A sheet transfer guide, which is disposed along a sheet conveyance passage through which a sheet passes, provided to guide the sheet, and is included in an image forming apparatus and an image reading device, includes a base material, a coat layer formed on the base material and having a surface roughness smaller than a surface roughness of the base material, and a guide face to which the sheet contacts. The coat layer is formed on the guide face.

An image reading device includes a first setting processing portion, a second setting processing portion, and a third setting processing portion. The first setting processing portion, when first reference data has been read in a first reading process in which image data is read from a sheet placed on a sheet placement portion, sets a first adjustment value which is used in a shading correction. The second setting processing portion, when second reference data has been read in a second reading process in which image data is read from a sheet conveyed by a sheet conveying portion, sets a second adjustment value which is used in the shading correction. The third setting processing portion, in a case where only one of the first adjustment value and the second adjustment value has been set, sets the other based on the one that has been set.

An image reading device includes a first setting processing portion, a second setting processing portion, and a third setting processing portion. The first setting processing portion, when first reference data has been read in a first reading process in which image data is read from a sheet placed on a sheet placement portion, sets a first adjustment value which is used in a shading correction. The second setting processing portion, when second reference data has been read in a second reading process in which image data is read from a sheet conveyed by a sheet conveying portion, sets a second adjustment value which is used in the shading correction. The third setting processing portion, in a case where only one of the first adjustment value and the second adjustment value has been set, sets the other based on the one that has been set.

Embodiments of systems and methods are disclosed herein to transfer a printed election sheet from a printer to a scanner, which is separate and distinct from the printer, without human intervention. More specifically, the present disclosure provides a retrofit automatic document feeder (ADF), which may be “retrofit” or adaptively coupled between a printer and a scanner for automatically transferring a printed election sheet output from the printer to the scanner, where it is scanned to generate a scanned image of the printed election sheet. Unlike conventional ADFs incorporated within printers, scanners and multi-function printers, the retrofit ADF disclosed herein is coupled to receive a printed election sheet output from an output port of the printer, advance the printed election sheet away from the output port of printer and automatically transfer the printed election sheet to an input port of the scanner.

An image reading device includes: an FB glass; a sensor module having a light source and a plurality of sensors; and an image processor that generates correction data to be used for shading correction and performs the shading correction on image signals by using the correction data. The plurality of sensors is arranged in a main scanning direction and is configured to form an image signal on a single line. The image processor acquires second black data by causing the plurality of sensors to acquire an image signal of a reference sheet placed on the FB glass with the light source turned on, and generates black correction data based on the second black data. By performing the shading correction by using the black correction data, the image processor corrects density unevenness, in an image, caused by interference between image signals from the plurality of sensors.

A power switching device for switching power between translational motion and rotational motion includes an active gear, a transmission mechanism, a translation mechanism, a functional gear, and a reset mechanism. The active gear can rotate in a first direction or a second direction opposite the first direction. The translation mechanism includes a runner and a pushing member. The active gear can switch between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the active gear meshes with the runner and rotates in the first direction or the second direction to drive the runner to rotate. In the second position, the active gear meshes with the transmission gear and rotates in the second direction to drive the functional gear to rotate.

A power switching device for switching power between translational motion and rotational motion includes an active gear, a transmission mechanism, a translation mechanism, a functional gear, and a reset mechanism. The active gear can rotate in a first direction or a second direction opposite the first direction. The translation mechanism includes a runner and a pushing member. The active gear can switch between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the active gear meshes with the runner and rotates in the first direction or the second direction to drive the runner to rotate. In the second position, the active gear meshes with the transmission gear and rotates in the second direction to drive the functional gear to rotate.

In filter processing, a filter coefficient for which a weighting has been set is used for each of a plurality of pixels in a sub-scanning direction in a predetermined section of a main-scanning direction and the weighting for each of the plurality of pixels is determined such that a center of gravity of the weighting shifts in the main-scanning direction gradually from one end of the predetermined section to the other end.

An image reading apparatus includes a stacking unit, a conveyance unit to convey stacked sheets, a reading unit, a white reference plate provided in a second position, and a processor. The reading unit is movable and, at a first position, reads a conveyed sheet image to obtain image data and, at the second position, reads the white reference plate. The processor generates, based on a plate reading result, a shading correction value and corrects the image data using the shading correction value. Based on whether the number of times in which reading the white reference plate has been performed is less than a predetermined number of times, the reading unit changes a time interval in a reading period that is from a first timing to a second timing. The processor generates, each time the white reference plate is read, the shading correction value based on the plate reading results.

A medium discharge device includes a discharge roller pair that is provided with a discharge driving roller and a discharge driven roller which drivably rotates in contact with the discharge driving roller, and a medium receiving tray which receives the medium that is fed and discharged by the discharge roller pair, in which the medium receiving tray includes a guide member which guides such that a tip end of the medium which is discharged from the discharge roller pair enters the medium mounting surface at a predetermined angle, and the guide member is provided to be elastically displaceable in an advancing and retreating direction with respect to the medium mounting surface of the medium receiving tray and is displaced in a direction coming close to the medium mounting surface according to raising of a pressing load due to the medium that is discharged to the medium receiving tray.