Minolta Company, Ltd.

Alan Darby

Hiroshi Ootsuka

Tatsuji Nozawa

Shinya Matsuda

Hideo Muramatsu

Kenichi Morita

Haisheng Liang

An image processing apparatus can share a function of other apparatuses when it is connected to a network. The image processing apparatus comprises function blocks such as an image reader, an image processor and a printer, interface means connected to the network, and an image bus switcher for switching buses for connecting these elements. The image bus switcher is used to transmit data, whereby an application program of the other apparatus connected to the network can be used, for example. After the image data is processed by using the application program of the other apparatus, the processed data can be also transmitted and printed. When the other apparatus is used, a power is supplied to the necessary function blocks alone, thereby starting these blocks.

Image processing apparatus connectable to network

An image reading apparatus which reads out a document placed face-up by scanning optically from above the document, having a document change detection means, and when a document is not changed, a reproducted image density is controlled by using a previous result of the document ground brightness detection without detecting newly. Further, an image reading section is arranged on a document table which a bookform document is placed upward and an auto-document feeding unit for conveying a sheetform document is provided, where by a conveyed sheetform document is read out by a sensor at a fixed focal position.

Image reading apparatus for book-like document or the like

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Chatswood, Australia

Alan Darby