Patent ID: 8873975

Claim:
An image erasing apparatus comprising: a sheet insertion opening configured to receive a sheet; a sheet discharging unit configured to discharge the sheet; a scanning unit configured to convert an image formed on the sheet into image data; a memory unit configured to store the image data; an erasing unit configured to erase the image formed on the sheet; a first conveying unit that includes a conveying path from the sheet insertion opening to the sheet discharging unit and is configured to convey the sheet in a first conveying direction first to the scanning unit and then to the erasing unit; a second conveying unit that branches from the first conveying unit at a downstream side of the scanning unit and an upstream side of the erasing unit in the first conveying direction; a storage unit arranged on the second conveying unit and configured to store a sheet which is scanned by the scanning unit; and an interface unit configured to display the image data stored in the memory unit and to receive an instruction from a user, wherein, when an instruction for erasure is received in the interface unit, the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit convey a sheet stored in the storage unit to the erasing unit.