Abstract: An image forming apparatus for printing an original image indicated based on image data is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a paper feed portion that conveys, to a print position, paper having a size in a feed direction larger than a size of the original image, a region selection portion that selects, as an additional image, a band-shaped region that has a predetermined width and extends inwardly from an edge of the original image in a direction corresponding to the feed direction of the paper, and an image correction portion that adds the additional image repeatedly in such a manner that the additional image is placed adjacent to each other outwardly from the edge of the original image. A corrected image obtained by adding the additional image with the image correction portion is printed onto the paper.

Abstract: An image reader is provided, which includes a feed tray that has a loading surface and is swingable around a first swing axis parallel to a width direction of a document sheet placed on the feed tray between a first position where the loading surface is directed downward above a housing and a second position where the loading surface is directed upward at an upstream side relative to the housing in the feeding direction, a first opening formed between the housing and the feed tray placed in the second position, the first opening being configured such that an inside of the housing communicates with an outside of the housing therethrough, a second opening formed in a position higher than a power supply unit and lower than the first opening inside the housing, and a communication path through which the first opening communicates with the second opening.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a screen processing unit and a correction processing unit. The screen processing unit executes screen processing for an image to be processed. The correction processing unit performs correction processing of correcting a distortion of an output image from an original image, based on the amount of the distortion, for (i) the image before the screen processing and (ii) the image after the screen processing. The correction amount relating to the correction processing for the image after the screen processing is a small value as compared with the correction amount relating to the correction processing for the image before the screen processing.

Abstract: A method for image correction and a scanner using the same are provided. The scanner includes an image sensor and an automatic document feeder. The automatic document feeder has a paperweight mechanism. The method includes marking a first and a second characteristic regions on the paperweight mechanism; using the image sensor to search the two black characteristic regions to define a scan line; when the document is to be scanned, moving the image sensor to a position corresponding to the scan line, and starting to scan the document in order to obtain a scanned image; identifying the scanned image to obtain two position information associated with the two black characteristic regions; calculating a tilt angle of the scanned image according to a distance between the two black characteristic regions and the two location information; and finally correcting the scanned image angle according to the tilt angle.

Abstract: A system for previewing and imaging a document includes an imaging unit having an imaging surface configured to carry the document thereon. The imaging unit also includes an image sensing member configured to capture an image corresponding to the document and an image processing member communicably coupled to the image sensing member to receive the captured image. The image processing member is further configured to convert the captured image to a digital data format. The system further includes a display unit communicably coupled to the image processing member. The display unit includes a user interface configured to exhibit a placement-guiding display object over converted captured image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an acceptance unit that accepts an image of an original from an image reader having a conveying unit that conveys an original in sequence along a conveying path passing through a read position and an image read unit that reads the image of the original at the read position at read speed responsive to conveying speed of the original; an acquisition unit that acquires information concerning a stable read range in which the read speed in the conveying direction in the original becomes a stable state from storage in which the information is previously stored; and a registration unit that extracts feature information concerning a microscopic pattern that a surface of the original has from a registration area in the image of the original accepted by the acceptance unit and registers the feature information in association with position information concerning a position of the registration area.

Abstract: An automatic document feeding scanning device including an automatic document feeder, a flatbed scanner and a power switching mechanism is provided. The automatic document feeder has a pickup arm and a feeding gear, the flatbed scanner has a scanning module and a scanning gear. When the scanning module is moved and the movement of the scanning module is obstructed to enable the scanning module to take a first reacting force, the power switching mechanism is disengaged from the scanning gear in response to the first reacting force and transfers a driving power to the automatic document feeder. When the pickup arm is swung and the swing of the pickup arm is obstructed to enable the pickup arm to take a second reacting force, the power switching mechanism is disengaged from the feeding gear in response to the second reacting force and transfers the driving power to the flatbed scanner.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus is provided. The image reading apparatus includes a first transparent section to have a first original sheet set thereon, a second transparent section to have a second original sheet conveyed by a sheet conveyer, a reader unit being movable in a sub-scanning direction to read the image on the original sheet being set on the first transparent section and to be maintained still to read the image being conveyed by the sheet conveyer, a white reference member, of which image is read by the reader unit and recognized as a reference white color, and a light reductive member arranged on an inner bottom of a casing to reduce an amount of incident light.

Abstract: An image reading device includes a conveyor unit that conveys a document along a conveying path for ADF-type image scanning including a curved path. The conveyor unit includes a conveyor roller that reverses a conveying direction of the document in the curved path. The device further includes a first contact surface that comes into contact with a first side of the document when the document is conveyed, a second contact surface that comes into contact with a second side of the document when the document is conveyed, a first reading unit that reads an image on the first side of the document, and a second reading unit disposed above the second contact surface and reading an image on the second side of the document. A part of the conveyor roller is disposed lower than the first and second contact surfaces in an up down direction of the image reading device.

Abstract: An image scanning device includes a scanning unit configured to scan, at a scanning position, an image of a document, a first discharge portion, a second discharge portion, a conveying unit configured to selectively convey the document along a first conveying path from the scanning position to the first discharge portion, and along a second conveying path from the scanning position to the second discharge portion, a driving unit configured to generate a driving force for driving the conveying unit, and a path switching unit configured to receive the driving force generated by the driving unit such that the path switching unit moves between a first position for guiding the document toward the first discharge portion, and a second position for guiding the document toward the second discharge portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a housing body, and an outer wall member. The housing body can displace and rotate to a housing body fully closed angle position, a housing body fully open angle position, and a housing body non-access angle position. The outer wall member is disposed between the apparatus main body and the housing body, and connected to the apparatus main body to displace and rotate in response to the displacement and rotation of the housing body, and positioned at an outer wall fully closed angle position, an outer wall fully open angle position, and an outer wall non-access angle position that has an angular position enabling exposure of exchangeable components inside the apparatus main body but not enabling exchange by a user.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a document conveying unit, an image reading unit, a gradient calculating unit, a gradient comparing unit and a document discriminating unit. The image reading unit scans a document conveyed by the document conveying unit in a scanning direction orthogonal to a conveying direction and detects pixel values of color components of each pixel. The gradient calculating unit calculates a gradient of the pixel value of each color component in the conveying direction for each pixel based on the detected pixel values. The gradient comparing unit compares differences of gradients among color components for each pixel and extracts the pixel where the graduent difference is below a threshold value. The document discriminating unit discriminates whether each pixel is color or black-and-white based on pixel values using discrimination criteria different for the specific pixels extracted by the gradient comparing unit and other pixels.

Abstract: An erecting equal-magnification lens array plate includes: first and second lens array plates; first, second and intermediate light shielding member. The first, second and intermediate light shielding member are halved by a splitting plane parallel with the main scanning direction. One of the first light shielding member pieces, one of the second light shielding member pieces, and one of the intermediate light shielding member pieces produced by halving the members are integrated to form a first holder piece. The other of the first light shielding member pieces, the other of the second light shielding member pieces, and the other of the intermediate light shielding member pieces produced by halving the members are integrated to form a second holder piece. The erecting equal-magnification lens array plate is assembled by sandwiching the first lens array plate and the second lens array plate by the first holder piece and the second holder piece.

Abstract: An image sensor unit includes a reflection reading light source that illuminates a bill, a substrate on which the reflection reading light source is mounted, a reflection reading light guide that guides the light emitted by the reflection reading light source to the bill, a rod-lens array that focuses the light from the bill, a light receiving element that receives the light from the rod-lens array, a sensor substrate on which the light receiving element is mounted, and a frame that houses the substrate, the reflection reading light guide, the rod-lens array and the sensor substrate. The sensor substrate has a passage hole and is disposed closer to the bill than the substrate. The frame is disposed with the reflection reading light guide inserted into the passage hole, so that the light from the reflection reading light source reaches the bill through the passage hole.

Abstract: An image reading device includes a document reading unit configured to guide light emitted from a light source to a photoelectric conversion unit to read an image on the document; a driving unit configured to drive the document reading unit so that the document reading unit reciprocates along the document; a reading position obtaining unit configured to obtain a home position at which the document reading unit is in a stopped state when starting a read operation; a dark time data obtaining unit configured to obtain dark time output data of the photoelectric conversion unit while the light source is turned off; and a read control unit configured to perform control for causing the driving unit to return the document reading unit to the home position and entering a document read operation to read a document image after the dark time data obtaining unit obtains the dark time output data.

Abstract: A position adjustment mechanism (90) includes a rack (91) fixed onto an upper surface of a second hinge member (87), a worm gear 93 that meshes with the rack (91), a handle (95) that rotates the worm gear (93), and a lever (97) that presses the second hinge member (87) against the first hinge member (85) to fix the second hinge member (87) to the first hinge member (85). The lever (97) is operated to release the pressure on the second hinge member (87) so that the handle (95) is operated, to thereby adjust a tilt of the document conveying device (27) with respect to the image reading portion (6) without using a tool and the like. After the adjustment, the lever (97) is operated to press the second hinge member (87), to thereby position the document conveying device (27) precisely at a position after the adjustment.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus to read an image formed on a document sheet is provided. The image reading apparatus includes a sheet conveyer and an image reader, which is controlled by a controller and reads the image formed on the document sheet. The sheet conveyer includes movable parts, which are movably supported by a first supporting member. The image reader is supported by a second supporting member, which is detachably attached to the first supporting member. A cable with a connector connects the controller and the image reader with each other via the connector. The second supporting member is tied to the first supporting member by the cable when the cable connects the controller and the image reader via the connector. The second supporting member is releasable from the first supporting member when the connector is decoupled.

Abstract: The document conveying device (2) for use in a scanner (1) or the like comprises a conveyor belt (3) arranged to convey a document (4) between an outer surface (5) of the conveyor belt and a flat surface (6). The conveyor belt (3) has an inner surface (9) supported by a first and a second roller (10, 11). Each of the first and second rollers (10, 11) is supported at three or more positions along its length in order to at least partially counteract forces from the conveyor belt (3) tending to deflect said roller.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus, including: a placement portion on which an original is to be placed; an openable and closable pressure portion which presses, the original, which is placed on the placement portion, against the placement portion; a reading unit which moves in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to a main scanning direction to read image information of the original, which is pressed against the placement portion by the openable and closable pressure portion, and a step portion, which is provided in a pressure surface of the openable and closable pressure portion which presses the original against the placement stand, and in a state in which the openable and closable pressure portion is closed, forms a space portion extending in the sub-scanning direction so as to communicate to at least one end in the sub-scanning direction.

Abstract: Disclosed are document imaging systems and methods which provide cleaning and cooling of various components associated with an image scanning system. According to one exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, provided is a document imaging system including a flexible, accordion style, duct which draws air through a vacuum slot between a light source and optical sensor associated with the scanning system. The resulting air flow provides cleaning of the imaging platen and provides cooling/cleaning of the light source and optical sensor.

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: The present invention relates to a scanner with a real-time image auto-cutting function. The scanner includes a positioning element, a scanning scope determining unit and a scanning unit. The scanning scope determining unit is configured on the positioning element, has a specific pattern and is provided to determine a scanning scope. The scanning unit scans the specific pattern to determine the scanning scope.

Abstract: An image reader includes an original transport device to transport an original, and an image reading device including multiple image sensor arrays having image reading areas staggered relative to the transport direction of the original in such a manner that the multiple image sensor arrays are offset at least partially, in the main scanning direction of the original with a predetermined gap therebetween in the transport direction. There is at least one original transport speed detector to detect the transport speed of the original transported by the original transport device, a storing device to store a reference delay time period which is between when the image sensor arrays on the upstream side read a predetermined position relative to the transport direction and when the image sensor arrays on the downstream side read the predetermined position. Further, there is a misalignment amount calculator, and an image synthesizer to synthesize an image read by the image sensor arrays.

Abstract: In an image reading device, a movable part provided below a document platen in a housing is moved in a sub scanning direction. A reflection control part extending along a movement range of the movable part is fixed to the housing near the movable part. The reflection control part has first reflection parts having a relatively large reflectance and second reflection parts having a relatively small reflectance arranged along the movement range. A detection light irradiation part provided in the movable part irradiates the reflection control part with detection light. A detection light reception part receives the detection light reflected by the reflection control part. A signal generating part generates a binary signal corresponding to the detection light received by the detection light reception part. A movement deciding part decides movement state of the movable part according to the binary signal generated by the signal generating part.

Abstract: An image reading device comprising: a document placing portion; a conveyor; a reading unit configured to read an image of the document, wherein the reading unit includes: an image sensor; a support which supports the image sensor, wherein in the case of reading the image of the document conveyed by the conveyor, the support is to be stopped at a predetermined reading position; a guide; and a driving unit, wherein the reading unit further includes: a release unit configured to release the contact with the guide by separating the support from the guide when the support is moved toward the predetermined reading position; and a contact portion configured to contact with the support separated from the guide by the release unit when the support is moved toward the predetermined reading position.

Abstract: An image forming device including a print unit having a housing and a scan unit disposed on the top surface of the housing. The scan unit is coupled to the housing such that the scan unit is operable to scan an image in an upright position and in a horizontal position. The coupling includes the scan unit slidingly engaging with the print unit along a first edge of the scan unit. A linkage member is pivotably coupled to the scan unit and the print unit for supporting the scan unit in the upright position.

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: Disclosed is a method of adjusting a scanner for scanning of an original, the scanner comprising an image sensor and a light source for emitting light, the method comprising the steps of: a) moving the image sensor in order for it to be located at a predefined scanning position by means of a movable mechanical member; b) determining the difference between the scanning position and the predefined scanning position; where the method further comprises: determining the difference between the scanning position and the predefined scanning position by detecting radiation from at least one fix-point having a fixed position relative to the image sensor.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus comprises: a guide portion that is linked to a driving portion and extends so as to guide the movement of a reading carriage; a guide rail that guides the reading carriage while supporting the reading carriage; and an interlocking portion that is provided in the reading carriage, has a first sliding surface that makes contact with the guide rail on the side of the guide rail facing the guide portion and a second sliding surface that makes contact with the guide rail on the side of the guide rail that is on the opposite side as the guide portion. The position at which the first sliding surface of the interlocking portion makes contact with the guide rail is lower on the guide rail than the position at which the second sliding surface of the interlocking portion makes contact with the guide rail.

Abstract: A document scanner is disclosed. The document scanner includes a document bed having a document positioning surface. The document scanner further includes a scanner module slidably attached to the document bed. The scanner module includes an optical movement sensor configured to detect movement of the scanner module relative to the document positioning surface. A method of operation of the scanner module is disclosed as well.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a platen on which a document is placed, an image reading unit configured to be movable under the platen, to receive light reflected by the document placed on the platen, and to output an image signal, a flexible flat cable configured to transfer the image signal output from the image reading unit, and a holding member configured to hold the flexible flat cable and attached to the image reading unit. The image reading unit includes a connection portion to which the flexible flat cable is connected, and, when the image reading unit is moved, a curvature portion of the flexible flat cable is formed opposite the connection portion across the image reading unit in a direction in which the image reading unit is moved.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes a platen, an image capturing device movable with respect to the platen along a movement direction and configured to capture an image of a medium placed on the platen, and an attached member provided adjacent to the platen. The attached member or the image capturing device includes an inclined edge inclined with respect to a movement direction of the image capturing device.

Abstract: An image forming optical element is provided, in which an incident unit having a first lens face to which a light beam output from an original document (object) is input, an output unit having a second lens face outputting the light beam, and a bent unit connecting the incident unit and the output unit at an angle are integrally formed into a transparent medium. The bent unit has a reflection face reflecting the incident light beam input to the first lens face and guiding the light beam to the second lens face. The incident light beam is collected at any of the incident unit, the bent unit, and the output unit to form an intermediate image of the object, and the intermediate image is formed on the output side of the second lens face to form an erection image of the object.

Abstract: A light collecting member includes a lens to make incident light be collected on a light receiving member, a lens barrel to house the lens, an end portion into which a light enters of the lens barrel being arranged near the light receiving member and a fence member to cover the end portion into which a light enters of the lens barrel and the light receiving member, the fence member having an exhaust port formed in a manner extending in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A first light intensity curve is defined as a relationship between a first light intensity and a distance from a first reading unit. The first light intensity represents intensity of light that is part of a reflected light reflected off a first irradiated subject positioned at a distance from the first reading unit and is received by a first light-receiving unit. The first light intensity curve has a first intensity value at a first distance and a second intensity value at a second distance. The first intensity value is equivalent to the second intensity value. The first distance is different from the second distance. A distance between the first reading unit and a first read position is set to the first distance. A distance between the first reading unit and a first reference member is set to the second distance.

Abstract: An image sensor unit includes: a light guide reflecting light rays entering through a first light entering surface and a second light entering surface provided at both ends thereof, by a reflection surface to make the light rays exit through a light exiting surface and illuminates an original; a first light source provided near the first light entering surface; a second light source provided near the second light entering surface and different in wavelength from the first light source; and a first reflection part and a second reflection part provided on the reflection surface and composed of dot patterns constituted of two kinds of dots different in spectral reflectance.

Abstract: The image reading device includes a first document member, a white reference plate, an image sensor, a conveying section, and a control section. A first document is placed on the first document member. The image sensor reads the first document placed on the first document member. The conveying section conveys the image sensor in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction. The image sensor reads the first document while being moved in the first direction. The control section executes a first control. The first control executes a process to control the image sensor to read the white reference plate, to control the conveying section to move the image sensor in the second direction, to control the conveying section to start moving the image sensor in the first direction, and to control the image sensor to read the first document, in this order.

Abstract: A stationary scanner apparatus 10 comprises an image scanner 20 operable to read an item code, an imager attachment member 30 fixed to the image scanner 20, a support frame 40 configured to support the imager attachment member 30 in a state in which the image scanner 20 and imager attachment member 30 are rotatable about a horizontal axis with respect to the support frame 40, and a support portion 83 fixed to the support frame 40. The imager attachment member 30 has a first plate-shaped inclination holder 32a formed on one side of lateral sides of the imager attachment member 30 and a second plate-shaped inclination holder 32b formed on another side of the lateral sides of the imager attachment member 30. The support frame 40 has a first plate-shaped guide member 42a arranged in contact with the first inclination holder 32a and a second plate-shaped guide member 42b arranged in contact with the second inclination holder 32b.

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: 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 reading apparatus includes: a moving body on which a catch receiving portion is formed and which is movable in a predetermined direction; a fixing body on which a catching portion is formed to catch the catch receiving portion, and which is movable in a direction substantially orthogonal to the predetermined direction; a first position retaining portion for engaging a projected portion, formed on either one of a housing and the fixing body, with a first recessed portion formed on the other so that the fixing body can be retained in a position in which the catching portion catches the catch receiving portion; and a second position retaining portion for engaging the projected portion with a second recessed portion, formed on either the housing or the fixing body on which the first recessed portion is formed.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus for scanning a large scale document, includes a main body, a scanning sensor, and a document transferring apparatus. The main body includes a transparent document placing portion. The scanning sensor is slidably mounted below the document placing portion. A scale of the scanning sensor is smaller than a scale of the transparent document placing portion. The transparent document placing portion supports the document thereon. The scanning sensor moves in at least two dimensionalities below different portions of the transparent document placing portion to scan different portions of the document.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus comprises a moving unit on which a reading unit is mounted and which slides on a guide, and a driving unit mounted on the moving unit and includes a pinion gear meshing with a rack which extends in a scanning direction and is disposed between the pinion gear and the guide. A slide contact portion between the guide and the moving unit includes a first slide contact portion on the rack side and a second slide contact portion. The first slide contact portion includes a first surface being inclined so as to displace the moving unit toward the rack. The second slide contact portion includes a second surface preventing the moving unit from being displaced toward the rack.

Abstract: An image reader is provided, which includes a housing, a document table, a reading unit disposed between the housing and the document table and configured to read an image of a document sheet on the document table, and a carriage configured to hold the reading unit and move along a moving direction, the carriage including a protruding portion formed to protrude toward the reading unit, on a bottom surface of the carriage that faces a lower surface of the reading unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides an illuminating device including a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in a line, the illuminating device illuminates an irradiation target by irradiating the irradiation target with light that is emitted from the light-emitting elements via a first and a second optical paths. In the illuminating device, a light diffusing portion for diffusing light is provided in one of the first optical path and the second optical path, and an irradiation light amount of said one of the first optical path and the second optical path in which the light diffusing portion is provided is larger than an irradiation light amount of the other optical path.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder includes a transport path member that includes a transport path surface constituting a transport path, and an end portion of which moves in a direction in which it gets away from a feeder body to open the transport path, a support member that is relatively rotatable coaxially with the transport path member, a regulating portion that regulates the relative rotation of the end portion of the transport path member, and an impelling member that impels a portion to be regulated in a direction in which the portion to be regulated contacts the regulating portion, that supports the end portion of the transport path member at a first open position, and that allows the end portion of the transport path member to move to a second open position at which the transport path is opened larger than at the first open position.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus including: a main frame including (a) a pair of side plates facing each other in one direction and (b) a base plate whose opposite end portions in the one direction are respectively supported by the pair of side plates; a guide member provided at an inside area interposed between a pair of side plates in the one direction, so as to define a conveying path through which a recording medium is conveyed; and a sensor device supported by one of the pair of side plates and configured to sense the recording medium conveyed through the conveying path.

Abstract: An image reading device and an image forming apparatus having the same that can increase a scan quality by 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, which may include a document guide portion, may extend in a direction different from the document feeding direction such that one end portion is located in a document feeding path.

Abstract: Provided is a technique that makes it possible to extract the image of a document area from a read image with better accuracy. An image processing apparatus capable of achieving this includes a reading unit for reading a document, which has been placed on a contact glass, as read image data; a first area determination unit for deciding a provisional document area by subjecting the read image data to detection processing for detecting a document area included in the read image data; and a second area determination unit for deciding a fixed document area by generating binary image data in an area corresponding to the provisional document area of the read image data, and executing detection processing for detecting a document area, which is included in the read image data, based upon the binary image data.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a reading glass, a second guide member, and a control section. The reading glass and the second guide member together form a document feed path. The second guide member includes a white reference plate. The control section performs, when it is determined that shading correction image data is affected by a stain, a stain location determination of whether the stain is attached to the reading glass or the second guide member according to a tone value variation in the portion of the shading correction image data that corresponds to the stain edge, the variation being along a predetermined distance in the main scanning direction.