Image reading apparatus and image reading method

An image reading method using an image reading device, the image reading device including:

• a conveyor configured to convey an original;
• a reader configured to read the original conveyed by the conveyor;
• a detector configured to detect an abnormal image generated in a read image of the original obtained by the reader;
• a correction processor configured to correct the abnormal image;
• and
• an operation unit configured to receive a setting of an operation mode set by a user;
• and
• an image area separator configured to detect, from the read image, a content area in which a content of the original is formed and an abnormal image area in which the abnormal image is detected by the detector,
• the image reading method comprising, in a case where the detector detects the abnormal image:
• correcting, by the correction processor, the abnormal image in a case in which a first operation mode of continuing image reading is set through the operation unit;
• and
• stopping conveyance of the original performed by the conveyor and giving a notification of generation of the abnormal image in a case in which a second operation mode of interrupting the image reading is set through the operation unit,
• wherein the conveyance of the original performed by the conveyor is stopped and the notification of the generation of the abnormal image is given in a case where the second operation mode is set and the content area and the abnormal image area overlap each other, and
• wherein the read image of the original is discarded in a case where the content area and the abnormal image area overlap each other in the second operation mode.

An image reading apparatus comprising:

• a conveyor configured to convey an original;
• a reader configured to read the original conveyed by the conveyor;
• a detector configured to detect an abnormal image generated in a read image of the original obtained by the reader;
• a correction processor configured to correct the abnormal image;
• an operation unit configured to receive a setting of an operation mode set by a user;
• a controller configured to, in a case where the detector detects the abnormal image:
• control the correction processor to correct the abnormal image in a case in which a first operation mode of continuing image reading is set through the operation unit;
• and
• stop conveyance of the original performed by the conveyor and give a notification of generation of the abnormal image in a case in which a second operation mode of interrupting the image reading is set through the operation unit;
• and
• an image area separator configured to detect, from the read image, a content area in which a content of the original is formed and an abnormal image area in which the abnormal image is detected by the detector,
• wherein the controller is configured to stop the conveyance of the original performed by the conveyor and give the notification of the generation of the abnormal image in a case where the second operation mode is set and the content area and the abnormal image area overlap each other,
• wherein the operation unit is configured to receive a setting of a detection level of the abnormal image set by the user, and
• wherein the controller is configured to:
• determine, in a case in which a first detection level is set, that the content area and the abnormal image area overlap each other in a case where the detector detects the abnormal image;
• and
• determine, in a case in which a second detection level is set, that the content area and the abnormal image area overlap each other in a case where a first image for masking the content area and a second image for masking the abnormal image area overlap each other.