An image reading device includes a marking part that applies a predetermined mark to a margin of a rear end of a document having passed through an image reading position, a mark erasing part that erases the predetermined mark when the document is discharged from a sheet discharge port, and an image data processing unit that determines whether the predetermined mark exists in image data of a document image read by an image reading unit and erases the image data of the document image when it is determined that the predetermined mark exists.

An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly including a main assembly frame and an image forming portion; a reading unit including a reading frame, a placing portion, a reading portion, and a hinge supporting portion; a hinge; and an openable unit. The hinge supporting portion includes a first fixing portion fixed to the reading frame and a second fixing portion provided adjacent to the main assembly frame and fixed to the main assembly frame.

An arrangement is therefore employed in which a flexible flat cable is guided by a guide member situated at a position facing a metal rear plate and the flexible flat cable extending from a connector to the metal rear plate is brought into contact with a wall portion of the metal rear plate so that the flexible flat cable is grounded.

A document feeder assisting device includes a document stacker to stack a document to be conveyed toward a feed port of an automatic document feeder, a pressing device to press the document toward a document placement surface of the document stacker, and a conveyance device to convey the document. The document is stacked on the document placement surface exposed above with the pressing device moved.

A system, method, and apparatus provide an improvement to user guided operation or troubleshooting of a device by illuminating an area of the device for the user's attention. Embodiments may include a plurality of lights. Each light is positioned respectively in a predetermined location in the printing apparatus, which may comprise known locations for paper jams to occur. Embodiments may also include a voice recognition module and a controller module connected to the plurality of lights. The controller module may be configured to: receive, from the voice recognition module, a user generated message requesting identification of the location of the paper jam; identify which of the predetermined locations has the paper jam; and activate a selected one of the plurality of lights, wherein the selected one of the plurality of lights is positioned to illuminate the predetermined location with the paper jam.

An original reading apparatus includes: a reading unit configured to read an original placed on a platen while moving in a predetermined direction in a housing; a sensor provided in the housing and configured to detect presence of the original in a predetermined position on the platen to identify a size of the original; a holding member movable in the housing and configured to hold the sensor and a cable extending from the sensor; and a cover configured to cover a predetermined space on a rear side of the platen mounted to the housing. A grip portion used by an operator to move the holding member is provided at one end of the holding member extending to the predetermined space through an opening portion in a wall on a rear side of the housing. When the cover is removed, the operator is allowed to grip the grip portion.

An image forming apparatus comprises a first apparatus and a second apparatus. A cable-side connector of an electrical cable extending from the second apparatus is connected to a first-apparatus-side connector provided in the first apparatus. The cable-side connector is provided on a side of the first apparatus. The image forming apparatus comprises an opening portion provided in the first apparatus and through which the cable-side connector is connectable to the first-apparatus-side connector from an outside of the first apparatus; a lid that covers the opening portion; an attaching portion provided on the lid so as to attach the lid to the first apparatus; an engaging portion provided on the lid so as to be disengageably engaged with the opening portion; an outlet portion provided on the lid and through which the electrical cable extends to the outside of the first apparatus; and an attachment member attached to the electrical cable.

A system, method, and apparatus provide an improvement to user guided operation or troubleshooting of a device by illuminating an area of the device for the user's attention. Embodiments may include a plurality of lights. Each light is positioned respectively in a predetermined location in the printing apparatus, which may comprise known locations for paper jams to occur. Embodiments may also include a voice recognition module and a controller module connected to the plurality of lights. The controller module may be configured to: receive, from the voice recognition module, a user generated message requesting identification of the location of the paper jam; identify which of the predetermined locations has the paper jam; and activate a selected one of the plurality of lights, wherein the selected one of the plurality of lights is positioned to illuminate the predetermined location with the paper jam.

An object of the invention is to provide a document cover closer as well as office equipment having such a document cover closer, wherein it is possible to finely adjust a spring force and to set its adjusting range within a wide range, as well as to downsize the apparatus. To achieve the above-mentioned object, in a document cover closer 5 according to the invention, a supporting part 20 is rotatably attached to an attaching part 10 being a base via a first hinge pin 81, and a lift part 30 to which the document cover is fixed is rotatably attached to the supporting part 20. In an elastic force adjusting portion 60, as the document cover is opened and the supporting part 20 is erected, the spring force adjusting screw 80 extending perpendicular to an axial direction of the first hinge pin 81 is rotated; then, as the spring force adjusting cam plate 61 moves in a forward and backward direction along cam tracks of cam surfaces 52L, 52R extending along a forward and backward direction of the second spring receiving portion 42, a spring sheet plate 70 as well moves integrally to compress or expand a first coil spring 43 and the second coil spring 44 to adjust a spring force.

A driving device is used in an image reading apparatus, and reciprocates a scanning unit for reading an image on an original. The driving device comprises a pull member, a driving pulley which transmits driving force to the pull member, a following pulley which applies tension to the pull member and a pulley holder having a pulley axis which holds the following pulley rotatably. Then, the pulley axis has a lock pawl capable of locking an upper end portion of the following pulley and canceling engagement with the following pulley by being tilted toward a side of an axial center by elastic deformation. Furthermore, the lock pawl is arranged at a side of a tension acting direction from the pull member to the following pulley except the farthest position from the driving pulley among positions in a circumferential direction of the pulley axis. It is possible to attach and detach the following pulley easily at a time of maintenance or the like.