Patent ID: 7518757
Filing Date: 2009-04-14
Classification: G06T,H04N

Abstract:
1. An image reading apparatus comprising: a white reference member; an original document support member; an image reading device selectively capable of imaging an original document placed on the original document support member and a reference surface of the white reference member, wherein the image read device generates white reference image data when the image reading device images the reference surface of the white reference member and generates original image data when the image reading device images an original document placed on the original document support member; a random noise suppressing device that suppresses random noise components in the white reference image data generated by the image reading device; a detecting device that detects a location of one or more abnormalities in the white reference image data in which random noise components have been suppressed by the random noise suppressing device, wherein each abnormality corresponds with the presence of foreign matter on the reference surface of the white reference member; and an abnormality identification device that generates an abnormality signal indicative of the detected location of the abnormality.