Patent ID: 8196836

Claim:
An image processing apparatus comprising: a first detecting unit that detects a leading end portion of an information image that represents information using black image areas and white image areas, based on (i) a first criterion and (ii) a ratio of a width of a certain white image area in the information image to a width of a black image area, which is detected by scanning prior to the certain white image area, or a ratio of a width of a certain black image area in the information image to a width of a white image area, which is detected by scanning prior to the certain black image area; and a second detecting unit that takes one of the black image areas and white image areas as an image area of interest and detects a portion other than the leading end portion, of the information image based on (i) a second criterion being different from the first criterion and (ii) at least one of ratios of a width of the image area of interest to widths of black image areas and white image areas, which are detected by scanning prior to the image area of interest, wherein the second detecting unit detects the portion, other than the leading end portion, of the information image based on (i) the second criterion, (ii-a) a ratio of the width of the image area of interest to a maximum width of the black image areas and the white image areas, which are detected prior to the image area of interest and (ii-b) a ratio of the width of the image area of interest to a minimum width of the black image areas and the white image areas, which are detected prior to the image area of interest.