Facsimile and static presentation processing – Facsimile – Picture signal generator
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-03
2001-10-16
Grant, II, Jerome (Department: 2624)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Facsimile
Picture signal generator
C358S400000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06304343
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dust-proof mechanism for an image scanner, and more particularly to a dust-proof mechanism for optical reflection module of the image scanner.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In an image scanner, the scanned light beam is reflected by an optical reflection module arranged in the scanner to form an image through an optical lens. Typically, a Charge Coupling Device (CCD) is used to convert the optical signal of the image into digital signal which can be memorized and processed by a computer. In a commercial scanner product, due to the limitation of the length of the optical path required in forming the image, generally the optical reflection module includes several reflection mirrors (for example, three or four glass mirrors) for several times reflecting the light beam so as to effectively reduce the dimension of the scanner.
FIG. 1
shows a conventional image scanner including a housing
1
and an upper cover board
2
. The scanner comprises a light transmittable document positioning plate
11
which is a plane surface made of for example glass or other light transmittable, substantially rigid material, for supporting a document to be scanned (not shown), defining a document scanning widow.
FIG. 2
shows the arrangement of the internal components of the conventional image scanner. The housing
1
encloses circuit components, optical components and mechanical components of the scanner, including two parallel guide rods
31
,
32
, a first optical reflection module
4
, a second optical reflection module
5
, an optical lens
6
, and a Charge Coupling Device
7
. The first and second optical reflection modules
4
and
5
are driven by a driving mechanism and transmission mechanism, such as a belt, to slide along the guide rods
31
,
32
so as to control the optical path during scanning operation.
The first optical reflection module
4
includes a module frame
40
and an upper and a lower reflection mirrors
41
,
42
arranged in the module frame
40
. The two reflection mirrors are arranged opposite to each other to contain an angle for reflecting the light beam. The front side of the optical reflection module frame
40
facing the second optical reflection module
5
is formed with an open area.
After a long period of operation of the scanner, it often takes place that suspending dust attaches to the mirror surface of the optical reflection module, especially in an optical reflection module frame with open area. The lower mirrors
42
of the first optical reflection module
4
is such arranged that the mirror surface is oriented upward, so that the suspending dust is most apt to attach to the mirror surface thereof. Once the dust attaches to the surface, a problem of poor scanned image will take place. For example, straight stripes will be formed on the image. In order to achieve a best quality of the scanned image, it is necessary to provide a dust-proof mechanism so as to isolate or reduce the suspending dust attaching to the mirror surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a dust-proof mechanism for optical reflection module of an image scanner. When the scanner normally performs the scanning operation, the dust-proof mechanism is positioned at an opened position without interrupting the scanned light beam. However, when the scanning operation is completed, the dust-proof mechanism shields the open area of the optical reflection module frame so as to isolate or reduce suspending dust which may pass through the open area of the optical reflection module frame to attach to mirror surface of the optical reflection module.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide the above dust-proof mechanism which includes a dust-proof plate disposed at the open area of the optical reflection module frame. Each lateral end of the dust-proof plate is disposed with a shaft rod pivotally fitted in a shaft hole formed on a lateral inner wall of the optical reflection module frame. The direction of the dust-proof plate is parallel to the direction of the mirror surface of the optical reflection module. The dust-proof plate is driven by a driving unit to position at a shielding position or an opened position.
REFERENCES:
patent: 6029028 (2000-02-01), Inoue
patent: 6031640 (2000-02-01), Chou
Chih-Wen Huang
Chuan-Yu Hsu
Dougherty & Troxell
Grant II Jerome
Umax Data Systems Inc.
LandOfFree
Dust-proof mechanism for optical reflection module of image... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Dust-proof mechanism for optical reflection module of image..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Dust-proof mechanism for optical reflection module of image... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2574075