Patent ID: 7355764

Claim:
An image reading system comprising: an original table on which an original is to be put; a linear image sensor for converting light into an electric signal; a first optical system for forming a first optical path that reaches the linear image sensor from a main scanning line on a plate surface of the original table to input an optical image on the main scanning line to the linear image sensor, the first optical system disposed below the original table; a second optical system for forming a second optical path that reaches the linear image sensor from a detecting position on the plate surface of the original table, the detecting position being remote from the main scanning line in a sub scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning line, the second optical system disposed below the original table; a subscanning unit for moving the main scanning line in parallel with the sub scanning direction along the plate surface of the original table, the sub scanning unit including a carriage on which the linear image sensor, the first optical system and a part of the second optical system are mounted and a controller for reciprocating the carriage in the sub scanning direction; and a deciding unit for deciding a size and an orientation of an original based on an electric signal, which is converted from light that reaches the linear image sensor from the main scanning line via the first optical path, and an electric signal, which is converted from light that reaches the linear image sensor from the detecting position via the second optical path when the carriage is placed at a predetermined position in which both the first optical path and the second optical path are formed.