Patent ID: 7394580

Claim:
An image reading apparatus comprising: an original tray for placing an original; a discharge tray located under the original tray; a transport path for guiding the original sent from the original tray to a predetermined reading position; reading means for reading the original transferred along the transport path at the reading position; original length determining means for determining a length of the original in a transport direction as at least a long length and a short length shorter than the long length; a first circulating path for returning the original to the reading position in the transport path after the original passes the reading position; a second circulating path disposed between the original tray and the discharge tray and having a length longer than that of the first circulating path for returning the original to the reading position in the transport path after the original passes the reading position; a switchback path for changing the transport direction of the original transferred from the reading position, said switchback path being located at a downstream side of the first and second circulating paths and at an upstream side of the reading position; and selection means for selecting one of the first circulating path and the second circulating path according to the length of the original determined by the original length determining means, said selection means having a switch device for guiding the original from the reading position to the first circulating path through the switchback path or for guiding original to the first or second circulating path without passing through the switchback path.