Image erasing apparatus and image erasing method

An image erasing method, comprising the steps of:

• supplying a sheet from a sheet supply section;
• conveying the sheet from the sheet supply section on a first conveying path;
• and
• controlling, based on a selected mode, the first conveying path, a reader arranged on the first conveying path and configured to read a surface of the sheet, a second conveying path that branches from the first conveying path at a first position downstream of the reader in a sheet conveying direction and that merges with the first conveying path at a second position between the sheet supply section and the reader, an erasing unit arranged on the second conveying path and configured to erase an image formed on the sheet with image erasable material, and a switching section arranged on the first conveying path at the first position and configured to switch a conveyance path of the sheet between the first conveying path towards at least one discharge tray and the second conveying path towards the erasing unit, so that:
• when the selected mode is an erasing mode, the sheet is conveyed on the first conveying path without being read by the reader, conveyed on the second conveying path where the image is erased by the erasing unit, and then conveyed to the at least one discharge tray, and
• when the selected mode is a reading mode, the sheet is conveyed on the first conveying path where the surface of the sheet is read by the reader, and then conveyed to the at least one discharge tray without being conveyed on the second conveying path.