Image reading apparatus and information processing apparatus...

Facsimile and static presentation processing – Static presentation processing – Detail of medium positioning

Reexamination Certificate

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C358S498000, C382S274000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06246484

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus and an information processing apparatus having an image reading function. More particularly, the invention relates to an image reading apparatus and an information processing apparatus, which are provided with means for correcting read-out image signals.
2. Related Background Art
Among recording apparatuses, there has hitherto been the one having a mechanism to read out images on a document (a sheet), which is carried in the same manner as a recording medium, besides a mechanism to record on a recording medium (a sheet). As a recording apparatus provided with such reading function, there is an apparatus that reads a document (a sheet) arranged on a platen using image reading means (an image reading head) mounted on a carriage of the apparatus.
An apparatus of the kind has an advantage that it can be made smaller at lower costs, because images are read by scanning the surface of a document while making the image reading head and a document having such images movable by means of a sheet feeding mechanism and a carriage mechanism adopted for such apparatus. These image reading apparatuses are disclosed in the specifications of Japanese Patent Laid-Open Application No. 59-99860, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Application No. 59-99864, and Japanese Patent Laid-Open Application No. 59-228464, among others, for example. Also, it is disclosed that a white reference reflection plate is provided in a image reading position of a recording apparatus in order to correct the so-called shading distortion, that is, to correct the relationship between the output of reading by an image reading head (means for reading out images), and the black and white condition of a document (reflective densities).
However, for a structure where a white reference reflection plate is provided in the interior of a recording apparatus, the reference reflection plate tends to be stained because the paper and dust particles adhering to a carrier roller or the like are transferred to the reflection plate. Particularly, in a case of an ink jet recording apparatus that records by discharging ink to a recording medium, the white reference reflecting plate is stained by ink mist. As a result, it often becomes difficult for the reference plate to execute its essential function of correcting the shading distortion created by an image reading head.
Here, therefore, a method has been proposed for correcting the shading distortion that may be created by an image reading head, whereby to correct image signals to be output after conversion by use of an image reading head in such a manner that a white reference reflection sheet, which has been prepared separately, is inserted into the sheet carrying path, and the white reference reflection sheet is being carried and read out by the image reading head for the intended correction in the same way as a document to be read, while the white reference reflection sheet is pinched by a carrier roller and a pinch roller on its feeding side (the trailing end side in the carrying direction), and pinched by a pair of sheet expelling rollers or by a pair of a sheet expelling roller and a spur on its expelling side simultaneously.
However, in such method for correcting the shading distortion, ink often adheres to the sheet expelling roller, the spur, or others because these rollers are in contact with a recording medium (a sheet) at the time of recording, and the ink thus adhering to the rollers are transferred to the white reference reflection sheet, thus causing the reflective densities thereof to change (the closer to white, the smaller the value of the reflective density becomes and on the contrary, the closer to black, the greater becomes the value of the reflective density). As a result, the quality of an image to be read may be made inferior. Therefore, in order to remove the cause of such stains that may change the reflective densities it is required to replace the white reference reflection sheets or cleaning the white reference reflection sheet periodically. Furthermore, if a spur is used, there is a possibility that a white reference reflection sheet is damaged by the spur because the contact tips thereof are sharp.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In consideration of the technical problems involved in the conventional art, the present invention is designed improve means for correcting the converted image signals of image reading means while using such white reference member as described above. It is an object of the invention to provide an image reading apparatus capable of accurately carrying out the correction of converted image signals of reading means without causing the white surface to be stained for a white reference member to be used for correction, and also, to provide an information processing apparatus provided with an image reading function.
It is another object of the invention to provide an image reading apparatus capable of accurately maintaining a correction for a long time without causing the white surface to be stained for a white reference member used for correction when the converted image signals of reading means are corrected by use of the white reference member by guiding it through the same carrying path for the document, and also, to provide an information processing apparatus provided with an image reading function.
It is still another object of the invention to provide an image reading apparatus that includes:
reading means for reading out a document arranged in a reading position for its conversion into image signals;
a reference member;
correction means for correcting the image signals converted by the reading means;
carrying means for guiding the document to the image reading position;
expelling means for expelling the document from the image reading position; and
controlling means for controlling and obtaining the corrected data from the correction means by guiding the reference member by use of the carrying means to the image reading position in order to read by use of the reading means the region of the reference member not in contact with the expelling means.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an image processing apparatus capable of selectively mounting thereon reading means for reading a document and recording means for recording on a recording medium, which includes the following:
a reference member;
correction means for correcting image signals converted by the reading means;
expelling means for expelling the recording medium from the image processing apparatus; and
controlling means for controlling and obtaining the corrected data from the correction means by reading the region of the reference member not in contact with the expelling means by use of the reading means.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4970531 (1990-11-01), Shimizu et al.
patent: 5757403 (1998-05-01), Nagashima
patent: 5802217 (1998-09-01), Suzuki et al.
patent: 5805183 (1998-09-01), Lidice et al.
patent: 5880852 (1999-03-01), Asano et al.
patent: 5903401 (1999-05-01), Tanaka et al.
patent: 5917620 (1998-09-01), Hasegawa et al.
patent: 59-99864 (1984-06-01), None
patent: 59-99860 (1984-06-01), None
patent: 59-228464 (1984-12-01), None

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