A print media detection apparatus may include a movable scanner bar for scanning media, a feeder tray for supplying the print media, a print media indicator and a controller. The print media indicator may include a first portion to interact with the print media within the feeder tray and a second portion coupled to the first portion to move in response to movement of the first portion. The scanner bar is to sense the second portion of the media indicator. The controller is to determine a characteristic of the print media within the feeder tray based upon sensing of the second portion by the scanner bar.

An image reading method in the present invention includes: obtaining a pickup image by performing image pickup of an object mounted on a mounting surface with an imaging unit; and extracting an image of the object from the pickup image, based on a brightness difference between the image of the object and an image of a shadow of the object in the pickup image.

An image reading method in the present invention includes: obtaining a pickup image by performing image pickup of an object mounted on a mounting surface with an imaging unit; and extracting an image of the object from the pickup image, based on a brightness difference between the image of the object and an image of a shadow of the object in the pickup image.

An image reading device includes a placement section, a reader, an authentication control section, and a reading control section. A document and an identification medium are placed on the placement section. The reader reads the document and the identification medium and generates image data. The authentication control section performs authentication of a user based on image data of the identification medium and generates authentication information that indicates a result of authentication of the user. The reading control section controls the reader. The reading control section controls the reader to read the document after generating the image data of the identification medium. The authentication control section starts authentication of the user after the image data of the identification medium is generated.

An image reading optical system includes an image reading unit including plural reading elements that are arranged in a first direction, a first reflective optical system configured to reflect reflection light which is irradiation light emitted from a light source and reflected on an object to be read, a second reflective optical system configured to condense the reflection light reflected on the first reflective optical system to the image reading unit, and an aperture stop including a plate shaped member formed with an aperture configured to regulate the reflection light reflected on the first reflective optical system in the first direction, the plate shaped member including at least one plate shaped piece bent at a preset angle with respect to the aperture along a tangent line of the aperture in the first direction.

A reading device includes a reading unit configured to read a document, and a control unit configured to acquire image data including a document region and a background region from the reading unit. The control unit acquires document information about a document, and sets, based on the document information, a background range indicating a range of a luminance value regarded as the background region.

The present invention discloses a double-sided synchronous scanning device. A scanning channel is formed between two scanning components; two backlight plates are respectively used to provide backlight for an opposite-side scanning component and fixed with the same-side scanning component; one side of each backlight plate facing the scanning channel is provided with a light guide groove corresponding to a light inlet of the corresponding scanning component; a backlight source is arranged in the light guide groove. When the two scanning components work synchronously, because the backlight plates always need to provide backlight for the opposite-side scanning component, and the reflected light generated by the backlight plates on a scanned sample enters the light inlet of the same-side scanning component, which will affect the image scanning effect.

A scanner has a first sensor array; a second sensor array; a timing controller that individually outputs at different times a first drive signal that drives the first sensor array, and a second drive signal that the second sensor array; and a light source configured that emits and illuminates a document during periods between the first drive signal and the second drive signal output next after the first drive signal, and periods between the second drive signal and the first drive signal output next after the second drive signal.

An image reading apparatus includes a moving unit, a first detecting unit, and a second detecting unit. The moving unit moves a calibration plate in the main scanning direction relatively to a reading apparatus. The calibration plate is a plate for calibrating the reading apparatus. The reading apparatus has a reading unit and reading glass. The reading unit is arranged in the main scanning direction. The reading glass is disposed on a reading surface side of the reading unit. The first detecting unit detects an abnormality on the calibration plate from reading results. The reading results are obtained in such a manner that, while the moving unit is controlled to move the calibration plate, the reading unit reads the calibration plate. The second detecting unit detects an abnormality on the reading glass from the reading results.

An image reading apparatus includes a reading device having an opening in an upper surface thereof, a main device disposed below the reading device, a first cable connected to the reading device and the main device and including a first portion, a retaining portion disposed in the main device, and a groove portion. The retaining portion is configured to retain the first portion of the first cable such that the first portion has a substantially U-shaped curve, which is curved downwardly, and such that a liquid passes through the opening of the reading device, runs on the first portion downwardly and drops down from a lower end of the substantially U-shaped curve in the first portion of the first cable. The groove portion is configured to receive the liquid dropping down from the lower end of the substantially U-shaped curve in the first portion of the first cable.