JP2003315937A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reader which has the power consumption and the cost reduced and prevents dew condensation. <P>SOLUTION: The image reader wherein a first running body having an illuminating lamp 103 mounted thereon and a second running body 110 having a mirror group 104 mounted thereon scan while keeping a conjugate length to read a document image on a contact glass 101 has a dew condensation preventing scan mode function which has the proper number of temperature sensors 108 arranged and moves the illuminating lamp 103 to the position of a temperature sensor detecting a temperature lower than a prescribed temperature to radiate the position with light. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus for scanning a first traveling body having an illumination lamp and a second traveling body having a mirror group while scanning the original image on the contact glass while keeping a conjugate length. In particular, the present invention relates to a dew condensation prevention (removal) technique.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art If dew condensation occurs inside the body of an image reading apparatus due to a low temperature in the room, the image quality will be deteriorated. Therefore, conventional measures have been taken to prevent condensation.

[0003]

Conventionally, a heater is mounted as a measure for preventing dew condensation due to a temperature drop inside the body in a low temperature environment when the power is turned off, and the temperature drop inside the body is prevented. Since it is always energized, it is disadvantageous in terms of power consumption, and mounting a heater is also disadvantageous in terms of cost.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus capable of preventing dew condensation while reducing power consumption and cost.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a first invention equipped with an illumination lamp.
In the image reading device that scans the second traveling body having the traveling body and the mirror group while keeping the conjugate length to read the original image on the contact glass, an appropriate number of temperature sensors are arranged to detect a temperature lower than the specified temperature. An image reading apparatus having a scan mode function for preventing dew condensation, in which an illumination lamp is moved to a temperature sensor position to irradiate light, is the most main feature.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the first aspect, it is possible to set the number of temperature sensors for executing the dew condensation preventing scan mode and the number of temperature sensors for canceling the dew condensation preventing scan mode. The main feature is the image reading device.

A third aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the image reading apparatus according to the second aspect, the number of temperature sensors is set on the display screen of the operation panel.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The original 102 on the contact glass 101 is illuminated by the illumination lamp 103 mounted on the first traveling body 109, and the second traveling body 110.
An image is formed on the image reading plate 106 via the mirror group 104 and the lens 105 mounted on the.

Here, in the conventional image reading apparatus, as described above, the dew condensation preventing heating element 107 is provided in the image reading apparatus, and is energized when the power is turned off. To remove dew condensation. However, in the present invention, the dew condensation is removed without providing the dew condensation preventing heating element 107 (enclosed by a broken line to show that it is not provided).

That is, a plurality of (five in the present embodiment) temperature sensors 108 are provided in the image reading apparatus to detect an exposure required area for removing dew condensation. Then, the illumination lamp 103 is scanned at that position, and the temperature of that position is increased by turning on the illumination lamp 103.

The dew condensation prevention scan mode does not have to be applied to all the temperature sensors 108. An arbitrary temperature sensor 108 can detect the temperature inside the housing. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display screen of the operation panel. Operation panel 11
1 allows input of the number of executions of the dew condensation prevention scan mode, that is, the number of temperature sensors 108 for detecting the temperature, and the number of dew condensation prevention scan mode cancellation, that is, the number of the temperature sensors 108 for canceling the temperature detection. Therefore, each user can easily set the number of execution / cancellation according to the usage environment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the dew condensation removing control of the present invention. The number of execution and cancellation sensors described above is input (S1), and the temperature sensor 108 to be detected detects the temperature (S2). The number of temperature sensors 108 that detect temperatures lower than the specified temperature is determined (S3), and if there is no target temperature sensor 108, that is, if the temperature inside the housing is high enough to prevent dew condensation, the illumination lamp 103 is mounted. The homing operation of the first traveling body 109 is performed (S4, S
5).

Temperature sensor 1 for detecting a temperature lower than a specified temperature
If there is 08, the illumination lamp 103 is placed at the temperature sensor position.
Is moved (S6, S7), and light is irradiated to warm the surroundings (S8, S9). When that point becomes equal to or higher than the specified temperature (S10), the dew condensation removing operation ends.

[0014]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the contact glass is scanned by scanning the first traveling body having the illumination lamp and the second traveling body having the mirror group while keeping the conjugate length. In the image reading device that reads the original image above, a proper number of temperature sensors are arranged, and a dew condensation prevention scan mode function of irradiating light by moving the illumination lamp to the position of the temperature sensor that detects a temperature lower than the specified temperature is provided. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image reading apparatus capable of preventing dew condensation while reducing power consumption and cost.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to set the number of temperature sensors for executing the dew condensation preventing scan mode and the number of temperature sensors for canceling the dew condensation preventing scan mode. Without doing so, it is possible to prevent dew condensation with the minimum necessary power consumption.

According to the third aspect, by setting the number of temperature sensors on the display screen of the operation panel, it is possible to perform temperature management in accordance with the use environment and use circumstances of each user, which is more efficient. Condensation can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display screen of an operation panel.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of dew condensation removal control of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 contact glass 102 manuscript 103 Lighting lamp 104 mirrors 108 Temperature sensor 109 First running body 110 Second traveling body 111 Operation panel

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image reading apparatus for scanning an original image on a contact glass by scanning a first traveling body having an illumination lamp and a second traveling body having a mirror group while keeping a conjugate length, and a temperature sensor is appropriately used. An image reading apparatus having a scan mode function for preventing dew condensation, which is provided in several positions and moves an illumination lamp to a temperature sensor position that detects a temperature lower than a specified temperature to emit light. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1,
An image reading apparatus, wherein the number of temperature sensors that execute the dew condensation prevention scan mode and the number of temperature sensors that cancel the dew condensation prevention scan mode can be set. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2,
An image reading apparatus characterized in that the number of temperature sensors is set on a display screen of an operation panel.