19. The image processing apparatus of claim 18 , further comprising: means for determining an orientation of the document image based on the detected orientation of the predetermined number of consecutive characters.
19. The image processing apparatus of claim 18 , further comprising: means for determining an orientation of the document image based on the detected orientation of the predetermined number of consecutive characters. 20. The image processing apparatus of claim 19 , further comprising: means for inputting the document image.