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US 2004/0057079 A1Published application
Image reading apparatus, image reading method and original transport apparatus
AssigneeNisca Corporation
InventorYukio Ohsawa
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An image reading apparatus includes a reading device for reading an original at a reading position; an image determining device for determining whether the original has a black and white image or color image; and an original length determining device for determining a length of the original in a transport direction. The original once read is returned to the reading position through a first circulating path or a second circulating path longer than the first circulating path by a selection device for selecting the first circulating path or the second circulating path according to a result of the determination by the original length determining device.
Claims9
An image reading apparatus comprising:
- reading means for reading an original transferred along a transport path at a reading position;
- image determination means for determining whether the original has a black and white image or a color image;
- original length determining means for determining a length of the original in a transport direction as at least a long length and a short length shorter than the long length;
- a first circulating path for returning the original to the reading position in the transport path after the original passes the reading position;
- a second circulating path having a length longer than that of the first circulating path for returning the original to the reading position in the transport path after the original passes the reading position;
- and
- selection means for selecting one of the first circulating path and the second circulating path according to the length of the original.
4 more elements
An image reading method for reading an original, comprising the steps of:
- determining a length of the original in a transport direction;
- reading an image on the original passing through a reading position;
- determining whether the original has a black and white image or a color image;
- selecting one of a first circulating path and a second circulating path having a length longer than that of the first circulating path for returning the original to the reading position according to the length of the original;
- transporting the original to the reading position again through the one of the first circulating path and the second circulating path;
- setting a mode of reading the original according to a result in the step of determining whether the original has a black and white image or a color image;
- and
- reading the image on the original using the mode set in the step of setting the mode.
5 more elements
An original transport apparatus comprising:
- a transport path for guiding an original from an original tray to a reading position;
- a first return path for returning the original to the transport path without turning over the original transported to the reading position;
- a second return path having a length longer than that of the first return path for returning the original to the transport path without turning over the original transported to the reading position;
- a switchback path for turning over the original transported from the reading position, and for returning the original to the transport path;
- and
- a discharge path for discharging the original transported from the reading position to a discharge tray arranged below the original tray.
3 more elements
An image reading method for sequentially reading two sides of an original, comprising the steps of:
- determining a length of the original in a transport direction;
- reading one side of the original passing through a transport path by reading means at a reading position;
- determining whether the one side of the read original has a black and white image or a color image;
- selecting one of a first circulating path and a second circulating path having a length longer than that of the first circulating path for returning the original to the reading position according to the length of the original;
- transporting the original to the reading position through the one of the first circulating path and the second circulating path;
- setting a mode of reading the one side of the original according to a result of the step of determining whether the one side of the read original has a black and white image or a color image;
- reading the image on the one side of the original using the mode set in the step of setting the mode;
- turning over the original in a switchback path after reading the image on the one side of the original;
- returning the original to the reading position;
- reading an image on the other side of the original;
- determining whether the other side of the original has an black and white image or a color image;
- transporting the original to the reading position through the one of the first circulating path and the second circulating path;
- setting a mode of reading the other side of the original according to a result of the step of determining whether the other side of the original has an black and white image or a color image;
- and
- reading the image on the other side of the original using the mode set in the step of setting the mode.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.