An apparatus includes a second detection unit configured to detect whether there is a decrease in reflectance of a reflection unit for light, based on a second output value which is output by an output unit based on light which is received by a light receiving unit in a state in which, after a first output value is controlled to become a prescribed value, a light emitting unit is radiating light and it is detected by a first detection unit that a predetermined object is present in a path.

An image reading apparatus includes a light source, a light receiving unit, and an optical system. The light receiving unit includes a plurality of light receiving elements. The optical system includes a plurality of optical components for splitting the light reflected from the object to be read, and guiding the split light to each of the plurality of light receiving elements. The plurality of optical components include a splitting component that splits the light reflected from the object to be read in a direction corresponding to a main direction, and a common component provided with a common portion. The common portion has an optically acting area causing a common effect on the tight split by the splitting component. A cross sectional shape of the optically acting area orthogonal to a direction corresponding to the main direction is the same shape along the direction corresponding to the main direction.

Example implementations relate to an edge sensing apparatus. For example, an edge sensing apparatus consistent to the present disclosure may include a reflector in a beam path of a retroreflective sensor. The edge sensing apparatus consistent with the present disclosure may include a cover glass located between the retroreflective sensor and the reflector. The edge sensing apparatus consistent with the present disclosure may include a media feeder to feed a media along a media path between the cover glass and the retroreflective sensor.

An image data generating method of generating an image from a document includes acquiring, based on light reflected by the document, a first image signal corresponding to a plurality of components in a plurality of visible wavelength ranges and a component having a reflection absorption characteristic in an invisible wavelength range, converting the first image signal into a second image signal including a plurality of device-independent color space components and a black component, and generating image data based on the second image signal.

An original has a first pattern on and a second pattern, and the first pattern and the second pattern include relatively lighter markings within a relatively darker background. The relatively lighter markings appear at a first spacing interval in the first pattern, and at a larger second spacing interval in the second pattern. The first pattern and the second pattern cover and equally block a region of the original from reflecting ultraviolet light. A scanner is only capable of detecting patterns of markings having a spacing interval larger than the first spacing interval, which causes a copy of the original to not include the relatively lighter markings appearing at the first spacing interval. Thus, the copy lacks markings at locations corresponding to where the relatively lighter markings appear at the first spacing interval in the original. The copy reflects the ultraviolet light more where the copy lacks markings.

An image acquisition system according to the present invention includes: a display device including a display surface on which a subject can be mounted; and the image acquisition device that is disposed face-down at a position above the display device in a manner spaced apart from the display surface, the display device being disposed with the display surface face-up, and that acquires images of the display surface and the subject placed on the display surface, wherein the image acquisition device includes a transmission unit that transmits the acquired images, and the display device includes: a reception unit that receives the transmitted images; a relative-position calculation unit that calculates the relative position between the display device and the image acquisition device on the basis of the received image; and a display control unit that controls content displayed on the display surface on the basis of the calculated relative position.

An image reading apparatus for reading an image of an original includes an illumination portion for illuminating the original with light, a reflection member including a reflecting surface for reflecting the light from the original; a converting portion for photoelectrically converting the light reflected by the reflection member, and a casing for accommodating the reflection member. The casing is provided with an opening which is open to an outside of the casing. A surface of the reflecting member opposite from the reflecting surface and a portion defining the opening are bonded to each other with an adhesive.

A plurality of light sources, an optical deflector including a rotational member configured to be rotational about an axis of rotation thereof, and a plurality of reflective members, are provided in a light scanning unit for an image forming apparatus. The optical deflector is arranged to deflect light incident obliquely from the plurality of light sources and the plurality of reflective members are arranged to reflect the light deflected by the optical deflector to a plurality of surfaces, which are to be scanned and correspond to the plurality of light sources, and arranged such that scan lines on opposite surfaces with respect to the axis of rotation of the optical deflector among the plurality of surfaces to be scanned are bent in the same direction.

A light guide includes a first exit portion emitting first exiting light, a second exit portion emitting second exiting light in a different direction than the first exiting light, and a reflecting portion reflecting light entering the light guide to each of the first and second exit portions. The first and second exit portions respectively have first and second curved surfaces each having a convex cross section perpendicular to the long axis direction. The second exit portion is connected to the first exit portion in the direction perpendicular to the long axis direction. The reflecting portion is provided, in a plane facing the first exit portion and the second exit portion, at a position shifted in the direction perpendicular to the long axis direction from a position where a normal to the plane passes through a connection portion between the first and second exit portions.

A light sensing apparatus includes a sheet passage, a first sensing assembly and a first background sheet. The sheet passage has a scan window. The first sensing assembly disposed on a first side of the scan window outputs first scan light to the scan window. The first background sheet disposed on a second side of the scan window has a first reflective surface reflecting the first scan light, passing through the scan window, back to the first sensing assembly through the scan window. The first reflective surface of the first background sheet and the scan window are disposed in a non-parallel manner. Therefore, a light sensing method is also provided to achieve the effects of brightness calibration and boundary detection of the first sensing assembly.