Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Corporation

Jun Morimoto

Takao Horiuchi

Shigeru Watase

Kiyoshi Inoue

Junichi Kajiwara

Shigeharu Maehara

Toru Morooka

An expansion image processing board(expansion information processing module) of the present invention, which is installable in a network printerhaving an image processing board(information processing module), includes: a second printer function control section(expansion information processing section) which controls the network printer; and a router(data relaying section) which relays data to the second printer function control sectionor the image processing board. Therefore, the expansion image processing boardis capable of simply and efficiently extending a functionality of the network printer

Expansion information processing module for image information processing apparatus, settings information inheriting method, and setting information inheriting program

A document-image reading device that can analyze a speed fluctuation state of a scanner when scanning an image in the feed direction by separately extracting speed fluctuation components by reading a change in density of reference scale lines and, on the basis of the analysis result, prevents the occurrence of an image blur that may be resulting from unstable factors of a driving mechanism. The document-image reading device for reading a document image data at a specified time-interval given by the reference clock signal, which comprises an image sensor for reading a document image by moving the image sensor or the document in the feed direction and is featured in that the document-image reading device is further provided with a chart reader for reading a reference chart portion having alternations of a high-density division and a low-density division arranged one after another at a distance-interval equal to a least pitch readable by the document-image reading device along the feed direction and a processor for processing image data read from the reference chart portion by using a comb-type filter and by integration.

Document image reading device

The invention produces a document-image reading device that can analyze a speed fluctuation state of a scanner when scanning an image in the feed direction by separately extracting speed fluctuation components by determining a change in density of references scale lines; and, on the basis of the analysis result, prevents the occurrence of an image blur that can result from unstable factors of a driving mechanism of the device. The document-image reading device, which reads document image data at a specified time interval given by a reference clock signal, comprises an image sensor that can read a document image while the document-image reading device or the document moves in the feed direction. Additionally, the document-image reading device includes a chart reader for reading a reference chart portion having alternations of high-density and low-density divisions that are arranged one after another at a distance interval equal to the least pitch readable by the document-image reading device. A processor processes image data read from the reference chart portion by using a comb-type filter and by integration.

After placing an original document on a document platen of a copying apparatus main body, when a detection switch detects a predetermined angle of .theta. of a document cover in the course of closing the document cover, a light-emitting device of a distance-measuring sensor is driven. Light released from the light-emitting device is projected onto the original document or the document cover, and the reflected light is received by a light-receiving device. A signal corresponding to the light-receipt point of the light-receiving device is released, and a measurement is made to find the distance from the sensor to the original document or to the document cover based on the signal. A discrimination is made as to the presence or absence of original document based on the measured distance, and copying control suitable for the result of the discrimination is carried out. At this time, if external light or other light is received by the light-receiving device, the output of the light-receiving device exceeds a predetermined range. This state is regarded as no original document is located above the related distance-measuring sensor, and the corresponding process is carried out.

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Yamatokoriyama, Japan

Jun Morimoto