In general, according to one embodiment, a scanner includes an original document stand, a pressure plate, a carriage, an image sensor, an amplification unit, and a processor. The processor turns on the light source during closing the pressure plate, detects a sheet size in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, causes a light amount of the light source at the time of detecting the sheet size to be less than a light amount of the light source at the time of the image reading, and performs a first process of causing a first gain of the amplification unit at the time of detecting the sheet size to be greater than a second gain of the amplification unit at the time of the image reading.

A multifunctional printer comprising a liquid crystal layer mounted below a platen, with a light source positioned below the platen and liquid crystal layer. The multifunctional printer can display images using the liquid crystal layer and light source, such that the images are visible to users on the platen. The images can be deactivated and the platen made clear when users choose to scan documents placed on the platen. The images can include print previews, user interface components, and/or scan lines that indicate the boundaries of a scan area on the platen.

An image scanning system comprises an image capture unit, a transmission unit, an adapter, a first driving unit and a second driving unit. The image scanning system uses the first driving unit connected with the adapter and the transmission unit to drive the image capture unit to move along an optical axis to instantly vary the distance between the image capture unit and the object. The image scanning system can realize high-precision submicron-scale transmission in simpler structure and lower cost.

An image reading device of the present invention includes a reading unit in which a lighting system and an optical system are mounted, a controller provided at a position where the controller does not transfer along with the reading unit, and a flexible flat cable that includes a curved portion and connects the reading unit with the controller. The lighting system includes an elongated light conductor extended in the main scanning direction and an end portion light source arranged at the end portion of the light conductor. The flexible flat cable is arranged on the outside of the optical system and on the lower side of the light conductor.

An image scanning system comprises an image capture unit, a transmission unit, an adapter, a first driving unit and a second driving unit. The image scanning system uses the first driving unit connected with the adapter and the transmission unit to drive the image capture unit to move along an optical axis to instantly vary the distance between the image capture unit and the object. The image scanning system can realize high-precision submicron-scale transmission in simpler structure and lower cost.

Methods and systems for copying media. A telescopic and swivel configured pole includes an arm that supports a camera for acquiring an image of media. A flat bed is configured with markers that facilitate imaging and a detection of the DPI of the image of the media located on the flat bed within a boundary of the markers. The pole is adjustable moveable in a telescopic and/or swivel manner for an acquisition and reproduction of the image in a dimensional scale representative of the actual scale of the media.

An image reading apparatus includes: a contact glass provided at an upper surface of a main body of the apparatus to set a manuscript thereon, an image sensor being positioned below the contact glass and having a reading surface on contact glass side for reading an image from the manuscript on the contact glass, a carriage supporting the image sensor accommodated in a sensor container formed to have a recess open to the contact glass side, a rail member slidably supporting the carriage, and a biasing member biasing the image sensor to the contact glass side via a biased portion adjacent to the reading surface of the image sensor. An upper end of the biasing member is positioned below the contact glass and above the lower surface of the image sensor.

An operation unit is provided on a front side of the image forming apparatus. A document feeding portion feeds a document supported by a document supporting portion in a document feeding direction from a front side of the image forming apparatus toward the rear side of the image forming apparatus. A document discharge portion discharges the document in a document discharge direction from the rear side toward the front side. The operation unit is disposed on one side with respect to an apparatus center of the image forming apparatus in a left-right direction orthogonal to a direction from the front side to the rear side. A conveyance center of the document feeding portion in the left-right direction is disposed on the other side with respect to the apparatus center in the left-right direction.

An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body including a housing cover, a printer, a discharge roller, a discharge portion, a scanner, and a document cover. The discharge portion is recessed downward in a vertical direction relative to an upper surface of the housing cover and includes a first wall and a second wall, and a receiving surface situated therebetween. The scanner is disposed downstream from the discharge portion in a sheet discharge direction, and includes a document table and an image sensor. The document cover is configured to pivot between a first position at which the document cover covers the document table of the scanner from above and a second position that is different from the first position. When the document cover is located at the first position, an upper surface of the document cover is substantially level with a downstream end of the receiving surface.

An image reader device includes: an original placement part; a holder supporting the original placement part and forming, with the original placement part, a first boundary extending in a first direction; an image reading part movable in a vertical scan direction parallel to the first direction; and an open-close unit closable relative to the original placement part and including a press member which presses an original on the original placement part. The press member includes a first zone and a second zone arranged in the first direction. The first zone includes an extended portion extending beyond the first boundary from the original placement part to the holder when the open-close unit is located at a closed position.