Facsimile and static presentation processing – Facsimile – Picture signal generator
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-20
2001-09-25
Lee, Cheukfan (Department: 2722)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Facsimile
Picture signal generator
C358S484000, C358S509000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295141
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus and an information processing apparatus using the image reading apparatus, and more particularly to an image reading apparatus having a light source with a light guide (hereinafter called a “light guide unit”) for guiding light to an image reading surface and a base unit for photoelectrically converting light reflected from the image reading surface into an electrical signal.
2. Related Background Art
Conventionally, an image reading apparatus having the structure such as shown in
FIGS. 17 and 18
has been used with an information processing apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus and an electronic copying machine.
FIG. 17
is a cross sectional view of a conventional image reading apparatus, and
FIG. 18
is a broken perspective view of the image reading apparatus.
Referring to
FIGS. 17 and 18
, reference numeral
21
represents a sensor array having a length corresponding to that of an original to be read, reference numeral
22
represents a sensor array board on which the sensor array
21
is mounted, reference numeral
23
represents a focussing element for focussing light reflected from an original surface onto a light reception surface of the sensor array
21
, reference numeral
25
represents a transparent member in contact with the original surface, and reference numeral
24
represents a light guide for guiding light radiated from a light source
27
such as LED disposed on the side at one end of the light guide unit toward the original surface. Reference numeral
26
represents a frame on which, as shown in
FIG. 18
, the focussing element
23
, light source
27
and light guide
24
are mounted and thereafter the transparent member
25
is mounted on one side of the frame
26
and the sensor array board
22
is mounted on the other side thereof.
In the image reading apparatus constructed as above, in order to make light guided by the light guide unit
24
and reflected from the original surface be correctly incident via the focussing element
23
upon the light reception surface of the sensor array
21
, it is necessary to mount the sensor array board
22
, focussing element
23
, light projector
24
and the like with high precision.
With the image reading apparatus constructed as above, however, a mount precision of each component varies also with a precision of the frame
26
itself on which each component is mounted. It has been desired therefore to form the frame
26
with high work precision of dimensions and suppress variations of dimensions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading apparatus capable of improving a mount precision of each component such as a board on which a photoelectrical conversion element is mounted, a light source and the like, and also facilitating an assembly work of the image reading apparatus, and to provide an information processing apparatus using such an image reading apparatus.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an image reading apparatus capable of reliably shielding external light other than light from the image reading surface, even if the apparatus is made compact.
According to one embodiment of the invention, an image reading apparatus is provided which comprises: a light guide unit with a light source for applying light to an image reading surface; and a board provided with a photoelectrical conversion element for photoelectrically converting light reflected from the image reading surface into an electrical signal, wherein the light guide unit is contacted with the board to thereby support the light guide unit by the board.
According to another embodiment of the invention, an information processing apparatus is provided which comprises: an image reader having a light guide unit with a light source for applying light to an image reading surface and a board provided with a photoelectrical conversion element for photoelectrically converting light reflected from the image reading surface into an electrical signal; and control means for controlling the image reader, wherein the light guide unit is in contact with the board to thereby support the light guide unit by the board.
With the above structure, therefore, a mount precision of the light guide unit and photoelectrical conversion element does not depend on a precision of an integral framing body and it can be improved further.
According to another embodiment of the invention, an image reading apparatus is provided which comprises: a light guide unit with a light source for applying light to an image reading surface; a board provided with a photoelectrical conversion element for photoelectrically converting light reflected from the image reading surface into an electrical signal; a frame for holding the light guide unit and the board; and a light shielding member for preventing light other than image information light reflected from the image reading surface from entering the photoelectrical conversion element, wherein the light shielding member is a discrete member different from the frame.
According to another embodiment of the invention, an information processing apparatus is provided which comprises: an image reader having a light guide unit with a light source for applying light to an image reading surface, a board provided with a photoelectrical conversion element for photoelectrically converting light reflected from the image reading surface into an electrical signal, a frame for holding the light guide unit and the board, and a light shielding member for preventing light other than image information light reflected from the image reading surface from entering the photoelectrical conversion element; and control means for controlling the image reader, wherein the light shielding member is a discrete member different from the frame.
With the above structure, therefore, even if the image reading apparatus is made compact, external light other than light from the image reading surface can be reliably shielded.
The other objects and features of the present invention will be become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Itabashi Satoshi
Kawai Tatsundo
Nagata Kenji
Ogura Makoto
Saito Oji
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Lee Cheukfan
Robin Blecker & Daley
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