Then image reading device includes a transparent document table, a frame, a reading unit, a moving mechanism, a white reference member, and a controller. The frame is provided around a peripheral of the document table. The white reference member is provided on the frame adjacent to the document table in the sub scanning direction and has a length in the main scanning direction longer than the document table. The reading unit includes a first reading part which reads an area corresponding to the document table and a second reading part which reads an area corresponding to the frame. The controller detects a boundary between the frame and the reference member based on a read value of the second reading part while moving the reading unit by the moving mechanism, and positions the reading unit at a home position apart from the boundary by a predetermined distance.

A media scanner including an input tray, an output tray disposed above the input tray, a media feeder to advance media along a media path from the input tray to the output tray, an upper scanning device to generate a first scan line, and a lower scanning assembly. The upper scanning device is disposed to face downward to scan a first side of the media. The lower scanning assembly is disposed to face upward to scan a second side of the media. The media path extends from the input tray to below the upper scanning device, to above the lower scanning assembly, and to the output tray. The upper scanning device is disposed at an angle with respect to the media path to cause a front edge of the media advancing along the media path to contact the upper scanning device at or before the first scan line.

Method and systems of automated document processing described herein include activating in sequence a plurality of illumination modules of an illumination source to illuminate a document, where the plurality of illumination modules are located at different positions relative to the document. The document can be imaged each time the document is illuminated by an illumination module to provide a plurality of images. A shadow profile of the document can be obtained based on the plurality of images. One or more of a boundary of the document and presence of a fastener attached to the document can be identified using the shadow profile. Any fasteners present may be removed using a robot arm.

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.

According to one or more embodiments, a sheet conveying device includes a reading device, a roller, a downstream guide, and a transition guide. The reading device reads a surface of the sheet. The roller faces the reading device. The downstream guide is downstream of the roller in the sheet conveyance direction. The transition guide guides the sheet at least during a sheet transition from the reading position to s an upstream end of the downstream guide.

According to one or more embodiments, a sheet conveying device includes a reading device, a roller, a downstream guide, and a transition guide. The reading device reads a surface of the sheet. The roller faces the reading device. The downstream guide is downstream of the roller in the sheet conveyance direction. The transition guide guides the sheet at least during a sheet transition from the reading position to s an upstream end of the downstream guide.

An image reading apparatus according to an embodiment includes an image reading unit configured to generate reference data by reading a reference surface and to generate image data by reading a sheet. A reference unit has a reference surface. A shading correction unit determines whether a portion of the reference surface includes a contaminant based on image data generated by the image reading unit reading the portion of the reference unit. When the portion of the reference surface is determined to not include a contaminant, the shading correction unit generates reference data based on the image data generated by the image reading unit reading the portion of the reference surface determined to not include a contaminant.

Method and systems of automated document processing described herein include activating in sequence a plurality of illumination modules of an illumination source to illuminate a document, where the plurality of illumination modules are located at different positions relative to the document. The document can be imaged each time the document is illuminated by an illumination module to provide a plurality of images. A shadow profile of the document can be obtained based on the plurality of images. One or more of a boundary of the document and presence of a fastener attached to the document can be identified using the shadow profile. Any fasteners present may be removed using a robot arm.

Method and systems of automated document processing described herein include activating in sequence a plurality of illumination modules of an illumination source to illuminate a document, where the plurality of illumination modules are located at different positions relative to the document. The document can be imaged each time the document is illuminated by an illumination module to provide a plurality of images. A shadow profile of the document can be obtained based on the plurality of images. One or more of a boundary of the document and presence of a fastener attached to the document can be identified using the shadow profile. Any fasteners present may be removed using a robot arm.

A scanner includes a paper feeding roller set, a paper exporting roller set, a scanning module, a background and calibration roller, a main driving assembly, a first sleeve, a torque limiter and a stop-driving assembly. The paper feeding roller set and the paper exporting roller set are driven by the main driving assembly. The background and calibration roller includes a black background section, a white background section and at least one calibration section. The first sleeve sleeves the first end and is linked to the main driving assembly. The torque limiter is disposed between the background and calibration roller and the first sleeve and contacts the same. The stop-driving assembly is selectively abutted against two portions of the background and calibration roller.