Patent ID: 6384941
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An apparatus comprising:a memory unit storing alignment correction data for correcting alignment of image data read from a surface or an original document; a carrier sheet having a reference image formed thereon; an optical reading unit reading said reference image from said carrier sheet to form reference data, reading the image data from the surface of the original document to form scan data when said optical reading unit is being transported along a first path of conveyance in a first direction across the surface of the original document, and reading the image data from the surface of the original document to form said scan data when said optical unit is being transported along a second path of conveyance in a second direction across the surface of the original document, the second direction being opposite to the first direction; a carriage return motor connected to said optical reading unit, performing a first plurality of rotation steps to transport said optical reading unit in the first direction, and performing a second plurality of rotation steps to transport said optical reading unit in the second direction; a control unit connected to said memory unit and said optical reading unit, receiving the alignment correction data from said memory unit, receiving the reference data corresponding to said reference image on said carrier sheet, controlling said optical reading unit, detecting said first and second pluralities of rotation steps of said carriage return motor, outputting an alignment correction signal according to the alignment correction data, and outputting an image correcting signal according to the reference data; and a motor controller connected to said control unit and said carriage return motor, receiving said alignment correction signal from said control unit, and controlling said first and second pluralities of rotation steps of said carriage return motor according to said alignment correction signal.