JP2010154451A - Original document reading apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a manually scanning original document reading apparatus in which the assemblability of a light source section is improved. <P>SOLUTION: The original document reading apparatus includes: a housing; a plate-like light source module arranged in the inside of the housing and having a light source section for irradiating an original document with a light; and a module holder arranged in the inside of the housing, having an incorporating section for sliding and incorporating the light source module and supporting the light source module incorporated into the incorporating section while keeping the distance between the light source and the original document at a predetermined value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a document reading apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a manual scanning type document reading apparatus such as a hand scanner or a mouse scanner is known (Patent Document 1). In the manual scanning type document reading apparatus, the light source unit composed of LEDs or the like is directly fixed to the housing with screws or the like.

JP 11-345074 A

  However, many manual scanning document reading devices are small in terms of operability, and it is not easy to assemble the light source unit directly inside the housing. In addition, there is a possibility that unevenness occurs in the light applied to the document due to poor mounting of the light source unit, resulting in a decrease in reading accuracy.

  The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to improve the assembling property of the light source unit in the manual scanning type document reading apparatus.

  In order to solve at least a part of the above problems, the present invention employs the following aspects.

  A first aspect provides a document reading device. An original reading apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a housing, a plate-like light source module disposed in the housing and having a light source unit for irradiating light on the original, and the housing A module holder that has an insertion portion for slidingly mounting the light source module, and supports the light source module incorporated in the insertion portion while maintaining a distance from the document at a predetermined value. .

  According to the document reading apparatus according to the first aspect, since the module holder having the insertion portion for slidingly mounting the light source module is provided, the assembling property of the light source portion can be improved.

  In the document reading apparatus according to the first aspect, the light source module may include a locked portion, and the insertion portion may include a locking portion for engaging with the locked portion. In this case, the assembling property of the light source part can be improved by the locked part of the light source module and the locking part of the assembly part.

  The document reading apparatus according to the first aspect may further include a position detection unit for detecting the position of the document reading apparatus. In this case, the document reading apparatus can also function as a pointing device.

  In the document reading apparatus according to the first aspect, the housing includes an opening at a bottom portion, and the module holder is disposed across the opening in the housing and is incorporated in the insertion portion. The light source module may irradiate the original with light through the opening. In this case, it is possible to satisfactorily irradiate the original with light from the light source unit.

  The present invention can be realized in various modes, and can be realized by, for example, a copying machine or a facsimile machine including a hand scanner in addition to a hand scanner or a mouse scanner. It can also be realized as a method for manufacturing a document reading device including a step of sliding the light source module into the module holder. Further, the present invention can be realized in the form of a computer program for manufacturing a document reading apparatus, a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded, and the like.

  Hereinafter, a mouse scanner which is an aspect of an original reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described based on an embodiment with reference to the drawings.

A. First embodiment:
A1. Mouse scanner configuration:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view illustrating the outer appearance of the upper side of the mouse scanner in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view illustrating the external appearance of the lower side of the mouse scanner in the first embodiment of the present invention. The mouse scanner 100 optically reads an object to be read (original) and functions as an image reading device that outputs image data to a computer (not shown) connected via a cable 200, and is also used as a pointing device for operating the computer. It also functions as a device. The mouse scanner 100 is a so-called hand scanning scanner, and reads a document by manually scanning the apparatus itself on a reading object (document). The mouse scanner 100 includes an upper housing member 110, a lower housing member 120, a wheel 131, a reading button 132, a transmission plate 140, a front foot portion 151, and a rear foot portion 152.

  The upper housing member 110 is a lid member having a substantially long plate-shaped outer shape, and is disposed on the upper portion of the lower housing member 120. The upper housing member 110 and the lower housing member 120 form a housing for the mouse scanner 100. The upper housing member 110 includes a wheel opening 111 at a substantially center in the short side direction, and a part of the wheel 131 disposed inside the housing is exposed from the wheel opening 111.

  The lower housing member 120 is formed in a substantially box shape with an open top, and includes a substantially rectangular bottom portion 120a, a long side surface portion 120b connected to the bottom portion 120a, and a short side surface portion 120c. . The lower housing member 120 includes an opening for connecting the connector 201 to the short side surface 120c. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, one short side surface portion 120c provided with an opening for connecting the connector 201 is also referred to as “front side” of the mouse scanner 100, and the other short side surface portion 120c. The side is also called “rear side”. The lower housing member 120 includes a rectangular document reading opening 121 at the approximate center of the bottom 120a. The lower housing member 120 includes a front-side position detection opening 122 between the front short side of the bottom 120a and the document reading opening 121, and the rear short side and the document reading opening. A rear side position detection opening 123 is provided between the first portion 121 and the second portion 121.

  The wheel 131 is used for scrolling or selecting an image displayed on the computer when the mouse scanner 100 is used as a pointing device. The reading button 132 is a button that is pressed when scanning by the mouse scanner 100. The transmission plate 140 is a substantially rectangular flat plate and is disposed so as to cover the document reading opening 121. The transmission plate 140 is made of, for example, a transparent plastic plate or glass plate.

  The front foot portion 151 and the rear foot portion 152 are sliding members for reducing friction between the mouse scanner 100 and the document, and have a substantially elliptical plane and a trapezoidal cross section. For example, plastic or urethane is used. Is formed. In the present embodiment, the front foot portion 151 is disposed between the short side on the front side of the bottom portion 120a and the opening portion 122 for detecting the front side, and the rear foot portion 152 has a short side on the rear side of the bottom portion 120a. It arrange | positions between the opening parts 123 for back side position detection.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the mouse scanner. The mouse scanner 100 includes a detection unit 130, a module substrate 160, a module holder 170, an LED module 180, a reflecting mirror 171, a front position detection module 191, and a rear position detection module 192. ing. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, in the detection unit 130, the module substrate 160, the module holder 170, the LED module 180, the reflecting mirror 171, the front side position detection module 191 and the rear side position detection module 192, the side facing the upper housing member 110. Is also referred to as “upper side”, and the side facing the bottom 120a of the lower housing member 120 is also referred to as “lower side”.

  The detection unit 130 is connected to the wheel 131, detects the amount of rotation of the wheel 131, and converts it into an electrical signal. Further, it touches the reading button 132 and detects pressing of the reading button 132. The front-side position detection module 191 and the rear-side position detection module 192 are used to determine the relative positional relationship between images read as a scanner and the amount of movement of a pointer as a pointing device. The relative position and orientation with respect to the etc. are detected.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the appearance of the module substrate. FIG. 4A illustrates the external appearance of the module substrate 160 on the lateral side. The module substrate 160 is formed by a long plate-like flexible printed circuit (FPC) having a central portion formed in a mountain shape. This chevron shape includes a flat top portion 160a and slant portions 160b on both sides of the top portion 160a, and is formed so as to coincide with the shape of a pedestal portion 172 of the module holder 170 described later.

  FIG. 4B illustrates the appearance of the upper side of the module substrate 160. The module substrate 160 includes a flap portion 161b formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of a pedestal portion 172 of the module holder 170 described later. In the present embodiment, the flap portion 161b is formed by cutting a part of the top portion 160a and the slant portion 160b into a U-shape. The flap portion 161 b is bent at the base end portion formed in the oblique portion 160 b and has a shape in which the tip end portion extends along the longitudinal direction of the module substrate 160.

  The module substrate 160 includes an imaging unit 162, a connection unit 163, a fixing hole 164, and a connection end 165. The image capturing unit 162 is an image sensor such as a CCD or CMOS image sensor, for example, receives reflected light of the light irradiated on the document, and outputs an image signal corresponding to the intensity of the received light. The imaging unit 162 is disposed downward on the lower surface of the distal end portion of the flap portion 161b. The connection unit 163 is a socket to which the connector 201 of the cable 200 is connected. The fixing holes 164 are arranged at a plurality of locations on the module substrate 160 and are used for fixing the module substrate 160 to a module holder 170 described later. The connection end 165 is an end for connecting the detection unit 130, the LED module 180, the front side position detection module 191 and the rear side position detection module 192, and the module substrate 160, and is connected to the socket of the detection unit 130. The connection end 165a is connected, the connection end 165b is connected to the socket of the front position detection module 191, the connection end 165c is connected to the socket of the LED module 180, and the socket of the rear position detection module 192 A connection end 165d is connected to the terminal.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory view illustrating the appearance of the module holder and the LED module. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view illustrating a part of the appearance of the module holder. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view illustrating a cross section of the module holder. The module holder 170 is a support member for supporting the module substrate 160 and the LED module 180 described later, and is formed of, for example, resin. The module holder 170 includes a hollow pedestal portion 172 having a substantially chevron-shaped cross-sectional shape, a fixing portion 178 for fixing the module holder 170 to the lower housing member 120, and a pedestal portion 172. And two leg portions 173 for arranging a reflecting mirror 171 to be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the pedestal portion 172 has a hole 172h formed at the center of the upper portion, an imaging portion support portion 172m for supporting the imaging portion 162, and a front end side of the flap portion 161b. Flap support portion 172s, hook portion 172f for fixing the front end side of the flap portion 161b, a recess portion 172t for suppressing movement of the rear end side of the flap portion 161b, and fixing for fixing the module substrate 160 Hole 172i.

  The leg portion 173 is formed in a substantially plate shape, the base end portion is connected to the fixing portion 178, and the tip end portion is formed below the base end portion. The two leg portions 173 are arranged so that their main surfaces face each other. The reflecting mirror 171 is arrange | positioned on each main surface which the two leg parts 173 oppose.

  In addition to the above, the module holder 170 includes a slide part 174 for supporting the LED module 180 and a locking part 176. The slide part 174 is used to support the LED module 180 below the pedestal part 172. As shown in FIG. 7, the slide portion 174 is disposed at the base end portion of the leg portion 173. The locking part 176 is formed on the fixing part 178 and used to fix the LED module 180 supported on the lower side of the pedestal part 172. The slide part 174 corresponds to an “assembly part” in the claims.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the shape of the slide portion. FIG. 8A illustrates the BB cross section of FIG. FIG. 8B illustrates the CC cross section of FIG. As shown in FIG. 8A, the slide portion 174 extends on the main surface of the leg portion 173 along a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the module holder (hereinafter referred to as “short direction”). Yes. The upper side of the slide part 174 is formed in a planar shape for sliding the LED module 180. The slide portion 174 includes a locking portion 174a for locking the LED module 180. The slide portion 174 includes a movable portion 174b that is not fixed to the leg portion 173, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), so that the locking portion 174a can be moved in the vertical direction, and an end portion of the movable portion 174b. A locking portion 174a is formed on the top. The module holder 170 has an abutting portion 175 for abutting the module holder 170 at the end of the LED module 180 in the sliding direction.

  The LED module 180 is a substantially rectangular plate-like member, and includes a main surface 180a that constitutes a front surface and a back surface, and an end surface 180b. A rectangular opening 181 is formed in the center of the main surface 180a. As shown in FIG. 5, the LED module 180 includes a socket 183 at the longitudinal end of the surface.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory view illustrating the appearance of the back surface of the LED module 180. As shown in FIG. 9, LEDs 184 are arranged in a line along the short side at the longitudinal end of the back surface of the LED module 180. The LED module 180 intermittently receives power supply from the module substrate 160 via the socket 183, and turns on and off the LED 184. In addition, the LED module 180 has a notch 182 formed in a part of the short side. The LED module 180 corresponds to a “light source module” in the claims. The LED 184 corresponds to a “light source” in the claims.

A2. How to install LED modules:
The module holder 170 supports the LED module 180 slid and assembled on the slide part 174 below the pedestal part 172. Here, a method for incorporating the LED module 180 into the module holder 170 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the LED module 180 is inserted between the opposing main surfaces of the leg portion 173 with the long side being front and back.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the incorporation of the LED module into the module holder. The LED module 180 is inserted between the lower side of the base portion 172 and the slide surface of the slide portion 174 and slides on the slide portion 174. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10A, the locking portion 174 a is pushed down by contacting the LED module 180. Accordingly, the LED module 180 can slide on the slide portion 174 even when the locking portion 174a is formed on the slide portion 174. As shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C, when the LED module 180 comes into contact with the contact portion 175 by sliding, the notch portion 182 of the LED module 180 is disposed on the locking portion 174a. The locking portion 174a moves upward and locks the LED module 180. Thereby, the LED module 180 is restrained from moving in the direction opposite to the sliding direction. Further, the movement in the sliding direction is suppressed by the contact portion 175.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory view illustrating a cross section of the module holder in a state where the LED module is incorporated. Since the LED module 180 is supported by the slide portion 174 at both ends in the longitudinal direction, the vertical movement is suppressed. Further, the LED module 180 is restrained from moving in the longitudinal direction by the leg portions 173 on both sides. Thereby, the LED module 180 assembled in the module holder 170 is fixed at a position where the opening 181 is vertically below the hole 172h.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory view illustrating the external appearance of the upper side of the module holder in a state where the LED module is incorporated. The module holder 170 is formed such that the socket 183 of the assembled LED module 180 is disposed on the upper side of the module holder 170 by a notch between the base portion 172 and the leg portion 173. Moreover, the latching | locking part 176 of the module holder 170 is arrange | positioned so that it may latch with the end surface 180b of the assembled LED module 180. FIG.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory view illustrating the external appearance of the lower side of the module holder in a state where the LED module is incorporated. The LED module 180 assembled in the module holder 170 is fixed at a position where the hole 172h is the center of the opening 181 when viewed from below.

A3. Fixing method of the module substrate 160:
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a part of a cross section of a mouse scanner. The module substrate 160 is arranged on the module holder 170 in a state where the mountain shape of the module substrate 160 is fitted to the pedestal 172 of the module holder 170. At this time, the imaging unit 162 is supported by the imaging unit support unit 172m, and can receive light from below through the hole 172h. Further, the flap part 161b has its tip side restrained from moving downward by the flap support part 172s, and the hook part 172f restrained movement from the short side and upward. Furthermore, the rear end side is restrained from moving in the short direction by the recess 172t.

  The fixing hole 172 i of the module holder 170 is formed at a position corresponding to the fixing hole 164 of the module substrate 160. Therefore, the module holder 170 and the module substrate 160 are fixed by the plastic fixing pin (not shown) penetrating through the fixed fixing hole in a state where the module substrate 160 is disposed on the module holder 170. Yes.

A4. Mouse scanner structure:
The structure of the mouse scanner will be briefly described. FIG. 15 is an explanatory view illustrating a cross section of a mouse scanner. The module holder 170 is disposed inside the lower housing member 120 so as to straddle the document reading opening 121 by the leg portion 173. In this embodiment, the fixing portion 178 of the module holder 170 and the lower housing member 120 are fixed by screws, but the fixing method between the module holder 170 and the lower housing member 120 is not particularly limited. It may be fixed, or may be fitted by a fitting part such as an uneven shape. By fixing the module holder 170 to the lower housing member 120, the imaging unit 162 is fixed in the mouse scanner 100 in a state where the distance from the document becomes a predetermined value.

  As shown in FIG. 15, a protrusion 113 protruding downward is formed on the lower surface of the upper housing member 110. Therefore, when the upper housing member 110 is disposed on the upper portion of the lower housing member 120, the projecting portion 113 pushes down the imaging unit 162 from above via the cushion unit 114 and presses the imaging unit 162 against the module holder 170. .

  In the mouse scanner 100, a space portion S is formed by the LED module 180, the leg portion 173, and the bottom portion 120a. The LED 184 and the reflecting mirror 171 are disposed inside the space S. As a result, the original can be uniformly irradiated by the light directly projected from the LED 184 and the light reflected by the reflecting mirror 171.

  With the above structure, part of the light projected from the LED 184 is reflected by the reflecting mirror 171, and part of the light directly irradiates the original through the original reading opening 121. The reflected light of the light irradiated on the document is detected by the imaging unit 162 through the document reading opening 121, the opening 181 and the hole 172h.

  According to the mouse scanner 100 according to the first embodiment described above, the module holder 170 having the slide part 174 for sliding and installing the LED module 180 is provided, so that the light source unit such as the LED 184 can be assembled. Can be improved.

  Conventionally, the light source unit is directly fixed to the housing. However, it is not easy to assemble the light source unit directly to the housing depending on the shape of the apparatus. However, according to the present invention, the module holder 170 allows the LED module 180 including the LED 184 to be easily incorporated into the module holder 170 by sliding. By fixing the module holder 170 to the housing, the LED 184 can be easily attached to the housing. Can be assembled.

  Since the LED module 180 is incorporated by sliding, the positional deviation of the LED 184 can be suppressed. In addition, the incorporated LED 184 maintains the distance from the document at a predetermined value by the module holder 170, so that it is possible to suppress unevenness in the light irradiated on the document.

  According to the mouse scanner 100 according to the first embodiment, the LED module 180 includes the notch portion 182, and the slide portion 174 includes the locking portion 174 a for engaging with the notch portion 182. Assembling property can be improved. Specifically, the LED module 180 can be fixed by engaging the notch portion 182 and the locking portion 174a. Therefore, it is not necessary to fix the LED module 180 with a screw or the like, and the LED 184 can be easily assembled.

  Since the mouse scanner 100 according to the first embodiment includes the front side position detection module 191 and the rear side position detection module 192, it can function as a pointing device.

  According to the mouse scanner 100 according to the first embodiment, the module holder 170 is disposed across the document reading opening 121 inside the housing, and the LED module 180 is disposed via the document reading opening 121. Since the original is irradiated with light, the original can be irradiated with light satisfactorily. Specifically, when the module holder 170 is disposed across the document reading opening 121, the LED module 180 faces the document reading opening 121 and can irradiate light on the document satisfactorily. Further, since the space portion S is formed between the LED module 180 and the document reading opening 121, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of unevenness in the light applied to the document.

B. Variation:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.

B1. Modification 1:
The mouse scanner 100 according to the present embodiment has a function as a pointing device, but may be realized as a document reading apparatus having only a scanning function. Even in this case, it is possible to improve the assembling property of the LED 184 by providing the module holder 170.

B2. Modification 2:
In the mouse scanner 100 according to the present embodiment, the LEDs 184 are arranged in a line along the short side at the longitudinal end of the LED module 180, but the position of the LED 184 in the LED module 180 is not particularly limited. You may arrange | position in positions other than this. Moreover, you may use light-emitting bodies other than LED as a light source.

B3. Modification 3:
In the mouse scanner 100 according to the present embodiment, the slide part 174 extends along the short direction of the module holder 170 on the main surface of the leg part 173, but the LED module 180 is slidable. If it exists, it may have a shape other than this. For example, the slide portion 174 may be intermittently arranged in the short direction.

B4. Modification 4:
In the mouse scanner 100 according to the present embodiment, the locking portion 174a may have a shape other than the shape shown in the embodiment as long as the LED module 180 incorporated in the module holder 170 can be fixed. For example, the locking portion 174a may be formed in a convex shape or may not include the movable portion 174b. Further, the cutout portion 182 may have a shape other than the cutout, such as a concave shape, as long as the cutout portion 182 can be engaged with the locking portion 174a.

B5. Modification 5:
The housing of the mouse scanner 100 according to the present embodiment has an upper housing member 110 having a substantially long plate-shaped outer shape, a substantially box-like shape with an open top, and a substantially rectangular bottom 120a. However, the shape of the housing is not particularly limited, and other shapes may be used. For example, the housing may have an elliptical plane. It may have a chevron cross section. Further, the lower housing member 120 may function as a lower lid.

B6. Modification 6:
The housing of the mouse scanner 100 according to this embodiment includes the wheel opening 111 in the upper housing member and a part of the wheel 131 protrudes, but the wheel 131 may not be provided. Further, the reading button 132 is disposed on the side surface of the mouse scanner 100, but may be disposed at a position other than this.

B7. Modification 7:
In addition to a hand scanner and a mouse scanner, the present invention can be realized by, for example, a copy apparatus or a facsimile apparatus that includes a hand scanner. It can also be realized as a method for manufacturing a document reading device including a step of sliding the light source module into the module holder. Further, the present invention can be realized in the form of a computer program for manufacturing a document reading apparatus, a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded, and the like.

It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the external appearance of the upper side of the mouse scanner in 1st Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the external appearance of the lower side of the mouse scanner in 1st Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the internal structure of the mouse scanner. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the external appearance of the module board. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the external appearance of the module holder and the LED module. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated a part of external appearance of a module holder. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the cross section of the module holder. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the shape of the slide part. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the external appearance of the back surface of the LED module. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the assembly to the module holder of an LED module. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the cross section of the module holder in the state which integrated the LED module. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the external appearance of the upper side of the module holder in the state which integrated the LED module. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the external appearance of the module holder in the state which incorporated the LED module. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated a part of cross section of the mouse scanner. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the cross section of the mouse scanner.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Mouse scanner 110 ... Upper housing member 113 ... Protrusion part 120 ... Lower housing member 121 ... Document reading opening 130 ... Detection unit 140 ... Transmission plate 151 ... Front foot part 152 ... Rear foot part 160 ... Module board 161b ... Flap part 162 ... Imaging part 165 ... Connection end part 170 ... Module holder 171 ... Reflector 172 ... Base part 173 ... Leg part 174 ... Slide part 176 ... Locking part 180 ... LED module 200 ... Cable

Claims (5)

An original reading device,
A housing;
A plate-like light source module that is disposed inside the housing and has a light source unit for irradiating light on the document;
The light source module is disposed inside the housing and has a mounting portion for slidingly mounting the light source module, and supports the light source module incorporated in the mounting portion while maintaining a distance from the document at a predetermined value. And a module holder. The document reading device according to claim 1,
The light source module includes a locked portion,
The document reading apparatus, wherein the insertion portion includes a locking portion for engaging with the locked portion. The document reading device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:
An original reading apparatus including a position detecting unit for detecting the position of the original reading apparatus. The document reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The housing includes an opening at the bottom,
The module holder is disposed across the opening in the housing,
The document reading device, wherein the light source module incorporated in the insertion unit irradiates light to the document through the opening. A method for manufacturing a document reading device, comprising:
Preparing a housing; and
A step of preparing a light source module having a light source unit for irradiating light on a document, and a module holder for supporting the light source module;
Sliding the light source module into the module holder; and
And a step of arranging the module holder in which the light source module is incorporated in the housing.

Images