Patent ID: 7295354

Claim:
An image processing apparatus, comprising: a manuscript automatic conveying function for separating one by one a plurality of manuscripts to be read that are set on a manuscript input tray; an image processing function for reading and storing single-sided images of the plurality of the manuscripts separated by the manuscript automatic conveying function; a successive manuscript reading mode where a plurality of manuscript sets respectively comprising a plurality of pages of the manuscripts are sequentially put on the manuscript input tray, image data obtained by reading the manuscripts of the plurality of the manuscript sets are collected to make one single image data file; and a double-sided manuscript reading mode for reading images of two sides of the plurality of the manuscripts, wherein when both the successive manuscript reading mode and the double-sided manuscript reading mode are set, a successive manuscript reading operation is performed for back sides after a double-sided manuscript reading operation for front sides is finished, in the successive manuscript reading operation, when setting of a next manuscript set within a prescribed time from an end of a manuscript reading operation for one manuscript set is confirmed, a reading operation for the next manuscript set is executed, and wherein when setting of the next manuscript set is not confirmed within a prescribed time from an end of the manuscript reading operation, a back side reading operation of the double-sided manuscript reading mode is executed, in the back side reading operation, as setting back sides of the next manuscript set within the prescribed time from an end of the manuscript reading operation for back sides of the one manuscript set is confirmed, the back side reading operation for the next manuscript set is executed.