Patent ID: 7558524
Filing Date: 2009-07-07
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An image reading apparatus comprising: a transparent original table including a surface on which a document is to be placed; a light source that irradiates the original table from the back side; an image sensor that reads the document by subjecting to photoelectric conversion of light reflected from the document placed on the surface of the original table; an original cover that is made pivotable from a first position to leave open the surface of the original table to a second position to cover the surface of the original table therewith; a first optical system that forms a first optical path led from an area on a main scanning line in parallel to the axis in a longitudinal direction of the image sensor on the surface of the original table to the image sensor; a second optical system that forms a second optical path led from an area apart from the main scanning line in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning line on the surface of the original table; a subscanning unit that moves the main scanning line in parallel to the sub-scanning direction on the surface of the original table, the sub-scanning unit including a carriage on which the image sensor, the first optical system and a part of the second optical system are mounted and a controller for reciprocating the carriage in the sub-scanning direction; and; a document size decision unit that decides a size of the document placed on the surface of the original table on the basis of a change in quantity of light incident on a predetermined pixel of the image sensor when the carriage is placed at a predetermined position in which both the first optical path and the second optical path are formed by said light which is reflected from the document irradiated by the light source during the time the original cover pivots between the first position and the second position, the first optical path and the second optical path are disposed below the original table.