporting stage; and a Y axis movement unit that causes the recording processing unit to move. The Y axis movement unit includes a guide rail of a reference side and a guide rail of a following side that support the recording processing unit to be free sliding; a first rail attachment base, which is fixed to the supporting stage, and to which the guide rail of the reference side is attached; and a second rail attachment base, which is fixed to the supporting stage, and to which the guide rail of the following side is attached. The first rail attachment base includes an attachment reference portion, and the load that the first rail attachment base receives from the recording processing unit is greater than that received by the second rail attachment base.

Abstract: A media processing device improves the recognition rate of magnetic ink character data from magnetic ink characters printed on a medium. The media processing device 1 has a magnetic reading unit 41 that acquires the magnetic data of magnetic ink characters S2 from a check S1; and a front image scanner unit 25 that exposes the check S1 to a front image scanning light and acquires front image data. When at least a magnetic data read command to read magnetic ink characters S2 is received from a computer 80, the front image scanner unit 25 is set to a front image scanning mode 11 that acquires front image data using infrared light as the front image data. The check processing device 1 acquires the magnetic data and front image data, and sends the acquired data to the computer 80. The computer 80 recognizes the magnetic ink characters S2.

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: An image reading apparatus comprising: a reading unit; a feeding unit; a carriage; a motor-side transmission gear for transmitting power from a motor; a feeding unit-side transmission gear for transmitting the power to the feeding unit in a feeding reading of reading an image of the document fed by the feeding unit; a carriage-side transmission gear for transmitting the power to the carriage in a moving reading of reading an image of the document while moving the carriage; a switching gear configured to be switched between a feeding unit-side position and a carriage-side position; a sensor; and a control device configured to, when it is determined that the jam has occurred, drive the motor in a direction of releasing a meshed state between the feeding unit-side transmission gear and the switching gear.

Abstract: A scanner having at least one media lift device is disclosed. The scanner has a transparent scanning platen with a flat to surface. The media left device is bonded to the flat top surface. The media lift device forms a raised area on the top of the flat surf and wets the transparent scanning platen.

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 scanning apparatus includes a scanning unit which scans paper, a paper transfer unit which transfers the paper to the scanning unit using a BLDC (Brushless DC) motor, a sensor unit which senses driving information of the BLDC motor, a scan controlling unit which controls operations of the scanning unit, and generates a control command including information regarding a driving direction of the BLDC motor, a driving signal unit which generates a driving signal for controlling the BLDC motor, and a digital controlling unit which controls operations of the driving signal unit in a digital method based on a generated control command, sensed driving information and a digital gain value according to a driving direction of the BLDC motor.

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 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-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 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: 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: A method and apparatus are provided for recognizing characters in a portable terminal with a scan module. Scanned image data is generated by the scan module by scanning a scan target through a scanning-light input/output panel provided on an external surface of the portable terminal as the portable terminal moves across the scan target. Part of the scanned image data is deleted when a current moving speed of the portable terminal is less than a lower limit of an optimal scan speed range, and character recognition is performed on remaining scanned image data. Image data most similar to the scanned image data is detected from a previously stored correction image database when the current moving speed is greater than an upper limit of the optimal scan speed range, and characters corresponding to the detected image data are output as character recognition results.

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: 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 image reader unit that has a plurality of light receiving elements for reading an image on an original, and moves relative to a frame for applying a pressing force to a read-target surface of the original; and a driven roller that is rotatable, comes into contact with the original, and moves relative to the frame and independent of the image reader unit in a direction in which the image reader unit applies the pressing force to the original, thereby applying a pressing force to the original independent of the image reader unit.

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 having light emitting unit for irradiating light onto a original, reflected light detector light reflected by the original after the original is irradiated by the light emitting unit, outside light detector disposed in an area outside the area in which light reflected by the original enters the reflected light detector and reflected light correcting unit for correcting detection result data detected the reflected light detector based on outside light detected by the outside light detector. An image reading head having light emitting unit, which irradiates, a original with light, and a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a row having a length longer than a length of the light emitting unit.

Abstract: An image reading device includes a reading unit having a light-receiving unit and a light-emitting unit emitting a plurality of lights of different colors toward a reading position. An opposing member is disposed opposite the reading unit with the reading position interposed therebetween. The controller controls the light-emitting unit to emit the lights and the light-receiving unit to receive the lights thereby acquiring an intensity of each light. The controller determines that a sheet is not present when relationships among intensities of the plurality of lights are same as the first intensity relationships. The first intensity relationships are defined by intensities of the plurality of lights reflected by the opposing member and received by the light-receiving unit. The first intensity relationships are different from intensity relationships of the plurality of lights reflected by a sheet present at the reading position and received by the light-receiving unit.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus includes a document holder and a scanner module movably installed in the document holder, A multi-function apparatus may further include the image scanning apparatus. While the scanner module passes over the lower side of a document guide provided between a first glass and a second glass provided at the document holder, spacers installed at opposite ends of the scanner module are moved downward by guide members provided at the document guide, thereby preventing spacer portions provided at an upper end of the respective spacers from being caught by the document guide.

Abstract: A reading apparatus includes a reading unit and a movement-restriction unit that restricts a movement of the reading unit. The reading unit includes a reading portion for reading an image, a holding portion that holds the reading portion. The holding portion has a first surface. The reading unit further includes a sliding portion that moves in contact with the movement-restriction unit. The sliding portion has a second surface facing the first surface. A first region is provided between the first surface of the holding portion and the second surface of the sliding portion so as to form a predetermined gap.

Abstract: Provided is a light guide, in which: at least one of a reflecting part or a light exit part has a light condensing action in a direction intersecting a predetermined direction; the at least one of the reflecting part or the light exit part includes diffusing parts arranged in the predetermined direction; the diffusing parts include: a first curved surface having a first degree of diffusion in the predetermined direction for a sparse region of light sources; and a second curved surface having a second degree of diffusion, which is lower than the first degree of diffusion, in the predetermined direction for a dense region of the light sources; and each of the first curved surface and the second curved surface has a shape corresponding to a part of a cylinder extending in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction in which the light sources are arrayed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a large-format scanning system (1) comprising at least two image acquisition elements (2) in a cascade arrangement, at least one platen, preferably a glass plate (3), arranged upstream thereof, and at least two reflector rolls (5) arranged opposite the at least two image acquisition elements (2) in a cascade arrangement, said reflector rolls being pressed against the glass plate (3) and/or a copy (4) to be scanned by means of resilient elements (6) that are arranged at the sides of the reflector rolls (5). According to the invention, the side portions (7) of the reflector rolls (5) are designed such that they touch the glass plate (3) only outside the reading area of the image acquisition elements (2) for the copy to be scanned (4) and that the copy to be scanned (4) rests on the glass plate (3) in the center area (8) of the reflector rolls (5).

Abstract: A scanner apparatus includes: a holder configured to hold a line sensor unit; a first spacer and a second spacer disposed on both sides of the line sensor unit in a longitudinal direction and configured to come into contact with the transparent plate; and a biasing unit configured to press the holder toward the transparent plate between the first spacer and the second spacer in the longitudinal direction. The line sensor unit and the holder are coupled together on both sides of the biasing unit in the longitudinal direction. A force applied to the holder by the biasing unit is transmitted from the holder through two coupling portions to the line sensor unit, thereby biasing the first spacer and the second spacer to the transparent plate.

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

Abstract: An image reading apparatus including a feed mechanism configured to feed a sheet member; a scanner including a reading portion and being configured to read an image on a surface of the sheet member in synchronism with the feeding of the sheet member by the feed mechanism; a cleaning sheet comprising a single sheet including a cleaning portion configured to clean the reading portion, and a reference portion configured to be used in evaluating contamination of the reading portion; an evaluator configured to evaluate the contamination of the reading portion based on read data pertaining to an image of the reference portion of the cleaning sheet read by the scanner; and a controller configured to control the feed mechanism to execute a cleaning operation in which the cleaning sheet is fed so that the cleaning portion cleans the reading portion based on the evaluation of the evaluator.

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 scanning device including a body, a transparent cover, a scanning module, a flat-cable and a pressing unit is provided. The body has a space, a first inner-side and a second inner-side. The transparent cover covers on the body to hide the space. The scanning module disposed in the space is capable of moving back and forth between the first and the second inner-sides. The flat-cable is disposed in the space and connected with the scanning module and the body. The pressing unit is pivotally connected on the scanning module with a side thereof, so that another side of the pressing unit without being pivotally connected on the scanning module leans against on the flat-cable through the weight itself to suppress the flat-cable, so as to prevent the flat-cable from contacting with the transparent cover when the scanning module moves back and forth between the first and the second inner-sides.

Abstract: A scanner assembly comprising the following components. A scan module having a first surface and configured to receive an image oriented along the first surface. A carriage having a thickness no thicker than a thickness of the scan module perpendicular to the first surface, the carriage configured to receive the scan module and to move the scan module in a direction of travel. A v-bearing coupled to the carriage proximate to one end of the carriage and protruding from the carriage in a direction perpendicular to the first surface. A scan base having a groove and configured to receive the v-bearing. A belt drive configured to move the v-bearing in the groove of the scan base.

Abstract: Image scanning apparatus and method of receiving a new scan job, determining whether the new scan job is a multi-scan job, and when the new scan job is a multi-scan job, individually performing the multi-scan job using the plurality of scan units. Accordingly, in the process of performing a scan job, a user can perform a new scan job without waiting.

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: An image processing device includes an image scanning unit, a first paper feed cassette, and an image recording unit. The image scanning unit scans a document placed on a document scanning surface, which defines a maximum document size. The first paper feed cassette accommodates recording paper of a size up to a first size, which is the same as the maximum document size. The image recording unit records an image on the recording paper. The maximum document size is defined by a scan maximum main scanning length and a scan maximum sub-scanning length that is preferably shorter than the scan maximum main scanning length. A record main scanning direction is parallel or substantially parallel to a long side of the recording paper of the first size accommodated in the first paper feed cassette. A scan main scanning direction is parallel or substantially parallel to the record main scanning direction.

Abstract: A scanner apparatus comprises a transparent platen having a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side, and an optical sensor unit positioned adjacent the bottom side of the transparent platen. The optical sensor unit scans an image of at least one item placed on the top side of the platen to produce an electronic scanned image of the item. Further, a weight sensor unit is connected to the transparent platen. The weight sensor unit senses the weight of the item placed on the top side of the platen to produce an item weight. A processor is operatively connected to the optical sensor unit and to the weight sensor unit. The processor combines the electronic scanned image of the item and the item weight to produce image and weight data, and the processor outputs the image and weight data.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a base section; a reading unit; a movable body; a drive unit; and a cable. The movable body supports the reading unit and reciprocates between first and second end positions in a first direction. The drive unit is disposed on a first side where the first end position is located. The cable has one end portion fixed to a base wall of the base section and another end portion connected to the reading unit. The cable includes: a first elongated portion extending from the one end portion; a curved portion extending from the first elongated portion toward a second side where the second end position is located and then curving toward the first side; and a second elongated portion connected to the another end portion. The curved portion has a part overlapping with the drive unit in the first direction.

Abstract: An image reading device, which can be included in an image forming apparatus, includes an image pickup device, a transparent member, a traveling body, and a housing. The traveling body includes a light source to emit light and guides the light reflected from a surface of the document to the image pickup device while moving in a sub scanning direction along the document surface on the transparent member. The housing accommodates the image pickup device and the traveling body, and includes a base member including a rectangular bottom surface and a side surface, and a rail member including a rail surface and a first vertical surface. The rail member further includes a fixing part that is a surface to be fixed to the bottom surface of the base member and to extend from one end of the rail member in the sub scanning direction to the other end.

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 inspection method for an image reading apparatus where image information of an original is imaged on light receiving element lines arranged in a main scanning direction to read the information on different colors. The method includes: acquiring a first color misregistration from image information based on a first striped pattern located at a position optically equivalent to a surface of the original with respect to the light receiving element lines, the first pattern having white and black lines aligned, and having longitudinal directions of the white and black lines aligned in a sub-scanning direction; acquiring a second color misregistration from image information based on a second striped pattern having white and black lines aligned, and having longitudinal directions of the white and black lines aligned at an angle from the main scanning direction; and calculating a color misregistration in the sub-scanning direction based on the measured color misregistrations.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus configured to read an image of an original, including: a light source configured to irradiate the original with light; an optical system configured to condense and image a light beam from the light source reflected from the original; a substrate member having a photoelectric conversion unit; a fixing member fixed to the substrate member; a support member configured to support the optical system; and an adhesive bonding the fixing member and the support member together, wherein one of the support member and the fixing member has a protruding portion which protrudes toward the other of the support member and the fixing member, the other has a recessed portion opposed to the protruding portion, the protruding portion protrudes in the recessed portion in a non-contact state to maintain a gap between the protruding portion and the recessed portion, and the adhesive is applied to the gap.

Abstract: A scanner is disclosed. The scanner has only one calibration strip.

Abstract: An image reader is provided, which includes a housing including a base, and a reading unit including a holder, the base including a bottom wall, a first guide disposed at a first-side portion of the bottom wall in a first direction, and a second guide disposed at a second-side portion of the bottom wall in the first direction, and the reading unit further including a third guide disposed at a first-side portion of the holder in the first direction, the third guide configured to come into sliding contact with the first guide when the reading unit moves, and a fourth guide disposed at a second-side portion of the holder in the first direction, the fourth guide configured to come into sliding contact with the second guide when the reading unit moves.

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: To provide an image reading apparatus for enabling an optical carriage movably supported in a rail member to be locked reliably in a predetermined position of an apparatus frame without causing failure by shock in transport, one of the apparatus frame and optical carriage is provided with a lock member traveling between a release position and a lock position, and a biasing member for biasing the lock member in a predetermined direction, and the other one is provided with an engagement receiving portion being fitted with an engagement portion formed in the lock member. Then, the engagement portion and the engagement receiving portion are configured to inhibit movements in the scanning direction of the optical carriage in the lock position, and the biasing force of the biasing member is concurrently configured to act on the carriage in the direction orthogonal to the scanning direction so as to increase friction between the carriage and a traveling rail.

Abstract: A scan assisting fixing device and a scanner using the same are provided. The fixing device is for fixing an object to be scanned, which includes a scanning portion and a holding portion. The fixing device includes an accommodation region, a scan window and a protrusion portion. When the holding portion is loaded in the accommodation region, the scanning portion correspondingly disposed in the scan window is retained and fixed by the protrusion portion, and the position of the holding portion in the fixing device is constant, so that the scanning portion is always within the range of the field depth of the scanner regardless of the specification of the positive film holder, and the clarity of the scanned image is assured.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus comprises a reading unit including a document table, a cover portion covering the document table, an opening and closing mechanism having a first and second mounting portions and opening and closing the cover portion to an opened and a closed state, a covering member rotating about a rotating shaft of a member side and covering at least a portion of an exposed portion, and a rotating regulating unit regulating rotation of the covering member due to the weight of the covering member in a state where the center of gravity of the covering member is separated further from the cover portion than the rotating shaft of the member side, and where the covering member covers at least a portion of the exposed portion within a movement range of the opening and the closing of the cover portion.