Patent Publication Number: US-8988738-B2

Title: Cutting apparatus with image reading unit and reading-use holding unit having reference portion for use in shading correction

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application 2012-123110, filed on, May 30, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a reading-use holding member for holding a sheet of read object, an image reading apparatus provided with the reading-use holding member, and a cutting apparatus provided with the image reading apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Image reading apparatus such as a copier, facsimile, and image scanner are typically provided with a feed mechanism that feeds the object of read or workpiece, typically coming in the form of a sheet material such as a sheet of paper, in the forward and rearward direction. Such image reading apparatuses are further typically provided with a holder for holding the sheet of read object which comprises a holder base and a transparent holder cover. The image of the read object is obtained by reading the surface of the read object with an image scanner while feeding the holder clamping the read object in the forward and rearward direction. 
     The image scanner is typically configured by components such as a light source, lens, and a plurality of imaging devices. One of the problems encountered in such image scanners is the unevenness in the level of concentration of the read image which may be caused by the variation in the properties of the imaging devices, variation in the brightness of the light source, and the aberration of the lens. Thus, the read image is subjected to a shading correction to correct the concentration level. The shading correction typically involves reading a reference member including, for example, a white reference color with the image scanner prior to the reading of the read object, generating correction data based on the image data of the read reference member, and applying the correction data to correct the concentration level of the read object. 
     A reference member for shading correction is typically provided on the leading head of the holder being fed into the image reading apparatus. In order to obtain white reference information, the reference member is formed in a white color exhibiting a high level of brightness. By reading the reference member with the image scanner during the image reading, the latest correction data is always available to enable execution of appropriate shading correction. 
     A cutting apparatus is known that cuts a workpiece made of materials such as paper and cloth in the desired shape. The workpiece is held by a holding member during the cutting operation. By providing an image sensor serving as an image reading unit on such cutting apparatus, information such as the location, size, and the outline of the workpiece held by the holding member may be detected while also enabling reading of the original image of the workpiece for generation of cut data. 
     The above described application also requires shading correction of the read object in order to obtain a good read image. Thus, a reference member for shading correction, similar to the foregoing may be provided on the holding member. However, the reference member, when provided on the holding member, may be contaminated by the debris resulting from the cutting of the workpiece. Further, scratches resulting from the repeated cutting accumulate on the surface of the holding member. Thus, the holding member is considered as a consumable which is replaced by a new one after being used for approximately ten times. In this respect, the provision of the reference member brings up the cost of the overall system. 
     SUMMARY 
     Various exemplary embodiments of the general principles herein may provide a reading-use holding member for use with an image reading apparatus allowing appropriate shading correction of the image read by an image reading unit. Exemplary embodiments herein may also provide an image reading apparatus and a cutting apparatus. 
     In one aspect, a reading-use holding member which is configured for use with an image reading apparatus including an image reading unit and which holds a sheet of workpiece while image reading is performed by the image reading unit, the reading-use holding member including a base being generally planar; an indicator provided at the base and configured to identify a type of holding member when read by the image reading unit; a holding portion provided at the base and configured to hold the workpiece; and a reference portion provided at the base and configured to provide a reference image data for use in a shading correction of an image read by the image reading unit. 
     In one aspect, an image reading apparatus includes an image reading unit and the above described reading-use holding member. 
     In one aspect, a cutting apparatus provided with an image reading apparatus includes: an image reading unit; a reading-use holding member configured to hold a sheet of workpiece while image reading is performed by the image reading unit, the reading-use holding member including: a base being generally planar, an indicator provided at the base and configured to identify a type of holding member when read by the image reading unit, a holding portion provided at the base and configured to hold the workpiece, and a reference portion provided at the base and configured to provide a reference image data for use in a shading correction of an image read by the image reading unit; a cutting-use holding member being different in type from the reading-use holding member and including an indicator configured to identify a type of holding member when read by the image reading unit and a second adhesive layer configured to removably hold a sheet of a workpiece by a second adhesive force; and a cut mechanism configured to cut the workpiece being held by the cutting-use holding member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  pertains to a first embodiment and is one example of a perspective view illustrating the inner structure of a cutting apparatus and a cutting-use holding member. 
         FIG. 2  is one example of a planar view of the internal structure of the cutting apparatus. 
         FIG. 3  is one example of a vertical left-side cross sectional view taken along line III-III of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is one example of a perspective view of a cut head. 
         FIG. 5  is one example of a front view of the cut head. 
         FIG. 6  is one example of a plan view of the cut head. 
         FIG. 7  is one example of a vertical cross sectional front view of the cut head taken along line VII-VII of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is one example of a perspective view of a carriage. 
         FIG. 9A  is one example of a perspective view schematically illustrating the configuration of a reading-use holding member. 
         FIG. 9B  is one example of a front view of the reading-use holding member. 
         FIG. 10  is one example of a block diagram schematically illustrating an electric configuration. 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart indicating one example of a schematic process flow of a reading process executed by a control circuit. 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart indicating one example of a process flow for specifying a shading correction data. 
         FIG. 13A  pertains to a second embodiment and is one example of a plan view schematically illustrating the configuration of a reading-use holding member. 
         FIG. 13B  is one example of a reading-use holding member. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A first embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 12 . An image reading apparatus  1 ′ of the first embodiment is configured as a component of a cutting apparatus  1  that cuts sheet materials such as a sheet of paper and thus, will be explained through the description of the cutting apparatus  1 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , the cutting apparatus including the image reading apparatus  1 ′ is provided with a main cover  2  shown in  FIG. 1 , a platen  3  disposed inside the main cover  2 , and a cut head  5  provided with a cutter  4  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 7  and serving as a cut mechanism. As further shown in  FIG. 2 , the cutting apparatus  1  is provided with a scanner  6  serving as an image reading unit which will be later described in detail. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the cutting apparatus  1  is provided with a cut-type or cutting-use holding member  51  for holding a workpiece S also referred to as a cut object S comprising a sheet material such as paper and cloth. As further shown in  FIGS. 9A , and  9 B, the cutting apparatus  1  is also provided with a read-type or reading-use holding member  71  for holding a workpiece S′ also referred to as a read object S′ comprising a sheet material such as paper. The workpiece S bears the original image, based upon which, cut data is generated by the cutting apparatus  1 . As will be later described in detail, both the cutting-use holding member  51  and the reading-use holding member  71  are generally flat and rectangular. When the cutting-use holding member  51  and the reading-use holding member  71  are collectively referred, they will be represented as “holding member  51 / 71 ”. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the main cover  2  is shaped like a laterally elongate rectangular box and on the front face of the main cover  2 , a laterally elongate opening  2   a  is formed. Through the opening  2   a , the cutting-use holding sheet  51  holding the workpiece S or the reading-use holding member  71  holding the workpiece S′ may be placed on the upper surface of the platen  3 . The cutting apparatus  1  is further provided with a feed mechanism  7  and a cutter transfer mechanism  8 . The feed mechanism  7  feeds the holding member  51 / 71  in the forward and rearward direction also referred to as the Y direction. The cutter transfer mechanism  8  transfers the cut head  5  in the left and right direction also referred to as the X direction. In the first embodiment, the X and Y directions intersect so as to be orthogonal to one another. 
     On the right side of the front face of the main cover  2 , a display  9  is provided which comprises a full color liquid crystal display. Provided further on the right, side of the front face of the main cover  2  is a plurality of control switches  10  only shown in  FIG. 10  which is controlled by the user for providing various instructions and making selections and inputs. The control switches  10  include a touch panel provided on the surface of the display  9 . Display  9  serves a display unit that presents images of patterns and messages addressed to the user. The user may select a given pattern from those presented on the display  9  and specify various parameters as well as input instructions through the operation of the control switches  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the platen  3  receives the underside of the cutting-use holding member  51  when cutting the workpiece S and comprises a pair of front plate  3   a  and a rear plate  3   b  being provided on a machine frame  11 . The upper surface of the platen  3  is level and the platen  3  is transferred with the cutting-use holding sheet  51  holding the workpiece S or the reading-use holding member  71  holding the workpiece S′ placed on top of it. 
     The feed mechanism  7  transfers the holding member  51 / 71  in the Y-direction across the upper surface of the platen  3  and is configured as described below. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , etc, the machine frame  11  is located inside the main cover  2 . The machine frame  11  is provided with left and right sidewalls  11   a  and  11   b  that are located on the left and right sides of the platen  3  so as to oppose one another. As also shown in  FIG. 3 , a drive roller  12  and the pinch roller shaft  13  extending across the left and right sidewalls  11   a  and  11   b  are provided so as to be located in the clearance between the front plate  3   a  and the rear plate  3   b  of the platen  3 . The pinch roller shaft  13  and the drive roller  12  are aligned in the up and down direction such that the pinch roller shaft  13  is disposed above the drive roller  12 . 
     The left and right end sides of the drive roller  12  are supported rotatably by the sidewalls  11   a  and  11   b  such that the upper end of the drive roller  12  is substantially coplanar with the upper surface of the platen  3 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the drive roller  12  extends rightward through the right sidewall  11   b  and on the right end of the drive roller  12 , a follower gear  17  is provided which has a relatively large diameter. As further shown in  FIG. 2 , a mount frame  14  is attached on the outer surface of the right sidewall  11   b  and a Y-axis motor  15  is mounted on the mount frame  14 . The Y-axis motor  15  comprises, for instance, a stepper motor. At end of the rotary shaft of the Y-axis motor  15  a drive gear  16  is attached which has a relatively small diameter. The drive gear  16  is meshed with the aforementioned follower gear  17 . Thus, the forward/reverse rotation of the Y-axis motor  15  drives the drive roller  12  in rotation in the forward and reverse directions. 
     The left and right ends of the pinch roller shaft  13  are supported rotatably by the left and right sidewalls  11   a  and  11   b  so as to be slightly movable in the direction of thickness of the workpiece such as workpiece S. The pinch roller shaft  13  extends through both the left and the right sidewalls  11   a  and  11   b , and between the left and right ends of the pinch roller shaft  13  and the outer surfaces of the corresponding sidewalls  11   a  and  11   b , coil springs  18  are engaged to constantly bias the pinch roller shaft  13  downward toward the drive roller  12 . Near the left and right side ends of the pinch roller shaft  13  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , roller portions  13   a  and  13   b  are provided that have outer diameters slightly larger than those of other portions of the pinch roller shaft  13 . 
     Thus, left and right edges  51   a  and  51   b  of the cutting-use holding member  51  are held between the drive roller  12  and the roller portions  13   a  and  13   b  of the pinch roller shaft  13 . The feed mechanism  7  feeds the holding member  51 / 71  in the Y direction by the rotational drive of the drive roller  12  driven by the Y-axis motor  15  with the left and right edges of the holding member  51 / 71  held between the drive roller  12  and the roller portions  13   a  and  13   b  of the pinch roller shaft  13 . 
     The cutter transfer mechanism  8  transfers the carriage  19  and consequently the cut head  5  in the X direction and is configured as described below. Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , a guide shaft  21  is disposed so as to extend in the left and right direction between the left and right sidewalls  11   a  and  11   b  so as to be located slightly behind and above the pinch roller shaft  13 . The guide shaft  21  extends substantially parallel with the pinch roller shaft  13 , in other words, in the X direction. As shown in  FIG. 8 , etc., the carriage  19  is provided with a guide sleeve  22  on each of its left and right sides. The guide shaft  21  is passed through the guide sleeves  22  to allow the carriage  19  and consequently the cut head  5  to move in the X direction along the guide shaft  21 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a horizontal mount plate  23  is attached to the outer rear side portion of the left sidewall  11   a , whereas an auxiliary mount plate  24  is attached to the right sidewall  11   b . On the rear side of the mount plate  23 , an X-axis motor  25  comprising a stepper motor for example, is mounted so as to be oriented upward. On the front side of the mount plate  23 , a pulley shaft  26  extends rotatably in the direction orthogonal to the mount plate  23 . The output shaft of the X-axis motor  25  is provided with a drive gear  27  having a relatively small diameter. The pulley shaft  26  is provided with a timing pulley  28  and a follower gear  29  having relatively large diameter. The timing pulley  28  and the follower gear  29  are structurally integral and thus, rotates integrally. The follower gear  29  meshes with the drive gear  27 . 
     The auxiliary mount plate  24  is provided with timing pulley arranged rotatably with its axis oriented upward. The timing pulley  30  and the timing pulley  28  are wound with an endless timing belt  31  which extends horizontally along the X direction. The intermediate portion of the timing belt  31  is connected to a mount portion  32  provided on the rear surface of the carriage  19  as can be seen in  FIG. 3 , etc. Sidewalls  11   a  and  11   b  are provided with a square opening  11   c  to allow the timing belt  31  to pass through. The cutter transfer mechanism  8  configured as described above transfers the carriage and consequently the cut head  5  in the left and right direction by the rotation of the X-axis motor  25  in the forward and reverse directions which is transmitted to the timing belt  31  by way of the follower gear  29  and the pulley  28 . 
     The cut head  5  is disposed on the front side of the carriage  19  with a vertical drive mechanism  36  and a cutter holder  20  situated on its left and right sides. The structure of the cut head  5  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 3 to 8 . Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 8 , etc., the carriage  19  is configured substantially as a rectangular plate which is laterally elongated in front view. On the upper edge of the carriage  19 , the aforementioned guide sleeves  22  are provided so as to be located on the left and right side portions. On the rear side of the carriage  19 , the aforementioned mount portion  32  protrudes rearward to be connected to the timing belt  31  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , on the portion of the front face of the carriage  19 , located slightly to the left, a first engagement portion  33  is provided which extends in the up and down direction. The first engagement portion  33  is L-shaped in plan view. On the central portion of the front face of the carriage  19 , a second engagement portion  34  is provided which extends in the up and down direction. Referring to  FIG. 6 , etc., the first engagement portion  33  and the second engagement portion  34  are engaged with a first engagement subject  57  and a second engagement subject  49  provided on the cutter holder  20  such that the first engagement subject  57  and the second engagement subject  49  are slidable in the Z direction, which in this case, is the up and down direction. Further, on the lower end of the carriage  19 , a slide contact portion  35  is provided for maintaining the orientation of the cut head  5 , in other words, for inhibiting the pivoting of the carriage  19  about the guide shaft  21 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 to 8 , the slide contact portion  35  takes a downwardly oriented U-shape in side view. The slide contact portion  35  is made of a thin plate and extends in the left and right direction. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the inner surface of the slide contact portion  35  establishes sliding contact with the pinch roller shaft  13  provided in the feed mechanism  7  to allow the X-directional movement of the carriage  19  while maintaining its orientation. Because the pinch roller shaft  13  is supported so as to be slightly movable in the up and down direction, in other words, the thickness direction of the workpiece S, the slide contact portion  35  is in sliding contact with the pinch roller shaft  13  so as to be relatively movable in the up and down direction in which the pinch roller shaft  13  is moved. The slide contact portion  35  is formed into a shape that embraces the pinch roller shaft  13  from the front and rear direction which is the direction in which the workpiece S is fed. The slide contact portion  35  moves along the region located between the roller portions  13   a  and  13   b . The movement of the slide contact portion  35  is arranged so as not to prevent the X-directional movement of the carriage  19 , in other words, the cut head  5 . 
     The aforementioned vertical drive mechanism  36  is configured as described in the following. As shown in  FIGS. 3 to 7 , a mount plate  37  formed into a crank shape is provided on the left front side of the carriage  19 . On the front face of the left end of the mount plate  37 , a Z-axis motor  38 , comprising a stepper motor for example, is provided so as to be oriented rearward. On the output shaft of the Z-axis motor  34 , a drive gear  39  is attached which has a relatively small diameter. As shown in  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the mount plate  37  is provided with a forwardly protruding gear shaft  40  located rightwardly upward from the Z-axis motor  38 . A follower gear  41  having a relatively large diameter and pinion gear  42  are supported rotatably by the gear shaft  40 . The follower gear  41  and the pinion gear  42  are structurally integral and thus, rotate integrally. The follower gear  41  meshes with the drive gear  39 . 
     On the right side of the gear shaft  40 , a rack member  43  is provided. The rack member  43  extends in the up and down direction and is shaped such that its left sidewall is adjoined with its front side wall. The rack member  43  is supported movably in the up and down direction by a later described shaft  46 . The left side wall of the rack member  43  has a rack  43   a , extending in the up and down direction, formed on it. The rack  43   a  meshes with the pinion  42  mentioned earlier. Thus, the rack member  43  is moved in the up and down direction by the rotation of the pinion gear  42  driven by the Z-axis motor  38 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , on the upper surface of the rack member  43 , an upper support piece  44  is provided so as to be structurally integral with the upper surface. The upper support piece  44  is shaped like a thin horizontal plate. On an inner portion of the rack member  43  located slightly below the vertical mid portion, an intermediate support piece  45  is provided. The intermediate support piece  45  is also structurally integral with the rack member  43  and is shaped like a thin horizontal plate. The upper support piece  44  has a through hole  44   a  formed therethrough whereas the intermediate support piece  45  has a through hole  45   a  formed therethrough. Inside the rack member  43 , a shaft  46  shaped like a round bar elongated in the up and down direction is disposed so as to extend through the through holes  44   a  and  45   a.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 to 7 , the cutter holder  20  includes a mount sleeve  47 , a shaft support  48 , the first engagement subject  57 , and the second engagement subject  49  that are structurally integral. The second engagement subject  49  is only shown in  FIG. 6 . The mount sleeve  47  extends in the up and down direction and is substantially cylindrical. As will be later described, cutter support sleeve  50  provided with the cutter  4  is removably mounted on the mount sleeve  47 . The first engagement subject  57  extends in the up and down direction and is located behind the shaft  46 . 
     The first engagement subject  57  is engaged with the first engagement portion  33  of the carriage  19  so as to be movable in the up and down direction. The second engagement subject  49  is L-shaped in plan view as shown in  FIG. 6  and extends in the up and down direction on the rear surface side of the mount sleeve  47 . The second engagement subject  49  is engaged with the second engagement portion  34  of the carriage  19  so as to be movable in the up and down direction. Thus, the cutter holder  20  is supported by the carriage  19  so as to be movable in the up and down direction relative to the carriage  19 . The cutter holder  20  is moved between the lowered position in which a later described blade  4   a  of the cutter  4  penetrates through the workpiece S and the lifted position in which the blade  4   a  is spaced apart from the workplace S by a predetermined distance. 
     The shaft support  48  is located on the left side of the mount sleeve  47  and is provided with an upper plate  48   a  and a lower plate  48   b  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The upper plate  48   a  and the lower plate  48   b  each has a circular hole  48   c  formed through it. The shaft  46  extends through each of the circular holes  48   c . The upper plate  48   a  is disposed so as to be placed over the intermediate support piece  45  of the rack member  43 . The shaft  46  is mounted on the shaft support  48  by being locked by stop rings  80  provided on a portion slightly above the vertical mid portion of the shaft  46  and on the lower end portion of the shaft  46 . On the outer peripheral portion of the shaft  46 , a compression coil spring  58  is wound so as to be located between the underside of the intermediate support piece  45  and the upper surface of the lower plate  48   b.    
     Thus, the shaft support  48 , in other words, the cutter holder  20  is lifted or lowered with the lifting and lowering of the rack member  43 . The cut holder  20  is thus, moved between the lowered position in which the blade  4   a  of the cutter  4  penetrates through the workpiece S and the lifted position in which the blade  4   a  is spaced apart from the workplace S by a predetermined distance. 
     The lowering of the cutter holder  20  will be described in detail hereinafter. The cutter holder  20  is gradually lowered with the lowering of the rack member  43 . The cut holder  20  stops its descent at the location where the blade  4   a  of the cutter  4  penetrates through the workpiece S, whereas the rack member  43  continues its descent. The rack member  43  stops its descent after descending for a predetermined distance. Thus, in the lowered position of the cutter holder  20 , the compression coil spring is compressed by a predetermined distance below the intermediate support piece  45 . As a result, the biasing force, i.e. the elasticity of the compression coil spring  58  exerts a predetermined pressure on the workpiece S applied through the cutter  4 . The upward movement of the cutter holder  5  and consequently the cutter  4  against the biasing force of the compression coil spring  58  is also permitted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the cutter support sleeve  50  exhibits a cylindrical shape elongated in the up and down direction. The outer peripheral surface of the cutter support sleeve  50  is fitted with the inner peripheral portion of the mount sleeve  47 . The cutter  4  is mounted into the cutter support sleeve  50  so as to extend along the central axis of the cutter support sleeve  50 . The lower end of the cutter  4  terminates into a blade  4   a  which protrudes downward from the lower end of the cutter support sleeve  50 . On the lower portion of the cutter support sleeve  50 , a presser portion  59  is provided movably in the up and down direction so as to surround the blade  4   a . Between the presser portion  59  and the cutter support sleeve  50 , a coil spring  55  only shown in  FIG. 7  is disposed which constantly biases the presser portion  59  downward. A hole  59   a  is defined through the central portion of the bottom surface of the presser portion  59  which allows the blade  4   a  of the cutter  4  to pass through. 
     The cutter support sleeve  50  is fitted into the mount sleeve  47  from the upward direction and fastened by a screw  56 . Thus, the cutter  4 , being supported by the cutter holder  20 , in other words, the cutter support sleeve  50  is moved up and down by the vertical drive mechanism  36 . When the cutting operation is not ongoing, the cutter  4  is located in the lifted position shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7  in which the blade  4   a  is not exposed from the presser portion  59 . 
     When the cutter holder, i.e. the cutter support sleeve  50  is lowered by the vertical drive mechanism  36 , the under side of the presser portion  59  contacts the upper surface of the workpiece S to disallow further descent. Then, the cutter holder  20  and consequently the cutter  4  is further lowered against the spring force of the coil, spring  55  to the lowered position in which the blade  4   a  passes through hole  59   a  of the presser portion  59  to penetrate through or cut the workpiece S. Under such state, the cutting-use holding member  51  is fed in the Y direction by the feed mechanism  7  while transferring the cut head  5  in the X direction to execute the cutting operation for cutting the workpiece S. 
     In the first embodiment, the cutting apparatus  1  including the image reading apparatus  1 ′ is provided with a scanner  6  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The scanner  6  serves as an image reading unit for reading the images of workpieces  5  and  5 ′ shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B . The scanner  6  may comprise a CIS (contact image sensor). Though not shown in detail, the scanner  6  comprises components such as a line sensor configured by multiple imaging devices aligned in the X direction, a light source such as a lamp, and a lens. The scanner  5  is located behind the guide shaft  21  and extends in the X direction so as to be substantially equal in length to the width of the cutting-use holding member  51  and the later described reading-use holding member  71 . 
     The scanner  6  faces downward and is provided with a read head on its underside which is equipped with a contact glass. The scanner  6  reads the images on the workpiece placed on the platen  3  by positioning the read head in the proximity of the upper surface of the workpiece. More specifically, the scanner  6  reads the image of the workpiece S held by the cutting-use holding member  51  and detects the location and size of the workplace S in order to output the same on the display  9 . The scanner  6  also reads the image of the workpiece S′ held by the later described reading-use holding member  71  and reads the image of the workpiece S′ based upon which the cut data is generated. Further, as will be later described, the images of indicators  54  and  73  of the holding, member  51 / 71  are read in order to determine the type of the holding member. The scanner  6  is controlled by a control circuit  61  as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     Next, a description will be given on the cutting-use holding member  51  and the reading-use holding member  71 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the cutting-use holding member  51  is made of a soft synthetic resin material and includes a base  52  and a holding portion  53  provided over the base  52 . The base  52  is rectangular and is slightly elongated in the front and rear direction. The holding portion  53  includes an adhesive layer  53   a  on a rectangular area on the upper surface of the base  52  surrounded by a left edge  52   a , a right edge  52   b , front edge  52   c , and a rear edge  52   d . The adhesive layer is referred to as a second adhesive layer  53   a  and the adhesive force of the second adhesive layer  53   a  is referred to as a second adhesive force. Attachment of the workpiece S on the second adhesive layer  53   a  establishes the hold of the workpiece S. The second adhesive force of the second adhesive layer  53   a  is controlled to a level to establish an unmovable and reliable hold of the workpiece S during the cutting operation while allowing a relatively easy peel of the workpiece S after the cutting operation is completed. 
     On the front and rear edges  52   c  and  52   d  located on the upper surface of the cutting-use holding member  51 , indicator  54  is provided to represent the type of holding member. The indicator  54  provided on the cutting-use holding member  51  comprises a couple of black dots aligned in the left and right direction. Indicator  54  is provided on the left and right end portions of each of the front and rear edges  52   c  and  52   d  of the cutting-use holding member  51 , meaning that there are a total of 4 indicators provided on the cutting-use holding member  51 . As will be later described, the indicator  54  allows the control circuit  61  to distinguish the type of holding member by reading the upper surface of the edge  52   c  or  52   d  with the scanner  6 . The cutting-use holding member  51  may be turned around to reverse the forward and the rearward direction, meaning that the cutting-use holding member  51  may be inserted into the inlet  2   a  from the rear edge  52   d.    
     The cutting-use holding member  51  is assigned an X-Y coordinate system in which the origin O is located, for example, on the left corner of the holding portion  53 . The X-Y coordinate system serves as the basis for controlling the later described cutting operation. Further, scratches resulting from the repeated cutting gradually accumulate on the surface of the cutting-use holding member  51 . Further, repeated attachment and detachment of workpiece S gradually reduces the adhesive force of the second adhesive layer  53   a . Thus, the cutting-use holding member  51  is considered as a consumable which is replaced by a new one after being used for approximately ten times. 
     In contrast, the reading-use holding member  71  of the first embodiment is configured as shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B . As shown in  FIG. 9A , the reading-use holding member  71  is made of a soft synthetic resin material and includes a rectangular base  72  slightly elongated in the front and rear direction. The width of the base  72  taken along the left and right direction is substantially the same as the width of the base  52  of cutting-use holding member  51 . Provided on the base  72  is an indicator  7 , a holding portion  74 , and a reference portion  75 . The indicator  73  identifies the type of holding member. The holding portion  74  holds workpiece comprising a sheet material such as paper and having the original image for generating the cut data depicted on it. The reference portion  75  is used in the later described shading correction. 
     The holding portion  74  includes a placement region  72   b  on a rectangular area on the upper surface of the base  72  surrounded by front end portion  72   a  which is the leading end in the forward feed, a left end portion  72   b , and a right end portion  72   c . The placement region  72   b  is provided with a transparent sheet  76 . The transparent sheet  76  is provided over the workpiece S′ placed on the upper surface of the base  72 . Thus, the workpiece S′ is held between the transparent sheet  76  and the base  72 . The transparent sheet  76  is made of a soft and highly transparent rectangular sheet made of synthetic resin. The front edge of the transparent sheet  76  is bonded on the base  72 .  FIG. 9A  shows a bonding portion  76   a  in a dotted line. The rear edge of the transparent sheet  76  may be lifted away from the base  72  in an opened state and be rested on the placement region  72   d  located on the upper surface of the base  72  in a closed state. 
     The user may establish the hold of the workpiece S′ by lifting open the transparent sheet  76  and placing the workplace S′ on the placement region  72   d , whereafter the transparent sheet  76  is lowered to its original position so as to be placed over the workpiece S′. According to the above described configuration, the workplace O is held reliably and unremovably while allowing the workpiece S′ to be easily removed after the workplace S′ is read. The image depicted on the upper surface of the workpiece can be read through the transparent sheet  76 . The reading-use holding member  71  is also assigned an X-Y coordinate system in which the origin O is located, for example, on the left corner of the placement region  72   d.    
     The indicator  73  provided on the reading-use holding member  71  comprises 3 black dots aligned in the left and right direction. Indicator  73  is provided on the left and right end portions of the front edge  72   a  of the base  72 , meaning there is a total of 2 indicators provided on the base  72 . The indicator  73  allows the later described control circuit  61  to distinguish or identify the type of holding member by reading the upper surface of the front edge  72   a  with the scanner  6 . 
     The reference portion  75  is provided on the portion of the upper surface of the base  72  located between the region in which the indicator is provided and the holding portion  74 . In the first embodiment, the reference portion  75  includes both a white reference portion  77  for correcting the white level of the read image and a black reference portion  78  for correcting the black level of the read image. In  FIG. 9A , the black reference portion  78  is hatched for distinction. 
     The white reference portion  77  comprises a tape having a predetermined width which is colored in white reference color and is applied laterally across the portion of the base  72  located reward relative to the front edge  72   a . Similarly, the black reference portion  78  comprises a tape having a predetermined width which is colored in black reference color and is applied laterally across the portion of the base  72  located forward relative to the front edge  72   a.    
     The height of the upper surfaces of the white reference portion  77  and black reference portion  78  are configured to be higher than the height of the upper surface of the placement  72   d  located on the base  72  as shown in  FIG. 98 . The difference between the heights is configured to be substantially equal to the standard thickness of workpiece S′ being approximately 0.28 mm which envisages the thickness of a printed photograph. Stated differently, the upper surface of the reference portion  75  is configured to be substantially level with the upper surface of workpiece held by the holding portion  74 .  FIG. 98  does not show the transparent sheet  76  for ease of explanation. 
     Next, a control system of the cutting apparatus  1  as well as the image reading apparatus  1 ′ will be described with reference to  FIG. 10 . The control circuit  61  serving as a control unit responsible for the overall control of the cutting apparatus is primarily configured by a computer (CPU) and is coupled to a ROM  62 , RAM  63 , and external memory  64 . ROM  62  stores computer programs such as a cut control program for controlling the cutting operation and a display control program for controlling the image output through display  9 . The RAM  63  is a temporary storage for storing data and programs required in executing various processes. 
     The control circuit  61  receives inputs of signals such as signals of images read from the scanner  6  and control signals from various control switches  10 . The control circuit  61  further receives inputs of signals from the detection sensor  66  that detects the leading end of the holding member  51 / 71  inserted through the inlet  2   a . The external memory  64  stores cut data for cutting multiple types of patterns. The cut data includes basic size information, cut line data, and display data. The basic size information represents the longitudinal and latitudinal sizes of the pattern and is a shape data corresponding to the shape of the pattern. The cut line data comprises coordinate data indicating the vertexes of line segments of the cut line data in X-Y coordinate system which is defined by the cutting apparatus  1 . 
     The control circuit  61  is further connected to the display  9 . The display  9  outputs various items such as a mode selection screen, a pattern selection screen, and a layout selection screen. The user may select a desired functional mode and a pattern or specify where to make the cuts through the operation of various control switches  10 , while viewing the display  9 . The control circuit  61  is further connected to drive circuits  67 ,  68 , and  69  for driving the Y-axis motor  15 , the X-axis motor  25 , and the Z-axis motor  38 . The control circuit  61  controls components such as the Y-axis motor  15 , the X-axis motor  25 , and the Z-axis motor through the execution of the cut control program to automatically execute the cutting of the workpiece S located on the cutting-use holding member  51 . 
     The control circuit  61 , when cutting out a pattern from the workpiece S, feeds the cutting-use holding member  51  and consequently the workpiece S held by it in the Y direction by the feed mechanism  7  based on the cut data, in other words, the cut line data of a given pattern. By moving the cutter holder  20 , in other words, the cutter  4  in the X direction by the cutter transfer mechanism  8  with the feed movement, the workplace S is cut along the outline of the pattern. 
     In reading images with the scanner  6 , the controller  61  feeds the holding members  51 / 71  holding the workpiece S/S′ to be scanned in the Y direction toward the rear side of the platen  3  by the feed mechanism  7 . The scanning or reading by the scanner  6  is performed in synchronism with the feeding to obtain images of the workpiece S/S′. The control circuit  61  extracts information such as the outline and the graphic shapes of the pattern from the images read by the scanner  6  by known image processing methods. The aforementioned shading correction is carried out during the image processing. The shading correction corrects the unevenness in the level of concentration of the read image by using the correction data. 
     In the first embodiment, the control circuit  61  executes the following processes through its software configuration as will be explained in the following description on the working of the embodiment and the flowchart. The control circuit  51 , when detecting the insertion of either of the holding member  51  and  71  by the detection sensor  66 , executes the image reading of the indicators  54  and  73  of the holding member  51 / 71  through the scanner  6 . Then, the type of the inserted holding member  51 / 71  is determined by identifying the type of indicators  54  and  73 . 
     In case the inserted holding member is identified as the cutting-use holding member  51 , the control circuit  61  proceeds to read the images depicted on the surface of the cutting-use holding member  51  with the scanner  6 . This image reading process detects the location and the size of the workpiece S held by the cutting-use holding member  51  which serves as the basis for making an output on the display and determining the location for executing the cutting operation. During the image processing, a pre-stored or the default correction data stored in the ROM  62  for example is used to execute the shading correction of the read image. Thereafter, a cutting operation as such described above is carried out. 
     In contrast, in case the inserted holding member is identified as the reading-use holding member  71 , the control circuit  61  proceeds to read the image of the reference portion  75  provided on the reading-use holding member  71  with the scanner  6 . Then, shading correction data is specified based on the read image. At this instance, both the black level correction data based on the read black reference portion  78  and the white level correction data based on the read white reference portion  77  is acquired. Then, the images depicted on the workpiece S′ of the cutting-use holding member  51  is read with the scanner  6 . During the image processing, shading correction is executed on the read image using the correction data specified by reading the reference portion  75 . Thereafter, processes such as the generation of the cut data based on the read image are carried out. 
     Next, the working of the above described structure and configuration will be described with reference to  FIGS. 11 and 12 . The flowchart in  FIG. 11  schematically indicates the process flow of an image reading process executed by the control circuit  61  when the holding member  51 / 71  is inserted through the inlet  2   a  of the cutting apparatus  1 . The flowchart of  FIG. 12  elaborates on the step S 6  indicated in  FIG. 11  which is a process for specifying the shading correction data. 
     In case the user wishes to cut the workpiece S with the cutting apparatus  1 , the workpiece S is attached to and thus, held by the second adhesive layer  53   a  provided on the holding portion  53  of the cutting-use holding member  51  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Then, the front end of the cutting-use holding member  51  is inserted into inlet  2   a . In case the user wishes to read the original image depicted on the workpiece S′ for cut data generation, for example, the workplace S′ is held by the reading-use holding member  71 . The hold is established by lifting the transparent sheet  76  of the reading-use holding member  71  and placing the workpiece S′ on the placement region  72   d , whereafter the transparent sheet  76  is lowered to its original position so as to be placed over the workpiece S′. Then, the front end of the reading-use holding member  71  is inserted into the inlet  2   a.    
     In response to the insertion of the holding member  51 / 71  into the inlet  2   a , the control circuit  61  starts the reading process indicated in the flowchart of  FIG. 11 . At step S 1 , the insertion of the holding member  51 / 71  is detected by the detection sensor  66 . Then, at step S 2 , the holding member  51 / 71  is fed by the feed mechanism  7  until the leading end of the holding member  51 / 71  where the indicators  54  and  73  are provided is located immediately below the scanner  6 . At step S 3 , image reading of the indicators  54  and  73  is performed and the type of the holding member  51 / 71  is identified by the evaluation on the type of the indicators  54  and  73 . 
     At step S 4 , a judgment is made as to whether or not the inserted or set holding member is the reading-use holding member  71 . If the set holding member is the cutting-use holding member  51  and not the reading-use holding member  71  (step S 4 : No), the preset and pre-stored default correction data is read out in step S 5 . Then, at step S 7 , the image of the workplace S is read. The shading correction of the read image is performed based on the preset shading correction data. Though not shown, processes such as the cutting of the workpiece S held by the cutting-use holding member  51  is executed though not shown. 
     In contrast, if the set holding member is the reading-use holding member  71  (step S 4 : Yes), specification of the shading correction data based on the reference portion  75  is carried out in the subsequent step S 6 . This process will be elaborated in the description of the flowchart indicated in  FIG. 12 . Then, at step S 7 , the image of the workpiece S′ is read by the scanner  6 . The shading correction of the read image is performed based on the latest shading correction data specified by step S 6 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , the specification of the shading correction data based on reference portion  75  will be described. The shading correction employs a known methodology and thus will be described briefly. At step S 11 , the reading-use holding member  71  is fed by the feed mechanism  7  to the location where the black reference portion  78  is read by the scanner  6 . Then, at step S 12 , AFE (Analog Front End) adjustment is performed. At step S 13 , black reference portion  78  is read by the scanner  6  and the black level data is obtained based on the read image. 
     Then, at step S 14 , the reading-use holding member  71  is fed by the feed mechanism  7  to the location where the white reference portion  77  is read by the scanner  6 . At step S 15 , adjustment is made on the amount of light of the light source. Then, at step S 16 , white reference portion  77  is read by the scanner  6  and the white level data is obtained based on the read, image. Then, at step S 17 , the shading correction data is generated by the black level data and the white level data and stored. 
     Once the specification of the shading correction data is completed, the process flow returns to the flowchart indicated in  FIG. 11  to execute the reading of the workpiece S′ of step S 7 . Because the correction data is specified by reading the reference portion  75  of the reading-use holding member  71 , shading correction of the image read by the scanner  6  based on the workpiece S′ can be carried out properly. 
     In the first embodiment, the reading-use holding member  71  is provided with the indicator  73  and reference portion  75 . Thus, the use of the reading-use holding member  71  is automatically identified when the indicator  73  is read by the scanner  6 . Based on the identification, the reference color of the reference portion  75  is further read to specify the correction data used in the shading correction and thereby allowing shading correction of the read image to be executed properly. 
     The first embodiment is especially advantageous in that the reference portion  75  includes both the white reference portion  77  and the black reference portion  78  and thereby allowing execution of a proper shading correction. Further, the first embodiment arranges the upper surface of the reference portion  75  to be substantially level with the upper surface of the workpiece S′ placed on the holding portion  74 . Thus, the distance between the scanner  6  and the reference portion  75  can be substantially equalized with the distance between scanner  6  and the workpiece S′ which allows precise specification of the correction data and thereby allowing the shading correction to be executed even more properly. 
     Still further, in the first embodiment, the holding portion  74  of the reading-use holding member  71  is configured by the base  72  and the transparent sheet  76  placed over the base  72 . Thus, the workpiece S′ can be held reliably and easily between the base  72  and the transparent sheet  76 . Because the manner of holding the workpiece differs from the cutting-use holding member  51  in which the workpiece S is held by the second adhesive layer  53   a , misuse on the part of the user can be prevented. 
     Yet further, in the first embodiment, cutting apparatus  1 , i.e. image reading apparatus  1 ′ is provided with the reading-use holding member  71 . Thus, the correction data for the execution of shading correction can be specified by reading the reference portion  75  of the reading-use holding member  71  to allow proper execution of shading correction on the image read based or workpiece S′. Further, the provision of indicators  73  and  54  on each of the cutting-use holding member  51  and the reading-use holding member  71  allows automatic identification of the type of the cutting-use holding member  51  and the reading-use holding member  71 . Based on such identification, processes and tasks suitable for the type of holding member  51 / 71  can be performed. Further, because the reference portion  75  is not provided on the cutting-use holding member  51  which is a consumable, the cutting-use holding member  51  can be manufactured in low cost. The reading-use holding member  71  on the other hand, may be used repeatedly over a long period of time. 
       FIGS. 13A and 13B  pertains to a second embodiment of the disclosure and illustrates the configuration of a reading-use holding member  81 . As shown in  FIG. 13A , a reading-use holding member  81  is made of a soft synthetic resin material and includes a rectangular base  82  slightly elongated in the front and rear direction. In the forward region of the base  82 , located on the leading end of the reading-use holding member  81  being fed into inlet  2   a , an indicator  83 , a reference portion  85  for shading correction, and a holding portion  84  are provided in the listed sequence. The holding portion  84  removably holds workpiece S′ not shown. The workpiece S′ comprises a sheet material such paper having the original image depicted on it which is used for generating cut data. The indicator  83  comprises 3 black dots aligned in the left and right direction as was the case in the reading-use holding member  71 . The reference portion  85  also includes both the white reference portion  87  and the black reference portion  88  as was the case in the first embodiment. 
     The holding portion  84  is provided with an adhesive layer in a rectangular region on the upper surface of the base  82  exclusive of the region for forming the indicator  83  and the reference portion  85 , the left edge  82   b , and the right edge  82   c . This adhesive layer is referred to as a first adhesive layer  84   a  having a first adhesive force. In the first embodiment, the holding portion  53  of the cutting-use holding member  51  is provided with a second adhesive layer  53   a  having a second adhesive force which is relatively strong in order to hold the workpiece S unmovably during cutting. The workpiece S′ held by the reading-use holding member  81 , however, is not subjected to any external force, in other words, the cutting force of the cutter  4 , and thus, the first adhesive force of the first adhesive layer  84   a  may be weaker than the second adhesive force of the second adhesive layer  53   a.    
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 135 , the height of the upper surface of the reference portion  85 , that is, the white reference portion  87  and the black reference portion  88  is configured at to be higher than the height of the upper surface of the placement  72   d  located on the base  72 . The difference between the heights is configured to be substantially equal to the standard thickness of workpiece S′ being approximately 0.28 mm which envisages the thickness of a printed photograph. Stated differently, the upper surface the reference portion  85  is configured to be substantially level with the upper surface of workpiece S′ held by the holding portion  84 . 
     The reading-use holding member  81  of the second embodiment provides the effects similar to those of the reading-use holding member  71  of the first embodiment. 
     In the foregoing embodiments, the cutting apparatus  1  was configured to include the image processing apparatus  1 ′. The present disclosure may, however, be applied to image reading apparatuses in general such as a copier, facsimile, and an image scanner. 
     In the foregoing embodiments, the reference portions  75  and  85  were configured by both the white reference portions  77  and  87  and the black reference portions  78  and  88 . However, the provision of at least the white reference portion will allow the correction data for use in the shading correction to be obtained. Further, the white reference portions  77  and  87  and the black reference portions  78  and  88  each configured by an adhesive tape may be replaced by printed coating, or the like. 
     Further, the indicators  54 ,  73 , and  83  are not limited to black dots but may replaced by various characters, numerals, symbols, and graphics or the like, as long as the indicator allows identification of type by image reading. The identification of type may also be implemented by varying the color of the indicators. 
     Still further, the reading-use holding member  71  and  81  and the cutting-use holding member  51 , as well as the base  72 ,  82 , and  52  made of synthetic resin in the foregoing embodiments may be made of thick sheet of paper or metal plate. 
     The foregoing description and drawings are merely illustrative of the principles of the disclosure and are not to be construed in a limited sense. Various changes and modifications will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. All such changes and modifications are seen to fall within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.