Abstract: An image reading apparatus capable of easily detecting the width of a document is provided that can reduce the number of component parts. A surface to be detected of a moving section that moves in linkage with the movement of a document guide is detected using an image pickup device, so that the width dimension of the document is detected. This allows the image reading apparatus to detect the width dimension of the document by using the image pickup device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an original conveying apparatus, an original conveying program, and an original conveying method that can change a conveying angle of an original with respect to a scanning point of a scanning apparatus to an angle suitable for removing a foreign matter on the scanning point and an angle suitable for scanning. An original conveying apparatus that can convey an original to a scanning point where a scanning apparatus scans the original includes a conveying unit that conveys the original and a conveying-angle changing unit that can change a conveying angle of the original conveyed by the conveying unit with respect to the scanning point.

Abstract: An auto document feeder which loads and feeds a document to a read position provided on a read surface of a reader, the auto document feeder including a conveying device having an upstream roller placed upstream of the read position and a downstream roller placed downstream of the read position, the conveying device conveying the loaded document through the read position, a stabilizing roller provided upstream of the read position and opposing to the read surface, the stabilizing roller stabilizing movement of the document conveyed by the conveying device, and a guide member provided downstream of the read position and opposing to the read surface, the guide member guiding the document conveyed by the conveying device, wherein the following relationship is established the thickness of the document<a gap between the read surface and the stabilizing roller<a gap between the read surface and the guide member.

Abstract: A document reading apparatus includes a document feed device configured to separate documents and to feed the documents one by one from a paper feed tray, an image reading device configured to read an image of each the documents at a reading position provided on a reading glass plate, and a document holding member arranged on a front surface side of the reading glass plate at a position opposing the image reading device. The document reading apparatus also includes a first and a second reading pattern mark provided on the document holding member at a first and second position opposing the surface of the reading glass plate, respectively. The first and second reading pattern marks have a length which is greater than a width of each of the documents.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet discharge unit, a reading unit disposed above the sheet discharge unit, an operating panel, and an opening portion formed between the reading unit and the sheet mount unit such that the sheet can be taken out from the front side of the apparatus. The operating panel extends to the front side of the apparatus in the reading unit so that the tip thereof is located at the same position as the front end portion side of the sheet mount unit or projects from the front end portion side. There is provided an area where the projection amount from the reading unit is set to be smaller than the maximum projection amount of the operating panel.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus and an image expansion and contraction correcting method are provided that improve the quality of each read image by restraining image expansion and contraction caused by a variation in the combination of conveying units for conveying each document. The image reading apparatus has conveying units (a first conveying unit, a second conveying unit, and a third conveying unit) that convey each document, and an image reading unit (a first image reading unit and a second image reading unit) that reads an image of each document being conveyed by the conveying units. The image reading speed of the image reading unit is adjusted in accordance with a change in the combination of conveying units that are conveying a document, so as to correct image expansion and contraction caused by a change in document conveying speed caused by the change in the combination of conveying units.

Abstract: An image scanner might capture an image corresponding to scan region 263 which might be somewhat larger than original 262. Image processing circuitry might then enlarge an image corresponding to scan region 263 (arrow 279), converting it into enlarged image 271. Within enlarged image 271, the image of original 262 might have been enlarged so as to become image 273, which might be somewhat larger than printing paper 274. This enlarged original image 273 which would be present within enlarged image 271 might then be printed by a printer. Four-sided borderless copying is possible.

Abstract: A document reading device of the present invention includes a glass platen on which a document is to be laid and document reading means including scanning optics for reading the image of the document laid on the glass platen. A document pressing member presses the document against the surface of the document table. The document pressing member is removably mounted to the body of the document reading device by hook and loop fasteners.

Abstract: There are provided a platen on which an original is mounted, a line sensor that performs photoelectric conversion on light from the original on the platen, a first carriage that moves along the platen and guides the light from the original to the line sensor, a first housing that stores and supports the first carriage to be movable along the platen, first driving means for moving the first carriage, a second carriage provided with a plurality of rod-shaped light-source lamps that applies light to the original, a second housing that stores and supports the second carriage to be movable along the platen and covers the platen, second driving means for moving the second carriage, and control means for controlling the first driving means, the second driving means and lighting of the plurality of light-source lamps.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a casing, an upper plate and a transparent plate. The casing has a first opening, and a reading means is disposed in the casing. The upper casing plate is disposed over the casing and has a second opening that is positioned opposite the first opening. The transparent plate is mounted on the first opening. The transparent plate is wedged in the second opening through assembly of the casing and the upper plate.

Abstract: A method for scanning a media sheet with a scanning apparatus includes feeding the media sheet through the first set of rollers into a scanning area, such that a first portion of the media sheet is available for scanning. A first partial media sheet image of the first portion is scanned. The media sheet is fed into the second set of rollers, then out of the first set of rollers, such that a second portion of the media sheet is available for scanning. A second partial media sheet image of the second portion of the media sheet is scanned. At least the first partial media sheet image is combined with the second partial media sheet image to generate a full image of the media sheet. In a further embodiment, the number of partial scans may be increased as necessary to provide a complete image of the scanned object, e.g., the media sheet. For example, one or more intermediate scans may be performed in accordance with the present invention in addition to the scans occurring at the ends of media sheet.

Abstract: A scanner is provided with an image memory for storing therein image data read from an original by an image sensor, an image processing portion for effecting image processing on the image data, and a sending portion for sending the image data to an external equipment. The image processing portion is disposed in a route along which the image data is forwarded from the image memory to the sending portion, and the contents of the image processing by the image processing portion is made changeable over. The external equipment is provided with an image analyzing portion for obtaining first image data image-processed in a first image mode from the scanner and analyzing it, and detecting the state of the original (such as whether the original is a white sheet) from which the first image data has been read. On the basis of the result of the detection by the image analyzing portion, second image data image-processed in a second image mode is obtained from the scanner.

Abstract: A duplex simultaneous reading apparatus having an image reading unit for simultaneously reading a first surface and a second surface of a document, the duplex simultaneous reading apparatus includes: a detection unit for detecting any specified pattern image from image data read by the image reading unit; and a selection unit for selectively inputting the read image data of the first surface of the document and the read image data of the second surface to the detection unit in block units, wherein the detection unit detects the specified pattern image in the first surface or the second surface of the document, from the block-unit image data inputted by the selection unit.

Abstract: An opening detector detects a state of a platen whether the platen is “opened” at a level equal to or above a set opening degree or “closed” at a level less than the set opening degree. A reading controller starts lighting of an illumination lamp in response to a change of the state of the platen from the “opened” to the “closed”. A rising detector detects a rising of light intensity of the illumination lamp. A size detector reads an image signal of an imaging element after the rising detector detects a rising of the light intensity, determines presence of a document in a main scanning direction, and decides a document size in the main scanning direction.

Abstract: In a multi-stage scanning method for increasing a scanning speed and enhancing an image quality, an optical module is firstly moved from a start position to a forward-internal position in a forward direction, and then enabled to scan a first portion of a document to obtain a first image until the module reaches a forward-boundary position. Then, the module is moved from the forward-boundary position to an end position in the forward direction. Next, the module is moved from the end position to a reverse-internal position in a reverse direction, and then enabled to scan a second portion of the document to obtain a second image until the module reaches a reverse-boundary position. Then, the module is moved from the reverse-boundary position to the start position, in the reverse direction, and then stopped. Finally, the first and second images are stitched into a complete image.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder (3) has a front plate (12) located on one of opposite sides of the document feeder in a direction orthogonal to a feeding direction of documents P on a document tray (4), and on the side opposed to an operator. A rear plate (13) is on the other side opposed to the front plate (12). An intermediate transport unit (32) located between the front plate (12) and the rear plate (13) has a frame with an outer wall surface (37) serving as a lower guide surface of document transport path. The front plate (12) has an outer edge (33) at a height equal to or lower than the outer wall surface (37), so as to allow the operator to visually check the document (P) on the outer wall surface (37) from the direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the documents (P).

Abstract: A scan method includes providing a scanner, including an image sensor, a reference pattern and a transmission mechanism. The image sensor scans the reference pattern to generate reference data. The transmission mechanism transmits at least one recording media between the reference pattern and the image sensor. Finally, the image sensor generates scan data, and the scanner compares the scan data with the reference data to obtain a transmission condition thereof.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus that includes: a document delivery path that couples, through a reading position, a document mounting portion and a document discharging portion; a switchback delivery path coupled to a predetermined position of the document delivery path and inverting a leading and a trailing end in the document from a downstream side of the reading position, thereby returning the document to an upstream side of the reading position; an image reading unit that reads the image of the document delivered in the reading position of the document delivery path; a skew detecting unit that detects a skew of the document passing through the reading position; and a control unit that delivers the document to the switchback delivery path to read both sides of the document again when the skew detecting unit detects the skew of the document.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus comprises a conveyance rotating body for conveying an original document, an image reading sensor for reading an image of the original document being conveyed by the conveyance rotating body, and a plate-like member for pressing the original document being conveyed by the conveyance rotating body against an image reading surface of the image reading sensor, wherein the plate-like member is curved such that the central part thereof as viewed in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the original document first comes in contact with the image reading sensor.

Abstract: A compensation apparatus for image scan, applied to an optical scanner with a platform, on which an object to be scanned is disposed. The optical scanner has a photosensitive apparatus with a set of scan photosensitive devices and a storage apparatus. When the object is scanned by the set of scan photosensitive devices, a scanned image is obtained and saved in the storage apparatus temporarily. The compensation apparatus has a set of calibration boards, a set of calibration photosensitive devices and an image processor. The set of calibration boards has two calibration boards located at two sides of the platform. The set of calibration photosensitive devices is located at two sides of the set of scan photosensitive device. The image processor is used to extract and compare the calibrated image, so as to adjust the scanned image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body and an original reading device disposed on top of the apparatus main body. A sheet supply cassette, a sheet discharge tray, an original feed tray, and the original discharge tray are oriented such that their lengthwise directions are aligned with the first horizontal direction, and are arranged to overlap with one another in the vertical direction. A pair of side walls is disposed at both widthwise ends of the sheet supply cassette, the sheet discharge tray, the original feed tray, and the original discharge tray. The both widthwise ends of these components are formed as edge portions. The pair of side walls covers an entire length of each of the edge portions, thereby supporting all of the sheet supply cassette, the sheet discharge tray, the original feed tray, and the original discharge tray.

Abstract: Reference images on the respective surfaces of a reference document transported on a transportation path are read out by a first image reading section and a second image reading section, respectively. As a result a first reference readout image and a second reference readout image are acquired. in accordance with the difference between the changes in the sub-scanning direction in the first reference readout image and the changes in the sub-scanning direction in the second reference readout image, the reading cycle of the first image reading section X1 and the reading cycle of the second image reading section X2 are set. This makes it possible to equalize the magnifications of the respective images on the front and back sides of the document, even if the speeds of the document at the times of passing through readout positions for the front and back sides change over time, on account of the wear of a transportation roller.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder and a scanner having the same are provided. The automatic document feeder can include a transport unit configured to transport a document to a scanning unit, an apparatus main body configured to hold the transport unit, a cover configured to be rotatably disposed on the apparatus main body, and a sensing unit disposed on a document transportation path to sense whether the cover is open or closed, the position of the document, or both. The automatic document feeder and the scanner having the same are configured to allow a jammed document to be ejected without having the document be damaged.

Abstract: An image reading and/or reproducing apparatus, including a single sided document feeding tray and a double sided document feed tray to each supply a stack of documents to the apparatus; a document feeding unit to feed a document from a top of the stack of documents in the single sided document feeding tray, and to feed a document from a bottom of the stack of documents in the double sided document feeding tray; and an image scan unit to scan an image of the document fed from the document feeding unit. The apparatus further includes a reverse unit to position the double-sided document, fed by the document feeding unit, upstream of the image scan unit as the image scan unit completes a scanning of the image on a first side of the document such that the image scan unit may scan the image on a second side of the document. According to the above structure, reducing a time required to scan an image is possible.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus and an image forming apparatus having the same. The scanning apparatus includes: a main body having a scanning unit; a cover to open and close upon an upper surface of the main body; a hinge unit disposed on one of the main body and the cover so that the cover is rotatable with respect to the main body; a hinge accommodating unit disposed on the other of the main body and the cover to accommodate the hinge unit so that the cover is movable in an upward and downward direction with respect to the upper surface of the main body; and a movement restricting unit disposed on at least one of the hinge unit and the hinge accommodating unit to restrict a movement of the cover in the upward and downward direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic document feeder comprising a pick up roller module, a drive roller module, an ejecting idle roller module and a main belt. A main driving roller of the driving roller module drives the main belt to transport the document, and the main belt encircles the main driving roller and a first ejecting idle roller of the ejecting idle roller module.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a document conveyance section for conveying a document of a document bundle to a document reading position; a reading section for reading the document in the document bundle to obtain image of the document; a designation section for designating to read a first document of the document bundle as a document with a tab; and a reading control section for controlling the reading section to read image for a whole document area of the first document including a tab potion, when designated by the designation section.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a housing; image reading device for reading an image from a document being conveyed, the image reading device being located in the housing; a platen located in the housing and including a transparent member for reading the image of the document; and a scoop-up device situated at a downstream of the platen in parallel therewith to scoop up the document. The scoop-up device includes a dust collecting space for collecting dust entering the apparatus through a gap between the platen and the scoop-up member, the dust collecting space having a plate member dividing the dust collecting space into an upper dust collecting space and a lower dust collecting space; and a platen joint portion forming a part of the dust collecting space and positioned below the platen. A top surface of the platen joint portion detachably contacts a bottom surface of the platen.

Abstract: A mobile paper guide in an automatic document feeder (ADF) is comprised of draft platen, motor, connection rod, and paper guide plate; the rod including a knob inserted onto the rod, an arm extending from the knob for the rod to rotate as driven by platen; the rod and the platen engaging turns against each other when the rod is limited; the plate movably disposed to the arm; ADF having a chute above the paper guide; and the paper guide moves up and down therein to retain and align paper sheet.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for duplex scanning using a paper path shorter than the length of paper to be duplexed allows a smaller duplexing ADF footprint, without decreasing scan quality. The apparatus includes a friction drive system which allows rollers to rotate with an exit shaft when exit said shaft rotates in a first direction or with a passing media sheet when said exit shaft rotates in a second direction.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a first reading part which reads a first side of a document, a second reading part located on a document discharge path which reads a second side of the document with an image sensor, a path narrowing member positioned across from the image sensor on the document discharge path; and an adjusting unit, wherein the adjusting unit adjustably moves the path narrowing member closer to and farther away from the image sensor in order to correspondingly move the document closer to and farther away from the image sensor. The image reading apparatus is capable of increasing reading speed when a one-side reading of a document is performed as well as minimizing any damage done to data produced by the reading when a double-side reading of a document is performed.

Abstract: An auto document feeding device of an embodiment includes triple paper discharge rollers forming an upper paper discharge port for discharging a document at the time of one-sided reading and a lower paper discharge port for discharging a document reversed at the time of both-sided reading. A flap which covers the lower discharge port by its own weight and opens the lower discharge port by being pressed by the document discharged from the lower discharge port is provided on a shaft member of the triple paper discharge rollers.

Abstract: An image reading unit which is capable of optimally reading images from both reflective originals and transparent originals. A first rod lens array 15 collects reflected light from a reflective original that reflects light. A first photoelectric conversion element array 14 reads an image of the reflective original based on the reflected light collected by the first rod lens array 15. A second rod lens array 202 collects light transmitted through a transparent original that transmits light. A second photoelectric conversion element array 201 reads an image of the transparent original based on the transmitted light collected by the second rod lens array 202. The first photoelectric conversion element array 14 is mounted on a first substrate 16. The second photoelectric conversion element array 201 is mounted on a second substrate 203.

Abstract: A document reading apparatus includes a first reading section for reading a first side of a document and a second reading section for reading a second side of the document, wherein a first reading position and a second reading position are disposed front and back in a conveyance direction at the document conveyance path, and wherein a pre-reading conveyance section and a post reading conveyance section which sandwich the first reading position and the second reading position in the conveyance direction are provided and the document is conveyed at the first reading position and at the second reading position by a conveyance section consisting of the pre-reading conveyance section and the post reading conveyance section, and wherein a conveyance force of the post reading conveyance section is equal to or less than a conveyance force of the pre-reading conveyance section.

Abstract: A document reader includes an exterior panel covering a region of a document feed path including a second image read position from outside. The document reader also includes a first open/close member forming a region of the exterior panel including a portion opposed to the image read position. The document reader further includes a second open/close member positioned inwardly of the first open/close member to define a region of the document feed path including the image read position. The first and second open/close members are supported at respective different fulcrums for opening/closing movement about respective shafts extending perpendicularly to the document feed direction, thereby shielding the second image read position from extraneous light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a duplex scanning apparatus. The duplex scanning apparatus includes a scanning module, a sheet input tray, a sheet ejecting tray, a transfer channel, a sheet pick-up roller, a friction-enhancing stopper, a transfer roller assembly, a sensor, a first inverting region, a second inverting region, an inverting channel, a sheet ejecting roller assembly, a first inverting roller assembly, a second inverting roller assembly, a first switching element and a second switching element. By providing two inverting regions, the scanning time for performing a duplex scanning operation by the duplex scanning apparatus of the present invention is shortened.

Abstract: A double-side scan device for performing a single-side scan operation or a double-side scan operation selectively includes a document conveyer, a first transparent device, a second transparent device, and an image scan module. The image scan module moves to one side of the first transparent device to capture an image of one surface/side of a document and moves to one side of the second transparent device to capture an image of the other surface/side of the document, respectively.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus having a movable image reading unit, a locking mechanism locking the image reading device, and a position sensor. The image reading unit has an engaged portion. The lock mechanism has an engaging portion that engages the engaged portion. A first detected portion changes its position in accordance with the movement of the engaging portion. The position sensor detects the image reading unit when the image reading unit is in a first position, and detects the first detected portion when the engaging portion engages with the engaged portion.

Abstract: An original document feed tray is positioned above an original document output tray. When original documents are set on the original document feed tray, the original document feed tray is moved upwardly from a home position to a position where the uppermost original document sheet can be transported to an original document transport mechanism. When the original document feed tray is lifted in accordance with the reduction of the original documents on the original document feed tray after the original documents are transported to the original document transport mechanism, the original document feed tray is lifted to a position, above the position where all original documents on the original document feed tray were transported to the original document transport mechanism.

Abstract: An original feeding apparatus is located above an image forming portion for recording an image on a recording medium and is constructed to convey an original to an image reading portion slidable in a shift direction relative to the image forming portion. The original feeding apparatus is slidable integrally with the image reading portion relative to the image forming portion and has its barycenter located on the rear end side with respect to the center in the shift direction.

Abstract: A document feeder includes a substantially U-shaped document transporting pathway with an upper feeding tray and a lower discharging tray, a separating-transporting device including a first rotation driving member and a first contacting member, a reverse transporting device including a second rotation driving member and a second contacting member and a pathway cover, which includes at least the second contacting member among the first and second contacting members, and capable of rotating about a rotational shaft closer to the discharging tray than the feeding tray. When the pathway cover is opened, at least the second contacting member of the first and second contacting members is separated from the second rotation member and at least a part of the document transporting pathway is exposed.

Abstract: A paper conveying apparatus, having a simple structure, in which variation in a load imposed on paper is reduced to suppress printing irregularities, and also a printer are provided. A pair of rollers of a second conveying apparatus, arranged at a predetermined interval away from a first conveying apparatus, are composed of a rotationally-driven driving roller and a driven roller which is trailingly rotated, with paper being gripped between the driving roller and the driven roller. The pairs of rollers of the second conveying apparatus are arranged in different positions along the paper conveying direction. The paper gripping pressure of the pair of driving rollers arranged on the upstream side along the paper conveying direction is set to be lower than that of the other pairs of driving rollers.

Abstract: There is provided an automatic document feeder, comprising: a document tray; an output tray; a movable ejection flap configured to be movable between a first position where the document for which the image reading is finished is sunk into a position between the output tray and a bottom of a stacked document already staked on the output tray and a second position where the document is ejected on the output tray without being sunk into the position; a setting unit configured to set the movable flap to one of the first position and the second position; a change unit configured to change a position of the movable flap to the second position in response to a fact that a predetermined condition is satisfied in a state where the position of the movable flap has been set to the first position through the setting unit.

Abstract: An auto-document feeder re-ingestion stop includes an auto-document feeder having a lower input tray and an upper output tray, the upper output tray having a length which is shorter than the length of input tray so that exiting or exited media depends onto the input tray, a flexible stopper depending from the upper output tray and inhibiting the exited media from being re-ingested by paper-to-paper friction during feeding of media in the input tray.

Abstract: document feeding device comprises a document input tray, a document output tray, a feeding mechanism provided for a feeding path connecting the document input tray and the document output tray via a scanning position to feed each document from the document input tray to the scanning position and to the document output tray, a turnover mechanism provided for a turnover path connected to the feeding path to return the document after passing through the scanning position to the upstream side of the scanning position while interchanging the front end and rear end of the document, and an ejection mechanism configured so that its document ejection mode can be switched between a first ejection mode for successively ejecting each document while stacking it on documents already ejected to the document output tray and a second ejection mode for successively ejecting each document while sliding it under the already ejected documents.

Abstract: A modular scanning system (10) consisting of a first scanning unit (11) and a plurality of tethered scanning (13) and digital capture elements (150, 160) providing both sheet-fed, platen, and digitally captured documents and photographs. The first scanning unit (11) includes all the mechanisms necessary to permit sheet-fed scanning of documents. The platen scanner (13) provides a second scanning unit which performs platen scanning of documents on a glass top (26) of the platen scanner (13). Since the platen scanner (13) is detachable, the user has the option to select the platen scanning functionality but with the additional flexibility of selectively mounting or storing the platen element.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus has an original placing portion on which an original is placed, a feed portion for feeding the original placed on the original placing portion to convey the original from one end side of an original plate onto the original plate, a conveying rotary member for conveying the original on the original plate, a reversing and conveying portion for reversing the front side and back side of the original conveyed to the other end side of the original plate by the conveying rotary member, and conveying the reversed original from the other end side onto the original plate, an image reading unit for reading the image of the original stopped on the original plate while being moved, and a control portion for controlling the driving of the conveying rotary member.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus capable of occurring no failure in reading of the original document sheet due to a change in the original document sheet conveyance conditions that occurs in switching a pair of rollers of document conveyance mechanism from a separated state to a contacted state by including a document reader, a document conveyance mechanism including a pair of rollers that are disposed upstream from a reading position in terms of a direction of document conveyance and a controller for, when a trailing edge of one original document sheet has passed the reading position, switching the pair of rollers of the document conveyance mechanism from a separated state to a contacted state before a leading edge of a next original document sheet reaches the reading position.

Abstract: A paper pressing device for a scanning apparatus is provided, which include a scanning module and a paper track corresponding to the scanning module, wherein the paper track is provided for a paper sheet passing through. The paper pressing device includes a film and a pressing block. The film is disposed on one side of the paper track opposite to the scanning module. The pressing block is disposed on one side of the film opposite to the scanning module and presses against the film for reducing the height of the paper track above the scanning module. When the paper sheet is passes over the scanning module, the paper pressing device presses the paper sheet for maintaining the paper sheet flat while being scanned.

Abstract: A paper feeding mechanism for carrying a paper passing through a scanning station having a scanning module includes a partition, a paper transporting device, and a switching member movably disposed corresponding to one end of the partition. A first paper feeding channel is formed between the partition and the scanning station, and a second paper feeding channel is formed on another side of the partition. The paper transporting device carries the paper passing over the side of the partition through the first paper feeding channel with a first page of the paper facing the scanning module. Then, the paper is flipped for a second page of the paper facing the scanning module. The switching member can be selectively moved for guiding the paper passing through the first paper feeding channel or the second paper feeding channel.